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.

December, 1654.

[Decemb. 1.] Seven or Eight English Vessels taken by the Brest Pyrates.

A Ship came from Guinnee with much Gold in her.

[2] A Ship laden with rich Goods from Smyr∣na, was the day after her Arrival in the Thames Fired by Accident, and the Ship and Goods burn∣ed.

[4] That a Party under Captain Lisle and Lieu∣tenant Heylin routed a greater Party under the * 1.1 Lord Kenoull and the Lord Oudop, and took both the Lords Prisoners, and 82 Officers and Souldiers, and all their Arms.

[5] Votes of the Parliament for choosing suc∣ceeding Protectors, and their Councel, and the form of an Oath, to be taken by the Councel.

The Act past for the Assessment.

That the Assesment for Scotland shall be for * 1.2 8000l. per Mensem, and the like Sum upon Ire∣land.

[6] The Parliament voted that the Protector for * 1.3 the time being should not have power to pardon Mur∣der or Treason.

Letters from Major Sedgwicks, of the taking of divers Forts, from the French in the West-Indies.

[7] Major General Overton was careful in sup∣plying the Garrisons in the Highlands in Scotland.

[8] The Parliament had a long debate upon a Clause of Liberty of tender Consciences.

The City of Bremen could not come to an a∣greement with the King of Sweden, by reason of the Divisions of the Citizens, the Lutherans a∣gainst the Calvinists.

[9] General Blake with his Fleet was come up into the Streights.

[11] The Parliament Voted That the true, Re∣formed; Protestant, Christian Religion, shall be Pub∣lickly * 1.4 Professed, and Maintained. * 1.5

A Committee named to Consider of a way for a Compleat allowance for Ministers out of Impro∣priations, or otherwise where it was wanting.

That to Bills touching Liberty of Conscience, the Protector shall have a Negative, But not to Bills for suppressing Heresies.

That Damnable Heresies in the Bill shall be enu∣••erated:

A Petition from Poor Publick Faith lenders.

At the Marriage of the King of Swedland with * 1.6 the Princess of Holstein, by the Arch-Bishop of Ʋpsale, Grave Erit Oxenstierne Chancellor, made an Oration, in Commendation of the Queen, and the Alliance; all the great Guns and small shot in Stockholme were discharged, and the Ships gave 5000 shot, and there were great Triumphs, and Solemnities.

[12] The Parliament Voted two Books, Printed * 1.7 under the name of John Biddle, to Contain many Impious and Blasphemous Opinions against the Deity of the Holy Ghost; and that the Books shall be burnt * 1.8 by the Hand of the Hangman, and named a Commit∣tee to Examine and find out the Authors, Printers, and Publishers of these Books.

General Blake before Cadiz Road received great * 1.9 respect and Civility from the Spaniards, and from the English and Dutch Ships in the Road, in their Saluting him; and a Dutch Admiral there would not wear his Flagg whilst General Blake was in the Harbour.

In the Streights Mouth one of his Victualling Ships was separated from the Fleet by Storms, and taken by the French Admiral with seven men of War, who Examined the Captain of the Victu∣aller where General Blake was, and drank to him, with five Guns, and discharged the Captain and his Ship.

De Wit, and other Dutch Ships struck Sayl to him in the Streights.

The Governour of Gibraltar Feasted some of his Company who went on shore there, and shewed great Honour and Civility to them.

The Argiers men, when they meet with any Sally men of War that have any English in them, cause them to surrender, and brought the Captives to General Blake, and were very kind to his Fleet.

[13] Mr. Biddle brought to the Bar of the house•• * 1.10 owned his books, and was Comitted to the Gate-House.

The Lord Lorn went into a little Island not ha∣ving above Four or Five men with him.

[14] The Prince of Conde went to Antwerp to to Visit the Queen of Sweden.

The Parliament had long debates upon the point * 1.11 of Liberty of tender Consciences. But came to no Result.

Divers Fundamentals in Religion were proposed by Ministers to be established by them.

[15] Divers Merchants Ships richly laden from several Foreign parts, arrived safely in the Port of London.

[16] The House sat on the Government.

[18] The Parliament Voted, That without the Consent of the Lord Protector and Parliament, no * 1.12 Laws shall be made for the Restrayning of such tender Consciences as shall differ in Doctrine, worship and * 1.13 Discipline from the Publick Profession, and shall not abuse this Liberty, to the Civil Injury of others, or the Disturbance of the Publick Peace.

And that the present establishment as to the * 1.14 standing Forces of the Nation shall be 20000 Foot, and 10000 Horse, and Dragooners, and the Asses∣ment * 1.15 of 6000l. per Mensem for their Maintenance.

A Committee Named to Consider, how a stan∣ding Court of Judicature may be setled at York, * 1.16 for the five Northern Counties.

And how the probate of Wills, granting Ad∣ministrations, and Recovery of Legacies, may be setled throughout England, and Wales, and Ire∣land.

A Petition of the Owners of Fen-Lands referred to a Committee.

[19] Divers Commanders of the Highlanders

came in to Major General Overton and Middleton had left with him but Forty men.

A Revenue of 200000l per Annum Voted to be setled upon the Lord Protector, and His Suc∣cessors, for defraying Publick Charges, and to * 1.17 maintain the Dignity of his place.

[20] The Parliament agreed that all Sales of the Kings Lands, and of Bishops, Deans, and * 1.18 Chapters Lands, should stand good, and vallid; and that all Securities for Moneys should stand good, and Debts upon Publick Faith should be satisfied.

And that Articles given to the enemy should be Confirmed.

They passed on Oath to be taken by the Lord * 1.19 Protector, and His Successors, for the due calling of Parliaments, for the good Government of the Nation.

That the Councel shall be Sworn before the * 1.20 Parliament when they sit, and in the Intervals of Parliament, before the Comissioners of the great Seal.

That Whitehal, Saint Jameses, the Mews, Sum∣mer••et * 1.21 House, Greenwich, Hampton Court, Wind∣sor, and the manner of York, be kept unsold for the Protectors Use.

That all Moneys be brought into the Exche∣quer, and all Publick Debts ••ued for, in the Pro∣tectors name.

[22] Storms in Scotland destroyed many hun∣dred of Cattle.

More came in to Major General Overton, and di∣vers others of his Party.

The Bill touching the Articles of Government, Read the First time.

Dr. Walker appointed to be of Council for the Commonwealth in the business of the Lord Cra∣ven.

[23] A Petition of Disbanded O••ficers for their Arrears, referred to a Committee.

A Petition from the University of Cambridge, referred to a Committee.

The Bill for settling the Government was Read * 1.22 the Second time; and the House Sate Forenoon and Afternoon in the Debate of it.

[25] The House sate, though it was Christmas-Day, and proceeded in their Debates touching the Government.

[26] Arguments before a Committee, concern∣ing * 1.23 the Lord Cravens Business, on his part, and for the Purchasers of his Estate; the Lord Cravens Council shewed Presidents, That Judgments against a Party unheard have been Reversed in Succeeding Parliaments; The Purchasers Council insisted on the Credit of the Act of Parliament, which per∣swaded them to buy his Lands.

[27] Letters of Solemnities at Stockholm upon the Marriage of their King.

[28] The House proceeded in their Debates * 1.24 touching the Government.

[29] The Government by the Protector was still the subject of the Houses Debate.

[30] A Quaker came to the door of the Parliament, and drawing his Sword, fell to slashing those near him, and knocked at the door aloud; he was laid hold on, and Committed to Prison.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Scotland.
• * 1.2

  Assess∣ment.
• * 1.3

  Pardon.
• * 1.4

  Vote.
• * 1.5

  Religion.
• * 1.6

  Decemb. Sweden.
• * 1.7

  Biddle.
• * 1.8

  Holy Ghost.
• * 1.9

  Blake.
• * 1.10

  Biddle.
• * 1.11

  Debates.
• * 1.12

  Vote.
• * 1.13

  Tender. Conscien∣ces.
• * 1.14

  Govern∣ment.
• * 1.15

  Standing Army.
• * 1.16

  York.
• * 1.17

  Revenue.
• * 1.18

  Parlia∣ment.
• * 1.19

  〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.20

  Council.
• * 1.21

  Whitehall.
• * 1.22

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.23

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. Craven.
• * 1.24

  Govern∣ment.