Memorials of the English affairs, or, An historical account of what passed from the beginning of the reign of King Charles the First, to King Charles the Second his happy restauration containing the publick transactions, civil and military : together with the private consultations and secrets of the cabinet.

October, 1647.

October 1. Order for Money for Officers and Widows in distress, and for the poor English I∣rish.

Order for a Declaration, That both Houses in∣tend to desist from prosecuting any more that were active or abettors in the late tumults and force upon the Parliament, than those whom they have already voted against.

Order about Cursitors places referred to the two Speakers.

Orders for removing Prisoners in the Tower to other Prisons.

The Impeachment agreed unto against Lieutenant Collonel Baines.

The Ordinance for Delinquents to have no voice in the Election of Officers, pass'd, and sent to the Lords.

(2.) Some appointed to be examined upon the late tumult; and the Declaration committed, that no more should be questioned; whereby peoples minds were qui∣eted; but this was not to extend to any Members of the House, reduced Officers, or Delinquents.

Pardons granted to some Prisoners.

Debate upon the Confession of Faith, presented by the Assembly.

A Paper from the Army, desiring

1. That the House would grant to the General and such Officers and Soldiers as he should appoint, full power (with the directions of the Committee of the Army) to levy, by way of distress from the City, the Arrears due to the Army.

2. That the Parliament would set a Penalty upon those, that put them to this trouble of distreining.

3. That they would give the like power and pe∣nalty for levying all the Arrears in other pla∣ces.

4. And that the Houses would provide for their own Guards, so as the Army might Quarter further from the City.

(4.) Vote for twenty thousand pound a Month a∣bove the 60 thousand pounds for the nine thousand Horse and Foot designed for Ireland; and towards the Charge of that War. And other Votes touch∣ing the Forces and Government there.

Order for two months Pay for all the Garrisons, that are put out, and so disbanded, and all of the Army who are not of the Establishment, nor to go for Ireland, to be cashiered.

An Ordinance pass'd for money, another for Guernsey, &c. and Col. Birch, Col. Ludlow, Mr. Harrington, and Mr. Weaver named Commissioners for this business.

The Letter from the General touching the Ar∣rears of the Army, referred to the Committee of the Army.

Orders touching Guards for the Tower.

The Lords concurred with some small alterations about the Propositions to be again sent to the King.

The Lords ordered the Sequestration of the D. of Bucks his Estate to be taken off; and recommend∣ed to the Commons the Earl of Newport's Petition for lessening of his Compositions; and ordered the continuance of the allowance of eight hundred pound per An. to the Bishop of Durham; and de∣sired the Commons concurrence.

Both Houses pass'd the Ordinance for disabling Delinquents to have voices in Elections.

(5.) Debate upon the Ordinance for Turinage and Poundage; and Orders for Money for Mr. Prince.

Order for four hundred pound per An. allow∣ance for the Bishop of Armagh, and for one thou∣sand 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 ac∣quiesce in the Judgment of the Parliament.

An account from Major General Lambert of the ordering of his Forces in the North, of the agree∣ment with the Vale-men about Quartering his Sol∣diers, 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 Or∣ders, 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 exami∣ned.

The Ordinance for setling the Presbyterian Go∣vernment, re-committed, to have a Clause inserted in favour of ••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 decli∣ned 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 speedi∣ly be Collected, by such as the Parliament shall ap∣point.

3. That the Propositions may be drawn up, and spee∣dily 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, Mar∣quess 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 conse∣rence 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 Com∣mittee, 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 Ma∣leverer, 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 be∣lieved to be more than any one of the profession ever got before.

(21.) Much debate of the Ordinance of Tun∣nage and Poundage, and voted that if the Commissi∣oners will advance thirty thousand pound, they shall not be removed till they be reimbursed all that shall be owing unto them, which the Commissioners a∣greed 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 trans∣ferred to the Committee of the Army, was sent up to the Lords.

Order for a Committee of the Militia of Hert∣fordshire.

Another Letter from the General and his Coun∣cel 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 appoint∣ed 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 Fair∣fax'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 Profes∣sor 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 a∣gainst 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 Govern∣ment 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 Po∣pish 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 to the Pres∣byterian Government, and none other.

That Liberty of Conscience granted shall extend to none that shall Preach, Print, or Publish any thing con∣trary to the first fifteen of the thirty-nine Articles, except the eighth.

That it extend not to Popish Recusants, or taking away any Poenal Laws against them.

Order by the Lords that the Marquess of Winton have three Months longer time to be abroad.

Committees appointed to draw things into form, and touching the Prorogation of the Parliament, and touching Justices of the Peace, and Grand-Ju∣ry-men.

(14.) Debate touching the end of Sessions of Parliament, and this Session to end in twelve Months after the passing the Bill; and afterwards the Sessions to be Triennial.

The Commons voted Liberty to tender Consci∣ences by way of Indulgence, and much to the effect as the Lords had before voted.

A Letter from the King to the General,

That he would write to the Parliament that his Majesties Children might not yet be removed to St James's, but remain for a night or two within.

(15.) Debate upon the Ordinance for Tun∣nage and Poundage.

Proceedings upon the Propositions concerning Church-Government.

The General Councel of the Army at Putney re∣solved, That every Trooper should abate 12d. per diem in lieu of free Quarter, and every Foot Sol∣dier 4d. per diem.

(16.) Debate touching Religion, and Voted,

That the Indulgence as to tender Consciences shall not extend to tolerate the Common Prayer.

The Lords sent the Propositions to the Commons for their concurrence to be sent to the King with some alterations.

The Commons referred them to a Committee to peruse, wherein they agreed, or disagreed from the former Propositions.

Suspition of designs to bring in the Scots to assist the King.

(18.) Proceedings upon the Propositions to be sent to the King the same as before.

Added to put a period to this Parliament a year after the passing of this Act.

For Elections of Justices of Peace, and Grand Jury-men.

The King to return to his Parliament, and have his Rights, Queen, and Children restored to him.

Some alterations made by the Commons and re∣ferred to a Committee.

Debate, Seven Delinquents to be excepted from pardon of life.

Complaints against Stage-players, and an Ordi∣nance to suppress them.

Debate upon L. C. Liburne's Case committed by the Lords, against which he complained by a long Speech.

Mr. Belliure the French Ambassador took his leave of the King.

The Gourdons rose in Arms in Scotland, and Ma∣jor General Miadleton gave a defeat to some of them.

The Agitators of five Regiments of Horse pre∣sented some high Papers to the General, as the sence of the Army, which was not so, but of these Agitators.

The General answered their Letter, That he thought it meet to be presented to the General Councel.

(19.) A grand Committee to consider of Mo∣neys for Pay of the Army, out of the Excise, Bish∣ops Lands, &c.

Letter from the French Ambassador about his ta∣king leave, and desiring a Pass.

Debate about Coaches, &c. for his Journey; Order that three Lords, and six Commoners give the Ambassador a visit at his departure.

Ordinance against Stage-plays carried up to the Lords.

Col. Jones took in four Castles from the Rebels but could not force them to fight, though at advan∣tages.

Power given to suppress the Moss-Troopers.

(20.) Several Votes pass'd upon the Propositi∣on of Persons excepted from Pardon, agreed to be seven; and touching Estates, and Offices, &c.

(21.) Proceedings, and several new Votes up∣on the Propositions.

A Petition from Sir William Roberts and the other contractors for the sale of Bishops Lands, of the Obstructions in that business; referred to a Committee to consider of a way for removal of them.

The Lords agreed with the Commons in the Or∣dinance for suppressing Stage-Players.

(22.) A Petition of the East-India Company referred to a Committee.

Order for twelve hundred pound for Lieutenant Collonel Goll's Arrears.

An Ordinance committed for Payment of all Arrears to the Soldiers, particularly to some of Sir Thomas Fairfax's Army; and ordered out of the Sale of Bishops Lands, after the precedent en∣gagements thereupon.

The Assembly presented to the House a Cate∣chisme drawn up by them.

Referred to the Committee of the Army, and to the Committee of the Navy, to inquire what Arms, Ammunition, and Ordnances belonging to the Publick, are in any private hands, or not made use of for the service of the State; and to restore such as belong to any who are well affected to the Parliament; and the rest to be brought in to the Tower, or made use of for the Navy.

The General and General Councel of the Army, met at Putney, and had much debate touching the Papers presented by the Agitators of the five Re∣giments which were disliked by the General and his Officers; and they appointed a Committee to consi∣der of the Paper printed, intituled the Case of the Army, to send for such Parties as they shall think fit, and to prepare something to be offered to the next, General Councel, and for vindication of the Ar∣my, from the aspersions cast upon them by that Pa∣per.

They were also to consider of a way for the spee∣dy bringing in of monies upon Compositions, to be offered to the House from the General Councel, and of an abatement of the Pay of Non-Commissio∣ned Officers, and to prepare Rules for Quartering of Souldiers for the ease of the Country, and a∣bout some Troopers lately taken in to be Disban∣ded, about Waggoners and payment of Arrears.

(23.) A Letter from the Scots Commissioners here to give notice to the Houses, That there was a command laid upon them to attend the King, which they did this day at Hampton-Court.

Orders for mony for the Army.

Proceedings upon the Propositions, and Voted, That the Tithes belonging to Deans and Chapters shall be imployed towards the maintenance of a Preaching Mi∣nister.

(25.) Votes for Pay of the Arrears of Souldiers out of the Estates of Delinquents, the remainder of Bishops Lands and Forest Lands, this to be in∣serted in the Propositions; and an Act to Null the Court of Wards, and the King to have twenty thousand pounds per An. in lieu thereof, and that the two Houses shall nominate all the chief Officers in Ireland, and also in England.

A Committee of both Houses for Forrein Affairs to consider of a Message from the Ambassadour of France.

A Case of Indemnity determined.

The Committee of Estates in Scotland considering the dangers then imminent to Religion, His Maje∣sties Person and Authority, the Union betwixt the Kingdoms, and Peace of that Kingdom, fully re∣presented to them in Letters from the Commissio∣ners in London, and by several informations, found it necessary in regard thereof, that the Army be kept up, till March next.

Letters from the North, of the care of Major General Lambert, for equal Quartering of his Souldiers, and for punishment of some to run the Gantelope, for Plundering, and for meddling to assist in taking possession of a parcel of Tithes, and taking in the advice and assistance of a Justice of Peace.

(26.) Debate in a Grand Committee upon the Ordinance of Tunnage and Poundage.

The House finished the Propositions to be sent to the King, and ordered them to be presented within ten days, and had a conference with the Lords for their concurrence.

Order for the Lead of Worcester Church to be taken off, and sold.

A Petition from the Northern parts to both Houses, for the erecting of an University at York.

Letters from Dublin informed that Collonel Jones having joyned to his Forces, those of Col∣lonel Cootes, and Collonel Monke, in all two thousand two hundred Horse, and five thousand five hundred Foot, took in several Castles from the Rebels; then they Battered Port-Lester, most of the Gar∣rison leaped into the water, and swam away, the rest were put to the Sword.

Then some of his men without Order fell upon Athboy unexpectedly, surprised the Guards, and en∣tred and possess'd the Town, which was strongly for∣tified, and five hundred men in it, they took also two thousand Cows, and other Cattle from the Rebels, Owen their General could not get his men to ingage for want of mony.

(27.) The Monthly Fast-day, the House did set days to consider of the Ordinance, for setting of poor people to Work; and of the Ordinance a∣gainst heinous sins, and Blasphemies.

(28.) A Petition from the Trustees for Sale of Bishops Lands, about removing some obstructions, referred to special Committee.

Impeachments against the seven Lords, agreed upon, and sent up to the House of Peers, and an Im∣peachment against Sir Jo. Maynard, and Collonel Midhup was apprehended for being active in the late Force upon the Parliament, and Impeached of Trea∣son.

Order for several Members of the House to take some of the Deputies of the Sergeant at Arms, and to break open doors, and seize Trunks, and Pa∣pers of one Captain Vernon, which Order was much opposed by some Members of the House, as alto∣gether illegal.

The Earl of Northumberland desired leave at any time to carry the Kings Children to His Majesty, which was granted.

The Agitators of the five Regiments that pre∣sented the former Papers to the General and Ge∣neral Councel, now put forth another Paper to clear themselves, and that they had no intention of making divisions in the Army, &c.

(29.) The grand Committee sat about Tunnage and Poundage.

Several meetings were of the General-Councel of the Army.

(30.) Order about the eight thousand pounds per annum to be paid to the Prince Elector.

A free Conference of both Houses touching some difference about part of the propositions; and the Commons appointed a Committee to prepare rea∣sons to satisfie the Lords, why the Commons ad∣hered to their former resolutions in those particu∣lars.

Notes

• Force up∣on the Parlia∣ment.
• Divine
• Army
• Force up∣on the Par∣liament.
• Lambert.
• Gifted men.
• Army.
• Army.
• Maynard,
• Army.
• The Lords Votes. Church-Govern∣ment.
• Commons Votes.
• Indul∣gence.
• Religion.
• Additio∣nal Propo∣sitions.
• Lilbure.
• Army.
• French Ambassa∣dor.
• Assembly.
• Propositi∣ons for Peace.
• ••••••land.
• Propositi∣ons for Peace.
• York.
• ••••••land.
• Force up∣on the Par∣liament.
• Army.
• Prince E∣lector.