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.

January 1651.

[1.] Letters, That Sir George Ascue had re∣duced the Barbadoes Island to the obedience of the * 1.1 Parliament of England, but the Particulars thereof were not yet come.

A Copy of an Act of the Lord Willoughby, and the Assembly in the Barbadoes, for sequestring di∣vers Delinquents Estates there, was sent over to the Council of State.

[2.] Letters, That 60 Sail of Hollanders lay at Anchor before South-Sea Castle, and might have landed Men there; and that the Works about Portsmouth were in much decay.

An account of Recruits gone for Ireland.

[3.] Letters, That the Marquess of Argyle * 1.2 had sent for another Passe to come in to Major-General Lambert, who had summoned Dunbarton Castle, and the Governour answering him with delays, he caused his Estate to be sequestred; That Collonel Lilburnes and Collonel Overtons Men took a Ship in the Harbour of the North.

That the Major-Generals were returned from the West, and had given great contentment in setling business there, and taking off free quar∣ter.

The Parliament approved the Articles of Ren∣dition of Cornet Castle in Guernsey, and of Eliza∣beth Castle in Jersey, and ordered Sir Philip Carte∣rets Lands to be restored to him accordingly.

That the Commissioners for compounding do send over some to sequester the Estates of those in Jersey, which are to be sequestred, and that 1000 l. which shall be raised thereof, shall be gi∣ven * 1.3 to those who were banished out of Jersey.

[5.] Letters, That Dunbarton Castle was sur∣rendred upon Articles to Major-General Lam∣bert.

[6.] Referred to the Council of State to treat with the Dutch Ambassadors upon a Paper delivered in by them.

Upon a Report of a Paper given in to the Coun∣cil of State by the Spanish Ambassador, the Parlia∣ment referred it back to the Council, and injoyned them to insist with the Ambassador for Justice for the Murder of Mr. Ayscham, who was Agent there for * 1.4 the Parliament.

An Act passed appointing a Committee for the Army and Treasurers at War.

[8.] Letters advising the Parliament to pass an Act of Oblivion, and to take away Tithes, &c.

[9.] Letters, That Collonel Venables attempt∣ed the reducing of Ballinacargy, and beat down the Castle about the Enemies Ears, but for want of Powder and Provisions he was forced to draw off.

Of the Streights Fleet going off from Pen∣dennis.

That Captain Chapman maintained a gallant Fight with Three Ships from 11 at noon till night, and sunk one of them, and was much torn in the Fight, and lost Three Men, and Ten Wounded.

The Parliament debated again the Business of regulating the Law, and Proceedings therein.

The Courts of Kings-Bench and Chancery were * 1.5 by order of the Parliament removed to one side of Westminster-hall.

[10.] That Mr. Eliot was committed to New-gate.

Several Dutch Vessels seised upon by vertue of the late Act of Parliament, upon report of the state of the Case of the East-land Merchants, were ordered to be discharged.

[12.] Letters of a great Meeting of the Mi∣nisters and Lay-men at Edenburgh, and their De∣bates very high, especially of the Kirk-men.

That a Dutch Ship was taken in the Frith, loa∣den with Commodities not of her own growth, contrary to the late Act, and made Prize.

That a Moss-Trooper was sentenced by the Court-Marshal to be whipped, with his Comrade, for entring a Country-mans House by violence; and a Soldier to be tyed to the Gallows and whip∣ped for stealing a Sheep, though he restored it again.

Major-General Lambert published a Proclama∣tion against a great abuse of differing values of Coins.

Of Two Prizes brought into Yarmouth rescu∣ed from the Pyrates, who much infested the North Coast.

Of four Vessels of French Wine taken.

That Prince Ruperts Admiral Ship was sunk, and another wracked, and the Prince and his Brother only saved. That Admiral Pen sent some Ships after the rest of them.

Report of Odwears coming in with 3000 Tories in Ireland to submit to the Parliament.

[13.] Order for an Act to sell all the rest of the Fee-Farm Rents.

Votes for payment of such as lent under 10 l. upon publick Faith without doubling.

Referred to the Council of State to confer with the Lord-General about nominating of a fit Per∣son to be Commander in Chief for Ireland, and to report their Opinions to the House.

Debate about the next Summers Fleet to be 120 Sail.

[14.] Letters, That Captain Augustine the great Robber in Scotland, upon disbanding of * 1.6 Marquess Huntleys Forces, went into the Orcades, and there took Ship for Norway.

Order not to fortifie Innernesse, because of the great charge, and the poverty of the Town.

That 100 Aegyptians were rambling in the High-lands, and cheating the Country.

That the Regiments in Scotland were very full, above 1000 in a Regiment.

That 1000 Highlanders appeared at the Sum∣mons of the Marquess of Argyle, (as was usual) that out of them he might choose 30 to attend him to the Major-General.

That Major-General Lambert and Deane went towards Aberdeen, and were entertained by the way with Vollies of great Shot and Solemnity.

[15.] Letters, That when the Wind is We∣sterly few Ships touch at Scilly; That a Ham∣burgher Ship was wracked there, and a Coffin ta∣ken up out of the Sea, which was in her, having the Body of the Young Duke of Holtsteine in it.

Of a great Earthquake in Scilly Islands.

[16.] Letters, That Sir George Carteret and his Company had but course entertainment at St., Mallows, only himself and nine more suffered to come into that Town, where he staid a short time, and then went to Paris to the King.

A Thanksgiving-day was kept in Jersey for the good success in reducing that Island, and the great Guns were fired.

[17.] That the Major-General courted the Pres∣byterians at Dundee; that they with the Lieutenant-General were setling the Affairs of the Country, and to put on the Assessment, and to take off free quarter.

That the Commissioners for Scotland were with their Retinue at Berwick, where they intended to stay three or four days.

That the Lord Major of York feasted them.

Of Recruits and Provisions for Ireland pre∣paring.

Debate of Mr. Primates Petition against Sir Arthur Haselrigge and the Commissioners for com∣pounding, and about a Book against them, refer∣red * 1.7 to a Committee; but the Proceedings of the Commissioners were approved by the House, and Primate was fined 3000 l. to the Common-wealth, 2000 l. to Sir Arthur Haselrigge for his Damages, and 2000 l. to four of the Commissioners for com∣pounding.

The like was voted against Lieutenant-Collonel Lilburne of a Fine of 7000 l. and that he should be banished out of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the Petition, and Book, to be burned by the Common Hangman.

[19.] Letters, That the Kirk-men in Scotland * 1.8 speak little against the War, or for Peace, but ra∣ther foment the War.

That the Lord of Drum being summoned to come before the Kirk-men, ••he summoned them to appear before Collonel Overton, alleadging that he was under the Protection of the Parliament of England, and could not acknowledge any other Jurisdiction or Judicatory in Scotland.

But if, as private Christians, they required him to purge himself of not being a Papist, he would do it.

Of great pride and insolency of the Presbyte∣ries in Scotland.

That the Lord of Drum wrote a Letter of Thanks to Lieutenant General Monk, for relieving those who were oppressed in their Consciences by the Presbyteries, and acquaints him with the Proceedings of the Presbytery of Aberdeen against him, and his Appeal from them.

That Lieutenant-General Monk ordered, That * 1.9 no Oaths should be imposed by any of the Kirk Officers upon any Person without order from the State of England, nor any Covenant, and if they do, that he will deal with them as Enemies.

And that who shall tender or take any Oath or Covenant so imposed, and against Conscience, without leave of the Common-wealth of England, shall be taken as Enemies; and the Provost and Bailiffs of Aberdeen were to proclaim this.

And all Civil Officers were commanded by the Lieutenant-General not to seize upon, meddle with, or any ways molest, the Persons or Estates of any Excommunicated Person, or any ways to discharge any other Persons whatsoever, to desist from dealing or trading with the said Excommu∣nicated Persons, without order from the Com∣mon-wealth of England, or their Commissioners.

[20.] Primate received his Sentence from the Parliament at the Bar of the House upon his Knees, and Lieutenant-Collonel Lilburne being brought to the Bar, refused to kneel, the House gave him * 1.10 but Twenty days to depart the Kingdom.

Debate upon, and several Branches passed, of the Act of Oblivion.

Vote, That Mr. Hale, Mr. Steel, Mr. Cocke, Mr. Manby, Mr. Sadler, Collonel Blunt, Sir Hen. * 1.11 Blunt, Mr. Berners, Major-General Desborough, Mr. Moyer, Collonel Tomlinson, Mr. Fountaine, Al∣derman Fowke, Mr. H. Peters, Major Packer, Sir William Roberts, Mr. Meltwold, Mr. Mansell, Mr. Rushworth, Mr. Sparrow, and Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper, be the Committee to take into considera∣tion what inconveniences there are in the Law, how the mischiefs which grow from delays, the chargeableness, and irregularities in the procee∣dings of the Law may be prevented, and the spee∣diest way to prevent the same.

And to present their Opinions to the Commit∣tee of Parliament appointed for that purpose, and they or any Seven of them had power to send for any Persons to confer with them in this Business, and for Records.

An Act for compounding with Delinquents, and Sequestrations, and for the Committee of Ha∣berdashers-Hall.

[21.] Letters of the ceasing of the Plague in Ireland.

That 300 of the Enemies Horse were taken, since the English came to their Winter Quar∣ters.

That the Commanders of such as are yet out, make Overtures of laying down their Arms.

That many of the Rebels are in treaty to submit to the Parliament.

That Galloway offers to treat.

[23.] By a Court-Marshal a Soldier that kil∣led * 1.12 another, being first struck by him, and highly provoked, was according to Num. 35. 22. ad∣judged only to be Imprisoned for two Months, and then to pay 20 l. to the Wife of him that was killed.

[24.] Letters, That the Synod of Aberdeen had excommunicated the Lord Drum.

That the Marquess of Argyle had seised upon a * 1.13 House of Huntleys, and put a Garrison into it.

That the Lieutenant General went to meet the Parliaments Commissioners come from England to Scotland.

[26.] Letters, That the Captain of the Suc∣cess Frigot, and Ten more of his Company, were cast away at Leith.

That the Commissioners for Scotland sent forth their Summons for fit Persons to come to them to present their desires.

That the Lord Wareston chiefly, and others, were the Grand Sticklers for the Kirk Party.

A Letter intended to be sent from the Kirk to the Lord-General, setting forth the Iniquity of the English Invasion, then they inveigh against the Errors, and Preaching of Troopers.

Against the Incorporating of Scotland with Eng∣land, saying, it will draw on a Subordination of the Church to the State in the things of Christ.

Against the gathering of Private Churches, and Toleration, as they call it, and introducing Magi∣strates of contrary Principles to the Church.

Against a Civil Headship over the Religious Consti∣tutions.

[27.] Vote, That no Fee, Perquisite, or Re∣ward, * 1.14 shall be taken by any of the Judges of West∣minster-Hall, or their Servants, but such Salary as shall be allowed them by the State.

That all the Publick Revenue shall be brought into one Receipt.

Instructions passed for ordering and disposing all the Forces, and the Charge of them, not exceed∣ing the Establishment of the Army.

A Paper delivered in by the Spanish Ambassa∣dor to the Council of State, and by them report∣ed to the House, read, and Instructions given upon it.

Letters of Credence from the Queen of Swe∣den * 1.15 by Peter Spiering Silvereroone, to the Parliament, read, and referred to the Council.

Letters of 2 Ships of Barnestaple taken by Py∣rates.

[28.] A Declaration published, and Vindication, of the Poor oppressed Commons of Scotland, in relation to their present sad and Sorrowful condition, wherein they * 1.16 were brought by that perfidious Self-seeking Party, who did lately wind themselves up, in the Offices of Power and Trust, in that Estate and Army.

Wherein they submit to the Parliament of Eng∣land, and pray, that they would put nothing upon them, which may molest their weak Consciences, or imply Per∣jury.

2. That they may be governed by the English, and no Scotch-man imployed in any Office of Power or Trust, in Church or State, who have formerly betrayed their trust.

[29.] Letters of a Vision seen at Sea by the River Maze. * 1.17

First about a Mans hight above the Horizon, like a Flat land, appeared very many Foot-men and Horse-men out of the North North-East. After that appeared a Fleet of Ships out of the North, and among them a great Ship, which lost her Top-Mast, and was made ready again, and her Flag seemed of 3 Colours, like the Prince of Orange his Flag.

That on the same height appeared a Mighty Fleet of several sorts, coming one against the other, and a thick Smoak like Fighting.

That the Smoak vanished, and the Ships appear∣ed again clear. After which, the Ships appeared as if they were sunk, and then clear again.

Then a Mighty great Ship seemed to sink at the Head, and the after part to stand on High, and another Ship to Sail by it. And in the North ap∣peared a Lyon, the Vision continued 3 Hours, and the Sea-men were much afraid.

Lieutenant-Collonel John Lilburn, took his Journey from London, and many Friends went with him to the Sea side.

[30.] Letters of a Ship wracked near to Pen∣dennis.

That the Parliaments Forces in Ʋlster, met with a Party of Tories, killed and drowned 150 of them.

That the Barony of Burren in Ireland (which * 1.18 they say hath neither Wood, Water, nor Earth enough, to Hang, Drown or Bury a Man) refusing to pay Contribution, was harrased by Sir Charles Cootes Forces.

That the Commissioners of the Parliament of England for the Affaires of Scotland, sat at Dalkeith, for Setling the business of that Nation.

[31.] The Committee appointed to consider * 1.19 of the Inconveniences, and Delayes in the Pro∣ceedings of Law, met several times, and desired the Judges in their several Courts, to return to them a List of the Officers in their Courts, and what Fees they receive, and what Work and Im∣ploymeut they do for the same.

They entred upon several Heads of Inconveni∣encies in the Law, in relation to Estates in Tail, and Copyhold Estates, and that for the future they may be made liable to the payment of Debts.

Whitelock was often advised with by some of this Committee, and none of them was more active in this Business, than Mr. Hugh Peters the Minister, * 1.20 who understood little of the Law, but was very Opinionative, and would frequently mention some Proceedings of Law in Holland, wherein he was al∣together mistaken.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Barbadoes.
• * 1.2

  Scotland.
• * 1.3

  Jersey.
• * 1.4

  Ayscham.
• * 1.5

  Januar.
• * 1.6

  Scotland.
• * 1.7

  Haselrigge.
• * 1.8

  Scotland.
• * 1.9

  Monke.
• * 1.10

  Lilburne.
• * 1.11

  Commit∣tee of the Law.
• * 1.12

  Court-Marshal.
• * 1.13

  Scotland.
• * 1.14

  Votes.
• * 1.15

  Sweden.
• * 1.16

  Declarati∣on.
• * 1.17

  Sea Vision.
• * 1.18

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.19

  Committee of Law.
• * 1.20

  H. Peters.