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.

August, 1652.

[2.] Letters, That the Lord Argyle kept his word in the entertainment of the Parliaments For∣ces in the High-lands.

That some of the Brotherhood in Scotland, were, up in Arms, and gainsayed the Major-General in his approaches to them.

Of Several places in the High-lands Garrison'd by the Parliaments Forces.

A Protestation of divers Ministers in Scotland, * 1.1 to the Ministers and Elders met at Edenburgh, de∣siring a Conference about reconciling differences, and against insufficient Scandalous and corrupt Ministers in the Kirke.

From General Blake to the Parliament with a * 1.2 List of the Dutch men of War taken by him, who were to convoy the Fishermen, in all 12 Ships, two of which were since Sunk.

From the Commissioners in Ireland, That of the Lord Muskerryes party 3000 Foot, and 700 Horse-men mounted, 300 unmounted have brought in their Horse and Armes, and the Lord Muskerry himself intends to go for Spain, and to carry with him 1000 Men, and to return again, if he can ob∣tain any considerable Command.

That a party of Rebells is still in Kerry against * 1.3 whom Sir Charles Coote is marched, That the Earl of Clanrickard and the Forces under him, being bea∣ten from their fastnesses by Sir Charles Coote, and Collonel Reynolds and Collonel Venables, and by planting some Garrisons, and securing some passes, could not continue longer in a body together, so that the Earl and his party have come in and Sub∣mitted, and have leave to Transport 5000 Men.

An acknowledgement by the Officers of the Ar∣my, of the Parliaments care in sending provisions to them.

[3.] Letters of a Conference of the Commis∣sioners with the Officers of the Army, about re∣ceiving some of the Irish into Protection.

[4.] The Act past for sale of Lauds forfeited, with the names of the Persons, whose Estates were to be sold.

Letters, That General-Blake was coming South∣wards, and had sent 6 of the 12 Dutch men of War * 1.4 to attend Major-General Dean in Scotland, that di∣vers Dutch were Slain and wounded, and some of

the English, and 900 Dutch Prisoners, That Gene∣ral Blake had but 8 Frigots in this action, against 12 Dutch.

That Lieutenant Mathews was robbed by his own Servant of 300 l.

[5.] That Sir Thcophilus Jones, sent out to get some Provisions, was met with by a far greater * 1.5 Party of the Enemy, who ingaged with him, but Sir Theophilus killed 300 of them, took some Pri∣soners; and a Collonel, a Lieutenant-Collonel, 2 Majors and 8 Captains, besides Inferior Officers were Slain, and he lost not one Officer, one Lieu∣tenant was wounded, and 60 common Soldiers with Sword, but not one man of the English Slain.

That Collonel Venables rescued many Cattle, pur∣sued a party of 60 Tories, left but 6, or 8 of them, and drove others to the Mountaines, that the Ʋl∣sters desired a Treaty.

[6.] Letters of a Soldier executed for running away from his Colours.

Of pirates on the Western coast, and not a small Vessel escapes them, that they have 36 Oares.

[7.] That the Scots could not agree at Eden∣burgh.

That divers gentlemen in the High lands, sub∣scribed to act nothing prejudicial to the Common-wealth of England, and submitted to it.

[9.] Letters, That the Major-General had found out a Vale, between the Marre and Athole which would keep 1500 Horse for 14 daies, and * 1.6 therefore would stay longer in the High lands, and had sent a summons to Clankerry and his forces a∣bout 2000 men to come in to him.

That Van Trump with 125 Sail of Ships, was upon the Coast of Aberdeen, and took an English * 1.7 Ship worth 2000 l. and detained all the men, that he had 5 fire Ships, 5 Gallies for Intelligence, and 115 men of War.

That General Blake was come near to Van Trump.

That the Earl of Glencare, and divers Gentlemen were with the Major-General, who punished di∣vers Soldiers for pillaging.

That the French had taken an English Ship of 300 Tuns.

That Sir George Ascue took 4 Prizes French and Dutch, and brought in 4 English Ships. * 1.8

That Zealand and Amsterdam Petitioned the States, to give Commissions to Prince Rupert and his Fleet.

[10.] Order of Parliament for a day of Pub∣lick Humiliation.

A Bill read for the Settlement of Ireland.

An Act passed to inable the Judges of the Nor∣thern Circuit to hold Assizes at Durham.

Referred to the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Justices of Peace of London, to examine what Lead * 1.9 had been taken off from St. Pauls Church, and to prevent the taking away any more.

Letters, That General Blake was off at Sea near Scarborough, and that 44 Dutch Ships were near Rye in Sussex.

That the new Committee of Sequestrations in Hertford Shire, make void the former Leases of Sequestred Lands, contrary to right.

[11.] Letters, That Trump by a Storm at Sea, * 1.10 had the greatest part of his Navy lost, and spoiled, and came home with but 40 Ships, 60 men of War missing, and Two of their East-India Ships cast away.

[12.] An Act passed for settling the Affairs of Ireland, for satisfaction to the Adventurers and Soldiers out of Lands there, and for Provision of maimed Soldiers, and for the Widows of Soldiers slain in the Parliaments service there, and a List of * 1.11 the Persons excepted from pardon.

[13.] A Petition from the Officers of the * 1.12 Lord-General his Army, reciting that they had often sought the Lord, and desire these particulars to be considered.

1. That speedy and Effectual meanes, may be used for promoting the Gospel; Prophane and Scandalous Ministers be outed, good Preachers incouraged, main∣tenance for them Provided, and Tithes taken away.

2. For regulation of the Law, and what the Com∣mittee for it, have propounded, may be debated, and in∣couragement given to them.

3. That Prophane, Scandalous and Disaffected Persons in all places of Authority may be removed by Act of Parliament, and well affected Persons put in, and all to be such as fear God and hate Covetousness.

4. To redress abuses in the Collecting and Manage∣ing of Excise.

5. That publick Faith Debts be justly Satisfied, and firct to the poorer sort, and before any more of the pub∣lick Revenue be given away to particular persons.

6. For stating the Accounts and satisfying the ar∣reares of Soldiers, and care for maimed Soldiers, and Widdowes and Children of Soldiers slain.

7. That all Articles of War given to the Enemy, may be made good.

8. That the publick Revenue may be brought into one Treasury, with Officers to be appointed by Parliament, and their receipts and disbursement published half yearly.

9. That a Committee may be appointed out of the House, to consider of unnecessary Offices and Salaries.

10. For setting the Poor to work, punishing beg∣gars, and providing for the impotent.

11. For liberty in Corporations, for those who have served the Parliament to use Manual occupations.

12. For qualifications of such as shall sit in future Parliaments.

The Speaker from the Parliament returned to * 1.13 the Petitioners the hearty thanks of the house, for their great care and love to the publick.

Many were unsatisfied with this petition, look∣ing * 1.14 upon it, as improper, if not arrogant for the Officers of the Army to the Parliament their Mas∣ters, and Cromwel, was advised, to stop this way of their petitioning by the Officers of the Army with their swords in their hands, lest in time it may come too home to himself. But he seemed to slight or rather to have some design by it in order to which he put them to prepare way for him.

Letters of the Ships come with Armes, Ammu∣nition, and men, which were feared to have been lost.

That the Major-General was retreated to St. Johns Town, wanting provisions to continue the pursuit of the thievish Highlanders.

Of the Highlanders generally submitting to the Parliament of England.

That the Hart Frigot fought with 3. Dutch ships, but was taken by them.

[14.] Letters, That the Dutch fleet that ap∣peared neer the Goodwin Sands caused the Kentish men to be up in armes, lest they should land.

That a Portugal Ambassador was arrived at Ply∣mouth.

From General Blake to the Councel, that he was * 1.15 safely arrived with his Fleet from the Northward.

Of a Dutch private man of war taken after a Sharp fight, sunk by two English Catches.

[15.] Letters to the Councel of State, of Ge∣neral Blakes standing off to the coast of Holland to looke after the Dutch fleet, who were gone off from the Coast of Sussex.

[16.] Letters, That the Commissioners for the several Counties in Scotland were to meet at Eden∣burgh,

to choose Commissioners to attend the Par∣liament of England.

That the Assembly of the Kirke at Edenburgh, a∣greed upon an Act and Overture of the general As∣sembly, for the peace and Ʋnion of the Kirke. With * 1.16 a letter to the Nobility and Gentry, and all other wise and pious persons to promove the same.

[17.] Vote for transportation of all Commodi∣ties to the Parliaments quarters in Ireland custom-free.

Referred to the Councel of State to send over Preachers into Ireland and to give them Salaries.

Referred to the Commissioners in Ireland to provide for maimed Soldiers and Widowes there.

Addition of names to the Bill for sale of for∣feited lands.

Letters of a Fleet of Dutch Ships upon the Sus∣sex coast, who took and plundered some English Fishermen; that the Country thereabouts fired their Beacons.

[18.] That 42 of Trump's scattered Ships were safe at Shetland, and the Two East-India Ships sup∣posed to be lost.

That Sir George Ascue and the Dutch Fleet were ingaged about Plymouth, and there had passed be∣tween * 1.17 them 2 or 3000 Shot.

[19.] Letters, That Argyle promised to go and submit to the Parliament of England.

[20.] Letters, That Sir George Ascue was in∣gaged * 1.18 with 80 Sail of the Dutch near Plymouth, as Captain Packe related, who was brought off in a Ketch, having his Leg shot off; that 200 Men went from Shore chearfully in their Boats to re∣lieve Sir George Ascue.

That the Hollanders lost Two Ships, one sunk, and the other burnt, and got away to the French Shore; that the Fight was very hot, and the Eng∣lish lost some precious Men; the Fight continued four Hours, and the night parted them.

That Sir George Ascue lost 12 Men, and received 60 Shot in his Hull; that the Dutch had 55 Men of War and 15 Merchant-men in this Ingagement, and Sir George Ascue much fewer.

[21.] Letters of Fishermen taken by the Dutch, and some cleared by the Admiralty of Am∣sterdam.

That Sir George Ascue continued Three days fighting with the Dutch; that 100 of his wounded Men were sent into Plymouth, and 500 Men went from thence to recruit his Fleet.

[23.] Letters of divers Clans in the High-lands come in to Collonel Overton.

That some Highlanders way-laid Captain Powel in a narrow Pass, but he brake through them, and the Country rose upon others, took their Captain, and brought him to Collonel Morgan.

[24.] An Act passed for stating the Accounts of the Officers and Soldiers in Ireland.

A Commission past for managing the Affairs in Ireland, the Committee were the Lord-Ge∣neral * 1.19 Cromwel, Lieutenant-General Fleetwood, Lieutenant-General Ludlowe, Mr. Corbet, Collonel Jones, and Mr. Weaver.

Letters, That Sir George Ascue, by advice of his Council of War, went after the Dutch Fleet to the * 1.20 Coast of France, and there engaged them, who were 90 Sail of Ships, 30 of them Merchant-men, who left their Fleet upon the beginning of the In∣gagement.

That Sir George had but 38 Sail, and four Fire-ships, and four Scouts; that he, and four others, charged through the whole Body of the Enemies Fleet, and received many Shots in their Hulls, Masts, Sails, and Rigging, the Enemies design being to spoil them; but Sir George tacked a∣bout, and weathered them, and charged them all again, and so continued ingaged till dark night.

That he lost but one Fire-ship, which set her self on fire, being ready to sink, and saved her Men, and turned her among the Enemy. That the Dutch Admiral was sunk. That the next day the English Fleet kept sight of the Dutch Fleet, but would not ingage upon the French Coast, but went to the Northward to repair their Ships.

[26.] Letters of some Ships with Coal come into Yarmouth for London.

That General Blake was sailed towards Sir * 1.21 George Ascue, and had taken two Dutch Ships loaden with Victuals, and Sir George had taken Two more loaden with Salt and Strong-water.

[27.] Letters, That the Commissioners from the Shires in Scotland had chosen 21 Men, 14 for * 1.22 to represent the Countries, and Seven the Boroughs to attend the Parliament of England.

Of Forts made in the Highlands by the English Soldiers, who wrought hard in them; of Two Chiefs of the Clans standing out there, and of the obstinacy of the Kirk-men.

Of strange Apparitions in the Air at Dalkeith, shapes of Men clashing together as in a Skirmish, a great Light in a Circle.

[28.] Letters of ••ive Pyrates about the Lands-end, who have taken many English Vessels Prizes.

That Captain Hinde the famous High-way Rob∣ber was condemned at the Assizes.

That General Blake had taken Six Dutch Prizes, * 1.23 and was commanded back to the Downs, and had sent Six Frigots to Sir George Ascue.

That General Blake took Two more Dutch Pri∣zes; one of them fought single with Captain Stoakes Three hours before she did submit.

Of another rich Prize taken in Wales.

Order for an Act for payment of Debts by publick Faith, and for another to prevent mischiefs to Persons barred from relief in Equity, by plead∣ing Outlaries.

A Committee appointed to receive Petitions, and consider which of them are fit for the House, and which propet for Courts of Justice.

[29.] Letters to the Council from Captain Pen this Lords day, of his taking Six Dutch Ships * 1.24 Prizes, richly laden, one of them 30 Guns, yet none of them struck a stroak to defend them∣selves.

[30.] Letters, That the Major-General in Scotland resolved to turn every Stone, rather than to strike, to get in the Highlanders.

That about 40 Sail of Dutch Men of War on the Scotch Coast, took some English Vessels; That Five of their Men of War were cast away by a late Storm, and Two East-India Ships lost their Masts.

Complaint of corrupt Magistrates, and of igno∣rant and scandalous Ministers, abounding in Here∣ford-shire, * 1.25 and other places, that the Lord will de∣story the Parliament Party, (as the Writer fears) by permitting a Combustion within their own Bowels, and letting in a Forreign Enemy, and do his work by others more honest.

That the Scouts sent out to discover the Dutch could not find any of them.

[31.] Articles of Surrender of the Planta∣tion of Virginia into the Hands of the Parliament, * 1.26 read and confirmed, and an Order for a Patent to be granted to them.

An Act passed for setting apart a day of publick Humiliation.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Kirke.
• * 1.2

  Blake.
• * 1.3

  Ireland.
• * 1.4

  Blake.
• * 1.5

  Ireland.
• * 1.6

  Highlands.
• * 1.7

  Van Trump.
• * 1.8

  Ascue.
• * 1.9

  St. Pauls.
• * 1.10

  Van Trump.
• * 1.11

  August.
• * 1.12

  Army Pe∣tition.
• * 1.13

  Answer.
• * 1.14

  Cromwel.
• * 1.15

  Blake.
• * 1.16

  Kirk.
• * 1.17

  Ascue.
• * 1.18

  Fight.
• * 1.19

  Commit∣tee for Ireland.
• * 1.20

  Ascue.
• * 1.21

  Blake.
• * 1.22

  Scotland.
• * 1.23

  Blake.
• * 1.24

  Pen.
• * 1.25

  Compalint
• * 1.26

  Virginia.