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.

February, 1649.

(Feb. 1.) Divers People took away by vio∣lence from the Owners, Wheat, and other Corn, carrying to Market to Basing-Stoak, and beat the Carters, and some of them being imprisoned for it, the rest brake the Prison, and let out them and other Malefactors.

Letters from Rome. That there an Agent from England; and the English Priests seem very * 1.1 confident, that within few Years their Religion would be Established in England.

(2) At a Court Marshal in C. Prides Regi∣ment, a Souldier was sentenced to run the Gant∣lope, and afterwards to be cashiered for threat∣ning to cut his fellow Souldiers throats in case King Charles the Second came in; and for swear∣ing and drunkenness.

Another had the like sentence, having been found to have been in Arms against the Parlia∣ment, and then came in to them, and at his dis∣banding gave out threatning words against the Officers. * 1.2

The Parliament Voted that a Book written by one Coppes, intituled a fiery flying Roll, &c. con∣tained many horrid Blasphemies, and damnable and detestable Opinions, and that the Book, and all Copies of it that can be found, shall be burnt by the hands of the Hangman.

A Petition from Wiltshire for Propagation of the Gospel, &c. approved by the House, and in or∣der thereto, they appointed every Fryday to con∣sider al wayes for the better advancing the Gospel * 1.3 of Christ.

An Act committed for the better propagating of the Gospel in Wales.

The Parliament ordered touching Negotiati∣ons with Forraign Princes and States, That the * 1.4 Stile and Title to be used by this Parliament in all Negotiations shall be Parliamentum Rei-publicae Anglicae.

And the Style, when any address shall be made to them, The Parliament of the Commonwealth of England,

And no other Title to be used.

Order for an Act to be brought in for the Pu∣nishment of insolent Profanations of the Sabbath, and Adultery.

The Parliament upon the hearing Sir Jacob Garrets Business, sentenced three of his false Ac∣cusers to stand in the Pillory.

Thus they took upon them, and exercised all manner of Jurisdiction, and sentenced Persons, Secundum Arbitrium.

(4) Letters that Jermin and other Lords, and Courtiers are hastning from Paris to Breda, hear∣ing * 1.5 that the Scots are sending Money to defray the charges of their King and Court there.

That the Scots are busy in purging their Army, but are startied at the news of the Parliament sending for the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, That they report the ground thereof to be, That he is routed in Ireland, and That the Parliament of Eng∣land fear new Troubles. Yet the Scots sent an Express into Ireland to know the certain∣ty.

(5) Letters of the Losses by Pirates about Scarborough.

From Weymouth, That one Mr. Thomas May was secured by the Governour there, and to be sent up in Custody to London, for raysing false Rumors concerning the Parliament and the Gene∣ral.

From Portsmouth, That G. Deane came thither with the Phenix, and informed of several Vessels with Recruits for Ireland cast a∣way.

An Act passed for a day of publick Humiliation * 1.6 throughout England and Wales, to seek God for a Blessing upon the Proceedings of Parliament, and their Armies in England and Ireland.

Debate about an Act for a publick Register to inroll all Deeds, and to find Incumbrances upon * 1.7 all Estates and Lands.

An Additional Act passed for removing of Ob∣structions, in the sale of the late Kings Lands, &c.

A Petition from Westminster, for settling the civil Government there, referred to the Com∣mittee for Corporations.

Debate of an Act for regulating, and erecting a Corporation in Norfolk concerning the Worst∣ed-Weavers, and Yarn-Men.

(6) Returns of Subscriptions to the Ingage∣ment

from several Regiments and Garrisons.

Letters from Taunton, That the Commissio∣ners for settling the Militia in that County, had agreed upon Officers of Horse and Foot, to be named to the Councel of State for Commissions. That C. Pine is most Active in this and all other Business of that County.

At a Horse Race near Blackley, there being ma∣ny Gallants with Pistols, Swords, and Arms, C. Smith with the Oxfordshire Troop came thither, and disarmed some of the chief, and most suspect∣ed of the Company.

The same Captain Smith in 6 Months apprehen∣ded 50 Robbers in those Parts, 30 of them were hanged.

Letters from Shrewsbury of the meeting of Ca∣valiers in that County, and Suspicions of new Plots.

Account of Troops and Recruits marching to∣wards Chester for Ireland.

(8) Letters from Newcastle, That the Cava∣liers report generally that the Scots and their King are agreed, and thereupon many of them are gone into Scotland. That course is taken to pre∣vent them for the future. That the Ministers in Yorkshire preach openly against the Ingagement. That many Mosse Troopers are dayly ta∣ken.

From Yarmouth, That Commissions came from the Councel of State, for the Militia, which the Bayliffes and others are putting in Execution; and Souldiers list themselves, and take the Ingage∣ment very willingly. That the like was done in Norwich for that City, and for the County of Norfolk. The like was done in Essex. That the four Ships sent to guard the Fishers, have much advanced the Fishing Trade.

From Cork, That 5 Ships with Souldiers were all cast away coming from Minehead for Ireland, only 20 or 30 men swam to shore.

That the Enemy besieged Captain Barrington in Arklow Castle, and he sallyed out upon them, beat them off, and killed many of them.

That Lieutenant Collonel Axtel, Governour of Rosse, made several Incursions into the Ene∣mies Quarters, in the County of Kilkenny, took many Prisoners, and great store of Cattle.

Account of Recruits for Ireland.

Some debauch't Persons in a Tavern, drinking Healths in a Balcone, breaking Glasses, and draw∣ing a great deal of Company together, some Soul∣diers who saw it, went up to the Gentlemen, and carryed them away Prisonees to Whitehall.

(9) Letters from Dunstar, confirming the sad news of the 5 Ships that went from Minehead to Ireland, all cast away, Captain Ensor, and Cap∣tain Whiting, with 80 Horse, and 150 Foot, and all the Seamen drowned, except 20 or 30.

From Ireland, that the Popish Clergy there have agreed to raise 7000 Men by March next, and to pay them, and that Antrim shall command them.

That the Estates of Scotland are setting out a Declaration in answer to Montrosses Declaration, and conform to that of the Kirk.

One Hinderson proclaimed in several Streets of Newark I pronounce Charles the Second of Eng∣land, Scotland, France, and Ireland, Defender of * 1.8 the Faith, &c. as King of England, although his Father suffered wrongfully; Yet you cannot be Go∣verned without a Head, but now you are Governed by a stinking lowsy Committee.

For these words he was apprehended and sent to Prison.

A Petition to the General and his Councel of Officers, in the behalf of 3000 maimed Souldiers, and Widdows, whose Husbands were slain in the Service of the Parliament, the General and his Councel recommended it to C. Rich to move the House therein.

The Councel of State sent three of their Mes∣sengers to apprehend one Mercer, who stabbed two of them, that they dyed immediately, and wounded the third, and so escaped from them.

(11) Letters that an Irish Frigot boarded a Newcastle Ship near Hartlepool, which the Go∣vernour seeing, caused some of his Guns to be so planted, that they shot the Irish Frigot through and through, and caused her to hasten away, and leave her Prize behind, which came in safe to Hartlepool.

From Scotland, that Libberton was returned * 1.9 with a Message from the King, which was read, but nothing done upon it, that he speaks high what the King will do for, and stand by Scotland, yet they go on in purging the Army.

That an English Merchant having a cause to be pleaded there, the Scots Lawyers refused to plead for him, because the business was drawn up in the new way, in the Name of the Councel of State.

About 24 Persons came in the Night to White-Fryars with Muskets as Souldiers, called up the Constable, and required him to go along with them, to apprehend some dangerous Persons, and brought him to the Lodging of Sir Edward Hales, whom they knew to have a great Sum of Money there.

That when they came into the House, they bound the Constable and Sir Edward Hales, and the Master of the House, broke open Trunks, and carryed away with them 100 l. besides Rings, Watches, &c.

Then they locked the Doors after them, left theirMuskets behind them, and got away in Boats, which they had laid ready at White Fryars Stairs, but 7 of those thieves were afterwards appre∣hended.

(12) The House named these Persons to be of the Council of State for the Year following, viz.

E. of Denbigh. L. C. Justice St. John. Sergeant Bradshaw. L. Grey of Groby. M. G. Skippon. Alderman Pennington. Sheriffe Wilson. Sir Wil∣liam Masham. Lord Commissioner Whitelock Sir James Harrington. C. Hutchinson. Mr. Bond. Mr. Alderman Popham. Mr. Wanton̄. C. Purefoy Mr. Jones. C. Ludlow. E. of Salisbu∣ry. Mr. Luke Robinson. L. C. Justice Rolle. L. Ch. Baron Welde. L. G. Fairfax. L. Lt. Crom∣wel. Mr. H. Martyn. Sir Gilbert Pickering. Mr. Stapely. Mr. Heveningham. Sir Arthur Hassterig. Mr. Wallup. Sir H. Vano Junior. L. Lisle. Sir William Armyne. Sir Henry Mildmay. Sir Wil∣liam Constable. Lord Commissioner Lisle. Mr. Scot. Mr. Holland.

Debate touching meanes of advancing the Gos∣pel of Christ.

An Act touching the way of Presentations, and settling of Ministers in Livings committed.

An additional Act for the more severe punish∣ing of prophane Swearing, and Cursing commit∣ted.

An Act for suppressing, and punishing the abo∣minable sins of Incest, Adultery, and Fornication committed.

(13) Letters from the West, That many

Presbyterians in their Pulpits, prayed very Zealously for restoring the King of Scots to his Fathers Crown in England.

That a French Vessel which came from the Bar∣bado's, was wracked, and 13 of her men lost, and the rest saved.

Sir Bathazer Gerbier set up his Academy in White Fryers, for the teaching of all manner of Arts, and Sciences, a good design if the conduct and Success had been answerable. * 1.10

[14] Letters from Scotland, That their King in his Message by Libberton, would have exempted from any benefit of the Agreement, all such as shall be found to have had a hand in the Death of his Father, without mentioning whom, which * 1.11 breeds a general Jealousy, that it may reach to all that consented to the giving up of his Father at Newcastle, or joyned in the Covenant with Eng∣land.

That the King will only acknowledge the Scots Commissioners to be Commoners of Parlia∣ment during the Treaty, or after, as it shall suc∣ceed, and private Letters were sent from the King to the Chancellor, and some others.

That they talk much of M. G. Lamberts march∣ing Northwards with 7 or 8 Regiments, but have more cause to be troubled at Moniross, and Sir Marmaduke Langdale.

[15] An Account from Chester; That after too long a stay, Ships are ready at length to car∣ry the Money ordered by the Councel of State to Leimster, and the North of Ireland.

That the Enemy bend all their Strength North-ward, probably to stress Sir Charles Coot, and gain a place of retreat, or backdoor for Scotland. That care is taken that way by land, and to send some Ships about to that Coast.

[16] The Officers of the Army kept a day of Humiliation, grounded on the dealings of God * 1.12 with their Brethren in Ireland, who though he had made them give a glorious Testimony against the bloody Enemies, yet hath afflicted them by the death of many Worthyes. Which chastning of the Lord, they did desire to lay to heart, as also that Affliction, in the Miscarriage of some Vessels sailing from Mine-head, besides the present Condition of this Nati∣on.

Upon a Petition of 3000 maimed Souldiers, and Widdows, Resolved that there shall be no abatement of what they have received by way of Pension, in the stating of their Arrears.

The Councel of Officers passed several Votes, and appointed a select Committee touching the purchase of the late Kings Lands.

Letters that the Earl of Castlehaven was chosen General of the Irish Forces. That they intend to cast themselves upon the Spanish Interest, and to lay asice Ormond and Inchequin.

(18) Letters from Newcastle, That the King and the Scots are not like to agree; they being much displeased at his last Message, and that divers of the chief of the State, and Ministers declare their dislike in joyning with him, unless he resign up him∣self wholly to their dispose.

That yet they intend to choose Commissioners to go to the King, That they have caused Montross's De∣claration to be burnt by the hand of the Hangman, and purge Malignants out of the Army dayly, That 500 more of Montross's Men were landed in Ork∣ney, That more Witches were burnt.

From Youghall, That the Lord Lieutenant was marched out of that Garrison, with 1000 Horse and 1000 Foot, That some Ships were cast away upon that Coast.

Several Resolves of the Councel of Officers touching their security by purchase of the Lands of the late King, &c.

(19) An Act passed for providing a Com∣petent maintenance for preaching Ministers through∣out the Nation.

A Commission issued out under the great Seal, to several Commissioners in the respective Coun∣tries, authorizing them to inquire by Juries upon Oath, what Benefices are within each County, and the value of them, and which are fit to be United, &c. And to certify their Proceedings into the Chancery.

The Act for suppressing and punishing Incest, Adultery, and Fornication recommitted.

An Act read for settling the Free Farm Rents.

The Act for relief of Creditors recommit∣ted.

Amendments to the Act for removing Ob∣structions in the sale of the late Kings Lands, pas∣sed and published.

(20) The Subscriptions of the Army to the Ingagement were by the General returned to the Parliament, who upon the General his subscrib∣ing of it, as one of the Councel of State in his own sense, The House Voted That his taking of it in that manner, was a taking of it within the late Act * 1.13 for subscribing of the Ingagement.

They likewise ordered that the Speaker should send that Vote to the General in a Letter, and to return to him the hearty thanks of the House for his great Care in returning of those Subscripti∣ons.

Three Souldiers were sentenced at a Councel of War to go from Whitchall, through Holborn with Halters about their Necks, and so to Tybourn; one of them to have his right Ear nailed to the Pillory, the other two to have six lashes a piece.

The Offence of the first was for being listed for Ireland, and deserting the Imployment, and counterfeiting C. Prides hand, directed to Con∣stables, by Colour whereof, he Prest two Horses, pretending himself to be Quartermaster to the Party, and then he and his Companion, running away with the Horses.

The Offence of the other two, was that after he was listed for the service of the State, they run away from their Commanders.

Letters from Ireland, That the Lord Lieute∣nant in his march to Kilkenny had several Forts quitted to him, and at St. Thomas Town, the Offi∣cers were delivered up to him, together with the Town by the Souldiers.

(21) Letters from Warrington, of a great Meeting to take the Ingagement. That Thieves armed, and 29 or 30 in a company, pretending themselves to be Foot Souldiers, break open Houses, bind the People, and rob them of all their Goods.

From Ireland, That P. Rupert took some rich Prizes from the Londoners, and sent them to Gal∣loway and Limrick.

A little Frigot called the Wandring Cavalier, was taken by the Parliaments Ships, loaden with Arms and Ammunition, and brought into King∣sale.

(22) Letters that Wogan the revolted per∣sideous Fellow lately taken, had escaped out of Prison, and C. Phaires Marshal, in whose custody he was, being corrupted by him, went away with him.

(23) Letters from Milford Haven, of Ships driven in thither from the Irish Coast by fowl

weather. That there were 400 Horse of C. Crom∣wells, the Lord Lieutenants Son to be transported to Ireland.

From Weymouth, That they were taking the Ingagement, and that none refused it, and that they were busy in settling the Militia.

From Yarmouth, That the Lord Lieutenant had all the Sea Ports in Ireland of any Consequence, except only three.

That the Regiments are full, the Souldiers well recovered, and longing to be abroad against the Enemy.

That a small Frigot of the Parliaments of 12 Guns, maintained fight with two of the Enemies, one of 18, the other of 26 Guns, and at last run herself on Shore, and saved her men, Guns, and Tackle.

Letters that the Heads of Houses, Fellows, and Graduates of the University, and the Mayor, Al∣dermen, and Common Councel men of Oxford, had all taken the Ingagement, and all the Officers both of the City, and University.

(25) Letters from Edenburgh, That both the States men, and Kirkmen are full of Jealousy, touching their King, That new propositions are drawing, and Commissioners choosing to be sent * 1.14 to him. That more men were landedin Orkney with some Cannon and Ammunition.

That there, it was confidently reported from Ireland, that the Lord of Clenrickard, Ardes, and Armstrong, were marching with 8000 Men near Carrickfergus, and had taken in several Garrisons from the Parliament.

From Berwick, That the King propounds, That the Lord Argyle, the Chancellor, and other the Capital Statesmen of Scotland should come in Person to treat withhim, and that there should be a general Act of Oblivion, without any exception, but the Scots were against both these Propositions.

That C. Hackers Men had taken more Mosse Troopers.

From Beaumoris, of one Robinson, Sir Timothy Fetherston, and others, pyrating at Sea on the Coast, by Commission from the Lord of Or∣mond.

That the Army took the Field in two Bodies, * 1.15 Collonel Reynolds with about 16 Troops of Horse, and 2000 Foot, ordered to march by the way of Carrick, and M. G. Ireton to follow with a re∣serve, That the Lord Lieutenant was to march over the Blackwater, with 15 Troops of Horse, and about 3000 Foot, and accordingly they begun their March, Jan. 29th.

That two days after, he took the Castle of Kilkenny and Cloghern, a strong House belonging to Sir Richard Everard, one of the Supream Coun∣cel. From thence he marched to Roghill Castle, which upon Summons was rendred, which gives them Command far into the Country.

That the Lord Broghil took in the old Castle Town, and a Castle of Sir Edward Fittz Harris, And that the Irish sent their Commissioners to Com∣pound for their Contribution as far as the Walls of Lymerick.

That the Lord Lieutenant came late in the night, in very tempestuous weather to Fethard, and got into an old Abbey, and some Cabbins, and poor houses in the Suburbs, from whence he sent a Summons to the Town, but they shot at the Trumpet, and being informed that the Lord Lieutenant was with the Party, they said, That it was not a fit time to send a Summons in the night, and shot angerly at the Party, but the Lord Lieu∣tenant made not one shot at them again.

In the end, the Governour was willing to send two Commissioners to treat with the Lord Lieu∣tenant, and after one night spent in the Treaty, The Town was delivered the next Morning upon Terms, which were the more willingly given them, because the Lord Lieutenant had but few Foot, and no great Guns, nor Ladders, and there were 17 Companies of the Ʋlster Foot within 5. Miles of the Town.

The Enemy quit it in some disorder, and the Soveraign, and Aldermen have since sent to the Lord Lieutenant a Petition, desiring that he would protect them, and he hath made them a Quarter.

From thence we marched to Callar, hearing thar Collonel Reynolds was there with his Party, and we found that he had fallen upon the Ene∣mies Horse, and routed them, being about 100 with his Forelorn, he took my Lord of Osseries Captain Lieutenant, and another Lieutenant of Horse, Prisoners, and one of those that betrayed the Garrison of Iniscorthy, whom the Lord Lieu∣tenant caused to be hanged.

The Enemy had Possessed three Castles in the Town, with about 120 Men in each of them, and a Troop of Horse besides in ButlersCastle, which was delivered upon Conditions; the other two Castles refusing terms, the Garrisons were all put to the Sword.

From hence Collonel Reynolds was sent with his Regiment to remove a Garrison in the way to Rosse, which he did, and the Army marched back to Fethard and Cashel, where they had good Quarters both for Men and Horse.

(26) An Act passed injoyning all Papists and all such who had born Arms, and assisted against the Parliament, to depart 20 Miles from London, and those under restraint, 5 days after their Inlargement, with an Exception of Inhabi∣tants who have compounded.

An Act passed for giving further time for sub∣scribing of the Ingagement, and other directions concerning it.

An Act passed for propagating and preaching * 1.16 of the Gospel, and for the maintenance of able Ministers, and Schoolmasters in Wales.

The like Act passed for the four Northern Counties.

An Act for providing Maintenance for Preach∣ing Ministers, and other pious uses throughout the Nation.

Debate in a grand Committee of the House, upon the Heads of a Bill for equal Representatives, and regulating Elections.

An Act read for the Excise of Ale and Beer brewed in private Houses.

(27) Letters from Pembroke, that C Crom∣wel, and C. Veneables were there, waiting for a Wind for Ireland. That the Lord Lieutenant was marched towards Lymricke, and that Preston was chief Leader of the Rebels.

From Chester, That two of the Souldiers that betrayed Eniscorfy to the Enemy, were taken in Werrel, one of them escaped, the other was sent to the Goal.

From Dartmouth, That the Ingagement was willingly subscribed there.

From Weymouth, That many of Prince Rupert Men run away from him to the Parliaments Fleet.

Returns of the Ingagement taken by Ossicers and Souldiers.

(28) A publick Humiliation and Fast was kept this Day.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Letters from Rome.
• * 1.2

  February
• * 1.3

  Gospel.
• * 1.4

  Stile.
• * 1.5

  Scotland.
• * 1.6

  Humiliati∣on
• * 1.7

  publick Register.
• * 1.8

  Hinderson
• * 1.9

  Scotland;
• * 1.10

  Academy.
• * 1.11

  Scotland.
• * 1.12

  Army hu∣milation.
• * 1.13

  Ingage∣ment.
• * 1.14

  Scotland.
• * 1.15

  Ireland.
• * 1.16

  Gospel.