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.

May, 1655.

[May] The Protectors Commissioners for visiting * 1.1 the Universities, Colledges, and Schools in Scotland, set forth a Proclamation, Prohibiting Ministers to Pray for the King, or to excite the people to new trou∣bles, prohibiting all persons from paying any main∣tainance to such Ministers.

News of the death of the Queen Dowager of Sweden, who after she had been long sick of a Quar∣tain Ague, it was followed by a strong Rhume that fell on her Breast till she dyed.

Old Oxenstern Chancellor of Sweedland was bu∣ryed, and the King and Queen at his Funeral.

Letters from Vice-Admiral Pen, That his Fleet * 1.2 was safe at the Barbadoes, where they had taken in four or five thousand men, and within few days intended to set sail from thence upon their de∣sign.

Letters of the continuance of the cruel persecu∣tion against the poor Protestants of Piedmont, by the Duke of Savoy.

A Proclamation published for the execution of * 1.3 the Laws against Jesuits, and Priests, and for Con∣viction of Popish Recusants, against which White∣locke declared his opinion, at this time, when there was not a fixed settlement, and so great pretences for Liberty of Conscience.

Baron Thorpe, and Judg Newdigate were put * 1.4 out of their places, for not observing the Protectors pleasure in all his Commands.

This Order was sent from the Protector and Councel to the Commissioners of the Seal.

Tuesday, May, 1. 1655. At the Councel at White-Hall.

Forasmuch as the naming and settling of the At∣tornies * 2.1 in the Court of Chancery, and the disposing of the Records in such manner as is directed by an Ordinance of his Highness by, and with the con∣sent of his Councel, Entituled, An Ordinance for the better regulating and limiting•• the Jurisdiction of the High Court of Chancery, Hath been omitted by those who are intrusted with the doing thereof, and that great delay in Justice will necessarily fall out, in case all proceedings in Chancery should be suspended, untill all the said Officers and Records be settled; for prevention thereof, It is Ordered by his Highness the Lord Protector by the advice of his Councel; that the Lords Commissioners of * 2.2 the Great Seal, and Master of the Rolles do pro∣ceed in the business of the said Court, notwith∣standing the said Officers have not been nominated, and the Records disposed of, as by the said Ordi∣nance is directed: which his Highness and the Councel expect should be done with all speed, by those who are concerned therein: and that in all other things they proceed according to the directi∣on in the said Ordinance.

HENRY SCOBELL Clerk of the Councel.

This Order was made to put a further tryal upon the Commissioners, and a command to execute the new Ordinance; and the default in this particular, was in the Master of the Rolles, who was more positive than any other, in denying as yet to ex∣ecute the Ordinance; but afterwards, his profit and fear to offend over swayed all other condera∣tions.

At one of their meetings, Widdrington, Len∣thal and Whitelock, agreed upon this Letter to be subscribed by them, and sent to the President of the Councel.

My Lord,

WE have seriously and duely considered what we received from his Highness concerning the Execution of the Ordinance touching the Chancery, and have strictly exa∣mined our own Judgments, and Consciences, having with all submission sought to God therein, yet cannot give our selves satisfaction, so as to be free to proceed upon that Ordinance, wherefore, and in regard of the near approach of the Term. We hold it our duty to represent the same unto his Highness, together with the great trouble of our own thoughts, in our unhappiness in this dis∣satisfaction; and desire the favour from your Lordship to acquaint his Highness herewith we remain,

My Lord,

your Lorships very humble Servants,

• B. Whitelock,
• T. Widrington,
• W. Lenthal.

May, 1. 1655.

This Letter was not delivered to the President of the Councel till some time after the date of it, the next day they received this Order, or Warrant from the Protector.

Oliver Protector,

RIght trusty, and right well beloved, We greet you well, Whereas by an Ordinance, En∣tituled, An Ordinance for the better regulating, and limiting the Jurisdiction of the High Court of Chan∣cery, It is, among other things, Ordained, that the Masters of the Chancery in Ordinary, shall be only six in number, to be now and from time to time appointed by the Lord Protector for the time being, We according to the said Ordinance do appoint William Lenthal, Esq Master of the Rolles, John Sadler, Nathanael Hubart, Arthur Barnar∣diston, Thomas St. Nicholas, and K••bert Ald∣worth, Esq to be the six Masters of the Chancery in Ordinar; and do hereby signifie unto you our plea∣sure, that they be sworn and admitted according∣ly; given at White-Hall this second day of May, 1655.

To our Right trusty, and Right well be∣loved Sir Bulstrode Whitelocke, Knight, Sir Thomas Widrington, Kt. and John L'Isle, Esq Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal of England.

Upon Receipt of this Warrant, they gave the Oath to the six Masters of the Chancery named in the Order, it being the old Oath, and they pro∣ceeded in ordinary business of the Court, accord∣ing to the former course.

Letters from the Barbadoes of some Dutch Ships * 4.1 there Trading, seized upon by Pen, and his Fleet ready to sail from thence, but whither the Officers knew not. That they only waited for more stores from London, which were not yet come to them. That Pen had here recruited his men, and sent some Forces to the Leeward Islands. That the English here love to Trade more with the Dutch then with * 4.2 their Country men. That Pen, and Venable settled in the Barbadoes a Court, by Commission to levy what should appear to be owing there to the Dutch, and to make seizures of all Dutch, who should Trade there. That they were now six thousand Land∣men, and five thousand Sea-men, and intended shortly to set Sail upon their design.

Letters of the Duke of Savoys cruel persecuting the Protestants in Piedmont, by taking away their Goods, and Estates, and putting them in Prison, * 4.3 and carrying away of their Children; using all means with violence to make them forsake their Re∣ligion, and the purity of the Gospel; which when they could not do, the Priests persuaded the Duke to send an Army against them, to force them to Conformity, who sent eight thousand men against these poor quiet people, and Loyal Subjects; the Army fell upon them, slew many of them with small loss, and took many Prisoners, whom they used with all cruelty, and then put them to death. Others of them, with their Wives and Children, fled unto the Mountains, whilst the Soldiers plun∣dered their Houses, and then fired them, and their Churches.

A Solemn Fast was kept throughout London, and Westminster.

During this Easter Term, the Commissioners of * 4.4 the Great Seal proceeded in Chancery according to the former course of that Court, and did not ex∣ecute the Protectors new Ordinance, which was in∣formed to him, but he could not disturb them till the Term was over; and then was quick with them for their disobedience.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Visitors.
• * 1.2

  Pen.
• * 1.3

  Jesuits.
• * 1.4

  Judges put out.
• * 2.1

  Chancery.
• * 2.2

  May.
• * 4.1

  Pen.
• * 4.2

  Barbadoes.
• * 4.3

  Piedmont.
• * 4.4

  Chancery.