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.

July 1652.

[1.] Much discourse was upon the departing of the Dutch Ambassadors, some Members of Par∣liament being unsatisfied with the dismission of them, and that so high Terms were insisted on by the Parliament.

[2.] Letters of 800 Irish come in, and many Thousands of them stand out because they cannot be pardoned for their Murders.

From Collonel Hewson of his Proceedings, and that, an ambush being laid by the Irish, for a Cap∣tain * 1.1 of the English and Collonel Pretty, he escaped, * 1.2 and a party sent out by Collonel Hewson killed 4 of them, released their Prisoners, and took divers Rebels and 16 Horses.

That another party sent out by him killed 40 of the Rebels, and took 30 good Horses. That Col∣lonel Hewson denied to give or take any quarter with them.

That Slego was surrendred, and that Sir Thomas Jones killed 2 Collonels, 10 Captains, and 300 of a party of 3000 of the Rebels, and took all their Horse.

[3.] Letters of the English Forces gotten into the Highlands, of Ships come into Leith with pro∣visions.

Of several late Successes in Ireland.

That the Enemy burnt Portumney Town, and Collonel Ingolsby relieved them, and routed all their Horse, and Surrounded their Foot in a Bog.

That the Irish were in the Field with about 4000 Men. That the Lord Broghill did good Execution upon the Irish, and pursued them 4 miles, took 100 Horse, and rescued a prey of 200 Beefs.

That the Lord Muskerry was come in to the Par∣liament with his Forces.

That General Blake with a gallant Fleet went * 1.3 Northwards, and left Sir George Ascue to com∣mand the rest of the Fleet in the Downs, who took * 1.4 5 Dutch Merchant-men, and General Blake took 2 * 1.5 Men of War, and 2 Merchant men. 500 Soldiers sent on Board Sir George Ascue.

That after this Sir George Ascue and the Fleet with him met with 40 Dutch Ships, took 7 of them, and burnt 4, and about 24 of them ran on ground on the French Shoar, and he pursued the rest, and this Fight was gallantly performed by him, after so long a Voyage, which his Ships had gone, and were very foul.

[5.] Letters from the Parliaments Commis∣sioners in Ireland, That Sir Charles Coote, and Col∣lonel * 1.6 Reynolds had reduced Slego. That the Lord Clanrickard had sent for a Treaty, and that the Lieutenant-General had routed a party of the Ene∣my, and marched towards Rosse. That the Lord Muskerry sent for another Treaty, that the Lord Broghill took 80 Horse, killed about 50, took Lieu∣tenant-Collonel Supple, and 2 Colours and Arms, yet the Irish were double his Number, and he re∣gained 200 Cattle.

Of Recruits come into Ireland.

[6.] A Declaration past concerning the diffe∣rences of England, with the Netherlands.

Letters from Sir George Ascue, of his Fight with * 1.7 the Dutch, who were 40 Merchants, and 4 men of War; he took 7 of them, and burnt 3, and few that ran on Shoar escaped, that the French defended them from the English, yet coming on board their Ships plundred them.

That Captain Wright made a gallant Fight with one of them, and forced him on Shoar and burnt him, and Captain Wright lost 8 men, and above 20 wounded, and Captain Wright himself lost his Leg with a great Shot, and few or none of his Officers but were wounded.

That of those Irish who submitted, not a 4th man laid down their Arms.

[9.] Letters of Recruits sent for Ireland.

That some of the Parliaments Forces were * 1.8 marched 20 Miles into the Highlands, where the Country of the Fraziers all (except one inconside∣rable Person with a few people) came in, and sub∣mitted to the Parliament.

That General Blake with a Fleet of 60 Sail, pas∣sed in Sight of Dunbar towards the North, to at∣tend * 1.9 the Holland Busses, and sent for the Frigots and Parliaments Vessels in those parts, who went to him.

That the Scots reported the Dutch to have taken 25 Sail of the Parliaments Ships in a Fight there.

That divers Barks were come in to Air, with provisions for the Parliaments Forces, and 4 Fri∣gots, and several small Vessels come thither for their Assistance.

[10.] Dr. Winston a Physitian, in the begin∣ning * 1.10 of the late Troubles, by leave of the House of Lords, went over into France, and there continued till very lately that he returned into England, in his Absence none being here to look after his Busi∣ness for him, his Estate was sequestred, as if he had been a Delinquent, and his place and lodgings (as Physick Professor in Gresham Colledge) were taken from him, tho he had never acted any thing against the Parliament, but had been out of England all the time of the Troubles, whereupon applications be∣ing made to the Committee of Sequestrations, an order was procured for his being restored to his place and lodgings in Gresham Colledge, and the Sequestration of his Estate which was 500 l. per annum was also taken off.

Letters of the Dutch preparations for Sea, and the Petitions of many of their people, to have Let∣ters of Marque against the English.

That about 60 Sail of their men of War showed themselves to Sir George Ascue's Fleet, but at∣tempted nothing.

[12.] Letters, That some eminent Scots in the Highlands, have submitted to the Parliament of England.

That there wants English Ministers in Scot∣land.

From Yarmouth, That the Hollanders have 180 Busses at Sea, and 60 men of War for their Guard, that General Blake was near them.

That Van Trump was seen in the Downs with a∣bout 100 Sail of Ships, nearer to Sir George Ascue.

That Meen heer Schaep sent to the Parliament, thanks for their civility to him, and that the States sent to forbid their Fleets from taking any more of the Ships of the Parliament.

[13.] Upon a Report from the Councel of State, the Parliament voted,

That Lieutenant-General Fleetwood, do Com∣mand in Chief the Forces in Ireland, under the * 1.11 Lord-General, and that he be one of the Commis∣sioners for the Civil affairs of Ireland.

Votes concerning the Satisfaction of Publick Faith monies, by taking Lands forfeited in Ire∣land.

Referred to a Committee to consider what Ca∣thedrals are fit to stand, or what to be pulled down, and how such as shall be pulled down, may be ap∣plied to the payment of the Publick Faith.

Debate upon a Bill for Sale of Forfeited Lands, and upon another Bill touching Receivers, &c.

Letters, That the Dutch appeared with a Fleet of 102 Sail of Ships, and 10 Fire-Ships, near Sir George Ascue, intending to Intercept some Ships * 1.12 coming to him out of the River, to whom Sir George sent to stay there, that a Squadron of 40 of the Dutch Ships came up to Sir George, within a League of him.

That 2 Plat-Forms were planted by Deal Castle, to fall upon the Enemy if they came near, but up∣on changing of the wind, they all steared away again.

Many debenters forged, upon which Purchasers were cheated. That the charge of the Survey of a * 1.13 Mannor came to 255 l. 12 s. being 226 Sheets of Paper, and the value of the Mannor but 300 l. per annum, and a life allowed upon it, so at 6 years purchase, the Reversion came to but 1800 l. where∣of half was in doubled money; and that with Fees and Charges of Conveyances &c. took off 3 parts of the purchase money.

[16.] Letters of the Agreement by the Lieu∣tenant-General Ludlow with the Lord Muskerry, and the Forces in Munster to submit to the Parlia∣ment, and Rosse to be surrendred to them.

That the Earl of Clanrickard, and the Lord Mus∣grove were come in, that the Lord Slain, was taken the last week by Collonel Stanley, and most of those with him killed, and not a considerable party of them left, and none of them have quarter given them.

[17.] Letters, That the Fleet could get no fur∣ther than Aberdeen, by reason of the contrary winds.

That Collonel Overton with his Regiment, and 3 Troops of Horse, and 2 Troops of Dragoons, * 1.14 Sailed to Ostold, and took in a strong Castle in Argyles Country.

That the Grandees and chief Gentlemen round about the Highlands, were come in to the Parlia∣ment of England, that many of the Soldiers were severely punished for stragling and plundering.

That General Blake had taken 3 or 4 of the Dutch Busses, and one man of War, and sent them up.

[19.] Letters of several Garrisons settled for the Parliament of England in the High-lands, that 600 High-landers were up in Arms. That the Lord Glencarne, and divers of the Chief of the Clans were come in to the Major-General, that the People generally speak Irish, go in their pladdes about their middles both Men and Women, & their Houses (except a few of Stone) are onely of Earth and Turfs.

That the English Forces in the Highlands, were careful to do no wrong to the Inhabitants, nor to their Corn, most of them went from their Houses, as they use to depasture their Cattle, and return not till harvest, that the English could get nothing from them for their money.

That the Holland Fleet were exactly numbred to 92 Ships, whereof 6 were Fire Ships, and 3 Galli∣ot * 1.15 Hoyes, and about 10 small Frigots about 8 or 10 Guns a piece, about 20 of them were good and firm Ships of about 30 or 40 Guns, the rest Ships of a middle Size, that four Ships more were come to them out of Zealand.

That upon the North of Whitby; the Dutch Fleet was met of about 107 Sail, and that they said they lay to find out the English Fleet.

That 20 Dutch men of War, were plying up and down by Southwold Bay, and 80 more of the Dutch discovered.

Letters pretended from Van Trump to his Friend at Rotterdam, that the English Fleet, being assaulted by him, some threw their Guns over-board, o∣thers cut their Cables, and all fled, and that he had taken 40 of them.

That new Letters of Marque were granted by the States against the English.

[20.] An Act past for relief of double As∣sessments.

Debate upon the Act for Sale of Forfeited Lands.

[23.] Letters of Pyrats from France infesting the Coast about Scilly.

That Sir George Ascue with his Fleet of 50 Sail * 1.16 went from the Downs Westward, to attend the Dutch Fleet, That Van Trump was about Newcastle, and chased 2 English Ships, who ran themselves on ground to avoid being taken by the Dutch, one of which they fired, and the other they waited for till the Sea came in, and carried her away.

Of the difficulties passed by the English Forces in the Highlands, the extremities there both of Heat * 1.17 and Cold, at this time, scorching of the Sun, and yet snow upon the mountains to cool them, that the Inhabitants faced them continually, that Veni∣son is plenty there, though Mutton be dear, and the Springs better than Sack at Leith.

That the Horse-men are apt to ride over the tops of their Houses.

That the Army had 400 Baggage Horses led by the Country-men, loaden with Bread and Cheese, that they guarded their Horses from the Corn.

[24.] Letters, That General Blake had taken * 1.18 100 of the Holland Busses, and in them 1500 men, the rest secured themselves in Bressies Bay in Scot∣land.

[26.] Letters of a Declaration presented to the Kirke Assembly at Edenburgh. Of the Lords * 1.19 dispensations towards that Land.

That the Ordinances of Jesus Christ have been pro∣stituted to a Prophane mixt multitude, the Church im∣pure.

That none should be admitted Members of a Church, but such as with a profession of truth, join such a blame∣less and Gospel-like behaviour as they be esteemed in a rational judgement of Charity, believers and their Chil∣dren, that such were the Churches formed by the Apo∣stles.

1 Rom. 7. Beloved of the Lord called Saints, and Rom. 5. 8. and 1 Cor. 6. 18. to the whole Church, and v. 19. and 20. the exhortation is to all the Church, and their faults were Sins incident to Saints though justly reproveable, and 2 Thess. 3. 15. yet are they to be esteemed Brethren.

3. Math. compared with the 7 Lu. 30. Shew that John the Baptist would not admit the Pharisees to be Baptized.

That we are under a snare by our Sinful mixture, 1 Cor. 10. 16. 17. and 2 Cor. 6. 17. touch no un∣clean thing v. 14. 15.

No hope of purging the Ministery, Elderships, or Presbyteries.

Nor can a Rule for it be agreed upon.

That the Congregational way comes nearer to the pattern of the word, than the Classical form, and that the Congregation hath full power of judging in them∣selves. Matth. 18. 15. 16. 17. 18. power of binding and loosing.

The Elders with a Congregation or without cannot be called a Church.

Act. 15. 22. 23. and Act. 14. 23. acceptation of the Word Elders.

The Church Congregational is the first Judicatory, and have the power of binding and loosing. The power of Elders onely is dogmatical.

That for the first 300 years the Church was partly Aristocratical.

Take heed lest ye be snares to the people of God in the Land, and do not censure us for following our own light and Consciences in this great matter of Concern∣ment to us.

[27.] Letters, That the English Soldiers in the * 1.20 Highlands were healthful, and civilly Treated by the Inhabitants upon Command of the Marquess of Argyle, who also entertained the Collonels with much State.

That the Country is very Mountainous, yet the Vallies rich, the People simple and ignorant in the things of God, and some of them as Brutish as Heathens.

That some of the Inhabitants did hear the Eng∣lish Preachers, with great Attention and Groan∣ing.

That the Holland Fleet was still off about New∣castle about 105 Ships, not many of those strong * 1.21 and serviceable, but weakly man'd, their men dye fase, their Victuals short, already at half allow∣ance.

That the Dutch took several English Vessels, and made their men serve under them.

[28.] Order for the Commitment of the Earl of Worcester, being come into England with∣out Licence, and for bringing him to his Tryal.

Referred to the Councel of State to take care for prevention of breaches of the Peace.

Letters from the Queen of Sweden to the Par∣liament, read, wherein She Subscribes her self, * 1.22

Vestrabona Amica, Christina.

Referred to the Committee of the Army, to re∣ceive any Propositions, for easing the Charge of the Common-wealth, and to report them to the House.

[29.] Letters, That the Dutch Fleet seised di∣vers English Fishermen and other small Vessels, and forced their men to serve in the Dutch Fleet.

Letters, That the Presbyterian Spirit in Scot∣land, blows higher, and equally storms against the * 1.23 Papists and Sectaries. That the Independents en∣deavour to settle a freedom there from the Tyran∣ny of the Presbyterian Classes, and Prelatical High Commissioners not excluding moderate dissenters from Church Government, from a Share in the advantages of Government.

[31.] That no intelligence could come from General Blake, being so far to the Northward, and * 1.24 the Dutch Fleet between him and home, but by letters from Holland to several Merchants, and to Mr. Strickland, the Parliaments late Agent there, they write,

That General Blake had fallen upon the Convoy to their fishing Busses, which were 12. men of War, and had sunk 3 of them, taken the other 9. seised upon their fishing Busses, and unloaden what fish they had taken, but afterwards dismissed their fish∣ermen, and sent them home.

That he had taken 3 Dutch Merchant men richly laden coming from the East-Indies.

That General Blake having dispersed and dimist the Dutch Fishermen, was upon his return home∣wards, and neer the Dutch Fleet, ready to ingage with them.

That Sr. George Ascue went to the Westward * 1.25 with his Fleet to convoy and bring to Plymouth▪ 5 of the English Merchants East India Ships, which he did; and nothing was attempted against him by the Dutch.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Hewson.
• * 1.2

  Ireland.
• * 1.3

  Blake.
• * 1.4

  Ascue.
• * 1.5

  July.
• * 1.6

  Ireland.
• * 1.7

  Ascues Sea Fight.
• * 1.8

  Highlands.
• * 1.9

  Blake.
• * 1.10

  Dr. Win∣ston.
• * 1.11

  Fleetwood.
• * 1.12

  Ascue.
• * 1.13

  Ireland.
• * 1.14

  Scots.
• * 1.15

  Dutch Fleet.
• * 1.16

  Ascue.
• * 1.17

  Highlands.
• * 1.18

  Blake.
• * 1.19

  Kirke.
• * 1.20

  Highlands.
• * 1.21

  Dutch-Fleet.
• * 1.22

  Q. Sweeden
• * 1.23

  Scots Pres∣byterian.
• * 1.24

  Blake.
• * 1.25

  Ascue.