Deportment he came to Edenburgh and there fell presently into Communication with the Covenanters 1. What they expected from the King in satisfaction to their Grievances 2. What assurance they would give of their returning to due obedience and renunciation of the Covenant To the first they answered That nothing but a general Assembly and a Parliament could give them satisfaction 2. They answered That they disavowed any Retreat from their Loyalty and therefore needed no Return towards it And for the Covenant That they would sooner renounce their Baptism than it and would not endure to hear this Proposition a second time The Covenanters doubled their Guards upon the Castle and City and the Marquess for his safety returned to Dalketh and sent to the King for new Instructions His Majesty ordered him to publish the King's Declaration Assuring that Kingdom of his Constancy in the Protestant Religion that he would not further urge the Practice of the Canons and Service-book but in a fair and Legal way and had given order for the discharge of all Acts of Councel concerning them And that he had taken into consideration the Indicting of a general Assembly and Parliament wherein might be agitated what should most concern the peace and welfare of the Kirk and Kingdom Whereupon he expected that those his Subjects sensible of his gracious Favour would give Testimonial of their future Loyalty and no further provoke him to make use of that Power which God had given him for the reclaiming of disobedient people As soon as the Proclamation was ended the Covenanters were ready with a Protest against it highly distasted To have their Actions branded with the Notion of Disobedience and declared that they would never abandon their Covenant upon such suggestions And that they would not wait the King's Conveniency for calling of an Assembly but if he did not approve of their Proceedings they would call a general Assembly themselves The Marquess finding them thus obstinate told them That the Stock of his Instructions was spent and that he must resort to England for a fresh Supply Thereupon the Covenanters acquainted him That they expected his Majestie 's Answer and his Return upon the Fifth of August next at furthest and promised in the mean time to continue in a peaceable condition and not to act any thing till his Return The Marquess came to England to the King making known to him the state of his Affairs in Scotland and was dispatched away with new Instructions so as by the time prefixed he returned to Scotland By the Fifth of August the Marquess returned to Scotland and there found a Rumour That he approved the Covenant which occasioned him for his Vindication to call in the Lords of the Councel and others of the Nobility to be his Compurgators Then he falls to confer with the Covenanters about Indicting of the Assembly demanding of what Members it should consist and of what Matters they should treat At which the Covenanters in great passion answered That these Proposals were destructive to their Liberties and a prelimitation of that Assembly who ought to be free and to be judge both of their own Members and the Matters of their Cognizance This caused the Commissioner to declare his Instructions to Indict an Assembly upon the Concession of Ten Articles To which the Covenanters would not Assent but appealed to the General Assembly where they said those matters were properly to be decided Anno 1638 Upon this refusal the Commissioner resolved to go again for England and the Covenanters raysed a rumour That he had neither power from the King nor Inclination to give the People satisfaction which seemed so to Incense him that he contracted his former proposals into Two 1. That no Laicks nor any but Ministers of the Presbyterians should have Votes in the chusing of Ministers for the General Assembly 2. That things Ecclesiastical should be left to be determined by the Assembly and things setled by Acts of Parliament to the Parliament This being graunted he would presently indict a General Assembly and promised upon his honour immediately after to call a Parliament The Covenanters were so distasted at these proposals that they presently gave order for a General Assembly but upon second thoughts they held fit to forbear till the Commissioner should return from the King with a more pleasing Answer for which they gave him time till the 21. of September next promising in the Interim not to proceed to Election The Commissioner posted to the King who advising with his Privy Council and pursuing the advice of his Council in Scotland Resolved on a way which he thought would take away all Discontents there and sent back the Commissioner with ample Instructions for that purpose Who returning within the time limited found that the Covenanters had ordered an Election to be on the next day the 22d. of September yet took no notice thereof but according to his instructions assembled the Council and delivered to them a Letter from the King acquainting them with what course he meant to pursue for the benefit of the Kirke and State Then he appointed the King's Declaration to be read wherein he nulled the Service Book the Book of Canons The high Commission discharged the pressing of the 5 Articles of Perth ordered that all persons whatsoever Ecclesiastical or Civil should be lyable to censure of Parliament and General Assembly That no other oath be administred to Ministers at their entry but what was contained in the Act of Parliament That the ancient confession of Faith and Band thereunto annexed should be subscribed and renewed as it was in his Father's time That a General Assembly be holden at Glasgow Nov. 21. and a Parliament at Edenburgh the 15 th of May next wherein he pardoned all bygonne offences and Indicted a General Fast After this Declaration published the Confession of Faith was read and Subscribed by the Marquess and the Council Then a Proclamation for the General Assembly and another for the Parliament Then an Act of the Council requiring a general Subscription of the Confession of Faith and a Commission to diverse for taking the Subscription The Covenanters brought up the reare with a Protest moved the people to consider with whom they had to deal decryed the new Subscription to the Confession of Faith and excepted against the Archbishops and Bishops as not to have any Votes in the Assembly Then they Elect Commissioners for the Assembly and order at their Table That every Parish should send to the Presbytery one Layman whom they stiled a Ruling Elder to have equal Vote with the Minister They moved the Commissioner for his Warrant of citation against the Archbishops and Bishops to appear at the Assembly as Delinquents which he refusing they fram'd a Bill against them for many misdemeanours which was preferred to the Presbytery at Edenburgh against them and they warned them to Compeer at the General Assembly at Glascow Car. 14
Regal Government and now take up Arms and Invade England He declares all those who have already entred or shall enter in warlike-manner in England their Adherents and Assistants to be Rebels and Traytors Yet if they shall acknowledge their former Crimes and crave pardon he tenders it to them A Prayer was likewise published to be said in all Churches for the King in his Expedition against the Rebels of Scotland But nothing could alter the opinion and humour of divers of the Officers and private Souldiers of his Army who in their March to their Rendezvous spared not to declare their Judgments against this War and that they would not fight to maintain the pride and power of the Bishops And this their Resolution seemed not to be feigned by the ill success afterwards The Lord Conway Commander in chief then upon the place to secure some Passes August 27. drew out Twelve hundred Horse and two thousand Foot placing the Foot under a Breast-work to gall the Scots in their pass over the River Tine near New-Castle General Lesley over-night had planted nine Pieces of Ordnance on his side of the River and blinded them with Bushes In the Morning he craves leave of the Lord Conway to pass with his Petition to the King he was admitted to pass with a considerable Number but not with his Army But Lesley would not divide his Forces and Foards over three hundred Horse whom the English behind the Breast-work forced to retire and Lesley to relieve them plays his Cannon from the Blind upon the English drove them from their Post and they cast down their Arms and fled Then their Horse advanced upon Wilmot Commissary General of the King's Horse who accompanied with prime Gentlemen stood to the Charge of the Scots Horse and Cannon till galled and over-powred with Number they retired in disorder three hundred of them being slain and taken Prisoners Conway was fain to Retreat with this Ill News to the King whom he found at North Allerton Sir Jacob Ashley Governour of Newcastle for the King quitted that Town to the Scots and they became possest of it and within two days after of Durham likewise Strafford brought up the Rear of the Army retreating to York where the King staid and the miscarriage of Conway was examin'd who being accused of Cowardise or Treachery used his best Art and Flourishes to vindicate himself yet something stuck upon him The English Garrison at Berwick Issued out and recovered some Peices of Cannon which Lesley had left at Dunce as not usefull for his Train This gave Alarm to the Earl of Hadington who with two thousand Horse and Foot pursued and rescued the Cannon and the next day he and twenty more Knights and Gentlemen in an instant were all slain by an accident of Fire which blew up the Magazine of Powder in a Vault and they were killed by the Stones which flew from the Vault The Scots having got on this side the Breeze in a warmer and more fruitful Country than their own with Fires of Newcastle Coal with Meat Drink and Lodging of the best They now Petition the King In the Name of the Lords of the last Parliament and others his Majestie 's Loyal Subjects of Scotland Complaining of their Grievances in general for relief whereof they are constrained to come without prejudice to the Peace of England till they were with Arms opposed their Passage at Newborn and now present themselves to his Majestie 's goodness for satisfaction of their full Demands and repair of their Wrongs and Losses with the Advice of the Parliament of England to be Convented The King answers That he expects their particular Demands having already summoned the Peers of England to meet at York September 24. and commands them to advance no further The Scots three days after sent their particular Demands 1. That the late Acts of Parliament may be published in his Majestie 's Name with the States of Parliament 2. That Edenburgh Castle and other Strengths of Scotland may be fortified and used for our defence and security 3. That our Country-men in England and Ireland may not be pressed with Oaths and Subscriptions contrary to the National Oath and Covenant 4. That the common Incendiaries may receive their Censure 5. That our Ships and Goods and Damage may be restored 6. That the Wrongs Losses and Charges which all the time we have sustained may be repaired 7. That the Declarations against us as Traytors may be recalled 8. That by Advice of the Parliament of England Garrisons may be removed from the Borders and all Impediments of free Trade and Peace settled for our Religion and Liberties 9. That the meeting of the Peers the 24th Septem will be too long ere the Parliament be convened the only means of settling Peace and enabling us to obey his Majestie 's Commands In this time some of the English Lords well affected to a Parliament and no bitter enemies to the Covenanters had framed a Petition which they sent by some of their number to the King to York and it was to this effect They set forth their Zeal to the King and Kingdom moving them to be seech his Majestie 's leave to offer to his Princely Wisdom the Apprehension they and others of his Loyal Subjects have of the Distempers and Dangers to the Church and State and to his Person and the means to prevent them The Evils they mention are first That his Sacred Person is exposed to danger in this Expedition and by the War his Revenue wasted his Subjects burdened with Coat and Conduct-money Billetting of Souldiers and other Military Charges and divers Rapines and Disorders by the Souldiers and the Kingdom full of fears and Discontents 2. The Innovations in matters of Religion the Oath and Canons lately Imposed 3. The great Increase of Popery and imploying Popish Recusants and others ill affected to Religion in places of Power and Trust 4. The Mischiefs which may fall if the Intentions which have been credibly reported of bringing in Irish and foreign Forces should take effect 5. The urging of Ship-money and prosecuting Sheriffs for not Levying of it 6. The heavy Charge upon Merchandize and the Monopolies 7. The great Grief of the Subjects by long Intermission of Parliaments and the late and former Dissolutions of them For Remedy they humbly beseech his Majesty to summon a Parliament whereby the Causes of these Grievances may be taken away and the Authors and Counsellors of them punished That the present War may be composed without Blood to the honour and safety of the King the comfort of his People and the uniting of both Realms Concluded August 28. 1640. Subscribed Bedford Essex Mulgrave Say and Seal Ed. Howard E. of Bristoll Hartford Warwick Bullingbrook Mandevill Brook Paget The King's Answer to this Petition was That before the receipt of it he well foresaw the danger that threatens Himself and Crown and therefore resolved to
marched through Abbington where Major General Brown gallantly entertained him and took up his Quarters at Garrington that Col. Trevor and Sir Jo. Vaughan came in to him from Oxford That the Army was on both sides the River intending closely to begirt the City that the King is gone for London as is supposed and that a hundred Officers are come out of Oxford 4. Letters from the General before Oxford informed that those who came out of Oxford informed confidently that the King was in London whereupon both houses declared by beat of Drum and sound of Trumpet That what Person soever shall harbour or conceal or know of the harbouring or concealing of the Kings Person and shall not reveal it immedately to the Speakers of both Houses shall be proceeded against as a Traitor to the Common-wealth forfeit his whole Estate and dye without Mercy An Ordinance committed for all Papists Officers and Soldiers of Fortune that have come out of the Kings Quarters to remove twenty miles from London and power given to the Militia of London to search within twenty miles of London for all Papists Malignants and suspected persons and to secure and disarm them and to search for Arms this to continue for twenty days The General Training was put off Orders for Provisions for the Army 5. Upon Letters from Sir Thomas Fairfax of Suspition of the Kings being gone towards the Associated Counties care was taken for their security and Col. Russel sent down to the Isle of Ely and Col. Wharton to Lynne Sir Hardress Waller named to be Governor of Jersey A Petition of many of Hertford-shire against Tithes but nothing was done in it Letters from the Generals Quarters informed that the General Quartered at Heddington within a mile of Oxford the Horse were so disposed as to prevent the Enemies Sallies forth the Foot thus The Generals Regiment and Col. Pickerings at Heddington the Major General 's and Col. Harley's at Marston Col. Herberts and Col. Sir Hardress Waller's Regiments at Cowley the Train of Artillery at Ellesfield An hundred Officers and Soldiers came forth of Oxford in two days many of Quality have sent for Passes to go forth the Lady Hertford Lady Digby Lady Stourton and many of Quality but the General denyes all except it be for Treaty or Parley That the Grandees of Oxford give it out the King is in London and hath made his Peace with the Parliament that Wallingford was blocked up on the one side by the Forces of Reading and of Henley and on the other side by Col. Welden That the Governor of Wallingford sent a Letter to the General desiring him not to make his approach to the Castle for then he must be forced to fire the Town which he the rather urged because he heard the King was in London and upon agreement with the Parliament so that he hoped in seven or eight days to receive a command from his Majesty for the Surrender thereof Some Foot sallied out of Oxford but soon retreated a Party from Farrington did some hurt in the Generals Quarters 6. Letters from the Commissioners of the Parliament before Newarke and from Lieutenant General Pointz certified that the King came to the Quarters of the French Agent at Southam and thence sent to G. Lesley and was conducted by a Troop of Horse into the Scots Army where he now remains That the Commissioners soon after his coming sent a Letter to the Commissioners of the Parliament to acquaint them therewith which Letters were read in the House and an abstract of a Letter from Paris discovering what was written from the King to the Queen touching his going from Oxford Upon debate the Commons Voted That the Commissioners and the General of the Scots Army be desired that his Majesties Person be disposed of as both Houses shall desire and direct and that he be thence disposed of and sent to Warwick Castle That Mr. Ashburnham and the rest that came with the King to the Scots Army be sent for as Delinquents by the Serjeant at Arms. The Commissioners of Parliament before Newarke were to acquaint the Scots General with these Votes and to take care that Mr. Ashburnham and the rest be sent up to the Parliament and they were to make a Narrative of the Kings coming to the Scots Army and to present it to the House Thirty pounds given to Lieutenant Gen. Pointz his Secretary who brought these Letters and thirty pounds to the Messenger of the Commissioners Order for reducement of Major General Massey's Horse and those Forces to be disposed of by the General 7. An Ordinance sent to the Lords for Establishment of the Garrison of Hull and order for Ammunition for them Order for a new Election Order for a Letter from the Speaker to the Committee of Northumberland to send some Forces to preserve the holy Island a place of great concernment Provision of Money for Plymouth and other Garrisons 8. Letters intercepted and read in the House going from the Scots Commissioners here to the Scots Commissioners at Newarke of great concernment A Committee was appointed to examine the manner of the stay of the Gentleman that carried these Letters Order to desire the Commissioners in London that Mr. Wakerly who signed the Letter to the Lord Balcarris might be examined by a Committee and that the Speaker should deliver to the Scots Commissioners here such of the Letters as they desired and should claim as their hand-writing Other Letters were read from the Scots Commissioners in London concerning the Kings being in the Scots Army and their perswading him to deliver up Newarke to the Committee of both Kingdoms for the use of the Parliament of England which is to be surrendred to the Commissioners for the Parliament upon Articles the ninth of this instant May the House sate this day till nine at night A Letter from the Scots General and the Committee of Estates of Scotland now with the Scots Army to the Committee of both Kingdoms informed That they were astonished at the Providence of the Kings coming into their Army which was so private that it was long ere they could find him there and now desired that it might be improved to the best advantage for promoting the work of Vniformity for setling of Religion and Righteousness and attaining of Peace according to the Covenant and Treaty by advice of the Parliaments of both Kingdoms or their Commissioners That they declare there hath been no Treaty betwixt his Majesty and them and in so deep a business they desire the advice of the Committee of both Kingdoms c. 9. The Articles of the surrender of Newarke brought to the Parliament After the surrender the Scots Army drew off and retreated about four miles the King with them in the Army An hundred pound given to the Colonel that brought these Letters and thirty pounds to the other Messenger Banbury Castle was surrendred to Col. Whaley upon Articles Order for thanksgiving to God
settle differences between well affected Tenants and disaffected Landlords and to consider of Judges for Wales Dr. Hudson the Kings Guide was long examined in the House and committed close Prisoner to the Tower for Treason Orders for sixty pound to the Officers and Troopers that brought up Dr. Hudson and for the discharge of Col. Morrice and for sixty pound to the Serjeants Deputies 22. The Grand Committee sate upon matter of Religion and the Lords Ordinance prohibiting any to Preach but those who are ordained The King propounded to the Scots Commissioners two Quaeries in what condition he stood whether a free man or under restraint if not a free man then his answer to their desires would not be valid They pressed him to assent to the Propositions if not they must acquaint him with the resolutions of the Parliament of England The King replied he knew them and demanded if he went to Scotland whether he should be there with Honor Freedom and Safety to which they gave no answer 23. The Grand Committee sate about the payment of the Soldiers 25. The House received a Declaration of Scotland sent to the Scots Commissioners here to be communicated to both Houses of Parliament to this effect Reciting former transactions with the King and his denyal to sign the Propositions that the King hath often declared his desires to be near the Parliament of England who have communicated to them that Holmeby House is the place they think sit for his Majesty to come unto there to remain with safety of his Person in the preservation and defence of the true Religion and Liberties of the Kingdoms according to the Covenant Therefore and in regard his Majesty hath not given a satisfactory answer to the Propositions and to keep a right understanding and prevent new troubles to satisfie the desire of his Majesty the Parliament of England to prevent misinformation and to satisfie the estates of the Parliament of Scotland do declare their concurrence for his Majesties coming to Holmeby House or some other of his Houses in or about London there to remain till he satisfie both Kingdoms in the Propositions of Peace And that in the interim there be no harm done to his Person that there be no change of Government other then hath been the three years past and that his Posterity be no way prejudiced in their Lawful Succession They are assured that the intentions of their Brethren are the same and they conclude that they will endeavour to keep all right between the Kingdoms according to the Covenant and Treaties They desire 1. That a Committee of both Kingdoms attend his Majesty and press him to grant the Propositions and if he refuse to determine further what is necessary for continuing the Vnion and that no agreement be made with the King distinct 2. That such Scots as have Places about the King may exercise them except Persons excepted and none be barred access or attendance who have warrant from either Parliament 3. That the one Kingdom assist the other in case of trouble 4. That England agree for some Competency for the Scots Forces in Ireland A Committee touching the Accounts of the Kingdom Orders for one thousand eight hundred pound for Sir Philip Stapleton for his Arrears and for two thousand five hundred pound for Col. Thompson and for Captain Torneton Major of London Derry to be sent for in Custody to answer the Committee of Accounts Order for Sir Thomas Fairfax to have his five thousand pound per An. out of Delinquents Estates excepted Orders for Disbanding the Troop of Wilts and for six thousand pound for the Regiment of Northampton-shire and for twelve thousand five hundred pound for the reduced Officers A Committee to confer with the Judges about bringing excepted Persons to a speedy Tryal An Ordinance read for Sale of Delinquents Estates who are excepted but they to be first tryed Order for six thousand pound for the Garrison of Portsmouth out of such Delinquents Estates as the Gentlemen of Hampshire should name Upon the Lord L'Isle's desire Major Harrison voted to go with him into Ireland A Letter from the French Ambassador to the Lords that he had Letters of Consequence from the King his Master to the Parliament 26. Divers Compositions past that of Mr. Goodale rejected because he lately killed a man in cold Blood In the afternoon the House sate about the Scots Papers Letters from the North informed that the Scots had received their Money and given Acquittances for it That the Parliament of Scotland sent their resolution to the General and Commissioners to deliver the King to the Commissioners of England to be conducted to Holmeby Major General Skippon published a Proclamation at the head of every Regiment of his Convoy that no Officer or Soldier under his Command either in Word or Deed give any just occasion of offence to any Officer or Soldier of the Scots Army but demean themselves towards them civilly and inoffensively as becometh Brethren Letters from the North that the Scots had shipped their own Ordnance and Carriages that they sent but fourteen Troopers to Convoy their Money 27. The Monthly Fast After the Sermons the House met and ordered a general Fast day throughout the Kingdom to beseech God for the rooting out of Heresie and Blasphemies At a Conference both Houses agreed to the Scots desires That when the Scots Army is out of the Kingdom and the King come to Holmeby Commissioners be sent from both Kingdoms to press his Majesty to pass the Propositions and Sign the Covenant And if he refuse then to consider how to settle the Kingdoms according to the Covenant and Treaties that nothing be concluded with the King but according to the Treaties that no Person excepted be admitted to the King that those chosen to attend him at Holmeby be but for a time nor any prejudice to be to those who have adhered to the Parliament and that when any trouble ariseth in either Kingdom the other to assist according to the Treaties 28. Order for Money for the reduced Officers Mr. Barrill approved to be Attorney General in Ireland Orders for the Assesments for Ireland to be continued for discharging of Sir Robert King and Sir Jo Clotworthy from being Commissioners for Ireland upon their own desires and for supplys for Dublin Order for Newport Pagnell to be slighted and the Ammunition there to be sent to Ireland Orders for all the Officers and Soldiers designed for Ireland speedily to repair to the Sea Side and for six pound a Week allowance for the Lady Ranelagh and for five hundred pound for Col. Temple for his Arrears The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland took his leave of the House 29. Debate in the Grand Committee concerning Persons Preaching who were not Ordained The Commission agreed for the Agent of the Turkey Company to Constantinople sent up to the Lords and they consented to it 30. The Grand Committee sate concerning the pay for the Army Letters
intrusted therewith for one whole year when there was a full and free Parliament That they desire a happy and speedy Peace by the settlement of true Religion in this Kingdom and by re-establishing his Majesty in his just rights and authority by upholding all lawful priviledges of a free Parliament by maintaining the fundamental Laws of the Land by restoring and securing the Subject unto and in his just liberty and property and by freeing this long oppressed Kingdom from all taxes and inforced free quarter towards the maintenance of an Army which for a long time hath had no visible enemy to encounter Both Houses declared That the Ordinance that puts under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax all the Land Forces doth not give him any power over the Trained Bands Garrisons c. this order to be printed and published in London by sound of Trumpet and the Sheriffs to publish it in their several limits August 1647. August 2. Divers Officers of the Trained Bands in Southwarke intreated the Common Council That they might not go forth in an hostile manner under any Command but such as should be approved of by the generality of that Borough and that they might be left to defend themselves and stand on their own guard and a Petition was presented to the Common Council in the name of many thousands of well affected Citizens praying that some means may be used for a Composure c. At which time General Pointz with some other Officers of the new List attending for orders of the Militia came into Guild-Hall yard amongst the Petitioners and cruelly hacked and hewed many of them and some were mortally wounded and dyed afterwards and the Petitioners were forced to fly Some in the Common-Council declared the danger of a new War they sate till nine at night only agreeing to send a Letter to Sir Thomas Fairfax the next day The Army Quartered at Colnebrooke and the King at Stoke-Abby The Earls of Warwick Manchester c. sent to the General to acquaint him that they had quitted the Parliament for that there was no free sitting for them and they cast themselves into his Protection The Lord Say and divers other Lords and Members of the House of Commons came to the General to the Head Quarters desiring to be protected by him A Petition from the County of Devon to the General against Arbitrary Power and corrupt Officers and oppression of those who have served the Parliament and Malignants set up against undue Elections of Burgesses who are strong in Wine and weak in Wisdom They pray his Excellency to endeavour a settlement and prevent a new War and not to give over till the Nation be secured and they will engage with him herein 3. The Common-Council sent Commissioners and a Letter to the General to Colenbrook mentioning that they received no answer to their two last Letters but leave no means to prevent a new War desire him and his Council of War to hear their Commissioners A Declaration of the Army was given to those Commissioners of the grounds of their advance towards London and a Copy of the proposals of the Army A General rendezvous was at Hunsloe Heath of twenty thousand Horse and Foot and a great train of Artillery which the London Commissioners viewed and so returned to the City At this rendezvous were present the Earls of Northumberland Salisbury Kent the Lord Grey of Warke Lord Howard the Lord Wharton Lord Say and Lord Mulgrave and others about fourteen Lords the Speaker and about an hundred Members of the House of Commons The Army was drawn up in Battalia with reserves the General accompanied with the Lords and Commons and other Gentlemen rode along and took a view of the Army from Regiment to Regiment who received them with great acclamation of the Soldiers crying Lords and Commons and a free Parliament having gone to them all then they left the General The Prince Elector came and viewed the Army and the General received him with great respect Information to the General that Southwarke disliked the proceedings of London against the Army and desired assistance from the General who sent Col. Rainsborough's Brigade towards them the rest of the Army drew off and the Head Quarters were at Thistleworth General Massey sent out Scouts to Brainford but ten of the Army beat thirty of his and took a Colours from a Party of the City The City Militia and Common Council sate late and a great number of People attended at Guild-Hall When a Scout came in and brought news that the Army made a halt or other good intelligence They cry One and all But if the Scouts brought intelligence that the Army advanced nearer to them then they would cry as loud Treat Treat Treat and so spent most part of the night at last they agreed to send to the General an humble Letter beseeching him that there might be a way of composure The General made a Proclamation That no Soldier should go to London on pain of Death A Pass for Sir Robert Pye to go beyond Sea 4. Letters from Scotland informed That by order of the Clergy upon danger to Religion in England and Scotland a general Fast was kept to pray to God to enable them to be helpful to England That the Clergy out of their Pulpits moved the People to take up Arms. Letters from the City to the General That they received his Excellencies Declaration and observed one of the motives of his advancing near London was to bring home the Members of both Houses who retired because of the late tumults that they joyn with his Excellency therein and that all Ports shall be open for him and them to be conducted to both Houses of Parliament and will take the advice of Parliament what Forces of the City shall be continued and submit all matters to be determined by both Houses when they shall sit in safety That they have recalled their late Declaration and hope his Excellency will withold his Soldiers from doing any prejudice to the City About two a Clock in the morning Col. Rainsborough's Brigade marched into Southwarke without any opposition the Soldiers carrying themselves very civilly and finding the Gates shut and the Portcullis let down at the Bridge and a guard within they planted two pieces of Ordnance against the Gate and set a guard without and in a short time after the great Fort was yielded to them The Commissioners of the City returned from the Army to the Common-council with the Generals demands To have the Forts on the West side of London delivered up to him that security being given he would bring the Members of both Houses who were forced from the Parliament to Westminster to sit in a free House and of this answer was to be returned to the General by twelve a clock at night The Common-Council after a full debate sent a Letter to his Excellency That they had
time it was answered That it was for Prisoners to prepare their proofs against the Tryal he having been in Prison so long he replied that during his six Months imprisonment he never sent about any private business but only to get Monies to maintain him and prayed the mercy of the Court that if they would spare him he might be useful and that he was sorry for what he had done He had two daies time longer given to him to prepare for his defence 14. Vote for thirty eight persons to be of the Council of State viz. Earl of Denbigh Mulgrave Pembroke Salisbury Lord Gray Fairfax General Grey of Groby Lord L'Isle Rolles St. John Wilde Bradshaw Cromwell Skippon Pickering Massam Haselrigg Harrington Vane jun. Danvers Armine Mildmay Constable Pennington Wilson Whitelock Martin Ludlow Stapeley Heveningham Wallop Hutchinson Bond Al. Popham Valentine Walton Scot Purefoy Jones Their powers were 1. To command and settle the Militia of England and Ireland 2. To set forth such a Navy as they should think fit 3. To appoint Magazines and Stores and to dispose them c. 4. To sit and execute the powers given them for a Year Instruction passed for altering Patents of Sheriffs and their Oath and a list of all the Justices of Peace brought into the House Major General Middleton who was upon his parole at Berwick brake his word and went to Scotland 15. An Act passed touching the accounts of Sheriffs Debate upon the Act for Sale of Deans and Chapters lands The High Court of Justice sate and the Earl of Cambridge moved the Court for further time and new Council in regard that those formerly assigned to him for Council refused to plead for him which was granted to him In the House were the Dutch Ambassadors in person to receive the answer to their Papers and addresses 16. Ceremonies upon the Dutch Ambassadors going away Some Sheriffs nominated Order for moneys for the Judges going their Circuits The High Court of Justice sate and the Lord Goring was brought to the Bar Mr. Coke Sollicitor General set forth the heâ—nousness of his Crimes at Colchester in Kent Essex c. He said he could not deny the matter of fact in much of them but should clear himself of some particulars Divers witnesses were produced vivâ voce who proved the Death of several of the Parliament Party before Colchester the shooting of poisoned bullets boyled in Copperas from the Town the cruel usage of the Prisoners in Colchester the Lord Gorings reviling them calling them Rebellious Rogues the burning of six hundred Houses at Colchester and many other particulars The Lord Goring by way of defence made a Narrative of his proceedings since his last coming into England acknowledged his receiving a Commission from the Prince and his giving Commissions to others That what he did was out of a good intention for Peace and accommodation That Treason not being in the intention he could not be guilty of it that he intended not to raise Forces against the Parliament he pleaded his Peerage and the Articles of Colchester by which quarter was given him To this the Council for the Common-wealth replyed that a mans Actions did best expound his intentions that the Lord Goring ' s Actions spake him guilty of Murder Treason c. that to his Peerage the power by which the Court sate was an answer That for the Articles of Colchester though he had at first waved them by pleading not guilty yet he should have as full a benefit of them as the Lord Capel who had largely pleaded for them Against Sir John Owen witnesses testifyed the Death of the high Sheriff of Caernarven and others Sir John alledged that what he did was to free himself from violence and plunder but it was proved that he was in the first War had the Articles of Conway upon which he was admitted to compound took the Covenant and Negative Oath and yet ingaged a second time The Earl of Holland was removed from Warwick Castle to London 17. A Declaration passed in answer to the Scots Papers and was Ordered to be delivered to their Commissioners and to be printed and published Order to allow one thousand pound per annum Salary to each of the Commissioners of the Seal Order for the Council of State to sit and the Members that desired it to have lodgings in White-Hall Vote for two Seals for the Committee of Estates ingraven with the Arms of England and Ireland and this inscription the Committee of Estates appointed by Parliament Order for the General and Colonel Rich to sit in the House as Burgesses elected for Cirencester The Speaker acquainted the House with a Letter he received from the Prince Elector of his intentions to return to his own Country with some acknowledgement of thanks for favours to him appointed to be read on Munday next The High Court of Justice sate and witnesses proved the escape of the Lord Capel out of the Tower he pleaded that he did not escape as he was a Prisoner of War but as he was sent to the Tower in another condition The Earl of Cambridge urged that the Council assigned to him were not ready for want of longer time and held it not proper for them to plead in matter of Law till the fact were first proved The Court declared that he had been often moved to make his defence whereupon he proceeded in it produced his Commissions from the Parliament to command all the Forces of that Kingdom and the order of the Committee of Estates there for him to advance into England then the large Declaration from Scotland He pleaded the ends thereof being for his Majesties honour the setling of Religion and the Covenant he also pleaded the Articles agreed unto by Major General Lambert when he yielded himself Prisoner whereby he was assured by him of quarter and life to prove which he produced the Lord Grey Colonel Lilburn and M r Peters for witnesses Concerning the point of Naturalization he pleaded that his Father being naturalized could not make him a subject of England no more than the Son of an English-man born in any Foreign Parts was intituled thereby to any inheritance here that he had a Petition and Bill prepared for his Naturalization but it passed not Colonel Whichcot the Governour and the Marshal of Windsor-Castle proved the Earls escape after he had passed his word to the Governour to be a true Prisoner the Earl earnestly denyed this and offered upon it a Challenge to the Governour were he not in his present capacity but it was left to the judgment of the Court. 19. The Letter from the Prince Elector was read of the grounds of his return to his own Country returning humble thanks for the favour of the Parliament to him desiring the continuance of his stipend and the arrears of it to be paid The House Ordered the arrears to be paid him and the Speaker to give him
Officer of the Kings in Cornwall who were carryed to Prison til further Order from the Parliament or Councel of State 16 Divers Surveys returned into Worcester House of Lands of the late King Queen and Prince appointed to be sold 17 The General sent his Orders to several Garrisons to hold Courts Martial for the Punishment of Souldiers offending against the Articles of War provided that if any be sentenced to loose Life or Limb that then they trasmit to the Judge Advocate the Examinations and Proceedings of the Court Marshal that the General 's Pleasure may be known thereupon The Commission also from the General gave authority to examine Witnesses upon Oath against the Offender and for his Defence An Account of Recruits for Ireland and Returns of Subscriptions to the Ingagement from several Regiments and Garrisons 18 Letters that the Mayor and Magistrates of Yarmouth and all the Officers and Souldiers of the Garrison there did willingly take the Ingagement and that there was great Affection and Unity between them That the Commissioners appointed by the Councel of State were settling the Militia in those parts That a Danish Ship of twelve Guns was cast away in sight of the Town who sent out Boats and saved twelve of her Men the rest were drowned and six of her Guns saved From Jersy That the Prince intends to remove back again into France That his Councel is much divided about what Answer to give to the Lord of Libbertons Message From Durham That a written Paper was fixed upon the Market Cross of the Title of King Charles the Second c. and that all that opposed him were guilty of Rebellion which was Treason in the highest nature and therefore the Authors kindly wished all to amend 19 Most part of this week was spent in Parliament upon Debates of a new Act for regulating the Elections of Members for suture Representatives and upon a Bill for managing and ordering of the Sequestrations Granger and others were apprehended for counterfeiting Warrants and receiving great Sums of Money collected for the Service of the Forces in Ireland The Generals at Sea met at Portsmouth to hasten out the Navy to Sea The General and his Officers made several Resolutions touching the purchasing of the late Kings Lands Several other Persons apprehended and Committed to the Marshal General for counterfeiting Debenters and Warrants whereby they received several Sums of Money from Collectors 21 The General and his Officers met and passed several Votes to be presented to the Committee of Parliament touching the Removal of Obstructions in the sale of the late Kings Lands and for the Examination of the Souldiers times of Service and what Arrears are due to them c. 22 Long Debate upon the Act of Sequestrations to which the House added several Provisoes Letters from Weymouth about the Pirates infesting that Coast From Newcastle That the taking of the Ingagement sticks most with the Presbiterians who pretend Conscience to oppose it but the Cavaleers in Policy subscribe it That the Cavaliers report that Lieutenant General Cromwel was sent for out of Ireland because he was forced from thence and could no longer subsist there From Edenburgh That Libberton wrote a Letter only to let them know that he was safely arrived in Jersy but not one word of the Kings Mind That Sir William Flemming came thither from Jersy to see what Posture they were in That many Witches were dayly apprehended and brought to the Fire From Hull That Mr. Strickland the Parliaments Agent in Holland finds there a very fair Comportment as to the Affairs of England From Plymouth That the Cavaliers have frequent and great Meetings That the Souldiers and Officers there did willingly subscribe the Ingagement 23 In a meeting of the Officers of the Army with the Committee for removing Obstructions in the sale of the late Kings Lands several things were agreed upon for the Advantage of the Souldiery in the purchase of those Lands C. Desborough and his Court Marshal at Plymouth sentenced ten Souldiers to death for running away after they had listed themselves and taken Money for the Service of Ireland Letters that a Ship with 30 Horse and 120 Foot bound for Ireland were cast away and all drowned From Kingsale of Cromwels viewing several Forts his taking the Mace from the Mayor of Kingsale and delivering it to C. Stubber the Governour That all things were in good Condition in Munster and that Waterford was upon Treaty of Yielding The Earl of Pembroke dyed his Son who was a Member of the House of Commons before continued to sit in the House now being himself an Earl upon the death of his Father Letters from Jersy that the Prince and the Scots Commissioners were upon agreement That they desired him to go with them into Scotland but he was advised not to adventure it without good Shipping to carry him safe thither That the Prince sent to Dunkirk for some Frigots for Jersy That he gave Commissions to French Runagadoes to take Prizes of all English Merchants and to bring them to Jersy That they took a good Ship of Lime 24 Divers Returns of Subscriptions to the Ingagement from several Regiments and Garrisons There was sent from Scotland and published here the Copy of a Declaration of the general Assembly of Scotland in answer to that of Montross to whom they gave only the Title of James Graham Charging the People of Scotland not to harken to or joyn with him or draw on themselves the wrath of the most High God by breach of the Covenant and gross backsliding nor hearken to any of his Calumnies and Slanders Nor countenance or assist any who shall invade that Kingdom or raise War therein under pretence of Commission from his Majesty or putting him in the Exercise of his Royal Power before Satisfaction had from him to the just and necessary desire of that Kirk and Kingdom concerning Religion and the Covenant 25 The Councel of Officers ordered That Clarendon and Bowrod Parks in Wilts should be Lands set apart for satisfaction of the Contractors Trustees and Officers imployed about the sale of the Kings Lands Order of the Parliament to sit on Saturdayes and Mundayes for the future for the speedy dispatch of Business and that no private business be heard in the House till the first of March next Debate upon the Heads of a Bill for a new Representative and regulating Elections and about the number of the whole to be elected and for some particular Counties Debate about the Act for the better manageing the Estates of Recusants and Delinquents and a Proviso added touching the reserving the chief mansion house of Recusants not having been in Arms from sequestration and for restraining wast in their Timber and reserving the rights of the Lords of the Manners to Coppy hold Estates Another Proviso was added not to take away the Power of the Committee for removing delinquent Ministers and Schoolmasters with
great Court Lady their Friend who over heard some discourse of this intended Action and thereof gave timely notice to these Gentlemen whereby they got out of the House just before the King came Otherwise It was believed that if the King had found them there and called in his Guards to have seized them the Members of the House would have endeavoured the defence of them which might have proved a very unhappy and sad business and so it did notwithstanding that was prevented This sudden Action being the first visible and apparent ground of all our following Miseries Divers Excuses were made for this Action some said it was the womens counsel and irritation of the King telling him That if he were King of England he would not suffer himself to be baffled about these Persons provoked him to go to the House himself and fetch them out Others said he was put upon it by those who designed his prejudice by it Others said it was in passion unadvisedly undertaken and rashly executed None could make a satisfactory Apology for it and the King himself â—fterwards acknowledged his too much passion in it At his unexpected coming into the House they were in a very great amazement but upon his going away and so as he might hear them the House was in a great disorder crying aloud many of them together Privilege Privilege Some of them brake out into expressions That there never was so unparallell'd an Action of any King to the breach of all Freedom not only in the Accusation of their Members ransacking and searching their Studies and Papers and seeking to apprehend their Persons but now in a hostile way he threatned the whole Body of the House They thereupon frame and publish a Declaration Jan. 5. 1641. By which they set forth all this matter of the King 's coming to the House in a warlike manner to the terrour and affrightment of them and that this is a high breach of the Privileges of Parliament and inconsistent with the liberty and freedom thereof They conceive they cannot safely sit without a Guard in whom they may confide for which they have been Suitors to the King but could not yet obtainit They appoint a Committee to sit at the Guildhall in London to consider of these things and of Ireland and adjourn the House They publish another Vote That if any Arrest a Member of Parliament by Warrant from the King only it is a breach of Privilege and that the comming of Papists and Souldiers to the number of five hundred armed men with the King to the House was a trayterous design against the King and Parliament They vindicate the Five Members and declare that a Paper issued out for apprehending them was false and scandalous and illegal and that they ought to attend the Service of the House and require the Names of those who advised the King to issue that Paper and the Articles against the Five Members Upon these Passages and Declarations a great number of persons in a tumultuous manner came from the City to Westminster where they offered many affronts and violences to divers of the Bishops and others Jan. 12. The Bishops by Petition and Protestation in the Lords House set forth this and their own Right to Sit and Vote in Parliament which by reason of those Tumults and Insolencies they could not doe They say they have no Redress upon their Complaints hereof and cannot attend the Service of the Parliament without danger of their lives they therefore protest against all Acts and Votes in their absence as null and void And desire this their Protestation may be entred Divers of their Adversaries were much pleased with this unadvised Act of the Bishops being as they wished a way prepared by themselves for them to be set aside and removed from the House of Lords For this not long after they were accused by the Commons of high Treason Glyn was the Messenger they were brought on their knees to the Lords Bar Ten of them committed to the Tower and the other two in regard of their age to the Black Rod. The House of Commons upon suspicion of some Designs against their Persons petitioned the King for a Guard to be commanded by the Earl of Essex which the King denied but promised to take care for their Security as for Himself his Wife and Children Many Citizens tumultuously flocked to the King's Coach as he passed through the City of London Beseeching him to agree with his Parliament and not to violate their Privileges After this at a Common-Council they draw up a Petition to the King complaining That Trade is decayed to the ruine of the Protestant Religion and the Lives and Liberties of the Subjects by the designs of Papists more particularly their fomenting the Irish Rebellion by changing the Constable of the Tower and making Preparations there by fortifying Whitehall and his Majestie 's late invasion of the House of Commons They pray that by the Parliaments advice the Protestants in Ireland may be relieved the Tower put in the hands of Persons of trust a Guard appointed for the safety of the Parliament and that the Five Members may not be restrained nor proceeded against but by the Privileges of Parliament To this the King gave answer That he could not express a greater sense of Ireland than he had done that meerly to satisfie the City he had removed a worthy Person from the charge of the Tower and that the late Tumults had caused him to fortifie Whitehall for the security of his own Person That his going to the House of Commons was to apprehend those Five Members for Treason to which the Privilege of Parliament could not extend and that yet he would proceed against them no otherwise than legally During this time the Five Members had got into Friends houses of the City where they were highly caressed and had the company of divers principal Members of the House to consult together and to lay their further Designs and they wanted nothing Soon after this divers Buckinghamshire-men came up with a Petition to the King for Mr. Hampden their Knight of the Shire whereof probably he was not altogether ignorant beforehand They pray that Hampden and the rest that lie under the burthen of accusation may enjoy their just Privileges Great numbers of people gathered together in a very tumultuous manner about Whitehall and Westminster and it was a dismal thing to all sober men especially Members of Parliament to see and hear them The King fearing danger from them or perhaps by the unfortunate Counsel of some about him thought fit to remove to Hampton Court and took with him the Queen Prince and Duke of York This was another and great wonder to many prudent men that the King should leave this City the place of his and his Predecessors usual residence where most of his Friends and Servants were about him the Magazine of all Provisions
Colonel Washingham a Serjeant Major three Captains and divers Officers divers other small skirmishes were in several Countries between both Parties The Scots besieged Newcastle and took a main Outwork and beat back the Enemy sallying out upon them The Marquess of Newcastle being in the Town burnt a hundred houses in the Suburbs the Inhabitants clamour against him Seven of the Parliaments Frigots lay in the Mouth of the Haven to stop their passage by Sea The Marquess ordered the firing of the Cole-mines but that was prevented by General Lesley's surprizing of all the Boats and Vessels Some Irish Rebels landing at Beaumarice for the King Prince Rupert sent a Regiment to convoy them to Worcester but Colonel Mitton fell upon them by the way routed them and took many Prisoners and Arms from them The King's Forces took in some small Garrisons near Gloucester A Party of Horse from Northampton routed Sir William Dormer's Troop near Banbury and took about fourty of them The Commons in favour to the Scots Commissioners agreed to an exchange of Colonel Goring for the Lord Lowthian They appointed a Committee to take the Accounts of Billets and free quarter taken by the Lord General 's Forces in Herefordshire and to make allowance for it The two Sir John Evelyns were readmitted to the House upon their Petition for the benefit of the Declaration of both Kingdoms and took the Covenant There was some disagreement between the two Houses about settling the Committee of Safety or Council of State and the Oath of Secrecy to be taken by them The Anti-Parliament at Oxford were busie in drawing up some Propositions of Peace to be tendred to both Houses here About twenty men in disguised habits like women with long Knives were to have entred Nottingham and surprised the Guards and let in the King's Forces but they were discovered and some of them taken A Party of the Garrison of Poole hearing of three thousand pounds sent by Prince Rupert to Weymouth fell upon the Convoy took the Money a hundred Horses many Prisoners and their Arms. More Irish Rebels landed near Chester under the Command of the Earl of Corke and the Lord Inchiquin some of them plundred the Lady Drake's house in Dorsetshire stripped the Lady and then burned her house to the ground Sir John Gell routed a party of the King's horse under Colonel Hastings took a hundred and twenty horse many Prisoners and their Arms. March 1643. The Commons sent to the Lords to hasten the Tryal of the Archbishop of Canterbury A Trumpet brought a Letter from the Earl of Forth to the Lord General Essex and in that was a Letter from the King directed in these words To the Lords and Commons of Parliament assembled at Westminster Upon this was a great Debate whether this Letter should be received because it did not acknowledge the Parliament here otherwise than those at Oxford and was not according to the usual Directions To the Speaker of one or both of his houses of Parliament or to the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament In conclusion this Letter was referred to a Committee to open it and to make report thereof to the House Colonel Cromwell was sent by Manchester to guard Ammunition from Warwick to Gloucester he by the way took in Hilsden-house and in it Sir Alexander Denton the owner Colonel Smith many inferiour Officers about a hundred horse thirteen Barrels of Powder store of Pillage and a hundred seventy three common Souldiers besides fourty slain being Walloons and other Foreigners then he gave an Alarm to Oxford and so went on to Gloucester Another Party from Warwick fell upon the Prince's Troop near Banbury in their quarters and took sixty of them The Lord Willoughby of Parham and Sir John Meldrum with about five thousand Horse and Foot sate down before Newark the Garrison sallying forth forced Sir John Meldrum's Regiment to retreat but the Lord Willoughby came up gallantly with his Regiment beat them back into the Town and took a piece of Ordnance and divers Prisoners and rescued those whom they had taken of Sir John Meldrum's men Divers of the Irish about fifteen hundred were cast away at Sea coming to serve his Majesty Poole Garrison beat up the Lord Inchiquin's Regiment of Irish Rebels took divers Prisoners two pieces of Ordnance killed many and fired their Magazine It was observed the Irish coming over hither never did any Service considerable but were cut off some in one place some in another in all places the Vengeance of God follows blood-thirsty men Directions were sent to Mr. Strickland the Parliaments Agent at the Hague to tender the Covenant to all the English in those Countries and to certifie the Names of such as refused it The Prince Elector in a Letter to both Houses declares the content and satisfaction he takes in the Covenant and wishes success to their proceedings in pursuance of that loyal and pious Covenant The Parliament gave Authority to Sir William Brereton as to other Commanders to levy Moneys by Sequestrations c. in the Counties where they command and the like power was given to Commissioners to reside in the Scots Army and to make supplies and provision for them The King's Letter referred to a Committee was reported to a Committee of both Houses the effect whereof was That in regard of the sad Condition of the Kingdom that some of the Members of Parliament at Westminster may meet with some of the Members of Parliament at Oxford to agree upon a place where both those at Westminster and those at Oxford may meet in a full Convention of Parliament to settle Religion with liberty to tender Consciences the true Rights of the King Parliament and Kingdom The Lords upon this Letter sent their Observations to the Commons That the King expresseth his opinion that those at Oxford who have deserted and fought against the Parliament are yet equal Members with those at Westminster whom the King hath often acknowledged the true Parliament and confirmed their Acts. They propound that a Letter may be sent from both Houses to his Majesty to represent this to be a free Parliament and to intreat his Majesty to return to it according to his Oath to maintain the Laws Liberties and Privileges of Parliament and that if he return not by a day then they will take care to manage Affairs as shall seem most meet They also propounded That a Declaration be published upon these Points and to undeceive the Kingdom To all which the Commons unanimously consented The General sent in a List of the Officers of his Army and a Committee was named to consider with his Excellency which should continue in Command and the rest to be provided for if they will serve as Reformadoes They took care for the continuance of the Excise and Customs to provide Moneys for their Armies Five worthy Ministers were appointed to attend upon and to preach to the
the Parliament to be sixteen and as many for the King The Propositions touching Religion the Militia and Ireland to be first treated on and twenty Days allotted for them that his Majestie 's Propositions be received by the Parliaments Commissioners at Vxbridge and transmitted to the Parliament The Commons proceeded to the Directory for the Government of the Church and voted upon a long Debate That to have a Presbytery in the Church is according to the word of God The Commons sent to the Lords for their concurrence to a Warrant for the Execution of the Archbishop according to the Ordinance for his Attainder to which the Lords agreed and a Warrant issued to the Lieutenant of the Tower to deliver the Prisoner to the Sheriffs of London to see Execution done accordingly The Parliaments forces that relieved Taunton in their Retreat fell upon the Enemies Quarters and took many horse and divers prisoners Colonel Ludlow's Regiment thinking themselves secure in their Quarters at Salisbury about 200 of them were surprised the Colonel and the rest brake through and got to Southampton and took Colonel Fielding and some others Prisoners The Scots forces got the Town of Carlisle and the King's forces in the Castle sent to Treat The Lord Fairfax possessed Pomfret Town and close blocked up the Castle and Scarborough Skipton and Sandal Castles were blocked up by the Parliaments forces Ordinances passed for payment of 6000 l. lent by the Commissioners of Excise and 10000 l. lent by Mr. Estwick The Lords at a Conference gave Reasons to the Commons against passing the Self-denying Ordinance wherein they affirmed the honour of Peerage to be so much concerned and the Commons ordered a Committee to draw up Reasons in Answer to those delivered by the Lords The Lords acquainted the Commons with a Petition from the Archbishop and a Pardon granted to him by the King under the Great Seal two years since but it was denied by both Houses being granted before conviction and if it had been after yet in this case of Treason against the Kingdom they said it could not be available His Petition was That in case he must die that he might be Beheaded not Hanged and that three of his Chaplains Dr. Heyward Dr. Martin and Dr. Stern might be with him before and at his death for his Souls Comfort The Commons denied both onely allowed Dr. Stern with Mr. Marshal and Mr. Palmer to be with him The Sheriffs of London attended in person to know the manner of the execution of the Archbishop for which they were referred to the warrant of both Houses that he should be hanged drawn and quartered Divers of the Lord General 's Officers of Foot petitioned the Commons and very modestly for the better discipline of the Army for which the House gave them thanks but this was looked upon by some as an ill precedent for Officers of the Army to petition the Parliament and it proved so afterwards The Commons being informed that a party of about 5000 horse and foot of the King 's were near Peterfield and had taken Christ-church and were drawing towards Surrey to disturb that association they sent some of their Members to the Lord General and to the Earl of Manchester to give an account why their forces lay quartered on their Friends near London and did not remove nearer to the Enemy according to former directions At this time the Earl of Manchester was under a kind of accusation and the Lord General in discontent Sir William Waller not much otherwise the forces not carefully ordered and the Parliaments business but in an unsettled condition so that it was high time for some other course to be taken by them The Commons appointed an Ordinance to be brought in for the ease of free quarter The Lords sent another Petition from the Arch-bishop to the Commons that he might not be hanged but beheaded and the Lords gave their reasons why they had assented to it and after some debate the Commons agreed to it also Order was made for provision for some of the Assembly of Divines who had lost their means by the Enemy Colonel Holborn with the forces under him that relieved Taunton took about 200 of the King's horse near Bridgewater Provisions were ordered to be sent by Mr. Davies for Ireland The Commons agreed with the Lords in an Ordinance for the Lady Wilmot who professed much affection to the Parliament and agreed for pardon of some condemned Prisoners in Newgate The Commons offered their reasons to the Lords for passing the Self-denying Ordinance and shewing the breach of privilege in sending to the Commons their Lordships reasons without the Ordinance The Commons gave order to the Commissioners of the Great Seal to issue out the Patents for new Sheriffs The Commons debated the model of the new Militia and it was propounded that the Army should be 21000 horse and foot Jan. 10. The Archbishop was brought to the Scaffold on Tower Hill and made a Speech to the people as he called it his last Sermon in which he endeavoured to excuse the Matters charged against him and professed himself of the Religion of the Church of England as it stands established by Law then he prayed to God to bless the Parliament to direct them that they may not fall under any misgovernment He concluded thus I forgive all the world all and every one bitter enemies or others whatsoever they have been which have any ways prosecuted me in this case and I humble desire to be forgiven first of God then of man whether I have offended them or they think I have Lord forgive them and now I desire you to joyn with me in Prayer Then he made a short Prayer audibly kneeling at the Rail after that putting off his Cloaths Coat and Doublet he kneeled to the Block and upon a sign given the Executioner took off his Head at one blow The Lord General and Earl of Manchester returned answer to the Parliament concerning the removal of the Army nearer to the Enemy The Commons desired the Lords to use expedition in passing the Self-denying Ordinance for that the Kingdom suffered much for want of passing it They permitted a Certificate to be made of the Judgment in the King's Bench against the Duke D'Espernon They debated about the new Model of the Army The Lords delivered to the Commons further Reasons against the passing of the Self-denying Ordinance but the Commons ordered that their whole House should go up with a Message to the House of Peers for the speedy passing of it and they acquainted the Lords with their Order to exclude all private business for eight days longer Captain Swanley took a Ship and in her the Commissioners sent from Ireland to treat with the King about a further Cessation with the King's Commission under the Great Seal and instructions about concluding a Peace with the Rebels of Ireland The whole House of Commons went
upon which the House revoked their last Order about the Muster and set a day for it and informed the Militia that both Houses would be present at it Order for the safe keeping and disposing of the Princess Henrietta and for all things fitting for her Person Order for a Declaration to take off Scandals and Jealousies of the Parliaments Proceedings Conferrence about the Votes touching the demand of the Kings Person and the Lords desired reparation about some words spoken by a Member of the House of Commons at the last conference touching this business The King was at Lumley House three miles from Newcastle Letters from the Leaguer before Oxford certified that a Treaty was begun about the surrender of Oxford 18. Progress in the business of the Church Ordinance passed for eight hundred pound per An. to Bishop Morton of Duresme A Petition from M. G. Massey put off The Commissioners of the Excise continued Pass'd in the afternoon by the Commons for Compositions of Delinquents near twenty Ordinances Intelligence came of the Kings coming into Newcastle but without any Solemnity and lay at G. Levens Quarters Proclamation made by G. Leven that no Papists or Delinquents be permitted to come to the King Upon a Letter from the English Commissioners another Proclamation that all do conform to the Orders and Ordinances of Parliament Gen. Leven forbids all compliance of his Officers and Soldiers with any Malignants The Estates of Scotland forbid any to go out of that Kingdom without a Pass 19. Reasons given in the House why Mr. Ashburnham could not be delivered up according to the order of Parliament and complaints of the Scots Forces quartering in York-shire Voted That this Kingdom had no farther need of the Army of their Brethren the Scots in this Kingdom and that a hundred thousand pound should be raised and paid to the Scots Army fifty thousand pound thereof after they shall have surrendred New-Castle Carlisle and other English Garrisons possessed by them and the other fifty thousand pound to be paid to them after their advance into the Kingdom of Scotland Order to desire the Scots Commissioners in London to give in the Accounts of their Army that the Arrears may be audited and paid Both Houses went into Hide Park to see the general Muster Hartlebury Castle was surrendred to Col. Morgan upon Articles 20. The Speaker ordered to give a Pass for six Horses for the Prince of Orange Supply of Ammunition for Garrisons Progress upon the propositions for Peace and to sit daily till it were finished Letters of the Surrender of Ludlow to Col. Birch and Col. Mackworth 21 Wholly spent about the business of the Church Letters informed that the Treaty went on for the surrender of Oxford 22. Col. Rich brought Letters to the House from the General giving an account of the demands for the surrender of Oxford which were very high and so esteemed by the House who writ a Letter of thanks to the General for his care and desired him to proceed in the business for the reducing of Oxford The Copy of the Instructions to the Commissioners from Oxford to treat about the surrender of it sent up 23. Order for the Serjeant at Arms to fetch up from New-Castle Mr. Hudson one of the Persons that conveyed the King into the Scots Army who was said to confess that his Majesty was near London upon the day that the General Muster should have been Progress in the business of the Church The Houses differed upon some amendments of an Ordinance for Ely House for the Serjeant at Arms. The Oxford Commissioners for the Treaty of Surrender insisted upon liberty to send to the King wherein Sir Tho. Fairfax would not resolve and in the mean time the Treaty was adjourned for two or three days yet both sides prepared for War great Guns came from Reading and they shot from the Garrison at those in the Leaguer but little hurt was done Col. Whaley coming before Worcester Col. Morgan drew farther off and the Garrison sallyed out upon Col. Whaley who beat them back and took eight Prisoners Captain Batten summoned Pendennis Castle to surrender to the Parliament 25. Order for the Princess Henrietta to be brought to St. Jameses and Provision to be made there for her answerable to her Quality and Richmont was appointed for the Prince his Residence if he shall come in A Letter from the King to both Houses expressed That his Majesty was not come into the Scots Army out of any intent to divide the Kingdoms in assection or prolong the War but to secure his Person and labour to compose the differences between him and his Kingdoms and settle all well He desired that Religion might be first insisted on and setled according to the advice of the Assembly of Divines of both Kingdoms For the Militia he was willing to concur with that propounded at Uxbridge For Ireland he will do what he can to satisfie desires of that kind That for surrender of the Garrisons in his hands he hath given order for Oxford to be surrendred and will do the like for the rest and is willing that all Forces may be disbanded and that the Debts of the Nation should be paid He sent another Letter to the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland Professing his Intention to settle Peace and give them satisfaction and that he hath written to all that have Commissions from him in Scotland to disband their Forces and to render their Garrisons and professeth his resolution to give all just satisfaction to the joynt desires of both Kingdoms and to comply with both Parliaments and for the expression of their loyal intentions towards him he returns them hearty thanks He acquaints them that he hath written to the Governor of Oxford to quit that Garrison upon honourable conditions and disband those Forces and that being granted he will give the like order to his other Garrisons and Forces he desires this Letter may be published with a proclamation in Scotland He also wrote another Letter to the City of London complementing them and acquainting them with his Letters to the Parliaments of both Kingdoms Ashburnham escaped from New-Castle before the Deputy of the Serjeant at Arms came thither for him and another Messenger was sent thither for Hudson 26. Debate about the Irish business and supplys thither and the Arrears of the Lord Inchequin and Lord Broghil A Remonstrance from the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common Council of London was presented to both Houses desiring a strict course for suppressing all private and seperate Congregations That all Anabaptists Hereticks and Sectaries c. as conformed not to the publick Discipline may be declared and proceeded against That all may be required to obey the Government setled or to be setled That none disaffected to the Presbyterian Government may be imployed in any place of publick Trust That the Propositions for Peace may be hastned That the Vnion may be preserved
the Kings hand for diverting the Ships pretended for the relief of Rochel another for sending Ammunition to York in the beginning of the War the House ordered the Committee to Print such of them as they thought fit Divers Sheriffs passed Order for a Judge to go down upon the Commission of Oyer and Terminer to try the Mutineers in the Isle of Wight Order for a Collection for Bridge-north and no Collection to be but under the Great Seal Letters from the Isle of Wight informed That the King sent for the Governor Col. Hammond and asked him the reason why he had given order for dismissing his Majesties Servants and whether it stood with the Engagement to them who had so freely cast themselves upon him and with his Honour and Honesty That the Governor told the King That his Honour and Honesty were in the first place to them that imployed him and next that he thought the King could not but confess that he had done more as things stood for him than he himself could have expected Then the King asked him whether the Commissioners were privy to this Order He said no the King demanded of him by what Authority he did it he said by Authority of both Houses of Parliament and that he supposed his Majesty was not ignorant of the cause of his doing thus The King professed the contrary and the Governor replyed that he plainly saw his Majesty was acted by other Councels than stood with the good of this Kingdom The Garrison of Hull sent Letters of thanks to the General for continuing Col. Maleverer to be their Governonor 11. Sir Hardress Waller acquainted the House That the General had commanded seven Collonels of them with other Officers of Quality in the name of the Army to make their humble address to the House and they have presented their intentions in writing in that which is called a Declaration which shall either have name or life or be exposed to view according as it shall receive approbation and direction from the House It was to this Effect Reciting the high Violations of the Kingdoms Rights and Liberties and endeavour to swallow them up in the Power and Will of a King the necessity of the Parliaments vindicating the Kingdom and their tenderness towards the Kings person and Rights so as might be consistent with and not destructive to the great and more obliging interest of Religion and the Rights and Liberties and safety of the Kingdom and not otherwise That the Army have declared and endeavoured the same and several addresses have been made to the King for those ends and in the Parliaments last address to him they insisted only upon some few things so essential to the interest of the Kingdom that without betraying the safety of the Kingdom and themselves and all engaged with them and without denying that which God in the issue of this War hath been such a Testimony unto they could not go lower and those things granted they have offered to treat for all the rest That upon the Kings denyal of these things they can see no further Hopes of settlement or Security that way Therefore understanding that upon debate of that denyal added to so many others the House of Commons by several late Votes resolved not to make any further Address or Application to the King nor receive any from him nor to suffer either in others They do freely and unanimously declare for themselves and the Army that they are resolved through the Grace of God firmly to adhere with and stand by the Parliament in the things then Voted and in what shall be further necessary for prosecution thereof and for setling and securing the Parliament and Kingdom without the King and against him or any other that shall hereafter partake with him This Declaration was twice read and the House Voted that they did approve of it and ordered that the thanks of the House be returned to the General and the Army for it A Petition from the Provincal Assembly of London referred to the Committee of Grievances and the Petitioners had thanks An Ordinance read and debated for Collecting twenty thousand pound a month for the Service of Ireland Order for ten pound to bury Captain Harris his Widow 12. The House gave thanks to some Merchants who had procured a Collection of Charity in the United Provinces of thirty one thousand two hundred and eighteen pound for the relief of Ireland Order for raising forty thousand pound forthwith for the Navy and thirty thousand pound more as soon as may be Order about sending some Divines to the Isle of Wight Letters from Vice-Admiral Rainsborough That he had appointed a guard of Ships for the Isle of Wight and for the Irish Coasts Order for five thousand pound for the Lord Brook's Son Both Houses passed an Ordinance for forty thousand pound to be raised out of the Earl of Worcesters Estate for the Service of Ireland Several Compositions passed 13. An Ordinance pass'd for repair of the Church of Taunton A Petition from the East-India Company referred and another from the Levant-Merchants Divers Compositions passed 14. Order that Delinquents be put out of the Line Upon Information of a new design of the Kings Party Orders for re-manding the Earl of Cleaveland to the Tower and for Sir Lewis Dives to be kept in safe Custody and for Mr. Sollicitor to prosecute him and Sir Jo. Stowel and Judge Jenkyns to Tryal the next Term and that the Lord Major and Justices do cause to be prosecuted at this Sessions the late Rioters in Fleet-street Order that the General take course for the safety of the Parliament And that he send some Horse and Foot to be Quartered within the Liberties of Westminster and to prevent inconvenience to the inhabitants That the Foot be Quartered in Whitehall and the Horse be Quartered in the Meuse 15. The Lords agreed to the Votes of the Commons That no more Addresses be made to the King and the Commons agreed with the Lords Preamble to those Votes and that they be Printed and published and that all who shall do contrary to those Votes shall be Sequestred Power to the Militia to imploy persons for the finding out and apprehending Delinquents who stay within the Lines Divers Compositions passed 16. Part of Col. Baxter's Regiment Quartered in White-Hall 17. Debate touching Sequestrations and against the Partiality of Committees Papers from the Scots Commissioners That they were speedily to return to Scotland and their desire of an answer of former Papers and what they shall return to the Parliament of Scotland and about the Arrears due to that Kingdom Orders for Money for Dover-Castle Some Delinquents committed who stayed in London contrary to the Ordinance and Order given by the House to the Regiments at White-Hall and the Meuse to apprehend and bring before a Justice of Peace such Papists and Malignants as they shall find in Town contrary to the Ordinance The House pass'd a
that nothing might be concluded as to War till the lawfulness of it were first stated and agreed upon That reparation may be first sought for the Breaches by England and the Presbyterian Party there not disobliged That they may oppose and suppress the Popish Malignants Party as well as the Sectaries That the Kings concessions concerning Religion may be declared by the Parliament to be un-satisfactory as they have been by the Assembly For security from the King in matters of Religion before he be admitted to his Regal power and all other ends of the Covenant That none be imployed but of Integrity to the Cause Ingagements to be by Oath The Committee of Danger voted an Army to be raised of forty thousand men against which a Protestation was made by divers Lords and others as to their power to make such a Vote Divers more English came into Scotland 4. Debate touching the Commissioners of the Customs and their receipts The Commissioners vindicated and approved the like of Mr. Tomes Ordinance for disposing the Estate of the Earl of Chesterfield Order to secure Sir Sackvile Crowe and Mr. Hide and the complaints against them by the Merchants referred to a Committee Order to refer the Lord Pawlet to a tryal of Law for the death of one Hen. Illery slain by him and an hundred pound bestowed upon his Widow Letter of thanks from the Prince Elector for his allowance of eight hundred pound per An. The House Adjourned for a Week and ordered the Committee at Derby House to sit dayly 5. Letters from Pembroke shire of the continuance of Col. Poyer with some of Major General Laugherne's men in their defection and that they had taken divers Committee-Men and others Prisoners that some of the Parliaments Ships were come into the Harbour there to help block them up and that Col. Horton was come with a good Party against them Letters from Scotland of great Jealousies from thence That there were many Duels fought That Sir William Flemming was come thither with a man of War with thirty Guns That they hate the English Army and Parliament Letters from Edenburgh and Wales Poyer was grown five hundred strong in Foot and a hundred Horse and raised new Forces and laid Assessments thrice as much as that for the Army 7. The G. sent additional Forces against Poyer The forces of M. G. Laugherne except those with Poyer agreed to be disbanded by the prudence of the Commissioners and Col. Horton's care Letters that Poyer increased in strength some other Forces of Col. Butler and others fell in to him no Gentlemen of note or Estates came in to Poyer nor any of Major General Laughernes Officers Letters from Shrewsbury of a design of the Malignants to surprize that Town but by the Governers care it was prevented 8. Letters from Chester of the Plague breaking out there and the General for the ease of the City ordered all the Garrison to be drawn out except one Company 9. There hapned this night a very high and dangerous tumult by the Apprentices who with other people and Malignants who instigated them went towards the Soldiers at White-Hall and the Meuse but were met with in the way by a Party of Horse who killed some and wounded many of them and scoured the streets It began in Moorfields about tipling and gaming on the Lords day contrary to the Ordinance of Parliament they set upon and overpowred a Party of the Trained Bands about Finnesbury and from thence went to White-Chappel where they seized upon the Captains Colours and others went to Smithfield and some to Whitehal but they were met with by the Horse and dispersed 10. The last night they increased and surprised Newgate and Ludgate took the Keys went to the Lord Mayors and took thence a Drake in which action some of them were slain the Drake they brought to Ludgate the Lord Mayor left his house and went to the Tower This morning their numbers increased and they laboured to get Arms broke up a House in Milk-street and took out Arms from thence and other places with the Drake they went to Leaden-Hall where they possessed the Magazine and beat up Drums upon the Water to invite the Seamen and Watermen for God and King Charles Upon this high tumult the General sate up all night called a Councel of War where the question was whether they should hazard the two Regiments at the Meuse and White-Hall or stay for more Force and they agreed rather than to delay this business further which must needs be dangerous and hazard much blood and increase of the Mutiny that they would ingage with the two Regiments only Accordingly this Morning early the two Regiments entred at Aldersgate and came to Leaden-Hall and Charged the Mutineers they fired their Drake hurt Captain Merriman in the shoulder and his Lieutenant in the Belly and killed a Woman The Soldiers hurt many of the Mutineers a Waterman who shot off the Drake was killed divers Prisoners were taken the Mutineers in all parts of the City were presently dispersed the City Gates set open and all quiet before ten a Clock this Morning throughout the City This small Party of the Army behaved themselves against a great multitude of men with much Gallantry and Resolution and it was no small happiness to the Parliament that this insurrection was well quieted which in these times of discontent and distraction if it had not been so soon appeased and nipped in the bud might have proved of most dangerous consequence to all the Parliament Party and have occasioned a new War We may take notice of the incertainty of Worldly affairs when the Parliament and their Army had subdued their Common Enemy then they quarelled among themselves the Army against the Parliament when they were pretty well pieced together again then the Adprentices and others make an insurrection against the Parliament and Army Thus they were in continual perplexities and and danger Letters informed of some dissatisfaction betwixt the Parliament of Scotland and the Assembly of the Kirk concerning the matter of a new War That store of Arms were come thither from Holland and that Edenburgh is full of English The Estates of the Parliament of Scotland made this answer to the desires of the Commissioners of the General Assembly 1. That the causes of the War shall be cleared to be just and lawful 2. They think fit that the breaches of the Covenant and Treaty be represented and reparations sought 3. That Scotland will be so far from making War against England that any ingagement they shall enter into shall be for strengthning the Vnion and incouraging the Presbyterians and well affected in England 4. They agree to it 5. That they will declare his Majesties concessions concerning Religion not to be satisfactory 6. They will take care for his Majesties Oath and Acts of Parliament injoyning the Covenant and establishing the Presbyterian Government c. 7. That
Covenant and will oppose the Popish Prelatical and Malignant party as well as the Sectaries if they shall be put to ingage in a new War That as they will endeavour to rescue His Majesty who is detained Prisoner contrary to the resolution of both Kingdoms that he may come to some of his own Houses near London with honour freedom and safety where both Kingdoms may make Applications to him for a safe and well grounded Peace So they resolve not to put into the hands of His Majesty or any other such power whereby the ends of the Covenant may be obstructed or Religion or Presbyterian Government indangered but before any agreement that His Majesty give assurance by Oath and under his Hand and Seal that he will pass such Bills as shall be presented to him from both or either Kingdoms respectively for settling the Covenant the Presbyterian Government Directory of Worship and Confession of Faith and never to oppose them That if any War be made as it shall be on just and necessary Grounds so none shall have charge in the Armies or Committees but men of known integrity that the Church shall have interest therein That they think fit the Kingdom be put into a posture of defence and some discreet persons be sent with their demands to the Parliament of England 25. Upon a Letter from Prince Philip Son to the Queen of Bohemia to Vice Admiral Rainsborough desiring a Pass to come into England to visit his Brother the Prince Elector Wherein the Vice Admiral desired to know the pleasure of the House they ordered a Pass to be given to Prince Philip. A day set to consider of settling the Kingdom and Mr. Strong desired that morning to Pray with the House and a Letter sent from the House to all the Ministers in and about London to Pray to Morrow being the Fast-day For a blessing of God upon the Consultations of the Parliament Upon Information That Captain Brown Bushel who revolted from the Parliament with a good Ship and turned Pyrate was apprehended the House gave twenty pounds to the two men that took him and referred it to the Committee of the Admiralty to take order for his Tryal as a Pyrate and he was committed to Windsor Castle Orders for monies for repair of Hull and New-Castle Works The Aldermen Langham Adams and Bunce brought to the Lords Bar refused to kneel or be Tryed by their Lordships but Petitioned to be Tryed by the Common Law denying the power of the Lords to try Commoners They were fined five hundred pounds apiece sent back to the Tower and had liberty to name their Counsel in order to their Tryal The Common-Councel of London sat Yesterday and this day upon an Affidavit made by one Everard That he being at Windsor in an Inn in Bed heard some Gentlemen whereof he supposeth one was Collonel Grosvenour another Ewer and others with them in the next Room to him discoursing together to this effect That they doubted not but the Scots would come in and that the City of London would joyn with the Scots for the preventing of which they found no way but to disarm the City friend and foe That such as were friends to the Army should be armed and keep the rest in aw and that they would make the City advance a Million of mony or else would plunder them and that they had acquainted Ireton therewith Letters from Scotland That the Kings Party there carry all That the Irish Forces under Monke have offered their Service to Scotland and received thanks and a fornights Pay from the Parliament of Scotland 26. Letters came this Fast-day from Norwich to Collonel Fleetwood That the Major of Norwich being sent for to attend the Parliament the Malignants opposed his going and the Parlamenteers were for it That both Parties got into Arms and plundred many Inhabitants of the City That Captain Zanchie with his Troop and some other Horse of Collonel Fleetwood's Regiment Quartered thereabouts came into the City They sell upon the Rioters in several Partys drove them into Corners and wounded many of them and Captain Lloyd and divers of the Troopers were wounded That the Rioters got possession of the Magazine and being to get out Powder the Magazine was fired and about forty of them blown up and spoyled the blow shaked the whole City threw down part of some Churches wounded and killed many of the Town not one of the Troopers hurt by it Legs and Arms found in the Streets torn from the Bodies and about a hundred and twenty of the Citizens missing in the Evening all quieted 27. Order for all the Members who have not taken the Covenant to take it tomorrow Debate about setling the Kingdom the question was whether the business of the Church or of the State should be first considered but the business of the City intervening the House resolved to sit again in the afternoon The Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-Councel of London presented a Petition to the House informing the business beforementioned in the affidavit of Everard and desired That upon further examination thereof such course may be taken therein as the House shall think fit That the Chains of the City may be set up again and the Army be removed to a further distance That an Ordinance may pass to constitute Major General Skippon Major General of all Forces within the Lines of Communication for defence of the City and of the Parliament to whom the City resolve to adhere The Lords gave the Petitioners thanks for their good affections and resolutions to adhere to the Parliament As to the setting up again of the Chains they leave it to the Lord Major and Common Councel to do as they think fit as to Major General Skippon he being a Member of the House of Commons they can do nothing without the assent of the House The House of Commons approved the desires of the Common Council and ordered the Militia to see the Chains set up again and the Speaker acquainted the Petitioners therewith That the occasion of part of the Armies being drawn so near was the late tumults that the House would take this business into Consideration and gave their thanks to the Petitioners 28. The House proceeded in debate about the business of the State and voted That the Government of the Kingdom should be still by King Lords and Commons and the ground-work for that Government should be the propositions presented to the King at Hampton-Court and that every Member of the House shall have liberty to speak to any Votes c. concerning the King 29. Both Houses passed a Declaration upon the Duke of York's going away That whereas upon a former endeavour of his to escape which was prevented the Duke by his Letter to the Houses acknowledged his Errors and promised not to attempt the like for the future they declared that they conceived the Earl of Northumberland not to be
his Majesty had agreed to the proposition for recalling Oaths Proclamations c. and the preamble thereof Letters from Lieutenant General Cromwells quarters That Messengers came to him from the Lord Argyle and his Associates to inform him of their dislike of Duke Hamilton's coming into England with his Army and of Monroe's being there with his Forces and desired Cromwells assistance against them That Cromwell by advice of his Council of War answers that he will assist them and with all heartiness joyn with them against Monroe and desires nothing more than the subduing and rooting out of trust all loose persons and such as are Enemies to goodness and good men and desires his Letter may be kept as a Testimony against him and those under him of their hypocrisy if they did not joyn with them for these ends with all cordialness Letters that Monroe fell upon a Party of Argyle's men when they were in Treaty contrary to the Agreement The Lords voted the approbation of Lieutenant General Cromwells entring into Scotland by directions from the Committee of Derby House and that he may assist those in Scotland who dislike Duke Hamiltons coming into England if they shall desire it of him Divers after they were called over in the House went out of Town again the same day God forgive them for their Negligence 27. The publick Fast-day Letters from France of the troubles there and of Mazarine and the Prince of Conde c. 28. The Commons concurred to the Votes of approving Lieutenant General Cromwells entring into Scotland and to a Letter to be written to him to prosecute his Victory and take all advantages for recovery of Berwick and Carlisle Letters that Colonel Monk fell upon the Scots quarters in Ireland who were drawing out under Major General Monroe to joyn with his Nephew Monroe's Forces in Scotland that he had taken Carickfirgus and Belfast and had Monroe and all his Forces Prisoners Order for five hundred pounds to be bestowed on Colonel Monk and a Letter of thanks to him and his Officers and Souldiers and that he be Governour of Belfast and be advised with for a Governour of Carickfirgus and the Committee of Derby House to give him a Commission and to consider of an Establishment of pay for his Forces This Action and success was one of the first that brought Colonel Monk into extraordinary favour with the Parliament and Army who began to have more confidence in him than they had formerly since his revolt to them Order for a day of thanksgiving for this success in Ireland Letters that the King and the Commissioners in the Treaty proceeded upon the proposition for setling of the Church Government 29. Debate of an Ordinance for setling five hundred pounds per annum Salary upon each of the Judges of the Admiralty and a Proviso agreed upon that they take no mony of any persons upon any pretence whatsoever Order for five thousand pounds out of Delinquents Estates for payment of the Horse-guards that attend the Parliament Upon Petition of the Commissioners of the Excise all the Members of the House were added to the Committee of Excise and Ordered in their several Counties to endeavour the removal of all obstructions in that receipt Both Houses past a Declaratory Vote that nothing should be binding between the King and Parliament till all were concluded in the Treaty Major Miles Corbet a Member of the House being assaulted and wounded by some Cavaliers as he past in a Boat upon the Thames the Serjeant at Armes was ordered to apprehend the Malefactors Liberty given for Major Ashburnham to return into England to prosecute his Composition 30. Debate of an Ordinance for raising a hundred thousand pounds for pay of arrears of reduced Officers The Officers of the Committee of Haberdashers Hall coming to seise the goods of the Earl of Lauderdale who came with the late Scots Army to invade England they found a File of Musquetiers as a Guard to oppose them the House ordered the Militia of London to secure those guards and to give an account to the House of the business The Lord Admiral offered indemnity to the revolted Ships and the Prince offered the like indemnity to the Lord Admiral A Member of the House coming out of the City was assaulted by three Cavaliers but he and a Friend with him repulsed the Assaulters Colonel Rainsborough and a Captain with him upon the High way near London were assaulted by three others of the Kings party who after a little bickering ran away a Captain of the Army and a Major were in the like manner assaulted in London and both killed It was dangerous for any Member of the House or of the Army to walk without Company for fear of being assassinated and the Committee of Derby House were informed that a certain number of the Kings Party had combined to massacre eighty Members of the House of Commons whom they suspected averse to their hopes A Petition in the name of many thousands of Oxfordshire agreeing with the large Petition of the City against the Treaty Letters from the Head quarters of great want of pay for the Souldiers which forced them to take free-quarter and that it was to be feared neither the Country nor the Souldiery would long undergo it That Letters came to the General out of Scotland of the good corespondence betwixt Lieutenant General Cromwell and Argyle Letters came to the General from good hands and others from France of a design of the Cavaliers to stab him October 1648. 2. A Letter from his Majesty by Captain Titus That he will consent to confirm by Act of Parliament the sitting of the Assembly of Divines and the Directory of Worship for three years and the form of Church Government provided that the King and those of his judgment who cannot submit to it be not obliged to comply That a free consultation and debate with the Assembly be had in the mean time twenty of his Majesties nomination being added to them whereby it may be determined how Church Government and the form of publick Worship shall be after that time and how Religion may be settled and the Articles determined and care taken for the ease of tender Consciencs Concerning the Bishops lands and revenues his Majesty will consent to Acts of Parliament whereby legal Estates for lives or for ninety nine years shall be made of those lands towards satisfaction of purchasers or others to whom they are ingaged or his Majesty will order some other way for their further satisfaction providing that the propriety and Inheritance of those lands may still remain to the Church That his Majesty will consent to Acts for the better observation of the Lords day for suppressing innovations in Gods worship and for the advancing of Preaching And to acts against Pluralities and Non-residencies for regulating the Vniversities and Colledges for the better discovery and conviction of Popish Recusants and
education of their Children in the Protestant Religion for levying of penalties against Papists and their practices against the State and for putting the Laws in execution and for a stricter course to prevent hearing and saying of Masse As to the Covenant his Majesty was not then satisfied that he could sign or swear it or consent to impose it on the Consciences of others nor did he conceive it proper or useful at that time to be insisted upon As to the Militia his Majesty will consent to an Act to have it in the hands of the Parliament for ten years Touching Ireland after advice with his two Houses his Majesty will leave it to their determination Touching publick debts he will consent to raising monies by equal taxes Lastly he proposeth to have Liberty to come forthwith to Westminster and be restored to a condition of freedom and safety and to the possession of his Lands and Revenues and that an Act of Oblivion and indemnity may pass to extend to all persons for all matters relating to the late unhappy differences which being agreed by his two Houses his Majesty will be ready to make these his Concessions binding by giving them the Force of Laws by his Royal Assent More than this could not be obtained from his Majesty though most earnestly begged of him by some of the Commissioners great persons with Tears and on their knees particularly as to the proposition touching Religion Wherein the Church Government and publick worship and chiefly the revenues of the Church swayed more with the Kings Chaplains then about him and they more with his Majesty continually whispering matter of Conscience to him than the Parliament and all their Commissioners could prevail with him for an agreement though possibly his own judgment which was above all theirs might not be so fully convinced by his eager Divines about him After a long Debate upon this Message the House voted it unsatisfactory and a Letter of thanks to be written to the Commissioners approving what they had done and requiring them to proceed according to their Instructions Letters from Colonel Monk of his late success in Ireland the House ordered Major General Monroe to be Committed to the Fleet for joyning with the Enemy in Scotland and perfidiously breaking the trust reposed in him Letters from Anglesey of the taking it by Major General Mitton by Storm and that the Lord Byron and Lord Bulkely were escaped by flight A Petition from Leicestershire to the same effect with the large Petition of London and that from Oxfordshire against the Treaty Letters from Cromwell's quarters in Scotland near Edenburgh that he and his Officers are careful that the Souldiers give no offence to the Inhabitants by plunder or any incivility that Cromwell caused horses taken from the Scots by some of his Souldiers to be restored and the Plunderers to be cashiered A Lieutenant who connived at the plunder was committed to the Marshal and the Colonel himself taken from the head of his Regiment and suspended the execution of his place till he were tryed by a Council of War and the Regiment sent back again and this impartial justice pleased the Scots That Argyle and his Party endeavoured to perswade the Surrender of Berwick to Cromwell to whose quarters they sent their Commissioners to this end That Leven certified Argyle that both his Army and that under I annerick were likely to agree Letters from Cockermouth that it was still besieged by five hundred Country-men that they mined near the wall and the Governour Lieutenant Bird sallied out killed and took all that were at work brought away their tools and burnt the Barne that sheltered them that Cromwell had ordered Forces to relieve the Castle Argyle took at Leith a Ship with ten thousand Arms from Denmark designed for Duke Hamilton Cromwell sent some Horse and Dragoons to pursue some of Duke Hamiltons Officers who were got together in the Cheviot Hills 3. All the day was spent upon the business of the Militia for setling it and upon the question it was carried in the Affirmative for it 4. Letters from the General that he received many complaints of the insupportable burden people ly under by his Souldiers taking of free quarter upon them though they pay their assessments and have been alwaies well affected to the Parliament He desires a speedy course may be taken for payment of the Army that thereby his Souldiers may be inabled to pay their quarters and the People may not be oppressed by free quarter any more Order that four Members of the House do go down to the General to take Notice of his good service to congratulate his good success to return him the thanks of the House and to acquaint him with what they had done upon his Letter for bringing in of monies for the Army that free quarter might be taken off They presently sent a Message to the Lords desiring them to pass the Ordinance which had many days remained with them for bringing in the assessments for the Army their not passing whereof occasioned the taking of free quarter Order that the General be desired so to quarter the Army as may be least burdensome to the several Counties especially to such as have paid their assessments Letters from the North that all things were agreed between the several parties in Scotland all are to lay down Armes Berwick and Carlisle to be surrendred to Lieutenant General Cromwell a Parliament to be called in Scotland and none to be of it that were in the Engagement against England The Lords concurred with the Commons for five hundred pound to be given to Colonel Monk and to make him Governour of Carickfergus and for two hundred pounds to major Brough who brought Major General Monroe to London The Lord Inchequin's Son sent into Ireland to be exchanged Order for a thousand pound for Coals for the Poor of London and Southwark according to a grant of King James Order for the Commissioners of the Seal to bring in a list of names for Judges to fill all the Benches Referred to the Committee at Derby House to consider of the supernumerary Souldiers 5. Debate touching the Navy and for a Winter Guard for which they ordered two thousand seven hundred eighty five men and the Committee of the Navy to provide victuals c. and fifty thousand pound ordered for them Several orders for raising monies for the use of the Navy 6. Letters from the Lord Goring and Lord Capel that they took Notice of an Order of the House of Commons for impeaching them of High Treason and informe that quarter was given them by the General who had writ to the House to that purpose order that the General explain his Letter as to this point Order for six hundred pound for disbanding the new raised Forces in Dorsetshire Upon a Petition of the Clothiers of Kent referred to a Committee to consider of the decay of trade
to endeavour to the last gasp the peace of the Kingdom So Sirs I do wish with all my Soul and I do hope there is some here that will carry it further that they may endeavour the peace of the Kingdom Now Sirs I must shew you both how you are out of the way and will put you in a way first you are out of the way for certainly all the way you ever have had yet as I could find by any thing is in the way of conquest Certainly this is an ill way for Conquest Sirs in my opinion is never just except there be a good just cause either for matter of wrong or just title and then if you go beyond it the first quarrel that you have to it that makes it unjust at the end that was just at first But if it be only matter of Conquest then it is a great robbery as a Pyrate said to Alexander that he was a great robber he was but a petty robber and so Sirs do I think the way that you are in is much out of the way Now Sirs to put you in the way believe it you will never do right nor God will never prosper you until you give him his due the King his due that is my Successours and the People their due I am as much for them as any of you can be You must give God his due by regulating rightly his Church according to his Scripture which is now out of order for to set you in a way particularly now I cannot but only this A National Synod freely called freely debating among themselves must settle this when that every opinion is freely and clearly heard For the King indeed I will not then turning to a Gentleman that touched the Axe he said hurt not the Axe that may hurt me For the King the Laws of the Land will clearly instruct you for that therefore because it concerns my own particular I only give you a touch of it For the People and truely I desire their liberty and freedom as much as any Body whomsoever but I must tell you that their liberty and their freedom consists in having of Government those Laws by which their life and their goods may be most their own It is not for having Share in Government Sirs that is nothing pertaining to them a subject and a Soveraign are clean different things and therefore until they do that I mean that you do put the People in that liberty as I say certainly they will never enjoy themselves Sirs it was for this that now I am come here if I would have given way to an arbitrary way for to have all Laws changed according to the power of the Sword I needed not to have come here and therefore I tell you and I pray God it be not laid to your Charge that I am the Martyr of the People In troth Sirs I shall not hold you much longer for I will only say this to you that in troth I could have desired some little time longer because that I would have put this that I have said in a little more order and a little better digested it than I have done and therefore I hope you will excuse me I have delivered my conscience I pray God that you do take those courses that are best for the good of the Kingdom and your own Salvation Then D r Juxon spake Will your Majesty though it may be very well known your Majesties affections to Religion yet it may be expected that you should say somewhat for the worlds satisfaction K. I thank you very heartily my Lord for that I had almost forgotten it In troth Sirs my conscience in Religion I think is very well known to the world and therefore I declare before you all that I dye a Christian according to the profession of the Church of England as I found it left me by my Fathers and this honest man I think will witness it Then turning to the Officers he said Sirs excuse me for this same I have a good cause and I have a gracious God I will say no more Then turning to Colonel Hacker he said take care that they do not put me to Pain and Sir this and it please you Then a Gentleman coming near the Axe the King said Take heâ—d of the Axe pray take heed of the Axe Then he said to the Executioner I shall say but very short Prayers and then thrust out my hands Two men in disguises and vizors stood upon the Scaffold for Executioners Then the King called to D r Juxon for his Night-cap and having put it on he said to the Executioner does my Hair trouble you he desired it might all be put under the cap which the King did accordingly by the help of the Executioner and the Bishop Then the King turning to D r Juxon said I have a good cause and a gracious God on my side D r Juxon There is but one stage more this stage is turbulent and troublesome it is a short one but you may consider it will soon carry you a very great way it will carry you from Earth to Heaven and there you shall find a great deal of Cordial joy and comfort King I go from a corruptible to an incorruptible Crown where no disturbance can be D r Juxon You are exchanged from a temporal to an eternal Crown a good exchange Then the King took off his cloak and his George which he gave to Dr. Juxon saying Remember some other small ceremonies were past after which the King stooping down laid his Neck upon the block and after a very little pause stretching forth his hands the Executioner at one blow severed his head from his Body Then his Body was put in a Coffin covered with black Velvet and removed to his lodging Chamber in White-hall At this scene were many sighs and weeping Eyes and divers strove to dip their handkerchiefs in his Blood The House sate early and the Dutch Ambassadors having sent them a transcript of their Ambassy in English it took up much time in the reading and was referred to a Committee to draw up the answer to it An Act past to prohibit any to proclaim the Prince of Wales or any other to be King or chief Magistrate of England or Ireland without consent of Parliament on pain of High Treason Some imperfect Copies of the proceedings at the Tryal of the King being printed the House referred it to the High Court to draw up a Narrative of those proceedings to be confirmed by the House The Act forbidding the proclaiming of any King was Ordered to be sent down to all the Sheriffs to be proclaimed in all Counties Duke Hamilton and the Lord Loughborough escaped out of Windsor-Castle 31. Between three and four a clock this morning Letters came from Windsor to Lieutenant General Cromwell of the escape of Duke Hamilton and his man the last Night Warrants were presently issued forth and five hundred pound promised
Forces of Colonel Aston about four thousand refuse to disband profess for the Covenant and are incouraged by the Clergy that Major General Lambert is gone to disband them by force if there be no other way The Scots Anti-Covenanteers offered to joyn against the Sectaries in England In the Council of State the President Bradshaw spent much of their time in urging his own long arguments which are inconvenient in State matters and his part was only to gather the sence of the Council and to state the question not to deliver his own opinion 21. Vote That Papists in Arms might compound at a Moiety of their Estates Reference to the three Commissioners of the Navy of matters relating to the Fleet A Letter from the Lord Chief Baron Wilde of the Mayor and Justices of Excester refusing to appear at the Assizes referred to the Council of State and referred to them to take care against the ingrossing of Coal from Newastle A Book of the Lancashire Ministers called the Agreement of the People referred to the Committee of plundered Ministers to examine 22. The House sate not but divers Committees to prepare business for them The Countess of Carlisle was again before the Council of State about the last Summers Ingagement A Complaint to the Council of the Army against Woolaston Keeper of Newgate and an Officer sent to desire justice against him The King of France's agreement with the Parisians was refused by them The King of Denmark sent an Ambassadour to Prince Charles to offer him assistance A Minister of the Hague in the presence of divers others his Brethren made a complemental Speech to Prince Charles and stiled him most Illustrious King The Swedish Resident at the Hague made great rejoycing for the peace in Germany at every health 30. Pieces of Ordnance were discharged two Fountains were made to run with Claret and White Wine and in their Fire Works as the Letters relate the name of the Queen of Sweeden might be read very perfectly The Parliaments Declaration of their grounds and intentions of their late transactions published 23. An Act committed for relieving and setting the poor to work Order for the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs of London in Person to proclaim the Act for dissolving Kingly government and a Writ agreed for proclaiming it in the Market Towns of the Several Counties by the Sheriffs Order for eight thousand pound which should have been paid to the Scots to be for the Navy Order for Commissioners to be appointed to Inventory the goods and Personal Estate of the late King Queen and Prince and apprise them for the use of the Publick Order for an Act to be brought in to satisfy well affected persons to whom the King Q. or P. were indebted before the Wars out of the value of those goods and estate but that the first 30000â— to be raised by them be for the use of the Navy the Council of State to keep such of the goods as they should think fit for the use of the Common-wealth An Act for an assessment of 90000â— per mensem Ordered to be debated in a Grand Committee Order for a Commission to the Judge and other Officers of the Admiralty to try and give sentence on such Sea-men Prisoners as revolted to the Enemy A Report from the Council of State of several great Ships to be presently set out to Sea approved Referred to them to consider of raising monies by the Forests Chaces and Parks and the timber in them which is unfit for shipping The Council of the Army named two Officers of every Regiment to meet and seek God what advice to offer to the G. concerning Ireland and the Lieutenant General Cromwell was to give in his answer to the Council of State whether he will go for Ireland or not within two daies 24. The House sate in a grand Committee upon the Ordinance for assessments for the Army The Council of the Army proposed incouragements for those who would ingage for Ireland and the Regiments to be drawn out by lot Letters that Ormond proclaimed King Charles II. in Ireland and sent a Letter to C. Jones to advise him to come in to the obedience of the King and promising him great rewards if he do it and safety to all that come in with him and leave the pretended Parliament of England who have murdered their King and would introduce Anarchy C. Jones returned answer That he understood not how his Lordship came to that power that the Parliament of England would never have consented to such a peace as his Lordship made with the Rebels without any provision for the Protestant Religion That he knew not how that could be established by an Army of Papists to whose hands his Lordship had given up that whole Kingdom that he had rather suffer in his trust than to purchase to himself the ignominy of perfidy by any advantage offered to him Letters that Pontefract Castle was surrendred upon Articles six persons were excepted whereof three escaped that the Souldiers and Officers were to go to their homes first subscribing an ingagement not to advise act or take up Arms against the Parliament or Common-Wealth of England that they had two Months provisions and forty Barrels of Powder in the Castle 25. Easter day 26. The House sate not The Council of the Army agreed for incouragement of those who shall ingage for Ireland that they shall have three months advance of their pay and of their arrears and if they be slain those to have it to whom they shall assign it That a Court of Admiralty be in Ireland c. these things to be proposed to the House for their confirmation Letters from Ireland of Ormond's preparations for his Forces that the Vlster Scots declared against the Parliament and declined Monk that the Parliaments Army there are in great want and their interest in danger to be wholly lost in that Kingdom The heads of the Articles of Peace made by Ormond were 1. That the Roman Catholicks of Ireland have free exercise of Religion all penalties to be taken off not to be obliged to the Oath of supremacy to injoy Church livings in their possession and jurisdiction 2. For a Parliament when the Catholicks shall desire it 3. All Laws made in England since 1641. in blemish of the Catholicks to be vacated 4. All Indictments against them since that time to be vacated 5. That Catholicks may be elected and vote in Parliament 6. Debts to remain as in 40. 7. The Estates of freeholders in Connaught c. to be secured 8. All incapacities of the Natives to be taken away 9. All honours trusts imployments c. to be conferred on the Catholicks as well as Protestants 10. That the King take two thousand pound per annum for the Court of Wards 11. Noble men to have but two Proxies in Parliament 12. The depending of the Parliament of Ireland upon England to be
a Name If ought of that Nature happen amongst the infinite Particulars wherewith this Volume is charged it must be Noted without any Imputation either to the Intelligence or to the Integrity of our Author this being a Posthumous Work and as has been said never by him intended for the Publick MEMORIALS OF THE ENGLISH AFFAIRS During the REIGN of King Charles the First Anno 1625 Car. I KING Charles the First succeeded his Father King James Immediately after whose death the Privy Council met and drew up the Form of a Proclamation to proclaim King Charles which was forthwith published at Theobalds where the King dyed and in London by the Nobility Privy Councellors Gentry Lord Mayor and Aldermen in great Solemnity and so it was in all places with great Acclamations and testimonies of Joy from all sorts of People By advice of the Council a Commission was granted to authorize the Great Seal Privy Seal and Signet till new ones could be prepared And Commissions for authorizing of Judges Justices of Peace Sheriffs and all other Officers for Government with a Proclamation for that purpose because their Powers ceased by the King's death and the like was for Scotland and Ireland King James's Body was buried with due Solemnity at Westminster his Son King Charles though not usual was present at the Funerals The Duke of Buckingham was received by the King into an admired Intimacy and Dearness General Musters are in all Counties and 12000 Soldiers levied Coat and Conduct Money ordered to be disbursed by the Countrey and they to be paid again out of the Exchequer these were for the Palatinat and a Commission granted for Martial Law to keep the Soldiers in the better Discipline These Points of Coat and Conduct Money and Martial Law occasion'd frequent and great Debates amongst the Judges and other learned men The Espousals of our King with the King of France's Sister were made in Paris by Cardinal Richelieu and with the highest State Feasting and Bravery that could be Buckingham was sent into France to conduct the Queen hither A Navy Royal sent to Bullen to waft her over Sea she arrives at Dover where the King met her And with great expressions of affection and rejoicing by himself and all his Subjects she is received and safely came to London Some extraordinary Ceremonies and Solemnities were omitted by reason of the Plague then increasing All the Judges were sent for by the Lord Keeper Williams who told them That the King desired to change his stile and to use the stile of King of Great Britain as well in all Legal Acts and Proceedings as in Acts of State and other indifferent Acts. And he prayed the Judges to consider of it and to certifie him how it might be done They all met consulted and agreed that it could not be done which they certified the Keeper and that all the Judges of England being ask'd their opinions concerning this Point in the first Parliament of King James they answered una voce that it could not be done and Lords and Commons were likewise of the same judgment The Parliament met at Westminster the King made a Speech to them touching the War of the Palatinat wherein the last Parliament had engaged his Father and which was of necessity to be prosecuted and supplied and he urged his great wants and charges And then the Lord Keeper enlarged upon the same The Commons pressed upon the Grievances not redressed and to have an account of the last Subsidies others were for Execution of the Laws against Papists and the questioning Mr. Mountague for his Book Appello Caesarem contrived to put a Jealousie between the King and his Subjects and to encourage Popery Others praised the King and said That no Grievances had been yet in his Reign and they were only for a Petition for Religion and that Religion and Subsidies might go hand in hand together After a Fast both Houses Petitioned the King concerning Religion and against Recusants which was answered hopefully Mountague was brought to the Bar of the House of Commons for his Book the Arminian Party take in with him The House voted his Book contrary to the Articles of Religion tending to the Dishonour of the King and Disturbance of the Church and State The King owned Mountague as his Chaplain The Commons not pleased therewith yet Voted to give the King two Subsidies for which the King thanks them by a Message and yet informs them that the Necessities of the present Affairs were not therein satisfied but requires their further counsels and now he sent a full Answer to the Petition of Religion By reason of the Plague increasing the Parliament was adjourned to Oxford The Vantguard and seven other English Ships were lent to the King of France and employed against Rochel the Mariners refused the Service Buckingham was acquainted with it but not the Body of the Council The Protestants of France sollicit our King against it but he expresly commands the Vice-Admiral Pennington to do it the which he obeyed The Parliament Re-assembled at Oxford whither this News of the Ships came and exasperated many of them especially against the Duke They insist upon the Grievances Mountague is summoned his Cause by some of the Bishops is recommended to the Duke and they say That if the Church be once brought down below Herself even Majesty it self will soon be impeached and they say that King James approved Mountague's Opinions But others differed from them The King again speaks to the Two Houses of Parliament touching the War in which they engaged his Father for the Palatinat and the Breach with Spain then by his command the Lord Conway and Sir John Cooke declar'd to the Houses more particularly the present state of Affairs in Germany France the Low-Countries Sueden and other Kingdoms they computed the charge of the War to 700 000 l. a year besides the Navy and Ireland The Treasurer also acquainted them with the King's Debts for Denmark the Palatinat his Father's Funeral his own Marriage in all 300 000 l. Yet the Commons were unsatisfied some said That thing 's were improvidently managed and by contrary designs that it was not usual to give Subsidies upon Subsidies in one Parliament and no Grievances redressed that great Sums of Money were given for places that the time of the year was too far spent for the Navy to go forth that it should be enquired whether the Duke brake not the Match with Spain out of spleen to Olivarez and whether he made not the Match with France upon harder terms To these and many other things of the like nature the Duke made a handsom and plausible Answer to both Houses and gave them account of the Fleet much variety of opinion was in the House of Commons in debate hereof The King sends a Message to quicken them They answer him with a general Declaration And the King perceiving the Commons resolved
places of Judicature 6. Delivery up of Ships to the French 7. Mis-imployment of Three Subsidies and Three Fifteens They Ordered That the Duke on whom these Misdemeanours chiefly reflected should have Notice of the Intention of the House of Commons suddainly to resume the Debate of these things There served in this Parliament in the House of Commons many persons of Extraordinary Parts and Abilities whose Names are in the List of those times Mr. Clement Coke in his Speech in the House of Commons concerning Grievances said That it were better to dye by an Enemy than to suffer at home The Lords ready to comply with the Kings desires appointed a Committee to consider of the Safety and Defence of the Kingdom and Safeguard of the Seas The Committee advised one Fleet to be presently set out against the King of Spain and another to Guard our Coasts and Merchants this was sent to the House of Commons but not well resented by them The King sent a smart Letter to the Speaker pressing for present Supplies and promising Redress of Grievances presented in a dutiful and mannerly way and this was further urged by Sir Richard Weston To Know without further delay of time What Supply they would give unto the King To this the Commons returned a general Answer promising a Supply The King Replyed As to the Clause of presenting Grievances that they should apply themselves to Redress Grievances not to Inquire after them And said I will not allow any of my Servants to be questioned among you much less such as are of Eminent Place and near unto me I see you especially aim at the Duke I wonder who hath so altered your Affections towards him Then he mentions the Honour that the last Parliament of his Father Expressed to the Duke and labours to Excuse him and concludes I would you would hasten for my Supply or else it will be worse for your selves for if any Evil happen I think I shall be the last that shall feel it This was suspected to be the Advice of the Popish Councellors to cause a Breach betwixt the King and his Parliament who thereupon mentioned the Duke as the chief Cause of all Publick Miscarriages and Dr. Turner a Physitian propounded his Quaeries to that purpose Upon the Opinions of Sir Thomas Wentworth Noy Selden and others the House Voted That Common Fame is a good Ground of Proceedings for that House The King sent a Message to the Commons by Sir Richard Weston That he took Notice of the Seditious Speech of Mr. Coke and of Dr. Turners Articles against the Duke of Bucks but indeed against the Honour and Government of the King and of his Father That he cannot suffer an inquiry on the meanest of his Servants much less against one so near him and wonders at the foolish impudence of any Man that can think he should be drawn to offer such a Sacrifice much unworthy the Greatness of a King and Master of such a Servant He desireth the Justice of the House against the Delinquents That he be not constrained to use his Regal Power and Authority to Right himself against these two Persons Dr. Turner Explained himself and said That to Accuse upon Common Fame was warranted by the Imperial Laws and by the Cannons of the Church That this House in the time of Henry the Sixth did upon Common Fame Accuse the Duke of Suffolk And that Sir Richard Weston himself did present the Common Vndertakers upon particular Fame The next Day Dr. Turner wrote a Letter to the Speaker to excuse his not attending the House by reason of Sickness and submitting to their Judgments but not acknowledging any fault Sr. John Elliot made a bold and sharp Speech against the Duke and present Grievances yet in the midst of those Agitations The Commons remembred the Kings Necessities and Voted to grant Three Subsidies and Three Fifteens Upon a Message from the King both Houses Attended him at Whitehall Where he gave the Lords thanks and showed the Commons their Errors and referred particulars to the Lord Keeper who in a plain speech assured the Commons That after the great Affairs setled and satisfaction to the Kings Demands he would hear and answer their just Grievances Tells them That his Majesty excepts to the not punishing of Coke and Turner he praiseth the Duke and his Merit from King and Parliament and declares the Kings Pleasure that they proceed no further in the inquiry touching the Duke And saith That the Supply Voted is not suitable to the Ingagements requires a further Supply and their Resolution thereof by a Day else they are not to Sit longer nor will the King expect a Supply this way Then the King spake again and mentioned Mr. Coke and said It was better for a King to be Invaded and almost Destroyed by a Forreign Power than to be despised by his own Subjects And bids them remember That the Calling Sitting and Dissolving of Parliaments was in his Power Being informed That the House of Commons ordered their Doors to be shut whilst they Debated hereof and that they misunderstood some passages in his Speech and in the Lord Keepers The King ordered the Duke at a Conference of both Houses to Explain it Which being done the duke gave them an Account of the business in Spain and indeavours to vindicate himself in that and all his Negotiations both at home and abroad since his being at Oxford and that he did nothing in single Councels excuseth his not going with the Fleet his Master commanding him into the Low-Countries to Treat with the King of Sweden of Denmark and the States Then the Lord Conway made a large Vindication of the Duke in the Publick Transactions The Lords Petitioned the King against the Precedency chalenged by the Scotch and Irish Nobles To which the King Answered That he would take order therein The Lord Conway wrote a Second Letter to the Earl of Bristol by the Kings Command to Know Whether he would choose to sit still without being questioned for any Errors in his Negotiation in Spain and injoy the benefit of the late Pardon or else would wave the Pardon and put himself upon a Legal Tryal Bristol in Answer would not wave the Pardon nor justifie himself against the King and so makes a doubtful Answer Then he Petitions the Lords for his right of Peerage to have a Writ to attend the House and that after two years restraint he may be brought to his Tryal in Parliament The Lords Pray the King That Bristol and other Lords whose Writs are stopped may have their Writs and they had them and the Duke showed the Lords a Letter from the King to Bristol charging him That when the King came first into Spain Bristol advised him to change his Religion and that he prejudiced the Business of the Palatinate Bristol by Petition to the Lords acquaints them That he had received his Writ to attend the Parliament but withal a Letter
Missive from the Lord Keeper signifying his Majesties Pleasure that he should forbear coming to the Parliament which how far it might Trench upon the Liberty and Safety of the Peers was too high a Point for him but he submits it to the Lords and Prays that he may Answer for himself and sends with his Petition a Copy of the Lord Keepers Letter and his Answer to it Hereupon the Lord Keeper delivered a Message to the Lords from the King Accusing Bristol of undutifulness disrespect and Scandal to the King and desires he may be sent for as a Delinquent to answer his Offences in Spain and since and for Scandalizing the Duke The Martial of Middlesex by Petition showed to the Commons That he by Warrant searched in the Clink Prison and was resisted but found there Four Priests and their Altars Crucifixes Books Papers c. That the Priests giving notice hereof to the Archbishop before they had done a Warrant came from the Arch-bishop and Mr. Attourney that they should not search any further nor remove any thing from thence The Arch-bishop said That the searching for those Priests was a Design of the Jesuits to take the Priests and send them to Rome to be put to Death for Writing in Defence of the Oath of Allegiance The Commons caused every Member of their House in his Place to make a particular Protestation Whether they heard Mr. Coke speak the Words charged upon him or not And every one denyed the hearing of those Words spoken by Mr. Coke After which the Commons presented a Remonstrance to the King in Answer to his and the Lord Keepers Speech denying the Words to be spoken by Mr. Coke and excusing Dr. Turner and avowing their Proceedings against the Duke or any other Subject and Pray the King not to give Ear to Officious Reports of private Persons for their own Ends. The King Chargeth the Bishops in the Case of the Duke and Bristol to follow only Proofs and not Rumours The Commons sent to the Duke That they were passing of Articles against him to which he might Answer if he pleased but he acquainting the Lords therewith they would not permit it Bristol was brought to the Bar by the Lords Order and Articles Exhibited against him of High-Treason and other Crimes in the Name of the Attorney General I. That he Traiterously assured King James That the Emperour and King of Spain would restore the Palatinate and that the King of Spain would consent to the Match with our Prince which they never intended and that was known to Bristol who delayed the Treaty II. He did not Execute the Commands of the King nor put the King of Spain to a punctual Answer to the detriment of our King and his Allies III. That he perswaded King James not to break with Spain IV. That he said he cared not what the Success of the Treaty would be but he would make his Fortune thereby V. That he intended to Introduce Popery here and perswaded King James to grant a Tolleration thereof VI. That he occasioned the Princes Journey into Spain to his great hazard VII That in Spain he perswaded the Prince to change his Religion Anno 1626 VIII To the same purpose IX That he perswaded that the Prince Electors eldest Son should be bred up in the Emperours Court. X. That he would have dispatched the Disponsaries notwithstanding the Princes Commands to the contrary if Extraordinary diligence had not prevented it XI His Contemptuous and Scandalous Petition to the Lords House After this Bristol presented Articles against the Duke which were received and Mr. Atturney being asked by the Earl for a Relator said That the King had Commanded it Bristol replyed That he would not contend with his Soveraign but that it might be of dangerous Consequence If the King should be Accuser Judge Witnesses and have the Confiscation He desires that the Lord Conway might not meddle and that he might have the use of certain Papers which was granted him After which he proceeded to a large Declaration of the whole business between the Duke and him and laid it home upon the Duke with an implication that shortly after the probability of his being restored to King James his Favour the King sickned and Dyed having suffered much and to his dying Day Reputed and said That Bristol was an honest man Then he set forth the business of his Writ and the Prohibition of him to Sit and that after he had Accused the Duke the Articles of High Treason were Exhibited against him yet the Duke is in Favour and Sits as a Peer and he is a Prisoner The Articles Preferred by Bristol against the Duke were I. That he Plotted with Gondimer to bring the Prince into Spain to change his Religion II. That Porter was sent into Spain for this End III. That in Spain The Duke absented from Service in Bristols House and frequented the Popish Service and Adored their Sacrament and conformed to their Rites IV. That he procured King James to Write a Letter to the Pope for the Dispensation and to stile him Sanctissime Pater V. That the Pope sent a Bull to the Duke to incourage him in the perversion of the Prince VI. That by his behaviour in Spain he so incensed that King and his Ministers as they would admit of no dealing with him and that he brake that Match out of his particular Ends and Indignation VII That he made use of the Princes Letters to his own Ends and concealed divers great things from him VIII That as he had abused the King so he abused both Houses by a sinister Relation of those Affairs Car. 2 IX The Scandal of his Personal Behaviour in Spain and procuring favours for unworthy persons there for hire of his Lust X. That he hath been the great Cause of the Ruine of the Prince Palatine XI That he had wrong'd Bristol in his Relations to the Parliament in his honour and Liberty XII That Bristol revealed these Matters to the late King who said he would hear him against the Duke which the Duke heard and not long after the King Sickn'd and Died. The Earl also Exhibited divers Articles against the Lord Conway as the Dukes Creature and unfit to be one of his Judges and the particular injuries he did to Bristol The Lords did not Commit the Earl and Ordered the Articles against him to be First heard and then his against the Duke yet saving his Testimony against the Duke The King took in highly with the Duke and would have removed the Earl from the Lords House into the Kings Bench but the Lords would not permit it In this Parliament were several Resolutions touching Tryals there which are faithfully Collected by Rushworth pag. 271 272. They Ordered That no Peer should have above Two Proxies Bristol delivered in his Answer to the Charge against him and made a Speech of Introduction to clear the Objections of his ill Affection to Religion and his too
1. 3 H. 8. ch 5. The Earl of Holland is appointed to carry the supplies to Rea. The Governor of the Island gives notice of his wants to the French King and hath Releif sent him the French King blocks up Rochel to be near to Rea and supplies the Fort there The Rotchellers and Rohan declare for the English The Governor of Rea gets leave of the Duke to send to the French King pretending to surrender the Fort and so gains time The Duke begins to batter the Cittadel then purposeth to goe away then alters his resolution and storms the Fort but in vaine whereupon he raises the siege and retreats towards his Ships The French pursue and in a narrow cawsey with salt Pits on each side the Duke having made no works or provision for his safe retreat he is attaqued by the French and after a valiant defence especially by the English foot the French by the advantage of the place gave a great blow and slew many of the English yet the rest got to their Ships The Duke is blamed for many neglects he lays it upon the Council of War and the Earl of Holland's not coming with supplies in time Holland and the Council of War excuse themselves The people generally cry out against the Duke and are greatly discontented at this unfortunate action the Marriners are tumultuous and many mischeifs do arise The Rotchellers send to our King for releif and pray his mediation for the Protestants in case a Treaty of Peace be between him and their King They set forth their great streights and distresses and intreat a general Collection for their relief At this time a Resolution is taken to call a Parliament and in order thereto the Imprisoned Gentlemen are released who are in several places chosen to be Members of this New Parliament directions are given to use moderation in the business of the loan money The Archbishop the Bishop of Lincoln and others in disfavour have their Writs to sit in Parliament Yet a Commission of Excise is granted and moneys are disbursed for the raising of German Horse the Jesuits hope well of this intended Parliament Which being met The King spake to them to Expedite their business acquaints them with the common danger moveth for supplies and tells them if they do not their duty he must use such other means as he may to prevent ruine that he will gladly forget and forgive what is past and hopes they will not follow former courses of distraction Then the Lord Keeper inlargeth in his speech acquaints them with the general Estate of affairs in Christendom the enemies and dangers to this Kingdom persuades to supply and to speed and assures in the King's name forgetfulness of any former distasts and all affections of his Majesty unto Parliaments First the Parliament petition for a publick Fast then they debate of the Greivances of billeting of Souldiers Loans Benevolences Privy Seals Imprisonment of Refusers not bayling them upon Habeas Corpus and they incline to give no supply till these were redressed and the point was whether to begin with Grievances or with Supplies The Courtiers were moderate High complaints were made of Deputy Lieutenants compared to Janizaries The business of the Habeas Corpus was examined and found that Mr. Attorney had caused a draught of a Judgment to be made and pressed to have it entred upon the Record but the Judges would not permit it to be done After long debate it was resolved unanimously by the Commons 1. That no Freeman ought to be Imprisoned without cause shewed either by the King or Councill 2. That a Habeas Corpus in that case ought to be granted 3. That if no cause of Committment be returned the Party is to be bayled They also Voted That no Tax ought to be Imposed without assent of Parliament March 26. 1628. Car. 3 Then the King's Proposals were taken into consideration for Supplies They had a Conference with the Lords touching Recusants and their Hierarchy here secretly exercised They agreed upon a Petition to the King That the Laws against Romish Priests might be executed That Children may not be transported beyond Sea to be bred Papists That Recusants may be confined according to law That they may not be permitted to resort to Ambassadors houses to Mass That they may not be in Offices That the Judges be commanded to put the laws in Execution against them and to give an account thereof And that Recusants Children may be brought up in the Protestant Religion All which the King granted The Commons also Voted That no Freeman ought to be confined by the King Privy Council or others but by Act of Parliament or due course of Law And they debated the point of foreign Imployment against ones will They had a Message from the King to convince some false Reports that had been raised of what had passed at the Council and that the Duke spake nothing against the Parliament but was the first mover for it Upon a second Message They unanimously Vote 5 Subsidies with which the King was much pleased and the Duke highly extolled it whereof Secretary Coke informed the House but exception was taken That the Duke's name was mixed with the King 's The Commons at a Conference acquaint the Lords with their resolutions touching the Subjects Liberty and Right confirmed by 7 Acts of Parliament in point Magna Charta being one 12 presidents in Terms and 31 more and the reason cleered The King desires That the Commons would make no recess at Easter This is excepted to as against their privilege who may adjourne when they please They Resolve that Greivances and Supply shall go hand in hand together An unpleasing Message comes to them from the King which raised debate and the speaker delivered to the King a Petition touching Billetting of Souldiers and an excuse touching the King's supply that they did not delay it They vindicate their own proceedings and pray not to be misunderstood The matter of Billetting of Souldiers and the unlawfulness and miseries of it were fully opened in the Petition and present remedy prayed of that Insupportable burden The Lords and Commons debated the point of Marshal Law and touching a Petition of Right Anno 1628 against which the King 's Serjeant Ashley argued that the Proposal of the Commons tended to Anarchy and that they must allow the King to govern by Acts of State for which the Lords committed him and he recanted At a free conference the Lords and Commons debated of proposals to the King touching the property and liberty of the Subject made by the Lords with which the Commons were unsatisfied The King pressed for Supplies and declared that he holds Magna Charta and the other 6 Statutes to be in force and will govern according to Law And it was advised to rely upon the King's promise but all were not satisfied to doe it and a
for Tunnage and Poundage to be before Religion The Gourtiers second it Some Bishops are mentioned for Introducing the Ceremonies A Fast is petition'd for The King answers That for our Protestant friends abroad fighting would do more good than fasting but grants a fast now so as it be not too frequent The Commons make a Declaration to the King why they proceed upon Religion before Tunnage and Poundage Shewing the danger Religion is in and the necessity to secure it as the cheif matter of all other and therein they court the King and pray that their proceedings may be acceptable The King answers that this gives him no satisfaction that any Member of their house may bring in any Bill That he who calls them may cause a Bill to be brought in to them and that he will not stop his ear to the matters of Religion and presseth their proceedings for Tunnage and Poundage In their debate some excepted against the King's Declaration giving countenance to Arminians and discountenancing Puritans It was moved that the Marchants might have their goods restored which were seised for not paying Tunnage and Poundage and they sent to the Barons of the Exchequer to nullify the Injunction by them granted against the Replevin sued out by the Merchants The Barons Justifie the Injunction in the King's case but the House was not satisfied They take notice of the pardons granted to Manwaring Sibthorp and others and Mr. Oliver Cromwell Informed them of the countenancing of Popery by the Bishop of Winton and the Booksellers petition saith that Books against Popery were suppressed and Books in favour of Popery were frequently licensed The House takes these matters into Consideration Secretary Coke tells them the King's zeal against Popery Mr. Attorney gives an account of proceedings against Priests and of the College at Clerkenwell but to some questions of the House he did not answer being as he said forbidden by the King The Customers questioned for taking the Goods of Parliament men answer that they conceive no privilege of Parliament is in this case This distasted the House and being in debate of it the King sent a Message that what the Customers did was by his order and that he would not have his particular Interest severed from that of his Servants who acted by his Command The order of the Council for levying of Tunnage and Poundage was read in the House They voted the seising of Mr. Rolles his Goods to be a breach of privilege a hot debate is upon it The Speaker being called upon to put the Question proposed said he durst not for that the King had commanded the contrary The House in some disturbance adjourne to a day and then being met again they wish the Speaker to put the former Question but he refused and said he had a command to Adjourne the House and endeavouring to go forth of his Chair some Members held him by force in it others locked the door of the House and brought up the Keys to the Table Others read a protestation ready drawn which they voted and it was That whosoever should bring in Innovation of Religion Popery or Arminianism and any that should advise the taking of Tunnage and Poundage not granted by Parliament or that should pay the same should be accounted Enemies to the Kingdome The King sent for the Serjeant of the House but he was detained the House door being locked then he sent the Gentleman Usher of the Lords House with a Message but he was denyed admittance till the Votes were read then in confusion the House Adjourned to a day and before that day the King by Proclamation dissolved the Parliament and shewed his reasons for it Warrants of the Council Issued for Hollis Selden Hobert Elliot and other Parliament men to appear before them Hollis Curriton Elliot and Valentine appeared and refusing to answer out of Parliament for what was said and done in Parliament they were committed close prisoners to the Tower and a Proclamation for apprehending others went out and some of their studies were sealed up These warrants were dated 5 March On the 10 th of March the day to which the Parliament was Adjourned the King in the Lords House they being in their Robes but the Speaker and House of Commons not called spake to the Lords courting them and said it was meerly the seditions carriage of some Vipers Members of the lower House that caused the dissolving of this Parliament but he commended others of the Commons Then he bid the Lord Keeper to do his office who said My Lords and Gentlemen of the House of Commons though the House of Commons were not called The King doth dissolve this Parliament The people were discontented Libels were cast abroad especially against Bishop Laud and Weston the Treasurer The King resolving to proceed in the Star Chamber against the Parliament men who were committed propounds some questions to the Judges Anno 1629. Car. 4 They Resolved that the Stat. 4 H. 8. ch 8. was a particular Act and extended to Strowde onely yet that all Members of Parliament ought to have like freedome of speech Upon other Questions they agreed 1. That a Subject ought to confess any treason whereof he is informed or else he is punishable so that it doth not concern himself 2. That in this case upon examination to say that he was a Member of Parliament and spake thereof in the House is in the nature of a Plea and not punishable till it be overruled 3. That a Parliament man committing an offence against the King or Council not in a Parliamentary way may after the Parliament ended be punished if he be not punished for it in Parliament but that regularly he cannot be compelled out of Parliament to answer things done in Parliament in a Parliamentary Course 4. That if one or more Parliament men shall conspire to raise false rumors against the Council or Judges to make them hated it is punishable in Star Chamber after the Parliament ended Anno 1629 5. Question was if a Parliament man by way of digression say that the Council and Judges agreed to trample upon the liberty of the Subject and the priviledges of Parliament whether he be punishable to this the Judges said They might not answer because it concern'd themselves Another Question was propounded by Mr. Attorney to the Judges upon the proceedings in Star Chamber ore tenus against the Parliament men and the Judges held it the juster way not to proceed ore tenus Justice Whitelocke did often and highly complain against this way of sending to the Judges for their opinions before hand and said that if Bishop Laud went on in his way he would kindle a flame in the Nation One Huntley a Parson in Kent was required by the Archdeacon of Canterbury to preach at a Visitation he did it not afterwards the Arch-bishop by his Letters required him to do it and he did
advice of his Privy Council and Council Learned the King requires Shipmoney The Writ for it was at first but to Maritime Towns and Counties but that not sufficing other Writs were Issued out to all Counties to levy Ship-money Yet great care was taken to favour the Clergy all the rest of the People except Courtiers and Officers generally murmur at this taxe although it was politickly layd with all equality yet the great objection against it was because it was imposed without assent of Parliament and that therefore it was unlawfull The old Chancellor Oxenstierne of Sweden the great director of their affairs both at home and abroad particularly in Germany during the Queen's minority sent his eldest Son Grave John Oxenstierne Ambassadour to our King with Credentials from the Queen of Sweden But Grave John the Ambassadour and the Authority from whence he came were so unworthily slighted in our Court who were not willing to give any assistance to the Prince Elector against the Emperor that in great distast Grave John who was high enough in his own thoughts and for the honour of his Mistress the Queen went away in discontent from England and neither he nor his Father nor family were friends to our King after this affront put upon them The Parliament of Ireland gave some Subsidies to the King and the 39 Articles of our Church were there by that Parliament Established Mr. Attorney Noy having set on foot the tax of Ship money leaveth it and the world He died of the distemper of the Stone The Scots began to murmer against their last Parliament the Lord Balmerino was questioned about a Letter written by King James to Pope Clement to complement him It was suggested that this Lord's Father being Secretary to the King did draw the Letter and shufling it among other papers did by that means get it to be signed by the King Yet was this Lord afterwards not onely pardoned but honoured and preferred The discontented party in Scotland had Intelligence of the discontents in England and the Cardinal Richeliew sent his Agents to foment the discontents in both Kingdomes who met with matter and persons very apt to be kindled The Lord Treasurer Weston dyed not much lamented of the people who generally esteemed him to be a covert Papist and an Agent for Rome and though himself might be dispenced with yet most of his family made open profession of the Popish Religion and continue in the same profession Sir Edward Coke dyed this year also who was of greater reputation with the people but of less at Court whose Illegal actions he earnestly opposed in Parliament being usually chosen a Member of the House of Commons after he was put out of his publick offices He was a man of great Learning and Industry and had the value of a just and Impartial Magistrate The Imperialists and Swedes fought a bloudy Battaile at Nortington where the Swedes were overthrown 12000 of them slain and 6000 taken prisoners but hereupon insued a peace between them The Emperor being wisely the more Inclined to it after his being victorious in the Warre Spotteswood Archbishop of St. Andrews was made Chancellor of Scotland and though he was a wise and learned man and of good reputation and life yet it gave offence to many that he being a Clergy man should be Invested with that dignity which they affirmed not to have been done before since the Reformation At Abington complaint was made to the Mayor and to the Recorder of divers in the Town who were Nonconformists to the orders and ceremonies of the Church in divine Service as that some did not stand up at the Creed nor bow to the Altar nor at the name of Jesus nor receive the Sacrament kneeling at the High Altar and the like For which some that were related to the Ecclesiastical Court complained to them being Justices of the Peace for the Town and desir'd they would punish these Offenders the Recorder answered them that these offences were more properly punishable by the Ecclesiastical Judges in their Courts than by Justices of Peace and therefore he advised them to inform the Chancellor of the Diocesse or other Officers of that Jurisdiction concerning those Matters that proceedings might be had therein according to their Law but he thought it not fit for him to interpose in those matters the Complainers seemed much unsatisfied herewith but the Mayor being somewhat inclin'd to the opinions of the Non-conformists was not easily to be perswaded to punish them and Anno 1634 the Recorder himself was much for liberty of Conscience and favourable in that point so that allthough the other party urged much to have the Non-conformists punisht yet they put it off and would not doe it for which the Recorder was afterwards required to attend the Council Table to Answer some complaints made against him from Abington That he did comply with and countenance the Non-conformists there and refused to punish those who did not bow at the name of Jesus and to the Altar and refused to receive the Sacrament kneeling at the high Altar and the like offenders and that he was disaffected to the Church and the Ceremonies thereof enjoyn'd by Authority But the Recorder alledged in his own vindication why he did not punish those against whom the complaints were made That he knew no Common Law nor Statute in force for the punishment of them especially by Justices of the Peace and that the Complainers did not prefer any inditement against them and that the matters whereof the pretended offenders were accused were meerly as the accusers acknowledged Spiritual Matters proper for the Spiritual Judges as they were called And that he might have been censured to incroach upon the Jurisdiction and Rights of the Church if he should have taken Cognizance of them upon which the Council were satisfied and dismist him from further Attendance Anno 1635. Car. 11 By the help of the tax of Shipmoney a Navy was prepared of 40 good Ships of War and set out this Summer under the Earl of Lindsey Admiral and the Earl of Essex his Vice Admiral who had 20 Saile more for securing of the narrow Seas and of the trade of England The King resolves to prosecute his design with a Navy Royal to be set out yearly and therefore it was at Court concluded to lay the Charge of Shipmoney generally upon all Counties The Lord Keeper Coventry was ordered to direct the Judges to promote that business in their Circuits this Summer and to perswade the people to a ready obeying the writs and payments of Shipmoney for the next year In pursuance hereof his Lordship in his charge to the Judges in the Star Chamber at the end of Midsummer Term after sundry other particulars concluded as to this great business to this effect You my Lords the Judges are commanded in your charges at the Assizes and at all places opportunâ—ly to acquaint the people with
Parliament is not necessary 3. That divers Acts have been made when the Bishops were present and did not consent as the Act of Conformity 1 Edw. 6. and of Supremacy 1 Eliz. 4. That in Parliament though the Bishops dissent in any matter yet the major part of the Barons agreeing it and the House of Commons concurring It shall pass as an Act because the Bishops Votes are over-ruled by the major Vote of the Barons 5. That the Bishops cannot sit in case of Blood in Judicature but they may sit to enact Laws yet not to give assent for execution of them in case of any Murder or Blood In his second Case he had this Point Whether any beneficed Clerk were capable of Temporal Jurisdiction at the time of making that Law To this he argued in the Negative 1. That the first Clergy-men that ever were made Justices of the Peace or had power in Temporal Jurisdiction were the Bishops of Durham and York 34 E. 3. nine years after this Act so not a Principio but a Tempore 2. That before the Statute of Conformity 1 Edw. 6. the Clergy were not put in Commission for Temporal Power and the reason of their being then admitted was to perswade the people to Conformity not to give Judgment against them 3. If in Conscience because of their spiritual Calling they hold it not fit for them to meddle in temporal Causes they may refuse In his third Case he had this Point Whether a Bishop without calling a Synod have power as Diocesan to Convict an Heretick To this he argued in the Negative That although by the bloody Statute of 2 H. 4. some supposed grounds may be raised for maintenance of that Authority yet it is not full and besides which is the main reason the Commons did not assent to the making of that Law For he said He had searched the Records and found that Act only past by consent of the Lords spiritual and temporal and the Commons not mentioned therein His Arguments being reported at Court he was commanded not to proceed in his Reading He repaired to the Lord Keeper with the Heads of his Arguments who said It was good Law but not seasonably delivered and that as he was prohibited by the King so he must have his Licence or else he could not proceed in his Reading and advised him to move the Archbishop Laud therein After the Reader had twice attended at Lambeth without admittance the third time he spake with the Archbishop who told him That he had fallen upon an unfit Subject and in an unseasonable time and that it would stick closer to him than he was aware of The Reader excused himself That he had chosen this Statute two years before and could not alter suddenly what he had before framed That the business about Bishops in another Kingdom did not concern this and that he had no ill Intentions The Archbishop answered That perhaps he had done better to have given it quite over at the first than to suffer by it as he was like to do The Reader replyed That what he had delivered was good Law and he was able to maintain it and would stand by it and hoped he need not to fear any man's power in regard his Cause was lawful and warrantable but he humbly desired his Majestie 's leave to finish what he had begun The Archbishop said His Majesty had otherwise resolved of it So the Reader came away and shortly after went out of Town accompanied with fourty or fifty Horse and in good credit with the Gentlemen of that Society Anno 1640. Car. 16 April 13 1640. The Parliament met when the Earl of Strafford was led into the Lords House by two Noblemen to take his place according to his Degree He gave an account to the House what he had done in Ireland having there obtained a Grant of the Parliament of Four Subsidies for the maintenance of ten thousand Foot and fifteen hundred Horse And it was urged by some as a good President for the Parliament of England The Lord Cottington reported in the Lords House That by the King's Command he and Secretary Windebank and the Attorney General had examined Lord Louden in the Tower touching the Letter of the Covenanters to the French King That Louden acknowledged the hand-writing to be his and that it was framed before the Pacification at Berwick to be in readiness but was never sent to that King And that it was supprest upon the Pacification The Lords nevertheless thought fit that Louden should be continued in the Tower until further Evidence either to convict or to clear him Glanvill who had engaged to be a better Servant to the King than formerly was now Speaker of the House of Commons and very active to promote his Majestie 's desires whereof he gave sufficient testimony and of the change of his former Opinion A Message was sent by the King to the Commons which was for Supplies representing to them the intollerable Indignities and Injuries wherewith the Scots had treated him and he declared that if the House of Commons would assist him suitable to the Exigency of his Occasions he would quit his claim of Ship-money and give them contentment in all their just Demands This Message did take much with the House the Speaker Sir John Wray and others cried it up yet they first insisted upon a Security in three Points 1. For clearing the Subjects Property 2. For establishing Religion 3. For the Privilege of Parliament Many Conferences were between the Lords and Commons and warm Debates in both Houses upon the old Question Which should precede the King's Supply or the Subjects Grievances In the debates Strafford was magnified for being a chief Instrument to bring on this Parliament at length the Lords after a strong division Voted for the King and the House of Commons for the Subjects But it was not long ere this difference was unhappily decided Secretary Vane who by the King's appointment was to make known the particulars of his Desires demanded Twelve Subsidies At which high and unreasonable Demand as some called it many of the House of Commons were greatly distasted and expressed themselves to that purpose yet were generally inclined to have given no usual or lean Gift the Gift of Six Subsidies Sir Henry Vane escaped not without his Censures That his Commission from the King was but to demand six Subsidies and that his mistake in requiring twelve Subsidies was industrious and on purpose to raise the House to animosity Which took effect but whether intended so or not is hard to judge The King advising with his Juncto the averseness of the House of Commons to any compliance with him and their sharp Debates upon the old score of Grievances was rendred to him so desperate that May 5th he ordered the Dissolution of that Parliament The Councel given to Dissolve this Parliament was greatly and generally disliked and the differences between the King and
very earnest for Strafford's coming up to the Parliament for which he laid his commands upon him and told him that as he was King of England he was able to secure him from any danger and that the Parliament should not touch one hair of his head The Earl thank'd His Majesty but replyed that if there should fall out a difference between His Majesty and his Parliament concerning him that it would be a great disturbance to His Majestie 's affairs and that he had rather suffer himself than that the King's affairs should in any measure suffer by reason of his particular The King remained unalterable in his resolution concerning Strafford's coming up to the Parliament saying that he could not want his advice in the great transactions which were like to be in this Parliament and in obedience to his Commands the Earl came up to London The King in His speech to both Houses had told them that he was resolved to put himself freely upon the love and affections of His English Subjects He told them the wants of his own Army The Calamities of the Northern Countries where both Armies lay and freely leaves it to them where to begin promiseth Redress of Greivances and desires that all suspition of one another may be layd aside Some exception being taken that in his Speech he called the Scots Rebels He after explains and Justifies in his speech to the Lords The first week was spent in naming general Committees and establishing them and receiving a great many Petitions both from particular persons and some from multitudes and brought by troups of horsemen from several Counties craving redress of Grievances and of Exorbitances both in Church and State Many were inlarged out of Prison to make their complaints Prynne Burton Bastwick and others Many smart speeches were made in the House of Commons touching grievances which Mr. Pym divided into three heads 1. Against Privilege of Parliament 2. Prejudice of Religion 3. Liberty of the Subject Under the first head were reckoned 1. Restraining the Members of Parliament from speaking 2. Forbidding the Speaker to put a question 3. Imprisoning divers Members for matters done in Parliament 4. By Proceedings against them therefore in Inferiour Courts 5. Injoyning their good behaviour and continuance in prison even unto death 6. Abrupt dissolutions of Parliament Under the second head of Religion were mentioned 1. The suspension of Laws against them of the popish Religion Laws and Oaths will not restrain them the Pope dispenceth with all 2. Their places of trust and honour in the Common wealth 3. Their free Resort to London and to the Court to communicate their Councils and designs 4. As they have a College in Rome for the Pope's authority in England so they have a Nuntio here to execute it Under Innovations of Religion were brought in 1. Maintenance of Popish Tenets in Books Sermons and Disputes 2. Practice of Popish Ceremonies countenanced and enjoyed as Altars Images Crucifixes Bowings 3. Discouragement of Protestants by rigid Prosecution of the scrupulous for things indifferent no vice made so great as Inconformity 4. Incroachment of Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction 1. In fining and imprisoning without Law 2. Challenging their Jurisdiction to be appropriate to their order Jure Divino 3. Contriving and publishing new Orders of Visitation in force as of Canons the boldness of Bishops and all their subordinate Officers and Officiales Under the third head the Grievances 1. By Tunnage and Poundage unduly taken 2. Composition for Knighthood 3. The unparalell'd greivance of Shipmoney 4. Enlargment of the Forests beyond the due bounds 5. Selling of Nusances by compounding for them 6. The Commission for building 7. The Commission for Depopulations 8. Vnlawful military charges by warrant of the King Letters of the Council and Orders of the Lieutenants of the Counties and their Deputies 9. Extrajudicial Declarations of Judges without hearing Council or Arguments 10. Monopolies countenanced by the Council Table and Justices of the Peace required to assist them 11. The Star Chamber Court 12. The King's Edicts and Proclamations lately used for maintaining Monopolies 13. The ambitions and corrupt Clergy preaching divine authority and absolute power in Kings to doe what they will 14. The Intermission of Parliaments The Lord Digby mentioned the late Benevolence and the New canon Oath which he called a Covenant against the King for Bishops and the Scots Covenant is against the King and Bishops Many other Speeches were made by several Members all of them to the same Effect touching grievances The King made the Lord Cottington Constable of the Tower of London and placed there a Garrison of 400 men to keep the City from Tumults But the House of Commons and others without much unsatisfied thereat the King took off the Garrison and Commission of Constable and left the command of it to a Lieutenant as before Upon the extraordinary confluence of Popish Recusants to London the King sent a Message to the Parliament that by Proclamation they should be removed to their places of abode and disarmed The House of Commons ordered that all Projectors and unlawful Monopolists be disabled to sit in the House and many members thereupon withdrew themselves and new Elections were made in their Rooms Complaint was made to the Lords House of breach of their Privilege by search of the Pockets Cabinets and Studies of the Earl of Warwick and the Lord Brooke upon the dissolving of the last Parliament Sir William Beecher one of the Clerks of the Council who did it upon command of the Secretaries of State was committed to the Fleet. The House of Commons sent up a Message to the Lords by Mr. Pym The impeachment of the Earl of Strafford of high treason upon which the Earl was committed to the black Rod and Sir George Ratcliffe his confederate was sent for out of Ireland by a Serjeant at Armes The two Armies lay a heavy burden on the Counties where they quartered to ease which the Parliament borrowed 100000 l. of the City of London Upon suit of the Lords to the King the Bishop of Lincoln was released out of the Tower The Earl of Strafford moved that he might be bayled by divers Lords who offered to be Sureties for him which was denied but a Council and a Sollicitor were assigned to him In the house there fell out a Debate touching the writs of Habeas corpus upon which Selden and the rest of his fellow prisoners demanded to be bayled and the Judges of the King's Bench did not bayle them as by Law they ought but required of them Sureties for their good behaviours This was so far aggravated by some that they moved the Prisoners might have Reparation out of the Estates of those Judges who then sate in the King's Bench when they were remanded to prison which Judges they named to be Hyde Jones and Whitelocke as for Judge Crooke who was one of that Court they excused him as differing
next day he was accused before the Lords but he got up earlier gave them the slip and escaped into Holland The House of Commons upon debate of the Inconveniences by the intermission of Parliaments they appointed a Committee to bring in a Bill for a Triennial Parliament This Committee met often and was much frequented by all the Grandees of the House then in most repute after diverse and great debates and consultations they agreed upon the frame of a Bill as the same is extant The King taking notice thereof and of the many Petitions from several Counties subscribed with multitudes of hands and presented by great numbers of people and all the Petitions mentioning the late exorbitances and concluding for frequent Parliaments and against the Hierarchy of the Bishops The King being informed thereof and mistrusting the Inclination of the Parliament speaks to both Houses Of their slow Proceedings and the Inconveniences thereby in maintaining two Armies in the Kingdom at excessive charges and of the weakness of his Navy and Forts He takes notice of the strange Petitions from Counties against the established Government of the Church tells them He makes a difference between Reformation and Alteration of Government that he is for the first but not for the latter He will not say but that the Bishops may have over-stretched their power and incroached upon the Temporal If they will reform the Abuse he is with them he will consent to take away some temporal authority if they have any inconvenient to the State and not necessary to the support of Episcopacy But he cannot consent to the taking away their Voice in Parliament which they have so anciently enjoyed even before the Conquest and since and which he conceives he is bound to maintain as one of the fundamental Institutions of this Kingdom He wishes them to eschew another Rock upon the Bill for frequent Parliaments which he likes well but to give power to Sheriffs Constables and he knows not whom to doe his Office that he cannot yield unto The King had reprieved one Goodman a Priest who was condemned at the Old Baily the Commons desire the Lords concurrence and both Houses Remonstrate to the King the danger thereof in these times and the increase of Popery and boldness of Papists in resorting to Mass in London the King leaveth him to the Parliament The Treaty with the Scots Commissioners proceeded at London and their Demands were in effect all yeilded unto Upon their Seventh Demand from the Justice and kindness of the Kingdom of Reparation for their Losses and Charges a long Debate was in the House of Commons about framing the Words of the Question and the stating of it The Question stated was to give them Three hundred thousand pounds as a brotherly assistance towards their charges and losses The House commanded Mr. Speaker to write to the City of London to advance Sixty thousand pounds upon Security out of the next Subsidies which was done accordingly and several other Sums were advanced by them upon Security of the House for supply of the King's Army and providing for the Northern Counties The Dutch Ambassadour here made an Overture of a Marriage between William the young Prince of Orange and the King 's eldest Daughter the Princess Mary to which the King was well inclined but as his Condition then stood he thought fit to acquaint the Parliament with it which he did in a Speech to the House of Lords and That he thought the Alliance with the Prince and the Vnited Provinces would be of much Advantage to this Kingdom and shewed his Reasons for it The Proposition was generally affected and imbraced by all the People and without fears or jealousies upon our Liberties or Religion and was soon concluded The House of Commons sent up a Message to the Lords to acquaint them that the Commons were informed of a great Design of the Papists an Army of Fifteen thousand in Lancashire and Eight thousand in Ireland well Armed and in Pay raised by the Earls of Strafford and of Worcester this gave occasion for many other Petitions but nothing was made out of the Rumour thereof February 13 1640. Sir Robert Berkley one of the Judges of the King's Bench who gave his Opinion for Ship-money was Impeached by the Commons of High Treason in the Lords House and by their Command Maxwell the Usher of the Black Rod came to the King's Bench when the Judges were sitting took Judge Berkley from off the Bench and carried him away to Prison which struck a great terrour in the rest of his Brethren then sitting in Westminster-hall and in all his Profession This Judge was a very learned man in our Laws and a good Orator and Judge moderate in his ways except his desires of the Court-favour He redeemed himself afterwards by supplying the Parliaments Occasions with Ten thousand pounds and ended his days in a private Retirement Yet not without considerable gains by his Chamber-practice and left a plentiful Fortune to his Family The Committee for the Bill of the triennial Parliament had taken a great deal of pains in the framing of it and it being past both Houses the King was not without some Difficulty as it was reported perswaded to give the Royal Assent to it which he did in his Speech to both Houses setting sorth His Confidence thereby in them and in their future Proceedings and the favour he now did to his Subjects The King then also passed the Bill of Subsidies and both Houses by the Lord Keeper Littleton returned their humble thanks to his Majesty and by their Order were Bonefires and Bell-ringing signs of Joy throughout the City Mr. Pym was sent from the House of Commmons to the Lords with the charge of High Treason against the Archbishop Laud who was thereupon committed to the Tower Articles of Particulars against Episcopal Government were presented to the House of Commons annexed to some Petitions and being read in the House were referred to a Committee The Lord Digby spake smartly against them and for Episcopacy but not many others were very eager for them The Commons the tenth of March Voted That no Bishop shall have any Vote in Parliament nor any Judicial power in the Star-chamber nor bear any Authority in Temporal Matters and that no Clergy-man shall be in Commission of the Peace The King of Spain was brought low by the Defection of Catalonia Portugal and part of the Indies the loss of Arras and his ill Successes in Italy besides the approach of the Swedish War to the back of the Danube but this year was very fortunate to the French The Spaniards ill Success was attributed to the ill management of Affairs by the Conde de Olivarez his Favourite hated by the People as is usual And the good Successes of the French were attributed to the prudence of their Cardinal Richlieu He Invites the Duke of Lorrain to Paris where he was highly caressed but
called them Straffordians This being informed to the House by some who were named in that List as a high breach of the Priviledge of Parliament yet being the act of a Multitude no redress was endeavoured These Tumults were accompanied with an Information of some practice in the North to distract the English Army and to debauch them against the Parliament These Passages occasioned a Debate in the House of Commons about a National Protestation to maintain the Protestant Religion against Popery the King's Person the Power of Parliament and the Rights and Liberties of the Subject May 5. This Protestation was taken by the Commons House the next day by the Lords and ordered to be generally taken by all the People of England The House of Commons then took in debate the raising of Moneys to satisfie those great Accounts of the two Armies with which the Kingdom was so highly burthened wherein a Lancashire Knight offered to procure his Majesty 650000 l. till the Subsidies should be raised if he would pass a Bill Not to Prorogue Adjourn or Dissolve this Parliament without Consent of both Houses to indure till the Grievances were redressed and to give the Parliament Credit to take up Monies This was well liked by many Parliament-men who upon the passing of such a Bill would sit the surer and the longer in their Saddles and they were so hot upon it that the same Afternoon they made a Committee to bring in such a Bill the next Morning and Whitelocke was named to draw the Bill Of forty five Lords twenty six Voted the Earl guilty of high Treason upon the fifteenth Article For levying Money in Ireland by force in a warlike manner And upon the nineteenth Article For imposing an Oath upon the Subjects in Ireland The Bill for continuance of the Parliament was brought into the House the next Morning after it was propounded and the same day it was perfected and past the House of Commons This Bill and the Act of Attainder being both past by the Commons a Conference was had with the Lords after they had passed them and a Message sent by some Lords to the King to intreat his Answer who promised to satisfie them within two days The King being much perplexed upon the tendring of these two Bills to him between the Clamours of a discontented People and an unsatisfied Conscience he took advice as some reported of several of the Bishops and of others his intimate Counsellors what to doe in this intricate Affair and that the major part of them urged to him the Opinions of the Judges that this was Treason and the Bill legal They pressed likewise the Votes of the Parliament That he was but one man that no other Expedient could be found out to appease the inraged People and that the Consequences of a furious Multitude would be very terrible Upon all which they perswaded him to pass the Bills But the chief Motive was said to be a Letter of the Earl of Strafford then sent unto him wherein the gallant Earl takes notice of these things and what is best for his Majesty in these streights and to set his Conscience at liberty He doth most humbly beseech him for prevention of such mischief as may happen by his refusal to pass the Bill to remove him out of the way towards that blessed Agreement which God I trust shall for ever establish betwixt you and your Subjects Sir my Consent herein shall more acquit you to God than all the world can do besides To a willing man there is no Injury done By these Passages and by some private dealings the King was perswaded to sign a Commission to three Lords to pass these two Bills and that he should ever be brought to it was admired by most of his Subjects as well as by Foreigners After he had signed these Bills the King sent Secretary Carleton to the Earl to acquaint him with what was done and the Motives of it especially the Earl's Consent who seriously asked the Secretary whether his Majesty had passed the Bill or not as not believing without some astonishment that the King would have done it And being again assured that it was past he rose up from his Chair lift up his Eyes to Heaven laid his Hand on his Heart and said Put not your trust in Princes nor in the Sons of men for in them there is no Salvation Great Censures as in all great businesses were past upon the King 's passing of both these Bills That the one was against his most faithful Servant and the other against himself Certainly he had great remorse thereupon and the next day May 11. he sent a Letter by the Prince to the Lords written all with his own hand That they would confer with the House of Commons to spare the life of the Earl and that it would be a high Contentment to him Some did not stick to say that this was promised to him before he signed the Bill of Attainder and to bring him to it But now the Lords House did not think fit to consent to his Majestie 's desire therein May 12. The Earl was brought to the Scaffold on the Tower-hill as he passed by he looked up to the Window where the Archbishop lay who spake to him with comfort and courage He made on the Scaffold a most ingenious charitable and pious Speech and Prayers gave some Directions touching his Children and died with charity courage and general lamentation Thus fell this Noble Earl who for natural Parts and Abilities and for improvement of knowledge by experience in the greatest Affairs for wisdom faithfulness and gallantry of mind hath left few behind him that may be ranked equal with him The Design for the Earl's escape out of the Tower was related to be discovered by three women who peeping and hearkning to the discourse of the Earl with Captain Billingsley they at the Key-hole of the Earl's Gallery-door heard them confer about the falling down of the Ship to take in the Earl and Billingsley brought a Warrant from the King with two hundred men to be received into the Tower for the safety of it but Sir William Balfour the Lieutenant refused to admit them suspecting that they came to further the Earl's escape Balfour confessed that two thousand pounds were offered him to consent to the Earl's escape and the Earl himself did not deny a Design which he said was only for his remove to some other Castle But Balfour was true to the Interest of his Country-men the Covenanters and their friends in Parliament Divers great Officers of State resigned up their Places either accounting themselves insecure or to satisfie others May 17. The Lord Cottington gave up his Place of Master of the Wards which the Lord Say had conferred on him Bishop Juxon resigned his Office of Treasurer and five Commissioners were appointed to execute it for the time The Earl of Leicester was made Lieutenant of
they afterwards were great with the King Upon receipt of the news of the Rebellion in Ireland the King was much troubled and being at that distance from his Parliament in England he sent expresses to them and referred the whole management of the Irish business to his Parliament at London November 20. the Lords Justices and Council in Ireland sent a more particular account to the Lord Lieutenant here of the Irish affairs he returned answer That he had acquainted the King at Edenburgh with all their dispatches and that His Majesty had referred the Irish business and management of the War there to his Parliament of England Some talked broadly of the Earl of Leicester's retarding so long his Service of Lieutenant of Ireland especially in such a time as then He was now pleased to Commissionate the Earl of Ormond to be his Deputy which was afterwards confirmed by the King but many wondred that the Earl did not go in his own person Some Members of the Parliament in Ireland and most of the Papists even in the Pale and generally in all places took part with the Rebels The Lord Moore stood faithfull to his King and Religion The Rebels to be revenged on him sent about a thousand men to his house three Miles from Tredah the Forces in the house were but twenty four Foot and fifteen Horse besides some few Servants and they had but six Shots of Powder apiece yet when the Rebels assaulted them they killed 140 of them All their Powder being spent and then some of their small number slain they yielded upon quarter yet the Rebels threw them out at the Windows an old Gentleman they ran through the body cut the Throat of an old blind man stripped all the women plundred the house of all the goods and so left it From Dublin they sent six hundred Foot to supply Tredah two thousand of the Rebels waited for them to intercept them and the English in a Fogg came within Musket-shot of them before they were descryed then the Captain Commanded a Counter-march in which the English were forced to take a Ditch which the Enemies thinking to be a flight they shouted and that so amazed and confounded the English that the Rebels charging them slew most of them near Gillingston-Bridge The Lord Ormond's Troop of Fifty Horse made their way through without loss of a man but by this Defeat the Rebels got store of Arms and Moneys and much encouragement The Master of a Chester Bark laden with Arms and Money for Dublin betrayed all to the Rebels who now were set down before Tredah and all the Popish Lords and Gentlemen within the Pale joyned with them About the latter end of November the King returned from Scotland he was sumptuously feasted at London by the Citizens and he banquetted them at Hampton Court and made divers of the Aldermen Knights Decemb. 2. He came to both Houses of Parliament and told them He had made as much haste from Scotland as those Affairs permitted in which he had so good success that he had left that Nation a most peaceable and contented People That he doth not find this Nation so settled as he expected but full of Jealousies and Alarms of Designs and Plots that Guards have been set to defend both Houses That he doubts not of his Subjects Affections to him by his reception at his return and mentions his own Affection to his People and so far from repenting of what he had done for them that he was willing to pass any thing more that might justly be desired for their Liberties and for maintenance of Religion Recommends to them the business of Ireland the preparations for it going on but slowly Then he sets forth a Proclamation For obedience to the Laws concerning Religion and that none introduce any Rite or Ceremonie other than those established by Law At this time this was not held by many to be very seasonable but divers were offended at it He also published a Proclamation for all the Members of Parliament To repair to the Houses by a day And Decem. 14. He again spake to both Houses To quicken them in the business of Ireland expresseth his detestation of all Rebellion particularly of this and offers his pains power and industry to contribute to that necessary work of reducing the Irish to obedience That for the Bill for pressing of Souldiers lodged with the Lords if it came to him he promiseth to pass it And because some had started the Question into a Dispute concerning the bounds of the King's Prerogative herein he offers to avoid such Debate that the Bill shall pass with a Salvo jure both for King and People And concludes conjuring them by all that is or can be dear to them or him to hasten with speed the business of Ireland Upon this the Parliament Petition the King touching the Privilege of Parliament their Birth-right declaring with all duty that the King ought not to take notice of any Matter in agitation and debate in either House but by their information nor ought to propound any Condition or Provision or Limitation to any Bill or Act in debate or preparation or to manifest or declare his Consent or Dissent Approbation or Dislike before it be presented in course nor ought to be displeased with any Debate of Parliament they being Judges of their own Errours and Offences in debating Matters depending That these Privileges have been broken of late in the Speech of his Majesty Decem. 14. particularly in mentioning the Bill of Impress offering also a provisional Clause by a Salvo jure before it was presented and withal they take notice of his Majestie 's Displeasure against such as moved a question concerning the same They desire to know the Names of such Persons as seduced his Majesty to that Item that they may be punished as his Great Council shall advise his Majesty Divers indifferent men wondered both at the King's Speech which gave the cause of Exception and was indeed notoriously against the Course and Privilege of Parliament that his Council should not inform him thereof And they also apprehended this Petition somewhat too rough in the Expressions of it to their King but the general Fate of things drove on this way to increase the Jealousies betwixt King and People and God was pleased so to order it to bring to pass what he had determined The Parliament resolve not to proceed in their Affairs till they had a satisfactory Answer to their Petition and some of them were jealous of too much favour to the Irish Rebellion by some about the King and divers went yet higher The King with some regret withdraws to Hampton Court hoping by his absence to avoid Exceptions but this increaseth discontent in the Parliament who the next day appoint a Committee to follow him thither and now they speak plainly That the whole frame of Government is out of order Among other Grievances Complaint was made by
Age of 80 years dyed at his House at Waterstoke in Oxfordshire lamented by his Neighbours and Relations The King being returned from Dover to Greenwich sent his Answer to the Parliaments Petition concerning the Militia of the inconvenience and breach of his Right to have it settled as they desired And he sent for his two Sons to come from Hampton-Court to him to Greenwich Feb. 26. The House of Commons passed the Bill for the Adventures for Ireland That every one that would bring in and adventure money for the reducing of Ireland should have so many Acres of the Irish Rebels Lands proportionable to the money which they brought in and very good Bargains whereupon very great sums of money were brought in for that service The Parliament again and most earnestly press and importune the King to settle the Militia according to an Ordinance passed by them for that purpose the King excepts against it and shews his reasons why it was not fit for him to confirm it and then he goes to Theobalds Thither the Petition of the Parliament followed him yet more earnestly pressing him to confirm their settlement of the Militia in which Petition they plainly tell the King that the business of the settling of the Militia will endure no more delay and that if his Majesty shall still refuse to agree with his two Houses of Parliament in that business and shall not be pleased upon their humble advice to doe what they desire therein that then for the safety of his Majesty and of themselves and of the whole Kingdom and to preserve the peace thereof and to prevent future fears and jealousies they shall be constrained of themselves without his Majesty to settle that necessary business of the Militia The King much surprized at this home Petition yet sends his Answer and Reasons why he could not assent unto it but the Parliament Voted his Anfwers to the business of the Militia to be unsatisfactory and that the Kingdom be forthwith put into a posture of Defence They appoint a Committee to draw a Declaration upon the causes of their Fears and Jealousies and to consider what was fit further to be done and this was March 2. the next day after the King 's last Answer given to their Petition concerning the Militia Then Advertisements are given out of dangers from Neighbour Princes upon which the Earl of Northumberland Lord Admiral is commanded to fit all the Navy Royal for the Sea and private Owners of Ships are perswaded to doe the like Beacons are new made Sea-marks set up and great posting up and down with Pacquets all symptoms of the ensuing War The King being removed to Royston March 9. 1641. thither the Earls of Pembroke and Holland who had been before very intimate with the King and obliged to him were sent with the Parliaments Declaration mentioning the King's Misgovernments and his Actions By attempting to incense the late Northern Army against the Parliament Jermin's Treasons and transportation by the King's Warrant The Petition delivered to Captain Legg with the King 's own hand and signed C. R. The business of the Lord Kimbolton and the five Members The suspicious designing of a Guard about the King's Person The Vnderhand promoting of the Irish Rebellion The ordering of Sir John Penington to land the Lord Digby from thence to alienate the King from his Parliament and to procure foreign assistance to the King appearing more credible by his removal with the Prince and the many Advertisements from Rome Venice Paris and other parts of aid to be given to the King in reference to some design against Religion and the Parliament They desire the King to put away his wicked Counsellors and to put his trust in the Parliament which if he would doe they would Sacrifice their Lives Fortunes and utmost Endeavours to the supportation of his Sovereignty The Lords would have moved the King to have come nearer to the Parliament and to have granted the Militia for a time but it was refused Then he told them in short that their Fears and Doubts and Jealousies were such as he would take time to satisfy the whole world of but that his own were not trivial occasioned by so many Scandalous Pamphlets Seditious Sermons sundry Publick Tumults hitherto uninquired into and unpunished Sometime after he published a Declaration for further Answer to this effect That he had no evil Counsellors about him but leaves such to their Censure where they should find them That he desired the Judgment of Heaven might be manifested upon those who had any design against the Protestant Profession that the Scottish Troubles were silenced by the Act of Oblivion That the charging him with any inclining to the Irish Rebellion was a high and causless Injury That he never intended to exasperate the late Army or to use them against the Parliament That he signed Captain Leg's Petition to satisfy the Army and Sir Jacob Ashley of his Opinion That Digby and Jermin never were at Whiteh all nor had any warrant from him after the restraint That he had given sufficient Answer about Kimbolton and the five Members That the care of his own Safety caused him to raise a Guard at Whitehall and to receive the tender of the Gentlemen of the Inns of Court of their Service and that he looked upon their foreign Advertisements as wild and irrational The King removes Northward in the mean time the Parliament voted the Ordinance for the Defence of the Kingdom no whit prejudicial to the Oath of Allegeance but to be obeyed as the Fundamental Laws and the King's Commands for Lieutenancy over the respective Counties to be illegal and void In these Votes they received great incouragement and confirmation from the opinions of several of the Members of the House of Commons as Pym Hampden Hollis Stapleton and of Lawyers St. John Corbet L'Isle and divers others and chiefly from the confident opinion of the Lord Keeper Littleton concurring with them Others who went along with them were not yet clear of this Opinion From Huntington the King sends them a Message Mar. 15. That he means to make his residence at York and desires them to hasten their Succours for Ireland and not upon any pretence of an Ordinance to which his assent is not given as by Law it ought to doe against Law which he was to keep and his Subjects to obey Upon this Message from the King the Parliament were the more exasperated by a report from the Lords who were sent to him unto Royston that at the reading of that part of their Message concerning Mr. Jermin the King said that it is false and when they read that of Captain Legg the King said that 's a lye In answer to the King's Message from Huntington the Parliament note that the King's absence so far from his Parliament was obstructive to the relief of Ireland and therefore all those Counsellors that
of them their duty to the Parliament their desires of Peace and ingaged themselves not to act any thing against the Parliament The Officers of the Forces in Council with the Lord Lieutenant debated the consequence of this place the strength of its situation the plenty of the Countrey the nearness to London and the disaffection of the University to the Parliaments Cause That the King by his coming to Shrewsbury and looking this way and because of the conveniency of the place might probably make this a principal Quarter for his Forces and fortify the City which would prove a great prejudice to the Parliament To prevent which it was propounded to the Lord Lieutenant to take a course that the Scholars might not supply His Majesty if he came thither or rather to fortifie the City and place a good Garrison here under a Governour whom his Lordship might trust with so important a place as this was And Whitelocke was named to be a fit person to be the Governour and one whom both the City and the University and the Countrey thereabouts did well know and would be pleased with and the Scholars the more because they knew him to be a Scholar and a Member of this University But the Lord Say shewed no forwardness to fortify and make this City a Garrison This being spoken of abroad divers of the Neighbours offered to bring in 1000 men at any time within a days warning to be under Whitelocke's command in the Garrison and the Towns-men were very forward to ingage so Whitelocke might be Governour but the Lord Say declined it pretending favour to the University and Countrey and the improbability in his opinion that the King would settle there though that which follows in this Story will shew what a great errour was committed in not fortifying this place for the Parliament as it might easily have been done at this time and surely the Lord Lieutenant though a person of great parts wisedom and integrity yet did much fail in this particular Some of the Company moved his Lordship to seise upon or to secure the Plate in the several Colleges that it might not be made use of by the King if he should come thither but he did not think fit to doe it onely he and his Deputy Lieutenants went to the several Colleges and took an Ingagement and Promise from the respective Heads That their Plate should be forth coming and should not be made use of by the King against the Parliament Many with his Lordship were unsatisfied with this his favour to the University and foretold the ill consequences of it which afterwards happened to the prejudice of the Parliament But his Lordship had the sole power in himself and thus carried all this business for which he had no thanks from either party Sir John Biron marched away from Oxford with 500 Horse to Worcester and took in the Town for the King About the beginning of November the two Princes Palatine Rupert and Maurice arrived in England and were put into Command in the Army of the King their Uncle who had now gotten together a potent Army to whom he made a Speech declaring his intentions to preserve the Protestant Religion Laws and Liberties of his Subjects and Priviledges of Parliament Sept. 9. 1642. The Earl of Essex in much state accompanied by many of both Houses of Parliament sets out from London to St. Albans from thence to Northampton where his Forces met him and they were together above 15000 men The Parliaments Petition which he carried with him was refused to be received by the King who now had furnished himself with store of money by melting in his new Mint in Wales the Plate which was brought in to him in great quantities and from thence he marcheth towards London The Parliament having notice thereof order the Trained Bands to be in readiness and fortify the passages about the City with Posts Chains and Courts of Guard and it was wonderfull to see how the Women and Children and vast numbers of people would come to work about digging and carrying of earth to make their new fortifications The Parliament vote those that will not contribute to their Charges to be secured and disarmed Mr. Fountaine the Lawyer was for his refusal committed but afterwards as will appear in the progress of this Story he and many others refused and again assisted on both sides as they saw the Wind to blow The Parliament appoint a Committee for the Sequestration of the Lands of Bishops and of Deans and Chapters and of the King's Revenues to be employed for defence of the Common-wealth Colonel Nathaniel Fines with some Forces raised by the Lord Say and Colonel Sandys marched to Worcester to remove Sir John Biron from thence and expected General Essex to second them but in stead of him came Prince Rupert and slew and routed all the Parliament Party Sandys was taken Prisoner and shortly after died of his Wounds Essex coming on with his Army after he had Garrison'd Northampton Coventry and Warwick Rupert and Biron thought fit to quit Worcester to him and Essex sent from thence the Earl of Stamford with a Party to Hereford to hinder the Forces of South Wales from joyning with the King Stamford marches from Hereford to Gloucester and called away from thence leaves Massey Governour there Colonel Tho. Essex is sent to Garrison Bristol and left Governour of Worcester Some Forces are sent to Kiddermister and Beaudley to joyn with the Lord Wharton's Regiment and Sir Henry Chomley's and at Coventry and Warwick lay the Lord Peterburgh Sir William Constable and Colonel Brown with their Regiments to oppose the King's march to London and at Yarmouth they seised a Ship with 140 Cavaliers and 300 Barrels of Powder sent from Holland to the King In Yorkshire the King's Party grew strong under the Earl of Cumberland Sir Francis Worsley Sir Marmaduke Langdale Sir Thomas Glemham Mr. Nevill and others who forced Hotham to retreat to Hull In Cornwal under Sir Ralph Hopton their General Sir Nich. Slamning Sir Bevill Greenville and others they possessed Launceston for the King and with a considerable Body opposed the Parliamentarians In Wales the Earl of Worcester raised a great number of Welch and marched to the King The King having gained a days March of Essex toward London Essex finding his errour of so long a stay at Worcester hastens after the King The Parliament and their Party were not a little troubled at the King's March towards the City and the suspicion of a great Party hereabouts that would joyn with him and had invited him this way they used all means to stop his March and to hasten General Essex after him They sent down their Members Deputy Lieutenants into several Counties towards the Army to gather together such Forces as were raised and to send them to their General and to raise such further as they could Oct. 24. Intelligence was brought from Vxbridge Road that
King's Children The Commons voted to Impeach Mr. Webster and Mr. Sands and two other English Merchants in Holland for being chief Actors in pawning the Crown-Jewels and sending over Arms and Ammunition against the Parliament The Clergy and others being summoned to Leicester to take the Covenant and very many of them coming in Colonel Hastings with four hundred of the King's Horse roamed about the Country and took about a hundred Prisoners of those that were going to take the Covenant and drove the rest home again Upon this about two hundred Horse were sent from Leicester who unexpectedly fell into the Quarters of Hastings rescued all the Prisoners dispersed his Troops took fifty of them Prisoners and a hundred and forty Horse and Arms. Fifteen thousand of the Scots past the River Tyne and blockt up Newcastle on the South-side as the other part of their Army did on the North-side The Lord Willoughby before Newark beat the King's Forces from their Outworks and gained their Bridges and came within Pistol-shot of the Town Colonel Wayte beat up the King's Quarters near Burley-house Colonel Norton did the like to some of the Lord Hopton's Forces and killed and took about eighty of them The Scots possest themselves of Sunderland and Durham Sir William Constable took Stamford-Bridge and three pieces of Ordnance Powder Shot Arms for several Troops of Horse and Provisions Colonel Lambert at Leeds surprised eleven Colours of the King 's and Sir William Constable besieged Scarborough Sir Hugh Cholmley revolted to the King burnt many houses in Whitbee March 12. The Archbishop came to his Tryal in the Lord's house the Evidence against him was managed by Serjeant Wild and Mr. Maynard The Archbishop in his Defence alledged for his constancy in Religion that he had converted two and twenty from Popery to be Protestants Divers Western Gentlemen came into Plymouth and submitted themselves to the Parliament The Divines of the Netherlands in Answer to a Letter from the Assembly of Divines here express their content in the proceedings of the Parliament and Assembly touching the Covenant and desire to joyn with the two Kingdoms therein The Dutch Ambassadour sent a Message to the House of Commons directed in the usual manner To the Speaker of the House of Commons And in the Afternoon they had a private Conference with the Speaker and some Members The Earl of Carlisle deserted the King's Party and came in to the Parliament Colonel Thomas Pyne took the Lord Arundel's House by assault fifty Prisoners and two pieces of Ordnance Mar. 15. The Commons referred to the Council of both Kingdoms to consider of and propound to both Houses the most probable speedy and effectual means for procuring and establishing a firm peace wherein the Lords concurred Sir Richard Greenvile was proclaimed Traytor by the General and the Proclamation nailed on the Gallows The Parliament Ships chased the Earl of Marleborough but he though two to one did not think fit to fight with them The Anti-Parliament at Oxford passed sundry Votes That the Parliament Members at Westminster were guilty of Treason Which Votes the Parliament caused to be published with a Declaration upon them A List was agreed of seven Colonels of Foot-Regiments under the Lord General in his Army The Propositions from the Ambassadours of the States Were to mediate a Peace between the King and Parliament For which end they had been with the King and now they made application to the Parliament who thought they did not fully acknowledge them as the Parliament and thereupon the business past over with Complements on both parts Colonel Purefoy beat up the Quarters of two Troups of the Earl of Northampton's Regiment took divers Officers and others Prisoners and 80 Horse The Rents of the Universitie of Oxford were secured by the Parliament Consideration was had of Regulating Sir William Waller's Army The Scots possest Sunderland by which means Coals were had for London which before was in great want of them Newark Garrison sallied out and surprised 200 of the Besiegers The Ordinance past for Regulating the Lord General 's Army and reducing them to seven thousand and five hundred Foot and three thousand Horse and thereby his Officers were discontented and himself not well pleased Letters were intercepted from the Catholick Council of the Rebels in Ireland to Cardinal Mazarini To put the Queen Regent of France in mind of her promise to assist the Irish with seven thousand men An Order past for Trade to Sunderland and Blith in the North. A difference of Opinion was between the two Houses the Lords would have a new Committee named to consider of Propositions of Peace the Commons would have that Business referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms In the debate of this matter some of the House of Commons seemed averse to any Propositions at all for Peace Amongst others one spake to this effect Mr. Speaker It would be no wonder to see an unanimous Concurrence of the whole House in furthering Propositions for a good Peace The Calamities of our Distractions have brought us to it and who is there amongst us that hath not in some measure felt the stroaks of them I am sure Sir I have smarted by them We may say here but I hope never with the like Application what Tacitus said of the Romans Omnia discordiis civilibus fessa The Land is weary of our Discords being thereby polluted with our blood God hath given you great Successes in many places against our Enemies and sometimes he is pleased to give our Enemies Successes against us in all of them whether of the one or the other Party the poor English are still Sufferers Whose Goods I pray Sir are plundered whose Houses are burnt whose Limbs are cut or shot off whose persons are thrown into loathsom Dungeons whose Blood stains the Walls of our Towns and defiles our Land Is it not all English and is it not then time for us who are all English-men to be weary of these Discords and to use our utmost Endeavours to put an end to them I know Sir you are all here of the same Opinion with me in this Point and that it was an unhappy mistake of those who told us in the beginning of our Warfare That it would be onely to shew our selves in the Field with a few Forces and then all would be presently ded We have found it otherwise let us now again seek to recover these Blessings of Peace whereof we are told that Nihil tam populare quam pax That nothing is than Peace more gracious to be heard of more pleasing to be desired and more profitable to be enioyed I am sorry we have so much and so sad Experience as well as other Arguments to convince us of this truth You think best to refer it to the Committee of both Kingdoms and you cannot find more able and faithfull men to trust in this Business the Lords think fit that
from him and to the inhabitants of Surrey for satisfaction of their charges for supply of Sir William Waller A thousand Countrey men came in to Colonel Massey who represented the condition of his Garrison to the Parliament who ordered supplies for him and the Earl of Manchester was ordered with 4000 Horse and 5000 Foot to attend the motion of Prince Rupert The Lord Fairfax his Forces joyned with the Scots and care was taken to supply the Earl of Manchester Sir William Waller sent out a party which fell upon a Convoy of the Enemies for supply of Basing House and took of them divers Officers 40 Souldiers 1000 Sheep and fat cattle and money Sir John Gell routed 2 Troups of Colonel Goring's Regiment of Horse and dispersed the rest The Earl of Warwick took 8 ships bound for Bristol York was close besieged by the Scots and the Lord Fairfax his Forces The Dutch Embassadour and the Parliament courted each other but nothing came to effect between them The King's Forces whereof many were Irish burnt Bemister Cerne and Shaftsbury in Dorsetshire The Commons ordered that no private business should be heard in the House before the Armies were upon their march The Propositions for Peace were brought into the House and Read and Debated and the Debate adjourned The Marquess Huntley in Scotland made some commotion on behalf of the King but the Earl of Argile quieted him The Anti-Parliament at Oxford had written Letters to the Estates of Scotland dehorting them from giving any assistance to those at Westminster who were in arms against the King and these Letters set forth the unlawfulness and injustice of such undertakings and actions The Estates of Scotland sent up this Letter to the Parliament with a Copy of their answer to it which was to this effect That their expedition into England was not intended till all other means were first assayed and disappointed they deny not the Parliaments invitation of them and they declare that their pitty to see England bleed and their sense of the danger of their own Religion and Laws were the chief cause of their taking up Armes That they held not the invitation of the Parliament any ways invalid because they at Oxford are wanting or others are gone beyond the Seas having either wilfully deserted the Parliament or been expelled for Delinquency or why those that stay in Parliament are not a sufficient number without those at Oxford they do not apprehend with much of the like matter which was well accepted by the Parliament May 1644. An Ordinance for the supply of the Earl of Manchester's forces stuck with the Lords An Ordinance was published to prevent the adjournment of the Term or any the Courts of Justice from Westminster and all Judges and Officers were commanded to attend their places here Some 30 firelocks of the Garrison of Northampton being surprized by the Enemy and carried Prisoners to Banbury the Northampton forces marched forth entered Banbury fetched off all their Prisoners and took about 30 of them Sir Thomas Fairfax and Major General Lesley closely pursued the Earl of Newcastle's horse Southward The Archbishop of Canterbury came again to his tryal the evidence against him was mannaged by Mr. Nicholas Captain Swanley took in the town of Caernarvon with 400 Prisoners Arms Ammunition and much Pillage Plymouth sallyed out upon the besiegers took 40 Prisoners Horse Arms Ammunition The Speaker and some Members of the House were sent to the Dutch Ambassadours to complement and take leave of them The Commons sent to acquaint the City that they were preparing Propositions for Peace and desired to know from them what concerned their particular for which the City returned their humble thanks Particular Letters were ordered to be written from the Houses to the Scots General and to the Lord Fairfax and his son in acknowledgment of their good services The Lord General wrote to the Houses to appoint a Committee to reside with the Army and to supply the Army Mr. Rolles a Member of the House had satisfaction voted to be given him for his losses in opposing the King's taking of Tunnage and Poundage when it was not granted by Parliament At the taking of Caermarthen by Captain Swanly many Irish Rebels were thrown into the Sea The Earl of Manchester took the City of Lincoln by storm and in it Sir Francis Fane the Governor three Colonels many inferiour Officers 800 Common Souldiers 1000 Armes 8 pieces of Ordnance all their Armes Ammunition and pillage given to the Souldiers and 80 of them were slain A new Ordinance passed for abolishing all Popish Reliques fixed to Tombes or other places and all Organs Images c. The Earl of Holland desired licence to accompany the Lord General in the present expedition which the Lords granted but the Commons denyed which upon my knowledge distasted the General Sir Philip Stapleton and Hollis were two of the most secret Counsellors and Friends the General had they often advised with him about his affairs for his good and the advantage of the Parliament but he was not well fixed Newcastle's horse coming to relieve Lincolne were beaten back by Manchester's The siege of York was continued and the Scots and the Lord Fairfax's forces drawn very near to the wals The Lord Say Mr. of the Wards and the Officers of that Court sate Mr. Charles Fleetwood was made Receiver General and Mr. Miles Corbet Clerk of the Wards Captain Fox with one Troop of Horse went to Bewdely the enemies Garrison and in the night under pretence of being one of the Princes Troops passed the Guards to the main Guard where he killed the Sentinels seized the Guard and took Sir Thomas Littleton and divers persons of Quality prisoners The Londoners presented a Petition to the Lords desiring their free and mutual concurrence with the Commons in the great affairs now in agitation which was not well taken by the Lords A party of the King's horse came to Henly requiring the inhabitants to carry in all their Provisions for men and horse to Oxford else the Town should be burnt and faln upon by the Souldiers but Captain Buller being quartered not far from thence and hearing of it came unexpectedly and fell upon the enemy and rescued the Town Colonel Massey with his own forces and some of the Regiments of the Lord Stamford Colonel Devereux and Colonel Purefoy took Westbury by assault divers Officers and 60 Souldiers the same night he marched to little Deane and meeting with a party of the Enemy under Captain Congrave and Wigmore he slew them and 7 or 8 more and took divers prisoners Then he stormed Newnam a strong fort who shot at his Trumpet sent to summon them and that so inraged Massey's men that they entered the Town and slew about 40 took divers Officers and 130 common Souldiers and store of Arms. A new Ordinance for settling the Committee of both Kingdomes was sent up to the Lords who denyed to
Antichristian c. That he held the Pope to be the Metropolitan Bishop of the World and that there could be no true Church without Bishops The Speaker offered to the house a petition which he received from the hands of the French Ambassadour touching the French and English Merchants in matters of Trade which the House referred to the Committee of the Navy and directed that when addresses should be made to them as a Parliament they would doe right Colonel Popham was ordered to go down to Taunton to take into his charge a Regiment raised by the Country for him The Lord Inchequin's party taken at Dorchester that were Irish Rebels were there hang'd The Lord Admiral upon the General 's advance to Exeter sent the James a Ship of 1200 Tun to lye before it at Torbay that 100 are come out of the Town to him and that he hearing of eleven Ships waiting for the Queen to carry her beyond Sea sent three lusty Ships to wait on them The King marched with 7000 horse and foot to Bath and from thence towards Bristol where Hopton joyned with him Bostal-house in Bucks was re-fortified by the King's party York was rendered upon Articles to the three Parliament Generals who entred the Town and went to the Minster where they had a Sermon and thanks returned to God for the recovery of it An Order was made touching compounding for Wardships Colonel Massey wrote that the King with about 400 horse and 3000 foot was marched Westward whereof he had given notice to the General and to Sir Will. Waller and that he with three Troops of horse followed the King's Rear to keep them from plunder By Letters from the General he desires a pass for an Irish Gentlewoman Governess to the young Princess and sends a Letter which he received out of Exeter from Sir John Berkley the Governour The Irish as was informed by the King's allowance made a Declaration and Vow to assist the King against the Puritan Parliament and to defend Episcopacy and the Papists of England and protest against the Covenant and that they will proceed against all that take it The Lord Grey of Groby and Sir John Gell joyning together to reduce a Garrison of the King 's at Wilney-ferry who did many outrages to the Countrey and much infested them they used this Stratagem to get the Fort. They took about 60 Cart-loads of Hay and other combustible Matter and carried them with their Forces up to the very Fort under the shelter of which their men were secure from any hurt from the Enemy and putting fire to the combustible Matter with the advantage of the wind did so annoy the Enemy that they were driven out of the Works and their Trenches filled with the Hay and other stuff Captain Robinson the Governour offered to render upon terms to march away with Bag and Baggage but that being denied he prepared for a resolute defence but when the Parliament forces began the storm Robinson's men threw down their Arms and craved quarter which was given them and but one man killed there was taken three Captains divers inferiour Officers two Drakes and seventy common Souldiers after this they took in Wink field Manor and Shelford Manor The Parliament ordered a Letter of thanks to them The House being informed that Sir John Berkeley Governour of Exeter hanged up Captain Turpine in cold blood ordered that the Judges who condemn'd him Heath Banks Forster and Glanvile might be impeached of High Treason which was ordered against Glanvile onely being in their power Two Priests who were in the Earl of Newcastle's Army were sent up to the Parliament and ordered to be tried according to Law The Commons ordered a Letter of thanks to the Lord General for his good service in the West The Lord General sent word to the Parliament That he was advancing to relieve Plymouth and to fight with Prince Maurice Indeed there was a great Debate at the Council of War whether they should march on Westward or face about and meet the King who was marching towards them and rather fight with him than with Prince Maurice Most of the Council were of opinion to face about and to meet the King but the Lord Roberts was very earnest for them to advance into Cornwal and by the way to relieve Plymouth and from thence to march into Cornwal to fight Prince Maurice affirming that when they came into Cornwal which was his Lordship's Countrey they should find great assistance and many to come in to them by his interest among them The General followed his advice and wrote to the Parliament as before That the King was in Somersetshire and that the Queen with Bristol and Jermin were landed at Brest in France The House ordered that Mr. Hollis one of their Members shall have out of the King's Revenue the Fine which was imposed on him by the Star-chamber 3 Car. for his fidelity to the Common-wealth A Ship loaden with Arms and Ammunition for the King was taken and brought into Sunderland with 22 pieces of Ordnance in her A Committee of seven Lords and fourteen Commons was appointed to hear any complaints sent in by the Dutch Ambassadours concerning taking of Ships that right may be done A Committee most of Lawyers was appointed to consider what Ordinances were fit to be made into Laws when the King and Parliament should be agreed The Archbishop was again brought to his Trial and proofs produced against him that he should say the Pope was not Antichrist but the Head of the Church and that the Protestant and Romish Religion was all one and if the one was false so was the other and that he concealed a Plot revealed to him that 7000 men were in pay attending an opportunity to kill the King and to massacre the Protestants The Lord General sent up to the Parliament a Letter which he received from the Earl of Forth now made Earl of Brainford General of the King's Army acquainting that a Letter was sent by His Majesty from Eversham by the French Agent to be by him presented to the Parliament for Peace It was intituled A gracious Message directed to the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled at Westminster It propounded a Treaty of Peace and that Commissioners might be appointed on both sides to meet and treat thereof and it was signed by the Lord Digby Secretary A Letter came from the three Generals That now if it pleased the Parliament they believed the the King would be more inclineable to Peace than formerly This was excepted against by some who were no friends to Peace but those who longed for Peace carried it against them to have a day set to consider of this business Major General Brown was ordered to march to Abington to secure the Magazine and Artillery there The Earl of Manchester wrote to the Parliament for their advice which way the Scots Army and his should march and that the L. Fairfax
same and Reasons for any Alteration or Explanation of them may be debated and weighed He therefore proposeth that the Parliament would appoint such number of persons as they should think fit to treat with the like number of persons to be appointed by his Majesty upon the said Propositions and such other things as shall be proposed by his Majesty for preservation and defence of the Protestant Religion with due regard to tender Consciences the Rights of the Crown the Liberty and Propriety of the Subject and the Privilege of Parliament and upon the whole matter to conclude an happy and blessed Peace Taunton Castle was relieved by Colonel Hepburne and Major Van Russe and divers of the Besiegers taken prisoners The Protestant Forces and Subjects in Munster petitioned the King's Commissioners against a further Cessation of Arms there which was to be treated on by those Commissioners with the Rebels The two Houses and the Scots Commissioners agreed upon an Answer to the King's Message sent by the Duke of Lenox and the Earl of Southampton That they did consent to a Treaty as was proposed but in regard there were many things which will take up some time for preparation thereunto both for the time and manner how to treat they have sent back his Majestie 's Messengers and will return a speedy answer by Messengers of their own They held this way the fitter to be taken because those two Lords and their Company were labouring and plotting whilst they were here against the Interest of the Parliament which was intimated to them by a Petition from the Common Council of the City An Agent of the Queen of Swedland addressed himself to the Houses by Letters from the Queen acquainting them that he had Matters of great Importance to communicate to them from the Queen his Mistres and acknowledged the Parliament and desired Audience The Self-denying Ordinance was again brought to the House to be preferred and a Clause offered to be added That it should not extend to any L. Lieutenants Deputy Lieutenants Justices of Peace or Commissioners of Oyer and Terminer who were Members of either of the Houses of Parliaments Upon this Debate many spake against the Ordinance and among the rest one to this effect Mr. Speaker I am one of that number of your Servants who have no Office or Imployment but such as you are now about to except out of this Ordinance nor have ambition for any and therefore may the more freely and indifferently yet with all submission humbly offer my reasons against it as that which I apprehend may prove prejudicial to your Service It hath been objected that your House and the House of Lords is thin and empty and you the less esteemed having so few Members here many of them being imployed in Offices that they cannot attend the Houses but that by this Ordinance they will be at leisure and liberty to attend the Service of the Parliament here and the Houses be much fuller than now they are I confess Sir this is fit to be remedied but I apprehend you have a fitter way than by this Ordinance to doe it ' that is by issuing out new Writs for electing new Members in the places of those who are dead or expelled and this will satisfie the Objection and engage divers of interest and quality the more immediately in your Service Whereas this Ordinance will discontent many and the Houses will be but little the fuller by the passing of it Another Objection is that if this Ordinance do not pass the Treaty for Peace will not so well proceed but the particular Interests of Members of Parliament may retard the same but will be all taken away by this Ordinance I am to seek how this can be materially objected when I suppose whether this Ordinance pass or not yet you intend Members of Parliament only to be your Commissioners for that Treaty and in case some of then be Officers they will the better understand your businesses on which the Treaty will be grounded Another Objection is that unless this Ordinance pass the great work intended of new modelling your Armies will not so well be carried on for that by putting all out there will remain no exception I should rather have argued that by putting out all Members out of their Imployment the exception and discontent would be the more general and by leaving them still in their Imployments there would be the less competition and sollicitation for new Officers in their rooms Another Objection or Argument is that the Members of Parliament who are Officers being of equal power in Parliament will not be so obedient to your Commands as others who have smaller interests and would not so much dispute one with another Surely Sir those whose interest is the same with yours have the more reason to obey your Commands than others and have more to hazard by disobedience than others can have and in your Commands all your Members are involved and it were strange if they should be backward to obey their own Orders Nor will the Contests be so frequent and high between them and other Officers as it will be between those who will be of a more equal condition But Mr. Speaker as you consider the inconveniences if this Ordinance do not pass so you will be pleased to consider the Inconveniences if it do pass You will lay aside as brave men and who have served you with as much courage wisdom faithfulness and success as ever men served their Country Our noble General the Earls of Denbigh Warwick Manchester the Lords Roberts Willoughby and other Lords in your Armies besides those in civil Offices not excepted and of your own Members the Lord Grey Lord Fairfax Sir William Waller Lieutenant General Cromwel Mr. Hollis Sir Philip Stapleton Sir William Brereton Sir John Meyrick and many others must be laid aside if you pass this Ordinance And I am to seek and I doubt so will they be to whom you shall refer the new modelling of your Armies where to find Officers that shall excel if equal these If your Judgments are that for the Publick Service it will be expedient to remove any of them from their Commands let the same if you please be plainly made known to them from you Let them have what they deserve your thanks for their former good Services and they will not be offended that you having no more work for them do lay them aside with honour But to do a business of this nature às hath been well said by a side Wind is in my humble opinion not so becoming your Honour and Wisdom as Plainness and Gravity which are Ornaments to your Actions I shall conclude with the Example of the Grecians and Romans amongst whom Sir you know that the greatest Offices both of War and Peace were conferred upon their Senatours and their Reasons were because they having greater Interests than others were the more capable to doe them the greatest service
viewed and considered each others powers and instructions exceptions were taken on both sides to the meaning of some clauses in their Instructions Both Houses explained their meaning in those clauses excepted against and the King's Commissioners sent to Oxford for satisfaction to that which was excepted against by the Commissioners of both Kingdomes They agreed to give in to each other papers in in writing of their particular Proposals and then as there should be occasion to have verbal debates upon any of those particulars and accordingly the Parliaments Commissioners delivered in Papers to the King's Commissioners of four particulars concerning Religion first to be treated on The Directory for Worship The taking away the Book of Common Prayer The Confirming of the Assembly of Divines And for the King to take the Covenant of both Kingdomes Feb. 1644. 1. Before the Commissioners on either part for the Treaty insisted on any debate upon particulars several resolutions were made by consent of both sides to this effect That all overtures of the Treaty should be set down in writing That whatsoever should be agreed to on both sides upon any one or more of the Propositions should be null and of no force in case the Treaty break off upon any of the Propositions The Parliaments Commissioners delivered to the King's Commissioners in writing the Propositions and Votes of both Houses concerning the setling of Religion in a Presbyterial way which were appointed for the debate of the three first days of the Treaty Unto these the King's Commissioners did make some Quaeries as 1. What was meant by the Presbyterial Government propounded to be Established 2. What was meant by Classes 3. What was meant by Provincial and Synodical Assemblies 4. What by the bounds of Parishes with other questions depending upon these Upon the entrance into the debate of the points Doctor Steward spake very learnedly though seeming frowardly against Presbyterial Government in the Church of England which had so long been under Episcopacy which he thought most suitable to our Church and to be jure divino Mr. Henderson and Mr. Marshall answered the Doctor commending the Presbyterian way of Government and that Episcopacy was not so suitable to the word of God as Presbytery which they argued to be jure Divino To which the Marquess Hartford spake to this effect My Lords Here is much said concerning Church Government in the General the Reverend Doctors on the King's part affirm that Episcopacy is Jure Divino the Reverend Ministers of the other part do affirm that Presbytery is Jure Divino for my part I think that neither the one nor the other nor any Government whatsoever is Jure Divino and I desire we may leave this Argument and proceed to debate upon the particular Proposals The Earl of Pembroke was of the same judgment and many of the Commissioners besides these two Lords were willing to pass over this point and to come to the particulars Dr. Steward thought the disputes to be too various and general and desired that they might dispute Syllogistically as became Schollars and was the best way to find out the Truth Mr. Henderson told them that he in his younger days had been a pedagogue and had also read Logick and Rhetorick to his Schollars and had wholy of late declined that kind of Learning but hoped he had not forgot all of it and therefore agreed to dispute Syllogistically In that way they proceeded upon the points urged by the King's Doctors which were very clearly and learnedly opened by Mr. Vines Mr. Marshal and Mr. Henderson and very learnedly replyed unto by all the King's Doctors who did severally declare their judgments upon those points but the Arguments on both parts were too large to admit a place in this story for them The King's Commissioners complained of a Sermon preached by Mr. Love at Vxbridge the morning before they entred upon the Treaty wherein they said were many expressions in derogation of His Majesty and the present Treaty the Parliament having notice thereof from their Commissioners sent for Love and referred the business to an examination The Commons passed an Ordinance for Tunnage and Poundage 2. Mr. Marshall preached this Sunday to the Parliaments Commissioners 3. The Commons denyed an exchange for Colonel Smith once a Member of theirs because he being a Prisoner of War escaped and was retaken and because they were informed that he said the onely way to make the King's Forces successful was to kill all the Ploughmen they met with that the people might be deterred from ploughing their grounds and so to starve the Roundheads Letters from Major Purefoy Governour of Compton-house informed that about 1200 of the King's Forces about two a Clock at night fell upon him and stormed his outworks and cut down the great drawbridge possest themselves of all Purefoy's Trouphorses and took about 30 of his foot Souldiers in their beds they taking the alarm made good a new Sconce and beat the Enemy out of the Court where about 200 of them were entred and ready to storm the Sconce They were forced to retreat and by a party of the Garrison of about 40 and fought at push of Pike and Swords point till Sir William and Sir Charles Compton gave ground which Purefoy's Souldiers perceiving leaped out at the Windows and recovered the outworks and the draw-bridge and drew it up again and so got them in a pound The Comptons Valiantly sought to storm again the outworks three times and were as Valiantly beaten back after three hours fight they set on fire the hay straw and combustible stuff which much annoyed Purefoy's men and they threw above 100 hand Granadoes which set fire on the House in several places Then the Comptons sent a Trumpet to parley but Purefoy forbad him speaking to the Souldiers and sent him away The fight continued and the fire increased Purefoy drew all his men together and fell upon the Enemy and killed and took many of them upon which the Comptons drew off their foot and faced the house with their horse and sent another Trumpet to parley who was answered onely with the shot of a Musket Of Compton's men about 20 Officers were killed and taken 6 Cart loads of wounded men carried off and about 40 Common Souldiers left dead behind and many more taken Prisoners and great store of Arms and Purefoy writes that he had but two men wounded Northampton horse the next night fell upon the same party of the King 's near Banbury and took 60 horse and 30 prisoners The King's Commissioners having received answers to all their Quaeries touching Presbyterian Government it was desired by the Parliaments Commissioners that they would declare their resolutions therein Positively or Negatively but answer was returned that they could not untill they had made a further progress in the other Propositions Thereupon the Parliaments Commissioners delivered in to them several Papers to treat on the business of
into them were to settle the Militia of both Kingdoms This Answer of the King's Commissioners to the great Point of the Militia gave much dissatisfaction to the Parliaments Commissioners And the Earl of Northumberland Mr. Pierpoint Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelocke with others of them advising in private about it endeavoured by particular applications to their friends of the King's Commissioners to get a better Answer and more complying with the Parliament from them But it could not be obtained and they hinted to them that they were bound up by their Instructions from the King that they could go no further Yet they promised to send to Oxford to see if they could prevail there for a further concession from his Majesty in this particular But nothing came of it They sent the Papers on both parts in every dispatch to the Parliament and when these of the Militia were read the House of Commons seemed much troubled at them some were pleased who were no great Wishers of Peace and others doubted thereupon of any good success in the present Treaty 7. The Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London sent a Letter to the Speaker intimating the scarcity of Flesh-meats by the destruction of Cattel in the time of these Wars and the good by encouraging the Fishing and submitted the whole not as to the keeping of Lent but to prevent Dearth to the judgment of the houses Who ordered an Ordinance to be brought in for this business After a Debate from Morning till the Evening upon the alterations made by the Lords in the Ordinance of the new Model the Commons voted That Sir Thomas Fairfax should nominate all the Commanders in his Army to be taken out of any the other Armies and to receive the approbation of both Houses The Scots Commissioners at Vxbridge were much unsatisfied that no Answer was given touching the settlement of the Militia in Scotland and took it as an high neglect of that Kingdom They and the Parliaments Commissioners gave in some Papers to the King's Commissioners touching the Propositions for Ireland A Letter was past to be sent to the Parliament of Scotland concerning the Scots present advance Southwards 8. The Commons state from Eight a Clock in the Morning till Eight a Clock at Night upon the Alterations made by the Lords in the Ordinance for the new Model And agreed to most of them and ordered Reasons to be drawn up to satisfie the Lords in those wherein they differed They voted that all Officers in the new Army that shall be approved by both houses shall take the Covenant within twenty days and the Souldiers in a time to be set for it The rest of the Papers upon the Propositions for Ireland were delivered in to the King's Commissioners for the Treaty 9. The Lords-day one of the Ministers with the Commissioners preached very seasonably for the Occasion in the Morning and another in the Afternoon Some Visits past between some of the Commissioners on both parts and indeavours to perswade one another to nearer terms of agreement but to little effect 10. Some Debate touching the Point of Excommunication The Lords concurred with the Commons in a Letter to the Parliament of Scotland for the March of their Army Southwards and the place of their Rendezvous was referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms for the more secrecy thereof They also agreed in Approbation of the Opinion of Judge Bacon in over-ruling the Plea of Macquire in the point of Peerage who was this day at his Tryal in the King's Bench and excepted against twenty three of the twenty four returned of the Jury The Commons past the Bill for taking away Episcopacy in Ireland as in England and sent it up to the Lords for their Concurrence They nominated several High Sheriffs 11. Orders for Money and Supplies for the Navy The Reasons of the Commons for their differing from some Alterations made by the Lords in the Ordinance of the new Model where delivered to the Lords A Petition of Merchants trading into France whose Goods were seized there and Letters of Marque granted against all that adhered to the Parliament was referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms and to draw up a Letter to be sent to the King of France for redress therein Propositions touching Navigation sent from the Lords The Commons had information of a great Design in Bucks to dissolve the Treaty at Vxbridge to be effected by a Petition framed for them and great endeavours to get hands to it in Bucks The Petition was directed to the Commissioners of both sides at Vxbridge and 5000 Inhabitants were designed to come with it The Commons had a Copy of the Petition the Effect whereof was That Religion might be established as in the purest times of Queen Elizabeth c. Sir John Lawrence was informed to be the active Promoter of this Petition and was therefore sent for in Custody to the Parliament The Directory for Worship was much approved by the Assembly in Scotland General Leven went towards Carlisle to assist in the Siege there Macquire upon his Tryal in the King's Bench was found Guilty and had Judgment of High Treason pronounced against him to be hanged drawn and quartered He desired to be beheaded and to have his Execution respited till he might speak with Sir Bazill Brooke and Mr. Walter Mountague The Judge said he would acquaint the Parliament therewith and observe their directions The King's Commissioners at Vxbridge gave in their Answer to the Proposition concerning Ireland and therein justified the King in making a cessation with the Rebels there and that he is in honour bound to maintain it And they would by no means yield to that part of the Proposition To prosecute the War against the Irish Rebels The Commissioners entred upon a second Debate concerning Religion the King's Doctors highly insisted for Episcopacy 12. Orders for new Sheriffs and for Monies for the Army and the Lords were desired to expedite the Ordinance for the Model News came that Goring's Horse and a party of Foot from Portland by a sudden assault took the Works at Weymouth and the Town was in great danger to be lost if not suddenly relieved Orders were thereupon sent to Sir William Waller to march immediately for relief of Weymouth The House was in a Grand Committee to consider of the business of the Navy and of the Customs An Ordinance past for raising of Monies for the Scots Army to march Southwards 13. Letters from Sir William Waller intimated Disobedience in some of the Souldiers to march into the West and desired further power The House referred it to the Committee of both Kingdoms to give such power accordingly Such was the inconstancy of the Souldiers and the incertainty of the Affairs of the Parliament and of War Those who had been so well paid by the Parliament now dispute their Commands occasioned by the unsettledness of the Parliaments business
and the Discontents among the Souldiery because their General Essex was laid aside And here began their first unruliness Treasurers of Counties ordered to pay no Monies to Commanders who lay down their Commissions without further order Letters from Major Bridges Governour of Warwick informed that he sent two of the three Companies of his Garrison by small parties into the Country as to gather Contribution but commanded the Officers not to return without further Orders from him To these he got an addition of eighty foot and seventy horse with these he marched all Night and the next Morning by Day-break began to storm Stoke-house which the King's Forces were then fortifying and stood between two other of their Garrisons the House was strong and stoutly defended for an hour and an half and then Bridges entred it by force without the loss of one man though they were without shelter and the bullets and stones flew thick about them The King's Garrison at Campden and Evesham drew out to relieve their friends but Bridges had done his work took away his Prisoners and fired the house being a Fort onely of Papists The Prisoners were 5 Papist Captains and about 30 more Officers and Gentlement all Papists besides the Common Souldiers The Commons delivered their reasons 〈◊〉 the Lords why they could not agree that those Commanders who refused the Covenant should be made uncapable of ever serving the Parliament because that scruple of Conscience might in time be removed and they be persuaded to take the Covenant to the rest they agreed At the same conference they offered Letters that came from the Army from persons of credit of the great complaints against some Commanders of Horse and of the mutinous and disobedient carriage of the Souldiers refusing to march to relieve Weymouth being in great distress and that at the Muster no men appeared so full and well armed and civil as Colonel Cromwel's horse The Lords then shewed other Letters of the mutinous carriage of the Soldiers all which were referred to the Committee of both Kingdomes to be examined Letters from Sir Will Waller informed that he was resolved to march to relieve Weymouth with those that will follow him the rest to be looked upon according to their demerit The Committee reported several murthers rapes and other cruelties committed by some of the Parliaments Souldiers particularly some servants slain or wounded desperately of Mr. Hobyes a Member of the House and he called by them a Parliament dog Some of the Officers grew unsufferably dissolute and insolent and their Souldiers followed the example of their Commanders so that it was found high time to make a reformation among them The Ordinance was debated for restraining the killing of flesh The French Letters were stayed because of sending the Parliaments Letters to the King of France to take off the seisure there of some of the English Merchants goods Goods of some Tradesmen of London sold to the Enemy were restored because they were not for hostility and the same men Traded to Alesbury Captain Stone under Sir Will. Brereton marched with a small party against Pattshall house a Popish Garrison strongly fortified and moated and taking the opportunity of the drawbridg being let down he suddenly forced his passage surprized the Centries and fell in among the Garrison fought with them in the house killed many and took with divers Gentlemen of Quality two Jesuits and about 60 Souldiers prisoners and possessed the House Arms Ammunition and good prize The first three days of the Treaty were spent upon the Popositions touching Religion the three next days about the Militia the third three days about Ireland then they began again with other three days about Religion whereof this was the last In this time of the Treaty the King's Commissioners would not agree to the taking away of Bishops only they offered some limitation of their power The Directory for Worship settled by Parliament they would not agree unto and the National Covenant they in express and positive terms denied Doctor Steward and Dr. Shelden again argued very positively That the Government by Bishops was Jure divino Mr. Hinderson and Mr. Vines argued as positively but more modestly to the contrary and that the Government of the Church by Presbyteries was Jure divino 15. The Lords assented to the leaving out the Clause in the Ordinance for the new Model to make them uncapable who refused the Covenant but that they should be displaced from their Commands till they did take it to which the Commons to avoid more delay agreed and so the Ordinance passed Sir William Brereton sent out a party and beat the Enemy from Holt-bridge and placed a Garrison there He continues the Siege at Beeston Castle and Chester and himself took the Field with the additional Forces of Warwickshire and other Counties to attend the motions of Prince Maurice 16. The Lords-day the Parliaments Commissioners had two good Sermons in their own Lodgings 17. The French Resident wrote a Letter to the House of Commons as by direction from his Master the French King advising the Parliament to prorogue the Treaty at Uxbridge for some longer time as that which in his opinion would conduce much to the good of the Kingdom and was of great concernment and that it was the custom of other Princes to prorogue Treaties and so it was then at the Treaty of Munster There was nothing done upon this Letter The Commissioners at Vxbridge were entred upon the Propositions concerning the Militia secunda vice and upon consultation of the Commissioners of both Kingdoms they held it requisite to send one of their own number up to the Parliament to give them a full account of all their proceedings hitherto and to desire some further Instructions from them and particularly touching the Militia Whitelocke was sent by them upon this Service and accordingly he gave an account to them where-with they declared themselves to be well satisfied and approved the proceedings of the Commissioners They likewise voted That the Commissioners at Uxbridge should treat three days more than the twenty daies first allotted in lieu of the three Lords-days that happened in that time so that the Treaty is to continue till the two and twentieth of Febr. and that they shall have power to treat on any of the three Propositions appointed to be treated on The Marquess of Argyle sent into the Army of the Earl of Montross some Scouts and Spies who at first dealt faithfully with him but afterwards betrayed him and sent him Intelligence that the Army of Montross with the Irish Rebels come over into Scotland were remote from him whereas they were near to his Forces Argyle though late having discovered this and the Enemies coming upon him and finding his Officers and Souldiers full of mettle resolved to fight them but in the Battel some of his men those of Rentire revolted from him and
turned their Musquets against their fellows This so discouraged Argyle's men that they gave back and retreated which Montross perceiving fell on with great resolution upon them routed the whole body of Argyle's men killed divers and took many of them Prisioners A party of about 150 of the King 's from Skipton beat up Colonel Brandling's quarters at Heightley surprized the Guards came into the Town and took near a hundred prisoners 60 horse and other booty As they returned Colonel Lambert's men fell upon them rescued their friends and the booty took Captain Hugh's who commanded the King's party killed his Lieutenant and about 15 of his men and took about 20 of them prisoners pursuing the rest to Skipton Samon one of Lambert's Captains and about eight of his Souldiers were killed Sir John Meldrum got the Power of the Harbour at Scarborough and appointed to storm the Town 18. Orders about the Navy and new Commissioners of the Customs A Letter from Prince Rupert to the Lord General for release of some persons imprisoned contrary to Articles was referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms to have right done Sir Thomas Fairfax came privately to Town and a Committee was appointed to consider of raising Moneys and Recruits for his speedy taking of the Field About 700 of the mutinous Troops being come near London care was taken to prevent Surrey Kent and the adjacent Counties from any inconveniences by them Tobias Basely formerly a Porter condemned by the Council of War for a Spy and betraying Carriers was hanged in Smithfield Prince Griffith petitioned that since he was in custody he was poysoned and had but a few days to live Whereupon two Doctors were approved by the House to visit him 19. Four Members of the Commons House were sent by them for Sir Thomas Fairfax to bring him to the House where a Chair was set for him but he modestly refused to sit down The Speaker told him somewhat of Agamemnon and of the old Romans which I have forgotten then he informed him of the trust the Kingdom reposed in him in the Command of the Army and the good opinion they had of him for his valour and fidelity giving him thanks in the name of the House for the many and great services he had done for the publick and in the defence of Religion Laws and Liberty and incouraged him to go on as he had begun The Ordinance for Tunnage and Poundage sent up to the Lords and another touching the Excise Weymouth held out and received some relief by Sea from Poole Sir William Waller was upon his march to them The House received Letters from their Commissioners at Vxbridge with several Papers concerning the Militia and the Reply made by the King's Commissioners who took advantage the last point of time to deliver in their Reply when it might be conceived no Answer could be made to it by the Parliaments Commissioners But they being impowred by their additional Instructions to reassume the business of the Militia when they pleased the Parliament voted that their Commissioners shall have power to treat with the King's Commissioners about passing a Bill for settling the Militia in the power of the Parliament until such time as the three Kingdoms shall be reduced to peace and so declared by Parliament and three years after or else for seven years from the time of the granting the Militia and after that his Majesty to take the advice of both Houses of Parliament for the settling thereof And the Commissioners of both Kingdoms delivered in a Paper accordingly The Earl of Southampton and some others of the King's Commissioners went from Vxbridge to Oxford to the King about the business of the Treaty to receive some further directions from his Majesty therein The Doctors reported Griffith to be in no danger 20. The Ordinance for Tunnage and Poundage with the Clause for Currants passed both Houses Orders for setting forth the Fleet. Letters from Holland to the Parliament advise that Brown Bushel was at Sea with a small Fleet intended for Piracy Information of a Design to cause the Souldiers to mutiny was referred to be examined An Ordinance passed for raising of 21000 l. for the Scots Army to be repaid out of Sequestrations The Committee at Goldsmiths-hall had 30000 l. ready to be sent to the Scots Army upon their advance Southwards The King's Forces intending to keep a Guard near Harrington Brown sent out a party of Horse from Abington who suddenly fell upon them surprized the whole Guard being about nineteen and brought them prisoners to Abington After that he sent out another party who intercepted and brought away 27 horse-loads of Corn Cheese and other Provisions going towards Oxford Major Purefoy fell upon the Enemy near Oxford tooâ— a Lieutenant and other Officers 12 Troupers and Arms. The Lord Macquire was executed at Tyburn he refused to make any Confession but died desperately 21. The Parliament sent an Express to their Commissioners atVxbridge with their Vote to propound a Limitation of the Militia for three years after the three Kingdoms are declared by the King and Parliament to be settled in peace or to have it settled in the Parliament for seven years after the time the King is willing to settle it To this effect they delivered in a Paper to the King's Commissioners and endeavoured to perswade their Compliance and were full of hopes that they would have consented to it Several Ordinances passed for 20000 l. supplied by the Commissioners of Excise and an Ordinance for all Souldiers to repair to their Colours within 48 hours and an Ordinance was sent up to the Lords for the new Commissioners of the Customs Orders for the Commissioners of the Navy and for the Prince Elector 22. The Commissioners at Vxbridge sent a Letter to the Parliament with all the Papers containing the three Treaties of the three last days about Ireland wherein the Kings Commissioners did not think fit to yield to any of the Propositions but again justified the Cessation with his Majestie 's Catholick Subjects there The Parliaments Commissioners in their Reply laid home the innocent blood shed by the Irish Rebels Letters from Sir John Meldrum informed that Feb. 18. about ten a Clock the Town of Scarborough was stormed in four places by the English and Scotish Souldiers who gained the Town and Church with the loss of eleven men in the Church they took 80 Souldiers and the Governour of Hemsley Castle Cholmley perceiving the Town like to be lost fled into the Castle and was pursued and one of the Works taken but the White Tower in the Castle commanding it they beat out Meldrum's men with stones Cholmley laboured to escape by Sea in a little Pinnace he had there which he called his Running Horse but Meldrum got Boats between him and the Pinnace and forced him back again into the Caâ—tie Sir Hugh Cholmley had five Dunkirk Vessels lying in
Parliament Leagure Colonel Daniel was slain had 7 bullets in his Body and Sir Bernard Ashley was taken prisoner 2. In a Letter from M. G. Major was inclosed another by him intercepted from G. Goring to the King who informes his Majesty that he is ready to joyn with his Brigade of horse to raise the siege of Bristol and that his Army consists of between 11 and 12 thousand The Ordinance of Sequestration explained as to the fifth part for Wifes and Children of Delinquents and Papists That it shall not be extended to those who come purposely out of the King's Quarters to the Parliament to have this fifth part but to such as have been or shall continue in the Parliaments Quarters and to such Children of Papists as shall be brought up in the Protestant Religion Order for a fifth part to the Widows and Children of Souldiers slain in the service of the Parliament Intelligence came from Scotland that Montrosse had summoned Edenburg and many of the Scots Lords were come to Berwicke and the Chancellor of Scotland went to get L. G. Lesley with his horse to advance thither Order for money for the Army and for the Forces of M. G. Pointz Intelligence coming to the House that the King had again left Oxford and was gone with 3500 Horse and Dragoons towards Camden they ordered M. G. Pointz and Colonel Rossiter to attend his motions and if he went towards Hereford to Correspond with G. Leven and assist him and if the King went towards Bristol then to Correspond with Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Scots Commissioners to have notice of this Order Pointz and Rossiter accordingly with other Forces followed the King and the Common Council of London did agree that every one of them should furnish out a horse and arms to make up with other Forces a flying Army to attend the King Basing house continued blocked up by Colonel Dalbier 3. The House fell into the debate of the great business of the Church the points of Excommunication and Suspension from the Sacrament Seldâ—n declared his Opinion That for 4000 years there was no sign of any Law to suspend persons from Religious exercises That under the Law every sinner was eo nomine to come to offer as he was a sinner And no Priest or other Authority had to do with him unless it might be made appear to them whether another did repent or not which was hard to be done Strangers were kept away from the Pass-over but they were Pagans and such as were not of the Jewish Religion The question is not now for keeping away Pagans in times of Christianity but Protestants from Protestant Worship No Divine can shew that there is any such command as this to suspend from the Sacrament If after Christ suffered the Jews had become Christians the same ground upon which they went as to their Sacrifices would have been as to the Sacrament And certainly no way nor command to keep any one from partaking of it No man is kept from the Sacrament eo nomine because he is guilty of any sin by the Constitution of the reformed Churches or because he hath not made satisfaction Every man is a sinner the difference is only the one is in private and the other a sinner in publick The one is as much against God as the other Dic Ecclesiae in S. Matthew was the Courts of Law which then sate in Jerusalem No man can shew any Excommunication till the Popes Victor Zephorius 200 Years after Christ first began to use it upon private quarrels thereby Excommunication is but humane Invention it was taken from the Heathen Another of the Members spake to this effect Mr. Speaker The Assembly of Divines have petitioned and advised the House of Commons that in every Presbytery or Presbyterian Congregation the Pastors and ruling Elders may have the power of Excommunication and the power of suspending such as they shall Judge ignorant or scandalous persons from the Sacrament By Pastors I suppose they mean themselves and others who are or may be Preachers in the several Congregations and would be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bishops or overseers of those Congregations By ruling Elders I take their meaning to be a select number of such as in every one of those Congregations shall be chosen for the Execution of the Church Government and Discipline in them respectively They may properly enough be called Pastors from our Saviour's charge to his Disciples pasce oves meas feed my Sheep so that a Pastor is to feed those committed to his charge with spiritual food as the Shepherd feeds his flock with temporal if so how improper then will it be for those who are to feed the flock to desire the power to Excommunicate any to keep them from food to suspend any from the Sacrament to drive them from feeding on the bread of life to forbid any to eat of that whereof Christ the great Shepherd of our Souls hath said take eat c. To forbid those to drink whom they shall judge unworthy when our Saviour himself said drink ye all of this and S. Mark chap. 14. saith and they all drank of the Cup. In the Old Testament Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the Waters and he that hath no money come ye buy and eat yea come buy Milk and Wine without Money and without Price said the Prophet Isaiah yet now his successors would be authorised to say to some persons you do not thirst though themselves say they do and to deny them Milk and Water Bread and Wine when they desire it Surely it is not proper for Pastors for Feeders of flocks to deny food to any of their flock who shall desire it But some have said that it is the part of a good Shepherd if he see one of his Sheep going astray into a ground where the grass will bring the rot to chace him out of that pasture And they apply it to spiritual Pastors suspending those from the Sacrament whom they fear by the unworthy receiving of it may eat and drink their own damnation This may be a charitable simile but will hardly be found a full answer for it is not the receiving of the Sacrament but the unworthiness of the Receiver that brings destruction And whether he be unworthy or not it is not in the Judgment of Pastor or of any other but of the party onely who is the Sinner for none can know his heart but himself and a Commission will scarce be produced for any other to be judge thereof The person refused may say to the Pastor in this case quis constituit te judicem Besides the Authority desired is not onely of suspension but of Excommunication which is a total driving or thundring away of the party from all spiritual food whatsoever And if a Shepherd shall chace away his Sheep from all pastures that indeed will bring the hunger-rot upon them The more sinful persons are the
Rebels Horse fell to the Sword pell mell and beat them among the Divisions of their own Foot and routed them Which Lievetenant Colonel Sanderson with the Foot recovered and Sir Francis Hamilton coming with his Troop of Horse they had the Execution of the Rebels for five miles their Foot taking flight upon the giving ground of their Horse In the flight and pursuit their Commander and President of that Province the titular Arch-Bishop of Tuam was slain The Parliament took an hundred and fifty of their Horse with Pistols all their Baggage Tents and Ammunition two Waggons with rich Spoil and Money in them they took several of the Rebels Standards and Colours twenty four Drums and Officers of note forty eight two hundred of their men killed but Plunder prevented further Execution But one of the English killed some men and horses hurt With the Arch-Bishops Carriages they took several Letters and Papers Notes and Instructions from the Pope and matters relating to the King and many of the great men of Ireland and to the carrying of the War there Letters to the Speaker certified that Sir Thomas Fairfax Marched near the Kings Forces and ordered Sir Hardress Waller to amuze them near Okehampton whilst L. G. Cromwell was designed with one Regiment of Horse and two of Foot to fall upon them who after a March of fourteen miles about six a clock at night fell upon three Regiments of their Horse at Bovey of the Lord Wentworths Brigade took four hundred Horse five Colours and many Prisoners some of Quality 13. The Answer passed both Houses to the Kings last Letters concerning Peace and ordered to be sent forthwith to his Majesty by a Trumpet This resolution of the Parliament against a Personal Treaty was not liked by divers who expressed their discontent at it and it brake out farther afterwards A Committee named to draw a Letter to Prince Charles forthwith to disband his Army Reference to the Committee of the West of the Differences in Somerset-shire concerning the Election of a new Knight of that Shire Debate of Ordinances touching the Excise A Conference with the Lords about the Ordinances for Martial Law in London for continuance of the Committee of the Army and Treasurers at War and that no Delinquent should wear a Sword or other weapon of War in London 14. The two Houses at St. Martins in the Fields and the Lord Mayor and Aldermen kept a Solemn Fast Letters informed that in the late action at Bovey they took seven Colours of Horse whereof one was the Kings that some of their chief Officers being in a house shut the doors and threw out at the Window about ten pound in Silver which the Foot-Soldiers were so busie to get that in the mean time the Officers escaped That the Parliaments Foot took twenty Horse and nine Prisoners at Ashburton and then quitted the pass to Totness 15. The Ordinance pass'd for continuance of the Committee of the Army and Treasurers at War and several Ordinances for Martial Law in the Garrisons of Glocester and Hereford Another for the several Committees to punish Soldiers that run away from their Colours by Martial Law Another sent up to the Lords for Martial Law for Col. Jephsons Regiment Ordinances debated for five pound a Week allowance for the Marquess of Winton and an Impeachment ordered against him of Treason for levying War against the Parliament A Petition from the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-Council of London for the speedy Settlement of Church-Government referred to a Committee and thanks given to the Petitioners Debate of the Irish Affairs and dispatch of Col. Jephson with his Regiment thither Preparations of Forces in Oxford for the Relief of Chester and Col. Whaley is attending their Motions Letters from Scotland informed that Montrosse was beaten from the Siege of Anderness by the Earl of Sleford that after a sharp fight two hundred of Montross's men were slain and his whole Party consisting of two thousand routed and pursued to the Mountains divers of note slain many Prisoners Arms and Ammunition taken A Petition from the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-Council of London to the House of Peers desiring the speedy setling of Church-Government according to the Covenant That no Toleration be granted of Popery Prelacy Superstition Heresie Schisme Prophaneness or any thing contrary to sound Doctrine and that all private Meetings contrary to the Covenant may be restrained The Lords Answered complementing the City and thanking them for their care and zeal for Gods Worship and assured them as they had been so should they continue ready to advance so good a work whereto they held themselves obliged by the Covenant and they recommend it to the City to suppress such unlawful courses as are by them mentioned in their Petition Debate in the House of Commons about the business of the Church A Letter from Sir Tho. Glemham Governor of Oxford and therein another from the King to both Houses much to the same effect as his former for a Treaty to which he complained that he had received no Answer but this Trumpet met the Parliaments Trumpet who carried their Answer near to Oxford The King desires that the Church-Government may continue as it was in the days of Queen Elizabeth and of King James and is contented that the Directory shall be used as now in some Churches in London That he doubts not but he shall give both Houses satisfaction touching the choice of the Lord Admiral and other Officers of State if he finds them inclinable to a Treaty in which he will assist in Person and he makes no question but he shall give all his Subjects satisfaction about the debts of the Kingdom and the business of Ireland After this some Papers were read that were taken about the Arch-Bishop of Tuam when he was slain in Ireland discovering the transactions between the King and the Rebels and his large offers to them of Toleration of their Religion and to have all the Forts in their possession on condition they should raise ten thousand men to assist the King here Hereupon a day was set to debate this business and the Letters ordered to be printed Debate of sending Commissioners into the Netherlands 17. Proceedings in the business of the Church Order for Money for the Forces The Ordinance for further Power to the Militia of London sent up to the Lords An Exchange for Mr. Jennings a Member of the House Letters from the West informed of the Kings Forces quitting Totnesse and Plymouth and the Prince and Hopton flying into Cornwal that at Plympton they took seven pieces of Ordnance Arms and Provisions and many Prisoners and freed Plymouth of their Besiegers Sir Thomas Fairfax Besieged Dartmouth 19. Orders for Martial Law for the Garrisons of Henley Reading and Apsely Order for a new Election and for the letters taken in the Lord Digby's Coach at Sherburne to be printed Proceedings in the Church-business An Answer
for Delinquents to depart London be proclaimed by beat of Drum and sound of Trumpet Intelligence came from the Governor of Reading of a design of the Kings to come to London suddenly The Answer to the Kings last Letter sent away and Commissioners from both Houses and from Scotland to be named to present the propositions to the King Debate touching matters of Religion Dunnington Castle was surrendred upon Articles to Col. Dalbier for the use of the Parliament and in it sixpieces of Ordnance Arms and Ammunition Col. Bestworth High Sheriff of Hamp-shire fell upon a Party of Oxford Horse fetching Provisions out of Berks and took about eighty Prisoners of them The General Marched towards Exeter 2. The day of publick Thanksgiving and both Houses were highly Feasted by the City at Grocers Hall 3. The Ordinance passed for Martial Law in London upon such as shall offend against the Artiticles then agreed on Order for Col. Grave's Regiment to be removed nearer Oxford and referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms to consider of blocking up the passages between Oxford and London and for the disbanding Col. Starres Regiment and for continuing the Assesment for Sir Tho. Fairfax's Army for four Months longer and that an Account be given to a grand Committee of the House of all Receipts by Ordinances and Assessments and how they may all be brought into one way through the same hands Paul Best brought to the Bar heard his Charge and by his Answer confest the Trinity and that he hoped to be saved thereby but denyed the three Persons as a Jesuitical Tenent A day was set to determine this business and in the mean time some of the Members of the House appointed to confer with Best to convince him of his Errors Letters informed of Sir Tho. Fairfax's return to the Siege of Exeter and the Garrisons for the Parliament made great shouts and volleys for Joy of his return that he and the Lieutenant General and others rode about the Works and within Musquet shot of them to view them and afterwards by advice of his Council of War sent a summons to the Governor to surrender Exeter and he returned answer that he was contented that Commissioners on both parts might treat about the Surrender of that City and that the Commissioners were to meet about it The General sent three thousand Horse to joyn with Col. Fleetwood to streighten Oxford The Abbington Horse and Col. Bestworth fell upon a Party of six hundred Horse of the Kings going to â—arrington routed them took three hundred of their Horse many Prisoners and pursued the rest to the Walls of Oxford and lost but one man Sir William Brereton Col. Morgan and Col. Birch withdrawing from Worcester fell suddenly upon Bridge-North entred the Town by Storm drave the enemy into the Castle where they have closely Besieged them The Garrison of Newarke made a Salley upon Lieutenant General Pointz's Quarters thirty of his men were killed and drowned Captain Jephson and Captain Murray slain with the wind of a Canon Bullet but after a sharp encounter the Newarkers were beaten back again some slain and some of them taken Prisoners 6. Order to prevent Danger by the multitude of Delinquents remaining near to the Lines of Communication A Pass granted to the Wife of Mr. Endymion Porter to go into France to her Husband Votes to continue the Northern Association for six Months the Forces there to be Eight thousand Foot and two thousand Horse and to be under the Command of Sir Tho. Fairfax Oxford was much blocked up by Col. Fleetwood Ireton Rainsborough and the Abbington Forces The Earl of Northampton came to London to go beyond Sea but was ordered to go out of the lines of Communication and his Horses were restored to him The Lord Culpepper Sir Nicholas Crispe and Col. Monke landed in France The Kings Forces quitted Barn-stable and betook themselves to the Castle Portland Castle was surrendred to the Parliament the Garrison had liberty to go to their homes leaving their Arms behind them 7. A brass Statue in Windsor Church ordered to be sold and the Money to go for pay of the Garrison Both Houses conferred the place of Master of the New Hospital at Leicester upon Mr. George Grey The Scots Commissioners sent in a Paper of their dissent in some Points to the Propositions touching Religion and the Militia the House named a Committee to debate the Points with the Scots Commissioners and to endeavour to satisfy them A Committee named to consider of setling a Preaching Ministry in all places and about presentations belonging to Delinquents Bishops Deans and Chapters Major General Pointz went on in his approaches at Newarke and turned the River from the Town on the North side the Scots took Sandy Fort near the Castle Montrosses Forces were beaten from Enderness in Scotland two hundred of them killed and taken 8. Debate upon the Ministers Petition Col. Morgan and his Forces blocked up Worcester on St. Johns side Col. Fleetwood blocked up all the passes by Wood-stock side to Oxford and Besieged Radcot and Bostal House Col. Whaley goes on in the siege against Banbury 9. A Petition from the poor Inhabitants near Dunnington Castle whose houses were burnt by the late Governor for the King and the Articles for surrender of it read Order for the Arrears of Col. Keere late Governor of Plymouth Ordinance sent to the Lords for making the Lord L'isle Lieutenant of Ireland Order about Delinquents resort to London Intelligence came that the Kings Forces in Bridg-North-Castle because the Town did not bring in to them a months Provisions shot Granadoes into the Town and fired most part of it The Kings Forces also Fired the greatest part of Farrington to prevent the Parliaments Forces from having of any Shelter there 10. Referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms to imploy the Forces under Col. Dalbier and such other Forces as could be spared for the blocking up of Oxford and to preserve the adjacent Counties from Plunder A Committee named to draw up an Ordinance in the nature of a general Summons to all the Kings Garrisons to surrender to the Parliament under a Penalty and not to demolish fire or destroy those Garrisons or of the Adjacent houses Upon information that the Governor of Bridge-North had burnt the Town the House revoked the power of the Committee of Salop to treat with him The Ordinance passed for tryal of Mr. Murray Debate about Mr. Wither's Book reflecting upon a Member of the House 11. A Committee of both Houses named to give their Answer to the Scots Papers touching the Propositions for Peace Debate touching the Ministers Petition about Commissioners to Judge of Scandalous Offences c. News came that the Articles were agreed for the surrender of Exeter and four Hostages given by them for performance of them Col. Sr. J. Coventry Sir Ja. Thyn Col. Croker and another and that three of their Forts were surrendred and the
conditions were very honourable one much insisted on was that the Cathedral should not be defaced The General advanced towards Barn-stable and sent Parties to Besiege Salt-combe and Dunster Castle 13. Letters from Sir Tho. Fairfax certified the Surrender of Exeter and that he had nominated Col. Hammond to be Governor there which the House approved Lieutenant Colonel Grimes and Mr. Potter Messengers from Sir Tho. Fairfax of this good success had one hundred pound a piece given them Letters from Major General Mitton informed the surrender of Ruthin Castle to him and in it two Drakes and a Murdering-piece Arms Ammunition and Provisions That Captain Simkins and Captain Carter fell upon the Enemy near Denbigh killed seven of them and took divers Officers and Soldiers Prisoners That Sir Trevor Williams fell upon a party of those of Ragland killed fourteen and took forty Prisoners and Arms that divers Officers and others came in to him to submit to the Parliament Col. Mason by desire of Major General Mitton was made Governor of Ruthin Castle and Mr. Fogge a Minister that brought these Letters had fifty pound for a gratuity Letters certified divers good successes of the Parliaments Forces in Ireland and the taking of the Earl of Thomond Prisoner 14. Debate about reducing the receipts of the Kingdom into one general way Order that Committees shall not meddle with any matter of Title or any private interests between Party and party without special authority from both houses of Parliament Upon a Book of printed papers touching the Scots differing about the Propositions for Peace both houses voted That the matter in those printed papers was false and scandalous against the Parliament and Kingdom of England and should be burnt by the common Hangman and a Declaration to be of the truth of those proceedings and that the Author of this Book was an incendiary between the two Kingdoms It was not without some ground of suspition that some of the Scots Commissioners themselves encouraged if not appointed the printing of this Book which caused the more sharpness in divers towards it Order for other Papers to be published about the payment of their Army Religion and the propositions for Peace 15. The Ordinance for the Assesment for Sir Thomas Fairfax's Army sent to the Lords to be continued for four Months longer A Convoy ordered for Ships trading from New-Castle and the Northern parts An Ordinance sent to the Lords for constituting a Church in Dover for the Protestants French and Walloons A Pass granted to the Earl of Northampton to go beyond Sea The Siege of Newarke went on smartly and the Town wanted Provisions Barn-stable was surrendred to the Parliament on the same terms as Exeter and Sir Tho. Fairfax was upon his march towards Oxford many old Soldiers wondred at his speed 16. A Committee named to consider of the Breach of Priviledges of the Parliament in the Ministers Petition A Committee named to consider of those well affected persons who had Offices in the Court of Wards which would be lost by taking away of that Court and how they might be recompensed particularly the Lord Say and Sir Benjamin Rudyeard 17. Order to Licence the East-India Company to transport five thousand pound of Forreign Bullion A Petition of the Lord Inchequin Lord Broghil and others referred to the Committee of the Irish Affairs Maintenance as formerly continued to Sir Robert King Mr. Annesley and Col. Beale the Parliaments Commissioners in Ireland The Declaration touching the Scots Papers passed and ordered to be printed Col. Rainsboroughs men received some loss attempting to Storm Woodstock Mannour 18. Major Dingley made Governor of Evesham The Declaration was published upon occasion of the Scots Papers and to settle a right understanding between England and Scotland and to vindicate the proceedings of the Parliament of England the same is in Print and worth the reading Letters from the Army informed that Exeter was surrendred according to the Articles and Sir John Berkley the Governor marched forth with about two thousand men that as soon as they were out of the Gate seven hundred of them being Cornish men and divers others laid down their Arms and went to their own dwellings and that Sir Allen Apseley was to surrender the Fort the next day 20. Order for ten thousand pound per An. for the Queen of Bohemia and for Money for the Prince Elector Order for the Chambers of Mr. Mostyn and Mr. Stampe in the Temple to be given I think to Mr. Hill A Message from both Houses to the Scots Commissioners desired their speedy answer touching the propositions for Peace that they might be speedily sent to the King Mr. Norfolke and others made Serjeants at Arms. The Batteries went on against Newarke and the Garrison desired liberty to send to the King about surrendring of it Sir William Brereton summoned Litchfield Close to surrender and informed them of the defeat of Sir Ja. Ashley and the rendition of Exeter Barnstable c. Sir Thomas Tidsley and Col. Bagot returned a short and peremptory denyal 21. Almost the whole day was spent in debate of the Ministers Petition and many votes passed for the power of Parliaments in spiritual matters sought to be impeached by this Petition as well as in Temporal and Questions ordered to be drawn up concerning Government jure Divino to have the answer of the Assembly thereunto The Preface to the Pamphlet entituled the Scots Commissioners Papers and the stating of the question concerning the propositions for Peace were burnt by the Hangman In Exeter the Parliament had thirty pieces of Ordnance store of Ammunition and Provisions Mount-Edgecombe was surrendred to Col. Hammond Governor of Exeter and in it thirty pieces of Ordnance store of Arms and Ammunition The Earl of Bristol and Lord Pawlet had leave to stay sometime in Exeter to make their Peace with the Parliament or to get Passes to go beyond Sea 22. Order that every Member that came into the House after Prayers should pay one shilling to the Poor For a new Election and for a new High-Sheriff For payment of a debt of Arms and for continuing the Committee of Middlesex Lieutenant General Cromwell and Sir Hardress Waller came to London from the General to advise about the motion of the Army The Kings Party gave out that six thousand Irish were Shipped for Wales that Montross with twelve thousand men was upon the Borders advancing to the King and their hopes upon the differences between the Presbyterians and Independants and between the Scots and the Parliament 23. Lieutenant General Cromwell sate in the House and the Speaker by command gave him hearty thanks of the House for his good Services Differences between Sir Jo. Danvers and the Lady Gargrave referred to a Committee Order for fifteen thousand pound a months pay for the Scots Army before Newarke the Countrey not being able to bear their Quarter St Michaels Mount Surrendred Order to recommend to Sir
of his Parliaments that all differences might be composed and all Armies disbanded To which the King answered That he came to the Scots Army with intent to settle Peace and to satisfie the just desires of his good Subjects and to comply with his Parliament in all things for the good of Religion and the Happiness of his Subjects and when Peace shall be setled he will find out some honourable means for imployment of so many gallant men as are in this Army 6. Malignant Ministers to be disabled from any Livings of the Church Instructions passed for the Commissioners to go to the King with the propositions for Peace they were to demand his Majesties positive Answer to them which if not given within ten days they were to return to the Parliament Commissioners for the House of Lords were the Earls of Pembroke and Suffolke for the House of Commons Sir Jo. Danvers Sir Jo. Hippesley Mr. Robinson and Sir Walter Earle Letters from the Deputy Major of New-Castle that he had hindred Delinquents from coming to his Majesty His action was approved and order for a Declaration to give power to the Northern Committees to hinder Delinquents from coming to his Majesty Debate touching slighting of Inland Garrisons and referred to the respective Committees to do it in the North and West Vote against the Scots renewed That this Kingdom had no more need of the Scots Army and that the Scots Commissioners should be desired to take order that their Army might be withdrawn out of this Kingdom which is no longer able to bear them The Lords desired a Committee of both Houses might be appointed to reform Cambridge University and to slight that Garrison 7. Sir John Danvers desired to be excused and Mr. Robert Goodwin was named in his stead one of the Commissioners to go with the Propositions to his Majesty Captain Johnson that brought up the last Message from the King had twenty pound Divers Ordinances past for Compositions Petitions about Tyn and about the Fens Divers Ministers from the Assembly in Scotland came to the King with a Petition to him to take the Covenant but would preach to him before it were delivered Sir Peter Killegrew went to the King with the Letter of both Houses touching Ireland 8. Order for stating the Accounts of Sir Will. Brereton as Major General The Committee of Examinations dissolved not having done well Order for five thousand pound for the Forces before Litchfield and that Sir Will. Brereton should go down to that Siege Orders for relief of Ireland Reports of Compositions and Orders Worcester demanded higher Articles than Oxford had Wallingford was upon Treaty but the Governor Col. Blagge sent an high and proud Letter to the General Blagge desired a Cessation and the General agreed to it to prevent the burning of the Town which Col. Blagge intended and the Commissioners met on both parts about it The Cessation from all acts of Hostility was agreed for four days 9. Order to discharge the attendants of the Duke of York when he should come to St. Jameses and six hundred pound to buy a Coach and Apparel for him Mr. Marshall ordered to go with the Commissioners that carried the Propositions Money for the Scots Officers Intelligence that the Prince was come into France to his Mother and that the Lord Digby was gone for Ireland and that the Earl of Glamorgan was in the head of an Army there Monsieur Bellieure the French Ambassador to the Parliament landed Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice took Shipping Major General Massey took his place in the House The Treaty for Worcester broke off 10. Ordinance committed for Sale of Delinquents Estates another past for Irish and Papists to go out of London Order for all that came in upon the Articles of Oxford and Exeter to ingage before the Committees to act nothing prejudicial to the Parliament Ordinance past for Mr. Woodcocke to be Parson of St. Olave Southwarke another for redemption of Captives Letters from the general Assembly of the Kirke of Scotland after complements earnestly desire the Parliament of England timeously to settle Church-Government according to the Covenant with expressions against those who hinder Uniformity they resolve to observe the Covenant Another Letter from them to the Assembly of Divines thanking them for their care and pains in the work of Religion that Sectaries ought to be suppressed c. Another to the Lord Mayor and Common Council of London commending them for their Petition to the Parliament about Religion and mentioning those of London in Queen Maries days and the zeal of the Citizens for God commending them for their actions in the present times and for their countenancing the Assembly and the Scots Commissioners and highly incouraged them to go on The French Ambassador was received into London in great State 11. Order for reducement of the Forces of Nottingham and for Money for that work and for the losses and damages of that County Order for a pass for the Earl of Bristol to go beyond Sea according to Exeter Articles Liberty to the Earl of Cleveland upon bail to go into the Countrey for three weeks for his health The propositions for Peace fully passed both houses Money for M. G. Massey's Forces Order for slighting divers Garrisons Lieutenant Col. Lilburn brought to the Barr of the Lords House had his charge read to him but he seemed to slight it and was re-committed 13. The Houses sate not having resolved to adjourn this hot season two days in the week till they had an answer to the propositions but a Committee sate to examine the ingrossment of the propositions and to see them signed by the Speakers and the Scots Commissioners and to declare them to the Commissioners The Propositions were to sign an Act. 1. To take away all Oaths and Proclamations against the Parliament and their Actions 2. To Sign the Covenant and an Act for the general taking of it 3. To pass an Act to abolish Bishops c. 4. To confirm the Assembly 5. That Religion be setled as both Houses should agree 6. Vnity and Vniformity of Religion to be confirmed by an Act. 7. An Act against Jesuits Papists c. 8. An Act for educating Papists Children in the Protestant Religion 9. For Penalties against Papists 10. Against saying of Mass in any place 11. The like for Scotland as they shall think fit 12. For the due observation of the Lords day and against Pluralities non Residents and regulating the Vniversities in the same Act. 13. The Militia to be in the Parliament for twenty Years so for Scotland with power to raise Moneys and use the Militia c. Londons Priviledges as to their Militia confirmed 14. All Honours and Titles since the great Seal was carried from the Parliament to be void and no Peers to be but by consent of both Houses 15. To confirm the Treaty between England and Scotland and conservators of the Peace to be appointed
Now there began to be an understanding between some here and the Scots for their delivery up of the Kings Person to the Parliament Both Houses agreed to appoint a Committee to ask some questions of the Duke of York touching the Kings Letter to him for his escape and to refer to the Committee of both Kingdoms a Letter newly come from the King to both Houses much to the same effect with his former desiring to come to London or to some of his Houses thereabouts with Honour and safety and that the Letter be communicated to the Scots Commissioners The Scots Commissioners had sent to the Lords to acquaint them with their speedy going away from hence to Scotland and desired to know what further service the Houses had to command them to the Parliament of Scotland Both Houses agreed that the Committee of both Kingdoms should return the thanks of the House to the Scots Commissioners for all their pains and good service taking notice of this their last respect to the two houses Orders for five hundred pound for Col. Blake for disbanding some Forces and for Sir Ben. Ayliffe and Sir William Wingfield Prisoners to be bayled 25. Though Christ-mas day the Houses â—ate ordered a Collection for the poor The Commons concurred with that part of the Vote of the Lords That the Kings coming to Holmeby shall be with respect to the safety and preservation of his Majesties Person and in preservation and defence of the true Religion The question was put whether words according to the Covenant should be passed and it pass'd in the affirmative 26. The Commons agreed with the Lords That after his Majesty was come to Holmeby house and attended by such as both houses shall appoint and that the Scots are gone out of this Kingdom the Houses will do nothing but what shall be for the preservation of the Peace and Vnion of both Kingdoms This with the rest ordered to be sent to the Lords Many Citizens attended impatiently for an answer to their Petition 28. Both Houses conferred the Searchers place of Sandwich and Dover upon Col. Mainwaring of London and other competitors were referred to a Committee to find out something for them An Ordinance pass'd at Sir Henry Vanes request to enable him to make a surrender of his place of Treasurer of the Navy Both Houses agreed that there should be no further Treaty with the King and the Commons voted That the King coming to Holmeby House and the Scots Army gone out of the Kingdom the two Houses will then joyn with the Scots in using all possible means to perswade the King to pass the Propositions and if he refuse that then the Houses will do nothing that may break the Vnion and Affection of the two Kingdoms but to preserve the same Upon this and the other Votes a Declaration was pass'd and sent up to the Lords and with them the Ordinances for Sale of Bishops Lands and for taking away the Court of Wards to be sent to the King as additional Propositions A Conference of both Houses about Compositions of Delinquents and that Lawyers and others who had taken Oaths to attend at the Terms might not be made Sheriffs who take an Oath to attend the County Affronts offered to the Parliaments Commissioners and to their Officers and Soldiers in Ireland Great wants of the Protestant Forces there so that a Soldier had but six pence and a six penny-loaf of Bread in a week to live upon 29. The Lords agreed to the Ordinances and declaration yesterday sent up to them but the Houses did not agree to a Clause added by the Lords for giving one hundred thousand pound per An. to the King in lieu of Wardships Mr. Mynnes after proofs heard and examinations was voted a Delinquent and four thousand pound due to him in the hands of Sir Humfrey Forster was ordered two thousand pound thereof to Sir John Merrick in part of his Arrears and the other two thousand pound to Whitelocke for his Arrears and Charges Order that Mr. Minnes do bring in his Deeds evidences c. for Sir Humphrey Forster and that he be indempnified for his paying the Money according to the order of the Parliament Orders for the payment of Hull Garrison for Sir Jo. Hippesley's disbursements for the State to be audited and paid To some Queries propounded by the Parliament of Scotland to the Assembly of their Kirk the Assembly gave this Answer The Quere supposeth the Kings coming into this Kingdom which we humbly conceive should not be put into the question and therefore desire your Lordships to go about all means for the present preventing of it as a matter of most dangerous consequence to Religion this Kirk and Kingdom and to the King himself and his Posterity But if the question be stated If the King be excluded from Government in England for not granting the Propositions concerning Religion and the Covenant and for not giving a satisfactory answer to the remnant Propositions whether in that case it be lawfull to assist him for the recovery of the Government or if it be not lawful being put to it we cannot but answer in regard of the ingagement of this Kingdom by Covenant and Treaty Negative The Parliament of Scotland pass'd these Votes 1. That Scotland shall be Governed as it hath been for the five last years all means being used that the King may take the Covenant and pass the Propositions 2. That the taking the Scots Covenant and passing some of the Propositions doth not give warrant to assist him against England 3. That upon bare taking the Covenant we may not receive him 4. That the Clause in the Covenant for defence of the Kings Person is to be understood in defence and safety of the Kingdom 5. That the King shall not execute any power in Scotland till he hath granted the propositions concerning Religion and the Covenant and given a satisfactory answer to both Kingdoms in the rest of the Propositions presented to him by both Kingdoms at Newcastle 6. That if his Majestie refuse to pass the Propositions he shall be disposed of according to the Covenant and Treaties 7. That the Vnion be firmly kept between the Kingdoms according to the Covenant and Treaties 30. The Fast day divers new Members took the Covenant and voted that all such Members who have not taken it shall take it the next Fast day or be suspended the House 31. Instructions for the Commissioners who are to take possession of the Garrisons upon the departure of the Scots and for the Hostages agreed upon and a Letter to General Leven that the Scots may lay no Assesments nor take any free Quarter upon their March after the first hundred thousand pound shall be paid Order for the Ammunition in Berwick and Carlisle to be brought to New-castle Debate about the City Petition and Crowds of Citizens attending to know what was done in it In the afternoon they sate again and till
of this business and had a hundred pound given him Sir Robert Pye and his Officers had thanks and pay for bringing off his Troop for Ireland the like for Col. Grave's Regiment and for other Officers and Soldiers and Quarters assigned them The Ordinance for further Indemnity and the Declaration to recall the former Declaration against the Army-pass'd the Commons Order for ten thousand pound for Soldiers late in Service The Lords agreed to the Votes concerning the Army Order for all the Members of the House forthwith to attend At a Conference between the Scots Commissioners and the Committee of both Houses the Lord Dumferling acquainted them that the King commanded him to tell them that his Majesty was unwillingly taken away by a Party of the Army and that he desired both Houses to maintain the Laws of the Land and that though his Majesty might sign many things in this condition yet he would not have them believed till further notice from him Upon occasion of this and other urgent business the House ordered to sit to morrow though the Lords day after four a clock and that Mr. Marshal be desired to pray with them Letters from the Army that the Rendezvous was held near Bury seven Regiments of Foot and six of Horse appeared Col. Whaley's Regiment was dispatched to Holmeby upon intelligence of the Party of the Army marched thither and the General sent to the Parliament the grounds of the Soldiers undertaking of themselves the business of Holmeby which they sent to the General which were That they had intimation of a design which they were able to make good of some to surprize him Col. Graves was discharged from that imployment at Holmeby and Col. Whaley in his place At the Rendezvous a Petition in the name of the Soldiery of the Army was presented to the General to this effect That they could not be satisfied with their Arrears or other returns unless they had assurance that their Enemies might not be their Judges for the future The General went to every Regiment and expressed to them that the Parliament took notice of their Civil and fair demeanour and had taken a course to satisfie their Arrears and doubted not but they would answer their other grievances advised them to moderation and discretion and not to fall into any mutinous expressions against the Parliament The Soldiers entertained him with shouts and acclamations 6. After Evening Sermon this Lords-day the House met and aftere Prayer by Mr. Marshall they fell upon the business of the Army And a Letter from the General was Read To know the pleasure of the Houses-concerning the disposal of the Kings person and the reasons given by the Souldiers for fetching him from Holmeby and the further Petition from the Souldiers of the Army Letters informed That the King asked the Troopers that brought him from Holmeby What Commission they had for so doing Cornet Joyce who Commanded them answered That His Majesty saw their Commission the King replyed That it had the fairest Frotispiece of any that he ever saw being five hundred proper men on Horseback Collonel Whaley was sent to stay the King where ever he finds him His Majesty was used with all Civility but kept with a Guard as formerly The Souldiers Petitioned the General to Cashiere such Officers as went about to divide the Army Collonel Lilburnes Regiment Cashiered some of their Officers because they Voted contrary to the rest 7. Letters from the General of the Souldiers bringing His Majesty from Holmeby and he would be at New-Market the next day and the ground of the Souldiers doing it as before That he sent Collonel Whaley and two other Regiments towards the King to secure him Whaley Certified that the King was come within four Miles of Cambridg and not willing to return to Holmeby the General sent to the Commissioners to desire them to return to Holmeby but they refused to act concerning disposing the King The General professeth that this remove was without the desire or privity of him or the body of the Army A Guard upon the King by Collonel Whaley and the General protests his resolution and the Armies to study to settle peace and the just liberties of the people and the Parliaments speedy application to these will further the Disbanding of the Army whose sence is clear from opposing Presbytery or have Independent Government set up or to hold a licentiousness in Religion but to leave all to the wisdom of the Parliament Vote to send down new Commissioners to the Army to acquaint them what the Parliament had done in satisfaction of their desires and to persuade them to a compliance with the Parliament the Lords concurred the Commissioners were the Earl of Nottingham Lord De la Ware Sir Henry Vane Jun. Skippon Scowen and Mr. Porey who went away this day Mr. Marshall and Mr. Carry discharged from attendance upon the Commissioners with the King Order for a Fast for the House only and in the House the Lords did the like Debate about the Vote of the Lords to remove His Majesty to Oatlands and resolved in the Negative The large Act of Indemnity past Leave to the Earl of Dumferling to go into France The Lords Ordered the Committee of Derby-House to take care for the security of the Parliament Letters informed a great defeat given by Sir Charles Coot to the Rebels in Ireland one thousand of them slain 8. Petition of London commanded by the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-Councel That all honourable means may be used to avoid shedding of more blood to give just satisfaction to the Army That the Covenant may be kept and His Majesties person preserved and both Parliaments have access to him and that Ireland may be relieved and to renew an Ordinance to suppress Tumults and prevent danger to the Parliament and City A Committee named to bring in an Ordinance according to the desire of the Petitioners and they had the heartiest thanks that the House could express for their constant affections to the Parliament and for providing Guards so seasonably for the safety of the Parliament and the continuance of their care desired Both Houses passed the Ordinance for making void the former Declaration against the Army and another for Recreation of Scholars Apprentices and Servants A very rude Address was made to the House by Reformadoes and Common Souldiers within the Line who blockt up the House door about two hours and would let no Member pass till the House granted them all their Arrears The House were in a sort forced to Order their Accompts to be stated and ten thousand pounds more than formerly added for their payment Orders for some Members to go to the States Ambassadours to excuse any mistakes and to desire the Unity and Affection of both Nations Another for three hundred pounds for the Commissioners going down to the Army and for Mr. Thomas Goodwyn to go with them That the Militia be desired to send down a
to the house to give way to it and the Commons concurred and that the Earl of Northumberland should go with the Children to the King and take care of their return Order for the Lord Major of York to have the charge of Cliffords Tower there The Soldiers in Dublin were in a high Mutiny Col. Jones the Governor in danger to be killed by them yet he appeased the Mutiny with great Courage and stoutness Some little Defeats were given to the Rebels and sometimes to the English some of the leading Rebels taken Prisoners by Col. Coots Forces twenty five killed five hundred Cowes a thousand sheep and two hundred and fifty Plough-Horses taken Indeavours were used in Scotland to raise an Army there to invade England several debates about it at Edinborough and by the Estates but nothing concluded 13. The first day of relaxation for Scholars and Apprentices Many Apprentices came to the Parliament with a Petition which they presented to the Commons set on by their Masters and others their desires were 1. That the House according to promise take into consideration the several heads of a petition of theirs delivered the fifth of March last 2. That the authority of Parliament so apparently abused contrary to Right by those that have of late effected the ejections of men of known Fidelity out of places of Trust redeemed and those so expulsed may be restored 3. That they would declare against all invectives of the Clergy 4. That those who have appealed to this Court of Justice may have an impartial Tryal 5. That the sum of all the endeavours of Parliament may tend to the sweet composure of differences The Petitioners had Answer by some Members that were Citizens That their Petition would be considered in due time And they were commended for their civil carriage in presenting it Orders for slighting of Garrisons The Lords desired the Commons Concurrence to an Order for Money for the Earl of Kildare the Commons rejected it because the Lords had first made the Order for Money which was not proper for them to do but afterwards the Commons made a new Order for two hundred pound for the Earl 14. A contrary Party of the London Apprentices came to both Houses with a Petition 1. That according to the Covenant the Kings Person may be defended and his just power in defence of Religion and Liberties be estabished 2. That the Priviledges of Parliament may be vindicated and the Liberties and Property of the Subject preserved 3. That the Government of the Church may be setled and Conventicles suppressed 4. That Incendiaries Malignants and evil instruments hindering reformation and raising Divisions may be punished 5. That Obstructions in Courts of Justice may be removed and the abuse of Committees and their Officers considered 6. That Arrears of Soldiers may be paid 7. That the Army may be disbanded 8. Against Forreigners being free of London Thus each Party might frame what matter they pleased into Petitions and have hands to them and multitudes to present them The answer to this Petition was That divers matters thereof were under consideration and the rest should be considered in due time The Lords gave leave for the Marquess Winton to go out of Town The Earl of Clare had his Priviledge of Peer allowed him 15. According to a former Order of the House several Members of the House brought in their Case stated touching their Elections and the point of being disable to sit in the House and they were referred to a Committee Letters from Major General Pointz and another from his Wife informed the manner of his imprisonment by his own Soldiers and their seizing of his goods The House ordered Copies of them to be sent to the General with directions for the discharge of Pointz or sending him up to London and a Letter ordered to the Lord Mayor of York to discharge and restore his goods to him The Kings Children went with the Earl of Northumberland to Causham to see their Father 16. Orders touching supplys and managing the Forces in Ireland A Proposition for the Earl of Ormond to transport five thousand five hundred men out of Ireland was denyed by the House Orders for Pay and disbanding of Forces come off from the Army The Kings Children coming to Causham to meet their Father great numbers of People slocked thither to see them and strewed the ways with green bows and herbs After Dinner at Maiden-head the King and his Children went together to Causham 17. Vote That all the Forces in England and Wales c. be under the immediate Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax and for disbanding of divers Forces Order for putting Reformades out of the Line and about money for the Army 19. The eleven Members in Person presented to the House an answer by way of Demurrer to the Charge of Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Army against them which was for the present laid aside Votes for divers Garrisons to be slighted and the Deputy Lieutenants to see it done Bristol Castle and the great Fort at Caernarvon to be continued the keys of the Garrison to be delivered to the Mayors of the Corporations to be governed as formerly Leave given to the Lawyers to go the Circuits Upon information from Col. Birch of some distempers in his Regiment Ordered that the General send them away for Ireland The Assembly in Scotland debated about a Declaration concerning the Affairs of England relating to the King the Parliament and Army Letters from Ireland informed the taking of eight or nine thousand Cattle from the Rebels but they by a strategem killed betwixt thirty of forty of the Parliaments Forces and That they are forced for want of Bread and Money to leave the Field and retire into Garrisons A design to surprize Dublyn discovered and prevented and the Actors apprehended 20. Upon a Message from the eleven Members of their desires to absent themselves for six Months That in the mean time the great affairs of the Kingdom mentioned by the Army might be setled without any interruption from their lesser business The House voted That they or any of them should have leave and Passes to go into the Countrey or beyond Sea for six Months and then to return to the Parliament to attend concerning the Charge against them Upon information that a Multitude of People were coming up to the doors of the House in a tumultuous manner The House Ordered that the Guards do disperse them And that the Serjeant at Arms acquaint that it was the pleasure of the House that they remove themselves That an hundred Halberts be brought into the House for their Service That the Militia order the Guards constantly to suppress such disturbers of the House and that Col. Webbe see the Guards daily placed Letters from the Commissioners of the Army with these new Proposals from the Army 1. That a Declaration be published against the
bringing in of any Forreign Forces 2. That the Army be paid up equal with the desertors of it and a constant course of pay for them and that the Lords do concur with the Commons for renewing the Committee of the Army that the Arrears may be collected and the Treasurers may be called to an Account 3. That the Militia of London may be in the former hands faithful to the Parliament and Kingdom 4. That persons imprisoned not for Delinquency but other matters by the Houses of Parliament of their Committees may be released or Bayled till tryal particularly Lieutenant Collonel Lilburne and Mr. Overton 21. Order to examine abuses in distributing Monies to the Officers and Soldiers and for an account about putting them out of the Lines of Communication The Lords concurrence desired for Disbanding those that came off from the Army Order for mony for maimed Souldiers Collonel Jones marching out from Dublin was set upon by Preston with double his number and his men forced to retreat Order That Sir Thomas Fairfax take some speedy course for sending Forces into Ireland Sir Thomas Fairfax removed his Quarters to Aylesbury and the King to Woburne in Bedfordshire 22. Votes upon the Armies Proposals That whosoever shall bring in any Forein Forces without consent of both Houses are Traitors A Petition of divers Ministers to the Lords That their Tithes may be paid They Ordered monies for one of Plymouth and for the Lord Inchequin's Forces and sent to the Commons for their concurrence Petitions from several Wards of London That their Captains being faithful men were put out by the new Militia Vote That the Militia of London be put into the old hands again Order That the General consider how the charge of the Forces here may be lessened and the service of Ireland advanced A Petition and Ingagement of dangerous Consequence of divers Officers Citizens Watermen and Seamen was brought to the House and they referred it to a Committee to find out the Authors and a Declaration to be drawn up against it Ordinance past for Dr. Walker to be Judg of the Admiralty The Commissioners sent another Proposal of the Army to the House for discharge of persons imprisoned or Indicted under pretence of being at Conventicles or other Religious meetings the Statute against them intending meetings of Conspiracy against the State and not for Religious Exercises 23. An Ordinance committed for putting the Militia of London into the Old Commissioners hands and a Declaration upon the Petition now in the City and the Committee Ordered to Report them in the Afternoon And then the Ordinance for the Militia passed both Houses and the Old Commissioners were Ordered to meet this night and to take Order for the security of the City and Parliament 24. An Ordinance past both Houses for the payment of Tithes Order to burn a Pamphlet of Paul Best 's and the Printers to be punished Both Houses agreed the Declaration against the Petition and Ingagement on foot in the City Upon notice to the General of a private Ingagement and Subscription in London and an agitation at Skinners-Hall against the Army a Paper was drawn up by the General and his Councel of War and sent to the Parliaments and Cities Commissioners Of their deep sence of that underhand design as the last and desperate design to put all into confusion they desired the Commissioners of the City to repair to London to take care to prevent the working of these or any such like underminings and they went presently to London The General published a Proclamation against entertaining of Cavaliers in the Army The Head Quarters removed to Bedford and the King to Latimers 26. Votes touching Elections and about satisfying some Officers Arrears The Commons agreed with the Lords about removing the Kings Children to Sion-House A Petition from the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-Councel of London almost reproaching the Houses for passing the late Ordinance to put the Militia of the City into the hands of the old Commissioners and to put out the new Commissioners without first taking the sence of that Court about it And being sensible of two Petitions to them one from divers well affected Citizens the other from divers Young men and Apprentices what a general distemper this sudden change hath made in the City they pray that the Militia may be put into the hands of the new Commissioners again Many Young men and Apprentices of London came to the House in a most rude and Tumultuous way and presented to them some particular desires 1. That the Ordinance for change of the Militia of London be repealed 2. That the City may be vindicated against a late pretended Declaration that those are Traitours who shall act to get subscriptions and that it may be revoked 3. That all the Members of the House particularly the Eleven Members may be called into the House and act as a free Parliament The Apprentices and many other rude Boys and mean Fellows among them came into the House of Commons and kept the door open and their hats on called out as they stood Vote Vote and in this arrogant posture stood till the Votes passed in that way to Repeal the Ordinance for change of the Militia and the Declaration In the Evening about seven a Clock some of the Common-Councel came down to the House and understanding that they had in their presence forced the Speaker and the Members to put the Question and pass the Votes they required now so much of their work being done they that put their Apprentices upon it ordered them to disperse themselves again and they presently obeyed the Orders of their Masters 27. Both Houses met early and Adjourned till the thirtieth of this month The Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland ordered a Publick Fast 1. To Lament the growth of wickedness 2. By reason of the Pestilence 3. For the danger to Religion and Reformation by the Sectaries in England and that the Covenant may be kept 4. That God would incline the Kings heart to avoid new snares and to such resolutions as will contribute to the settling of Religion and Righteousness 5. That the Parliament of England and the Synod of Divines may do their duty 6. For the Committee of Estates that they may discern what is fittest to be done for securing that Kingdom and incouraging their Brethren 7. That God would grant even to all his Grace to Repent that he may remove his wrath from us 28. The Monthly-Fast The Common Councel of London sat in the Morning and again after the Sermons then they received a Letter from Sir Thomas Fairfax Of his affection to the City and his dislike of the late Petition and of the means to procure it Divers Young men then attended them to express their readiness to stand up for the Priviledges of the City and to defend them against all opposers The Common-Councel sent a Letter and
the Commissioners with the King That he is willing to settle Presbytery for three years and the Militia as he before offered but others he is not satisfied to assent unto but desires to put himself upon the Proposals of the Army and that they may be taken into consideration Some private Treaties were said to have been by some Officers of the Army with the King and instructions given by Cromwell and others That if he would assent to their Proposals lower than those of the Parliament that the Army would settle him again in his Throne But the unfortunate as to him his Bishops persuaded him against what he was inclined in his own judgment to have agreed unto and thereby ruined him and themselves at the present 13. The Commissioners returned with His Majesties answer to the Propositions He waves those now sent to him or any Treaty upon them and flies to the Proposals of the Army urgeth a Treaty upon them and such as he shall make professeth he will give satisfaction for settling the Protestant Religion with Liberty to tender Consciences to secure the Laws Liberty and Property and Priviledges of Parliament and of those concerning Scotland he will Treat apart with the Scots Commissioners A Copy of this answer was sent by the King to Sir Thomas Fairfax Many Addresses were dayly made by Petitions and otherwise to the General upon particular grievances and he and his Councel of War returned prudent answers to them The Agitators of the Army presented a Paper to the General in behalf of many who were in Prison for words spoken by them against the King in the time of the War and the General certified the same by Letter to the Parliament Letters from the North of the wise and just managing of the affairs in those parts by Major General Lambert That by his Councel of War he sentenced one Macro an Irish man a notorious proved Drunkard and Swearer to be bored through the Tongue with a red hot Iron imprisoned fourteen days with Bread and Water and to be Cashiered the like Sentences were against others to the contentment of the people 14. Upon reading the Kings answer to the Propositions for Peace a day was appointed by either House to consider of it and that in the mean time it be communicated to the Scots Commissioners Upon earnest Letters from the General in behalf of James Symbâ—l and others in Prison for speaking of words against the King in the time of War for which Justice Bacon and Sergeant Creswel Commited them the House referred their Cases to the Committee of Imdemnity with power to release the Prisoners if they found cause A Petition from divers Bucks men against Tithes and Free Quarter answered that the House would take the business of Tithes into consideration in covenient time and were now in debate touching Free Quarter Debate upon the report concerning Lieutenant Collonel Lilburne and touching some Compositions and a Vote to take off the Sequestration of Sir Robert Nappiers Estate The Common-Councel of London thought it discretion to comply with the desires of the Parliament and Army in advancing fifty thousand pounds for the Army and had such addition of security for it as they proposed 15. An Ordinance committed for settling some Lands of the Earl of Worcesters upon the Lord Say Sir Benjamin Rudyeard and Sir Rowland Wandesford for reparation of their losses by the taking away of the Court of Wards Orders for Commitment of some Actors in the late great Tumult A report of the proceedings of the Commissioners in the Army and a debate touching Tithes and referred to a Committee to consider of a way to redress the grievances in this business of Tithes Several Petitions from Oxfordshire Heriford-shire and other Countries against Tithes referred to a Committee A Petition of the Inhabitants of Southwark That the Houses may be purged of such as assisted in the late Tumults and Force upon the Parliament when the Members were driven away was laid aside for the present 16. the Petitions of London Southwark Oxfordshire Bucks Hertfordshire c. For purging the House of all Members that Sat in the absence of the Speakers was debated and resolved That the proceedings in that time should be Null but that no Member should be questioned for being then present in the House but such as were Actors in the Tumult City engagement and design of a new War The Petitioners had thanks for their good affections and were desired to be be satisfied in this business Order for an Impeachment of high Crimes and Misdemeanours against Mr. Glyn and against Collonel Copley and for the Lords to be desired to appoint a day for the Commons to bring in their particular Charge against the seven Impeached Lords Both Houses past the Ordinance concerning Delinquents Compositions and some particular Ordinances for taking off Sequestrations of the Estates of the Lady Bankes and her Son Sir Richard Price and others The Commons Concurrence desired to Ordinances touching Payment of Fee Farm Rents by Members of Parliament and recovery of monies due by Bonds given in the Court of Wards Debate touching the lessening of the Forces in England and Votes touching the Forces to be sent into Ireland and for Pay for them and referred to the Commissioners in the Army to Treat further with the General and his Field-Officers concerning these particulars 17. Orders touching the months gratuity appointed for the Army and the months Pay for them and about the fifty thousand pounds and touching the Charge against the seven Lords Vote That for present security of this Kingdom till affairs be settled here and in order to the future relief of Ireland seven thousand two hundred Horse one thousand Dragoons and eighteen thousand Foot be kept up in England The Scots Forces under Lieutenant General David Lesley Qnartering upon the Borders gave some cause of offence to the English many of their Commanders resorted often to Berwick 18. The Establishment of the Army and Garrisons was referred to the General and Commissioners of Parliament in the Army with reference to the former Orders of the House Information from Ireland of some underhand dealing and invitation of the Lord Inchequin and Col. Jones to joyn with the Scots Forces in Vlster After a Sermon in Putney Church the General many great Officers Field Officers inferiour Officers and Agitators met in the Church debated the Proposals of the Army and altered some few things in them and were full of the Sermon which was Preached by Mr. Peters The General and his Council agreed upon a Declaration concerning the delays in raising money for the Army and Garrisons and the sufferings of the Country by free Quarter occasioned by those wants and the hindrance of disbanding the Forces not necessary to be kept up and of relieving Ireland all this caused by their neglect on whom the Parliament did depend and especially they take notice of the delayes of
per An. allowance for the Bishop of Armagh and for one thousand and thirty Pounds for Col. Thornehagh who raised a Troop of Horse at his own Charge Another Petition of divers Londoners against those Members who sat during the Force upon the Parliament The Petitioners in the House were told that the Parliament had already setled this business and that it was the duty of every English man to acquiesce in the Judgment of the Parliament An account from Major General Lambert of the ordering of his Forces in the North of the agreement with the Vale-men about Quartering his Soldiers and about suppressing the Moss-Troopers The Lord Chancellor of Scotland and the Lord Lannericke expected in England 6. A Petition to both Houses about sending of able gifted men though not Clergy-men in Orders to preach the Gospel in barren places of the Kingdom and that the like persons were admitted to Preach the Gospel in the beginning of Queen Elizabeth her Reign and that such men may receive incouragement and Protection from the House Referred to a Committee to consider of a way how such Persons so to be sent may be first examined The Ordinance for setling the Presbyterian Government re-committed to have a Clause inserted in favour of â—tender Consciences And this to be sent to the King with the other Propositions 7. The House spent all the day in a grand Committee about Tunnage and Poundage The General Councel of the Army sat at Putney about the business of their Pay Col. Jones marched forth against the Rebels and took good Booties from them but they declined fighting 8. Debate about the Commissioners of the Customs and about this Winters Fleet. New desires from the Army were 1. That their Arrears may be paid out of the Sale of Deans and Chapters Lands and the remainder of the Security of Bishops Lands and Sale of Forrest Lands 2. That the Moneths Pay for the Army may speedily be Collected by such as the Parliament shall appoint 3. That the Propositions may be drawn up and speedily sent to his Majesty Referred to the Committee of the Army as to the Collecting of the Months Pay 9. The House was called and a hundred and fifty of their Members absent and twenty pound Fine was set on every one that was absent and a Committee appointed to examine the absence of the Members and their excuses and a new day set for their appearance and the respective Sheriffs to Summon them The Duke of Richmond Marquess Herford Marquess Ormond Earl of Dorset Earl of Southampton Lord Seymour and some others came to the King to Hampton-Court intending to reside there as his Councel but the Army declaring against it they returned back again The General Councel of the Army had conserence with a German who gave himself out to be a Prophet and they considered of their own pay and the Pay of the Northern Forces 11. Debate of the desires of the Army in relation to their Pay and Arrears in a grand Committee and it was voted That they should be paid out of the Excise and Goldsmiths-Hall and the Arrears to be secured out of Bishops Lands and Deans and Chapters Lands and the like for pay for the Forces in Ireland Order for a thousand pound for Sir Thomas Maleverer who raised two Regiments of Foot and one of Horse for the Parliament in part of his Arrears It was reported that Mr. Maynard got in the last Circuit seven hundred pound which was believed to be more than any one of the profession ever got before 21. Much debate of the Ordinance of Tunnage and Poundage and voted that if the Commissioners will advance thirty thousand pound they shall not be removed till they be reimbursed all that shall be owing unto them which the Commissioners agreed to do An Ordinance for the levying of the Arrears of the Army and the Power of the Commissioners of the Army when they shall come away to be transferred to the Committee of the Army was sent up to the Lords Order for a Committee of the Militia of Hertfordshire Another Letter from the General and his Councel to the Parliament for a Provision of Pay for the Army and for Ireland and to prevent the Misery of the free quarter and for Money for disbanding Forces And of the Arrears of the Tax not paid in and that the High Sheriff may levy the Assessments and that the Arrears of the Army may be audited and satisfied out of Deans and Chapters Lands This Letter referred to the Committee appointed to consider of providing Pay for the Forces of England and Ireland Both Houses pass'd an Ordinance for collecting all the Arrears of the Assessments for Sir Thomas Fairfax's Army Letters from Col. Jones of the great wants of the Forces in Ireland and of his resolution to fight the Rebels if he can force them to it Order for supplys for Col. Jones A Committee to examine all complaints against such as use the Common-Prayer Order for Mr. Du Moulin to be History Professor in Oxford Order touching the Earl of Portland's business of the Isle of Wight and for the Agent of the Duke of Florence to be free from Excise Col. Monke joyned with Col. Jones in Ireland against the Rebels 13. Upon debate of the settlement of the Presbyterian Government it was voted That the King be desired to give his consent to such Acts as shall be presented to him for setling the Presbyterian Government for three years with a provision that no person shall be liable to any question or penalty only for Non-Conformity to the said Government or to the form of Divine Service appointed in the Ordinances And that such as shall not voluntarily Conform to the said Form of Government and Divine Service shall have liberty to meet for the Service and Worship of God and for exercise of Religious duties and Ordinances in a fit and convenient place so as nothing be done by them to the disturbance of the Peace of the Kingdom And provided that this extend not to any toleration of the Popish Religion nor to any Penalties imposed upon Popish Recusants nor to tolerate the practice of any thing contrary to the Principles of Christian Religion contained in the Apostles Creed as it is expounded in the Articles of the Church of England Nor of any thing contrary to the Point of Faith For the ignorance whereof men are to be kept from the Lords Supper nor to excuse any from the Penalties 1 Eliz. 2. for not coming to hear the word of God on the Lords day in any Church or Chappel unless he can shew a reasonable cause or that he was hearing the word of God Preached or expounded elswhere These were the Lords Votes The Commons Voted That the Presbyterian Government be established till the end of the next Session of Parliament That the Tenths and Maintenance belonging to any Church shall be only to such as can submit
the Princes men to advance to firmer ground in confidence of victory which the Parliaments Horse took advantage of Flanked the Prince his men and were almost in the rear of them The three hundred Musquetiers at the same time charged the Princes men and put them in disorder and the Parliaments men fell to execution about two hundred of the Prince his men were slain on the place and in the pursuit of whom many were of quality one hundred prisoners and three hundred Arms were taken Many of them were wounded and not above one hundred serviceable men thought to return to the Ships some fled to the Castle from whence Forces came out to fetch them in but were beaten back and left Arms behind them Of the Parliaments Forces Colonel Rich's Quarter-Master was slain Major Husbands his Lieutenant wounded three Horse-men and four Foot-men killed Order for a Letter of thanks to Colonel Rich and that Major Husbands who brought the news and lost divers horses in the fight should have one hundred and fifty pounds to buy him more horses and that Colonel Hewson should have one hundred and fifty pound to buy him horses The Grand Committee sat for the Militia in the afternoon 16. The Lords desired the Commons concurrence to these Votes 1. That the Treaty be according to these Votes 2. That the Votes against further addresses to the King be recalled 3. That such persons as his Majesty shall send for in the Treaty be admitted to wait on him and that he be in the same freedome as he was at Hampton-Court 4. That such servants as he shall appoint may wait upon him 5. That the place for the Treaty be in Newport in the Isle of Wight 6. That the Scots be invited to treat upon the propositions presented at Hampton-Court 7. That his Majesty be admitted to invite the Scots to treat upon those propositions 8. That the Instructions to Colonel Hammond be recalled 9. That five Lords and ten Commoners be chosen to treat with the King 10. That it be referred to the Committee of Lords and Commons for peace to prepare all things in readiness for speeding of the Treaty The Commons ordered these Votes to be considered de die in diem till they be finished and nothing to intervene Upon Information that Colonel Martin a Member of the House and Colonel Ayres and M r Walrond were raising of Horse in Berks and took Horses from the inhabitants against their wills and had no authority from the Parliament for it The House ordered Colonel Martin to attend them and Colonel Ayres and M r Walrond to be sent for in safe custody for this action The Committee of Estates of Scotland sent a Letter to the Prince wherein next to his Fathers restraint they bewail his Highness long absence from that Kingdom his right by descent and now that their Forces are again in England they humbly beg his Highness's presence to countenance their endeavours for religion and his Fathers reestablishment And if he will intrust his person among them they ingage the Publick Faith of that Kingdom for his Highness being in honour freedom and safety whilst he shall be with them in Scotland or in their Army in England with Liberty to return when he shall please and this was sent to him by the Earl of Lauderdale 18. Both Houses passed a Manifesto that whereas they had not been able to afford to the Protestants in Ireland such supplies and relief as was necessary for them and therefore had imployed M r Derrick Hoast M r Corseilles M r Maurice Thomson and M r Laurence their Commissioners to the States of the United Provinces to sollicite contribution and relief from thence for Ireland who had there collected by Voluntary contribution thirty one thousand two hundred and eighteen pounds twelve shillings five pence and was disposed of for victual The Lords and Commons take Notice of the great affection of the people of the Vnited Provinces herein and acknowledge their pious and Charitable sense of the miserable condition of their distressed brethren in Ireland and their benevolence for relief of those Protestants and do give their most hearty thanks to the Commissioners and to the Treasurers there named and to all others who have without any Salary assisted in that work After long debate whether the Commons should concurr with the Lords in the Vote to invite the Scots to the Treaty it was carryed in the Negative The Commissioners of the Seal had a meeting with the Judges about their riding of this Summers circuits and they resolved to know the pleasure of the Houses therein 19. Vote that if his Majesty shall think fit to send for any of the Scottish Nation to advise with him concerning the affairs of the Kingdom of Scotland only the Houses will give them a safe-conduct Vote for ten of the House of Commons to joyn with five Lords as Commissioners to treat with the King Order that the Judges be desired to go their several circuits as formerly appointed except some Counties where the Kings Forces were and that they may avoid going to any place where they shall apprehend to be any danger Order that the chief Justices of Chester shall go down Letters from Colchester Leaguer that five came out of the Town and said that the Cryes of Women and Children and the poorer sort in the Town are very great and that they are like to starve that Goring will permit none who are well affected to the Parliament to come out of the Town unless some of his party may come with them That a Woman and five Children one sucking at her Breast came out of the Town and fell on her knees before the Parliaments Guards begging leave to pass the line but they were forced to turn her back again lest hundreds more should follow her to the prejudice of the service That those who come out of the Town affirm that all the Dogs and Cats and most of the Horses there are already eaten That a Trumpeter came from the Enemy in Colchester desiring leave to send to know whether they may have relief or not and if they see no hopes of any within twenty days then to treat but the Lord General denyed this desire That they in the Town refused to exchange the Earl of Cleveland for one of the Committee that the Women and Children were at the Lord Gorings lodging for bread who told them they must eat their Children if they wanted the Women replyed that they would put out his Lordships Eyes and highly reviled him The Prince sent a Letter to the Lord General Fairfax for moderation to be used towards Major General Langhorn Colonel Powel Colonel Poyer and others who acted by Commission from him otherwise he should be necessitated to proceed contrary to his intentions against such as should fall into his hands Subscribed Your Loving Friend Charles P. The General returned answer that he had
in general and to propound remedies Debate about the Ordinance for Sale of Deans and Chapters Lands 7. Report of the arrears of the Assessment to the Army to be three hundred fourteen thousand three hundred fifty one pounds for which fifty thousand pound was in arrear in London Order that the Collectors who had not brought in the arrears should be taken into custody and that the Members of the House write to the Committees of the several Counties Letters from Lieutenant General Cromwell of the Surrender of Berwick and Carlisle to him The House approved what he had done and ordered the pay of the Forces there a hundred pound given to the Messenger Letters from the Isle of Wight that the King gave a Paper of reasons to the Parliaments Commissioners why he could not condescend to take away Bishops and Government by Bishops which he conceived to be of Apostolical institution and alledged several Scriptures to that purpose He also propounded some quaeries concerning Presbyterian Government wherein he desired to be satisfied the Commissioners referred it to M r Marshall M r Vines M r Caryll and M r Seaman who were with them to draw up an answer for satisfaction of his Majesty 9. Debate of an Ordinance for a hundred thousand pound for paying the Arrears of reduced Officers and Souldiers and Upon information that they were coming to London from all Parts of the Kingdom Order for a declaration to give them notice that the House is passing an Ordinance for satisfaction of their arrears and that their coming up to London will hinder the great business of the Kingdom and to forbid their coming up upon that or any other pretence whatsoever Order to admit Colonel Butler to his Composition upon Pembrokes Articles The Lords House being called there were about thirty Lords with them Letters from the Isle of Wight that his Majesty gave in to the Commissioners his objections touching the alteration of Church Government and the Ministers then with the Parliaments Commissioners gave in a Paper for answer and satisfaction to the Kings Scruples and as to the obiection that the Sale of Bishops Lands was sacriledge the Commissioners said it lay so much in the Laws of the Land that the Ministers could not judge of â—it That in their Debate touching the Liturgy the King asked what fault they found in the Common Prayer Book to which was replyed that the Liturgy was taken out of the Masse-Book only spoyled in the Translation and that King James had so considered it The King said that if it were good in it self that did not make it ill That his Majesty offered a limited Episcopacy Letters from Lieutenant General Cromwell of the particulars of the rendring of Berwick and Carlisle to the Parliament and desiring that Sir Arthur Haselrigge may supply Berwick being so considerable a place with Guns and Ammunition from New-Castle That both Parties in Scotland were agreed to disband all Forces except fifteen hundred Horse and Foot under General Leven to be kept to see all remaining Forces disbanded that he had some things to desire from the Committee of Estates in Scotland for the service of the Parliament of England for which purpose he was himself going to them The Chancellour of Scotland by command of the Committee of Estates of Scotland writ a Letter to Lieutenant General Cromwell giving him thanks for the many civilities and kind respect he had shewed to that Kingdom and that they had sent Commissioners to him to acquaint him with the agreement betwixt them in Armes in Scotland wherein they had been careful to avoid any thing that might give offence to the Parliament of England They acknowledge advantage hath come to them by the near distance of the English Forces in preventing new troubles whereof they shall be alwaies mindful and endeavour to preserve the Union and a good correspondence betwixt the two Kingdoms 10. A Petition from New-Castle desiring that before the Treaty be ended impartial and speedy Justice may be executed upon the incendiaries fomenters and Actors in the first and second War Another from York and from Hull that the treacherous and Implacable Enemies may be destroyed and exemplary justice done upon them without partiality or delay and their Estates to go towards discharging arrears and publick debts Another Petition to the same purpose but all laid aside by the House 11. Letters from the Commissioners in the Isle of Wight that his Majesty had consented to the settling of the Militia by Sea and Land as in the Proposition and that he will consent to an Act of Parliament to confirm for three years the form of Church Government and Directory for worship presented to him But that he is not satisfied in his conscience or can be content to the utter abolishing of Episcopacy the Substance whereof he conceives to consist in the power of Ordination and Jurisdiction as they were exercised by the Apostles themselves and others by authority derived from them Superiour to Presbyters and Deacons in the Primitive times His Majesties resolution being to comply with his two Houses for the alteration and regulating of his present Hierarchy and Government so as Episcopacy reduced to the Primitive usage may be settled and continued in the Church and if his two Houses shall so advise his Majesty will be content to lessen the extent and multiply the number of the Dioceses That he will consent to the sitting of the Assembly of Divines as formerly he offered and to confirm the publick use of the Directory and will consent to the repeal of so much of all Statutes as only concern the Book of Common Prayer and taking the same away out of all Churches provided that the use of it be continued to his Majesty That he will consent to an Act for the better observation of the Lords day and to prevent saying of Mass That he was not satisfied to take the Covenant or to impose it upon others and conceives his two Houses will not insist upon it and the rather because the ends of it will be obtained by the agreement if happily concluded Upon Debate of this Paper from his Majesty whether as concerning matter of Religion it was satisfactory or not it was voted in the Negative and a Letter ordered to be Writ to the Commissioners to proceed in the Treaty according to their Instructions and that till the Proposition for Religion were signed they should not proceed to the debate of any of the new and that notice should be taken of the extraordinary wise management of this Treaty by the Commissioners An Ordinance transmitted to the Lords for five thousand pound for pay of the Horse-guards attending the Parliament Orders touching mony and Provisions for the Fleet. 12. Upon a report from the Commissioners of the Seal the House ordered that there should be a new call of Serjeants at Law and voted to be Serjeants Out of Grays Inn Sir
Thomas Widdrington Sir Thomas Beddingfield Mr. Keble M r Thorpe and M r Bradshaw Out of Lincolns Inn M r Sollicitor M r Samuel Brown M r Recorder Glyn and M r Earle Out of the Middle Temple Mâ— Whitelock Mr. Coniers and Mr. Puleston Out of the Inner Temple Mr. Chapman Mr. Gates and Mr. Will. Littleton Order that Serjeant Rolles should be made Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench that Serjeant Iermyn and Mr. Samuel Brown should be made Justices of the same Court That Mr. Sollicitor should be chief Justice of the Common-Pleas Sir Thomas Bedingfield and Mr. Serjeant Creswell should be Justices of that Court. That Serjeant Wilde should be Lord chief Baron of the Exchequer and Mr. Gates a Baron of the Exchequer That Mr. Whitelock should be Attorney General of the Dutchy and one of the Kings Serjeants that Mr. Prideaux should be Sollicitor General and Sir Thomas Widdrington one of the Kings Serjeants The House approved of all those whom the Commissioners of the Seal named to be Judges and Serjeants except Mr. Hatton of the middle-Temple upon whom the question was not put 13. Vote that leases renewed with Deans and Chapters since a day past should be void An Ordinance past by the Commons for abolishing Deans and Chapters c. An Ordinance past both Houses for the Governour of Dover-Castle to be Lieutenant of it Vote for a charge to be prepared against Mr. Dowcet The Declaration prohibiting the Souldiery from repayring to London upon pretence of having their arrears was past and ordered to be Printed and published and sent to the several Sheriffs to be proclaimed Letters from the Isle of Wight that the King had consented 1. That an Act of Parliament be passed to make void the Cessation and all Treaties and conclusions of Peace with the Rebels in Ireland without the consent of both Houses of Parliament and the Prosecution of the war there to be left to the two Houses and the King to assist them and do no Act to hinder or disturb them 2. The Reformation of Religion in Ireland to be settled by the Parliament of England 3. The Chief Governours and Officers in Ireland to be nominated by the Parliament of England This to be for twenty years from 1. July 1648. 14. Voted for the Lord Admiral to continue at Goree in order to the reducing of the revolted Ships and orders for the Committee of the Navy to make provisions and take care for mony for the Fleet. 16. Upon a Petition of the Common Council of London for a supply of ministers in the City and for an allowance to them out of Deans and Chapters Lands referred to a Committee to consider thereof and of the want of a good ministry in other Parts of the Kingdom Order that those who took a Bark at Rye of the Kings Party should have the benefit of it Debate about satisfying of a debt out of Sir Jo. Stowells Estate to Sir Henry Holcroft but not allowed and an order for tryal of Sir John Stowell Letters that Lieut. General Ashton relieved Cockermouth and pursued the Enemy to Appleby which was rendred to the Parliament and taken in it five Knights twenty five Colonels nine Lieutenant Colonels six Majors forty six Captains seventeen Lieutenants ten Cornets three Ensigns five Pieces one thousand two hundred Horse one thousand Arms and all their Bag and Baggage Letters that Lieutenant General Cromwel was received with great Ceremony at Edenburgh where he demanded that none who had been in Action in the late wicked Ingagement and Invasion might hence forward be imployed in any publick Place of Trust to which the Committee of Estates there gave a satisfactory answer He had also visits and Conferences with Commissioners from the Kirke and from the Provost and Magistrates of Edenburgh and a strong Guard of Souldiers at his Lodging At the time of his being at Edenburgh several other demands were made by him to the Committee of Estates who gave him very fair answer and he reserved liberty for the Parliament of England to make such further demands as they should think requisite The Charges of Lieutenant General Cromwels entertainment and of all his Company during the time of their being at Edenburgh were defraied by the Lord Provost of the City by Order of the Committee of Estates and Cromwel Haselrigge and the rest of their company were entertained by General Leven the Lord Argyle and many other Lords at a sumptuous Banquet in the Castle At their going away the Castle Saluted them with many great Guns and Vollies of small Shot and divers Lords convoyed them out of the City That in Edenburgh was a Proclamation for all Malignants to depart the City and not remain within six miles of it 17. The House Voted to Adjourn for six days but the Lords dissenting they recalled ' their Vote Upon Letters from Colonel Ashton of the surrender of Appleby Castle referred to the Committee of the North what to do with the Castle and how to secure the Arms Ordnance and Ammunition there in Lancaster Castle and gave thirty pounds to the Messenger Letters from Lieutenant General Cromwel of his proceedings in Scotland and his return to Carlisle the House approved of it and ordered a Letter of thanks to be written to him The Commons Voted Sir William Parsons and Sir John Temple to be Commissioners for the Great Seal of Ireland and dissented from the Lords who Voted to have a Chancellour there Letters from the Isle of Wight that the King had assented to all the Propositions except that of the Church with some qualifications That an Act be passed for raising Monies to pay the publick Debts and if the King assent not to it that then if it pass both Houses it shall be valid in Law That by Act of Parliament all Peers made since the Lord Littleton carried away or that the Great Scal was carried away to Oxford May 10. 1642. and who shall hereafter be made shall not sit or Vote in Parliament without the consent of both Houses and that all Honours and Titles conferred on any since May 20. 1642. shall be void Letters from the Hague that the Prince with the revolted Ships is still in Goree Road his Seamen discontented That the Lord Culpeppeâ— was sent to them with Mony and they said they might thank the Earl of Warwick for it that the Lord Culpepper was accused for betraying the secrets of the Prince to the Parliament and that the Lord Percy was committed for giving the lie in the Prince his presence Letters that the Lord of Ormond was landed at Wexford in Ireland and brought with him four thousand Arms and five hundred Curassiers part of the Supply designed for the Scots That the English Army were in great want of pay and provisions 18. Letters from the Lord General Fairfax intimating the proceedings of the Army and that several Petitions were promoting among the Souldiery of the
desired 4. To that concerning the Court of Wards a recompence being assured to his Majesty his heirs and successours of one hundred thousand pounds per annum The General explained his former Letter concerning the quarter given to the Lord Goring and Lord Capel that it did not extend to any other but the Military power and that they were notwithstanding liable to Tryal and Judgment by the Civil Power otherwise any who was Treacherous or had revolted might get quarter from a private Souldier and so not be further questionable With divers other reasons given by him to the same purpose Letters from Scotland that M r Parsons sent to them from the King had complaints of the miseries suffered by the late Ingagement that they refer the King to their agreement with Lanerick and their Declaration and beseech him at last to hearken to the advice of his Parliament in consenting to the propositions of both Kingdoms Especially to those concerning the Covenant and Reformation of Religion which they understand to be the Point he sticks most at and they in Honour and interest are most obliged to stick to and without which they tell him his Kingdom cannot be established in righteousness That they have also writ to the Prince dehorting him from that course of opposition he is now in and from attempting any act of hostility against that Kingdom and since all worldly policy and projects have failed that he would apply his endeavours to mediate with his Father to consent to the propositions of both Kingdoms and especially the Covenant Letters from Major General Lambert's quarters that divers of his men were set upon as they past up and down by some of the Scots and many injuries offered to the English that six of his Regiment with Quarter-Master Diamond were set upon by fourteen of the Scots and fought with them about a quarter of an hour left three of the Scots sprawling upon the ground and wounded most of the rest routed them and came off without any hurt only one of the English had a cut of his hand That the Committee of Estates taking notice of these things have indeavoured to prevent the like for the future and to give satisfaction for what is past The Lords consented to the Sergeants that were named and the Commons also the Speaker moved that Whitlock might be suspended from being a Sergeant at present in regard of Swearing the rest which was likely to fall to his share But this was opposed until Whitlock spake and shewed them the necessity that either Sir Thomas Widdrington or he must make the Speech to the rest of the Sergeants and Swear them which they could not do if both of them were to be Sworn and that upon Conference together he was perswaded to take that trouble upon himself and to have his Swearing suspended if they pleased Nevertheless the House in favour to Whitlock would not wholly excuse him but Voted that he should not be Sworn a Sergeant till further order The House passed Mr. Hatton to be Sergeant 24. Order for five hundred pound for Sir Anthony Welden in satisfaction of his losses by the Kentish Rebels against whom he was very active Upon the Generals answer to the Parliaments Letter touching Sir Henry Cholmley the question was whether he should be subject to the commands of the General or the Parliament only and Voted that he should be subject to the General Orders for disbanding Supernumerary Forces in several Counties not of the Army Debate about Ordinances for Dr. Bastwick Mr. Burton and Mr. Pryn to have reparations for the illegal Sentences against them in the Star-Chamber Both Houses agreed upon seven persons to be exempted from pardon viz. The Lord Digby Lord Cottington Sir Robert Heath Sir Francis Doddington Sir George Ratcliffe Sir Richard Greenvile and Sir Charles Dalison Several compositions past Letters from Newcastle that Cromwel Haselrigge and the Committee ordered the slighting of several Northern Garrisons that the Army coming thither was entertained with great Guns and ringing of Bells and feasting That Sir John Chiesely and others were posting up to London to declare that Kingdoms dislike of their late Armies invading England and to desire a fair correspondency Letters of a design to betray Pendennis Castle some of the conspirators were taken and one of them adjudged to death by Sir Hardresse Waller and his Council of War Another who was imployed to corrupt the private Souldiers was not tryed but sent up to the Parliament because he was no Souldier himself but a Country-man many others of them fled 25. The publick Fast-day 26. Voted that the Kings last Message concerning Episcopacy was un-satisfactory And a Committee appointed to draw up the particulars wherein it was un-satisfactory that his Majesty might have the same in writing An Ordinance transmitted to the Lords for payment of Tithes to the Ministry Letters from the Committee of Estates in Scotland desiring a fair correspondency and brotherly Vnion between the two Nations And that Sir John Chiesely was intrusted to deliver by word of mouth other particulars of their desires Order that the Letter be communicated to the Lords and Sir John Chiesely referred to the Committee of Derby-house to impart further particulars to them Order for five thousand Suits of Cloaths for Cromwels Souldiers The Lords concurred that the Kings Paper concerning Episcopacy was not satisfactory 27. Voted that that part of the Kings answer concerning the taking of the Covenant is un-satisfactory Also that concerning the taking away of Arch-bishops Bishops Deans c. Also that concerning the abolishing of Popery in desiring to have it tolerated in the Queens Chappel and for her Family Also that for alienating of Bishops Lands and sale of Dans and Chapters Lands and many others A Committee appointed to draw up the Covenant in such a form as may be proper for his Majesty to take it A Committee ordered to consider of his Majesties Concessions to any part of the Propositions and to draw them up into Bills to be tendred to his Majesty An Ordinance past for repayment of Money advanced by the Merchant Adventurers for the service of the Navy 28. Letters from Colonel Jones in Ireland That the Marquess of Ormond was upon concluding a peace with the Irish Rebels the Lord Inchequin complying and all to joyn against the Parliaments party there the design hatched in England by the fomenters of the second War and the Scots who last invaded England and should then have broken out and given forth to be by Commission from the King He desires the House seriously to consider of it Order that a Message be forthwith sent to his Majesty to desire him to declarè against the Rebellion of Ireland and against this Truce with the Rebels and to require the Marquess of Ormond to forbear joyning with the Rebels against the Protestants The Parliaments Commissioners with the Army agreed with the General
Pawlets composition at three thousand seven hundred and sixty pound allowed and four thousand and two hundred pound for the Lord Pawlet An Act for a new Seal for the Courts of Wales and for Powell Eltonhead Parker and Clerk to be Judges there Letters from Scotland that the Parliament resolved to raise an Army of seventeen thousand Foot and six thousand Horse against the Sectarian Army in England in prosecution of the Covenant they having a report that an Army of English was upon their Borders That Colonel Monroe and Colonel Fizen with a party of Horse and Foot in the Northern parts of Scotland having Declared for King Charles II. taken Enderness and increased to four thousand the Scots Parliament repealed their votes of raising an Army against England and Ordered Forces against Monroe and his Party Pontefract desired a Treaty and were full of sickness in the Garrison 6. Report from the Council of State of forty thousand Horse and Foot to be kept up in England and Ireland whereof twelve thousand for Ireland their pay to be eighty thousand pound per mensem and free-quarter to be taken off Mr. Cauton a London Minister in his Prayer before the Lord Mayor having prayed for Charles II. as lawful King referred to Mr. Steel and Mr. Coke to prosecute him in the Upper Bench for Treason upon the late Declaration Letters of proclaiming King Charles II. in Guernsey Island by Sir George Carteret Letters from Holland that the Ministers there in their Pulpits inveigh against the proceedings in England and Pray for King Charles II. Referred to the Council of State to consider what is fit to be done herein and to preserve a good correspondence betwixt the two Nations The Earl of Cambridge brought before the High Court and asked what he had further to say why sentence should not be pronounced against him spake to the same effect as formerly The Earl of Holland and Lord Goring extenuated what they could their Offences as being rash not much hurtful c. The Lord Capel briefly repeated what he had formerly said and further observed an Ordinance of Parliament That Quarter should not be given to Irish Rebels for life which implyed that quarter given to others should be inviolable for life Sir John Owen pleaded quarter The President in his Scarlet robes spake many hours in answer to the several pleas of the Prisoners and at last sentence was given against them all that their heads should be severed from their Bodies yet with relation to the Mercy of Parliament 7. Referred to a Committee to draw up an Act for taking off all priviledge from Noblemen and to make their persons as liable to Law as any Commoner An Act committed for taking away Kingly Government and another for dissolving the House of Peers The Earl of Warwick and the Countess of Holland presented a Petition for the life of the Earl of Holland and divers Ladies for the others against whom the High Court had pronounced sentence of Death After some hours Debate upon these Petitions the House resolved upon the Question not to proceed any further upon these Petitions but to leave them to the Justice of the Court that sentenced them Then the Ladies Petitioned the High Court who only reprieved the Execution for two daies 8. A New form for electing Members of the House assented to Order that the Council of State nor Committees do not sit after nine in the Morning when the House sits Orders for seventy thousand pound per mensem for the Forces in England and thirty thousand pound per mensem for the Forces in Ireland and for an Act for eighty thousand pound per mensem assessment for the Forces and free quarter to be taken off New Petitions of the condemned Lords and a Letter from the General touching their Articles and after a long Debate the Question was put of them severally and voted That the Lord Capel should not be reprieved And carried by one vote that the Lord Goring should be reprieved this one vote was the Speaker who carried the House being equally divided four and twenty of each part and he said he did it because he had formerly received some civilities from the Lord Goring and his single vote now saved his life The House was also divided upon the question whether the Earl of Holland should be reprieved or not and the Speaker gave his voice against him Thus the Lord Goring who had been no friend to the Religious party was saved and the Earl of Holland who had been a most civil person to all and a very great friend to the old Puritans and protected them in the time of his greatest interest by the same single Vote lost his life This may be a caution to us against the affectation of popularity when you see the issue of it in this Noble Gentleman who was as full of Generosity and Courtship to all Sorts of Persons and readiness to help the oppressed and to stand for the rights of the people as any person of his quality in this Nation Yet this person was by the Representatives of the people given up to execution for Treason and another Lord who never made profession of being a friend to liberty either Civil or Spiritual and exceeded the Earl as much in his Crimes as he came short of him in his popularity the life of this Lord was spared by the people The resolution touching Duke Hamiltons Reprieve past in the Negative and for Sir Jo. Owen in the Affirmative and these Votes ordered to be sent to the High Court of Justice 9. Amendments to an Act for provision for the Forces of England and Ireland assented to The House rose early being thin because of the execution of the Lords The Earl of Cambridge was brought to the Scaffold in the Palace-Yard at Westminster and after some discourse with Dr. Sibbalds a Minister that came with him he turned to the people and seeing them so great a multitude he said his voice would not serve for them to hear him and therefore directed his speech to those upon the Scaffold with him He confessed his Religion to be according to that of the Kirk of Scotland that he had ever been Loyal to the late King and wished well to his Posterity and that none more desired the peace and happiness of this and other Kingdoms than himself That his coming into England with the late Army was out of no Treasonable or ill intent but for the ends contained in the Scots Declaration and what he did was as a servant to that Parliament and Kingdom That in that imployment next to the setling of Religion the establishing the King was his greatest aim and he wished his blood in order to the Kingdom might be the last that should be spilt That if he would have confessed who invited the Scots Army into England it would probably have saved his life Then he made a short Prayer Dr. Sibbalds kneeling with
him and being risen he cast off his Cloak and Doublet put on a little white Sattin Cap forgave the Executioner and gave him ten pounds a little after he spake a while in private with his Servants and again made a short prayer His Countenance was cheerful and all the time of his being on the Scaffold there appeared in him no fear disorder change of Countenance or discomposure He took his leave of Dr. Sibbalds imbracing him and of his Servants whom he commended particularly M r Lewys his Secretary He laid down his head upon the Block and after a short Prayer he gave the signal by stretching out his hand and the Executioner struck of his head at one blow which was wrapped in a Red Sarcenet Scarf and with his Body put into the Coffin and carried away Next came upon the Scaffold the Earl of Holland who was accompanied by M r Hodges and M r Bolton Ministers divers of his Servants and other Gentlemen with him from M r Hodges a person of eminent parts and piety and who it is believed would not tell an untruth was this relation That between the time of his sentence and execution he only lay in the Earls Bed-chamber to discourse with him and to comfort him being admitted and desired by him to that freedom when he would not see his Lady nor any of his Children which he said would add too much to his sorrow and discompose his thoughts which were now to be set only upon another world That the Earl for several days after his sentence was in great perplexity and agony of his thoughts and said he had not assurance of Pardon of his Sins and of the love of God to him that he was not prepared to die that Christ would not be advantage to him M r Hodges endeavoured to allay these doubtings and to comfort the Earl with declaring to him the infiniteness of Gods mercies and his willingness to pardon all poor sinners that come to him through Christ that never any who sought the love of God in Christ with a true faith in Christ did ever fail to obtain the assurance of it to his distressed Soul The Earl desired Mr. Hodges to pray with him to seek God for this Mercy which M r Hodges did and upon this subject with as earnest a seeking of the Lord for it as he could express and the Earl himself frequently prayed to the same effect and with wonderful fervency of expression That still the Earl continued in a desponding condition till the day before his suffering when immediately after prayer the Earl with rejoycing told Mr. Hodges that God had heard their prayers and his Spirit was come in to comfort him that he had prevayled through the strength of Christ over Satan and all his Spiritual enemies and all temptations that the Lord had given in to him an assurance of his love in Christ and that now he was both ready and willing to die Mr. Hodges was much joyed at this and they then went to Prayer together to bless God for this great mercy and to begg the continuance of this frame of Spirit to the last and God heard them in this also The Earl who had not slept several nights before nor eat his meat now supped and went to bed with no more disturbance in his Spirits than in his best health and slept so soundly all the night and this morning that they were much troubled to awaken him He went to the Scaffold without being any whit daunted and after some discourse with the Gentlemen he showed himself to the people who were generally moved with sorrow for the suffering of so gallant a Person whose meen and comlyness would move compassion He directed his speech to the people at the front of the Scaffold towards Westminster-Hall made a large profession of his religion as a Protestant mentioned his birth and education excused his going to the King from the Parliament and return to the Parliament again and extenuated his late insurrection After he had ended his speech he turned to the other side of the Scaffold and kneeled down to his private Prayers after which he had conference with Mr. Hodges and Mr. Bolton Then he pulled off his gown and doublet having on him a white Satten Wastecoat and put on a white Satten Cap and prepared himself for the Block took his leave and embraced with much affection Mr. Hodges Mr. Bolton his Servants and others forgave the Executioner and gave him money ten pound in Gold Then he laid himself down on the Block prayed a while and gave the sign by stretching forth his Arms upon which the Executioner severed his head from his shoulders at one blow which with his body was presently put into a Coffin and carried away Next was my Lord Capel brought to the Scaffold much after the manner of a stout Roman he had no Minister with him nor shewed any sense of death approaching but carried himself all the time he was upon the Scaffold with that boldness and resolution as was to be admired He wore a sad coloured Suit his Hat cocked up and his Cloak thrown under one arm he looked towards the people at his first coming up and put off his Hat in manner of a Salute he had a little discourse with some Gentlemen upon the Scaffold and passed up and down in a careless posture He went to the front of the Scaffold and leaning over made a speech to the people he said he dyed a Protestant according to the Religion profest in the thirty nine Articles the best he knew of That he was condemned for keeping the fifth Commandment Written by Gods own finger which commanded to obey Magistrates and he died for obeying his King the most religious of all Princes and his Son Prince Charles who he said was King and the rest of the Kings Children Heirs to the Crown He concluded with a desire to the people to pray for him and after a short discourse with some on the Scaffold he spake once or twice to the Executioner and gave him money then he put off his Cloak and Doublet with much confidence and put on a White Cap took leave briefly of the Gentlemen on the Scaffold and prepared for the Block Where laying himself down with hands and eyes lifted up he prayed a while after that fitting himself to the Block upon the signal of stretching forth his right hand the Executioner severed his head from his body at one blow which were Coffin'd up and carried away The first General Seal the Commissioners sate in the Middle-Temple-Hall and did not go to Westminster because of the trouble and multitudes of people and Guards in the Palace-Yard upon the Execution of the Lords but they found their meetings to be more convenient out of Term and in the afternoons in the Temple-Hall both for them and for the Council 10. The Salary of one thousand pound per an to each of the Judges was changed from the
Commission and take care for the visiting of the Charter-house Hospital near Kingston upon Hull 27. Letters That Lieutenant-Collonel Throckmorton met with Duncan who had 500 Foot and 400 Horse near Wexford who had taken all the Cattle and left not a Cow to give Milk That at the first Charge the Irish behaved themselves gallantly and put the English to some disorder yet the Irish did not pursue till the English had rallied and upon the Second Charge the English beat up the Irish to their Horse and so put them to the rout killed 200 of them and many Officers Prisoners and lost but 30 Men and 60 wounded 28. Letters That the Judges at Edenburgh met and heard a good Sermon and then sate in the Court of Justice and Mr. Smith one of them made a Speech to the Company of the occasion of their meeting and to take off some aspersions cast upon the Parliament by the Ministers as if they countenanced Heresies and Blasphemies Then they caused the Act of Parliament against Heresies to be read and concluded That he doubted not but they should give satisfaction to the People of Scotland in the due administration of Justice to them Then a List of the Fees of Officers was read and the Auditory seemed to be much contented Of Recruits shipped for Ireland and of some Vessels taken by Pyrates 29. Letters of the Arrival of Sir George Ascue and his Fleet at Plymouth from the Barbadoes with 36 Prizes 31. Of the Siege of Dunotter Castle in Scotland and the high Terms they astand upon That the High-Sheriffs appointed in Scotland went to execute their Offices Of differences among the Ministers in Scotland and the Lord Wareston and others consulting against the Assembly of the Kirk That the People questioned divers great Men before the new Judges for former injuries and oppressions That Collonel Dungan wrote a civil Letter to Lieutenant-Collonel Throckmorton That since he was Master of the Field by a fair Dispute he desired a civil usage of the Prisoners he had taken and a List of them and whether Ransomes would be taken for them June 1652. 1. Letters That the Holland Fleet was battered and made unfit for fight That the Plague was at Leverpoole The Parliament ordered a day of publick Humiliation and Fast through England and Wales and appointed a Committee to prepare a Declaration of the grounds of the Fast Order for preserving Books and Manuscripts at Winchester Report of a Paper from the Agent of the Queen of Sweden and another from the Ambassador of the King of Denmark read in the House and Answers to them agreed upon Votes That nothing in the Articles of Rendition of Limbrick shall extend to any Toleration of the Popish Religion 2. Debate in Parliament how some Retrenchment may be made of the charge of the Common-wealth with safety and how the Revenue of the State may be improved and a Committee was appointed to consider thereof Vote That all Annual Salaries to Officers for sale of Lands of Bishops and of Deans and Chapters be suspended till further order 4. Letters That the Hollanders took into their Ships many Pick-axes Spades Shovels and Barrows which caused a suspition of their intent to land That there was an Imbargo put upon the Dutch Ships in Scotland That the English Forces before Dunotter Gastle in Scotland playing with their Guns as it and having shot in about Twelve Granadoes which broke into their great Tower and killed Seven Men those in the Castle notwithstanding their high terms before yielded upon Conditions only to march out half a Mile with their Arms and then to lay them down That this was the last Garrison in Scotland unreduced That the Fleet under General Blake was much encreased in Ships and Men That he with his Officers and Sea-men kept several days of Humiliation in the Fleet Of another Ingagement between Captain Moulton with some Ships against some of the Dutch who were beaten by the English 5. Letters That Prince Rupert took an English Merchants Ship with 39 Guns and made her his Rear-Admiral and put in her French and Dutch Mariners and used the English Mariners very hardly who consulted among themselves and one of them a Carpenter took his advantage to single out the Captain and the rest took to single out an outlandish Mariner to each of them And thus they subdued and brought away the Vessel into Plymouth with the Captain and Officers of the Ships Prisoners The Parliament order a Reward to these Mariners and an Act to be brought in to encourage others upon the like occasion That Prince Rupert met with a Merchant from Guinny richly laden 7. Letters That great Riches were in Dunotter Castle the Sword Scepter and Crown but they could not be found Divers Highlanders submitted to the Parliament The Sails of the Dutch Ships were brought on shore at Leith A Petition to the Parliament from the Owners and Commoners in Lincoln-shire Fens for satisfaction for Injuries formerly done to them An Additional Act passed for sale of Fee-farm Rents 9. The Parliament kept a Solemn day of Humiliation 10. Order for the Reception of Meen heer Paw Ambassador Extraordinary from the States-General A Narrative was published of the late Engagement between the English Fleet and Van Trump The former publick Minister of the States presented a Paper to the Council of State Taking God the Searcher of Mans Heart to witness that the most unhappy Fight of the Ships of both Common-wealths did happen against the Knowledge and Will of the Lords States-General of the Vnited Netherlands and that with grief and astonishment they received the fatal News of that unhappy rash Action That they did consult and endeavour to find out what remedy chiefly may be applied to mitigate that raw and bloody Wound to which end they have written to gather a Solemn Meeting or Parliament of all the Provinces whereby they do not doubt but an help will be found out for those troubles and a better hope of our Treaty in hand which thing being now most earnestly agitated by our Lords for the common good of both Nations to shun that detestable shedding of Christian Blood so much desired and would be dearly bought by the Common Enemies of both Nations and of the Reformed Religion We again do crave this most Honourable Council and beseech you by the Pledges both of the Common Religion and Liberty mean while to suffer nothing to be done out of too much heat that afterwards may prove neither revocable nor repairable by too late idle Vows and Wishes but rather that you would let us receive a kind Answer without further delay upon our last request Signed J. Catz G. Schaep Vanderpeere To this the Parliament gave this Answer That calling to mind with what continued Demonstration of Friendship and sincere Affections from the very beginning of their intestine troubles they have proceeded towards their Neighbours of the Vnited Provinces they Do
Parliament and given signal Testimony of their good Affections thereunto shall be disabled and be uncapable to be Elected or to give any Vote in the Election of any Members to serve in the next Parliament or in the three succeeding Triennial Parliaments XV. That all such who have advised assisted or abetted the Rebellion of Ireland shall be disabled and uncapable for ever to be Elected or to give any Vote in the Election of any Member to serve in Parliament as also all such who do or shall profess the Roman Catholick Religion XVI That all Votes and Elections given or made contrary or not according to these Qualifications shall be null and void And if any person who is hereby made uncapable shall give his Vote for Election of Members to serve in Parliament such person shall lose and forfeit one full years value of his real estate and one full third part of his personal estate one moity thereof to the Lord Protector and the other moity to him or them who shall sue for the same XVII That the persons who shall be Elected to serve in Parliament shall be such and no other then such as are persons of known Integrity fearing God and of good conversation and being of the age of One and twenty years XVIII That all and every person and persons seized or possessed to his own use of any Estate real or personal to the value of Two hundred pounds and not within the aforesaid Exceptions shall be capable to Elect Members to serve in Parliament for Counties XIX That the Chancellor Keeper or Commissioners of the Great Seal shall be sworn before they enter into their Offices truly and faithfully to issue forth and send abroad Writs of Summons to Parliaments at the times and in the manner before exprest And in case of neglect or failer to issue and send abroad Writs accordingly he or they shall for every such offence be guilty of High Treason and suffer the pains and penalties thereof XX. That in case Writs be not issued out as is before exprest but that there be a neglect therein fifteen days after the time wherein the same ought to be issued out by the Chancellor Keeper or Commissioners of the Great Seal that then the Parliament shall as often as such failer shall happen assemble and be held at Westminster in the usual place at the times prefixt in manner and by the means hereafter expressed That is to say That the Sheriffs of the several and respective Counties Sherievedoms Cities Boroughs and places aforesaid within England Wales Scotland and Ireland the Chancellor Masters and Scholars of the Vniversity of Oxford and Cambridge and the Mayor and Bayliffs of the Borough of Berwick upon Tweed and other the places aforesaid respectively shall at the several Courts and places to be appointed as aforesaid within Thirty days after the said Fifteen days cause such Members to be chosen for their said several and respective Counties Sherievedoms Vniversities Cities Boroughs and places aforesaid by such persons and in such manner as if several and respective Writs of Summons to Parliament under the Great Seal had issued and been awarded according to the Tenor abovesaid That if the Sheriff or other persons authorized shall neglect his or their duty herein That all and every such Sheriff and person authorized as aforesaid so neglecting his or their duty shall for every such offence be guilty of High Treason and shall suffer the pains and penalties thereof XXI That the Clerk called The Clerk of the Common-wealth in Chancery for the time being and all others who shall afterwards execute that Office to whom the Returns shall be made shall for the next Parliament and the two succeeding Triennial Parliaments the next day after such Return certifie the Names of the several persons so returned and of the places for which he and they were chosen respectively unto the Council who shall peruse the said Returns and examine whether the persons so Elected and Returned be such as is agreeable to the Qualifications and not disabled to be Elected And that every person and persons being so duly Elected and being approved of by the major part of the Council to be persons not disabled but qualified as aforesaid shall be esteemed a Member of Parliament and be admitted to sit in Parliament and not otherwise XXII That the persons chosen and assembled in manner aforesaid or any Sixty of them shall be and be deemed the Parliament of England Scotland and Ireland and the Supream Legislative Power to be and reside in the Lord Protector and such Parliament in manner herein exprest XXIII That the Lord Protector with the advice of the major part of the Council shall at any other time than is before exprest when the necessities of the State shall require it summon Parliaments in manner before exprest which shall not be Adjourned Prorogued or Dissolved without their own consent during the first three Months of their Sitting And in case of future War with any Foreign State a Parliament shall be forthwith Summoned for their Advice concerning the same XXIV That all Bills agreed unto by the Parliament shall be presented to the Lord Protector for his consent and in case he shall not give his consent thereto within twenty days after they shall be presented to him or give satisfaction to the Parliament within the time limited That then upon Declaration of the Parliament That the Lord Protector hath not consented nor given Satisfaction such Bills shall pass into and become Laws although he shall not give his consent thereunto provided such Bills contain nothing in them contrary to the matters contained in these Presents XXV That Philip Lord Viscount Lisle Charles Fleet-wood Esquire John Lambert Esquire Sir Gilbert Pickering Baronet Sir Charles Wolseley Baronet Sir Anthony Ashley-Cooper Bar. Edward Montague Esq John Desborough Esq Walter Strickland Esq Henry Lawrence Esq William Sydenham Esq Philip Jones Esq Richard Major Esq Francis Rous Philip Skipton Esqs or any Seven of them shall be a Council for the purposes exprest in this Writing and upon the Death or other removal of any of them the Parliament shall nominate Six persons of Ability Integrity and fearing God for every one that is dead or removed out of which the major part of the Council shall Elect two and present them to the Lord Protector of which he shall Elect one And in case the Parliament shall not nominate within Twenty days after notice given unto them thereof the major part of the Council shall nominate Three as aforesaid to the Lord Protector who out of them shall supply the vacancy And until this choice be made the remaining part of the Council shall execute as fully in all things as if their number were full and in case of corruption or other miscarriage in any of the Council in their Trust the Parliament shall appoint Seven of their numbers and the Council Six who together with the Lord Chancellor Lord Keeper or
for the several Burgs in Scotland 23 Divers Noblemen and others of Scotland who had Fines imposed on them by an Ordinance of the Protector and his Council came into the English Commissioners to offer what they could for Remission of those Mulcts 25 Debate about the Ordinance for ejecting Scandalous and Ignorant Ministers and ordered that the Members for the several Counties do bring in the names of fit persons to be Commissioners in this Act in the respective Counties 26 An Ordinance of the Protector and his Councel made a little before the Parliament sat was now Published appointing Commissioners to survey Forests Mannors Lands c. of the late King Another for the taking an Act of moneys upon the Act for Propagation of the Gospel in Wales Another for bringing in several branches of the revenue under the management of the Commissioners of the Treasury and Exchequer Three small Prizes brought in 27 The Lord Louden late Chancellor of Scotland was seized upon by some of his own Party intending to make their Peace by him but he got off from them receiving a shot in his Neck Collonel Morgan came out of Scotland for England and Collonel Overton was sent into the north of Scotland to Command in his place Bremen sent Commissioners to the States of Holland to desire their assistance to repel the Swede Count William of Nassau went from one good Town to another in Holland feasting the Magistrates and people to gain their affections tâ— the Prince of Orange M. Howard Son to the Earl of Arundel slew one Mr. Holland in the passage going to the Star-Chamber where a Committee sat 28 The Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common Councel of London Published their Order in pursuance of an Ordinance of the Lord Protector and his Councel for restraint of Hackney Coaches 29 A new Lord Mayor of London chosen Alderman Pack The new Sheriffs of London were Sworn in the Exchequer 30 The Grand Committee of Parliament debated the Articles of Government and came to some further Results and Votes upon several parts of them which they ordered to be Reported to the House forthwith October 1654. Oct. 2 The Marquess of Montross and his party in Scotland came in upon the like Articles as the Earl of Athol had done Those of Bremen were much put to it by the Swede 3 The business betwen England and the States of Holland in relation to their East-India Company was concluded by Commissioners on both parts to their Contentment Commissioners met to reconcile the differences betwixt the Sweeds and Bremen 4 A French Prize was brought in and seven more French Prizes Bankers sent in 5 Much Endeavour in Holland for setting up the Orange Party 6 The Parliament being resolved into a Grand Committee sat every day upon the Articles of Government Three Hundred Members of the House had subscribed the Recognition Letters of the Death of the Old Chancellor of Sweden Oxensterne and that his Son Grave Erit Oxensterne was to succeed him 7 Middleton ranged up and down in Argile Countrey in Scotland with about 40 Horse and some Foot but few came in to him to add to his Numbers 9 Twelve French ships taken by Captain Gethings and four more of the English Fleet. Some more Parliament men were chosen in Scotland 10 Divers Members returned for several places where they were Elected made their Elections in the House for which of those places they would serve and new Writs issued for Electing Members in the Places waved by them Questions about some of the Elections of Parliament men for Scotland were heard at the Committee of Priviledges In regard of the Plenty of Corn butter and Cheese which God gave us this year It was referred to a Committee to consider how some incouragement may be had for the transportation thereof and the Statutes in force against Ingrossers A Committee appointed to consider of the Ordinances made by the Protector and his Councel 11 The Solemn Fast kept 12 The House sat in a Grand Committee about the Government 13 The Highlanders in Scotland having stollen 100 Cattle from the Low-lands a Party of the English Army routed them killed a Lieutenant Collonel and one or two others and routed the rest 14 Lawson defeated the French in Caneda and took their Forts from them 16 Sir Mungo Murray taken Prisoner in the Highlands by Captain Elsemore and his Party routed 17 The Inhabitants of Ireland being very sensible of the mischiefs done to them by the Tories made head against them slew divers and brought their heads into Kilkenny The business of transplanting distasted the Irish more than any other thing At Delfe in Holland a Magazine of 700 barrels of Powder was casually set on Fire burnt about 300 Houses and a great Number of People and in the Hague 3 miles distant their glass windows were beaten down with the blow Four French Vessels sent in Prizes 18 Working in the Netherlands for advancement of the Party of the Prince of Orange 19 The House sat this day and the three former days in a Grand Committee about the Government and had much debate whether it should be Elective or Hereditary as to the single person the Protector of the Common-wealth 20 The Inhabitants of Edenburgh were very cross to the Parliaments Souldiers quartered among them 21 The Parliament continued sitting in a Grand Committee upon the Articles of Government 23 Four more French Prizes brought into Plimouth 24 Hammond one of the Parliaments Commissioners died at Dublin Two English Souldiers brought to the Gallows in Edenburgh for Robery one was hanged and the other saved by Lot and more Souldiers were then Scourged at the Gallows Foot for the same offence The Clergy in Scotland refused to observe the Fast-day ordered by the Protector it being their Principle Not to receive any directions for the keeping Fasts from the Civil Magistrate A Party of the Scots taken and killed in the Highlands by a small party of the English Forces 25 A Committee appointed to bring in a Bill for the relief of Creditors and poor prisoners The Committee for Religion sat and the Committee for regulating of the Chancery The Parliament approved and Confirmed the present Lord Deputy of Ireland the present Lords Commissioners of the great Seal of England the Commissioners of the Treasury and the two Chief Justices 26 The Parliament continued the consideration of the Government 27 Don Antonio Piementelle appointed to go Ambassador extraordinary from the King of Spain to the King of Sweden At Delph in Holland by the late fire 500 persons were Killed 250 wounded and 500 houses burnt to Ashes 28 Brest Pirates took four English Ships and Barques 30 The new Lord Maior of London Alderman Packe took his Oath before then Baronsof the Exchequer In a great Fire in Edenburgh the English Souldiers were so active to stop it that thereby they gained much upon the affections of
of Summons without the Protectors Warrant if he issue not his Warrant for it by a time limited in the Vote and how the Elections shall be made Order for a Bill against drinking of Healths and the same penalties to be imposed on Drunkards as are by the Act upon Swearers and for a Bill to supply the defects in the Acts against Swearing and Gaming The Ordinance for Regulating the Chancery suspended for a time No private business to be taken into Consideration for a Moneth That the publick Accounts be taken A Committee made to inquire of forged Debenters 28 The Lord Ambassador Bourdeaux from the King of France had audience of the Protector A Committee made to confer with His Highness about Retrenching the Forces of the Common-wealth 29 The House sat in a Grand Committee upon the Bill of Assessment Don Antonio Piementelli arrived at Bruxells with some Presents from the King of Spain to the Queen of Sweden 30 Count William of Nassaw carried on his design with all the interrest he could make for setting up the Prince of Orange but it was fruitless The Parliament sat every day Forenoon and Afternoon about the Government Much debate was had and time spent at the Committee for the Lord Cravens business December 1654. Decemb. 1. Seven or Eight English Vessels taken by the Brest Pyrates A Ship came from Guinnee with much Gold in her 2 A Ship laden with rich Goods from Smyrna was the day after her Arrival in the Thames Fired by Accident and the Ship and Goods burned 4 That a Party under Captain Lisle and Lieutenant Heylin routed a greater Party under the Lord Kenoull and the Lord Oudop and took both the Lords Prisoners and 82 Officers and Souldiers and all their Arms. 5 Votes of the Parliament for choosing succeeding Protectors and their Councel and the form of an Oath to be taken by the Councel The Act past for the Assessment That the Assesment for Scotland shall be for 8000 l. per Mensem and the like Sum upon Ireland 6 The Parliament voted that the Protector for the time being should not have power to pardon Murder or Treason Letters from Major Sedgwicks of the taking of divers Forts from the French in the West-Indies 7 Major General Overton was careful in supplying the Garrisons in the Highlands in Scotland 8 The Parliament had a long debate upon a Clause of Liberty of tender Consciences The City of Bremen could not come to an agreement with the King of Sweden by reason of the Divisions of the Citizens the Lutherans against the Calvinists 9 General Blake with his Fleet was come up into the Streights 11 The Parliament Voted That the true Reformed Protestant Christian Religion shall be Publickly Professed and Maintained A Committee named to Consider of a way for a Compleat allowance for Ministers out of Impropriations or otherwise where it was wanting That to Bills touching Liberty of Conscience the Protector shall have a Negative But not to Bills for suppressing Heresies That Damnable Heresies in the Bill shall be enuâ—erated A Petition from Poor Publick Faith lenders At the Marriage of the King of Swedland with the Princess of Holstein by the Arch-Bishop of Vpsale Grave Erit Oxenstierne Chancellor made an Oration in Commendation of the Queen and the Alliance all the great Guns and small shot in Stockholme were discharged and the Ships gave 5000 shot and there were great Triumphs and Solemnities 12 The Parliament Voted two Books Printed under the name of John Biddle to Contain many Impious and Blasphemous Opinions against the Deity of the Holy Ghost and that the Books shall be burnt by the Hand of the Hangman and named a Committee to Examine and find out the Authors Printers and Publishers of these Books General Blake before Cadiz Road received great respect and Civility from the Spaniards and from the English and Dutch Ships in the Road in their Saluting him and a Dutch Admiral there would not wear his Flagg whilst General Blake was in the Harbour In the Streights Mouth one of his Victualling Ships was separated from the Fleet by Storms and taken by the French Admiral with seven men of War who Examined the Captain of the Victualler where General Blake was and drank to him with five Guns and discharged the Captain and his Ship De Wit and other Dutch Ships struck Sayl to him in the Streights The Governour of Gibraltar Feasted some of his Company who went on shore there and shewed great Honour and Civility to them The Argiers men when they meet with any Sally men of War that have any English in them cause them to surrender and brought the Captives to General Blake and were very kind to his Fleet. 13 Mr. Biddle brought to the Bar of the houseâ— owned his books and was Comitted to the Gate-House The Lord Lorn went into a little Island not having above Four or Five men with him 14 The Prince of Conde went to Antwerp to to Visit the Queen of Sweden The Parliament had long debates upon the point of Liberty of tender Consciences But came to no Result Divers Fundamentals in Religion were proposed by Ministers to be established by them 15 Divers Merchants Ships richly laden from several Foreign parts arrived safely in the Port of London 16 The House sat on the Government 18 The Parliament Voted That without the Consent of the Lord Protector and Parliament no Laws shall be made for the Restrayning of such tender Consciences as shall differ in Doctrine worship and Discipline from the Publick Profession and shall not abuse this Liberty to the Civil Injury of others or the Disturbance of the Publick Peace And that the present establishment as to the standing Forces of the Nation shall be 20000 Foot and 10000 Horse and Dragooners and the Assesment of 6000 l. per Mensem for their Maintenance A Committee Named to Consider how a standing Court of Judicature may be setled at York for the five Northern Counties And how the probate of Wills granting Administrations and Recovery of Legacies may be setled throughout England and Wales and Ireland A Petition of the Owners of Fen-Lands referred to a Committee 19 Divers Commanders of the Highlanders came in to Major General Overton and Middleton had left with him but Forty men A Revenue of 200000 l per Annum Voted to be setled upon the Lord Protector and His Successors for defraying Publick Charges and to maintain the Dignity of his place 20 The Parliament agreed that all Sales of the Kings Lands and of Bishops Deans and Chapters Lands should stand good and vallid and that all Securities for Moneys should stand good and Debts upon Publick Faith should be satisfied And that Articles given to the enemy should be Confirmed They passed on Oath to be taken by the Lord Protector and His Successors for the due calling of Parliaments
be equally placed in Him and the Parliament but yeilded up at any time it determines his power either for doing the good he ought or hindering Parliamens from perpetuating themselves or from imposing what Religions they please on the Consciences of men or what Government they please upon the Nation thereby subjecting us to Dissettlement in every Parliament and to the desperate consequences thereof and if the Nation shall happen to fall into a blessed Peace how easily and certainly will their charge be taken off and their Forces be disbanded and then where will the danger be to have the Militia thus stated What if I should say If there should be a disproportion or disequality as to the power it is on the other hand and if this be so wherein have you had cause to quarrel What Demonstrations have you held forth to settle Me to your opinion would you had made me so happy as to let me have known your Grounds I have made a free and ingenuous confession of my Faith to you and I could have wished it had been in your hearts to have agreed that some friendly and cordial debates might have been towards mutual Conviction was there none amongst you to move such a thing no fitness to listen to it no desire of a right understanding if it be not folly in Me to listen to Town-talk such things have been proposed and rejected with stiffness and severity once and again was not likely to have been more advantagious to the good of this Nation I will say this to you for My self and to that I have my Conscience as a thousand Witnesses and I have my comfort and contentment in it and I have the Witness of divers here that I think truely scorn to own Me in a Ly that I would not have been averse to any alteration of the good of which I might have been convinced although I could not have agreed to the taking it off the Foundation on which it stands viz. The acceptation and consent of the People I will not presage what you have been about or doing in all this time or do I love to make Conjectures but I must tell you this That as I undertook this Government in the simplicity of my heart and as before God and to do the part of an honest man and to be true to the Interest which in my Conscience is dear to many of you though it is not always understood what God in his wisdom may hide from Us as to Peace and Settlement So I can say that no particular Interest either of my Self Estate Honour or Family are or have been prevalent with me to this Undertaking For if you had upon the old Government offered to me this one thing I speak as thus advised and before God as having been to this day of this opinion and this hath been my constant Judgment well known to many that hear me speak if this one thing had been inserted that one thing that this Government should have been and placed in my Family Hereditary I would have rejected it and I could have done no other according to my present Conscience and Light I will tell you my reason though I cannot tell what God will do with Me nor you nor the Nation for throwing away precious opportunities committed to US This hath been my Principle and I liked it when this Government came first to be proposed to me That it put Us off that Hereditary way well looking that as God had declared what Government he had delivered to the Jews and placed it upon such persons as had been instrumental for the Conduct and Deliverance of his People And considering that promise in Isaiah That God would give Rulers as at the first and Judges as at the beginning I did not know but that God might begin and though at present with a most unworthy Person yet as to the future it might be after this manner and I thought this might usher it in I am speaking as to my Judgment against making it Hereditary to have men chosen for their Love to God and to Truth and Justice and not to have it Hereditary for as it is in Ecclesiastes Who knoweth whether he may beget a Fool or Wise honest or not what ever they be must come in upon that account because the Government is made a Patrimony And this I do perhaps declare with too much Earnestness as being my own Conternment and know not what Place it may have in your Hearts and of the good people in the Nation but however it be I have comfort in this my truth and plainness I have thus told you my thoughts which truly I have declared to you in the fear of God as knowing he will not be mocked and in the strength of God as knowing and rejoycing that I am kept in my speaking especially when I do not form or frame things without the compass of Integrity and Honesty that my own Conscience gives me not the Lye to what I say and then in what I say I can rejoyce Now to speak a word or two to you Of that I must profess in the name of the same Lord and wish that there had been no cause that I should have thus spoken to you and though I have told you that I came with Joy the first time with some regret the second that now I speak with most regret of all I look upon you as having among you many persons that I could lay down my life individually for I could through the Grace of God desire to lay down my life for you So far am I from having an unkind or un-Christian heart towards you in your particular capacites I have that indeed as a work most incumbent upon Me I consulted what might be My Duty in such a Day as this casting up all Considerations I must confess as I told you that I did think occasionally this Nation hath suffered extremely in the respects mentioned as also in the Disappointments of their Expectations of that Justice that was due to them by your siâ—ting thus long and what have you brought forth I did not nor cannot apprehend what it is I would be loath to call it a Fate that were too Paganish a Word but there is somthing in it that we have not our Expectations I did think also for my self that I am like to meet with Difficulties and that this Nation will not as it is fit it should not be deluded with pretexts of Necessity in that great business of raising of money and were it not that I can make some Dilemma's upon which to resolve some things of my Conscience Judgment and Actions I should sinck at the very prospect of my Encounters some of them are general some are more special supposing this Cause or this Business must be caried on either it is of God or of Man if it be of Man I would I had never touched it with a finger if I had not had a hope fixed
and his Countenancing Orthodox Ministers and frequenting the publick Ordinances The Sweeds had good Success in Poland and in Muscovia Collonel Harvey committed to the Tower The Swedish Ambassador had Audience and related to the Protector his Masters successes A Paper of the Special Commissioners for Charitable uses read in the Churches in London inviting discoveries Cracovia was Surrendred upon Articles to the King of Sweden The Major-Generals and their several Commissioners met in several Counties to execute their Commissions The Protector and his Councel referred to Sir William Roberts and others the Examination of the Accounts of Collonel Harvey and Collonel Langham upon which they stand Committed The Ratification of the Treaty with the King of France returned by Monsieur de la Bastile the Kings Ambassador under the Kings hand and then the Protector ratified it and it was Sealed with the Great Seal of both Parties A Declaration for a publick Fast A Commission for appointing Justices of the Peace in Scotland Major Rolt arrived in Poland Envoy from the Protector to the King of Sweden A Declaration for a New Assessment The Peace between England and France proclaimed in London The French Ambassador by Invitation dined with the Protector The Swedish Ambassador having often solicited the Protector that Commissioners might be appointed to Treat with him and none being yet appointed he grew somewhat impatient and the more because none of the Grandees would vouchsafe to visit him by reason of a former Order of the long Parliament prohibiting the Conversing with Forreign Ministers neither were they willing that the Ambassador should come to them at which he wondred being so contrary to the Practice in his Countrey December 1655. Instructions published by the Protectors Councel in Scotland for the Justices of Peace in that Kingdom and for Constables and they Order the former Great Seal and Privy Seal there to be brought in The Tories in Ireland brought in the Copy of a Letter from Queen Christiana to the King of Sweden of her declaring her self to be of the Roman Catholick Religion and some Complements to the King Divers Ministers sent for by the Protector whom he acquainted with the Proposals made by Manasseth Ben Israel the Jew and referred them to the Consideration of the Ministers and others A Day of Fast publickly kept The French Ambassador went away A Brest Man of War with Commission from the Duke of York brought in the Queen Christianaes Absolution from the Church of Rome A French Man of War sunk by one of the English Fleet the Peace not being yet known Instructions to the Majors-General to take Security of all who had been in Armes for the King for their Peaceable demeanour and obedience to the Protector Audience to the Envoy of the Duke of Brandenburgh A Conference with Manasseth Ben Israel about admitting the Jewish Nation to Trade in England The Swedish Ambassador had audience The Protestors in Scotland Petitioned with Reasons against the Power of the Civil Magistrate in Church matters as contrary to Law and Scripture The Queen Christiana of Sweden Honourably received at Ferrara Additional Instructions to the Major-Generals Letters of Mr. Mannings being put to death by King Charles at Duynwald for holding Correspondence with those in England He was a Servant to Sir Edward Hyde and shot to death Audience to the Venetian Ambassador No Commissioners being yet come to the Swedish Ambassador he grew into some high expressions of his Sense of the neglect to his Master by this delay which was excused and the Protector made acquainted with it who thereupon promised to have it mended and to send suddenly to the Ambassador Mr. Meadow by Command of the Secretary of State Translated the Sweedish Treaty made by Whitelock January 1655. An Arch-Rebel in Ireland taken A Committee appointed for the business of Piedmont most of the Protectors Councel were of it Orders by the Protectors Councel in Scotland touching Delinquents payment of their Fines The Committee for Piedmont were very careful of the poor Protestants there to send relief to them The Envoy of the Elector of Brandenburgh had private Audience with the Protector Letters of the King of Sweden's prosperous Successes The Major-General and Justices of the Peace in Shropshire made strict orders for the suppressing of Drunkenness and Disorders and of Ale-Houses Players taken in New-Castle and whipt for Rogues The Sheriffs of the Several Counties declared Popish Books burnt in London The King of Sweden had a Son born at Stock-holm he was Baptized Charles Donnah o Derry the Arch Irish Traytor who had Murthered many English was Hanged at Dublin Letters of a Gallant action performed by the English in Jamaica against the Spaniards in the Indies An agreement made between the King of Sweden and the Elector of Brandenburgh The Lord Deputy Fleetwood and Collonel Sydenham told Whitelock that his Highness and the Council had appointed them to acquaint him with a Business of very great importance which is that they considering the present Condition of Affairs did hold it necessary forthwith to send an extraordinary Ambassy to the King of Swedeland about a business of the greatest Consequence and Honour that could be and most conducing to the good of the Protestant cause which was the uniting of that Interest preventing the differences that were likely to fall between that King and the Vnited Provinces and the Elector of Brandenburgh for which ends they had thoughts of Whitelock and Sir Christopher Pack to go to the King as Ambassadors from his Higness Whitelock thought he had enough of Danger and Trouble in his former Ambassy without the least reward or acknowledgment of his Service therein but instead thereof and notwithstanding the Success which God gave him yet at his return home he found Neglects and Slightings and was removed from his place of Commissioner of the Seal and was 500 l. out of Purse upon his Accounts These Considerations stuck with him and made him endeavour by all handsome pretences to be excused that Service And when Collonel Sydenham spake in commendation of Sir Christopher Pack Whitelock replyed that they might send Sir Christopher alone for he did not apprehend a necessity of sending two Ambassadors together They both to that said that the intention of sending Sir Christopher Pack was to manifest the Engagement of the City in this business and in it to put an honour upon them Whitelock alledged also that the King of Sweden's Ambassador here might probably conclude upon the Business intended without sending one from hence to him The Lord Deputy said that the Ambassador here had no Instructions for it Whitelock told him the Ambassador here he believed had instructions sufficient or might have them before Ambassadors could go from hence to Sweden And that to send him now who had been so lately with the same King would give an alarm to all the Popish Princes and
place of Parliaments sitting yet having Hearts sensible of that highest Trust reposed in us and being filled with cares for the Church and Common-wealth which with grief of Heart we behold bleeding We do hold our Selves bound in duty to God and our Countrey to declare unto the People of England their and our woful Condition and the most evident Danger of the utter Subversion of Religion Liberty Right and Property We believe the Rumour is now gone through the Nation that armed Men imployed by the Lord Protector have prevented the free Meeting and Sitting of the intended Parliament and have forcibly shut out of Doors such Members as he and his Councel supposed would not be frighted or flattered to betray their Countrey and give up their Religion Lives and Estates to be at his will to serve his lawless Ambition But we fear that the Slavery Rapines Oppressions Cruelties Murders and Confusions that are Comprehended in this one Horrid Fact are not so sensibly discerned or so much layed to Heart as the Case requires And we doubt not but as the Common practice of the Man hath been the name of God and Religion and formal Fasts and Prayers will be made use of to Colour over the blackness of the Fact We do therefore in faithfulness unto God and our Countrey hereby Remonstrate First That whereas by the Fundamental Laws of this Nation the people ought not to be bound by any Laws but such as are freely Consented unto by their Chosen Deputies in Parliament and it is a most wicked Vsurpation even against the very Laws of Nature for any Man to impose his will or Discretion upon another as a Rule unless there be some Pact or Agreement between the Parties for that Intent And whereas by the Mercy of God only in preserving this Fundamental Law and Liberty the good People of England have beyond Memory of any Record preserved their Estates Families and Lives which had otherwise been destroyed at the will of every wicked Tyrant and by keeping this only as their undoubted Right they have been kept from being bruitish Slaves to the Lusts of their Kings who would otherwise have despoiled them of their Persons Lives and Estates by their Proclamations and the Orders of themselves and their Courtiers as they pleased and by Virtue of this their undoubted Right the People have commonly disputed resisted and made void the Proclamations of their Kings and the Orders of their Councel Table where they have crossed the Laws unto which they have consented in their Parliaments Now the Lord Protector hath by force of Arms invaded this Fundamental Right and Liberty and violently prevented the meeting of the People chosen Deputies in Parliament And he and his Councel boldly declare That none of the Peoples Deputies shall meet in Parliament unless they agree to the measure of their Fantasies Humors or Lusts They now render the People such Fools or Beasts as know not who are fit to be trusted by them with their Lives Estates and Families But he and his Councel that daily devour their Estates and Liberties will judge who are fit to Counsel and Advise about Laws to preserve their Estates and Liberties Thus doth he now openly assume a power to pack an Assembly of his Confidents Parasites and Confederates and to call them a Parliament that he may thence pretend that the People have consented to become his Slaves and to have their Persons and Estates at his discretion And if the People shall tamely submit to such a Power who can doubt but he may pack such a number as will obey all his commands and consent to his taking of what part of our Estates he pleaseth and to impose what Yoaks he thinks fit to make us draw in Secondly And whereas the Parliament of England consisting of the Peoples chosen deputies always have been and ought to be the Ordainers and creators of Dignities Offices and Authoritys in this Nation And have always of right exercised the power of disposing even the Kingly Office and authority of Inlarging and Restraining the Kingly power and of Questioning Making void or Confirming all Commmissions Proclamations Charters and Patents of any of our former Kings And have Questioned Censured and Judged even the Persons of our Kings for abusing their Trusts and invading the Peoples Laws Rights and Libertys And by this means the highest Officers and the Kings themselves have acknowledged their power to be only trusted to them for the Peoples welfare And they have always dreaded the Peoples Parliaments who could call them to an Account for any Injustice or Violence done upon the Person or Estate of any Man And hereby the People were secured under the Laws from the Rapine and Oppression of the highest Grandees and Courtiers Even the Kings themselves fearing the Peoples Complaints in their Parliaments and well knowing the Peoples custom to choose for their Deputies the most known Champions for their Liberties against the Arbitrary powers and Injustice of the Kings and their Courtiers And none of the most wicked Kings in their highest hope to Erect a Tyranny ever daring since Members were sent to Parliaments by Elections to throw aside by force as many of the chosen Members as they thought would not serve their Ends They knowing it to be the undoubted Right of the people to trust whom they think fit and as much the Right of every man duely chosen and trusted to meet and vote in Parliament without asking their leave or begging their Tickets And although here hath been frequently secret designs for many years to subvert Religion Liberty and Property in this Nation and to that end the designs of Tyranny have attempted to destroy sometimes the being and sometimes the Power Priviledges and Freedom of Parliaments yet the mercy of God hath almost Miraculously preserved the being Priviledges and Authority of Parliaments and therein Religion Liberty and Property untill the time of the Lord Protector But now he hath assumed an absolute Arbitrary Soveraignty as if he came down from the Throne of God to create in himself and his Confederates such Powers and Authorities as must not be under the Cognizance of the Peoples Parliaments His Proclamations he declares shall be binding Laws to Parliaments themselves he takes upon him to be above the whole body of the People of England and to Judge and Censure the whole Body and every Member of it by no other Rule or Law than his pleasure as if he were their absolute Lord and had bought all the People of England for his Slaves Doubtless if he would pretend only to have Conquered England at his own expence and were there as much truth as there is falsehood in that pretence yet he could not but know that the Right of the Peoples Deputies in Parliament to their antient Powers and Priviledges would remain good against him as against their publick Capital Enemy whom every Man ought to destroy untill by some Agreement with the Body of the People in Parliament
some sort of Governing power in him were submitted unto that hereby he might cease to be a publick Enemy and Destroyer and become a King or Governour according to the Conditions accepted by the People and if he would so pretend he could not be so discharged from his publick Enmity by any Conditions or Agreement made with a part of the Peoples chosen Deputies whilest he shut out the other part for no part of the Representative body are trusted to Consent to any thing in the Nations behalf if the whole have not their free Liberty of Debating and Voting in the Matters propounded If he would pretend no higher than to be our Conqueror who for Peace and his own safety sake was content to cease from being a publick Enemy and to be admitted a Governour he could not compass those ends by forcibly exluding as now he hath done whom he pleased of the Representative body of the People who were to submit to him in the Peoples behalf therefore either takes upon him to be such a Conquerour as scorns the Peoples acceptance of him by their Representative as their Governonr and fears not to remain a publick Enemy or else he takes himself to be such an unheard of Soveraign that against him the People have no Claim of Right or Property in themselves or any thing else for he hath now declared that the Peoples choice cannot give any man a Right to Sit in Parliament but the Right must be derived from his gracious will and pleasure with that of his Councellors And his Clerks Ticket only must be their Evidence for it Thus hath he exalted himself to a Throne like unto Gods as if he were of himself and his power from himself and we were all made for him to be commanded and disposed of by him to work for him and serve his pleasure and ambition Seeing therefore this total Subversion of all Law and Right and the Distractions Miseries Blood and Confusions that will be the most certain Consequences of it And withal remembring the late Effusion of Blood upon no other Account than to secure Religion Liberty and Property and the freedom Power and Priviledges of Parliaments as the Bulwarks thereof and that by those very hands who now overturn the very Foundations of all Liberty Right and Property and of the beings of Parliaments and our very Souls trembling at the loud Cries of that Sea of Blood and at the horrid Clamours of the many falsified Oaths and Promises made upon the same Account For the acquitting of our own Souls in the Faithful discharge of our Duties to our Countrey in such manner as we are capable under the High oppression We do hereby most Solemnly Remonstate and Protest unto all the good People of England First That the violent exclusion by any Governour or pretended Governour of any of the Peoples chosen Deputies from doing their Duties and executing their Trust freely in Parliaments doth change the State of the People from freedom unto a meer Slavery And that whosoever hath advised assisted or adhered unto the Lord Protector in so doing is a Capital Enemy to the Common-wealth And our Ancestors have so declared and adjudged the Advisers of some of our Kings to attempts not so destructive or dangerous as this of his In the 11th year of Richard the Second Chief Justice Tresilian and Justice Blake were Condemned of High Treason by the Parliament and executed at Tyburn chiefly for advising the King that he might when he pleased dissolve the Parliament and command the Members to depart under the penalty of Treason And we believe every Man can discern how much it is more mischievous for a King or any other to command 100 200 or 300 of the Members to depart and to call the rest a Parliament to give Countenance to his Oppression If our Kings might have Commanded away from the Parliaments all such Persons of Conscience Wisdom and Honour as could not be corrupted frighted nor couzened by them to betray their Countrey our Ancestors could not have left us either Liberties or Estates to defend Secondly We do further likewise protest That all such chosen Members for a Parliament as shall take upon them to approve of the forcible exclusion of other chosen Members or shall Sit Vote and Act by the name of the Parliament of England while to their knowledge many of the chosen Members are so by Force shut out We say such ought to be reputed Betrayers of the Liberties of England and Adherents to the Capital Enemies of the Common-wealth Thirdly We do hereby further protest That the present Assembly at Westminister is not the Representative Body of England and also that they sit under the daily awe and terror of the Lord Protectors armed Men not daring to Consult or debate freely the great Concernments of their Countrey nor daring to oppose his Vsurpation and Oppression And that therefore until there can be a free Parliament we do protest against all such Votes Orders Ordinances or Laws as shall be pretended to be made or Enacted by the present Assembly at Westminster as being Null and Void in themselves and of no legal Effect or power Neither can any of them according to the Laws of God or the Fundamental Constitutions of our Countrey be imposed upon any Man neither can Tax or Tallage be justly or lawfully raised by them And to avoid all further vain pretences of a necessity at present to act in extraordinary ways for present Safety we do further declare That a free Parliament is the only Judge of such dangers and necessities of this Common-wealth as may warrant any extraordinary acting besides or against the Laws and if the Kingly power that was in England were lawfully settled in the Lord Protector yet he had no colour of Right to Judge of the Cases of necessity that should make it lawful for him to transgress the known Laws But by the known Judgment of Parliaments those that should so advise him were guilty of High-Treason We do therfore Appeal unto God and all the good People of England for Assistance and Protection in their service hereby declaring our readiness and earnest desires to attend upon our Countreys service Expose our Lives and Estates to the uttermost hazards therein to prevent the ruin and Confusion that now threatens it if it shall please God to Enable them to redeem themselves from the present oppession That their chosen Deputies may meet and Consult how to advance the Glory of God promote the true Religion and provide for the Safety Liberty Peace and Happiness of the Common-wealth And in the Interim we shall endeavour to pour out oursad Complaints before the Lord against our powerfull Oppressors humbly hoping that he will come forth speedily to redeem his people out of the hands of wicked and deceitful men Arthur Haslerig Thomas Scot Herbert Morley John Bulkley John Birch George Fenwick Anthony Earby Thomas Lyster Thomas Birch Thomas Saunders Henry Darly John Weaver
time to Appoint and Declare the Person who shall immediately after Your Deâ—th Succeed You in the Government of these Nations II. That Your Highness will for the future be pleased to Call Parliaments consisting of Two Houses in such manner and way as shall be more particularly afterwards agreed and Declared in this Petition and Advice Once in Three Years at furthest or oftner as the Affairs of the Nation shall require That being your great Council and in whose Affection and Advice Your Self and this People will be most safe and happy III. That the ancient and undoubted Liberties and Priviledges of Parliament which are the Birth-right and Inheritance of the People and wherein every man is interessed be preserved and maintained And that You will not break or interrupt the same nor suffer them to be broken or interrupted And particularly That those persons who are legally chosen by a Free Election of the People to serve in Parliament may not be excluded from sitting in Parliament to do their Duties but by Judgment and consent of that House whereof they are Members IV. That those who have Advised Assisted or Abetted the Rebellion of Ireland and those who do or shall profess the Popish Religion be disabled and made uncapable for ever to be elected or to give any Vote in the Elestion of any Member to sit or serve in Parliament And that all and every person and persons who have Aided Abetted Advised or Assisted in any War against the Parliament since the First day of January One Thousand six hundred forty one unless he or they have since born Arms for the Parliament or Your Highness or otherwise given signal Testimony of his or their good Affection to the Commonwealth and continued faithful to the same And all such as have been actually Engaged in any Plot Conspiracy or design against the person of Your Highness or in any Insurrection or Rebellion in England or Wales since the Sixteenth day of December One thousand six hundred fifty three shall be for ever disabled and made uncapable to be elected or give any vote in the Election of any Member to sit or serve in Parliament That for Scotland none be capable to elect or be elected to sit or serve in Parliament who have been in Arms against the Parliament of England or against the Parliament in Scotland before the first day of April One thousand six hundred forty eight except such as have since born Arms in the Service of the Parliament of England or Your Highness or given other signal Testimony of their good Affection Nor any that since the said First day of April One thousand six hundred forty eight have been in Arms or otherwise Aided Abetted Advised or Assisted in any War against the Parliament of England or Your Highness except such as since the First day of March One thousand six hundred fifty one old style have lived peaceably and thereby given Testimony of their good Affection to the Parliament and Your Highness Provided That nothing in this Article contained shall extend to put any Incapacity upon any English or Scotch Protestants in Ireland either to elect or be elected to serve in Parliament who before the First day of March One thousand six hundred forty nine have born arms for the Parliament or Your Highness or otherwise given signal Testimony of their good Affection to this Commonwealth and continued faithful to the same That all Votes and Elections given or made contrary or not according to the Qualifications aforesaid shall be void and of none effect and that if any person or persons so uncapable as aforesaid shall give his or their Vote for Election of Members to serve in Parliament All and every such person and persons so Electing shalllose and forfeit oneYears value of his and their respective real Estates one full third part of his and their respective personal Estates The one Moyety thereof to Your Highness and the other Moyety to him or them who shall sue for the same in any Court of Record by Action of Debt Bill Plaint or Information wherein no Essoign Wager of Law or Protection shall be allowed And that the Persons who shall be Elected to serve in Parliament be such no other than such as are persons of known Integrity fearing God and of good Conversation and being of the Age of Twenty one Years and not such as are disabled by the Act of the Seventeenth Year of the late King Entituled An Act for disenabling all persons in Holy Orders to Exercise any Temporal Jurisdiction or Authority nor such as are Publick Ministers or publick Preachers of the Gospel Nor such as are guilty of any of the Offences mentioned in an Act of Parliament bearing Date the Ninth of August One thousand six hundred and fifty Entituled An Act against several Atheistical Blasphemous Execrable Opinions derogatory to the honour of God and destructive to humane society No common scoffernor reviler of Religion or of any person or persons for professing thereof No person that hath married or shall marry a Wife of the Popish Religion or hath trained or shall train up his child or children or any other child or children under his tuition or government in the Popish Religion or that shall permit or suffer such child or children to be trained up in the said Religion or that hath given or shall give his consent that his son or daughter shall marry any of that Religion No person that shall deny the Scriptures to be the Word of God or the Saecraments Prayer Magistracy and Ministery to be the Ordinances of God No common prophaner of the Lords Day nor prophane Swearer or Curser no Drunkard or common haunter of Taverns or Alehouses And that these Qualifications may be observed and yet the Priviledge of Parliament maintained We desire that it may be by Your Highness consent Ordâ—ined That Forty one Commissioners be appointed by Act of Parliament who or any fifteen or more of them shall be Authorized to Examine and try whether the Members to be Elected for the House of Commons in future Parliaments be capable to sit according to the Qualifications mentioned in this Petition and Advice And in case they find them not qualified accordingly then to suspend them from sitting until the House of Commons shall upon hearing of their particular Cases admit them to sit which Commissioners are to stand so Authorized for that end until the House of Commons in any future Parliament shall nominate the like number of other Commissioners in their places and those other Commissioners so to be nominated in any future Parliament to have the same Powers and Authorities That the said Commissioners shall certifie in writing to the House of Commons on the first day of their meeting the Causes and Grounds of their Suspensions of any persons so to be elected as aforesaid That the Accusation shall be upon the Oath of the Informer or of some other person That a Copy of the Accusation
shall be left by the party acusing in writing under his hand with the party accused or in his absence at his house in the County City or Town for which he shall be chosen if he have any such house or if not with the Sheriff of the County if he be chosen for a County or with the Chief Magistrate of the City or Borough of which he is chosen And that the number of persons to be Elected and chosen to Sit and serve in Parliament for ENGLAND SCOTLAND and IRELAND and the distribution of the persons so chosen within the Counties Cities and Boroughs of them respectively may be according to such proportions as sholl be agreed upon and Declared in this present Parliament V That your Highness will consent That none be called to Sit and Vote in the other House but such as are not disabled but qualified according to the Qualifications mentioned in the former Article being such as shall be nominated by your Highness and approved by this House and that they exceed not Seventy in number nor be under the number of Forty whereof the Quorum to be One and twenty who shall not give any Vote by Proxies and that as any of them do dye or be Legally removed no new ones be admitted to Sit and Vote in their rooms but by consent of the House it self That the other House do not proceed in any Civil Causes except in Writs of Error in Cases adjourned from Inferior Courts into the Parliament for difficulty in Cases of Petitions against Proceedings in Courts ef Equity and in Cases of the Priviledges of their own House That they do not proceed in any Criminal Causes whatsoever against any person criminally but upon an Impeachment ef the Commons assembled in Parliament and by their consent That they do not proceed in any Cause either Civil or Criminal but according to the known Laws of the Land and the due course and Custom of Parliament That no final Determinations or Judgments be by any Members of that House in any Cause there depending either Civil Criminal or Mixt as Commissioners or Delegates to be nominated by that House But all such final Determinations and Judgments to be by the House it self Any Law or Vsage to the contrary notwithstanding VI. That in all other particulars which concern the calling and holding of Parliaments your Highness will be pleased That the Laws and Statutes of the Land be observed and kept and that no Laws be Altered and Suspended Abrogated or Repealed or new Law made but by Act of Parliament VII And to the end there may be a constant Revenue for Support of the Government and for the Safety and Defence of these Nations by Sea and Land We declare our willingness to Settle forthwith a Yearly Revenue of Thirteen hundred thousand Pounds whereof Ten hundred thousand Pounds for the Navy and Army and Three hundred thousand pounds for the Support of the Government and no part thereof to be raised by a Land Tax And this not to be altered without the consent of the Three Estates in Parliament And to grant such other Temporary Supplies according as the Commons Assembled in Parliament shall from time to time adjudge the necessities of these Nations to require And do pray Your Highness That it be Declared and Enacted That no Charge be laid nor no person be compelled to contribute to any Gift Loan Benevolence Tax Tallage Aid or other like Charge without common consent by Act of Parliament which is a Freedom the People of these Nations ought by the Laws to Inherit VIII That none may be added or admitted to the Privy Council of your Highness or Successors but such as are of known Piety and undoubted affection to the Rights of these Nations and a just Christian Liberty in matters of Religion nor without consent of the Council to be afterwards approved by both Houses of Parliament and shall not afterwards be removed but by consent of Parliament but may in the Intervals of Parliament be suspended from the Exercise of his Place by your Highness or your Successors and the Council for just cause and that the number of the Council shall not be above One and twenty whereof the Quorum to be Seven and not under As also that after Your Highness death the Commander in Chief under Your Successors of such Army or Armies as shall be necessary to be kept in England Scotland or Ireland as also all such Field-Officers at Land or Generals at Sea which after that time shall be newly made and Constituted by Your Successors be by consent of the Council and not otherwise And that the standing Forces of this Commonwealth shall be disposed of by the Chief Magistrate by consent of both Houses of Parliament sitting the Parliament and in the Intervals of Parliament by the Chief Magistrate by the Advice of the Council And also that your Highness and Successors will be pleased to Exercise your Government over these Nations by the Advice of your Council IX And that the Chancellor Keeper or Commissioners of the Great Seal of England the Treasurer or Commissioners of the Treasury there the Admiral the Chief Governour of Ireland the Chancellor Keeper or Commissioners of the Great Seal of Ireland the Chief Justices of both the Benches and the Chief Baron in England and Ireland the Commander in Chief of the Forces in Scotland and such Officers of State there as by Act of Parliament in Scotland are to be approved by Parliament and the Judges in Scotland hereafter to be made shall be approved of by both Houses of Parliament X And whereas your Highness out of your zeal to the glory of God and the propagation of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ hath been pleased to encourage a Godly Ministry in these Nations We earnestly desire that such as do openly revile them or their Assemblies or disturb them in the Worship or Service of God to the dishonour of God scandal of good men or breach of the peace may be punished according to Law And where the Laws are defective that your Highness will give consent to such Laws as shall be made in that behalf XI That the true Protestant Christian Religion as it is contained in the holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament and no other be held forth and asserted for the publique profession of these Nations And that a Confession of Faith to be agreed by your Highness and the Parliament according to the Rule and Warrant of the Sciptures be asserted held forth and recommended to the people of these Nations That none may be suffered or permitted by opprobrious Words or Writing maliciously or contemptuously to Revile or Reproach the Confession of Faith to be agreed upon as aforesaid And such who profess Faith in God the Father and in Jesus Christ his Eternal Son the true God and in the Holy Spirit God coequal with the Father and the Son one God blessed for ever and do acknowlege the
but surpassing in Obstinacy the very Jews themselves they will not leave off their work but are as hard at it even at this Day as ever What shall we do with these men that will never be quiet Aeger intemperans crudelem facit medicum immedicabile vulnus ense recidendum There is another Rock and it is also a dangerous one it is a Rock upon which many have split themselves in our view and it hath lying right over against it a Quick-sand no less dangerous w ch hath swallowed up many in our sight The Rock is a Spirit of imposing upon mens consciences where God leaves them a Latitude and would have them free The Quick-sand is an abominable licentiousness to profess and practise any sort of detestable Opinions and Principles For the former the Prelates and all their Adherents Nay and their Master and Supporter too with all his posterity have split themselves upon it The bloudy Rebels in Ireland that would endure no Religion but their own amongst them have split themselves upon it and we doubt not but that the Prince of those Satanical Spirits under whose banner being cast out from hence they are now retired as unto their Belzebub will in God's good time split himself also upon this Rock and be brought down to the ground together with his bloudy Inquisition which therefore hath acquired the Sirname of the Spanish Inquisition But as God is no Respecter of Persons so neither is he any Respecter of Forms but in what Form soever this Spirit appeareth he hath he will testifie his displeasure against it though it be not of so deep a Dye as that I have spoken of before If men though otherwise good men will turn Ceremony into Substance and make the Kingdom of Christ to consist in Circumstances in Disciplines in Formes though these things also may have their use as to Order and Decency so they be strained no further and not carried beyond their line and measure But I say if Vniformity in these things shall dissolve Vnity among Brethren and especially if it grow to such a height of Animosity and so high a degree of Asperity that if one say but Siboleth instead of Shiboleth it shall be accounted Ground enough to cut his Throat though one of his Brethren If any men shall account all as Heathens and no Christians that are not under such or such an Ordinance all men Devils that are out of such a Circle such a Form and all men the Seed of the Serpent that will not Father such or such an Opinion it may be but fancies too when all his done such Principles such Practices men cannot bear God will not endure and in vain do they protest against the Persecution of God's People when as eagerly persecuting all others they make the Definition of God's People so narrow that their persecution becometh as broad as any others and usually more fierce because ordinarily edged with a sharper temper of Spirit It may be that many amongst these shall by God's mercy meet together in Heaven but certainly had they power at Will they would not suffer one another to live upon the Earth Therefore blessed be God who in mercy to us and them hath placed the power in such hands as make it their business to keep peace amongst them and to hinder them from biting and devouring one another Nay he is pleased sweetly to influence some amongst themselves of more moderate Spirits to ballance the rest and to keep them in Peace at present and not without hopes by God's blessing upon their Perswasions and Examples to bring them at length to a nearer Conjunction of Hearts and of Minds And if those that are more earnest amongst them would be but a little jealous over their own Spirits would but observe the Rebukes of God upon all that have been transported unto those extreams and trace the footsteps of his Indignation against them whereof he hath left several Prints in all the three Nations it might be a good help to reduce them to that Golden-mean which certainly is the right way which undoubtedly is God's way God was not in the Whirle-wind nor in the Earthquake nor in the Fire when he came to Eliah on the Mount of God but he was in the still and small voice There must be a voice but it must be a small and still voice enough to hold forth a certain and distinct sound but not to make so great a noise as to drown all other voices besides It is good it is usefull to hold forth a certain Confession of the Truth but not so as thereby to exclude all those that cannot come up to it in all points from the Privileges which belong to them as Christians much less which belong to them as men For that other extream that Gulf and Quick-sand whereupon so many wretched Souls have made Shipwrack of Faith and a good Conscience abandoning themselves to all looseness of Opinions Principles and Practices denying and Blaspheming the Lord that bought us and the Holy Spirit that sanctified us making a mock of Scriptures of Heaven and Hell and of all the Fundamentals of our most Holy Faith I need not speak more to it there is Testimonium rei in the Case the things themselves speak loud enough to all sober Consciences that they are intolerable Between these two that Rock and this Quick-sand the Parliament in their humble Petition and Advice have most wisely and most Christianly steared their course wherein if they shall constantly persevere all good men in City in Country in Army and every where nay God himself will stand by them and own them in it And not only in matters of Religion but also in our civil concerns and liberties we have a very fair way traced out unto us by the Parliament to settle and secure them both and make the three Nations happy thereby if some therein would but rectifie their Opinions and bring them to things as God would have them and not strive to bring things with so much hazard and difficulty to their Opinions like one that being scorched with standing too near the fire rather than stir an Inch from the place where he hath set down his foot casts about for Masons and Work-men to pull the House down that so he may set the Chimney further off from him Give me leave to speak one word more in this familiar way of expression in the dialect and to the sense and experience of every plain Countrey-man The late Wars and Confusions had so trod and trampled down the Quick-wood whereby the Hedge was made to fence in our Laws and Liberties that there is a necessity of setting it over again Now some will admit of no other way but to set the very same Old Plants in the very self same Old Bank others run so far to the extream on the other side that they will have none of the Old Sets none of the Old Bank no Bank at all but will have
it is rather little less than a Miracle that after so great shakings and confusions it should so soon come to that state that it is already in And if we well and wisely consider how great variety of humours and judgments and what different Interests and Powers these Wars have raised amongst us and how differently placed and lodged from that which was before it is no wonder if every one cannot have what he thinks best in his judgment to be done but ought rather to content himself with what he may think next best to that which is first in his judgment which probably may be best of all in its self for that every one is a partial Judge as to that thing which hath taken the first impression in his mind and so passed into a prejudicate opinion But above all we must have the peace and settlement of the Nations Quacunque datâ viâ as a Pole-Star before our Eyes steering our course thereby without giving Ear to the inchanting Songs of any Syrens and without giving way to any suggestions of indignation which proud flesh may assault our minds withall But with generous resolutions press on to settlement conquering our Temptations and subduing our own Spirits if in any thing at any time they shall rise against this work whereby we shall gain more true honour before men and before God than if we had subdued a City than if we had conquered a Nation and indeed we shall doe no less thereby than preserve three Nations Another Difficulty ariseth unto us from the dissatisfaction of some of our ancient Friends who have been and might still be usefull to us in the Work which we have now in hand which if it be not a greater difficulty unto us than that of our secret and open Enemies of whom I shall speak anon it is a greater trouble and grief to us because that we love them so much and fear the other so little not that they are not a formidable Enemy but now by the conjunction of our late inbred Enemy with that old Enemy of our Nation and Religion and of God himself who is our hope and chiefest help We shall have God a greater and a closer Friend unto us because we have to doe with his greatest Enemies But for those of our Friends who content themselves with their Privacy and Country Retirement in these great Difficulties of the Commonwealth For the divisions of Reuben there are great thoughts of heart Why abidest thou among the Sheepfolds to hear the bleating of the flocks Surely for the divisions of Reuben there are great searchings of heart How shall we bind up the wounds we receive in the house of our friend What shall we doe for our sister that hath no breasts That will afford no milk If she be a Wall we will build a palace of silver upon her and if she be a door we will inclose her with boards of Cedar If they will give to us any Foundation to work upon we will build upon it we will improve it we will multiply Obligations upon them we will heap Coals of Fire upon their heads If they will not let us follow them let them follow us we will either lead or follow in the work of God And if our Words cannot convince them we will endeavour that our Works may doe it and what we cannot doe our selves we will pray to God to doe for us and to find out ways which we cannot to reunite our hearts and hands who have been engaged together in the same Cause and are still imbarqued in the same Bottom and must sink and swim must run the same hazard and fortune together I mean the same issue and event of God's Providence towards us whether it be for good or whether it be for evil As to our Enemies both secret and open they are continually plotting and contriving to create us all the trouble that they can and want not means for to effect it our home-bred Enemies being now in conjunction with that our great foreign Enemy who vaunt themselves of their King that he possesseth more Riches more Crowns and more Dominions than ever any Christian Prince did and that his Empire is ten times greater than that of the Great Turk and larger than ever was that of the Romans and that he might more justly than the Persian King style himself King of Kings Brother of the Sun and Moon and that the Sun never sets upon his Dominions and the like And yet to all these Riches to all this Power to all these Titles we are not afraid to oppose the One single Name of The Lord Our God and if it do not diminish our Difficulty yet it doth not a little ease our Minds that all our Enemies are reduced unto that Head which professeth himself to be the Head of that Antichristian Faction which opposeth all the Christian Churches in the World and would keep them and bring them under the Iron Yoak of his bloody Inquisition and every blow that we shall level at that Head in way of defence or offence will in some proportion redound to the advantage of all good Christians throughout the World And now it would be very strange if all good men should not see and be convinced what Thread it was that run all along through our Quarrel in the late Wars and though at first it was more finely spun and more closely wrought that it could not so easily be discerned yet now that it is unravelled to its Bottom it more clearly discovers its Rise by its Resort And if the Interest of that Party shall be again enthroned amongst us and brought in upon the Wings of that double-headed black Eagle or rather Vulture What will become of the poor Lambs of Christ What can we expect but according to the agreement between them a Toleration of Popery in England and Scotland and a Profession and Protection of it in Ireland with an inundation of Looseness and Prophaneness on the one side and of Tyranny and Oppression on the other We ought then to believe and we have good ground to rest our Faith upon But cum Deo movenda est manus we ought so to believe as though we had made no Provision at all and yet we ought so to make Provision in subserviency to Gods Providence as if we did not believe at all And his Highness doth acknowledge the great care and provision of the Parliament for the carrying on of this War in pursuance of their most Christian and truly English Spirit and Resolution in owning that Quarrel against that old Enemy of their Religion and of their Nation Yet I must acquaint you That the Supplies granted have fallen short of the Commonwealths Necessities because indeed they have fallen short of the Parliaments own expectations according to the lowest estimate that they were reckoned at Especially that of the New Buildings wherein what have been the particular Obstructions and what may be the proper Remedies as also
28. Divers Souldiers and Agitators apprehended in several places May 1660. 1. Sir John Greenvile of the Bed-Chamber to the King brought from Breda his Majesties Letter and Declaration to the House of Lords His message and declaration to the House of Commons His Letter and Declaration to Monk to be communicated to his Officers And His Majesties Letter and Declaration to the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common Council of London By the Declaration The King grants a free generall pardon to all that shall lay hold of it within forty daies except such as the Parliament shall except and a liberty to tender Consciences and that none be questioned for difference of Opinion in matters of Religion which do not disturb the Peace of the Kingdom That differences and all things relating to grants sales and purchases shall be determined in Parliament and he will consent to Acts for that purpose and for satisfaction of the Arrears to Monk ' s Officers and Souldiers and they to be received into His Majesties Service and Pay These things being read in the House of Commons Mr. Luke Robinson formerly a most fierce man did now first magnifie his grace and goodness The Lords House gave thanks to Sir John Greenvile and declared That according to the ancient and fundamentall Laws of this Kingdom the Government is and ought to be by King Lords and Commons And the Lords desired that some way may be considered how to make up the Breaches and to obtain the King's return again to his people They voted a Committee to joyn with a Committee of the House of Commons to consider of an answer to His Majesties Gracious Letter and Declaration and to prepare something in order to this business The King's Letter and Declaration to the House of Commons was read and his Letter to Monk and they named a Committee to prepare an answer to the King's Letter expressing the joyfull sense of the House of His Gracious offers and their humble thanks for them with profession of their Loyalty and Duty to his Majesty and that they will give a speedy answer to His Gracious Proposals The House resolved to present 50000 l. to the King and the Committee ordered to go to the City to advance it upon security and interest and to treat about raising a further summ for the Army Order for Monk to communicate his Letter from the King to the Officers and Souldiers and to return an answer to the King which Monk did accordingly and it was received with great joy Order to enter the King's Letter in the Journall Book The Commons agreed with the Lords Vote of Government by King Lords and Commons and appointed a Committee to search the Journals what Acts or Orders there had been made inconsistent herewith An Assessment agreed of 70000 l. per mensem for three months Bonfires and ringing of Bells and great Guns fired in joy of these resolves 2. An Address to Monk from the Officers of the Army rejoycing in his Majesties offers of Indemnity of Liberty of Conscience satisfaction of Arrears and confirmation of purchases read in Parliament Dr. Clerges a Member of the House had leave to go to the King from Monk Sir John Greenvile that brought the King's Letter had the thanks of the House and 500 l. ordered for him to buy him a jewell The City had leave to send an answer to the King's Letter to them Letters that Lambert's party were all discharged and dispersed The City agreed to lend 50000 l. to the House of Commons 3. Orders touching returns of Elections The Lords agreed upon some of their Members six to be sent to the King and the Common Council of London did the like and gave 300 l. to the L. Mordant and Sir John Greenvile who brought the Letters from the King to buy each of them a Ring 4. The Commons agreed to an Order of the Lords for favour to the D. of Bucks for restoring his Estate The House gave leave to the Members of the Common Council named by them to go to the King and resolved to send twelve of their own Members to His Majesty Dr. Clerges with others went to the King with Monk's answer to the King's Letters to him and the Address of the Army 5. Orders touching returning of Elections An Opinion being discoursed abroad That the Long Parliament could not be dissolved but by themselves and the King 's and Lords consent which was not had for their dissolving and another Opinion being given out That if the Long Parliament were dissolved then the Trienniall Parliament was to take place and no other by that Act of Parliament The Commons thereupon passed a Bill for removing of disputes touching the sitting of this Parliament And they passed a Declaration for adjourning part of next Easter Term to which the Lords concurred and the Commons agreed that the E. of Manchester be one of the L. L. Commissioners for the Great Seal G. Mountague at Sea to whom the Letter to Monk was also directed from the King upon the receipt of it and of the Declaration he called together the Officers of the several Ships and communicated the Letter and Declaration to them who expressed great joy and satisfaction therein and desired Mountague to represent the same with their humble thanks to his Majesty Then Mountague fired the first Gun himself and all his Ships answered it round with loud Acclamations as their General had done crying God bless the King and the General gave two Pipes of Canary to his men 7. Order of the Common Council that at his Majesties return the new Park which Oliver had given them should be presented to the King and he assured that the City had only kept it as Stewards for his Majesty The Commons gave leave to General Mountague to return an answer to the King's Letter to him Resolved by both Houses that the King be proclaimed to morrow King of England Scotland France and Ireland and a Committee of both Houses to consider of the manner of it A Declaration against tumults and to continue Justices of Peace and other Officers in their places The King's Statue again set up in Guild-Hall and the States Armes taken down and the Kings Arms set up in their place Monk removed his Guards out of the City Collonel Salmon discharged upon security New Flags and Standards and Paintings ordered for the Ships 8. Resolved by the Commons That the King be desired to make a speedy return to his Parliament and to the exercise of his Kingly Office A Committee appointed to consider of the manner of his Majesties return and to prepare things necessary for his Reception The King was solemnly proclaimed at Westminster Hall-Gate the Lords and Commons standing bare by the Heralds whilst the Proclamation was made Then he was proclaimed in the several usual places in the City the Lord Mayor Recorder and Officers being present
to the Army Votes upon the representation of the Army The Parliament Censured Cromwell Army Desires of the City Remonstrance of the Army Letter to the King Vote Army Eleven Members leave the House Sir Philip Stapleton flyes Letters from the Army Votes The Eleven Members Army The Eleven Members London Petition Answer Petitions Army Eleven Members Petition Prince Elector Vote Treaty Eleven Members Militia Fairfax Tumultuous Meetings Eleven Members Eleven Members Apprentices their Petition Answer Parliament Order Petition Answer Major General Pointz Ormond Kings Children Fairfax Eleven Members Col. Birch Ireland Eleven Members Tumults Army New Proposals Vote Petition Vote Conventicles Militia Army London Petition Apprentices Force upon the Parliament Kirk Fairfax City Militia Army Eleven Members Col. Jones Votes Militia Fairfax K. Children Lenthal Army Southwarke Fairfax Petition The City Rendezvous Pr. Elector Southwarke City Letters to Fairfax Col. Rainsborough Fairfax his Answer Fairfax enters Westminster Ordinances March through London Debate The Tower Fairfax Debate Great-Seal City Scotland Expedient Southwark Fairfax Petitions to him Apprentices Ordinance Col. Jones Victory in Ireland Ormond Assizes Col. Lamb. Oatlands Petition Eleven Members Army Remonstraâ—â—â— Eleven Members Ireland Eleven Members Brewers â—iâ—y Sir Philip Stapleton dyed Fairsaxâ— King Mr. Chiesely Petition of Bristol Answer Vote The Eleven Members Biddles Pamphlet Ireland Propositions for Peace Glyn. Army for mony Impeachments The City importuned Proposals by the Army to the King The Kings answer Petitions City Southwark Resolved Impeachments Vote Army Declaration Vote City Army Resolution Propositions for Peace Army Force upon the Parliament Lord Major sent to the Tower Delinquents Ireland Stratagem Scotland Army Sweden Propositions for Peace Force upon the Parliament Divine Army Force upon the Parliament Lambert Gifted men Army Army Maynard Army The Lords Votes Church-Government Commons Votes Indulgence Religion Additional Propositions Lilbure Army French Ambassador Assembly Propositions for Peace â—â—â—land Propositions for Peace York â—â—â—land Force upon the Parliament Army Prince Elector Scotland Army Army New Proposals Further Heads Army Scots Army Vote Army The Kings escape from Hampton Court His Letters King in the Isle of Wight Rendezvous Cromwell The Kings Letter Religion Militia Col. Hewson Col. 〈◊〉 Ciâ—â— Seditious Petition Assembly Lords Conference For Dissolving the Parliament Personal Treaty City Petition Army City Lord Inchequin Letters taken Kings Letters to Fairfax City Petion Answer Votes about Petitions German Prophet Petitions Great Seal Army Great Seal Letters from the King Ireland Commissioners to the King Answer to the Scots Armagh Declaration Scots Commissioners Army Saltmarsh Col. Rainsborough Isle of Wight Scots Commissioners Ireland New-cast Christ-maâ— day The Kings Person Mutiny Isle of â—ight Votes foâ— no Addresses Priviledges Isle of Wight Pamphlets Papers taken Isle of Wight Army's Address Ireland Scots Commissioners Declaration to the Lords Library Lilburns Wildman Lilburne and Wildman Tumults Isle of Wight Disbanding Discontented Officers Ireland Lord Willoughby The eleven Members Riotors The Kings Houshold Seven Impeached Lords City The eleven Members Navy Holland Impeached Lords Lord Wiloughby Taunton Army Non Addresses Tumults Disbanding Judge Jâ—â—kins Maynâ—d Isle of Wigh Judge Jenkins Duke of York Pamphlets Disbanding 〈◊〉 Scotlaâ—â— Commissioners of the Great Seal Pembroke Castle Scotland Force upon the Parliament Petition York â—â—ogan Impeachments Scotland Committee of danger Priviledge Sr. Hardrsss Waller Commissioners of the Great Seal Ireland Lord Fairfax dyes Scotland Col. 〈◊〉 Plot upon the Tower Mr. Wake An. 48. Car. 24. Col. Poyer Iâ—eland Oath Remonstrance Ireland Ireland Lord Iâ—chequin Church Tumultâ— Lord Inchequin Col. Jones Scotland Covenant Scotland Committee of Danger Prince Elector Col. Poyer Scotland Tumult of Apprentices Scotland City â—Votes Tumult Admiralty Great Seal London Assembly Lord Inchequin revolved Sermon Commissioners of the Great Seal Scotland Grand Jury Impeachments Scotland Oxford Collonel Poyer Oxford Earl of Pembroke Voteâ—â— Duke of York House called Scotland Prince Elector Aldermen London Norwich Riot Magazinefired Petition London Posts and Chains Answer Vote Duke of York Blasphemy Langdale City Petition Scotland Demands Essex Petition Answer Declaration Scotland Wales Berwick Carlisle London Petition London Petition Answer Vote Ireland Collonel Horton Victory in Wales May-pole Rioters York Kirk Petition â—nswer â—mâ—it City Chepstow Militia May-Pole Prince Elector London Parliament and City London Wales York Scotland Pontfret Castle Petition City Petition Answer Kent Vote Rioters in Kent Kent Chepstow Ships Revolt Vote Sir Hardress Waller Kent The North. Kentish Rioters Fairfax Petition Answer Kentish-men 〈◊〉 Scotland Kint. Maidston Fairfax Goring London 11. Members c. discharged Kent Goring Votes Indemnity Scotland Pontefract Castle surprised Spanish Ambassador Walet Assembly of Divine Dover Castle Goring Jersey Câ—â—it 〈◊〉 Goring D. of Gloucester Lancashire Revolted Ships Essex Revolted Ships Aspersions on the Parliament Goring Colchester Goring Colchester Langdale Lambert Scotland Votes Pembroke Colchester Sir Charles Lucas Colchester Committee of obstructions Colchester Pulpit Scotland Colchester Fairfax London Petition Answer Colchester Petitions Votes Petition Lady Capell Colchester Colchester Goring the 3 Bills Pontefrâ—â— Vote C. 〈◊〉 Pembroke Colchester London Petition Answer Haselrigge D. Buckingham E. Holland Colchester Poysoned bullets Vote Colchester 3. Bills Pontefract F. Holland Colchester 3. Bills C. Rossiter London Explanations Colchester Earl of Holland Langdale Hamilton Lambert Hamilton Pembroke Castle surrendered The 3 Biâ— Isle of Wight Colchester The three Propositions Personal Treaty Colchester Hamilton Lambert Scots London Petition Colchester Declaration Insurrection Votes Colshester Hamiltons Army Reasons for the three Prepositions Lords Answer Commons Reply Lambert Colchester Lambert Lord Willoughby 3. Propositions Isle of Wight Yarmouth the Princes Declaration London Petition Answer Petition Commission Letters London Colchester Votes Commissioners for the Isle of â—ight D. York The Prince London Kent Votes Colchester Yarmouth Colchester Self-denying Ordinance Colchester S. Hadress Waller Cromwell Scarborough Scots Monk Letter from the Prince Fleet. Lord Willoughby London Petition Answer Petition Officers Colchester Answer to City Petition From the King ThePrince E. Middlesex Commissioners with the King Conference Personal Treaty Yarmouth Princes Letter The Kings Letter C. Henry Lilburn Haselrigge Scots London C. Rich. Concurrence C. Martin Scots Letter E. Lauderdale Manifesto Debate Vote Colchester the Princes Letter Answer Treaty Passes Suburbs Skippon C. Harly Colchester Letter to Fairfax Petition Petition to Fairfax Fairfax his Answer to the Letter Cromwell Instructions for C. Hammond Star-chamber Colchester Cromwell Preson Wight Cromwell Colchester Leaguer Fairfax's Answer Deal Castle D. Hamilton Colchester D. Hamilton The Prince Colchâ—ster Treaty Scots Colchester surrenderd Lucas Colchester particulars London Commissioners to treat in the Isle of Wight Treaty Humiliation C. Hammond Prisoners Monroe Elections Star-Chamber New-Castle Treaty E. Cleveland Prince Answer from the King Fleet. Kent Colchester Cromwell Treaty Petition Answer Petition Revolted Ships North. Cromwell Scots York City Treaty Ipswich Fairfax Treaty Isle of Wight Cromwell Scott Pontifract Scarborough Duke Hamilton Treaty Army Treaty Prince Charles Treaty
June Cumberland Address Scotland Sea Fight Cromwells Summons Fleet. Highlanders Declaration Lilburn Fleet. Lilburn Highlanders Dutch Great Seal Thanks-giving Dean's Funeral Highlands Jersey Irish Dutch Petition Fens Address Nassaw Cromwel New Supream Authority July Address New Supream Authority Orange Dutch Parliament Lilburn Tithes Scotland 〈◊〉 Orange Tithes Dutch Sweden Committees Laws Fleet. Kirk Holland Petitions Frigot Highlands Proclamation 〈…〉 〈…〉 August Petition from Kent Court of Chancery The Dutch beaten Gold Chains for the Officers Old Van Trump dead The Marriage Act passed Lilburn acquitted Highlanders disperst Sâ—piâ—mbâ— Petition Several Orders Petition Hamp-shire Petition Minnes Committee for Prisoners October Hayton beats the French Fleet. Proclamation Union of Scotland Petition against the Lord Mayor Seamen Tumultuous Highlanders Proclamation Water-men Petition Mutiners Condemned Petition about Writs of Error A New Council of State Novem. Act of Repeal To take away the Chancery Synode in Scotland Order of the Council of State Presentations Tumult of the Portugal Ambassador's Brother c. Decemb. Report of a Committee for Tithes Motion for this Parliament to resign c. A Declaration Council called A Council of Officers The Protector Install'd Protector Proclaimed Coalition Ordinances January Captain Welch Foreign Ministers Dutch 〈◊〉 Address Treason February Quakers Ambassadours from the Duke of Tuscany Omerland Hollanders incline to Peace Lord Protector feasted by the City Protector Proclaimed at Dublin Ambassadour from the French King Vision Leopaldus Audience of the Dutch Ambassadors Ambassadours from Denmark March Middleton Inclinations of France Sea-fight Middleton April Resignation of the Queen of Sweden Great Seal Peace with the Dutch Speech of Chanute the French Ambassadour Peace with Holland Morgan Frigots Scots Morgan Scotland Proclamation Peace with the Dutch Scotland Army Proclamation Address Morgan May. Ireland Scotland Secret Article Sweedland Monck June Strike Sayâ— Plot. Proclamations Ministers Lilburn Bonfires Fire Plot. Parliament Monck Scotland Poor Prisoners Plot. Earl Oxford Fleet. French Monck Ireland High Court of Justice Election of Members High Court of Justice Scots July Portugal Ambassdor's Brother Whitelock's Embassy King of Sweden Crown'd Sweden Scotland Elections in Scotland Ireland Dutch Peace Middleton Routed Letters from Morgan Dutch Ambassadors Scotland August Commissioners Midleton Portugal Ambassador Monck Scots Recognition Prince of Orange Elections French Ambassador Ordinances Irish Members Scotland Dutch Ministers Parliament Cavalcade Protectors Speech Septemb. Speaker Chosen Negotiation with Sweden Debates about the Government Protectors Speech The Recognition Harrison Secur'd Vote Recognition Oxford Scotland Votes Act of Government Votes Ireland Debates Scotland October Scandalous Ministers Loâ—don Prince Orange Debateâ— Recognition Middleton Elections The Government Ireland The Government Scotland Novem. Parliament Corn Transported Duke of Guilders Civil Law Pamphlets Government Selden Sweden Government Middleton Votes Chancery Elections Votes Drunckards Government Scotland Assessment Pardon Vote Religion Decemb. Sweden Biddle Holy Ghost Blake Biddle Debates Vote Tender Consciences Government Standing Army York Revenue Parliament 〈◊〉 Council Whitehall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Craven Government Quakers January Government February March Chancery Crook Slingsby Maleverer Penruddock Scotland Ordinances Fast-day Artillery Company Conspirators Portugal West-Indies Expedition Hâ—spaniola Plot. Blake Cromwel Sweden Lauderdail April Chancery Reasons Visitors Pen. Jesuits Judges put out Chancery May. Pen. Barbadoes Piedmont Chancery June Lenthal L'Isle Blake Commissióners of the Treasury Venables Hispaniola July Jamaica Denmark Swedish Ambassadour Treasury Swedish Ambassadour Reception Audience August Ambassadours Speech Protectors Answer General Pen. 〈◊〉 Venables Queen of Sweden Piedmont Scotland Spain News Blake Novem. Swedish Ambassador Ireland Committee of Trade New raised Forces Ireland Decem. Swedish Ambassador Scotland Queen Sweden Jews Jews Manning Ambassadors Piedmont Dish Jamaica Swedish Ambassy Januar. Addresses Soldiers Februa Indians Scotland Sweedish Ambassador Cautions Expedient Dutch Ambassador Irish Sweden Debates Sweden Birth-day Ambassador Fidlers Ambassadors debates Admiralty March Major-Generals Swedish Ambassador Prohibitions Scots Durham Quaker April Coppar Manufacture Usher's Funeral Whitelock May. Swedes Ambassador Milton Contrebanda Passes Portugal July Parliament Mrs. Barlow Sir Georgâ— Ascue Sweden Septem Parliament Committees See the Parliaments Journalls on Monday March the 2d 1628. See and compare the 11th Rich. 2d with 21 of Rich. 2. chap. 12. And the 1 H. 4. ch 3. 4. Spanish War Novem. Plate-Fleet Lord Willoughby Great-Seal Upper-Bench James Naylor General Mountague Union Protector Acts. James Naylor Mr. Speaker Sentence Januar. Vote Union Sindercomb Speaker Resolutions Bible Syndercomb Ployglot Februa Votes Votes Bills Title of King April Plot. Harrison Title of King Title of King refused Petition and Advice Protector Q. Sweden May. Petition and Advice Lord Protector Petition and Advice Oath Other House Inauguration Acts. August Blake's death Bodiley dyes Spirits Colonel Jephson Sweden Duke of Buckingham Mardike Scandalous Ministry Mardike Mayern Bradshaw Novem. Piedmont Other House Lord Willoughby Piedmont Parliament Fiennes's Speech Bristoll January Anno 1658. Committee Protector Divisions Other House Fifth Monarchy-men Parliament Dissolution April Plot. Harrison Sweden Plots Addresses Protestants High Court of Justice Addresses High Court of Justice Dr. Hewet July Dunkirk D. Crequi Dunkirk taken Records Lady Cleypole Baronets Projects D. Bucks Earl Mulgrave dies Protector dies Richard proclaimed Septem Addresses Richard French Ambassadour Sea-fight Novem. Oliver's Funeral Oxford Gr. Seal Parliam Speaker Recognition Divisions Other House April Speaker Title Other House Army Richard Chute dies Quakers Dissolution Parliam May. Lambert Army Money Long Parliament Fleetwood Declaration Lenthal Long Parliament Declaration Committee of Safety Monk Addresses Council of State Gr. Seal Acts. Votes Scotland Union Scot. Intelligence Sir Anth. Cooper Votes Gr. Seal Richard Addresses Army Ireland Gr. Seal London Address Gr. Seal Fleetwood Zound Sweden and Denmark Army Votes June Haslerigge Lockart Overton Addresses Monk French Ambassadour Tythes Zound Richard H. Cromwel C. Alured Indemnity July Richard ' s debts Addresses Bradshaw Oath Addresses Sweden D. Bucks Piedmont Union Plots Law Union Massey Sir George Booth Lambert August Members fined Vote London Proclamation Council of State Union Plot. Lambert Prideaux Booth Lambert Zound Booth taken Septemb. E. Derby Zound Union Ingagement James Nailer S. G. Booth Sir Anth. Ashley Cooper Zound Ruthen Chester Army Addresses Vote Petition S. G. Booth October Army Falconbridge Army Monk Union London Monk Desborough Petition London Feasting Addresses Vote Answers Army Votes Jealousies Army Lambert Council of State Army Haslerigge Monk Commit of ten Fleetwood Lambers Zound Council of Officers New Council Monk Commit of Safety Desborough Novem. Declaration Monk Lambert Bradshaw dies Form of Governm Monk Gr. Seal Lords released Monk Col. Pearson London Lambert London New Commissions Fast Monk Address London Fleet. Ireland Treaty Monk suspected Treasury Militia Treaty Commit of 19. Ireland Monk Commit of Safety Term adjourned Monk Qualifications Council of State Proposals Decem. Morgan Form of Governm Monk Petitions Downing Army Tumult Portsmouth Form of Govern London Irish Brigade Booth Petition Parliament Articles Officers Parliament Monk Whitelocke Lawson Insurrections Distractions Lawson Souldiers Whitelocke and Fleet-wood Ingoldsby Parliament Ireland Lawson Desborough Zanchey Parliament Whitelocke Chaloner Whitelocke Monk Windsor Castle Whitelocke Wildman Desborough Militia Haslerigge Monk Haslerigge Whitelocke Parliament C. Dixwell City Indemnity Lockart Gr. Seal Monk Lambert Ludlow Monk Lord Fairfax A. Cooper London S. G. Booth Lawson Gr. Seal Vane Officers confined Scot. Crook Monk Speaker Scot. Robinson Monk Col. Sydenham Salwey Downing Gr. Seal Judges Ireland Monk Overton Free Parliament Commit of Safety Sir Robert Pye Scot and Robinson Monk Mr. Gomble Monk Free Parliament Addresses Water-men D. Clargies Monk Vane Addresses Tumults Monk Kent Mutiny Monk Febr. Mutiny Orders Monk in Parliament Speaker Answer Tumult London Votes Posts and Chains Barebones Posts and Chains Common-Council Scot and Robinson Commissioners of the Army Monk York Commit of Safety Engagement Overton Qualifications Secluded Members Address Secluded Members Monk Secluded Members restored Votes Monk Lawson Pye Common Council New Parliament City New Officers Monk Free Parl. Monk Sir George Booth Monk Assembly of Divines King of Sweden dies Lambert Overton March C. Rich. Haslerigge Overton New Parliament Overton Lawson Peter Killegrew Monk S. G. Booth Hollis Militia Engagement Disabling Vote Officers Judges Registers Office Sweden Monk April The King Desborough City Barebones Scot. London Needham Monk Lambert Proclamations Addresses Portugall Lambert Colonel Ingolsby Mountague Fleet. Souldiers Lord Falconbridge Parliament Thanksgiving Letter from Breda Declaration Luke Robinson Lord's House Commons May. Bonfires City D. of Buks Dr. Clerges Disputes Great Seal General Mountague City Proclamation King 's Arms. King Proclaimed Bonfires Prayers Ireland Colonel Norton Declarations Court of Wards King's entry
Protestations Votes Messages Answers and Replies We are now come to the question of raising Forces and naming a General and Officers of an Army But what Sir may be the progress hereof the Poet tells you Jusque datum sceleri Canimus populumque potentem In sua victrici Conversum viscera dextra We must surrender up our Laws Liberties Properties and Lives into the hands of insolent Mercenaries whose rage and violence will command us and all we have and Reason Honour and Justice will leave our Land the Ignoble will rule the Noble and Baseness will be preferred before Vertue Profaneness before Piety Of a potent people we shall make our selves weak and be the Instruments of our own ruine perditio tua exte will be said to us we shall burn our own houses lay waste our own fields pillage our own goods open our own veins and eat out our own bowels You will hear other sounds besides those of Drums and Trumpets the clattering of Armour the roaring of Guns the groans of wounded and dying men the shrieks of deflowred Women the Cries of Widows and Orphans and all on your account which makes it the more to be lamented Pardon Sir the warmth of my expression on this Argument it is to prevent a flame which I see kindled in the midst of us that may consume us to ashes The sum of the progress of Civil War is the rage of Fire and Sword and which is worse of bruitish men What the Issue of it will be no man alive can tell probably few of us now here may live to see the end of it It hath said He that draws his Sword against his Prince must throw away the Scabbard Those Differences are scarce to be reconciled these Commotions are like the deep Seas being once stirred are not soon appeased I wish the Observation of the Duke de Rohan in his Interest of Christendom may prove a Caution not a Prophecy He saith of England That it is a great Creature which cannot be destroyed but by its own hand And there is not a more likely hand than that of Civil War to doe it The Issue of all War is like a Cast at Dice none can tell upon what square the Alea belli will light The best Issue that can be expected of a Civil War is Vbi victor flet victus perit which of these will be our portion is uncertain and the choice would be avoided Yet Sir when I have said this I am not for a tame resignation of our Religion Lives and Liberties into the hands of our Adversaries who seek to devour us Nor do I think it inconsistent with your great Wisdom to prepare for a just and necessary Defence of them It was truly observed by a Noble Gentleman That if our Enemies find us provided to resist their Attempts upon us it will be the likeliest way to bring them to an Accord with us And upon this ground I am for the Question But I humbly move you to consider whether it be not yet too soon to come to it We have tried by Proposals of Peace to his Majesty and they have been rejected Let us try yet again and appoint a Committee who may review our former Propositions And where they find the matter of them as our Affairs now are fit to be altered that they present the Alterations to the House and their Opinions and that as far as may stand with the Security of Us and our Cause we may yield our Endeavours to prevent the Miseries which look black upon us and to settle a good Accommodation so that there may be no strife between us and those of the other Party for we are Brethren After great Debate it was voted That an Army should be raised for the Defence of King and Parliament That the Earl of Essex should be Captain General of this Army and the Earl of Bedford to be General of the Horse A Committee was appointed of both Houses to confer with the General and to nominate Colonels Field Officers and Captains of this Army The Earl of Holland Sir John Holland and Sir Philip Stapleton were sent with a Petition to the King to Beverly To Disband his Forces recal his Commissions of Array dismiss his Guards and to return to his Parliament All which he refused The Parliament were furnished with Money by Loans upon the Publick Faith and by the endeavours of sundry Ministers and others a great quantity of Money Plate and Ammunition was brought in even by some poor Women to their Wedding Rings and Bodkins The King was furnished with Moneys from the Queen upon the pawned Jewels and by Contributions from the Cavalier Lords and Gentlemen and a Loan from Oxford University The King removed from Beverley to Leicester where he courted the Inhabitants But the Earl of Stamford was there proclaimed Traytor for he removed the County Magazine to his house and set Guards about it but the Parliament vindicated him by a Declaration The King raiseth and arms a Regiment in York-shire for the Prince The Parliament declare all the Commissioners of Array to be Traytors and order them to be apprehended And the King proclaims Essex and all the Colonels and Officers of his Army who should not instantly lay down Arms to be Rebels and Traytors And orders Marquess Hertford his Lieutenant General to march against General Essex August 12. The King published his Proclamation and Declaration very large in setting forth what he had done in favour of the People and satisfaction of the Desires of the Parliament then the evil Actions of the Parliament against him and in all justifies his own and condemns the Parliaments Proceedings And is to be seen in Print The Parliament took 100000 l. of the 400000 l. voted to be raised for Ireland which the King remembers and they justifie and recriminate the King's hindrance of the Irish business and say That some of his Counsellors fomented that Rebellion and they promise satisfaction out of Delinquents Estates to those who shall receive damage from the King's Party August 22. The King at Nottingham Erects his Standard to which not so many resorted as was expected Three days after he sends Propositions to the Parliament by the Earl of Southampton Sir John Culpepper and Sir William Vdall Members of Parliament but they were not admitted to sit in the House The Parliament gave Answer to this Message That till the King recall his Proclamations of Treason against Essex and the rest and take down his Standard they can give no other Answer The King replies That he never intended to declare the Parliament Traytors nor set up his Standard against them But if Proclamations of Traytors be recalled by them he will recall his and take down his Standard They desire him to put away his evil Counsellors and to return to his Parliament And vote That the Arms of the Parliament for Religion Laws and Liberties of the
Kingdom shall not be laid down till Delinquents be left to Justice that their Estates may discharge the Debts of the Commonwealth The Souldiers commit Outrages which the King and Parliament labour to rectifie Sir Thomas Barrington and Mr. Grimstone in Essex seize upon Sir John Lucas and his Lady and commit them to Prisons and Lucas is proclaimed Traytor The Parliament for repayment of Loans upon Publick Faith order Satisfaction out of the Estates of Delinquents The Lord Strange is impeached of high Treason for raising Lancashire-men by whom one Percivall was killed The King adjourned Michaelmas Term and proclaims Nichols Macworth and Hunt of Shrop-shire to be Traytors The Lord Fairfax and Mr. Bellasis conclude a Neutrality for Yorkshire but the Parliament declare the Lord Fairfax not bound to observe the Articles but to assist the Parliament The Earl of Essex's Colours was a deep Yellow others setting up another Colour were held Malignants and ill-affected to the Parliaments Cause So small a thing is taken notice of in the Jealousies of War Intelligence being given to the House of Commons that the Earl of Berkshire and divers Gentlemen of principal quality in Oxfordshire intended shortly to put in execution the King's Commission of Array at Wattleton They commanded Whitelocke to use his utmost Endeavours to prevent the execution of that Commission in Oxfordshire and to apprehend such of the Commissioners as should meet for that purpose and the better to enable him hereunto they ordered some of the Regiment of Horse of Colonel Goodwyn and of the Regiment of Foot of Colonel Hampden to attend his Commands The Commissioners of Array having appointed their Meeting at Wattleton at a day and the Country summoned to come in to them Whitelocke sent for the Forces appointed to meet him and in the Afternoon came to him a Troop of Horse and a Company of Foot and Hampden himself with them and when they were met they had Information that the Commissioners having notice of the Parliaments Forces being in the Field thought not fit to continue at Wattleton but brake off their business and not taking leave or dismissing the Country the Commissioners with their Company hasted to Sir Robert Dormer's house and thither they were pursued and when the Parliaments Company beleagured the house they fired some Musquets and Pistols at them but finding themselves too weak for the Parliament Party and that they went about to storm the house they presently yielded upon quarter Most of the Commissioners of Array were got away only the Earl of Berkshire and two or three more were taken and conveyed to London The House of Lords committed the Earl and the rest to Prison where he lay for a long time after The King's General was first the Marquess of Hertford and shortly after the Earl of Lindsey divers of his Forces quartered near Hull seemed as if they had some design of beleaguring it Sir John Hotham and Sir John Meldram his Assistant sallied out upon them surprized them killed some and took others Prisoners and shortly after having a supply of five hundred men from London they sallied out again and discomfited some of their Forces and burnt a Barn with some Ammunition of the King 's in it and this was the first place where blood was drawn in this Contest The King marched from Nottingham to Stafford and Leicester and so to Wales and at Shrewsbury his Army encreased to a considerable body The Parliament Forces rendezvous'd at S. Albans and from thence marched Northward to meet the King with a Petition from both Houses and these Directions to their General 1. To restrain all profaneness in the Army 2. To march and fight the King's Army and by Battel or otherwise to rescue his Person and the Prince and Duke of York from those about him 3. To present the Petition to his Majesty and if he shall please to withdraw himself from his Army and resort to his Parliament then to cause those Forces to disband and to guard the King in his Return 4. To declare pardon to those that will withdraw fom the King except Richmond Cumberland Newcastle Rivers Caernarvan Newark Falkland Nicholas Porter and Hyde 5. To receive and certifie Contributions to be repaid 6. To protect the good people and to restore their losses 7. To apprehend Traytors and Delinquents 8. To observe further Directions He had a Committee with him who with the General were to take Subscriptions of Loans and order Matters concerning Malignants and to consider of the good of the Army The Parliament finding Supplies and Officers sent by the Queen from Holland to the King they sent over to the States Mr. Strickland to be their Resident in the Low Countries and with him a Declaration from the Lords and Commons The effect of it was To acquaint them with the affairs and proceedings of the Parliament and that it was not expected that they who had formerly received the assistance of the English to recover their Liberty should now assist those whose design was to deprive the English Nation of their Rights and Liberties Goring held Portsmouth for the King and hearing the County Trained Bands designed to surprize it he met and skirmished with them and retired to the Town but Sir John Meyrick's Regiment and a Troup of Horse being sent by the Parliament to joyn with the Countrey they so streightned Goring that though Marquess Hertford hastened to his Relief yet he surrendred the Town and took Ship for Holland The Marquess giving a Brush to the Earl of Bedford by the way seised upon Sherburne Castle and from thence marched to the King to Shrewsbury Sir John Biron with some Troups for the King was unexpectedly set upon at Brackley by the Towns-men and some Troups of the Parliament in his March to Oxford by whom he received some loss yet came on to Oxford The Lord Say Lieutenant of Oxfordshire being then in the Countrey upon this Alarm sent to Whitelocke and the rest of his Deputy-Lieutenants to bring what Forces they could to meet him near Oxford to remove the Lord Biron Whitelocke had a gallant Company of Horse of his Neighbours under his command When he came near Oxford his Scouts brought him intelligence that the Lord Say with a Regiment of Dragoons and the Lord St. John with him and several Companies of his Regiment of Foot were upon their march towards the place appointed for their Rendezvouse but that Sir John Biron hearing of their approach had quitted the Town Whitelocke went on till he met the Lord Say and with him were the Lord St. John the Lord Weenman and most of his Deputy-Lieutenants and their Forces were in all above 3000 Horse and Dragoons and Foot with whom they entred the City without any resistance and were welcomed by the Towns-men more than by the Scholars Yet besides the Mayor and Aldermen the Vice-Chancellor and Heads of Houses and Proctors gave my Lord Say a visit and protested all
on both sides and they took sixty Dragoon Horses and Arms from the Parliaments Forces for restitution whereof Colonel Massey sent a Trumpeter to them and they promised to make restitution the next day Letters sent from both Houses to Sir T. F. and Colonel Massey to inform the Clubmen of the Parliaments intentions to relieve Taunton and to require them to depart peaceably to their habitations and that they should not be questioned for their rising otherwise to be taken as contemners of the Parliaments authority and to be fallen upon as Enemies The King's Letters taken at Naseby were read at the Common Council and observations upon them and they were appointed to be kept in a place where any might peruse the Originals for their satisfaction The Kingdom of Scotland sensible of the Calamities of the three Kingdoms in this Civil War drew up a Remonstrance by way of Summons to His Majesty to come and joyn with them in the Solemn League and Covenant and this being by consent of the general Assembly of that Kingdom was sent to His Majesty Whitelocke attended the House all this Morning and nothing was said to him in publick by reason of the other business about 12 a Clock he acquainted the House that he received a Letter from a worthy Member of the House signifying their pleasure that he should attend them which he now did accordingly and humbly desired to know what the business was Then it was moved by some that the Letter and Paper of the Lord Savile might be read to him others were for a time to be appointed two or three days after for this business Whitelocke desired it might be the next day Upon his suit it was appointed for the next day and that the Paper and Letters of the Lord Savile should be then ready and he to be heard to say what he thought fit to this business 4. The Justices of Peace not being informed of the order for Lusher the Priest to be sent out of the Kingdom proceeded in his Trial and he was convicted but the Commons ordered his Reprieve so was one White another Romish Priest Intercepted Letters of the Portugal Ambassadour were ordered to be broken open by the Committee of Examinations and notice thereof to be given to the Agent that he if he pleased might be present The Lord Fairfax had the Thanks of the House for his good service and the same ordered to be entred into the Journal of the House Sir T. F. was on his march to Taunton as far as Blandford where he joyned with Massey Goring had drawn off his Horse but left his Foot in the passages to block up Taunton The Scots Army were at Birmicham marching towards Worcester and in their way took about 80 of the Dudley Horse About ten a Clock some Friends of Mr. Whitelock's called upon the business appointed for the Day and the Letter of the Lord Savile with the Paper inclosed were read in the House to Mr. Whitelocke after which he stood up in his place and made Answer to it by way of Narrative to this effect Mr. Speaker I am happy since I must be under an Accusation which is no mean thing in this honourable House that this Gentleman my Lord Savile is my Accuser and more happy that you to whom I have been so long a Servant and who know my ways so well are to be my Judges I shall say nothing concerning my Lord Savile because he is my Accuser but to the parts of his Accusation I shall give you a short and true Answer with all ingenuity and submission to your great judgment His first part of the Accusation is that I was a person well affected to the King but he gives no instances thereof nor is it a crime to be well affected to my Sovereign we have all expressed the same in our Covenant I could give some instances to the contrary effect as the plunder of my Goods seizing the profits of my Lands indicting my person of High Treason for serving you and giving away my inheritance to Sir Charles Blunt a Papist which are no great motives to an extraordinary affection more than a Subject is obliged to his Prince But if my Lord Savile means by well affected to the King my being well affected to Peace I confess I am a passionate Lover of a good Peace and Seeker of it and thereby have testified my affection both to King and Parliament and the longer our Troubles continue the more we shall all be of this opinion and affection Sir I hope I may be thought capable to know my duty to my King and to understand what Protection I was to have from him the mutual Relations of both and further I hold my self disobliged The second Accusation is That I met at the Earl of Lindsey's Lodgings in Oxford to advise about the King's Answer to your Propositions and that I there did give advice to the King contrary to the trust reposed in me by you To this I answer That when your Commissioners came to Oxford we consulted together what among other things was fit for us to doe in point of Civilities and Visits whilst we were there and it was agreed by us all that we should not visit any that were excepted in your Propositions but that we might visit others who did visit or send Visits to us The Earl of Lindsey sent to visit Mr. Hollis and me with a Complement That he was not well else he would have come to visit us at our Lodgings And I having a particular relation and alliance to him we went together to return a visit to his Lordship and told our fellow Commissioners of our intentions before we gave the visit and they approved of it When we came to the Earl's Lodging we found there the Earl of Southampton the Lord Savile and some others but it was so far from an appointed meeting that I knew not of their being there till I saw them in the Chamber There was much discourse among us about your Propositions and they urged the unreasonableness of them we affirmed the contrary and vindicated your honour in them There was also discourse concerning the Scots Commissioners whom they affirmed to be averse to peace we assured them that they were not but willing to have a good peace There was likewise upon this occasion discourse of the Presbytery and of the Point of Jure divino we told them that the Scots were off from the rigid Presbytery and did not insist upon the Point of Jure divino They were then likewise discoursing of Tumults and of Persons and Petitions brought to Westminster in a violent and disorderly manner we did not speak of any violent Independent Party nor any the words mentioned in the Lord Savile ' s Paper nor that the Propositions were unreasonable They indeed pressed much upon that Argument that they were unreasonable particularly the Propositions concerning Religion and the Militia we told them that
unless the King would grant those Propositions it would be in vain to treat of any peace There was also much discourse about the acknowledging you to be a Parliament the Earl of Lindsey said That the King had acknowledged you a Parliament by the words Lords and Commons of Parliament We answered That this was the same style his Majesty gave to the Assembly at Oxford and we could not be satisfied with that acknowledgment Then the Earl of Lindsey demanded of us how we would be acknowledged We told him thus The Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England at Westminster After this we returned to our Lodgings and acquainted our fellow Commissioners with the persons that were at the Earl of Lindsey ' s Chamber when we were there and with the matter of our discourse with them In all our discourses Mr. Hollis and my self did justifie your Propositions and vindicate your Proceedings Mr. Speaker It is no small trouble to my thoughts to have my Name questioned in this House but I am comforted in my own integrity and innocency and in my Accuser but chiefly in my Judges to whom I most humbly and most willingly submit my self After Whitelocke had spoken there was much debate in the House whether this Paper of the Lord Savile were an Accusation or Charge against them Many Gentlemen argued That it was against the Privilege of the House to take it for an Accusation being from the Lord Savile who was an Enemy come from the King's Quarters and one in contempt to both Houses of Parliament for refusing to name the person from whom he received the Letter concerning Mr. Hollis and therefore committed a close prisoner That he had not discovered this to the Parliament in five or six Months together that he had been in their quarters but after he had been complained of by Mr. Hollis about a Letter and Mr. Whitelocke was in the Chair of the Committee appointed to examine the business of that Letter Then the Lord Savile brought in a new Accusation both against Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelocke the Chairman to take off his testimony for Mr. Hollis Others went upon this ground That this business might be committed to see if the Lord Savile would avow his Letter and Paper and by what testimony he could make it good and that Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelocke might have reparation and be cleared from this aspersion But these were not their Friends and moved this out of a design to bring the business before a Committee to be examined more than out of respect to them After a long debate it was at last referred to a Committee to be examined in the general and power given to the Committee to examine any Member of the House and a Message sent to the Lords to desire that the L. Savile might be examined at this Committee Those who were of a contrary party to the Earl of Essex set their interest upon it to ruine Mr. Hollis whom they found to be a great Pillar of that Party and with him to ruine Mr. Whitelocke they being both involved in this business but they had not the same envy against Mr. Whitelocke as they had against Mr. Hollis nor could they well sever them But now having got it referred to a Committee they resolved there to put it home and were full of expectation to destroy them both which was their intention 5. A Letter from the Portugal Agent and his carriage to the Parliament referred to a Committee and how the Parliament might be vindicated therein Order that the Militia of London should put in execution the Ordinance for searching for Papists and Delinquents Proposals from the Governour of Windsor for supply of that Garrison presented to the House from the Common Council of London and referred to the Committee of the Army Sir Thomas Fairfax and Colonel Massey marched from Blandford towards Taunton their Scouts and Goring's had some Encounters but Goring understanding that Sir Tho. Fairfax was advancing towards him drew off all his horse and foot from before Taunton and went towards Exeter The Lords sent a Message to the House of Commons in answer of theirs yesterday That the Lord Savile if he pleased might be examined from time to time at the Committee to whom the business of his Letter was referred 7. Divers of Westminster in the name of the City petitioned the House for Maintenance for the Lecturers in Westminster Abbey out of the Revenues belonging to the Dean and Chapter there Thereupon an Ordinance was read and committed for regulating the College of Westminster and the Petitioners called in and acquainted with the care of the House in their business and had the thanks of the House Letters from Scout-master General Watson informed that the Enemy was wholly drawn off from before Taunton An Ordinance sent up to the Lords for making Mr. Jackson Lecturer at Gloucester and a 100 l. per annum to be settled on him and the House ordered Col. Morgan to be Governour there An Ordinance sent up to the Lords for One percent for the Captives in Argiers The King's Forces from Bolton Castle surprized Raby Castle belonging to Sir Henry Vane but were again close blocked up by Forces raised by Sir George Vane The Scots Army were on their march towards Worcester as far as Birmicham The Marquess of Argyle was in pursuit of Montross over the Hills and the Parliament of Scotland being now sate the Parliament of England appointed the Earl of Rutland the Lord Wharton Sir Henry Vane senior Sir William Ermine Mr. Hatcher and Mr. Goodwyn to be their Commissioners in Scotland The King with about 4000 horse and foot was at Hereford to raise 5000 l. Assessment and some Recruits The Committee of Salop took in Cause Castle Hawarden Castle and Lynsell House belonging to Sir Richard Lucy and sate down with their Forces before High Arcall the Lord Newport's House In the Afternoon Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelocke attended the Committee touching my Lord Savile's Accusation where Mr. Samuel Brown had the Chair and was no friend to them in this business but pressed matters against them more than a Chair-man was to do The Lord Savile was brought into the Committee and his Letter and Paper read to him which he owned as his and his hand to them and that he would justifie them to be true upon his Soul and his Life Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelocke averred the contrary but with less passion and with less indiscretion than the Lord Savile who being put to it by the Committee could not make any proof of one Particular mentioned in his Papers more than they themselves acknowledged which was the same in effect that they had said before in their Narratives in the House Every particular Clause in his Papers were severally read and he heard to them and they to make their Answers but they both did it with this reservation That what they did in this was out of their willingness
and divers great Lords remained in Oxford till they might receive the Kings order for which they had sent Messengers to him The next day the Citizens opened their Shops and there was a full Market again Farringdon was likewise surrendred and accommodation was sent for to London for removal of the Duke of York thither and surely no action or agreement either of War or Peace was ever more punctually observed than was this of the Oxford Articles Order for an Express to be sent to Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice that the Parliament took notice of their breach of the Oxford Articles by coming so near to London as Oatlands and requiring them to transport themselves beyond Seas within ten days if it could be or else to lose the benefit of those Articles Debate about the Preamble to the Propositions for Peace 27. The propositions for Peace were all agreed and a Committee named to consider of the manner of passing them and another Committee to be as Conservators of the Peace between both Kingdoms 29. Debate about the dismantling of Garrisons that of Oxford put off that of Winchester voted to be slighted Referred to the Committee of the Army to take care for the security of the City upon the repair of so many Delinquents thither from the Kings Quarters Order about the Judges who are to go Circuits and for allowances for them The General Commanded a select Council Cromwell Ireton Lambert Fleet-wood and Whitelocke to consult about disposing part of the Army to several Places and Sieges where there was need of them and also about the reducing of Wallingford and what conditions to send to them According to their advice Articles were drawn up to be sent to Wallingford and Whitelocke was made use of as their Secretary and there were two Regiments sent thither two more to Ragland and four Regiments to Worcester 30. The Princes Rupert and Maurice sent a very respectful answer to the Parliaments Letter to them that they were sorry that they had given them any offence had no intention to do it and would obey their orders The Prince Elector had leave to go and see his Brethren A Committee named to draw up an additional proposition for confirmation of the great Seal and invalidating of Acts passed by the Seal which was carried away to Oxford One Morgan a Popish Priest executed July 1646. July 1. Debate upon Ordinances touching the Excise and for moneys for Soldiers and Widows Order for reception of the French Ambassador one of the Lords and two of the Commons to come to him at his first landing The Garrison of Worcester agreed to a Treaty for the surrender of it 2. The Earl of Kent voted to be L. Lieutenant of Bedfordshire Orders that all Papists and Irish be put out of the lines of Communication and out of Corporations and that they that came from Oxford should be in their lodgings by nine a Clock the like for others that came out of any of the Kings Garrisons and that they have no Arms and that at Guild-hall they produce their Passes and ingage not to bear Arms against the Parliament and this order to be published by beat of Drum and sound of Trumpet Thus we may see that even after almost a Conquest yet they apprehended no safety such are the issues and miseries of a Civil War that the Victors are full of fears from those whom they have subdued no quiet no security O let our Prayers be to God never to have such calamitous times again Letters from Major General Mitton informed the readiness and assistance of Bishop Williams to promote the Parliaments affairs and particularly for the reducing of the Castle of Conwey giving his advice and being very active in that and all other matters for the Parliament 3. Letters from Sir Tho. Fairfax gave an account of the disposal of his Forces since the rendition of Oxford and the state he had put that City in and he sent up the great Seals and several other Seals which were there rendred to him Mr. Harbert one of the Commissioners for the Army presented the Seals to the House The great Seal which was carried away from the Parliament the Privy Seal the Signet Royal the Seal of the Kings Bench the Seals of the Exchequer and of the Court of Wards and of the Admiralty and the Sword Order for all those Seals to be broken and the Sword to be kept in the Kings Wardrobe Vote for the Earl of Salisbury to be one of the Commissioners of the great Seal in the place of the Earl of Bullingbroke deceased The proposition past the Commons and sent up to the Lords for making void what passed under the great Seal at Oxford and honours in Ireland and for confirming the great Seal here to which the Lords agreed and it was ordered to be communicated to the Scots Commissioners Order for Letters from both Houses to the King to desire him to send order to the Marquess of Ormond to deliver the Forts in Ireland in his hands to such as the Parliament should appoint A Petition from L. C. Lilburne to the Commons appealing from the judgment of the Lords who had Committed him referred to a Committee to consider of the priviledges of the Commoners of England 4. L. G. Pointz called into the House gave them an account of the Northern Forces they ordered a thousand pound to him in part of his Arrears and two hundred pound as a guift to buy him a Sword and a brace of Geldings and ordered three hundred pound per An. to him and his Heirs and gave him the thanks of the House Ordinance for ten thousand pounds for the Northern Forces Petition of London shewing that they intended to Petition the King a Copy of which they presented to the House for their approbation the House appointed a time to consider of it The Lords gave the City thanks for the like Petition Col. Jones his Regiment to be hastned for Ireland Papers from the Scots Commissioners which they received from New-Castle presented to the House One was a Declaration from General Leven and his Officers That they will adhere to the Covenant and will preserve the Vnion between the two Kingdoms and not countenance any disaffected to either Parliament that they abhor all wayes contrary to the Covenant Disclaim the Kings Letter to the Marquess of Ormond That as they came into England out of affection and not in a mercenary way so they will be as willing to return home and want of Pay shall be no hindrance thereunto and that the Kings unexpected coming to their Army hath not wrought in them any thing contrary to the Covenant Another Paper was a Petition of General Leven and his Officers to the King That his Majesty would take a speedy course to settle Religion and Church-Government the Liberties Priviledges of his Kingdoms to sign the Covenant and to comply with the Councils
for Ships and for two Months gratuity for the Marriners who served against the revolted Ships Referred to a Committee to inquire who printed and contrived a scandalous Pamphlet called A Solemn Declaration of the Members secluded the House by the Army That all Acts Ordinances Votes and proceedings of the House of Commons since the Seclusion of the Members and continuance of the Armies force upon it are no way obligatory but null and void The House declared it to be False Scandalous and Seditious and tending to destroy the Government and that all who had a hand in it shall be uncapable of any Office or trust or to be a Member of Parliament and that every absent Member before he sit shall disavow that Pamphlet The Army past a Declaration that whereas some enemies had written to Merchants beyond Seas to call home their estates out of England because the Army had seised upon mens goods and designed to destroy all Trade and propriety the Army declare against it and that they will maintain and preserve both according to Law and with all freedom 16. The new Ordinance for the Militia transmitted to the Lords Another that no Malignants be elected or Electors of the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-Council Men of London A party of Horse went to Hurst Castle to remove the King to Windsor Castle The General Council of the Army sate upon the agreement of the people Colonel Butlers Troop and Major Finchers were disbanded 18. The Lords concurred in the Ordinance with the Commons for disabling Malignants to be elected or Electors of the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-Council Men or any other Officers or places of trust on pain of two hundred pound one half of it to the Informer and the other half to the Maimed Souldiers A Sheriff of Nottinghamshire appointed A Committee appointed to draw up an expedient for the Members of the House to subscribe as Dissenters to the Vote That the Kings answer to the propositions was a ground of peace Order for the Sergeant at Arms to apprehend Sir Charles Kemish for staying in Town contrary to the Ordinance he being a Delinquent Both Houses agreed of a list of Persons to attend the King A day of Humiliation appointed for the two Houses and M r Cokayn and M r Bond to preach and M r Foxley to pray Intelligence of a new Fleet preparing by the Prince for Scilly Guernsey and Jersey and for Ireland and many discontented Persons and Reformadoes resorting to him A Committee named to confer with the Lord Admiral about this matter Letters came to the General from Major General Lambert and his Officers in complyance with the Armies Remonstrance by the Forces in the North and desiring a correspondence with the Army to whom they gave some cautions touching the prosecution of their Remonsrance When the Chancery business was over Sir Thomas Widdrington and Whitelock went to the Rolls by appointment where Lieutenant General Cromwel and Colonel Dean met them And with the Speaker they had a long discourse together about the present affairs And then another time was appointed by the Lieutenant General for them to meet again and to consider and confer how the settlement of the Kingdom might be best effected and to joyn Counsels for the publick good 19. An Ordinance past for the payment of twenty eight thousand pound taken by the Souldiers out of Weavers-Hall Referred to a Committee to consider of the great abuse in providing bad victuals for the Ships and how the persons may be punished and the like prevented Upon a Letter from the General referred to a Committee to consider how the arrears due to Colonel Rainsborough may be charged and paid to his wife An Ordinance past both Houses for making the Earl of Pembroke Constable of the Castle and honour of Windsor and Keeper of the Forrest and great Park there Order for levying the arrears of Deliquents compositions being two hundred thousand pound Letters from Scarborough of the hopes of a speedy surrender of that place and that the Scots are not well pleased with the late transactions of the Army in England The Parliaments Ships upon the Coast of Ireland took a Dutch Ship loaden with Wine Salt c. of three hundred Tun bound for Waterford The Cessation was continued in Ireland between the Marquess of Ormond and the Rebels Mr. Pierrepoint expressed much dissatisfaction at those Members who sate in the House and at the proceedings of the General and Army A visit to Lieutenant General Cromwell who lay in one of the Kings rich beds in White-hall 20. An Additional Ordinance past for election of the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common Council men of London The Committee appointed to attend the General about the Secluded Members reported his answers that the business was of great concernment and he believed the House would not expect a present answer from him but he would prepare it as speedily as he could and in the mean time desired the House would not trouble themselves to send any more to him concerning that business Order for the same Message to be renewed to the General The House approved of what the Committees of Nottingham and Derby had done for relief of the Forces before Scarborough and Pontefract Sixteen of the secluded Members were set at liberty by order of the General to sit again in the House if they please and the rest were still in custody Two new Listed Souldiers in Colonel Deans Regiment with two more took upon them to apprehend a Citizen of London under pretence of a Warrant from the Council of War and that they had a great Charge against him when there was no such matter but they designed by this means to get money of him The Citizens acquainted some of the Council of War herewith who disowned the business caused the Souldiers to be apprehended two of them ran away the other two were sentenced to ride the wooden horse at the Exchange and to run the Gantlet 21. Order for repayment of the money taken out of Weavers-Hall to be for the use of the Navy A Petition from divers of Somersetshire that justice may be done upon Delinquents the Petitioners had the thanks of the House and the Petition was ordered to be printed Order that M r Strickland use the best endeavours he may to hinder the intended Sale in the Low Countries by the Prince of the Ordnance of the revolted Ships Both Houses past an Ordinance concerning Lieutenant Colonel Lilburne In the after-noon the Speaker Lieutenant General Cromwell Sir Thomas Widdrington and M r Whitelock by appointment met about six a Clock and discoursed freely together about the present affairs and actions of the Army and the settlement of the Kingdom In the conclusion Sir Thomas Widdrington and M r Whitelock were desired to draw up some heads upon the discourse to be considered by the same Company 22. Both Houses kept the Solemn Fast this day The
General Council of the Army had much debate concerning the matters of Religion relating to their new Representative and of the power of the Representative in Civils Sir Thomas Widdrington and M r Whitelock met staid all the day together to draw some heads upon yesterdaies discourse and to endeavour to bring the Army into some fitter temper They were likewise to frame somewhat in order to the restitution of the Secluded Members for an answer for the Army to the Messages of the House to the Army touching their Members under restraint and heads for a Declaration what the Parliament intendeth for the settlement of the Kingdom to be considered of and offered to the Parliament and Council of the Army This was a work of no small difficulty and danger yet at this time not to be declined by them both the Members of the House and chief Officers of the Army having ingaged and trusted them only therein they prayed to God to direct them in it and that neither of them might receive any prejudice but the Kingdom might receive good by this their imployment and the Courses of the Army be moderated as it was in some measure at this time though it brake out again into violence afterwards 23. A Committee of the Common Council informed the House that the Citizens of London were so generally ingaged in the Petition for a personal Treaty that if the restriction in the late Ordinance should stand that none of them should be capable to be elected Officers of the City there would want sufficient persons to be chosen to supply necessary Offices in the City Referred to a Committee to consider of some expedient in this business A sharp debate about bringing the great Delinquents of the Kingdom to speedy punishment And now was set on Foot and begun their great design of taking away the King whom divers in the debate did not stick to name for the greatest Delinquent and to be proceeded against in Justice Others insisted upon it that he was not capable of being brought to justice by his Subjects but by God alone and that having subdued him and his Party there was no need of any thing further but to secure the Parliament from their Enemies rising against them any more and that might be done without bringing the King to any judicial tryal a thing not read of in any History But those of the fierce Party prosecuted their design with all eagerness and those of a contrary opinion either durst not oppose knowing they should be presently secluded the House if they did or seeing that no opposition would be to any effect or purpose It was endeavoured wholly to have put the business upon the Army that if they would have the thing done they should do it themselves as most proper for such an irregular and unheard of business to be done in an irregular way and by such irregular men but they were subtle enough to see and avoid that and to make those whom they left sitting in the Parliament to be their stalcs and to do their most dirty work for them many of whom they found and perswaded to be strangely forward to ingage in it Insomuch that it was carryed by vote in the House of Commons to name a Committee of thirty eight persons to consider of drawing up a charge and for that purpose to receive all informations and examinations of all Witnesses for the matters of fact against the King and all other Delinquents that may be thought sit to be brought to condigne punishment Letters from Colonel Bethel to the General of the surrender of Scarborough-Castle to him upon Articles for the use of the Parliament that there was in the Castle good store of all manner of provisions especially Rye and fifty Barrels of powder with Ammunition for many Months From the Parliaments Ships in the Downes came a Declaration to the General of their free Concurrence with the Army in their Remonstrance knowing the things to be just and good The King was expected to be at Windsor this Night and Colonel Thomlinson commanded the Guards about him upon Colonel Harrisons coming away Major Pitsford taken at Pembroke and staying here contrary to the Articles of surrender thereof was by the Court Martial sentenced to be shot to Death The Lord Wenman expressed himself very high against the Army having been seised and secluded the House by them which was no small provocation Mr. Whitelock and Sir Thomas Widdrington went together according to appointment to the Speakers house There met them divers Gentlemen of the House and they consulted about setling the Kingdom by the Parliament and not to leave all to the Sword and Sir Thomas Widdrington and M r Whitelock spake their minds freely to them some of them were wholly against any King at all others were against having the present King or his eldest or second Son to be King others were for the third Son the Duke of Gloucester who was among them and might be educated as they should appoint to be made King They came after a long debate to no resolution at all but appointed to meet again on next Monday 25. The Commons sate though it was Christ-mas day and made some Orders about the association of Somersetshire with the adjacent Counties Order for one thousand pound for Mr. Withers being moneys lent by him to the Parliament Five Members declared their dissent to the vote Dec. 5. 1648. The Committee named to consider how to proceed in a way of justice against the King were injoyned to meet this Afternoon Debate whether the secluded Members should be re-admitted A dispute between the two Houses whether thirty three thousand pound formerly granted to the Lord Willoughby as Part of his arrears and by him assigned to his Creditors who accepted the security should now be granted away to others in prejudice of the Lord Willoughbys Creditors which the Lords held not just The Lords who sate in the House being very few they Ordered that all the Lords who were within twenty miles should appear to morrow and those more remote within fourteen days after receipt of this Order some moved it might be under the pain of five hundred pound but that was not agreed unto A Petition to the Commons from Norfolk and Norwich reciting the former and present evils and praying 1. That present inquiry be made who have been the chief instruments of the King in the former or latter War and in the late bringing in of the Scots and that he himself and all such as have been the most notorious incendiaries and instruments in shedding of blood may without delay be brought to impartial Justice 2. That Courts of Justice Judges and Officers and Fecs may be certain and Laws in the vulgar tongue and Justice be speedy and without respect of persons and as may most agree with the rule of Christian duty just reason and the birth-right and priviledge of English-men and that