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.

September 1652.

[1.] Letters of many English and Dutch go∣ing on foot to London, their Ships taken by Gene∣ral Blake, or by Van Trump.

[2.] Order for all the Members of the House to meet to morrow to keep the Thanksgiving-day.

An Act for calling home Sea-men from Forreign Service, ordered.

Order to reserve from sale Scilly Islands, and Chatham Dock, &c.

The Committee met for receiving Petitions, and considering which were proper for the Parlia∣ment, and which for Courts of Justice and other places, that things might move in their right Channels; and to take off particular Causes from Parliament.

[3.] Letters, That the Major-General had concluded amicably with the Marquess of Argyle, and the English were returned from the Highlands * 1.1 of Scotland, and in their march, the Highlanders a∣bout 1500 were got together at a Passe where they stood upon Rocks, and inaccessible ground, and the English could only file over.

That they pretended to enquire whether the Marquess of Argyle were Prisoner, though they knew he was not; the English advanced one by one over the Passe, and the Scots stood every way pre∣pared to take their advantages upon them, yet had not the power or spirits to do it.

That the English drew up close to the Scots, till all their Rear-guard was passed over, and then marched and incamped a mile from them, and heard no more of them till they came to Dunbar∣ton; and there the Major-General came to them, and told them, that since their march away, the Scots had surprised Two of their Garrisons in the Highlands.

That the Highlanders took in Turbet Castle (which was yielded to them by Lieutenant Gillot) Ten Barrels of Powder, with Match and Bul∣let, 5000 weight of Cheese, and 26 Baggs of Bisket.

That they seised upon 40 English Foot, pretend∣ing that they did it, because their Marquess of Argyle was carried away Prisoner, which they knew was not so, but they used the Prisoners very civilly.

[4.] Letters, That the Six Frigots sent from General Blake to Sir George Ascue, were fitted to go to him, and that Sir George was ready to set to Sea again.

That the Dutch have 50 Sail more of Ships to joyn with their Fleet; that they took Three English * 1.2 Ships near the Zound, one of which was re-taken by a Parliament Frigot; that 18 of their Frigots were appointed for Guard of the Northern Coast.

[6.] Letters of setling the Winter Quarters, and delivering out Provisions to the Forces in Scotland.

Of a Regiment of Foot disbanded in Scotland, and some Troops ordered for England, to lessen the Charge.

That Van Trump desired to be excused from going to Sea, and that De Wit was appointed by the States to command in chief their Navy; * 1.3 that they had not half Men enough to man-their Fleet.

That upon a Petition of the English Merchants at Elsenour, the King of Denmark received them * 1.4 into his protection; that 14 of the English Ships going away, the Dutch followed them into Elsnour * 1.5 Road, and took away one Ship and a Catch of the English there; another English Ship got under the Castle; that the Dutch-man coming back with his Prize from the Baltick Sea, by the Zound, the Eng∣lish Ship, who had formerly escaped him, stood off, and rescued his Fellow again.

That the Dutch-man attempted again to board the English Ships, but the King of Denmarks Ca∣stle defended them, and shot the Dutch Ship through and through, and she stole away in the night.

[7.] An Act passed for allowing the Deben∣ters of the Northern Officers, and for securing them out of the Kings Lands.

Order for Sir John Winter, Prisoner in the Tower, being sick, to have his Liberty upon Se∣curity to be taken by the Council.

The Bill for sale of Forfeited Lands, re-commit∣ted upon Debate.

A Committee to consider how obstructions of Trade from Germany may be removed.

The Act passed for constituting Commissioners for Ireland. * 1.6

Letters of a strong Fort of the Rebels surren∣dred upon Articles to Collonel Zanchey, who lost 300 of his Horses by sickness.

That several of the Irish Commanders were shipped away with 1005 Men.

Of the Plague in Ʋlster, and great Sickness a∣mong their Horses.

That General Blake took Seven French Men of * 1.7 War, supposed to be bound for relief of Dun∣kirk; that 40 Dutch Ships were seen near the Nesse Point.

[9.] Letters, That since the Act for propaga∣ting the Gospel in Wales, there were 150 good * 1.8 Preachers in the 13 Welch Counties; most of them preached Three or Four times a week.

That in every Market-Town there, were pla∣ced one School-master, and in most great Towns Two School-masters, able, learned, and Univer∣sity Men.

That the Tithes were all employed to the uses directed by the Act of Parliament.

• 1. To maintain Godly Ministers.
• 2. School-masters.
• 3. The fifth part to the Wives and Children of the ejected Clergy.
• 4. To pay Taxes.
• 5. To pay the Officers.

Of divers of the Rebels submitting to the Par∣liament.

That the Irish, though double and treble in num∣ber, * 1.9 would not fight with Collonel Venables, but got into Bogs and Fastnesses, and were full of di∣visions among themselves; that his Horse being tired out, he consented to a Treaty, but it broke off, because Collonel Venables would not consent to pardon Murder and Robbery.

[10.] Letters of a Danish Ship come in to In∣nernesse loaden with Deale, and related, that a great part of the Dutch Fleet was cast away by storm up∣on the Coast of Shetland.

That some thousands of the Highlanders were up in Arms in the Lord Argyles Country, yet he pretended ignorance thereof; that Relief was sent by Sea, to the Parliaments Garrisons there.

That the Judges newly made, and sent from * 1.10 England, went their Circuits in Scotland.

[11.] Order, That the Council of State do send home all the French Prisoners lately taken in their Ships by our Fleet, to such Ports of France as they shall think fit.

An Act for prohibiting all correspondence with the States-General and People there, com∣mitted.

Orders about Compositions of Delinquents.

Letters, That the Six Frigots sent by Ge∣neral Blake, were fitted and come to Sir George Ascue.

[13.] Letters of 14 Letters of Marque sent from the Parliament into Scotland; and that many Holland Free-booters were upon that Coast.

That the Highlanders sent a Letter to Major-General Deane, excusing their late Actions through * 1.11 mistakes, and that they would shortly send one of their own number to him to satisfie him. He answer∣ed, That he would be ready to hear what they had to offer, requiring them in the mean time to restore all things to their former state, and to forbear all acts of Hostility.

That the Gentlemen in Argyle-shire sent a very submissive Letter and Complement to the Major-General, promising to send Two Commissioners fully impowered to give him all the satisfaction that can be required.

Of a Garrison of the Parliaments in the Highlands surprised whilst the Soldiers were gone a nutting.

That the last Summers Expedition had cost the * 1.12 States 200000 l. which was hardly raised, and Sol∣diers sent to gather it, and the States met to set another Tax of 200000 l. and that the Sea-men cry aloud for Gelt, and the People are against the War.

[14.] An Additional Act passed for sale of Fee-farm Rents.

Letters from the King of Denmark read in Par∣liament, and referred to the Council of State, and a Letter from the Queen of Sweden referred to the Council.

Vote, That Mr. Rogers be Major of the Town of Hull for a year, and that the Town shall re∣ceive no prejudice thereby in their Liberties.

Referred to a Committee to consider how Corporations may be so setled, as would be most suitable to the Government of a Common-wealth.

An Alderman of Hull discharged, and a new one named in his place by the House.

A Bill for setting a Period to this Parliament, * 1.13 and providing for succeeding Parliaments, com∣mitted.

Referred to the Council of State to cause a con∣venient place in Westminster to be provided for the Scotch Commissioners.

Letters of a Fleet of Dutch appearing near Deale Castle of 70 Sail, and that they passed Westward, some of a very great force, bigger than any they had before.

That Three French Prizes and a Hollander of 350 Tun were brought into Plymouth; That Ge∣neral Blake passed by there, and sent for Sir George Ascue, who came to him, and they sailed West∣ward.

[17.] That one Sikes was imprisoned by the Judges at York, for publishing a kind of Procla∣mation against Tithes; and One Man and Three Women sentenced for Quakers, for saying, That all who preach for hire are Thieves and Robbers.

Order for 1000 l. out of the Excise for maimed Soldiers.

Referred to the Council to appoint a time for the Portugal Ambassadors coming to London.

Letters of the Sickness in Dublin.

Of Pyrates in Chester Road.

That a Fleet of about 50 Dutch came near Scilly, that some Ketches made towards them, supposing they had been Sir George Ascues Fleet; but they came back again, though pursued.

Of Mischief done by the French Men of War.

That General Blake was in the Channel, and had * 1.14 taken 16 Prizes, Dutch and French Merchants, before the Storm parted his Fleet, and Ten more taken since.

[18.] Letters, That the Dutch Fleet met with some Merchants, some of them ran a-ground, and the others got safe under Dover Castle.

That St. Maloes Men seised the Ships and Goods of the English there, because Blake had taken some of their Ships. That the French Ships took seve∣ral English Vessels; that 100 Colliers were gone with a Convoy to London.

[20.] Letters of the persidiousness of the Highlanders in Arms, against whom the Country complain, and disown them.

That the Commissioners of the General As∣sembly proclaimed a Fast, with their Reasons for it.

That many of the Dutch Fleet were lost by storm, and 13 of them in the Texel; that their Sea-men coming on shoar, demanded their Pay; * 1.15 and being answered, that they must go on Board a∣gain, and they should have half pay, this so inraged them, that they got together, and left their Ships, and were in a high mutiny.

That the States sent out their Land Forces, who fell upon the Sea-men, killed divers of them, and dispersed the rest, and hanged up Two of the chief Mutineers, to see which Execution, a mul∣titude of People flocked together, so that the Lords feared a new Mutiny, and caused the Sol∣diers to fire upon the People, who killed Eight of them, but the Sea-men were more inraged.

[21.] Letters from Blake, That the Dutch Fleet avoided fighting with him, and slipt from him, though more in number than he was, and so he sailed Westward.

Letters, That Lieutenant-General Fleetwood, and all his Company, were safe landed at Waterford in Ireland.

[22.] Letters, That a Moss-Trooper at New-Castle was sent from the Assizes to be tryed in Scotland by a Councel of War.

Of several Apparitions of Horse-men, &c. in the Air.

[23.] Letters of a Fleet of about 60 or 70 Sail of tall Ships near Scilly, by which they passed West South West, and were the Dutch Fleet, who glean∣ed up their scattered Ships.

[24.] Letters of the Cheshire Channel so infe∣sted with Pyrates, that it hindered the intercourse with Ireland; of Provisions shipping at Chester for Aire in Scotland. * 1.16

That both the Northern and Western Highlan∣ders were revolted.

That they invited 30 of the Parliaments Offi∣cers and Soldiers to a Feast, and took them Priso∣ners, and killed Ten of them.

That 600 Indictments were preserred to the * 1.17 English Judges in Scotland.

[25.] Letters, That General Blake with his Fleet of 108 Sail, passed by Weymouth to the East-ward, upon an Information, that the Dutch Fleet had given him a go-by.

That Four or Five of the Dutch Fleet fell upon the Assurance Frigot, but she got off from them, and came to General Blake, who immediately * 1.18 hoised sail after them, but they escaped him, who ordered his Fleet to sail from the English to the French Coast side by side within Gun-shot of one another, whereby they scoured the whole Chan∣nel.

From Captain Stoaks, That he made up to two Ships, and found them to have Swedish Colours, but coming aboard them he discovered them to be Guinnee Ships, laden with gold oare, and Elephants teeth, and letters directed to Amsterdam and other parts of Holland.

That the Captain believing the Ships to belong to the Dutch brought them into Plymouth, that their loading was worth 80000l.

That 4 English men of War, and 4 Merchant men, were in ••ight with 9 Dutch men of War neer Genoa.

That General Blake and Sr. George Ascue with their Fleets, in all 140 Sayle, were come into the Downes, 20 of them Merchant Ships which he sent to London.

That 3 English fishermen brought to Yarmouth 3 Dutch Busses.

That the Scouts brought news to General Blake in the Downes of a great fleet of Hollanders, and he presently weighed to be in pursuit of them.

That his Fleet had got the wind of the Dutch Fleet, and a speedy Ingagement was expected.

[27.] Letters of animosities among the Ministers in Scotland, and that their fast day was not observ∣ed, and their divisions brought them near to fight∣ing in the Church. That the Scotch Commissioners were gone for England.

Of the two Guinnee Ships taken by Captain Stoakes, 50000l in gold in one of them, and Elephants teeth worth 10000l.

Command from Blake for all Seamen to come on board, on pain of death.

Letters, That De Witt was on the back of the Goodwin sands, with 50 or 60 saile of Ships, and Blake neer him.

That Blake called a Councel of War who thought not fit to put out to Sea, it being neer night. That the Dutch were all out of sight the next day before noon standing over towards their own Shore. Which day proved so soul that Blakes fleet could not goe to them, that they are to convoy 200 of their Merchant men.

That a Private Man of War took 3 Dutch Pri∣zes.

That the Portugal Ambassador was brought with 50 Coaches into London.

[28.] Letters from the Portugal Ambassador to the Speaker read, and his Audience appointed.

Referred to the Councel of State to take order for the building of 30 new Frigots.

Order that the Scaffolds about Pauls be taken down, and sold towards payment of publick faith debts.

Letters from the Duke of Venice read, and re∣ferred to the Councel of State.

Referred to the Councel to draw up letters of * 1.19 thanks to the Duke of Tuscany for his civil usage of the English Merchants.

An Act passed for relief of persons upon Arti∣cles of War. * 1.20

[30.] The Portugal Ambassador had his audi∣ence in Parliament, and went in greater state than any Ambassador, that came yet to the Parliament, he presented his Credentials, which were refer∣red to the Councel of State.

Mr. Dennis, formerly of the Kings party, being chosen Major of Barnstaple the Towns-men petiti∣oned against him, and an Act was committed for disabling such persons to be elected, or to be ele∣ctors of any to publick Offices.

Letters of Coal Ships sayling towards London, having 200 Ordnance among them.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Highlands.
• * 1.2

  Dutch Fleet.
• * 1.3

  De Wit.
• * 1.4

  Denmark.
• * 1.5

  Septem.
• * 1.6

  Ireland.
• * 1.7

  Blake.
• * 1.8

  Wales.
• * 1.9

  Ireland.
• * 1.10

  ••udges ••rcuits in Scotland.
• * 1.11

  Highlands.
• * 1.12

  Dutch.
• * 1.13

  Bill Parl.
• * 1.14

  Blake.
• * 1.15

  Dutch Mu∣tiny.
• * 1.16

  Scotland.
• * 1.17

  English Judges.
• * 1.18

  Blake.
• * 1.19

  D. Tuscany.
• * 1.20

  Portugal Ambassa∣dor.