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.

Octob. 1650.

(1) Several Votes passed touching the Com∣positions of Delinquents.

An Act passed for Relief of Religious and Peaceable People, from the Rigour of former Acts of Parliament in Matters of Religion.

Vote to consider of publick Business only, till Nov. next, and all private Business excluded till then.

An Act committed touching doubling upon Sale of Deans and Chapters Lands.

A new raised Regiment in London under M. G. Harrison, of 1660, and two more under M. G. Skippon and Alderman Tichborne, of 2000 in each Regiment.

The Lady Elizabeth, the late King's Daughter died in the Isle of Wight. * 1.1

That a Parliament Frigot upon the Coast of Galitia, fought with a Portugal Ship, richly la∣den with Plate, &c. to the value of 100000 l. and after a stout Fight, sunk her.

(2) Letters of 12 Sail of Jersey Ships taken by the Parliaments Frigots.

Capt. Ashley was Sentenced by the High Court of Justice to have his Head cut off, and one * 1.2 Benson to be hanged, for conspiring against the Commonwealth, in the Treasonable Engage∣ment of C. Andrewes.

(3) Letters that the D. of York was going from France to Holland, and had borrowed of the D. of Orleance 5000 Pistols, to bear his Charges.

(4) An Account of Recruits and Provisions shipped for Ireland.

Letters of the Militia under C. Pine at Taun∣ton, declaring their willingness to go into Scot∣land, if required, though the Ministers Preached against it.

Letters of the Scots raising new Forces, and of the bitter Invectives of the Kirk against the * 1.3 English Army.

That they take the Countrey people by force out of their Beds, and compel them to serve in their Army.

(5) Many persons well-affected to the Parlia∣ment, * 1.4 having their Estates seized, and them∣selves driven away from the Barbadoes, came into England, and upon their Petition to the Council of State, and Conference with them by their Committee,

They Reported their Opinions to the Parlia∣ment, That it was necessary to reduce those Islands, and a Fleet to be sent thither for that purpose, with Provisions for that purpose. Which the House approved.

(7) Letters that the G. commanded all the Scots Boats, and all other Boats that could be * 1.5 got in the Frith, to be brought to Leith; and Order was given for the springing of Mines, for reducing of Edenburgh-Castle.

That the G. and his Officers met at the Great Church in Edenburgh on the Lords Day, where many Scots were, and expressed much Affection to the Doctrine Preached there.

That the G. employed some Scotch Miners against the Castle, and his Soldiers came so near the Works of the Castle, that they brought away one Colours, and 300 Muskets, and other Arms, without loss.

That the Enemy with Granadoes fired two or three Houses near the Castle, yet the Parlia∣ments * 1.6 Souldiers entred one of them, and got store of Arms and Ammunition there, thought the Castle shot at them all the time.

That the Souldiers found in the High Church at Edenburgh much Arms and Ammunition.

Mr. Benson was Executed at Tyburne, accord∣ing to the Sentence of the High Court of Justice; but in regard that Capt. Ashley only subscribed the Engagement, but acted nothing in it, he was pardoned by the Parliament.

(8) The Day of publick Thanksgiving for the Victory in Scotland.

The Act for prohibiting Trade with the Bar∣badoes, Virginia, &c.

Votes touching Compositions of Delinquents.

A Committee named to consider of former Laws touching the Poor; and of a New Act to be made for the setting the Poor on work.

Several Majors of Corporations approved by the Parliament.

(9) Letters, That the Tories in Ireland were got into Bodies,

That the Irish were spoiled by the English, if * 1.7 they did not pay Contribution to them; and if they did, then the Tories, and other Rebels did ruine their own Brothers and nearest Relati∣ons.

A Remonstrance Published by the Irish Clergy, charging the present Government by the Mar∣quess of Ormond and his Favourites with Trea∣chery to the Nation.

(10) Letters, That 500 Irish in Scilly had a Design to deliver it up to the Parliament Forces, for which some of them were Executed.

(11) An Account to the Council of State of the Militia in Devon, and other Parts, raised to a considerable number; and of the releasing of the Gentlemen secured upon their taking of the Engagement,

That the Grand Jury at the Sessions Presented a Petition to the Justices, to be sent up to the Parliament, That all the Proceedings in Law * 1.8 might be in English,

That the Ministers in those Parts are dissatis∣fied with every thing, unless they may have Do∣minion and Lordly Power in effect, though not in name,

That the Ministers about Exon and Taunton, refused to observe the Thanksgiving-Day for the Victory in Scotland.

(12) Letters, Of great Vollies of small Shot, and great Shot from South-Sea-Castle, and the Ships in the Road, upon the Thanksgiv∣ing-Day for the Victory in Scotland; and of much kindness between the Civil and Military Officers,

(14) Letters that a Party of the Army sur∣prized one of the Out Guards of Edenburgh * 1.9 Castle, and the Enemy fled into the Castle, leav∣ing 300 Muskets behind them.

That the next day, upon a Search in Edenburgh, they found a good Quantity of Arms and Am∣munition.

That the ••eneral went on with his mining, and approaches to the Castle; which was well stored with Provisions and Ammunitions, and had of late been very lavish of their Powder to little pur∣pose.

That they took some Boats, and one Ship of the Scots.

That two Ships were come with Cheese for their Supply, and 1000 of the Sick and wound∣ed

Souldiers were come back to Leith.

That divers of the Scots come to hear the Mi∣nisters of the Army, and seem to be much con∣verted by them, and offer to be imployed by the General.

That their King is discontented at the late carriage of their Clergy, who preached at their Fast, That their late overthrow was their too much complying with the King. That he sent to Orkney to have Ships ready there, for his going away, if he should find cause to depart Scotland.

That a Frigot of the Parliaments called the Liberty, with 50 brass Guns, was cast away by carrying too much Sail, upon the Sands, betwixt Harwich and Yarmouth Road.

(15) An Act passed for Sale of the Man∣nors of Rectories, and Glebelands, late belong∣ing to the Archbishops, Bishops, Deans, and Chapters.

Letters that 10 of the Parliaments Ships about five Leagues off the shore of Lisbon, met with 23 * 1.10 of the Portugese Brazile Fleet, burnt three of them, and as is supposed, took 11 of them, with 8000 Chests of Sugar, and other rich Goods in them, and the rest being smaller Ships, in the fight, got into Lisbon.

That the King of Portugal hearing of this, came down in Person, and caused Prince Rupert and his Fleet, being eighteen in all, to go out to regain the Brazile Ships, which they did, but the Parliaments Fleet were drawn off.

That the Duke of York was come to the Hague.

(16) Letters of the refractoriness of Mi∣nistets in several places, and their refusing to ob∣serve the day of Thanksgiving for the Victory of Scotland.

(17) Letters of the breaking out of the Plague at Barnstable.

Letters of great difference between the Kirk * 1.11 and the King. And that the Lords side with the King, and divers Commanders, with the Kirk, who proceed to purge the Kings Houshold.

That the Earl of Cleveland was to depart Scot∣land, for refusing to take the Covenant.

That most of the Cavaliers went to Holland, being the place of their refuge and greatest secu∣rity, which they most hated before.

That none are allowed a Residence in Scotland, but the Duke of Bucks, the L. Newburgh, and Sir James Levinston.

(18) Letters that three strong Castles near Limerick, were surrendred to Sir Hardress Wal∣ler, * 1.12 upon Quarter, and taken in, to prevent Inter∣ruption to the Armies besieging Lymerick; and then he sate down again before the City.

That the Dragon Frigot sunk a great Ship of the Enemies near Lymerick, loaden with treasure, and took another loaden with Hides and tallow worth 3000 l.

That the Sickness increased again at Cork, and other places.

That C. Hewson marched out of Dublin with a strong Party, and the Lord Deputy was gone be∣fore Lymerick.

That the Plague increased in Shrewstu∣ry.

That the Fairfax and other Frigots came into Pendennis Harbour, hearing that there was an in∣surrection in those parts, but found it otherwise, and returned to Sea.

That the Minister and Major of Northampton refused to observe the Thanksgiving day, saying, It was a sin to do it.

That the Roman-Catholick, and the Royal Presbyterian were both built upon one politick foundation, supported with one private Inter∣est.

(19) Letters that the Parliaments Fleet were in pursuit of Prince Ruperts Fleet.

That the Governours of the Castles near Lyme∣rick, lately taken in by Sir Hardress Waller, were the chief Actors in the ruine of his Estate.

Letters that the King is gone away from St. Johns * 1.13 Town, but the Kirk sent after him, and brought him back again.

That all their Forces except 500, were remo∣ved from Sterling to St. Johns Town.

That the General and Officers were often in Prayer together.

That the Governour of Edenburgh Castle was very high, and the Clergy with him very despe∣rate.

That the Ceneral went on with his Min∣ing.

That the Scots Army are full of Factions, one are those whom the Scots laboured to remove out of the Army, as Sectaries, another Faction is the Old Malignants, who would be revenged for the death of Montross, and other Malignants; others are against the Kirk, others are the New Malig∣nants.

That David Leslys men plunder, ravish, and kill the Country People, and put to death some of them for refusing to serve in the Army.

(22) An Act passed concerning Corn and Meal.

An Additional Act passed for the more speedy effecting the Sale of the Mannors of Rectories, Gleablands, &c.

Referred to the Lord Major, and the Militia of London, &c. to return the names of such Mi∣nisters as refused to observe the Thanksgiving day, for the Victory in Scotland.

Order for the several Committees to tender * 1.14 the Ingagement to the Inhabitants of several Pa∣rishes, and to return the names of the Subscribers to the Lords Commissioners of the great Seal.

The like for Stewards of Leets.

The like for the Lord Major and Militia of London, in every Parish to return the Subscribers to the Lords Commissioners.

Referred to the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal, to call before them all the Judges, and to take order with them, That none of the Ar∣my now in Scotland, receive any prejudice in any cause, wherein they may be concerned during the next Term, and their absence in Scotland.

Referred to the Councel of State to regulate the several Militias, for the best ease and ••afty of the Nation.

Order touching the Proceedings at Law, and how to regulate them with most ease, and delay to the People.

Divers City Regiments, and of Middlesex, of * 1.15 the trained Bands, under M. G. Harrison, C. Tichborn, and C. Barksted, and others to the num∣ber of 8000 mustered in Hide Park; where the Speaker and Members of Parliament met them, and were received with great Shouts, and Vollies of great and small Shot.

(23) Letters that Captain Mildmay took the Roe-buck one of the revolted Ships, with 55 men in her.

That the Ministers about Plymouth pray and preach against the prosperous Successes of the Parliament.

(24▪) Letters that the Army with ten days

Provision was marched Westward towards Glas∣cow.

That the King being brought back from his in∣tended Journey Northwards, by a Troop of Horse, was guarded as a Prisoner.

That C. Popham, one of the Admirals of the Parliaments Fleet, was come to London with an Account to the Parliament of the Proceedings of the Fleet.

(25) Letters of many Subscriptions to the Ingagement about Exeter.

That the Scots were busy in raising Forces near Carlisle, but the Countrey being backward to take Arms, the Officers took Money, and excused the Men.

A Confirmation that the Parliaments Fleet near Lisbon, had sunk the Admiral of the Portugal Brazile Fleet, taken the Vice-Admiral, and di∣vers * 1.16 other of their Ships of a great value.

Ordered by the Parliament, That all the Books of the Laws be put into English. And that all Writs, Process, and returns thereof, and all Patents, Commissions, Indictments, Judgments, Records, and all Rules and Proceedings in Courts * 1.17 of Justice, shall be in the English tongue onely, and not in Latine or French, or any other Lan∣guage than English.

And that the same be writ in an ordinary legi∣ble hand, and not in any Court hand. And that it be referred to a Committee to draw up an Act upon this Vote.

Referred to the same Committee to consider of all Salaries and Fees of Judges, and other Offi∣cers, and what Offices or Fees are fit to be taken away, and to consider of delays, and unnecessary charges, in proceedings of the Laws; and to pre∣sent a Bill to the House for redress thereof. And the Committee to meet dayly upon this business, till it be dispatcht.

(26) Letters of some Prizes taken by the Parliaments Ships near Pendennis Castle.

That Sir William Godolphins Son was raising Forces for the King, though his Father received much Favour from the Parliament.

(28) Letters that the General had 2000 men dayly at work about the Fortifications of Leith, and went on with the Mines before Edenburgh * 1.18 Castle, though the Enemy shot great and small Shot constantly at them, and yet they lost but five or six men.

That the King was slipt away from the Scots, with the Duke of Bucks, and three or four more in his Company, towards the E. of Seaforth (and others of the Royal Party, who were about 2000, as was before certifyed) but was brought back again.

That the General marched with seven Regi∣ments of Foot, and nine of Horse to Linlithgow, and sent a Trumpet to the Estates of Scotland to * 1.19 give Security, and to treat for stopping the effusi∣on of more Christian Blood.

That he took in a Garrison with 40 men, who laid down their Arms.

That he gave strict Command to his Army, not to offer violence to any of the Scots, who were not in Arms; which was duely observed.

That he marched to Glascow, where he stayed three or four days, and marched on to Leving∣ston-House, the weather extream wet, and the Souldiers divers times ••ain to Quarter in the open Fields.

That the Court at St. Johns Town were in great Distractions, and the Highlanders fell upon the Kirk Party, and killed a Major, a Lieutenant, and some others.

(29) Vote that the Committee for regulating * 1.20 the Proceedings in Law, do peruse the Freehold∣ers in every County, and consider of a way for the impartial Returns of Juries, and of more in∣different Proceedings in Causes.

Order for an Act to take away all Saints days, and other days in Term, not Juridical, and making them Court Days, and for making the 5th. of No∣vember no Court day.

A Committee to consider how to regulate abu∣ses and misdemeanours of Keepers of Pri∣sons.

Order for the Members of the House to bring in by a day, the names of fit Persons to be Sheriffs in the several Counties.

An Act for raising 120000 l. per mensen, for maintenance of the Forces in England, Scotland, and Ireland, read the first time.

An Act passed for settling Convoys for securing the Trade of the Nation.

(20) Letters of several Prizes brought into Plymouth.

(31) Letters that the General sent a Letter to the Committee of Estates by a Trumpet, who was not permitted to carry it further than Sterling; where the Governonr took it of the * 1.21 Trumpet, and promised to send it by a Messen∣ger of his own to St. Johns Town, where the Committee then was.

That the General marched to Glascow, the compleatest Town they had been in, and one of their choicest Universities.

That when he entred the Town, many Scots appeared to see him march, but no violence was offered to any of them; the General having given a strict Command for that purpose. And none of the Souldiers entred til he and his Followers were first in their Quar∣ters.

That Captain Covel of the General his Regi∣ment * 1.22 of Horse, was cashiered for holding some Blasphemous Opinions.

That on the Lords day, a Scots Minister in his Pulpit at Glascow, railed foully against the Ge∣neral and his Army, and though many Souldiers * 1.23 heard it, yet no violence was offered to him.

That C. Ker, and C. Straughan were willing to a Treaty of Accomodation, but sent word to the General, That they could not effect it, be∣ing hindered by the Lord Wareston, and Sir John Chiesesly, who were sent to them for that end by the Committee of Estates.

That the General marched from Glascow fourteen Miles, and Quartered in a poor Cot∣tage.

That Captain Pitson was taken Prisoner by the Enemy.

That C. Vanrusk with a Party of Dutchmen fell upon some Straglers of the Army, and mur∣dered them.

That the General returned to Edenburgh.

That some Recruits came from London to the Army, but near half of them ran away in their March, and listed themselves in the Garrisons of New-Castle, and other Garrisons by the way.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Lady Elizabeth.
• * 1.2

  H. C. of ••ustice.
• * 1.3

  Scots.
• * 1.4

  Barbados.
• * 1.5

  Scotland.
• * 1.6

  October.
• * 1.7

  Ireland.
• * 1.8

  Petition.
• * 1.9

  Scotland.
• * 1.10

  Portugal.
• * 1.11

  Kirk.
• * 1.12

  Ireland.
• * 1.13

  Scots
• * 1.14

  The En∣gagement▪
• * 1.15

  Trained Bands.
• * 1.16

  Fleet.
• * 1.17

  The Law in English.
• * 1.18

  Scotland.
• * 1.19

  Cromwel.
• * 1.20

  Return of Iuries.
• * 1.21

  Cromwel.
• * 1.22

  Blasphe∣my.
• * 1.23

  Scots.