August, 1659.
1. A Day appointed to consider of the Regula∣tion * 1.1 of the Law, and Courts of Justice.
Divers Officers received their Commissions.
2. The House was in a Grand Committee upon the Bill of Ʋnion of England and Scotland. * 1.2
The Parliament were busie in the treaties with the Dutch, and between the Kings of Sweden and Poland.
Many Commissions given in the House.
3. The Fast Day kept in the House.
Letters of the Insurrections in several parts of the Nation.
Letters that Colonel Massey was taken in Glouce∣ster-shire, * 1.3 and mounted before a Trooper to take care of him, and to bring him Prisoner to Gloucester, but riding down a steep Hill, the weather being wet, and dark night, in a great Wood, the Horse slipt and fell down (which Massey caused by checking of him) and in the fall, Massey got away into the Wood, and being dark crept into a Bush, and the whole Troop could not find him out, but he escaped and got the next Morning to a Friends House, where he was concealed about a fortnight after.
Intelligence of the great Insurrection under Sir George Booth in Cheshire. * 1.4
4. The Council of State were full of perplexity upon the several Intelligences of risings in Divers parts of the Nation; and gave out their Orders for the Forces of the Parliament to meet and oppose them, all which passed under Whitelocke's Hand, it being his turn at this time to be President of the Council.
5. Skippon, and the rest of the Officers of the Militia of London, approved by the House.
Letters of the Insurrections in the Worcestershire Circuit from the Judges, referred to the Council.
The Parliament were busie in ordering Militia Forces.
More Intelligence of Sir Geor. Booth's heading the Insurrection in Cheshire and Lancashire, and divers Principal Gentlemen joyning with him; particu∣larly Major Brook a Member of this Parliament, and the Earl of Derby appeared with divers others in Lancashire, they set forth a Declaration, but did not name the King in it. The Presbyterian Ministers did labour to further this rising.
The Council of State with great care and Vigilan∣cy, sent away Major General Lambert, with three Regiments of Horse, one of Dragoons, and three Regiments of Foot, and a Train of Artillery, and ordered other Forces to meet and joyn with him, for the suppressing of Sir George Booth and his par∣ty, who were about four thousand strong.
6. Lambert marched forth, and the Council orde∣red * 1.5 messengers to bring Intelligence from him twice or thrice a day.
Several risings in other parts, were defeated by the Parliaments Forces which were near them, all the Letters were brought to Whitelocke, and divers at midnight, yet he in his bed directed answers by his Secretaries and sent them away forthwith, when the Council could not meet.
7. The House was called, and the absent Members fined, Mr. Bunch 100 l. Mr. Brook, 100 l. and the rest 20 l. a piece, the House * 1.6 proceeded in their usual business.
8. Whitelocke being President of the Council, Voted by the House, That the President have power * 1.7 by Warrant under his Hand and Seal, to commit any of those that should be brought to him, for a fortnights time.
9. The House debated upon the Government, they ordered the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of * 1.8 London, to attend the Council of State this day.
A Proclamation past and was published, decla∣ring * 1.9 Sir George Booth, and his adherents to be Rebels and Traytors.
10. The Congregational Churches desired leave to raise three Regiments for the Parliament, and had their willing consent to it.
The Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London, being with the Council of State, the President declared to them by command of the Council, The designs of the Enemy, the care and Vigilancy of the Parliament and Council, the taking some of the Conspirators, and defeating their designs, their intentions of destroying all that had been of the Parliaments party, and to bring in the King.
Then he caused the Proclamation to be read, it not being then published, and after the reading of it, he in the name of the Parliament and Council, gave thanks to the City for their good affections, and faithfull adhering to the Parliament, wherein their own, and the whole Nations safety, and Peace was con∣cerned, and desired them to persitd therein.
News that Lambert was advanced to Lichfield, where all his Forces were to Randezvous.
11. Orders touching the Militia Forces, and a Petition read of the Lord Craven.
12. The House proceeded in approving of Offi∣cers and giving their Commissions, and received Letters from Lambert of his march. The Council * 1.10 had intelligence every two or three hours from their Forces now that they began to draw near to the Enemy, and they sate foorenoon and afternoon, and very late at night; and when they were not sate, the President had power to receive all Letters, and to break them open, which he did many times in his bed, and returned present answers to such as he might answer, and if they were of extraordinary Consequence, he sent the messengers to summon the Members of the Council to meet with as much speed as could be, so that Lambert had orders and directions without any delay, and all Provisions ne∣cessary.
13. The House proceeded in the business of the Ʋnion with Scotland, they gave many Commissions * 1.11 to Officers.
Several Lords, as the Duke of Bucks, de la Ware, Oxford and Falkland were aprehended upon sus∣spicion, to be in the present Plot, they were sent * 1.12 to Prison, all, except the Duke of Bucks.
News of Insurrections in several other places, but defeated by the Parliament Forces.
15. Letters to the Parliament from their Forces, they approved Officers and gave Commissions.
16. Letters from Lambert from Stafford, and from others.
Sir William D••venant was released out of Pri∣son.