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 1651. * 1.1

[2.] Letters of the Proceedings of the Par∣liaments Commissioners at Dalkeith, and the trou∣ble of the Kirke Party.

[3.] An Act passed for executing the Judg∣ment of Banishment against Lieutenant-Collonel Lilborne.

An Act passed to make void all Titles of Honour, * 1.2 Dignities or Precedencies given by the late King, since 4 June. 1641.

Referred to the Committee for considering of things of greatest Importance, to take care for as∣certaining the Debts on Publick Faith.

Order for constant Pay, and Supplies for the Forces in Ireland.

Order for Moneys for Incident Charges, to be disposed of by the Committee for removing Ob∣structions in the Sale of Forfeited Lands.

[4.] One who undertook to cure the Blind and Deaf, took Money before-hand of divers Peo∣ple, and then ran away.

[5.] Letters that by the late great Snows and Rain in Ireland, the Waters rose so high, that it drowned and spoiled most of the Corn and Provi∣sions, which the Rebels had got into Islands, so that they were in a starving Condition.

That a Party of Collonel Venables men surprised some of the Rebels at their Markets, took 20 Horse, Slew 20 Men, and 120 of them were Drowned.

[6.] Letters that a Petition was presented to the Commissioners at Dalkeith, that Dundee might * 1.3 chuse Officers, according to their ancient Custome and Rights, the Commissioners ordered them to bring in their Charter by a day.

A Copy of the Letter sent to Major-Ceneral Lam∣bert, and intended for the Lord-General Cromwell, from the Lord Wareston, and other Presbyterians setting forth,

That they made their Addresses to him, because he had charge of those Forces, that had unjustly Invaded that Land, and had shed the Blood of many of the Saints of Scotland. But they confess themselves just∣ly punished for their late Treaty with the King, but this doth no way justifie the Instruments.

They charge the Army with divers Errors, counte∣nancing of deposed Ministers to Preach, silencing of Mi∣nisters that Preach of State proceedings, and suffering Officers to Preach, Scandalizing the Ministers, subor∣dinating the Church to the State in things of Christ, which will tolerate the gathering of Churches in Scot∣land, as it is in England. Abridging the Assembly of the Kirke, and imposing Magistrates principled against the Government of the Kirke.

They offer compliance in any thing not against their Conscience, and the Liberty of the Kirke, and Intreat the Major-General to imploy his indeavours, with the rest of the Commissioners of England, for the obtaining of their desires.

That the City of Edenburgh had a Commission to choose new Officers, and such as should be chosen, were to take an Oath of Fidelity to the Common-Wealth of England.

Letters, That the Grandees of the Rebells in Ireland, have often meetings to draw up Proposi∣tions in order to a Submission to the Parliament of England, but cannot agree.

[7.] Letters, That many of the Commissioners of Shires and Buroughs in Scotland, are chosen to attend the English Commissioners at Dalkeith.

The Committee for Regulating the Law, presented several Results to the Committee of

Parliament, appointed to receive them.

[9.] Letters, That the Oath of Fidelity to the Common-wealth of England, much troubled the new chosen Burgesses of Edenburgh.

That there were great Contests in their Presby∣teries, and contradictory Orders by them, and Ap∣peals to the English Commissioners.

The English Commissioners published another * 1.4 Declaration, for equal Execution of Justice, and for the present appointed Persons to Administer Justice, till the Judicatories should be Established, and forbid any power under the King, or any other than under the Com∣mon-wealth of England.

Letters, That the Army in Ireland was disposed * 1.5 into convenient Quarters, to meet with the Ene∣my, if they came abroad, and Collonel Reynolds to lye with a nimble Party of 3000 Horse and Foot, to be ready upon any occasion.

A Copy of the Articles, between the Irish and the Duke of Lorraine sent to the Parliament, where∣by Lorraine was to have the Lordship.

Spiering Silvercroon, Agent from the Queen of Sweden to the Parliament, dyed in the Strand.

[10.] The Act of Oblivion passed, and some Provisoes to be added to it, debated.

Order for paying Mariners, and for lessening the publick charge.

Order for the Lord-General to send down all the Officers belonging to the Forces in Scotland, which was upon Letters from the Commissioners.

A Declaration of the Inhabitants of Jersey, of * 1.6 their Fidelity to the Parliament of England, with praise to God for his Justice, and giving Success to the Parliaments Forces, and beating out the Tyrant Car∣teret.

That 3000 Subscribed this Declaration, and took the Ingagement.

Of the opposition of the Presbyters in Devon'.

[11.] An Account of the Frigats on the We∣stern-Coast, * 1.7 and, that a great Fleet of Dutch-men of War lay there abouts, that the Dutch Captains were rough against the English, and demanded Restitution of some of their Ships taken by the English.

[13.] Letters, That a small Party of Highlan∣ders, Murthered five of the Parliaments Soldiers in * 1.8 their Beds near Innerness, and another Party stole away some Cattle.

That the Scots Ministers pray for their King, and the Prisoners in England.

That Argyles Countrey refused the Warrants, sent thither for Contribution by the Parliaments Officers.

The English Commissioners published a Procla∣mation against entertaining any Scots in their house, without giving up their names to the Go∣vernour of the place, and that no Scot have any Armes.

[14.] Letters, That the English Commissioners in Ireland, had settled the Affairs there, and were returned to Dublin.

That Collonel Hewson sent out a Party, who * 1.9 killed a whole Troop of Tories, except two only.

That Captain Clerk took 200 Tun of Wheat and Rye, carrying to relieve Golloway.

That Bellitan a strong hold of the Rebels, was Stormed by Collonel Zanchey, and Collonel Ax∣tell, and taken, and 4 or 500 of the Rebels killed.

The Parliament ordered their Committee to call together the Adventurers for Ireland, who met and chose a Committee of their own, to make Pro∣posals to the Parliament: for Setling that Busi∣ness with their Consent.

From Sir George Ascues Fleet, That he had taken Eleven Dutch and One English Ship at the Barba∣does. * 1.10 And that Sir George Shot many Pieces at their chief Castle, and they Shot at him and killed one man.

That he took Two more Dutch Ships, loaden with Provisions and Horses, Sugar, &c.

That he sent Summons to the Lord Willoughby, who answered, that he would keep that place for the King. That he was informed the King was near London, and that all the Countrey came in to him, as a Dutch Ship related to him.

[16.] Letters, That Sir George Ascue came within half a Musquet Shot of the Fort at the Bar∣badoes, that the Ships he took there, were of great Value.

That his Voyage thither was 10 Weeks and 2 Days, yet none of his Men Sick.

The Commissioners from the Parliament in the Fleet with Sir George Ascue, sent a Declaration to * 1.11 the Inhabitants of the Barbadoes, to perswade them to submit to the Parliament of England, and to de∣sert the Lord Willoughby, and his Party there, that this course they thought fit to take before they used any acts of Hostility against them. And offers them so doing Indemnity.

[17.] Debates in Parliament upon the Provi∣soes to be added to the Act of Oblivion, and many of them past.

A Declaration of the Commissioners for the Assesments in York-shire, for equality in rates to all, upon a Survey of the value of every Township, and of the Estate of every Person in each Town, which is liable to the Assessments.

Letters, That divers Commissioners from the se∣veral Counties in Scotland, came in to the English Commissioners at Dalkeith, according to Sum∣mons.

That a Frigat of the Paliaments came safe into Lieth Road, with 80000 l. for pay of the Forces there. And another with Forty Scots Prisoners released.

Of much Losses at Sea by the Storms.

Of one of the Parliaments Ships Sunk within an hour after the Men in her were Landed.

Major-General Lambert was appointed to go * 1.12 Lord-Deputy for Ireland.

A Declaration of the English Commissioners in * 1.13 Scotland, of the Union of them with England in one Common-wealth, concerning Forfeitures, and Confiscations of Estates, according to several qua∣lifications.

That for promoting of Holyness, and the power of Godlyness, all possible care should be used for pub∣lishing the Gospel of Christ in all parts of this Land, and maintenance to the Faithful dispencers thereof, and care taken for removing of Scandalous Persons in the work of the Ministry, and placing others fitly qualified with Guifts for instructing the People in their stead. And incouragement be given from all Authority, to such as shall joyn in the Service of God according to the usage of the Church of Scotland, in their Peaceable and inof∣fensive exercise of the same.

And others not satisfied with that Form, shall serve and worship God, in other Gospel way.

And that Magistrates and Officers fearing God may be set up to be a terror to Evil doers; and such as shall live peaceably, and yield obedience to the Authority of the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England, ex∣ercised in Scotland, are capable of, and shall enjoy the respective benefits, and favours held forth in the Par∣liaments Declaration.

And all Merchants and Trades-men, and Handy-Crafts-men, not having Estates above 500 l. Sterling, and all other persons not having Estates of above 200 l. not Prisoners or Soldiers, who shall live peaceably and yield obedience to the Parliament of England

Shall be freed from all Forfeitures and Confiscations for any thing formerly done by them in reference to the Wars, and be received into the Protection of the Par∣liament, and Injoy the Liberties and Grants, as shall be fit.

Except Moss-Troopers, or others, who have Mur∣thered any Soldiers contrary to the Laws of War, or any English People, contrary to the Laws of Scot∣land.

[21.] Proceedings of the Committee of Ad∣venturers for Ireland, who all assented to the Pro∣positions of the Committee, one was for doubling their former Adventures.

A Share of Lands, reserved for the Soldiers.

The Committee for regulating the Law, passed * 1.14 some Resolutions touching personal Actions.

As that, If the Defendant in a Personal action, be∣fore pleading tender satisfaction to the Plaintiff with Costs of Suit, and it appear afterwards at the Tryal, to the Jury, sufficient, and not accepted of, the Plaintiff to lose his own, and pay the others Costs in the Suit.

That Summons be the first Process in all personal Actions, with the true date when sued forth, and Exe∣cuted upon Oath: and returnable within 15 Days af∣ter the Service, the Defendant to have a Copy from the Original under Seal, given or left at his House, and the Cause of the Suit set down in the body of the Writ, that upon default of appearing, a further Process be granted to Arrest the Party, till he appear, or give Warrant.

And in case of Non-Appearance, the Defendants Lands and Goods to be distrained to a certain value, till he appear, or give Warrant.

[23.] Letters, That the Kirkists in Fife, re∣fused * 1.15 to let the Summons of the English Commis∣sioners be read, but as a Committee of War, ap∣pointed Two of their Company to come to Dal∣keith by virtue of old powers.

That the Ministers speak loudly against the De∣clarations of the Parliament and of their Commis∣sioners.

That Collonel Cooper with the Parliaments Fleet Landed 800 Men at Orkney, and Collonel Overton arrived there, and possest it for the Parliament of England.

Commissioners for some Counties in Scotland, were dismissed by the English Commissioners, having power only to Treat, and not to con∣clude.

Other Commissioners had a Paper delivered to them.

• 1. To consent to be Incorporated with the Common-wealth of England.
• 2. To declare a Submission to that Government, which should in the mean time be established.
• 3. That they be ready to present such matters, as may conduce to the putting those particulars into practice.

To which particulars, those Commissioners gave their free assent in writing, as they were desired.

[24.] The Act of Oblivion, and general Par∣don, with the Provisoes, passed.

Letters of Credence from the Burgomasters, and * 1.16 Senators of Lubeck, Bremen and Hamburgh, for themselves, and in the name of the rest of the Hans Towns, unto Lion of Aisema their Resident, were read.

Order for an Act to give 5 l. to any who shall apprehend Robbers or Burglars.

Letters, That a Party of about 80 of the Enemy came privately into the Parliaments quarters about Galloway, and took a prey of 100 Cows, and 200 Sheep, but as they returned, a party of the Parlia∣ment rescued the Prey, killed 60 of the Enemy, and took an Ensign Prisoner.

That the Chief Gunner of Galloway came out to * 1.17 the Parliaments Forces, and informed them, that there was a high Mutiny in the Town, and Preston durst not appear to quiet them.

That Collonel Zanchey and Collonel Axtel, took the advantage of the Frost, and gained a pass over a Bog to Fitz-Patricks quarters, but he was march∣ed away the day before, Zanchey and Axtell took his strong hold in the Bog, and put all to the Sword.

That about the Fort was an Irish Town, which the Rebels named Dublin, for its Strength and Ri∣ches, it consisted of 800 ••abbins, which Zanchey and Axtell fired, and put 500 to the Sword, and in it found good plunder, Silver, Strong-water, 30000 Bushels of Wheat, 200 Cows, and 80 Horse.

That all parts of Scotland are within the power of the Parliament of England, except some few pla∣ces in Argyles Country, and about the Highlands, of no consequence, who sent for a pass to come to the English Commissioners.

A Petition was presented to the Parliament, in * 1.18 the name of divers well Affected in the Northern Counties, telling them.

That there remains yet to be done by them, the take∣ing away of Tithes, and Law, (as now it stands) the most antient badges of Ecclesiastical and Civil Ty∣ranny.

What else can be expected from such swarms of Law∣yers, Attorneys, Sollicitors, and nourished with the bread of Oppression, by long and tedious Suits.

What hope of Justice, when the greatest stress of mens causes in all Courts, depends chiefly upon those men, who are more sensible of the money (which oft makes the Case) than of the Justice of the Cause, which they never or seldom take to heart.

A general and great Grievance, also Papal imposi∣tion of Tithe••, (fitter for a Levitical or Romish Priest∣hood, than for Ministers of the New-Testament, to whom it proves either a snare or Scandal, hardening of people, and hindring the power and success of the Mini∣sters.

Eating out part of the sweet and benefit of other mens Labours, secretly impoverishing, and discouraging the endeavour of the Husbandman

They pray ease of these pressures.

That we may have justice given, not bought; Courts of Justice in all Counties, so established and maintained at the publick Charge, that all matters of meum & tu∣um, may be heard and determined free, yet by a written Law.

Clerks of all Courts and Committees may do their Du∣ties without wicked delays, or taking any thing above their set Pension; that Justice every where, may come down like a mighty Stream, free for the poorest to resort unto, too strong for the richest to divert.

And that the hand of the Labourer may be strength∣ened to his work, every man reaping what he Sows, and not another.

Every one eating the Fruit of his own Vineyard, with joy and gladness of Heart, praising the Lord. And a more honourable way of maintenance ordered for the Ministry, which easily might be effected.

The Parliament told the Petitioners that some * 1.19 of the Particulars mentioned in their Petition, were al∣ready under the consideration of the House, and gave the Petitioners thanks for their good Affections.

Letters, That Collonel Venables went out with a Party, 30 miles into the Enemies Countrey in Ireland, and brought away 400 Cows.

That, Galloway was upon Overtures of a Trea∣ty.

That the Sheriffs in Scotland sent in their Depu∣ties to the English Commissioners very slowly, who ordered, That they send in their Deputies by a day, and sent for Argyle to come in to them.

[28.] Letters, That the Parliaments Forces landed in Orkney, were civilly entertained by the Inhabitants.

That the Declaration of the Commissioners of England, for nulling Kingly Power, and Prerogative * 1.20 Courts of Justice, was proclaimed at the Market-Cross of Dundee, by beat of Drum and sound of Trumpet, and the Magistrates of the Town at∣tended all the time.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Februa.
• * 1.2

  Acts.
• * 1.3

  Scotland.
• * 1.4

  Declarati∣on.
• * 1.5

  Ireland.
• * 1.6

  Jersey.
• * 1.7

  Dutch.
• * 1.8

  Scotland.
• * 1.9

  Hewson.
• * 1.10

  Sir George Ascue.
• * 1.11

  Barbadoes.
• * 1.12

  Lambert.
• * 1.13

  Declara∣tion.
• * 1.14

  Commit∣tee of Law.
• * 1.15

  Scotland.
• * 1.16

  Kens Town.
• * 1.17

  Ireland.
• * 1.18

  Petition.
• * 1.19

  Answer.
• * 1.20

  Scotland.