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.

November, 1654.

[1. Nov.] The Officers of the Army met at St. James's to keep a day of praying together.

The Resident of the Duke of Guelders had Audi∣ence * 1.1 of the Protector, declaring the late decease of his Master, and the acknowledgment he made upon his death bed of the Favours and Protection he had receiv'd from the Protector, desiring the continu∣nuance of his Favour and Protection to his Son.

[2] The Lord Lorn the Marquls of Argiles Son, continued in Rebellion against his Father.

Collonel Hammonds Funeral solemnized at Dub∣lin with much State.

[3] The Parliament sat upon the Articles of Government, and voted the forfeiture of Lands for Treason, and Delinquency.

[4] Petitions of the Lord Craven, Sir John Sto∣well, and others, referred to several Committees.

[6] Debate about the Bill for Ejecting Igno∣rant and Scandalous Ministers and School-Masters; and Voted, That in the mean time the Ordinance for Ejecting them, passed by the Protector and his Coun∣cel, shall not be suspended.

Order for Accounts to be brought in, of the value of all Customs, and Receipts in several Offi∣ces.

Petition of the Doctors of the Civil Law in be∣halfe * 1.2 of themselves, and their profession, was re∣ferred to a Committee.

A Committee of Ten persons appointed to con∣fer with His Highness, about stating the Point of Liberty of Conscience.

[7] Order to examine, and punish the Authors, * 1.3 and publishers of a Scandalous, and Treasonable pamphlet, entituled. Collonel Shapcots speech in Par∣liament, and the Sergeant at Arms to seize the Copies.

[8] The Protector and his Councel considered of the Nomination of new Sheriffes in the seve∣ral Counties.

[9] Long debate by Councel at the Committee for the Lord Cravens, and Sir John Stowells Pe∣titions.

[10] Debate in Parliament upon the Articles * 1.4 of Government, That the Supream Legislative pow∣er shall be in one Person, and the People assembled in Parliament, being the first Article.

And upon the 24 Article, That if the Protector consent not to Bills presented to him within twenty days, that they shall pass as Laws, without his con∣sent.

This Letter came from Seldon to Whitlock.

My Lord,

I am a most humble Suitor to your Lordship, that * 2.1 you would be pleased that I might have your pre∣sence for a little time to morrow or next day. Thus much wearies the most weak hand and body of

Novemb. 10. 1654. White Fryers

Your Lordships most humble Servant J. Selden.

Whitlock went to him, and was advised with about settling his Estate, and altering his Will, and to be one of his Executors. But his weakness so encreased, that his intentions were prevented. He dyed the last of this Month. He lived at the Countess of Kents house in the White-Fryers. His mind was as great as his learning. He was as hospitable and generous as any man, and as good Company to those whom he liked.

The Primate of Ireland preached his funeral Sermon in the Temple Church, and gave him a great and due Eulogie.

[11] The Parliament agreed upon the first and 24th Articles of Government, with little altera∣tion.

[13] A Petition of the Purchasers of the Lord Cravens Estate, referred to the former Committe, likewise a Petition of Sir John Stowell.

The King of Swedens Marriage was solemnized * 2.2 at Stockholm the 14th of October last.

[14] Prince William of Nassaw received by the Province of Over-Issell to be Governour there, du∣ring the minority of the Prince of Orange.

[15] The House proceeded in the debate of the Articles of Government.

They considered of an Assesment for the pre∣venting of free Quarter.

The Lord Lorn sent parties into his Fathers Coun∣trey to steal Cows.

[16] The Parliament voted His Highness to be Lord Protector, &c. during his life.

They debated about the business of the Militia by Sea and Land.

[17] A List published of the several Sheriffs for England and Wales, agreed on by the Protector and his Councel.

Much debate at the Committee concerning the Lord Cravens, and Sir John Stowels business.

A Fire in Amsterdam quenched, by casting Sand upon it.

Some few of Middletons party in Scotland roam∣ing up and down were routed by the Parliaments Forces.

The Funeral of the Protectors Mother Solem∣nized at Westminster Abby.

[20] The Parliament sat Forenoon and after-noon * 2.3 upon the Government, and agreed fully up∣on the first Article, and the 24th.

[21] Vote for an Assesment of 60000l. a month, for three months, to be laid on England.

Petition concerning Sir Peter Vanlores Estate, referred to a Committee.

Some small Skirmishes were in the Highlands.

[22] A Committee appointed to consider of the Accounts of the Kingdom, and who have any publick moneys in their hands.

The King of Scots was at Colen, and the Queen of Bohemia went to Flanders, to visit the Queen of Sweden.

[23] The House in the Forenoon upon the Government, and in the Afternoon upon the Assess∣ment.

[24] Five Hundred Irish were landed in some * 2.4 Isles of Scotland, to joyne with Middleton, and Seaford, 160 horse more were to joyn with them, and to force the Clans to rise with them.

The Parliament voted, That no Law should be * 2.5 altered, or repealed, nor new Laws made, nor any Tax imposed, but by assent of Parliament.

[25] The Parliament voted, That a new Par∣liament should be summoned to meet upon the third Monday of October 1656.

They called for a Report from the Committee * 2.6 for Regulating the Chancery.

Seven English Ships, and divers Forreign Ships cast away by a storm near Dover.

[27] The Parliament passed several Votes, touching Qualifications of persons to be chosen to serve in Parliament, and for the Electors. * 2.7

Vote that a new Parliament shall be every third * 2.8 year, and not to sit above six Months, but by Act of Parliament with the Protectors Consent, and that to be but for three Months longer.

That the Protector may Summon Parliaments with∣in the three years, if he see Cause, to sit for three Moneths, and the Summons to be by Writ according to Law.

The Chancellor or Commissioners of the Seal to issue Writs of Summons, without the Protectors War∣rant, if he issue not his Warrant for it by a time limited in the Vote, and how the Elections shall be made.

Order for a Bill against drinking of Healths, * 2.9 and the same penalties to be imposed on Drunk∣ards, as are by the Act upon Swearers, and for a Bill to supply the defects in the Acts against Swearing and Gaming.

The Ordinance for Regulating the Chancery, suspended for a time.

No private business to be taken into Conside∣ration for a Moneth.

That the publick Accounts be taken.

A Committee made to inquire of forged De∣benters.

[28] The Lord Ambassador Bourdeaux from the King of France had audience of the Prote∣ctor.

A Committee made to confer with His High∣ness about Retrenching the Forces of the Com∣mon-wealth.

[29] The House sat in a Grand Committee up∣on the Bill of Assessment.

Don Antonio Piementelli arrived at Bruxells with some Presents from the King of Spain to the Queen of Sweden.

[30] Count William of Nassaw carried on his design with all the interrest he could make, for setting up the Prince of Orange, but it was fruitless.

The Parliament sat every day Forenoon and * 2.10 Afternoon, about the Government.

Much debate was had and time spent at the Committee for the Lord Cravens business.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Duke of Guilders.
• * 1.2

  Civil Law.
• * 1.3

  Pamphlets
• * 1.4

  Govern∣ment.
• * 2.1

  Selden.
• * 2.2

  Sweden.
• * 2.3

  Govern∣ment.
• * 2.4

  Middleton
• * 2.5

  Votes.
• * 2.6

  Chancery.
• * 2.7

  Elections.
• * 2.8

  Votes.
• * 2.9

  Drunck∣ards.
• * 2.10

  Govern∣ment.