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.

March 1651.

[1.] The Act of General Pardon and Obli∣vion was published, with the Exceptions and Qua∣lifications therein.

Letters, That the Meetings with the English Com∣missioners at Dalkeith, by the Deputies of the Shires, were at an end.

That some of the Deputies, especially from the Boroughs, had two Commissions, one signed to please the Ministers, that nothing be done prejudicial to the Covenant, the other full and ample, to do all things conducible for the setling of the Nation.

That several of the Great ones are in much per∣plexity what to do, and press their Tenants for a years Rent before-hand.

The English Commissioners made a further De∣claration; That whereas the Deputies of Shires and Boroughs have consented to the Proposals made to them from the Parliament of England.

The Commissioners declare, That those Shires and Boroughs are taken into the special Protection of the Parliament of England, and all Officers and Sol∣diers and others are commanded not to injure them, but they are to have all favour and incon∣ragement in the Union with the Common-wealth of England.

The Deputy-Governour published a Procla∣mation against Butchers ingrossing of Provisions to sell again in the Town of Lieth.

[2.] An Act passed for the better discovery of Thieves; and that the respective Sheriffs shall pay 10 l. to every one that shall apprehend such Thieves.

An offence of Collonel Gill in matter of doub∣ling, and reproaching the Parliament, was con∣fessed by him, and his offence pardoned.

Report from the Committee of the Creden∣tials, and Oration of the Agent from the Hans * 1.1 Towns; and particular Credentials from the Town of Hamburgh to the same Person; the House re∣ferred to the Council of State to treat with the Agent, and report to the House.

Report of the Transactions of the Council with the Ambassador of the King of Spain.

[3.] The Committee for regulating the Law proceeded in that Business, and had great Debates, but little done in it.

[4.] The Committee appointed by the Coun∣cil of State to treat with the Agent of the Hans Towns, attended that Business; the Agent was a discreet sober Person, and spake good Latin.

[5.] A Petition to the Committee for regu∣lating the Law, for Fines upon Copyholds to be made certain, &c.

Letters, That the Deputies of the Shires and Boroughs to the Parliaments Commissioners come in very uncertain.

A Placart of the States of the United Provin∣ces, of their stopping Ships going out of their * 1.2 Harbours, and their Intentions to set forth a strong Fleet the next Summer for their Fishing.

[6.] The Adventures for Ireland made seve∣ral Propositions to the Committee of Parliament, and assented to their Proceedings, and sent in 2 d. * 1.3 in the Pound for incident Charges.

[8.] Advice touching the settlement of Af∣fairs in Ireland.

[9.] Papers from the Dutch Ambassadors.

Credentials to the Agent of the King of Den∣mark.

An Act for the better settlement of the Affairs of the Admiralty and Navy.

General Blake continued General of the Seas for * 1.4 Nine Months.

[10.] Letters, That notwithstanding the Par∣liaments * 1.5 Declaration, yet the Kirk Judicatories proceed as formerly, and are very high against the Parliament of England and their Army; and Mr. Cant perswades his Auditory to prepare for Suffer∣ings, and presseth the Covenant; and that when Parents bring their Children to be Baptized, he causeth them to engage to bring them up in the Cove∣nant. * 1.6

A Letter written to the Lord of Drum by di∣rection from the Presbytery of Aberdeen, That they were resolved to excommunicate him, unless he submit to them, and rescind his Appeal.

He is exhorted to prevent this dreadful and direful Judgment.

That Presbytery is the Lords Ordinance, 1 Tim. 4. 14.

That Religious Swearing is not only lawful, but com∣manded and practised by God himself.

The Lord Drum in his Answer to this Letter saith to the Moderator,

That he expected from their severity to be excom∣municated summarily for his Appeal to Collonel O∣verton.

That he can neither in point of Conscience, nor Ho∣nour, grant the Conditions they require; and yet that he doth humbly submit himself to Gods Will.

That many others have spoken more freely than he against the usurped Tyrannical Power, and Supremacy of your Presbyterian Inquisition, to which they impute the cause of all these miseries which have befallen this Nation.

Yet none are persecuted by you but I and my Fami∣ly, whereby it is notoriously known that the only cause of your unparallel'd severity against me, is my Appel∣lation to Collonel Overton, wherein I imitated St. Paul, who did appeal from the Cruelty of the Phari∣sees to Caesar, a civil Judge, and no Christian.

Which I have the more reason to do, seeing I found all your Questions to be matters of your own inven∣tion, which yet you urge as necessary and Gospel Truths, and because all your Indifferences, Prayers, and Preachings have been, and are, more for advancing your own Interest and Factions, to hinderance of a blessed Peace betwixt the Two Nations, than for the advancement of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I therefore upon these Principles, do not at all fear that which ye call the dreadful Sentence of Excommu∣nication.

For either ye are infallible in your Proceedings and Judgments, or ye are fallible, the first I think you will not arrogate to your selves, for that were the highest Point of Popery, albeit ye often practise in Deeds, what ye deny in Words.

And your so frequent Changes will prove it to be evidently false.

If ye be fallible, I am not much afraid of your fal∣lible Sentence, since I have so great reason to think, ye actually erre by urging me to swear,

That Presbyterian Government (as ye use it) is the only Government which Christ hath established in his Church.

So that of late ye have made it the 3d Mark of the true Kirk.

I acknowledge and receive those words of our Saviour which ye act; Tell the Kirk, and if he will not hear the Kirk, let him be to thee as a Heathen.

But I do not approve your Interpretation and Appli∣cation of them; for by this means ye assume unto your selves the Name of the whole Kirk, as if all others, who did not approve your Discipline, were false Kirks, and thereby ye furnish too strong an Argu∣ment to the Papists, against Luther, and other Refor∣mers, who would not hear, nor obey the Papistical Kirk, albeit there was no other Kirk nor Congregation then setled.

Therefore I care no more for your Excommunica∣tion, than you care for the Popes.

And whereas ye pretend to shew, that Presbyterian Government is established by the Word of God, citing 1 Tim. 4. 14.

May not I as justly cite to you, the Chapter imme∣diately going before, where the Apostle speaks of the Office and Duty of Bishops, and to give you Two for One.

He resumes also the same words, in the first to Ti∣tus, which if they be taken according to the words, may be as strong an Argument for the Bishops; but such Arguments as these are meer Logomachies, every one throwing the Word of God to their own Sense and Interest.

And because ye find the word of Presbytery once in the Scripture, ye think ye have won the Point, which would make no more for you, than for the Pa∣pists, who call their Priests Presbyters, and the Con∣gregation of their Presbytery.

Ye turn the word Presbyter an Elder, and in your Presbytery (which should be turned Eldership, as it is in my own House Bible printed Anno 1630. as being derived from Presbytery) ye admit only Ministers, whereas according to the Word they should be all El∣ders.

By which it may appear, that ye could only act, that one place for your selves in the whole Word of God, which makes more against you than for you.

I do not question about Names, I doubt only about the thing ye intend by it, for I can see no Authority, neither in the Word of God, nor in the practise of any Kirk, as ye use it, nor in any approved Author; and if you did esteem so much of the Kirk, as ye would have me do of your Presbytery, ye ought not to have given me such ensample, by protesting against the late National Assembly, which is the Supream Represen∣tative Body of the Kirk in this Land.

Whereby your selves are liable to censure as Schis∣maticks, and therefore have no power to censure me.

I acknowledge God is honoured by Oaths, yet that must receive some limitation, they must be taken in Judgment, in Truth, and upon necessity.

Now I appeal to your own Consciences, whether you have observed these Conditions, in your urging so many dreadful Oaths upon this miserable Nation, these years by-past, not only in the Covenant, but in your So∣lemn League with your Presbyterian Brethren of Eng∣land. Whereby ye inforced all Men to swear, to e∣stablish by Arms that Tyranny there, as ye had done here; how many have ye inforced by threatning and execution of your Kirk-Censure? and the severity of the Civil Law falling upon them, depriving Men of their Estates to swear and subscribe to all ye enjoyned, or could invent, albeit ye knew them to be of far con∣trary Judgment.

Wherein ye did imitate that feigned and false Mo∣ther, who before Solomon was contented to have the Child divided, by which her Hypocrisie was found out by that most wise Prince.

By which means, ye have made this Nation guil∣ty of horrible Perjury, besides many other heynous sins.

I wish to God ye had remembred, or would yet re∣member, how much ye cryed out against the Tyranny of Bishops, when they were urging some of your num∣ber, who were refractory to Episcopacy, that there should be had some regard to tender Consciences, which were of another Judgment.

But so soon as ye got the Power into your hands, neither Minister nor Laird, Man, Woman, nor Child was spared, nor no regard had unto them, what∣ever Quality or Condition they were of, all were for∣ced not only to obey you, but (which is the greatest Point of Tyranny over Mens Consciences) they were made to swear that they thought as you would have them, albeit to your own knowledge many thought the contrary.

But there was no regard, you would have it so, to satisfie your ambition and crooked ends.

Ye abhorred and detested the Title of Lords in the Bishops, but ye have usurped without the Name, the Power of Popes, which was so much the more inconse∣quential in you, that professing and shewing your selves so often fallible, yet ye exacted one infallible Obe∣dience.

Wherein if you have observed Christs Rule, which commands, That whatsoever we would that Men should do unto us, we should do the same to them, ye have reason to look to it; and if ye had reason to complain of the Bishops, I, and many others, have had much more reason to complain of you, for your little finger hath been heavier than all their hands, as woful Expe∣rience hath shewed.

I wonder that ye should write, that Presbyterian Government is established by Law in England, and that, which ye call Independency, is only tolerated and connived at; this is a matter of Fact well known, that Presbyterians have no power of censuring, or forcing Men to swear, as ye do assume to your selves.

The Common-wealth of England will never permit such a Tyramy to be established, for that were to in∣volve themselves in a greater slavery of Conscience, than they were in before under the Bishops.

Both Reason amd Experience plead against you in this matter, and therefore you must pardon me, if I do not give credit to your bare Relation, without some more proof.

Whereas you accuse me of Blasphemy, for calling your Summons Libels and Pasquills, &c. because in them ye cited the Word of God, I wonder much of your rashness in Judgment, that you cannot discern between your own word and the Word of God. I do most humbly reverence and honour the one, and what censure I made was only on your words, which would involve me in Perjury, by a forged interpretation of Gods Word, to swear that your Government, as ye use it, is only Jure Divino, which I can see no rea∣son to believe.

If any Blasphemous Heretick, such as Arrius was, would cite the Word of God for his Blasphemy, as he did, and write Books in defence of it, would any be guilty of Blasphemy for calling such Books (as they cited the Word of God) Pasquells and Libels? I suppose no Man of Judgment can be guilty of such grosness.

I do not apply this to you, of whom I have a Cha∣ritable Opinion, only I intend to clear my self of Blas∣phemy, with which ye unjustly charge me.

I entreat you to abstain from your Spells and Di∣vinations ye have used against me, as a Ring-leader of Novelty, lest these Judgments ye presage will befall me, light heavy upon your selves, for the many false glosses ye have put upon the Word of God, and your deceiving the poor and ignorant People, and enforcing others, who saw evidently your deceits, and for your

cruel and bloody Practises for maintaining your own private and perverse Interests.

I do not take you for Prophets; or that you have any extraordinary. Divine Revelations; the whole Country now see by experience, that many, if not all your bragging Prophecies, concerning the Prosperity and setting up of your Presbyterian Court, which you would have all Men to adore as an Idol, have proved very false.

So that it may justly be said of you, what God saith by the Prophet Hosea, c. 8. against Samaria and Its Idol Calfe. The Calf of Samaria shall be broken in pieces, they have sowed the Wind, and shall reap the Whirl-wind, it hath no Stalk, the Bud shall yield no Meal, if so be it yield, the Stranger shall swallow it up.

Which words, I think, agrees now most evidently to you and your Calf, which you did equal to the Word of God, and pressed it much more; and for which ye your selves spent only much wind, albeit ye made other's spend much Money, of which I have found as doleful Experience, as any one in this Nation, but now by Gods just Judgment ye have reaped a Whirl-wind.

Your Prosperity did blind you, and it was ever the strongest Argument ye used (except Pike and Mus∣quet) that did shut your Bowels against Compassion. I pray God now your Eyes may be opened, and that ye may make good use of your Humiliation, lest it be said of you that ye are humbled, but not humble.

I shall not wish, that ye be used with the same mea∣sure of rigor wherewith ye have used others, which yet were just with God to render to you; for I think in that case we should see few patient Sufferers, al∣beit we have found many great Professors and zealous Persecutors.

I do not desire your persecution; the greatest evil I wish you, which indeed is good for your own Souls, that ye be not suffered to have any more power to pre∣sent others, who without your disparagement, are as good Christians as your selves, however you are plea∣sed to have them all nick-named, and esteemed Papists or Godless Persons.

For the tenderness of the Presbyteries good will towards me, whereof you make mention in the end of your Letter, I willingly accept it, for there is none who shall overcome me in kindness; but I wish ye had not used me so harshly heretofore, when ye had Power both of Kirk and State in your hands, which I trust in God ye shall never have again, by enforcing my Ser∣vants, when all other means failed, to prove your vain Inquisition, to reveal upon their Oaths, what they knew, saw, or heard within my House, which was an incomparable Point of Severity, to give it the best word.

I suppose, never was Spains Inquisition arrived to that height, I am sure they could not go beyond it.

Now if ye will desist from your rigorous Proceedings against me, and my Family, I shall rest contented for all that is past, for I intend to offend none, but to defend my self; but if you will yet proceed upon your former Principles, which I think in Conscience ye cannot do, I am not resolved to buy your Friendship at so dear a rate, as the Perjury of my Soul.

Only I shall strive to let my Innocence be known, where∣by your cruelty will the more appear and be abhorred.

And now to conclude, I wish you as a friend to spend this Saturday next in better Meditations than you did the last, wherein you did put in practise your great Presbyterian Maxim, borrowed from Michael, forti∣ter calumniare, against him who is, Sir,

Yours, if you walk in the Truth,

Drum,

Jan. 20.

1651.

A. Irving.

[12.] A Sutler for having two Wives was sentenced by the Court-Marshal to be whipped at the Gallows, and turned out of the Army.

The Number of Shires in Scotland summoned * 1.7 by the English Commissioners to send in their De∣puties, were 31, the Number of Boroughs 56, Stewarties p. The Number of Shires whose Deputies have appeared and assented to the Union were 18, the Number of Boroughs who assented were 24.

Many others attended, but their Commissions being defective, they were disinissed, who yet pe∣titioned for new Summons, and come in daily with Assents to the Union.

[13.] Letters to the Parliament from their Commissioners in Ireland, of the state of their Affairs there.

That the Earl of Clenrickard had sent for a Trea∣ty * 1.8 to come in to the Parliament, and to put a pe∣riod to the War there, Sir Charles Coo••e sent Co∣pies of the Earls Letters to the Parliament; That the Town of Galloway, with the Nobility and Clergy, requested the Earl of Clenrickard to send for a Treaty for the settlement of the Nation.

That if a Treaty were not granted, and a safe Conduct for the Earl his Commissioners, they re∣solve to stand upon their defence, to the utmost hazard of their Lives.

The Letter was directed to the Commander in Chief of the Parliaments Forces in Ireland.

That Collonel Reynolds marched into Caterlogh, where the Enemy had all the Country thereabouts in their power, and three Garrisons.

That upon his coming near to them, they quitted two of the Garrisons, and the next day surren∣dred the Third, a Place of great importance, and the only Passe over the Shannon in those Parts.

That the Collonel had there 400 Barrels of Corn, and Forage for some Horse which were in great necessity; a Captain, a Lieutenant-Collo∣nel, and some other Officers, were taken Priso∣ners, and 30 of the Enemy slain by the Parlia∣ments Forces.

That Sir Theophilus Jones had taken a Castle, put some Men to the Sword, and 13 Priests (being therein) having with them 2000 l. in Money.

That Captain Clark in the Bay of Galloway had sunk a great Dutch Ship loaden with Provision, by forcing her upon the Rocks, and had taken another.

[15.] Letters, That Sir George Ascue had sent * 1.9 in a third Summons to the Barbadoes to submit to the Parliament of England, which being refused, he formed a Regiment out of the Ships of 600 Men, whereof 170 were Scots.

The Enemy having notice four hours before of their coming, made opposition at their landing with nine Companies of Foot, and three Troops of Horse, who made a gallant Charge.

But the Parliaments Forces having received the on-set, immediately fell in upon the Lord Wil∣loughby's Forces, and wholly routed them, and their Commanders ran away, and left the Foot in∣gaged; after which the Parliaments Forces pur∣sued the Enemy to their Fort-Royal, and stormed it, with the loss of nine Men, some hurt, as Col∣lonel Morrice, his Major, and others.

That 50 of the Enemy were killed, and 100 Pri∣soners taken, all their Ordnance dismounted, and many of their Houses burned by the Parliaments Forces, the Place being not tenable.

That soon after Sir George Ascue sent a Trumpet to the Lord Willoughby, which produced a Treaty, and Hostages being given, Articles were con∣cluded

between them, for the surrender of the Barbadoes, and the rest of the Islands, to the obe∣dience of the Common-wealth of England.

That the Lord Willoughby, Collonel Walrond, and divers others, should have protection for * 1.10 enjoyment of their Estates in England, or else∣where.

That the Inhabitants be protected from the fury of the Sword, and to enjoy and live peaceably in their own Habitations, acting nothing prejudicial to the Parliament.

Sir George Ascue was very courteous to my Lord Willoughby, and gave him very good Terms upon his rendition of the Island, and did great service in it for the Parliament.

That Collonel Pointz, Governour of St. Chri∣stophers, seeing the Inhabitants of that Island ge∣nerally well affected to the Parliament, quitted that Island, and went to Virginia.

That Sir George Ascue, by reason of Prince Ru∣perts being near him, his Fleet having watered and ballasted, he sailed towards Virginia to prevent Prince Ruperts getting that Place.

Letters from Lieutenant-General Ludlow con∣cerning the Earl of Clenrickards Letters; That the * 1.11 Lord of Muskerry was in treaty with the Lord Broghill, and Collonel Fitz-Patrick with Collonel Reynolds. That Collonel Axtel fell upon the Ene∣my, killed 100; took 300 Horse; That Captain Gilbert took Lieutenant-Collonel Farrel, a Major and Two Captains; Major Meredith drove 30 of the Enemy into a Bog; and put them all to the Sword.

That Captain Cotterel slew another Captain, Major Bolton killed and took 25 of the Enemy with their Horse, and endangered Scurlocke; Cap∣tain Preston took a Captain Prisoner, and killed 16 of his Men; Captain Staffe fell upon the Enemy in Thomond, and was shot, yet his Party routed the Enemy, and killed their Two Officers.

That Collonel Renolds took in the Collowe, and garrison'd a Fort there.

A Vessel taken by Captain Church, attempting to go into Galloway with Corn, and bulged on a Rock; another Vessel taken loaden with Wheat for Galloway.

Three Companies of the Enemy at Dingel rout∣ed, and all their Arms taken.

That the Synodal Assembly at Edenburgh emitted a Declaration, for every one of their Congrega∣tion * 1.12 to subscribe any thing tending to an Union, and desire every one to do what is publickly com∣manded, in reference to Quarter and Assess∣ments.

That Sir James Stuart protested against the act∣ing of the English Commissioners, and of the Scotch Deputies, and left Edenburgh.

That Argyle wrote to all of his Name (though some of those Gentlemen lived 100 Miles from him) to attend him to Dunbarton, to meet the English Commissioners; That he hath a consi∣derable part of the Highland in League with him.

[16.] Sir Hen. Vane and another of the Par∣liaments Commissioners sent into Scotland, return∣ed, and gave an Account to the Parliament of their Commissioners Proceedings in Scotland; and what had passed between them and the Deputies of the Scots; That 20 Shires and 35 Boroughs had assented to the Union. * 1.13

A Petition presented to the House by divers Merchants, and Sea-men, Ship-Carpenters, &c. * 1.14

Answered, That the Parliament did accept well of the Petition, and gave the Petitioners thanks for their good affections.

An Act passed for impressing of Sea-men.

Reports from the Committee appointed to re∣ceive the Danish publick Minister.

That he, after a short Preamble, delivered his * 1.15 Letters of Credence from the King of Denmark his Master, with Papers of what he delivered by word of mouth, which were read, and referred to the Council of State, to hear the Danish Agent, and to treat with him.

Reports touching the payment of small Debts owing upon publick Faith, Votes upon it.

Reports and Orders upon them touching Com∣positions of Delinquents.

[17.] Letters, That Major-General Deane was gone to treat with the Marquess of Argyle. That the Country People followed their Husbandry. That the Cavaliers in Scotland were most forward * 1.16 to submit to the Parliament of England.

[19.] Letters, That Galloway was reported to be surrendred; that the Rebels wanted Vi∣ctuals, and were much divided, so that Collonel Venables had intelligence from their Provincial Council.

[20.] Letters from Orkney of great dangers passed by the Parliaments Forces in going thither, and the Inhabitants willingness to submit to the Parliament of England.

That Deputies from more Countries came in daily to the Parliaments Commissioners in Scot∣land, and a fair compliance was expected.

They desire a general meeting to comply and carry on the general Union. * 1.17

That the Provost of Edenburgh by the Parlia∣ments Authority convened a Minister, for preach∣ing against the Ʋnion, but the Minister said, That he knew better what to preach than the Provost could instruct him.

That the Isles of Orkney and Sheathland, sent their Deputies to the English Commissioners, and consented to the Union.

That the Commissioners ordered a Cittadel to be built at St. Johns Town, to hold 500 men.

The Parliament ordered an Act to be brought in, to Incorporate Scotland, one Common-Wealth with England.

[22.] Letters, That the Treaty was begun with Argyle, in relation to his coming in, and for the good effect thereof, the Presbytery daily meet, and fast, and pray. That the Hollanders called away their Ships from Scotland, and some of their Ships hung out the Scots Kings Colours.

That a considerable Fleet was come into Leith with Corn and other Provisions, very Seasonably, there being before Some Scarcity.

That many, formerly refractory, came in daily, and a face of Peace was upon the whole Nation, the bitterness of Some Spirits began to asswage, and the Union with England desired,

Severall persons desired the inlargement of their Friends, the Scots who are prisoners of War in England, and offered sufficient bayle for their ap∣pearance when required, and in the mean time to live peaceably, and submit to the Parliament, and to subscribe the Ingagement.

Letters of great divisions among the Irish Re∣bells * 1.18 most of them being for a Treaty, but the Priests, had inflamed the rest, especially those of Galloway against it. That they have sent severall ex∣presses of Dean King, into France, for relief, else they cannot hold out any longer. That the Tories doe much mischief.

To prevent which, and other inconveniences, the Parliaments Commissioners in Ireland published a Declaration, excepting severall places from the protection of the Parliament, from which all

friends to the Parliament are to remove their Per∣sons, Families, and Goods, and those that remain in those places shall be taken as Enemies, slain and destroyed. And all Intelligence forbid with them, and that those who shall remove from those places shall have other Wast-lands assigned them, and pla∣ces for their habitations.

[23.] Dr. Walker and Dr. Turner added to the Committee, for regulating the Law.

Order for an Act for Confiscation of the Estates of several persons in Scotland, and for pardoning of the rest.

An additionall Act passed for Sale of the remain∣der of Fee-farm Rents.

Referred to the Councel of State, to nominate Persons for Administration of Justice in Scotland.

Order for an Act to prevent the Mischiefs and Robberies upon the Borders, and for settling of the Fishing upon Tweed.

Report from the Committee for regulating the Law, of an Act for Marriages to be made before Ju∣stices of the Peace.

That Committee presented to the Committee of Parliament, to be reported to the house, the * 1.19 draughts of Several Acts, viz. For taking away Fines upon Bills, Declarations, and Original writs.

Against Customary Oaths, of Fealty and Homage to Lords of Mannors.

For taking away common Recoveries, and the unne∣cessary charge of Fines, and to pass and charge Lands intailed, as Lands in Fee-Simple.

For ascertaining arbitrary Fines upon discent, and alienation of Copy-holds of Inheritance.

For the more speedy recovery of Rents.

Touching Pleaders and their Fees.

For the more Speedy regulating and easie discovery of debts, and damages not exceeding 4 l. and under.

[24.] Letters, That the new chosen Magistrates of Edenburgh, had Subscribed their Assents to the * 1.20 Union with England, and taken the same Oath, that the Mayors of Cities and Towns in England do take, and that other Burghs in Scotland sue for Licence upon the same terms to chose new Magi∣strates.

That in many parts of Zealand, the people are so mad against England, that it is dangerous for an English man to be among them, but in other places, they are in a better temper.

[26.] Letters, That Captain Pen, came to Pen∣dennis with his Squadron and 5 Prizes, which they had taken in the Streights.

That Prince Rupert with 3 or 4 Ships was upon the Coast of Barbary, but his Ships so much eaten out with Arckes, that they were not able to keep the Sea.

Of Recruits Shipped for Ireland.

[27.] Letters, That Major Salloway was re∣turned from meeting with the Marquess of Argyle, * 1.21 which was with much seeming Love, and Kindness. None were present at the Treaty, but the Mar∣quess, and one of his Kinsmen, and Major Salloway, and Major-General Dean.

That 40 Sail of Ships were come into Lieth Harbour, with Provision and Merchandise from England, so that the Deputy-Governour published a Proclamation, That no Ship or Vessel should have any Fire or Candle in them, but at a certain time of the day.

That one English Frigot went up to 3 Dutch-men of War, who refused to strike Sail to her, and with * 1.22 a Broad-side of above 20 Guns, perswaded them all to strike to the English Frigot.

[29.] Letters, That there is no doubt of a fair Compliance by the Marquess of Argyle, with the Commissioners. * 1.23

He insists upon Protection, and Freedom for * 1.24 himself, and his Tenants and their Estates, and pay∣ment of the Debts owing to him from the Parlia∣ment of England.

Proposals were tendred to the Committee for propagating the Gospel, for Supply of all Parishes with Able and Godly Ministers, for settling of right Consti∣tuted Churches &c.

An account of the Forces come away from Jer∣sey, and of Recruits for Ireland Shipped.

That the States of Holland sent an express, for all the Captains of their Men of War, forthwith to * 1.25 go down to their Ships, and to stay all Shipping going for England, which Imbargoe raiseth thoughts that they intend a War against England.

[30.] Reports to the Parliament; from the Commissioners for Scotland, of the Form of con∣sent, of the Deputies of the Shires, and Boroughs of Scotland, to the Ʋnion with England into one * 1.26 Common-wealth, without a King, or House of Lords, and to live Peaceably in the mean time with submission to the Authority of the Parliament of England.

With their Petition for New Magistrates to be chosen, of such as consent thereunto, and that Course may be taken with the Ministers who preach against this Ʋnion.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Hans Towns.
• * 1.2

  Holland.
• * 1.3

  March.
• * 1.4

  Blake.
• * 1.5

  Kirk.
• * 1.6

  Covenant.
• * 1.7

  Scotland.
• * 1.8

  Ireland.
• * 1.9

  Barbadors taken.
• * 1.10

  Lord wil∣loughby.
• * 1.11

  Ireland.
• * 1.12

  ••••ts.
• * 1.13

  Union.
• * 1.14

  Petition.
• * 1.15

  Danish Minister.
• * 1.16

  Scotland.
• * 1.17

  Union.
• * 1.18

  Ireland.
• * 1.19

  Bills.
• * 1.20

  Union.
• * 1.21

  Scotland.
• * 1.22

  Frigots.
• * 1.23

  Argyle.
• * 1.24

  April.
• * 1.25

  Dutch.
• * 1.26

  Union.