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.

December, 1647.

December 1. A Petition to both Houses from the * 1.1 Common Councel, acknowledging the Supream au∣thority of Parliaments, to which all Persons ought to submit, craving Pardon for former Errors of some of the City; and desiring that a constant pay may be pro∣vided for the Army, so that free Quarter may be ta∣ken off, and the Army enabled to lye at a further distance from the City, that so Provisions may be cheaper and Trade incouraged.

They pray that the Covenant may be observed, and a good peace established; and that the Aldermen and Re∣corder of their City lately imprisoned, may by the fa∣vour of the Parliament be released.

The Houses gave them thanks for their good affe∣ctions, and answered, that some of the Particulars de∣sired * 1.2 by them, were under consideration; and the Parlia∣ment would in all the particulars, do what belonged to Right, and Justice, and the good of the Kingdom.

The Grand Committee sat about the taking off free Quarter.

The four Propositions to be sent to his Majesty, were read the first time.

(2.) The Grand Committee sat about provi∣ding a constant Pay for the Army.

The House debate the Petition of the Citizens, in favour of the agreement of the People, and voted, * 1.3

That it is the right of the Subject to Petition the Par∣liament and the right of the Parliament to judge of the Petitions; that all Petitioners ought to acquiesce in that judgement of the Parliament, and so they hoped, and expected the present Petitioners would do.

The Impeachment against the Earl of Lincoln was read the first time, and a Message sent to the Lords for further time to bring up the Impeach∣ments against the seven Lords, which was grant∣ed.

Order for the names of the Justices of Peace of every County to be given in to the several Mem∣bers of each County, that the House may consider of them.

(3.) Debate all the day long upon the four Pro∣positions, to be forthwith sent to his Majesty, three of them were agreed unto, and the fourth concern∣ing the Militia was committed.

(4.) The Speaker came very late to the House, and was not able to sit above a quarter of an hour; in the afternoon, they sate in a grand Committee to provide a constant Pay for the Army, and to take away free Quarter.

The House adjourned till Tuesday.

The Officers in every Regiment in obedience to the General's Order, put out all Soldiers who had been taken in since the engagement at New-Market, or that had been of the Kings Party. They flock∣ed to the Head Quarters at Windsor, desiring Mo∣ney

to bear their Charges, or to return to their several Regiments from whence they came.

Those who had formerly served the Parliament, were for want of Money to pay them off, return∣ed to their Regiments, but not the Cavaliers or dis∣orderly Persons.

A Corporal of Col. Lilburne's Regiment was sentenced to death by the Councel of War, for put∣ting on the Mutiny of that Regiment, and five or six Troopers to run the Gantelope, which was executed at Windsor; but the Corporal was reprie∣ved till Captain Braye's Tryal.

Who being tryed in part carried himself with great Pride and Arrogance.

The General Councel of the Army were infor∣med of an universal denyal of Payment of the As∣sessment of the Army to make them odious, and by that means to have free quarter taken off.

Twenty Resolute Fellows designed to rob the Exchequer, but were discovered by a Water-man, and Guards set to meet with them; but sixteen of the Company fought resolutely, and made their way through the Guards, the other four were taken much wounded.

(16.) the House sate not because of the Speak∣er's being sick.

The High German Prophet published a Maenifesto, * 1.4 of great destruction to be in England, the which he had before told to the King, and to the General.

(7.) A Petition for Hertford-shire to be eased of free Quarter, the Petitioners had thanks for their good affections, and were told that the House was now upon that business, and hoped to give satis∣faction therein to the whole Kingdom.

An information against a Member of the House, that he had been a Delinquent, was referred to a Committee.

A Petition from Bucks, and another from Mid∣dlesex * 1.5 against free Quarter, the Petitioners had the same answer as those of Hertford-shire had before.

Order to continue the Speakers to be Commissio∣ners of the great Seal for twenty days after the next * 1.6 Term.

Col. Sir Hardress Waller, and Col. Whaley pre∣sented from the General and Council of the Army, the representation of the Army, and desired it might have a present reading.

It was read and referred to a Committee to re∣port what parts of it were fit to be presently pro∣ceeded in.

• 1. It takes notice how little hath been done since * 1.7 the Speakers return from the Army.
• 2. That through this delay there have been dangerous attempts.
• 3. That notwithstanding, the Army is again setled.
• 4. That the General engaged they should have con∣tent in Pay.
• 5. The want of Pay occaesioning free Quarter, but nothing done to take it off.
• 6. They could have made their own way of Pay, and destroyed their opposers, but have studied the preserva∣tion of all.
• 7. The Parliament have had sufficient cautions, yet supernumeraries, being twenty thousand, are not dis∣banded.
• 8. That the Pay be inlarged for the whole, and they will engage that no free quarter shall be taken.

Much about Arrears and stating Accounts.

Till these things setled, they offer, That part of the Army may quarter in London till the Arrears be le∣vied; for maimed Soldiers, and Apprentices Freedom, and all must be done with all possible speed; and if con∣tent be not given by the end of this Week, they cannot answer for the Army; but desire it may be under the conduct of others; and that the Impeached Citizens may be proceeded against; and the City pay the Countries dammage by free quarter, occasioned by their not paying the Assessments.

(8.) Upon a report from the Committee to whom the Representation of the Army was refer∣red, Order for a Committee of six to go to the General and treat with him and his Councel about disbanding the supernumeraries, and Instructions agreed for them.

Votes for Pay, and provision of Money, free quar∣ter to be upon those places which pay not the As∣sessment.

Both Houses passed the Ordinance of Tunnage * 1.8 and Poundage, and some other Ordinances for Mo∣ney and for the two Speakers to be Commissioners of the great Seal till twenty days after next Term.

Mr. Walter Montague had liberty.

Order to exclude private business for eight days.

Letters from the Isle of Wight, That the King was much retired, his old Servants and Chaplains came to him.

Col. Jones had good success in Ireland.

(9.) A Letter from the King to both Houses, * 1.9 Taxing them for not answering his last Message; and earnestly pressing for a personal Treaty, that Peace may be setled; the retarding whereof he lays on them, and expresseth his own readiness to consent.

Order to communicate this to the Scots Com∣missioners.

Proceedings upon the Impeachments against the seven Lords.

(10.) Upon a report from the Committee se∣veral Bills assented to, to be presented to the King, and Instructions for the Commissioners who are to present them.

A Letter from the Assembly in Scotland to the Assembly at Westminster, ordered to be brought into the House.

Order for Fuel and money for the maimed Soul∣diers.

A further day desired to bring in the Charge against the Impeached Members, and an Ordinance pass'd both Houses for Money for Plymouth Garrison.

(11.) A Petition from the Gentlemen of Ireland * 1.10 now in London, complaining of the want of Sup∣plys for the Forces in Ireland; the Petitioners had thanks for their care of that Kingdom, and a day set for consideration of that business.

Difference upon amendments of the Ordinance of Tunnage and Poundage.

Order to re-imburse the Commissioners of the Customs, and to continue them.

Mr. Scot added to the Committee of Sequestrations.

The Parliaments Commissioners conferred with the General about the disbanding of Forces, and agreed, that there be no addition of Forces; and for securing of Arrears.

Representations were presented to the General from particular Regiments.

(13.) The Speaker acquainted the House with a new design to raise an Army against the Parlia∣ment, the Examination of it was referred to a Com∣mittee.

The Lieutenant of the Tower apprehended some suspitious Persons there, and the House ap∣proved thereof.

Divers Compositions were passed.

Some brought out of Ireland referred to the Committee at Derby-House.

Order for Col. Mitton to secure Sir Faithful For∣tescue.

Order for the Commissioners of the Great Seal, to present to Livings.

The Impeachments against the seven Lords were long debated.

Letters from the Commissioners at Windfor of their proceedings.

Letters from York of a Soldiers being censured by the Council of War to a weeks imprisonment, and dyet of Bread and Water for being unruly at his Quarters, and not contented with his dyet, a∣nother cashiered, and to stand with a Paper in the Market-place, and to be whipped.

Another shot to death for killing a man.

(14.) The Lords finished the four Bills to be sent to his Majesty, and named the Earl of Nor∣thumberland, * 1.11 Kent, Rutland, Pembroke, and Salis∣bury to be their Commissioners to present them.

The Commons concurred, and named for their Commissioners, Mr. Bulkley, Mr. L'Isle, Mr. Ro∣bert Goodwyn, and Mr. Kemp for their Commissioners, or any three of both Houses.

Order for Money for Ireland.

Divers Compositions passed.

(15.) Ordinance for Sallaries for the Officers of the Committee of Accounts.

Another pass'd for addition of Members to the Committee of the Navy.

The Scots Commissioners desired time to consi∣der of the four Bills to be presented to his Majesty.

Vote of both Houses for the Country Commit∣tees to certifie the full value of all Sequestred E∣states.

The House in the afternoon passed an Answer to the Scots Commissioners, That Bills pass'd both Hou∣ses are not to be altered by any other, and that they are * 1.12 resolved to send their Commissioners by Tuesday next, and desire that the Scots Commissioners would send their Propositions at the same time.

(16.) Report from Col. Lilburne's Commit∣tee.

An Ordinance for repairing Churches and Chap∣pels.

Ordinances sent to the Commons for turning De∣linquents out of the Lines. Another about chu∣sing Common-Council-men, Malignants and such as abetted the late Force against the Parliament to be uncapable to be chosen.

Order for five thousand pound to be paid to Mr. Hampden's Executors.

An Ordinance pass'd for setting poor people to work.

A Letter with an inclosed Declaration from the Scots Commissioners.

Order about the Guards of the House.

Ordinance pass'd for Captain Ed. Harley to be Vice-Admiral of the North, &c.

Reference to the Committee of the Navy about the Isle of Providence.

Letters from Windsor of a good agreement be∣tween the Parliaments Commissioners and the G. Councel of the Army, about the particulars before-mentioned, and for the Armies being drawn into Garrisons, and all free Quarter to be taken off, so as they may have constant Pay. Deans and Chap∣ters Lands desired for security.

A Petition of the Farmers in Surrey to the Gene∣ral about free Quarter, and their Landlords refu∣sing to deduct of their Rents for the free Quarter, they desired the General to move the Parliament for their Relief herein, who recommended it to the Houses.

(18.) Mr. Marshall, and Mr. Nye appointed to go Chaplains to the Commissioners to the Isle of Wight.

Divers Compositions passed.

Order for Col. Nedham's Arrears to be audited.

One of Col. Lilburn's Regiment condemned to dye by the Councel of War for raising the Mutiny at Ware, and others to run the Gantelope.

Captain Grey and Major Cobbet tryed.

(20.) The Commissioners ordered two hun∣dred pound for their Charge, to go to the Isle of Wight.

The Primate of Armagh continued Preacher at * 1.13 Lincolns Inne.

Referred to a Committee to examine what De∣linquent Ministers did Preach, or Read the Book of Common Prayer, and to silence them, which was much opposed by divers, as contrary to that liberty of Consciences which they themselves pre∣tended to insist upon, as due to every Christian.

It was carried in the Negative upon the question that Deans and Chapters Lands should not be secu∣rity for the Arrears of the Soldiers, but that it should be out of the remainder of Bishops Lands, and out of Forrest Lands, and the Excise. * 1.14

Several Compositions were passed.

Debate upon the Declaration from the Scots Commissioners claiming in language a joynt interest with the Parliament of England in the setling of Peace in both the Kingdoms; and protesting against the four Bills; and they press for a personal Treaty at Lon∣don.

They inforce, Let that be given to God, which is God's, and to Caesar that which is Caesar's, and puts them in mind of their professed Loyalty.

An Answer was agreed upon in like high termes to their Declaration.

(21.) Order for an Ordinance for further In∣demnity for the Soliders; and for another to draw the Forces into Garrisons, and for a Declaration, of the necessity that hath been to keep up an Army, and to take free Quarter, and that if the Kingdom will pay in six Months Arrears of the sixty thousand pound per Mens. that then the other three Months Arrears will be remitted, and no Officer shall come into any mans House without his leave, nor no Sol∣dier, except in Innes, Ale-houses, Taverns, and Victualling-houses.

The Printer Committed for Printing the Scots Declaration, without leave of the House.

Orders for preserving the Arms of such as shall be disbanded, from being imbezeled, that the Forces to be disbanded shall have two month pay, and divers Compositions were passed.

Major Cobbet sentenced by the Court-Martial to be Cashiered.

(22.) Debate of an Ordinance for reimbursing the Commissioners of the Customs, and they to be removable at the pleasure of both Houses, their Money being paid.

An Ordinance passed for the maimed Soldiers, another committed for securing the Soliders Ar∣rears. Another past for stating the Accounts of the Army. Another pass'd to make a Committee in Kent, to hear Differences about Military Affairs, and to give indemnity.

Order for the Members to go into their several Counties, for collecting the Arrears of the Asses∣ment.

(23.) The Trustees for Bishops Lands were made Trustees for Delinquents Lands, and For∣rest Lands, for security of the Arrears of the Sol∣diers.

Vote, That 15 January next the Army shall be drawn into Garrisons, and free Quarter taken off, and that the remainder of Bishops Lands should be security also to the Soliders.

Orders about collecting the Assessment of sixty thousand pound a Month.

(24.) Letters from the General to the House, with a Paper of the result of the Councel of War at Windsor, concerning Quartering of the Soliders in Innes, Ale houses, &c. referred to the Com∣mittee

of the Army, to confer and consider with the General and his Officers about it.

A Petition of Divers Citizens who were abused the last year for opening their Shops on Christ-mas day, though an Ordinance of Parliament did warrant it.

Order that the Committee of the Militia of Lon∣don and Westminster should take care to prevent the like inconveniences, and to put out of the Lines all Delinquent Ministers.

Order upon the General's Letter for Col. Rains∣borough to go forthwith to his Charge at Sea, as Vice-Admiral.

At a Councel of War some Officers acknowled∣ged * 1.15 their Errors upon former passages, and desired to be re-admitted into the favour of the General and his Councel, which was approved, and the Officers kept a Fast, where Cromwell, Ireton, Col. Tichburne, and other Officers Prayed, and from Scripture, exhorted to Unity and Obedience to Commands.

(25.) Christ-mas day the shops were all shut up in London, notwithstanding the Ordinance to the contrary.

The Houses sat, and upon complaint that some Delinquent Ministers Preached on this day, in Lon∣don, and that the Common-Prayer-Book was used in several places, power was given to the Com∣mittee of Plundered Ministers to examine and pu∣nish Church-wardens, Sequestrators, and others who countenance the same.

Order to put in Execution the ordinance for a∣bolishing Holy-days.

A Printed Paper directed to the Speaker intitu∣led, Observations on the Scots Message to the Parlia∣ment, referred to a Committee to find out the Au∣thors and Printers of it, being very scandalous to the King, Parliament, and Army.

Mr. Saltmarsh the Minister assirmed that he had somewhat revealed to him from Heaven, wherewith he * 1.16 must acquaint the Army. And presently went from his House in Essex, to Windsor, where he spake with the General with his hat on, and told him, he had doted on him, but now must honour him no more, because he had Imprisoned the Saints.

He also told the Officers of the Army, That for∣merly he came to them as a Lamb, but now he was come as a Lyon, to tell them what the Lord bad revealed to him, That though the Lord had done much by them and for them, yet he had now for saken them, and would not prosper them, because they had for saken him, their first Principles, and had imprison'd the Saints, with many of the like expressions.

He then told the Army, He had delivered his mes∣sage, done his work, and must leave them, and see them no more, and so went from Windsor to London, and from thence to his House in Essex, where be∣ing ill, on Friday he told his Wife, he had now fi∣nished his Course, and must go to his Father. And the next day he dyed.

(27.) Orders for Money for the Navy.

At a Conference the Commons informed the * 1.17 Lords, that Col. Rainsborough had cleared himself of the objections formerly made against him; and now at the desire of the General and his Councel, the Commons had voted him to be readmitted to his imployment of Vice-Admiral, and desired their Lordships Concurrence therein.

Debate upon a Petition of Doctor Trigge.

Some Compositions of Delinquents passed.

Letters from the Commissioners sent to the King.

That they presented the Bills, and Propositions to his Majesty, who then said, He was assured, they * 1.18 would not expect a present answer, but he would take the same into consideration, and give his answer within few days.

The next day after the four Bills presented to the King, the Scots Commissioners came to him, and presented to him a Declaration, That they had en∣deavoured by all means to the Parliament of England, * 1.19 for furthering a happy Peace, having seen the Proposi∣tions, and understood of Bills brought to his Majesty, which they apprehend prejudicial to Religion, the Crown, and the Ʋnion between the Kingdoms; and therefore in the name of the Kingdom of Scotland, declare their dis∣sent.

The General sent his Letters to Major General Lambert, Major General Laugherne, Major Gene∣ral Mitton, Major Hopton, Col. Humphreys, Col. Duckenfield, and Col. Venables, concerning the dis∣banding supernumeraries.

Letters from Ireland of Col. Jone's Marching in∣to * 1.20 Wicklow, That his Regiment conformed; that Owen Roe Oneale was by the Popish Clergy opposing the Laity, made Generalissimo of the Rebels; and General Preston cast off; That Sir Charles Coote was gone into the Field, but Sir Robert, and Sir William Steward's Regiments refused to March with him.

That the Soldiers under the Lord Iuchequin in the last Victory they gained, fought all of them with the greatest courage imaginable, though they wanted Cloaths, Shooes, and Bread.

(28.) Debate of an Ordinance for eight hun∣dred pound per An. to be setled on the Bishop of Durham.

A Petition from Newcastle complaining of the sore burden upon them of free Quarter, when * 1.21 the Scots were there, and ever since; and the Oppression not so great in any other part of the Kingdom.

Order that they shall have the publick Faith for all free Quarter since the Scots were there.

Orders for Ammunition for that Garrison, and touching the Sequestrations there, and in Northum∣berland, to pay Money due to those Countries.

The Lords dissented from Col. Rainsborough's go∣ing to Sea, and gave their Reasons for it at a Conference.

A Message from the Lords to give the Marquess of Winton four Months longer time of liberty, and to consider of the Petition of the Lord Cromwell.

A Letter of thanks written to the Commissioners in the Isle of Wight.

Divers Compositions passed.

(29.) The Monthly Fast-day.

News came of a great Disorder and tumult in Can∣terbury about the observation of Christmas-day, the Major endeavouring the Execution of the Ordi∣nance * 1.22 for abolishing holy-days, was much abused by the rude multitude, had his head broken, and was dragged up and down, till he got into an house for his safety.

They broke into the houses of divers others, who were of the Majors Opinion, put themselves into a Military Posture, kept Guards, stopt Passes, and examined Passengers, and the like Insurrecti∣ons were in several other places of the Kingdom.

(30.) Upon a Letter from the Committee of Kent of the disorder at Canterbury,

The House ordered, That the Order for exami∣ning and committing of Church wardens, &c. who countenanced Malignant Ministers should be Print∣ed, and referred the business of the Riot at Canter∣bury to the Committee, with power to send for Par∣ties, &c. and to imprison, and to certifie the whole matter to the House.

The like Riot at Eling in Middlesex, was refer∣red to be examined and proceeded against at the Sessions of Peace.

Letters from the General, that he had given a Commission to Sir Arthur Haselrigge to be Gover∣nor

of New-castle, which the House approved, and ordered him to repair thither to his Charge.

Mr. Harris a Church-Warden of St. Martins Parish, ordered to be committed for bringing De∣linquents to Preach there; and to be displaced from being Church-warden there.

(31.) Letters from Sir Thomas Fairfax, That by reason of a late Mutiny, and design to carry a∣way * 1.23 the King, he had given order to Col. Ham∣mond, to keep a strict guard upon his Majesties Per∣son, till he further knew the pleasure of the Parlia∣ment. The House approved therof, and ordered the General to take special care for securing the Person of his Majesty, where he now is in Cares∣brooke Castle.

And they ordered that Col. Hammond the Gover∣nor of the Isle of Wight take special care for secu∣ring the King's Person, where he now is; and to observe such further Orders therein, as he should receive from the General, and the Lords concur∣red herein.

The Parliaments Commissioners returned from the King, with little satisfaction, touching the four Bills presented to him.

The House Ordered that Mr. Marshal, and Mr. Nye, be desired to come and pray with the House to morrow morning, to seek God for his blessing and direction in their consultations, tending to matters of great concernment.

The general Councel of the Army agreed upon Warrants to be sent from the General to all those Officers, whose Soldiers were to be disbanded ac∣cording to the Orders of Parliament, that they con∣form unto, and see the same done accordingly, and mention of the stating their Accounts, and secu∣rity for their Arrears, with present Pay of part of them, in the Warrants.

The Officers of the Army fully complyed with the Parliaments Commissioners, and at their part∣ing, all expressed much joy, and the General Coun∣cel, that they would live and dye with the Parliament, and gave the Commissioners twenty five Guns from the Castle at their going away from Windsor.

Notes

• * 1.1

  City Peti∣on.
• * 1.2

  Answer.
• * 1.3

  Votes a∣bout Pe∣titions.
• * 1.4

  German Prophet.
• * 1.5

  Petitions.
• * 1.6

  Great Seal
• * 1.7

  Army.
• * 1.8

  Great Seal
• * 1.9

  Letters from the King.
• * 1.10

  Ireland.
• * 1.11

  Commissi∣oners to the King.
• * 1.12

  Answer to the Scots.
• * 1.13

  Armagh.
• * 1.14

  Declarati∣on. Scots Com∣missioners
• * 1.15

  Army
• * 1.16

  Saltmarsh.
• * 1.17

  Col. Rains∣borough.
• * 1.18

  Isle of Wight.
• * 1.19

  Scots Com∣missioners.
• * 1.20

  Ireland.
• * 1.21

  New-cast.
• * 1.22

  Christ-ma•• day.
• * 1.23

  The Kings Person.