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.

June 1653.

[1.] The General of the English Fleet being returned near the Texel, called a Councel of War, and sent orders for all Men of War in the River, and other parts that are ready to Sail to come and join with them.

An Account that Van Trump was at Goree with 120 Men of War, and expected more to join with him.

[2.] Letters, That the English Fleet was at Yarmouth, and the Dutch Fleet at the back of the Goodwin.

[3.] Letters of differences among the Remon∣strators in Scotland, about the point of Jus divinum * 1.1 of their Government of the Kirk.

That upon the English Fleets appearing near the Texel, divers rich Men of Roterdam, and other parts fled into the Country, and left their Houses, that the People cry out for Peace with England.

Of a Dutch Prize taken near Plimouth.

That a private English Man of War, of about 8 Guns took 3 rich Dutch Prizes.

Letters and Messengers from the Fleet, did bring the news, That yesterday about noon, the * 1.2 English Fleet ingaged the Dutch about the North Foreland; and the Ingagement continued very hot and sharp till near night; in which time one of the Dutch Admirals was blown up, and 3 or 4 Sunk but not one of the English Ships lost; only Gene∣ral Dean on the first on-set, was slain by a great shot. * 1.3

This day 'twas observed that the Fleets were in∣gaged again, and the report of the great Guns were heard in London, and other places remote from Sea.

[4.] Letters from General Monk of the Fight at Sea, with the Dutch; that for 3 hours the dispute * 1.4 was very sharp on both sides, which continued from 3 to 6 in the Evening; at which time the Enemy bore away right before the wind, and little more was done, only the Frigots gave chase so long as there was light. One of the Dutch Admirals was blown up, and 3 or 4 Sunk, General Dean slain.

A Messenger brought News from the Fleet, that * 1.5 they had taken 20 of the Dutch Men of War, and fired and sunk many more of them.

[6.] Letters from the Generals at Sea, to Cromwell: and they to the Councel of State, of the first days Fight with the Dutch at Sea; and of the second days Fight with them, which continued 4 hours; after which they endeavoured to get away from the English as fast as they could, the particu∣lars were not fully known what Ships were taken, and sunk, and what men Slain, but a List was sent to the Councel of such as were then known.

An Act of the Councel of State, touching the adventurers for Lands in Ireland.

An Address from Cumberland approving the * 1.6 actions of Cromwell, and his Army, and resolving to stand by them, and assist them.

[7.] Letters from Scotland that the 2 great * 1.7 Fleets missed one an other, to the admiration of all men; that the Malignants report the Dutch to be 150 Sail of Men of War.

That there continues great feud betwixt the As∣sembly and Protesting Party, about placing and displacing of Ministers.

That the Lord Wareston is angry at every thing but himself, and at that too, sometimes.

Intelligence that about 20 of the Dutch Fleet were taken, burnt and sunk, 3 Fire-Ships taken, * 1.8 one Vice-Admiral, and 2 Rear-Admirals, one Rear-Admiral towed by the Entrance, being far bigger than her self, having 14 Guns on a Tire, and of 1200 Tun.

But 126 men Slain in the English Fleet, none of note but General Dean; and one Captain, no English Ship lost.

[8.] Letters were sent from Cromwell to the several persons, called to take upon them the trust of the Government of the Common-wealth, and * 1.9 were to this effect.

For as much as upon Dissolution of the late Parlia∣ment, it became necessary that the Peace, Safety, and good Government of this Common-wealth should be pro∣vided for; and in order thereunto divers persons fear∣ing God, and of approved Fidelity, and Honesty are by my self with the advice of my Councel of Officers nomi∣nated, to whom the great Charge and Trust of so weigh∣ty Affairs is to be committed. And having good as∣surance of your love to, and courage for God and the Interest of this Cause, and of the good People of this Common-wealth:

I Oliver Cromwell Captain-General, and Com∣mander in chief of all the Armies and Forces, raised, and to be raised within this Common-wealth, do hereby summon and require you (being one of the Persons no∣minated) personally to appear at the Councel-Chamber at White-Hall within the City of Westminster, up∣on the 4th day of July next insuing the date hereof, then and there to take upon you the said Trust unto which you are hereby called, and appointed to serve as a Member of the County of Bucks, and hereof you are not to fail.

Given under my Hand and Seal the 8th day of June, 1653.

O. Cromwell.

Further Relations of the late Fight at Sea with the Dutch, but to the same effect with the former; and that the English Fleet were still in chase of the Dutch Fleet, towards their own Coast. * 2.1

[9.] Letters of 2 Dutch Ships taken by the Warwick Frigot, that as soon as the Dutch discover∣ed her to be one of the States Men of War, they presently submitted to her.

[10.] Of a Tumult lately in Linlithgow in Scotland, the people refusing to receive a Minister whom the Presbit'ry would have imposed on them, and some of the Kirk-men were soundly beaten in the scuffle.

A Ship of Jersey taken by the French.

[11.] Of a private Man of War of Captain Williams, who brought to Pendenuis 3 prizes, whereof one had store of money; but how much it was the Marriners took course it should not be discovered.

An other private Man of War brought 3 Dutch Prizes into the Isle of Wight.

That the English Fleet was before the Brill and other Dutch Harbours, blocking up their Ships, and that thereupon the Dutch People were in very great confusion.

[13.] A party of Soldiers being sent into the Highlands to gather the Sess there, a Company of * 2.2 Highlanders got together in Arms, and followed the Soldiers 8 Miles, who making a hault fired upon the Highlanders, and slew their Captain: and thereupon all of them fled distractedly, and left di∣vers of their Company dead upon the place, those that ran away were too nimble for the English Sol∣diers to pursue them; eight Men of War of the English Fleet brought into Leith Road 20 small Dutch Vessels, Busses, and other Prizes.

[14.] The General and Councel of State pub∣lished * 2.3 a Declaration, to invite all the good People in these Nations to thankfulness and holy rejoycing in the Lord, for the late great Victory at Sea against the Dutch, and appointed a Day for meeting of himself, and his Councel of Officers to praise the Lord.

This took the more with many People because it was not a command, and imposing upon Men, but only an Invitation of them, to keep a day of pub∣lick thanksgiving.

Collonel John Lilburn arriving at London, sets forth an Address to Cromwell under this Title, The * 2.4 banished Mans suit for Protection, to his Excellency the Lord-General Cromwell, being the humble Ad∣dress of Lieutenant-Collonel John Lilburn.

This was written from his Lodging in little More-fields; where by Warrant of the Councel of State, he was taken into Custody, and Committed to Sherriff Ʋnderwood's House.

[15.] The English Fleet were plying to and * 2.5 again betwixt the Texel and the Ʋly, to hinder Ships coming out from thence, to joyn with that part of the Dutch Fleet now at the Weilings, and to stop up their Trade and Fishing.

[16.] Lieutenant-Collonel Lilburn being Pri∣soner in Newgate, now published another Address * 2.6 to Cromwell and the Councel of State for repealing the Act of the late Parliament, for his banishment, for which he gave divers reasons, because it was a Judgment against him by the Parliament according to no law in being.

That the Act is a Law made after the Fact done to ordain a punishment for that Fact, which was never ordained or heard of before.

That the Parliament which made that Law being now dissolved, the Law ought to be of no Force.

He prays the Suspension of any proceedings against him upon that Law, till the Justice of the matter and manner of it, be legally examined.

Two small Vessels of Scilly Loaden with Provi∣sions for the Island, were taken by the Brest Picka∣roons.

One of Prince Rupert's Men in a mad humour, leaped over-board into the Sea, and was drowned, and another of them in a bravado killed himself with his own Pistol.

[17.] The Highlanders in Scotland began to gather together in Arms, upon Commissions they received from the King of Scots. * 2.7

The English Fleet were upon the Dutch and French Coasts.

[18.] Captain Steiner brought into Lee Road * 2.8 12 prizes Dutch Men of War, taken in the late Fight, and of Dutch Prisoners 1350, who were brought to London and secured in Chelsey Colledge.

An Agent came from Holland with Letters to Cromwell about their Ambassadors coming hither to Treat for Peace; Cromwell received and carri∣ed the Letters to the Councel of State.

[20.] The last week arrived in England Mnr. Bevering, a Commissioner from Holland, and had Audience before the Councel of State, and made a short Speech in French for amity between the two Common-wealths, this day arrived 3 more, New-port, Van Dorpar, and Yongstall Commissioners from the United Provinces.

Lieutenant-Collonel Lilburn made a 3d Address to Cromwell and the Councel of State.

A Petition in the names of 5000 Citizens of London on the behalf of Lilburn presented to the Councel of State.

Several of the English Frigots plyed before the Texel and the Fly, as near as they could to the Har∣bours mouth.

A Dutch Prize brought into the Fleet, two more escaped, and some Frigots were sent after them, more Men of War came into the Fleet with sup∣plies of Provisions and Ammunition.

[21.] An Order and Declaration of the Coun∣cel of State concerning the determination of se∣veral claims depending before the Commissioners for removing of Obstruction.

The Commissioners from Holland came over with a white Flag, to Treat for Peace, and were saluted by the English Ships as they passed by them.

The English were used uncivilly in Holland, the Dutch prepared for War.

Trading with them was dead, Corn dear, their fishing prevented, and the people very unquiet; they compute their loss in the late Fight to be 5000 Men.

Three Dutch Prizes taken by the English Fri∣gots.

Three English Ships taken by five Pickeroons near the Coast of Sussex.

[22.] Judges nominated by Cromwell and the Councel of State, for the Summer Circuit.

Draughts brought to the Commissioners of the * 2.9 Great-Seal, for passing Commissions touching the Lands in Ireland for the Adventurers.

Soldiers sent to the Fleet.

[23.] Cromwell and the Councel of State kept * 2.10 this a day of thanksgiving for the Victory at Sea against the Dutch, and it was generally kept throughout the City.

[24.] The Funeral of General Dean was so∣lemnized, * 2.11 his Corps was carried in a Barge from Greenwich to Westminster, attended with many Barges, and Boats in mourning Equipage, and ma∣ny great Shot discharged as he passed by from Ships, and the Tower, and Guns placed in the way, and he was Interred in the Abbey.

Mr. Thurloe sent to many persons Notes by di∣rection from the Councel, to desire them to be present at the Funeral, where they were according∣ly, and a very great Company of Soldiers, and o∣thers; and Cromwell himself was there.

The sickness increased at Dublin.

Some small Vessels upon the North of Ireland were taken by French Pyrates.

Some great Lords met in the Highlands upon a new design which they kept secret, and pretended a Commission from their King.

A Prize brought into St. Maloes not admitted by the Town, being resolved to maintain a free Trade * 2.12 with England.

[25.] The Dutch Ambassadors pressed for a speedy Treaty of Peace.

The English Fleet were still plying before the Dutch Harbours.

[27.] An Address from the Forces of Jersey * 2.13 to Cromwell and his Councel of Officers, that they will stand and fall, live and dye with them.

That a small party of the English Horse in Ire∣land, routed a party of the Rebels 4 times more * 2.14 than themselves in the County of Kerry, killed 60 of them, and took divers Prisoners. The English were but 30 Horse, and 2 Files of Musketiers, the Rebels were about 400.

The States of Holland strengthened their Garri∣sons, * 2.15 armed the Boors by the Sea Coast, and march∣ed some Land Forces into the Towns near the Sea; being allarmed by the English Fleet, and their People were very unquiet, and apt to Tumults and Sedition.

The Fleet before the Texel took a Vessel going with Instructions to their Fleet, coming in with young Van Trump, that they and their East-India Fleet, and other Merchants, should go to Norway and the Sound.

Three Merchants Ships taken by the English Fleet.

A rising of some People in Holland for the Prince of Orange.

[28.] A Petition of many Thousand Prisoners * 2.16 to Cromwell and his Officers for Liberty. That Magna Charta may be in force, and no arrests for Debt, &c.

Printe Rupert going to Swim in the River of Seine, was in danger of drowning, but saved by the Company.

[29.] Cromwell and the Councel of State pass∣ed * 2.17 an Order forbidding all riotous Assemblies in the great level of the Fenns, and the throwing down of Fences and Inclosures there.

Hamborough sent Supplies of Ammunition, Guns, &c. to Holland.

[30.] Prince Rupert in mean Condition with a few Men in France.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Scots Jus divinum.
• * 1.2

  Sea Fight.
• * 1.3

  Dean.
• * 1.4

  Monk.
• * 1.5

  June.
• * 1.6

  Cumberland Address.
• * 1.7

  Scotland.
• * 1.8

  Sea Fight.
• * 1.9

  Cromwells Summons.
• * 2.1

  Fleet.
• * 2.2

  Highlan∣ders.
• * 2.3

  Declara∣tion.
• * 2.4

  Lilburn.
• * 2.5

  Fleet.
• * 2.6

  Lilburn.
• * 2.7

  Highlan∣ders.
• * 2.8

  Dutch.
• * 2.9

  Great Seal.
• * 2.10

  Thanks-giving.
• * 2.11

  Dean's Fu∣neral.
• * 2.12

  Highlands.
• * 2.13

  Jersey.
• * 2.14

  Irish.
• * 2.15

  Dutch.
• * 2.16

  Petition.
• * 2.17

  Fens.