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.

April, 1652.

[1.] Letters of Recruits Shiped for Ireland.

A Letter Signed by Gerald Fitz-Gerald, in be∣half of an Assembly of the Irish, in the Province of * 1.1 Leinster, to the Parliaments Commissioners for Ireland, setting forth the Calamities of War, and the blessings of Peace, and the good inclinations of the Com∣mon-wealth of England to give reasonable Conditions to those that shall submit to them.

He desires a safe Conduct for the Inhabitants of the several Provinces, to meet and choose Commissioners to Treat with and Propound such things to Commissioners to be appointed to meet with them, as may conduce to the Peace and Settlement of that Kingdom.

The Commissioners in Ireland, published a De∣claration in answer to this Letter.

That they cannot in Duty and Honour own that of Gerald Fitz-Gerald for an Authority, but declare,

That the settlement of the Affairs of Ireland, doth of right belong to the Common-wealth of England, the consideration whereof is at present before them.

2. That in the Settlement thereof the Parliament will make distinction of such Persons as have lived Peaceably, or having been misled, have since submitted to their Authority, and those who have acted, or abet∣ted the Murders, and Massacres of the Protestants, and such as adhered to them the first year of their Re∣bellion, or such as continue in Hostility.

3. That to grant safe Conducts to such as are in Ho∣stility against the Parliament, to meet and consult toge∣ther, is an Act to which the Commissioners cannot in Prudence consent.

4. That for such as are now in Arms, and are willing to lay them down, and submit to the Parliament upon timely application to the Parliaments Ministers here for particular places and persons, such moderate Terms will be consented unto, as men in their condition can in rea∣son expect.

Lieutenant-General Ludlow, by advice with the English Commissioners, and Field Officers of the Army, returned answer to the Earl of Clanrickards Letters.

That the power of ordering the Affairs of Ireland, * 1.2 belonged to the Parliament of England, who would not capitulate with those in Arms against them, but upon Application of particular Persons, such favour would

be shewed to them, as they should deserve, and should be reasonable.

[Anno 1652] The Commissioners from the Rebels presented another Paper to the English Commissioners, for a safe Conduct to such as should be appointed Com∣missioners by the Provinces to attend the Parlia∣ment.

To this, the Parliaments Commissioners made Answer.

That they do not hold it fit or reasonable to lay open their power, but such as shall submit, they have suffici∣ent Power to receive them into the Parliaments Fa∣vour.

As to the granting Passes to any to go to the Parlia∣ment, they hold it not fit, to such as contrary to their Duty are in Hostility against them.

[2.] Letters, That the Basse was delivered up to the Parliament, and in it all the Kirke Records, which much troubled the Clergy.

An Act passed for continuing Serjeant Bradshaw Chancellour of the Dutchy, and Bartholomew Hall Esq Attorney-General of the Dutchy.

[3.] An Act passed for removing Obstructi∣ons in the Sale of the Kings Lands, &c.

Letters, That the Dutch Ships had orders, if they met any English Ships, to bring them into their Harbors.

[5.] Letters of a Petty Rising of some High-landers, but their Commander, and a few of them being knockt down, the rest of them ran away.

That a Bloody Moss-Trooper was Condemned to be Hanged, and another by the Court-Martial to be Shot to Death, for killing a Scotch-woman.

That some English Troopers being pursued by some Moss-Troopers, who said they were of Col∣lonel Okey's Regiment, and Friends, and so they put up their Arms again, and rode on together, when suddenly the Moss-Troopers drew out their Pistols, and killed one of the Troopers, wounded another of them, and took the rest Prisoners, and afterwards in cold blood murdered Three of their Prisoners, and the Fourth miraculously escaped.

[6.] Letters of the low condition the Irish were brought unto; of John Fitz-Patrick an emi∣nent Rebel admitted to his submission to the Par∣liament; and of Clanrickards Letter for a Na∣tional Treaty; of the good service of Collonel Reynolds, and the other Officers and Soldiers in Ireland.

Of the Forces of the Parliament about Eniscortly, burning the Corn, and every Morning, the Hou∣ses * 1.3 they quartered in the night before, killed and took many Irish; That he was an idle Soldier, who had not a Veal, Lamb, Pig, Poultry, or all of them for his Supper; That they destroyed as much Provision, as would have kept many Thousands of the Irish till next Harvest.

That they took about 200 Garroons, 300 Cows, and 400 Sheep and Goats, and many Horse-men.

Of Contests between the Towns-men of Gal∣loway, and the Soldiery, the Earl of Clanrickard taking part with the Soldiery, and perswading the Town not to submit but to a National Treaty; the Town insist upon a Treaty for themselves.

Of Assents of more Shires and Boroughs in Scotland to the Ʋnion with England, transmitted to the Parliament.

The House passed Instructions about the Earl of Argyle, to the Council of State.

The Cracovian Catechisme reported to the * 1.4 House, and Voted by them to contain matters that are Blasphemous, Erroneous and Scandalous.

That all the Printed Copies of that Book be burned.

Mr. Primate upon his Petition was discharged.

Order for 4000 l. to Repair Dover Pear and Harbour.

That Commissioners were in Treaty about the Surrender of Galloway.

The Dutch Imbargoe taken off from the English Ships.

Of the Dutch great Preparations for the Seas.

[7.] Letters, That Blackness was not thought fit to be made a Garrison. That Dunbarton Castle, was one of the Strongest holds in the 3 King∣doms.

That Argyle in his Treaty with Major-General * 1.5 Dean, and Major Salloway insisted much for the In∣terest of the Kirke. That the Parliaments Forces fortified Ayre, a strong Town, and convenient Harbour.

[9.] Letters of the meetings of the Ministers in Scotland, who do threaten interdiction, and communication to complyers with the Parliament, and that the Highlanders fall upon them.

Of an Eclipse in Scotland, that put the Inhabi∣tants to a great Astonishment.

[10.] Letters, That the Dutch Ships in Pen∣dennis Harbour hasted away from thence, fearing an Imbargoe by the Parliament.

Of 6 English Colliers taken by the Dutch, and rescued again by an English Frigot.

That Collonel Cook was Slain, and no other of his Party, in a Skirmish with the Rebels.

[12.] Letters from Collonel Zanchey to the Lord-General, and read in Parliament, of all the * 1.6 proceedings of his Party the Winter past, where∣in among others, he mentions the good Service of Captain Whitelock.

That they killed above 400 of the Irish, and took 350, 110 whereof he sent for Spain, that they took many Hundreds of Cows and Garrons, and 300 Troops of Horses, and a great quantity of Arms. That about 400 of them upon their Petition and Security given, have been received into the Parlia∣ments Protection.

That they hanged above 50 of the Irish accord∣ing to the Lord-General his Orders. That he had not lost above 5 men, nor any officers but Captain Ball. He mentions the Sollicitation of many of the Irish, for a Treaty, wherein he was doubtful what to do, not knowing the mind of the Parlia∣ment therein, towards those bloody Rebels, but that to Collonel Odvery (who had been very Civil and kind to the English who were Prisoners with him, and very just in Performance of all his In∣gagements) he had granted a safe Conduct and Treaty, to be confirmed or annulled as the Parlia∣ment should think fit, and sent a Copy of the Ar∣ticles.

From Leith, that March 29 was so dark, that they could not see to write without a Candle, and it caused great fear upon all Men.

[13.] The Act read for Incorporating Scot∣land into one Common-wealth and Free-state with * 1.7 England, and for abolishing the Kingly office in Scotland, and committed.

A Letter assented unto, to be sent to the King of Denmark, and ordered to be sent.

Upon a report from the Councel of State, of the abuses in Cloathing, and Transporting of Wool, and Fullers-Earth, a day was appointed to debate it.

Order to exclude all private Business for 14 Dayes.

Order for an Act, to settle the Lincoln-shire Fens.

[15.] There was a smart debate between the Dutch Ambassadors, and the Parliaments Commis∣sioners, * 1.8 wherein the point of the Right of Fishing in

the Narrow-Seas, and the Soveraignty of those Seas, to be in the Nation of England, was touched upon, and by Whitelock more than others, to the distast of their Excellencies the Lords Ambassadors.

[16.] Letters, That the Forces of Dublin had kined about 100 Tories, and taken much Cattle, That many Irish had made Conditions with the Eng∣lish Commissioners for a Submission, that Collonel Fitz-Patrick had made Terms for 5000 men to go beyond Sea.

[17.] Letters, That most of the Countries, by their Deputies had consented to the Ʋnion of Scot∣land * 1.9 with England, and had chosen divers Officers of the English Army for their Deputies.

Of Ship-wracks near Scilly.

[19.] Letters, That Galloway had agreed to Surrender upon Articles.

That Collonel Reynolds had taken in 2 Garrisons of great Consequence, bordering upon Ʋlster.

That the Ministers of Scotland inflame the Peo∣ple against England, and damn all their Brethren and * 1.10 People, who are not of their opinion. That the Lord of Drum had bid them defiance.

That Argyle dallied, and doubled with the Eng∣lish Commissioners.

[20.] Letters, That a party sent to Ayre, were received of the Garrison of the Castle of Arran upon conditions.

That Ships were come to Leith with Provisions and horse meat.

A Petition of the Eastland Merchants residing * 1.11 at Dantzicke, submitting and commending the late Act of Navigation, which they do pray may be ob∣served, and remedy of abuses in their Trade.

Votes, That all Wools brought into England, shall be Excise-free.

That an Act be brought in to prevent the Expor∣tation of Scotch Wools, Woolfells, or Leather.

Referred to the Councel of State, to consider and prepare an Act touching the Adventurers for Ireland, and the qualifications touching Ireland for∣merly * 1.12 read in Parliament, and that they be im∣powred to transport such of the Irish, as they shall think fit into Forrein parts, and about Trans∣planting of the Irish from one part of the Nation to another.

And to consider of Satisfaction to such Officers, and Soldiers, as shall be disbanded in Ireland.

Letters of the Surrender of Galloway to the Par∣liaments Forces, with a Copy of the Articles, and several Letters between the Parliaments Commis∣sioners and Sir Charles Coot in Ireland about that Business, referred to the Councel of State.

Vote, That the Committee for the Universities, and the Committee of Indemnity do sit no more, * 1.13 and the House appointed a day to consider of fill∣ing the House with new Members.

[23.] Letters, That the Isle of Arran in Scot∣land, and Duke Hamiltons House, the Castle there, was upon Summons Surrendred to the Parliaments * 1.14 Forces, the Island is 8 miles over, and 24 miles in Length, and those in the Castle told the Com∣mander of the Parliaments Forces, that if they could have kept the Castle against him, they would not have Surrendred it, but being they could not defend it, that he and his Soldiers were welcome to it.

That the Inhabitants shewed much distast to Ar∣gyle, but the Civil Carriage of the Parliaments Sol∣diers did much ingage them.

[24.] Letters of several Ships come into Leith Road, loaden with Hay, and others with Merchan∣dize. That the Ship which brought the Money for the Army, lost her ••udder at Yarmouth Road, and so was hindered of her Voyage.

That Argyle was preparing of Forces, and yet gave good words to the English Commissioners. That great depredations were committed by the Highlanders. That the Chancellour sought to come in, and the Ministers in the West were busie in de∣signing against England.

That Sir George Ascue had taken in the Barbadoes; the Letters from him, with the Articles read in Parliament, and the Messenger had 100 l. given * 1.15 him by the House.

Debate upon Regulating of the prizes of Wine.

[26.] Letters, That Sir George Ascue landed but 200 at first under Captain Morris, who beat up one of the Enemies Quarters, and took from them a little Fort with 4 Guns, which they spiked up without any Loss.

That the Virginia-Fleet came in thither, but ve∣ry weak, and their Men sick, yet Sir George took the advantage of the appearance of that Fleet, and sent a new Summons to the Lord Willoughby.

But he refusing to submit, Sir George modelled 400 into a Regiment, and landed them at night, and were gallantly received by the Lord Willough∣byes men, but being night, they thought the Assay∣lants more than they were, and the Seamen with great Shouts running upon the Enemy, they were so amazed, that after a short dispute they all ran away;

Leaving a place, where in a manner, they were intrenched, and 4 great Guns.

That this party thus routed were 1200 Foot, and a Troop of Horse, and Sir George lost but 7 or 8 men, whereof one was Lieutenant-Collonel Allen, of the Enemy were 100 Slain, and 80 Prisoners.

The success was nothing towards the gaining of the whole Island, the Enemy having then about 5000 Horse and Foot in Arms.

That the Virginia-Fleet after 7 days went away, and then Sir George upon Information of Collonels Muddifords interests in the Island, and Affections to the Parliament, Sir George sent to him and his Friends by giving them honourable Conditions, and he joined with Sir George, and made up 2000 Foot, and 100 Horse.

That the People came in hourly to Sir George, who went on Shoar to Collonel Muddiford and his Company, and gave them full satisfaction of his Commission, and the Parliaments intentions, whereupon they engaged to live and dye with the Parliament.

That the Lord Willoughby understanding this, marched up to them, with all the Force he could make, and one of Sir George his great Guns Shot in at the Door, where the Lord Willoughby and his Councel of War were, and carried away the Sen∣tinels head.

That this night the Enemy marched 2 Miles from Sir George his men, who had many designs but were hindred by the Rains for 3 or 4 daies to∣gether, and before they could March, the Lord Willoughby sent for a Treaty, and in regard his strength was much the greater, and to avoid the de∣struction of that goodly Island, which was already much wasted,

Sir George sent his Commissioners to meet with the Lord Willoughbys Commissioners, and they a∣greed upon Articles, and it was surrendred to the Parliament.

The truth was that the Lord Willoughby was forced to this surrender, knowing that his men would not stand to him but dayly did desert him, and most of the Islanders took in with C. Muddiford against my Lord.

Letters that the Frigot with the Mony was safely arrived at Leith, narrowly escaping the Sands, on

which she struck six times upon the Coast of Yar∣mouth, but was delivered by the breaking of her Rudder.

That Argyle and his Clans agreed to oppose the Parliament of England, and that he had gotten * 1.16 10000 Arms.

That the Kirk began to piece again, but the Peo∣ple were inclinable to the Union.

[27.] Votes touching the payment of Debts upon publick Faith.

Referred to a Committee to consider how the Poor may be set to work and relieved, and not suffered to beg; and to review all the Acts touch∣ing the Poor, and report the defects of them; and to receive Proposals for the City of London, or others, touching the Poor.

An Act passed for the further ease and relief of poor Prisoners for Debt.

Letters, That the Scots King was ingaged in mediating a Peace between the King of France and the Princes, wherein he alledged his own condition, and that of his Father, and the King of France thanked him for his good Intentions, * 1.17 and desired him to make the like Proposals to the Princes,

Which the Scots King did; but the King of France refused to put away the Cardinal, who offered to go away, rather than to be a cause of continuing the miseries of France; that the Prin∣ces doubled their Guards, and the People were enraged against Cardinal Mazarini.

[29.] Letters of the reducing of the Barba∣does to the same effect as before.

The Revolt of Collonel Muddiford, and Let∣ters from my Lady Willoughby to my Lord her * 1.18 Husband, that the Kings Forces were defeated at Worcester, and of the condition of the Affairs in England, with her advice to him to submit to the Parliament upon good terms; and Letters to the same effect from other Friends; were the cause of his surrender of the Island.

[30.] Orders for Recruits from Pendennis Castle for Ireland; and six weeks pay for them before they were transported out of England.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Ireland.
• * 1.2

  Lieute∣nant-Ge∣neral Lud∣low.
• * 1.3

  Ireland.
• * 1.4

  Cracovian Cate∣chisme.
• * 1.5

  Kirk.
• * 1.6

  Ireland.
• * 1.7

  Union.
• * 1.8

  Dutch Am∣bassadors.
• * 1.9

  Union.
• * 1.10

  Scotland.
• * 1.11

  Merchants
• * 1.12

  Ireland.
• * 1.13

  Vote.
• * 1.14

  Hamilton.
• * 1.15

  Sir George Ascue. Barbadon.
• * 1.16

  Scotland.
• * 1.17

  France.
• * 1.18

  L. Wil∣loughby.