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, 1655.

Letters of the miserable Condition of the Poor Protestants in Dauphine, oppressed by the Duke of Savoy, and left Sick, and without Covert, Food, or Cloathing, and many of them Dead with Cruel∣ty.

A Day of Thanksgiving in Dublin, for their De∣liverance * 1.1 from the Rebels, the Courts of Justice Established there, the Soldiers many of them turn∣ed Planters.

One who called himself William Smith, a Mini∣ster in Cornwall, apprehended for having Seven Wifes together.

General Venables was released from his Impri∣sonment.

The Swedish Ambassador had Audience.

Letters of Reprisal granted to divers English against the Spaniards.

The Protector and Councel appointed a Coun∣cel * 1.2 of Trade, to consider how to improve, order, and regulate the Trade and Navigation of the Common-wealth; upon which Letters were sent to several Persons in this Form.

Sir,

His Highness considering of how great Impor∣tance it is to this Nation, that the Trade and Com∣merce thereof be by all good wayes and means ad∣vanced, and duely regulated, hath by the Advice of his Councel thought fit to appoint a certain number of Persons (whose Abilities and Experi∣ence have qualified them to be Serviceable to their Countrey herein) to be a Committee for Trade, Impow'ring them to take into Consideration, the Trade and Navigation of this Common-wealth, and in what manner, and by what wayes and means the same may be Encouraged, Improved, Or∣dered and Regulated. And having named you to be one of that Committee, have thought fit to sig∣nifie the same unto you, to the end you may be present at their first meeting, which is appointed to be on the 27 of this Instant November in the Painted Chamber at Westminster, not doubting of your readiness to joyn with the rest of the Com∣mittee, in contributing your best assistance to a Work so highly tending to the Publick good.

Whitehall the 2 of November, 1655.

Signed in the Name and by the Order of his Highness and the Councel. Hen. Lawrence, President.

This was a business of much Importance to the Common-wealth, and the Protector was earnestly set upon it.

A Declaration of the Protector and his Coun∣cel, of the reasons for raising additional standing * 2.1 Forces of Horse in every County, to preserve the Peace thereof, from the New Plots and attempts of the Enemies of the Common-wealth, upon whom he resolves to put the Charge of these New Forces, which they have occasioned, and not upon the honest party who have already so much suffer∣ed.

Letters from Ireland commending their Gover∣nour the Lord Lieutenant Cromwell, and his Coun∣tenancing * 2.2 Orthodox Ministers, and frequenting the publick Ordinances.

The Sweeds had good Success in Poland, and in Muscovia.

Collonel Harvey committed to the Tower.

The Swedish Ambassador had Audience, and re∣lated to the Protector his Masters successes.

A Paper of the Special Commissioners for Chari∣table uses read in the Churches in London inviting discoveries.

Cracovia was Surrendred upon Articles to the King of Sweden.

The Major-Generals and their several Commis∣sioners, met in several Counties to execute their Commissions.

The Protector and his Councel referred to Sir William Roberts, and others, the Examination of the Accounts of Collonel Harvey, and Collonel Lang∣ham upon which they stand Committed.

The Ratification of the Treaty with the King of France, returned by Monsieur de la Bastile the Kings Ambassador under the Kings hand, and then the Protector ratified it, and it was Sealed with the Great Seal of both Parties.

A Declaration for a publick Fast.

A Commission for appointing Justices of the Peace in Scotland.

Major Rolt arrived in Poland, Envoy from the Protector to the King of Sweden.

A Declaration for a New Assessment.

The Peace between England and France pro∣claimed * 2.3 in London.

The French Ambassador by Invitation dined with the Protector.

The Swedish Ambassador having often solicited * 2.4 the Protector, that Commissioners might be ap∣pointed to Treat with him, and none being yet appointed, he grew somewhat impatient, and the more because none of the Grandees would vouch∣safe to visit him by reason of a former Order of the long Parliament, prohibiting the Conversing with Forreign Ministers, neither were they will∣ing that the Ambassador should come to them; at which he wondred, being so contrary to the Pra∣ctice in his Countrey.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Ireland.
• * 1.2

  Commit∣tee of Trade.
• * 2.1

  New rai∣sed For∣ces.
• * 2.2

  Ireland.
• * 2.3

  Decem.
• * 2.4

  Swedish Ambassa∣dor.