April, 1657.

[Anno 1657] [2.] Application in a business in Parlia∣ment by the Lord Fitz-William.

[3.] A Bill for the maintenance of Mini∣sters in Bristol.

[4.] The Parliament had been long about the Setlement of the Nation, and had framed a Writing which they stiled The Humble Petiti∣on and Advice of the Parliament of England, Scot∣land and Ireland to his Highness, The first business of it was for the Protector to have the title of King, This Petition and Advice, was presented to his Highness by the House; and he desired that a Committee might be appointed to conferr with him about it; which was named, and Whitelock, being one of the Committee, was made Chair-man. When the Committee attended his High∣ness, Whitclock spake to him upon the point of the Title of King, giving reasons why he should * accept of that title; The Protector urged his reasons against it, and Whitelock replyed. The whole debate in Print.

[5.] This day Whitelock reported to the * House the passages when their Committee at∣tended his Highness.

[6.] Referred to a Committee to consider what was fit further to offer to the Protector in the great business; this was the former Com∣mittee; They attended his Highness, and he appointed the next day for them to come again to him.

[9.] A Plot discover'd by the vigilancy of * Thurlo, of an intended Insurrection by Major-General Harrison, and many of the fifth Mo∣narchy-Men. *

[11.] Whitelock reported to the House the Committee's waiting upon the Protector, but that the new discover'd Plot hindred their proceedings at that time.

[12.] Applications by the Officers in be∣half of the Army in Ireland.

[13.] Applications in behalf of the Com∣pany of Vintners.

The Committee offer'd their reasons to the Protector in the great business.

[14.] Whitelock acquainted the House with the passages yesterday betwixt his High∣ness and the Committee about the title of King.

[16.] Whitelock moved the House for their Committee to meet again with his Highness, which was ordered, they attended but the Pro∣tector being busy in Examining the new Plot, they were put off to another day.

[20] Upon Whitelockes motion the Com∣mittee were ordered again to attend his High∣ness. The Protector was satisfied in his pri∣vate Judgment that it was fit for him to take upon him the title of King, and matters were * prepared in order thereunto; but afterwards by sollicitation of the Common wealth's Men, and fearing a mutiny and defection of a great part of the Army in case he should assume that Title, and Office, his mind changed; and ma∣ny of the Officers of the Army gave out high threatnings against him in case he should do it; he therefore thought best to attend: some * better season and opportunity in this business, and refused it at this time, with great seeming Earnestness.

[21.] Whitelock acquainted the House that his Highness had some things to offer to the Committee in a paper, and desired them to meet him this afternoon; whereupon the House adjourned till to morrow, and the Com∣mittee met his Highness.

[22.] Whitelock reported to the House the Committees attendance upon his Highness yesterday, who offer'd to them a paper of par∣ticulars touching several things in the humble Petition and Advice; and that the Committee are preparing a Report of the whole business; there∣upon the House adjourned till to Mor∣row.

Page  647 [23.] All the Members in Westminster be∣ing sent for into the House, Whitelock made the report of the whole proceedings of the Com∣mittee with his Highness touching the title of King, with the Protectors answers, and Papers given in by him to the Committee; which Whitelock read, and afterwards the Clerk read them again, and the debate of this great busi∣ness was adjourned.

[27.] The House were busy in debating the last report made by Whitelock in the business of the title of King.

[28.] They proceeded in the same de∣bate.

[29.] They came to some resolutions in in that debate, which were not all pleasing to his Highness.