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.

June 1657.

1. A Bill for maintenance of Ministers in the City of Bristoll.

3. A Day of Thanksgiving for the success of General Blake against the Spanish Fleet, at Sancta Cruz.

4. A Bill for the better choosing of persons into places of trust.

9. The House went to the Painted Chamber when the Protector met them, and made a solemn Speech to them, in Answer to the Speech of the Speaker to him, and passed these Bills following.

An Act for an Assessment upon England, at the rate of 60000 l. by the Month, for three Months, from the 25th day of March 1657, to the 24th day of June then next ensuing.

An Act for limiting and setting the Prices for Wines.

An Act for the taking away of Purveyance, and Compositions for Purveyance.

An Act against Vagrants, and wandring idle disso∣lute persons.

An Act giving licence for transporting Fish in fo∣reign Bottoms.

An Act for three Months Assessment in Ireland, for the maintenance of the Spanish War, and other Servi∣ces of the Common-wealth.

13. The humble additional and explanatory Peti∣tion and Advice debated in the House.

19. A Bill for the surveying of some Forests, and a Bill for ascertaining the Publick Faith Debts.

20. Much Debate was upon the Bill for restraint of new Buildings in and about London.

Letters from the Protector to the Speaker, for putting off the Adjournment of the Parliament for four or five days.

22. A Bill for Importation of Bullion.

23. A Committee to prepare an Oath to be ta∣ken by the Lord Protector, and for the solemniza∣tion and publishing of his Highness acceptance of the Government, and touching the settlement of his Highness Council.

An Act of Indempnity.

24. Upon a Report from the Committee, and some Amendments, the House agreed to the Form of an Oath to be taken by the Protector; and to an∣other Oath to be taken by his Council; and an Oath was agreed to be taken by the Members of Parliament; and they agreed to a Paper touching the summoning such persons before the next meet∣ing of Parliament; and who are to serve as Mem∣bers in the other House of Parliament, according to the humble Petition and Advice; and they agreed touching the Solemnities of his Inauguration.

A Committee appointed to acquaint the Pro∣tector with these Votes, and to shew him the Oaths, and to desire him to appoint times for the execu∣tion of them, and for his consent to the Bills pas∣sed the House.

25. Sir Harbottle Grimston published the Reports of Judge Croke.

26. The Parliament ordered the Master of the Ceremonies to give notice to foreign Ambassa∣dours and Ministers of the Inauguration of the Pro∣tector.

Order for the Commissioners of the Seal with ad∣vice of the Judges to prepare and frame a Writ for summoning the Members of the other House of Par∣liament, to meet at such time and place as shall be appointed by his Highness; and the Commissi∣oners are to seal such Writs, and to issue them out to such persons as his Highness under his Sign Manual shall direct and appoint.

A Bill passed for adjourning the Parliament from this 26th of June, to the 20th of January next.

A place being prepared at the upper end of Westminster-Hall, in the midst of it was a rich Cloth of State set up, and under it a Chair of State, upon an Ascent of two Degrees, covered with Carpets; before it a Table and a Chair by it for the Speaker; on each side of the Hall were Seats built one above another, and covered for the Mem∣bers of the Parliament; below them, Seats on the one side for the Judges, and on the other side for the Lord Mayor, and Aldermen of London.

About Two a Clock in the Afternoon, the Pro∣tector met the Parliament, and gave his consent to some Bills; then the Speaker and Members went to their places in Westminster-Hall, and the Judges and Aldermen took their places: A little time af∣ter this his Highness came attended with his own Gentlemen, and with the Heralds, Serjeants at Arms: The Officers, Commissioners of the Seal, and of the Treasury, and his Council: The Earl of Warwick carried the Sword before him, and the Lord Mayor of London carried the City Sword.

His Highness standing under the Cloth of State, the Speaker in the Name of the Parliament pre∣sented to him,

1. A Robe of Purple Velvet, lined with Ermine, which the Speaker assisted by Whitelocke and others, put upon his Highness; then he delivered to him the Bible richly gilt, and bossed; after that the Speaker girt the Sword about his Highness, and de∣livered into his hand the Scepter of massie Gold, and then made a Speech to him, upon those se∣veral things presented to him, wishing him all prosperity in his Government, and gave him the Oath; and Mr. Manton by Prayer recommended his Highness, the Parliament, the Council, the For∣ces by Land and Sea, and the whole Government and People of the three Nations to the blessing and protection of God.

After this the people gave several great shouts, and the Trumpets sounding: the Protector sate in the Chair of State, holding the Scepter in his hand; on his right side sate the Ambassadour of France, on the left side the Ambassadour of the Ʋ∣nited Provinces: Near to his Highness, stood his Son Richard, the Lord Deputy Fleetwood, Claypole Master of the Horse, his Highness Council and Of∣ficers of State; the Earl of Warwick held the Sword on the right side of the Chair, and the Lord Mayor of London held the City Sword on the left hand of the Chair; near the Earl of Warwick stood the Lord Viscount Lisle, general Mountague, and Whitelocke, each of them having a drawn Sword in their hands.

Then the Trumpets sounded, and an Herauld proclaimed his Highness Title, and Proclamation

was made, and loud Acclamations of the People, God save the Lord Protector: The Ceremonies be∣ing ended, His Highness having his Train carried by the Lord Sherwood, Mr. Rich, the Earl of War∣wick's Grandchild, and by the Lord Roberts his Son, accompanied by the Ambassadours. and attended as before, went in State to Westminster-Hall Gate, where he took his rich Coach.

In the upper end of it himself sate in his Robes, in the other end sate the Earl of Warwick, in one Boot sate his Son Richard and Whitelocke, with a drawn Sword in his hand, and in the other Boot sate the Lord Viscount L'Isle, and General Moun∣tague, with Swords drawn in their hands, Cleypole led the Horse of Honour in rich Caparisons, the Life Guard and other Guards attended the Coach, the Officers and the rest, followed in Coaches to White-hall.

The Speaker and members of Parliament went to the House, where they passed some Votes, and orde∣red them to be presented to his Highness. Then according to the Act of Parliament, the House adjourned it self till the twentieth of January next.

The Bills passed by his Highness, this Parlia∣ment besides those mentioned before were,

An Act, for the preventing of the multiplicity of Buildings, in and about the Suburbs of London, and within ten miles thereof.

An Act, for quiet enjoying of sequestred Parsona∣ges and Vicarages, by the present Incumbent.

An Act, for discovering, convicting, and repressing of Popish Recusants.

An Act and Declaration, touching several Acts and Ordinances made, since the twentieth of April, 1653. and before the third of September, 1654. and other Acts, &c.

Instructions agreed upon in Parliament, for Jo∣seph Aylloffe, Thomas Skipwith, Jeremy Banes, Adam Ayre, Esq James Robinson, and William Marr, Gent. Commissioners for surveying the Forrest of Sher-wood, Robert Frank, John Kensey, Thomas Wats Esq and George Sargeant, Gent. Commissioners for surveying the Forrest or Chase of Need-wood, James Stedman, Robert Tayler, Thomas Tanner, Esq and John Halsey, Gent. Commissioners for survey∣ing the Forest or Chase of Kingswood, Henry De∣well, William Dawges, Joseph Gamage, Esq Richard Johnson, Gent. Commissioners for surveying the Forrest or Chase of Ashdown, or Lancaster great Park, John Baynton, Hugh Web, Esq Major Rolph, and Nicholas Gunton, Gent. Commissioners for sur∣veying Enfield Chase, in pursuance of an Act of this present Parliament, Intituled, an Act and Declara∣tion, touching several Acts and Ordinances, made since the twentieth of April, 1653. and before the third of September, 1654. and other Acts, &c.

An Act, for punishing of such persons as live at high rates, and have no visible Estate, Profession or Calling, answerable thereunto.

An Act, for Indempnifiing of such persons as have acted for the service of the publick.

An Act, for the better observation of the Lord's Day.

An Act, for raising of fifteen thousand pounds Ster∣ling in Scotland.

An Act, for an Assessment at the rate of five and thirty thousand pounds by the month upon England, six thousand pounds by the month upon Scotland, and nine thousand pounds by the month upon Ireland, for three years, from the twenty fourth of June, 1657. for a Temporary supply towards the mantainance of the Ar∣mys and Navys of this Common-wealth.

An Additional Act, for the better Improvement and advancing the Receipts of the Excise, and new Impost.

A Book of Values of Merchandize imported, ac∣cording to which, Excise is to be paid by the first Buyer.

An Act for continuing and establishing the Subsidy of Tonnage and Poundage, and for reviving an Act for the better packing of Butter, and redress of abuses therein.

An Act for the better suppressing of Theft upon the Borders of England and Scotland, and for discovery of High-way-men, and other Felons.

An Act for the improvement of the Revenue of the Customs and Excise.

An Act for the assuring, confirming, and settling of Lands and Estates in Ireland.

An Act for the Attainder of the Rebels in Ireland.

An Act for the settling of the Postage of England Scotland, and Ireland.

An Act for the Adjournment of this present Par∣liament from the 26th of June, 1657, unto the 20th of January next ensuing.

The humble additional and explanatory Petition and Advice, in these words.

TO HIS HIGHNESS THE LORD PROTECTOR OF THE Common-wealth of England, Scot∣land, and Ireland, and the Domi∣nions and Territories there∣unto belonging.

The humble Additional and Explanatory Petition and Advice, of the Knights, Citizens, and Bur∣gesses now assembled in the Parliament of this Common-wealth.

WHereas upon the humble Petition and Advice of the said Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses, now assembled in the Parliament of this Common-wealth, lately presented and consented unto by your Highness; certain Doubts and Questions have arisen, concerning some particulars therein comprised: for explanation whereof, May it please your Highness to declare and consent unto the Additions and Explanations hereafter mentioned, and may it be declared with your Highness Consent;

In the fourth Article.

That such person and persons as invaded England, under Duke Hamilton, in the year 1648; Or ad∣vised, consented, assisted, or voluntarily contributed

unto that War; and were for that cause debarred from publick trust by the Parliament of Scotland, be uncapable to Elect, or be Elected, to sit and serve as Members of Parliament, or in any other place of pub∣lick trust, relating unto the fourth and thirteenth Ar∣ticles in the Petition and Advice, excepting such as since have born Arms for your Highness, or the Parlia∣ment, or have been admitted to sit and serve in the Par∣liament of this Commonwealth, and are of good life and conversation, or such as shall hereafter be decla∣red by your Highness, with the advice of your Coun∣cil, to have given some signal testimony of their good affection and continuance in the same.

That the Proviso in the said fourth Article, be ex∣plain'd thus, viz. That such English and Scotish Prote∣stants, who (since the defection of the Earl of Ormond, and the Lord Inchiquin, and before the first day of March, 1649.) have born Arms for, and ever since continued faithfull to the Parliament, or your Highness, or have otherwise (before the said first day of March, 1649.) given signal testimony of their good affection to this Common-wealth, and have ever since continued faithfull to the same, shall not be debarred or deemed un∣capable of electing, or being Elected to serve in Parlia∣ment.

And whereas in the said fourth Article Publick Mi∣nisters, or Publick Preachers of the Gospel, are disabled to be Elected to serve in Parliament; It is hereby ex∣plained and declared to extend to such Ministers and Preachers only, as have Maintenance for Preaching, or are Pastors or Teachers of Congregations.

In the said fourth Article.

That in stead of Commissioners to be appointed by Act of Parliament to examin and try whether the Members to be Elected for the House of Commons in future Par∣liaments, be capable to sit according to the Qualifications mentioned in the said Petition and Advice, there shall be the Penalty and Fine of a 1000 pounds laid and inflict∣ed upon every such unqualified Member (being so adjud∣ged) by the said House of Commons, and imprisonment of his Person until payment thereof.

And that the ensuing Clauses in the said Article, viz. We desire that it may by your Highness Con∣sent be Ordained, That forty and one Commission∣ers, be appointed by act of Parliament, who, or five, or more of them, shall be Authorized to exa∣mine and try whether the Members to be Elected for the House of Commons in future Parliaments, be Capable to sit according to the qualifications mentioned in this Petition and Advice, and in case they find them not qualified accordingly, then to suspend them from sitting, until the House of Com∣mons shall, upon hearing their particular Cases, ad∣mit them to sit; which Commissioners are to stand so Authorized for that end, until the House of Commons in any future Parliament, shall nominate the like number of other Commissioners in their places: And those other Commissioners, so to be nominated in any future Parliament, to have the same Power and Authority. That the said Com∣missioners shall Certifie in writing to the House of Commons, on the first day of their meeting, the cause and grounds of their suspensions of any person so to be Elected as aforesaid; That the Accusati∣on shall be upon Oath of the Informant, or of some other person. That a Copy of the Accusation shall be left, by the party accusing, in writing under his hand, with the party accused, or in his absence, at his house in the Country, City, or Town, for which he shall be Chosen, if he have any such House, or if not, with the Sheriff of the County, if he be chosen for a County, or with the chief Magistrate of the City, or Burrough, for which he is chosen; shall not be put in Execution, or made use of, but shall be void, frustrate, Null and of none effect, and shall be so construed and taken to all intents and purposes whatso∣ever, anything contained in the said Petition and Ad∣vice to the contrary notwithstanding.

In the fifth Article.

That the Nomination of the Persons to supply the place of such Members of the other House, as shall die, or be removed, shall be by your Highness and your Suc∣cessors.

In the seventh Article.

That the monies directed to be for the supply of the Sea, and Land Forces, be issued by Advice of the Coun∣cil, And that the Treasurer or Commissioners of the Treasury, shall give an Account of all the said money to every Parliament.

That the Officers of State, and Judges, in the Ninth Article of the said Petition and Advice mentioned, shall be chosen, in the ••ntervals of Parliament, by the Consent of the Council, to be afterwards approved by Parliament.

That your Highness will be pleased, according to the usage, of former Chief Magistrates in these Nations, and for the better satisfaction of the People thereof, to take an Oath in the form ensuing.

I do in the presence, and by the Name of God Almighty, promise and swear, That to the utter∣most of my power, I will uphold, and maintain the true Reformed Protestant Christian Religion, in the purity thereof, as it is contained in the Holy Scrip∣tures of the Old and New Testament, to the utter∣most of my power and understanding, and incou∣rage the Profession, and Professours of the same; and that to the utmost of my power, I will endea∣vour, as chief Magistrate of these three Nations, the Maintenance and Preservation of the Peace and safety, and of the just Rights and Privileges of the people thereof; And shall in all things, according to my best knowledge and power, govern the people of these Nations according to Law.

That your Highness successors, do, before they take upon them the Government of these Nations, take an Oath in the Form aforesaid.

That all such persons who now are, or shall hereafter be of the Privy Council of your Highness or Successors, before they, or either of them, do act as Counsellors, shall respectively take an Oath, before persons to be authorised by your Highness and Successors for that purpose, in the Form following.

I A. B. doe in the presence, and by the Name of God Almighty, promise and swear, That to the ut∣termost of my power, in my place, I will uphold, and maintain the true Reformed Protestant Christi∣an Religion, in the purity thereof, as it is contain∣ed in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Te∣stament, and encourage the Profession and Professors of the same; And that I will be true and faithfull to His Highness the Lord Protector of the Com∣mon-wealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the Dominions thereto belonging, as Chief Magi∣strate thereof, And shall not contrive, design, or at∣tempt any thing, against the person or lawfull Au∣thority of his said Highness, and shall keep secret, all matters that shall be treated of in Council, and put under secrecy, and not reveal them but by Com∣mand or consent of His Highness, the Parliament, or the Council, and shall in all things faithfully per∣form

the trust Committed to me as a Councellor, according to the best of my understanding, in or∣der to the good Government, Peace and Welfare of these Nations.

That the same Oath be taken by the members of your Highness Council of Scotland, and Ireland.

That every person who now is, or hereafter shall be a Member of either House of Parliament, before he sit in Parliament, shall, from and after the first day of July, 1657. take an Oath before persons to be Authorised and appointed by your Highness and Successors for that pur∣pose, in the form following.

I A. B. doe in the presence, and by the name of God Almighty, promise and swear, that to the ut∣termost of my power in my place, I will uphold and maintain the true Reformed Protestant Christian Religion, in the purity thereof, as it is contained in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testa∣ment, and encourage the Profession and Professors of the same, and that I will be true and faithfull to the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of Eng∣land, Scotland, and Ireland, and the Dominions and Territories thereunto belo••••••ng, as Chief Magi∣strate thereof; And shall not Contrive, Design, or Attempt any thing against the Person or lawfull Authority of the Lord Protector, and shall endea∣vour as much as in me lies, as a Member of Parlia∣ment, the preservation of the Rights and Liberties of the People.

That your Highness would be pleased in convenient time, before the next meeting of this Parliament, to cause several summons in due form of Law, to be issued forth to such persons as your Highness shall think fit (being qualified according to the Humble Petition and Advice of the Parliament, whereto your Highness hath consen∣ted) to sit and serve as Members in the other House of Parliament; by which summons the said persons shall be respectively commanded to be, and personally to appear at a certain place and time, to be appointed by your High∣ness, to give their Advice and Assistance, and to do such things concerning the Great and Weighty Affairs of this Common-wealth, as to the other House of Parlia∣ment doth appertain, by the said Humble Petition and Advice.

That the Persons so summoned and Assembled toge∣ther, shall be, and are hereby declared to be the other House of Parliament; and shall, and may without fur∣ther Approbation of this House, from such time of their meeting, proceed, to do and perform all such matters and things, as the other House of Parliament ought to do and perform, and shall and may, have and exercise, all such Privileges, Powers and Authoryties, as the other House of Parliament ought, by the aforesaid Humble Petition and Advice to have and Exercise; the said Humble Petition and Advice, or any thing thereincontained, to the contrary thereof notwithstand∣ing.

Which Petition being presented the 26 day of June, 1657. His Highness answer thereunto was read by the Clerk of the Parliament in these words, The Lord Protector doth consent.

Notes

• Oath.
• Other House.
• Inaugura∣tion.
• Acts.