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, 1659.

3. Richard was abused and betrayed by his near Relations, and those of his Council; Whitelocke was wary what to advise in this matter, but de∣clared his judgment honestly, and for the good of Richard, when his advice was required.

4. The Souldiers and their party grew high in their imagined designs, that some could not for∣bear their Scoffs.

5. News of Sir George Ayscoughs favour with the King of Sweden.

All matters were at a stand, the Army had thoughts of raising money without a Parliament, but upon advice, they durst not adventure upon it, they thought it a safer way to restore the Mem∣bers of the long Parliament.

The Great Officers of the Army were advised to consider better of their design of bringing in the Members of the Old Parliament, who were most of them discontented for their being formerly broken up by Cromwel, and did distast the procee∣dings of the Army; and whether this would not probably more increase the Divisions, and end in bringing in of the King; but the Officers had resolved on it.

6. Fleetwood, and the General Council of the Officers of the Army published a Declaration, inviting the Members of the long Parliament, who continued sitting till April 20th, 1653. to return to the exercise, and discharge of their trust.

The Declaration was as followeth.

THE publick concernments of this Commonwealth being, through a vicissitude of dangers, delive∣rances and backslidings of many, brought into that state and posture wherein they now stand, and our selves also contributing thereunto, by wandring di∣vers ways, from righteous and equal paths; and al∣though there hath been many essays to obviate the dan∣gers, and to settle these Nations in peace and prospe∣rity, yet all have proved ineffectual; the only wise God in the course of his providence disappointing all endeavours therein.

And also observing to our great grief, that the good Spirit which formerly appeared amongst us, in the carrying on of this great work, did daily decline, so as the Good old Cause it self became a reproach; We have been led to look back and examine the cause of the Lords withdrawing his wonted presence from us, and where we turned out of the way, that through mercy we might return and give him the glory.

And among other things, call to mind, that the long Parliament consisting of the Members which continued there sitting untill the 20th of April, 1653. were emi∣nent

Assertors of that Cause, and had a special pre∣sence of God with them, and were signally blessed in that work, (the desires of many good people concurring with ours therein) we judge it our duty to invite the afore∣said Members to return to the exercise and discharge of their trust, as before the said twentieth day of A∣pril, 1653.

And therefore we do hereby most earnestly desire the Parliament consisting of those Members who conti∣nued to sit since the Year 1648. until the 20th of April 1653. to return to the exercise and discharge of their Trust, and we shall be ready in our places, to yield them, as becomes us, our utmost Assistance to sit in safety; for the improving present opportunity, for setling and secu∣ring the peace and freedom of this Commonwealth, pray∣ing for the presence and blessing of God upon their en∣deavours.

Signed by direction of the Lord Fleetwood, and the Council of Officers of the Army. Tho. Sandford Secretary.

May 6. 1659.

••ambert, Berry, Cooper, Haslerigge, Lilburn, Ash∣field, Salmon, Zanchey, Kelsey, Okey, Blackwell, Haynes, Allen, Packer, and Pierson, went to the old Speaker Lenthal with this Declaration to the Rolls, and presented it to him; and divers of the Mem∣bers of the long Parliament came thither afterwards to advise with the Speaker, and declared their willingness to meet again; which they appointed to Morrow-morning in the Painted-Chamber.

7. They met accordingly, and in a body went together to the House, Lambert guarding them with Souldiers. Then they passed a Declaration touching their Meeting, and their purpose to secure the Property and Liberty of the people, both as Men, and as Christians, and that without a single Person, Kingship, or House of Peers, and to uphold Magistra∣cy and Ministry.

8. A Sermon was Preached in the House by Dr. Owen.

9. The House appointed a Committee of Safety, most of them Souldiers, except Vane and Scot; and ordered, that all Officers should be such as feared God, and were faithfull to the Cause.

Letters of General Monk to Fleetwood, of the Concurrence of the Army in Scotland, with the Army at London.

Letters ordered to be sent to the particular Mem∣bers of this Parliament to come and discharge their duty.

11. An Act passed for the continuing of Sheriffs, Justices of Peace, &c. in England, and in Scotland, and Ireland.

12. An Address to the Parliament, with their Desires in it, from many in and about London, and their Protestation to stand by this Parliament.

The like Address to this Parliament from the Officers of the Army.

These Passages gave the more hopes to many, that this Parliament thus restored, might be bles∣sed of God, for settling the Peace and Liberty of the Nation; and the more because they were upon the first right & foundation of that long Parliament, which had done so great things: and therefore di∣vers were the better satisfied to go on with them.

13. The Parliament named a Council of State, and several Gentlemen, not Members of the House, were also of it: their Names were as followeth.

Thomas Lord Fairfax, M. G. Lambert, Col J. Des∣borough, Col. James Bury, John Bradshaw Serjeant at▪ Law, Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper, Sir Horatio Townsend, Sir Arthur Haslerigge, Sir Henry Vane, L. G. Ludlow, L. G. Fleetwood, Major Salwey, Col. Morley, Mr. Scot, Mr. Wallop, Sir James Harrington, Col. Wanton, Col. Jo. Jones, Col. Sydenham, Col. Sydney, Mr. Nevil, Mr. Thomas Chaloner, Colonel Downes, Lord chief Justice St. John, Col. Thompson, Lord Commissioner Whitelocke, Col. Dixwell, Mr. Reynolds, Josiah Barners, Sir Archibold Johnson, Sir Robert Honywood.

14. An Act for a new Great Seal, different from that whereof Fiennes, L'Isle, and Whitelocke were Commissioners; and so their Office ceased.

15. Newdigate, Atkins, Archer, and Parker were made Judges, and Easter Term was continued.

16. An Act passed appointing Judges for Pro∣bate of Wills. Applications from Mr. Nathaniel Bacon and his Brother, about the payment of their Salary, as Masters of the Requests to the Protector, and Serjeant Lynne about his Arrears of his Salary.

Votes passed for Pay of the Army and Navy, and for Sale of Whitehall and Somerset-house.

17. Address to the Parliament from the Army in Scotland.

Right honourable,

THat a Nation may be born in a day, is a truth which this days experience witnesseth unto us a∣gainst all the dictates of humane Reason; and that a glorious Cause, whose Interest was laid low (even in the dust) should be in one day restored to its life and lustre, when almost all the Asserters of it had so mani∣festly declined it by a defection of many years, cannot be imputed to less than the greatest and most powerfull manifestation of the Arm of God, that ever this, or former Generations saw, or heard of.

In the sense of this. (the greatest of our Temporal Mercies) we now come to address to your Honours, as those whose presence we have so long wanted, that had you staid but a little longer, it might have been left to be enquired what England was; we mean, what was become of that People, by whom God for so many years filled the World with so much admiration and ter∣rour. But though this great Work be (as most justly it ought to be) wonderfull in our eyes, yet when we consider its Author, who calls things that are not, as if they were, bringeth down to the Pit, and raiseth up again: we see that nothing is difficult to Faith and the Promises of God are sure and stable, even then, when in the eye of man no less than impossible

We cannot but acknowledge to our exceeding great sorrow and shame, that our selves (though we hope most of us, through weakness and frailty not out of design) have very much contributed to those Provo∣cations, which have caused God to depart from our Israel; and we could hear••ily wish that even amongst those that help to make up your own number, there had not been an helping hand to this sad and deplorable work: But we see when God's hour is come, and the time of his people's deliverance (even the set time is at hand) he cometh skipping over all the Mountains of sin and unworthiness that we daily cast in the way.

We are not willing to detain your Honours too long upon this subject; and therefore besecching the God of all our Mercies, to heal the backslidings of his people, and not to charge unto their account, in this his day of their deliverance, their miscarriages, whilst they were

wandering in dark and slippery places, after the i∣maginations of their own hearts: we with all bumi∣lity and affection in the first place congratulate you in this your happy hestauration to the Government of these Nations, which God was pleased once so to own in your hands, as to make you both the praise and won∣der of the Earth, the glory and rejoycing of his People, and the terrour of your Adversaries; and we acknow∣ledge it a singular condescention in you, in this day of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 great difficulties, to take upon you so heavy a bur∣then. And sceing his late Highness hath been pleased to manifest so much self-denial and love to his Country, in appearing for the Interest thereof against his own; we humbly intreat that some speedy care may be taken for him and his family, (together with her Highness Dowager) that there may be such an honourable Pro∣vision settled upon them, and such other Dignities as are suitable to the former great Services of that Family to these Nations.

And in the next place we cannot but humbly beseech you, now you have an opportunity, than which a fitter your hearts did never pray for, to finish the work of Re∣formation that hath been so long upon the wheel, and met with so great Obstructions; that you would not heal the wound of the daughter of God's people slightly, but make so sure and lasting provision for both their christian and civil Rights, as that both this and future Generations may have cause to rise up, and call you Blessed, and the blackest of Designs may never be able to c••st dirt in your faces any more; and as helpfull to these two great Concernments, Religion and Liberty, we humbly propose unto your mature consideration these two Desires.

First, That you would be pleased to countenance God∣liness, and all the sincere Professors thereof, encourage an able and laborious Ministry, and suffer no other Yoak to be imposed upon the Consciences of God's people, than what may be agreeable to the word of God; and that you would be a terrour to all impious, prophane, and licentious people whatsoever.

Secondly, That you would so vindicate and assert the Native ••ights and Liberties of these Nations, in and by the Government of a Free State, that there may not be the voice of an oppressed one in our Land, but that all may enjoy the blessed fruits of your righteous and peaceable Government. And for the prevention of all possibility for ambitious Spirits ever to work their ends against you; we humbly desire you to be very carefull, as well what persons you entrust with the management of the Armies and Navies of this Commonwealth, as of the measure of that Power and Authority you depart with to them, or substitute in them. Touching the qualifications of the Persons, we desire they may be truly godly and conscientious. Touching the measure of their Authority, that it may be adequate to the nature and being of a Commonwealth. And whilst you are thus pleading and asserting the Interest of God and his People, you may rest assured with greatest confidence, that we shall appear in your defence, and the vindica∣tion of your Authority, against the opposition of all Ar∣bitrary Powers whatsoever.

And to that blessed and All-powerfull God, who is able to spirit you for this great work; you are, and shall daily be recommended in the prayers of,

Your most loyal and most Obedient Servants,

• George Monk.
• Thomas Read.
• Ralph Cobbet.
• Tim. Wilks.
• Robert Read.
• John Cloberry.
• Abra. Holmes.
• Henr. Dorney.
• Dan. Davison.
• Rich. Heath.
• Mi. Richardson.
• J. Hubbelthorn.
• Tho. Johnson.
• P. Crisp.
• He. Brightman.
• Phil. Watson.
• Tho. Dean.
• Jerem. Smith.
• Will. Davis.
• James Wright.
• Jos. Wallinton.
• Will. Helling.
• Ethelb. Morgan
• Rob. Winter.
• John Paddon.
• Anthony Now∣ers.

18. Order to refer it to the Members of the House of the Council of State, or any five of them, to consider of the Union between Scotland and Eng∣land, and to prepare an Act for it. Whitelocke was by the Council particularly desired to take care of this business.

VVhitelocke had private Intimation from Fleet-wood, that Scot had Intelligence that Whitelocke kept a Correspondence with the King of Scots, or some of his Ministers; and that Scot intended to charge Whitelocke with it at the Council: and therefore Fleetwood did advise Whitelocke, that if it were so, that he should forbear coming to the Council, and Fleetwood would take care that nothing should be further done against him; but if that Whitelocke were innocent, he might use his discretion.

Whitelocke wondered at this, knowing his own innocency, and therefore he did not absent him∣self from the Council; but Scot in a cunning way represented his Intelligence to the Council, from one of his Spies beyond Sea, who wrote him word, That Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper and Whitelocke had Correspondence with Sir Edward Hyde beyond Seas: And this Intelligencer was a beggerly Ir••sh Fryar.

Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper made the highest pro∣fessions that could be of his Innocency, denying that ever he had any Correspondence with the King, or with Sir Edward Hyde, or any of the King's Ministers or Friends; and his Expressions were so high, that they bred in some the more sus∣picion of him: but at this time he was believed, and what followed afterwards is known.

Whitelocke positively denied any Correspondence with the King, or with Hyde, or any of the King's Party, and desired no favour, if they could prove any such thing against him, and moved to know his Accuser; but that was waved, and Whitelocke admitted in his Imployment of one of the Council of State.

19. The House appointed Judges of the Admi∣ralty for six weeks.

20. Order for a Day to be kept of publick Hu∣miliation.

Letters that the Jews were destructive to our Trade.

21. Votes of the Parliament for a free Common-wealth, without a single Person, Kingship, or House of Pears: And for maintaining Magistracy and Mi∣nistry, and regulating of Law and Equity.

23. Vote for the Speaker Lenthall to be Keeper of the Great Seal for eight days.

24. An Ambassadour had publick Audience in the House, in great solemnity.

25. The House having sent a Committee to Ri∣chard, to know whether he would acquiesce in the pre∣sent Proceedings; and that they would provide for the payment of his Debts, and an honourable subsistence for himself and his family. They returned with his An∣swer under his hand, That he would acquiesce: and sent a List of his Debts.

26. Several Addresses were made to the House, and they referred Matters touching the Forces, and the Navy, and the Prize-goods to the Council of State.

27. Reference to the Council of State to pro∣ceed in the Treaty with the Dutch.

28. An Address to the Parliament from Bucks.

The House considered of settling the Offi∣cers of Fleetwood's Regiment; this began to give some distaste to the Officers of the Army, that the Parliament should not trust them in this business, but do it themselves.

A Committee named to prepare an Act of In∣demnity and Oblivion.

29. Letters of the present state of Affairs in Ire∣land, from the Lord Broghill, and of my Lord's joyning with this Parliament.

30. Addresses from the North to Fleetwood and the Army.

The House proceeded upon the Act of In∣demnity.

31. Votes for addition of Pay to the Souldiers about London.

Order for sequestring the Profits of the Keeper of the Great Seal, for the use of the Common-wealth; and that the Chancery be throughly re∣formed and regulated.

Notes

• Army.
• Money.
• Long Par∣liament.
• Fleetwood.
• Declarati∣on.
• Lenthal.
• Long Par∣liament.
• Declara∣tion.
• Commit∣tee of Safety.
• Monk.
• Addresses.
• Council of State.
• Gr. Seal.
• Acts.
• Votes.
• Scotland.
• Union.
• Scot.
• Intelli∣gence.
• Sir Anth. Cooper.
• Votes.
• Gr. Seal.
• Richard.
• Addresses.
• Army.
• Ireland.
• Gr. Seal.