May 1652.

[1.] Letters, That the Declaration of the Parliament of England for the Union of Scotland with England, and their sending of Members to the Parliament of England, was proclaimed with great solemnity at Edenburgh Cross, but the Scots shewed no rejoycing at it.

[3.] Letters justifying the Proceedings of the Commissioners for propagating the Gospel in Wales, written by Mr. Vavasour Power a Minister there.

[4.] Referred to the Committee to consider, how a competent Maintenance for Godly Mini∣sters may be setled in lieu of Tithes.

Order for relief of maimed and sick Sol∣diers.

Mr. Weaver, one of the Commissioners of the Parliament in Ireland, came into the House where∣of he was a Member, and gave them an account of the State of their Affairs there.

Letters of Credence of the Queen of Sweden, * to the Noble Hareldus Applebone her publick Mini∣ster, * to the Parliament of England, were read; and Letters from the Prince of Conde to the Par∣liament, read, and both of them referred to the Council of State,

Letters, That Argyle did again solicit for some * singular Act of Favour from the Parliament of * England, but his ways were known.

That Three Judges were come from England, to administer Justice to the Scots in Scotland.

[5.] That some Travellers upon Hunsloe Heath saw a strange Apparition of the Sun about sixth Clock in the Evening, &c.

[6.] Letters, That the Ministers of Scotland were as bitter as ever against the Interest of Eng∣land.

Of more Counties and Boroughs accepting the Ʋnion with England; and that Argyle had agreed * to Terms to come in to the Parliament of England, but they were not published.

That the Lord Chief-Justice St. John, Mr. Sal∣loway, and Alderman Tichburne, the Parliaments Commissioners in Scotland, went away for Eng∣land.

That the Deputies of Argyle Shire had consent∣ed to the Ʋnion.

[7.] Letters, That the Magistrates of Mussel∣borough had taken the Ingagement of the Parlia∣ment of England.

Of a Pyrate who took several English Vessels to the Westward; of Recruits Shipped from Pen∣dennis for Ireland.

That the Irish begged for Conditions to come in to the Parliament, and some of them were ad∣mitted.

[10.] Letters of Preparations to reduce Din∣noter Castle in Scotland.

That the new Judges sent into Scotland, were very busie in setling of new Judicatories there.

That Ireland was wholly reduced, and had no other refuge but Bogs and Woods; that the Plague was much abated there.

That Commissary-General Reynolds had gotten most of the Provisions of the Rebels, and killed and taken many of them, and prevented their fortifying.

That he setled Three considerable Garrisons upon Passes in Kings County; took in the strong Forts in those Parts upon Quarter for Life only.

[11.] The Scots Commissioners returned, and were in the Parliament.

The Committee revived for setting a Period to this Parliament, and providing for future Repre∣sentatives. *

[12.] Debate upon Qualifications of such Persons as shall be received into the House as Members.

Letters, That Captain Howe, a Young Gentle-man, * who had done gallant Service for the Parlia∣ment in Ireland, being assaulted in his Quarters by a Party of the Tories, he at the first Charge rout∣ed them; but then they came on again with a fresh Party, and routed Captain Hows Party, who en∣deavoured to make good his Soldiers Retreat, and himself charged Three times, and came off well, but upon a Fourth Charge he was unfortunate∣ly slain, and his Death was very much lamen∣ted.

[13.] A Duel between the Lord Chandoys, and Mr. Compton, and the Lord killed Mr. Compton.

[14.] The knocking of a Link near some Reeds set the Reeds on fire, and they fired a House in Redriffe, and Two Ships lying near the Shore, and burnt them at low water, when no Boats could come to help them, nor could they get Water.

Letters, That the Inhabitants of Virginia wil∣lingly submitted to the Government of the Par∣liament.

Page  508 [15.] That the Army in Scotland was taking the Field.

Of the refractoriness of the Ministers.

That the Judges sent out of England published a Proclamation at Edenburgh, That they would * sit at the usual place for administring of Justice.

[17.] Letters from the Commissioners in Ire∣land to the Parliament, giving an account of the Affairs there; of the Provisions received, and ac∣knowledging the great care of the Parliament therein, and how they had disposed thereof to the Forces.

Of the Ports in Kerry fit for a Forreign Enemy to land in. That Clenrickard and others were gone * to Ʋlster to joyn with Phelim O-Neale. That in some places the Enemy have made some Incur∣sions in small Parties, and taken some prey and Dragoon Horses; but upon their return, they being 250 Horse, and 500 Foot, they were met by Lieutenant-Collonel Throckmorton with 140 Horse, and 400 Foot, who had no Pikes, and the Horse at first made some retreat.

But at length, after a sharp Dispute, the Eng∣lish Horse routed the Irish, and killed 200 of them on the place and in the pursuit, and took and kil∣led divers Officers, and had but twenty one kil∣led, and 100 Soldiers wounded.

That the Irish Clergy have excommunicated Collonel Fitz-Patrick for submitting to the Par∣liament, and the Laity published a Declaration against him, and all that joyned with him, and some of his Party were cut off by the Irish, who also cut off the Ears of some whom they took Prisoners.

That Fitz-Patrick met with some of them.

That Shipping was wanting to transport those who are to go beyond Seas, 2000 of Fitz-Pa∣tricks Party, 1000 of O-Dwyers Party, and 4000 more.

Of many Applications made by divers chief Of∣ficers of the Irish to come in to the Parliament, and Commissioners were sent with Instructions to give the same Terms which Collonel Venables was authorized to give to those in Ʋlster.

That Sir Charles Coote explained the Articles of Galloway, which he yielded to, to prevent charge to the Parliament, and to get the posses∣sion of that City.

[18.] Letters of a Squadron of the Parlia∣ments Ships meeting with Three Dutch Men of War, and Seven Merchants, that the Dutch Ad∣miral * came under the Lee of the Parliaments Ships, and kept his Flag up; whereupon the English Ship sent a Boat to him to acquaint him * that they had received Orders from their General to cause those Ships they met to take down their Flags; and presently the Dutch Admiral took down his Flag, and saluted the English Ships with Three Pieces of Ordnance, and the English did the like to him.

After the Admiral came the Vice-Admiral of the Dutch, but came to the Windward of the English, contrary to the custom in the Narrow Seas, and saluted the English with 13 Shot, but took not down their Top-Flag.

The English called to them to take it down, but they refused, and still sailed on with it up; so the English filled their Sails, and hasted all they could after the Dutch Vice-Admiral, and ordered their Boat to go on Board them, to perswade them to take their Flag; but he in stead of taking it then down, gave a cross Answer, and said, he would not, and that we should come and take it down our selves.

Upon advice, the English addressed themselves to prepare to fight the Dutch; but before they began, there was come up with them a little Fri∣got of 24 Guns, which did instantly let go Three Guns at the Dutch Rear-Admiral for them to strike, but he did not fire again, only pleaded, That they durst not take down their Flag so long as their Vice-Admiral kept up his.

Whereupon that Frigot spake with their Ad∣miral, and desired to know the reason, why the Vice-Admiral did not submit to take down his Flag; to whom the Admiral answered, That he thought they were drunk; the Captain of that Fri∣got propounded to the Admiral, whether he would side with him in his standing out, and he answered No, but said, as they brewed so they should bake.

Hereupon the English Ship came up to the Vice-Admiral, and gave him a Broad-side, and salu∣ted him with 19 Guns, which did good execu∣tion; and they likewise gave the English a Broad-side, and they had for a time a hot Dispute, in which one of the English was hurt, and another wounded, and one slain, and the Dutch had a greater loss.

But afterward he took down the Flag, and the Admiral and other Vessels gave the English such loving Salutes, confessing their faults, and so they parted good Friends.

[19.] The House sate in a Grand Committee for setting a time for the ending of this Parlia∣ment.

Referred to the Council to take care about the Reception of the Two Ambassadors come from the King of Denmark.

A Letter of Count D'Ognion to the Parliament was read.

Vote, That no Commission be granted to any Lieutenant of Ireland, after the expiring of the * present Commission to the Lord-Deputy Lambert, and referred it to the Committee touching the Adventurers for Ireland, for encouraging English Protestants to plant there,

Letters of a Body of the Irish together intend∣ing for the Lagan.

[21.] Letters of Recruits for Ireland.

Of a Ship fired by a Barrel of Powder, but her Men saved, and she mended and put to Sea again, and was taken by a Ship with Commission from the King of Scots; another Ship taken by a French Pyrate.

That Scurlocke the Arch-Tory met with some English, pretending a Treaty to come in, but upon the advantage they had, they fell upon the English, and disordered them; but another Party of English coming in, routed the Rebels, killed 300 on the place, and took many Prisoners.

Letters to the Parliament, That Van Trump the * Dutch Admiral sailing in the Downs, with an un∣usual Fleet of 45 Men of War, being demanded the reason of it, said, That he was forced in by Tempestuous Weather, and had no design to prejudice the Common-wealth of England.

This being held a slight Answer, and that there had been no stormy weather, and his slight beha∣viour towards the English confirmed a jealousie of him, and notice was given of it to the Council, and to the English Admiral.

Who coming thither, saluted the Dutch Fleet with a single Gun, to require them to strike Sail to ours, they being within the Territories of this Common-wealth, the Honour whereof our Navy was bound to maintain.

But they refusing, a Second Gun was fired, and a Third, which Van Trump answered with a Broad-side, by which our Admiral discerning Page  509 their intention to fight us, singled out himself from the rest of the Fleet, to treat with Van Trump about that Point of Honour, and to endea∣vour to prevent the effusion of Blood, and National quarrel.

But when our Admiral came near Van Trump, he and the rest of his Fleet, contrary to the Law of Nations, coming upon a Treaty, fired upon our Admiral with many hundreds of Shots.

Yet the Admiral, though for some time he fought alone against the whole Dutch Fleet, after four hours fight he forced the Dutch to flight, the darkness of the night not permitting us to follow; we took two of their best Ships in the Fight, and one of them sunk as we brought her to shore, and the Dutch Fleet fled Westward, and ours did cast Anchor in the same Sea where they did fight.

We lost 15 Men, most of them out of the Ad∣miral; the loss was great the Dutch had, but the Particulars not known; the Sea-men from the Shore came out in little Boats to assist us.

[22.] A Guard was set upon the Dutch Am∣bassadors * where they were at Chelsey: The Lieu∣tenant-General and many of his Officers went to Dover.

[24.] Letters of the Particulars of the Fight at Sea betwixt the English and the Dutch; That the English Admiral had their Master and others wounded, and received 1000 shot, her Main-Mast * shot away, all her Rigging torn, shot between Wind and Water; that they took one of the Dutch of 36 Guns, and sunk another.

That General Blake was sent to by Major Bourne, and came in to the Fleet; and that Van Trump came near to our Fleet when there was no occasion for it, and coming near to General Blakes Ship, he shot Two Guns at Van Trumps Flag, but without Ball, to call to him to strike, and Trump shot on the averse side of his Ship, which was in high dis∣dain of the English.

That then Van Trump hung out a Red Flag, which some of his Officers, being Prisoners, confessed was their Signal, and gave a Broad-side to Gene∣ral Blake, and so the Fight began between them, and Major Bourne came in to the Ingagement with Eight Ships more, and the Fight continued four hours.

That the next Morning the Dutch Fleet was Four Leagues from ours towards the Coast of France; That General Blake had Six of his Men slain, Nine or Ten desperately wounded, 25 more in danger, and the Master, and one of his Mates; That he received 70 Shot in his Hull, and Masts, and in his Sails and Rigging without number, and sometimes alone fought with the whole Dutch Fleet.

[25.] Letters of an Agreement by Articles between the Officers of the Parliaments Forces Lieutenant-General Ludlow, &c. and the Earl of * Westmeath, and the grand Tories and Forces in Munster, Connaght and Lemster, for their submissi∣on to the Parliament.

Of great differences among the Kirk-men in Scotland.

[26.] The Ambassadors from the King of Denmark had Audience in Parliament.

The Lieutenant-General Cromwel setled the bu∣siness of the Fleet at Dover, and returned to London. General Blakes Fleet was re-inforced; the Dutch appeared with 70 Sail, but attempted nothing.

The Act read for continuing the Monthly As∣sessment for the Armies.

A Committee appointed to consider in what places, and on what days Markets are fit to be * kept.

Referred to the Commissioners of the Great Seal to issue out a Commission, and take care for the visiting of the Charter-house Hospital near Kingston upon Hull.

[27.] Letters, That Lieutenant-Collonel Throckmorton met with Duncan, who had 500 * Foot, and 400 Horse near Wexford, who had ta∣ken all the Cattle, and left not a Cow to give Milk; That at the first Charge the Irish behaved themselves gallantly, and put the English to some disorder, yet the Irish did not pursue, till the English had rallied, and upon the Second Charge the English beat up the Irish to their Horse, and so put them to the rout, killed 200 of them, and many Officers Prisoners, and lost but 30 Men, and 60 wounded.

[28.] Letters, That the Judges at Edenburgh * met and heard a good Sermon, and then sate in the Court of Justice, and Mr. Smith one of them, made a Speech to the Company, of the occasion of their meeting, and to take off some aspersions cast upon the Parliament by the Ministers, as if they countenanced Heresies and Blasphemies.

Then they caused the Act of Parliament against Heresies to be read, and concluded; That he doubt∣ed not but they should give satisfaction to the People of Scotland in the due administration of Justice to them.

Then a List of the Fees of Officers was read, and the Auditory seemed to be much contented.

Of Recruits shipped for Ireland, and of some Vessels taken by Pyrates.

[29.] Letters of the Arrival of Sir George Ascue and his Fleet at Plymouth from the Barbadoes, with 36 Prizes.

[31.] Of the Siege of Dunotter Castle in Scotland, and the high Terms they astand upon; That the High-Sheriffs appointed in Scotland went to execute their Offices.

Of differences among the Ministers in Scotland, and the Lord Wareston and others consulting a∣gainst * the Assembly of the Kirk.

That the People questioned divers great Men before the new Judges, for former injuries and oppressions.

That Collonel Dungan wrote a civil Letter to Lieutenant-Collonel Throckmorton; That since he was Master of the Field, by a fair Dispute, he desired a civil usage of the Prisoners he had taken, and a List of them, and whether Ransomes would be taken for them.