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.

March, 1654.

The Protector, and his Counsel were very busie in framing New Ordinances to please the People. Amongst them, they had one in Consideration for regulating the Proceedings in Chancery; which cau∣sed doubtful thoughts in the Commissioners of the Seal, who knew the Authority of that Court was design'd to be lessened, and they were not consulted * 1.1 in this Matter, yet they took no notice of it, but went on in the Ordinary course of their Proceed∣ings.

Upon the Lords Day, March 11. a Party of a∣bout Two hundred of the New Conspirators came into Salisbury at Midnight, seized upon many Hor∣ses, and took away the Judges Commissions, (be∣ing * 1.2 then in their Circuit in that place) and they Marched from thence Westward; whereof Captain Ʋnton Croke, having timely Intelligence, pursued them with his Troops, and at South Molton in De∣von overtook them, and after a sharp Conflict, Routed them, took Captain Penruddock, Jones, and Grove, and Five hundred common Persons Pri∣soners; Sir Joseph Wagstaff, then Chief Comander, hardly escaping.

There were other Risings in Northumberland and * 1.3 in Yorkshire, of whom Sir Henry Slingsby was taken Prisoner and others; and Sir Richard Moleverer * 1.4 hardly escaped. Many of the Conspirators were tryed by a Commission of Oyer and Terminer, at Salsbury and Exeter; Mr. James Decoy was Clerk to the Commissioners, and did some service to Sir. Hen∣ry Moor, Sir George Browne, and others, who were of that Plot, in helping to favour them; for which I suppose they were not ungrateful.

Penruddock, and Grove were Beheaded, Lucas * 1.5 of Hungerford, and others were Executed, and the Prisons were filled in those parts.

Letters from Scotland informed, That Middle∣ton * 1.6 was said to be Landed there again with new Sup∣plies from the King, who was also expected to come thither shortly with a great Force, and store of Mony; and his Brother the Duke of York to come a little before him. Upon this News former Trea∣ties were broken off; and in divers Parts New Le∣vies began to be made for the King.

The Protector and his Council Publish'd an Ordi∣nance, * 1.7 Appointing Commissioners for Approbation of Publick Preachers.

Another for passing Custodies for Idiots and Lu∣naticks.

Another for continuing the Act for Impresting of Seamen.

He and his Councel, and Officers, kept a day of Solemn Humiliation and Fasting, the which was also observed throughout London and Westmin∣ster. * 1.8

Brest men did much mischief to the Merchants of Bristol, and the Western parts, who complained thereof.

The Parliaments Commander in Scotland appre∣hended divers of the Kings party.

The Lord Mayor, and the Militia of London, attended the Protector with their fuit to him to give leave to revive the Artillery Company in Lon∣don, for the better exercising of the Citizens in * 1.9 Arms, and they undertook that none but well af∣fected persons should be admitted into that Com∣pany: to which the Protector assented.

Letters that Collonel Hacker had apprehended several of the Conspiratours in Notinghamsh••re, Leicestershire, and those parts, and kept them all * 1.10 in awe.

Captain Howard had given to him the Command of Collonel Rich his Regiment.

An Agent from Portugal brought the Ratificati∣on of the Treaty between England and Portugal. * 1.11

Several Examinations were taken about the late Risings and Plots.

The Duke of Lenox dyed at London.

Letters from Scotland that they were in a quiet condition.

The Protector by the advice of one Gage, a Mi∣nister, who had been long in the West Indies, set * 1.12 forth a gallant Fleet under the Command of Vice-Admiral Pen, with a great party of Land-Soldiers under the Command of Vinables; many were very eager to ingage in this design, being given out, in general to be very rich, and that it was for the West Indies: but it was kept very secret till the Fleet had been gone along time, which arrived at the Barbadoes in this month, and the thirtieth day of it set sail from thence, and steered their Course to∣wards H••spaniola, one of the fairest and richest * 1.13 Islands in America, under the King of Spains Do∣minions.

Who, having some inkling of this design, sent the Marquis of Leda his Ambassadour to the Pro∣tector, and the Marquis, finding how things went, quickly returned to his Master.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Chancery.
• * 1.2

  Crook.
• * 1.3

  Slingsby.
• * 1.4

  Maleverer
• * 1.5

  Penrud∣dock.
• * 1.6

  Scotland.
• * 1.7

  Ordinan∣ces.
• * 1.8

  Fast-day.
• * 1.9

  Artillery Company.
• * 1.10

  Conspira∣tors.
• * 1.11

  Portugal.
• * 1.12

  West-In∣dies. Expediti∣on.
• * 1.13

  H••spaniola