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.

March, 1649.

(March. 1.) TheContractors for sale of the late Kings Lands, &c. begun to sit and make Contracts.

Letters from Portsmouth, That the whole Fleet did now ride there at Anchor, and that the A∣gents to this State from Spain, and Portugal were there ready to go along with the Fleet.

(2) Letters from Chester, That Sir Charles Coot marched towards Belfast, but found no op∣position, only a few stragling Troops, and that he hath settled that Country; and Supplyes of Money, and Cloaths were sent to him by order of the Councel of State.

From Leverpoole, of a Tumult by the meaner sort of People at Ormskirk against the Commissio∣ners of Excise, who for many hours together, de∣fended themselves with their Swords and Pistols against the Rabble, and kept the Inn Door, but at length, the Governour of Leverpool sent some Forces, who dispersed the Ryoters, and appre∣hended some of them.

From Portsmouth, of 18 of the Parliaments Ships, which set sail from thence, to be a Con∣voy to the Merchants, That when all the Ships meet, they are expected to be 200 Sail.

From Edenburgh, That the Committees of the State, and Commissioners of the Kirk, had agreed upon new Proposals to be treated upon with the King at Bredah, wherein two points were more insisted on than formerly.

• 1. The King swearing to the Solemn League and Covenant.
• (2.) That he seclude from him all Delin∣quents.

That 6 Lords, 2 Gentlemen, and three Minist∣ers, are to go with these new Propositi∣ons.

That 5 Ships with Arms and Ammunition were landed in Orkney, forerunners of Montross.

(4) Letters from Edenburgh, That their Commissioners are ready to go away to the King upon the new Propositions, which are in Effect the same with the former.

From Leverpool, of diversShips gone from thence with Supplyes for Ireland. That the Tumult a∣gainst the Officers of Excise, was by gentle meanes and some use of Force, fully quieted. That the Ingagement was there much preached against.

From Shrewsbury, That the Ministers preach much against the present Government, and to in∣courage the People to Sedition, and to rise for their King.

That at the day of the publick Fast kept in one of their Churches, there was another mock Fast kept in the other two Churches, by agreement of Ministers, and two Sermons preached in them purposely to disturb the Fast injoyned by Autho∣rity.

(5) The Parliament passed a List of the Cap∣tains, to command the Ships ordered to be set out for this Summers Guard, being 48 of the States Ships, and 21 Merchants Ships.

They also past an Act, giving Power to the Councel of State, and to the Admirals at Sea, to impress Seamen for this Years Service, if there should be occasion, and if there be not Seamen suf∣ficient Volunteers, with Proviso's not to press Masters, Gunners, and such as have served an Ap∣prentiship to Seamen, or Watermen.

Referred to the Committee of the Navy, to consider of some further Incouragement to be given to those that shall voluntarily offer them∣selves to serve the State in their Ships, and to pre∣sent an Act to the House for it.

Order for the building of more Ships for the service and safety of the Commonwealth.

Upon a Letter from the Mayor of Salisbury, of his seizing some Printed Books, derogating from the Lords Day, and setting up the Jewish Sabboth, referred to the Committee for plundered Minist∣ers to peruse the Book, and to state, and report the matter of Fact to the House, and to bring in a Act for the more due observation of the Lords Day.

Order for the Commissioners of the great Seal to pass Pardons of Course for several Persons convicted at the Assise, and certifyed by the Judges to be fit Objects for the Mercy of the Par∣liament.

Debate of a way of supplying the Remainder of the Money, for Pay of the Army in England, and Ireland, about the Assessment of 120000 l. per mensem, and to avoid Free Quarter.

Amendments reported to the Bill for the sale of Free Farm Rents.

Debate of an Act of Indempnity for Tenants, and others, who in the late Wars have expressed their good Affections to the Parliament, against the Oppressions of their ill affected Landlords, that have been against the Parliament.

Order that no private Business be heard in the House for a Month longer.

About this time, Alderman Rowland Wilson, one of the Sheriffs of London, dyed. He was son of Mr. Rowland Wilson, a wealthy Merchant who loved to see his Son in that honourable Condition, though but a young man for that imployment, yet he was an Elder in Wisdome and Abilities.

He was a Gentleman of excellent parts, and great Piety, of a solid, sober temper and Judgment, and very honest and Just in all his Actions.

He was a Member of the House of Commons, and of the Councel of State, he had served the Parliament as Collonel of one of the City Regi∣ments, not in traynings only, but in the Field a∣gainst the Enemy.

He was beloved both in the House, City, and Army, and by all that knew him, and his death as much lamented.

The Members of Parliament, and of the Coun∣cel of State, the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and di∣vers Citizens of London, and many Officers of the Army were invited, and present at his Funeral, and the City Regiment (whereof he was Collo∣nel) with other Companies of Souldiers were in Arms to attend the Corps of their Officer to his Grave.

Letters from Chester, of the Ministers in that Country, bitterly exclaiming against the Ingage∣ment, and condemning all that take it to the Pit of Hell.

That 11000 l. was put on board for Dublin, and 6000 l. for Carrickfergus; from which Town the Enemy is 40 Miles, and the Country there∣abouts free from Troops.

(7) From Exeter, Letters of the averseness of the Citizens to the Ingagement. That on the Publick Fast day, all the Ministers went out of Town, and caused the Church Doors to be shut up, purposely because they would not observe it, being appointed by the Parliament, That all the Magistrates, except two Constables, refused to take the Ingagement.

From Dartmouth, That 22 Sail of Ships were ready to set out for Newfoundland.

From Taunton, That the publick Fast day was not kept there. The two Presbyterian Ministers of that Town, being ready to observe the Parlia∣ments Orders fer receiving their Tithes and Aug∣mentations, but not in other matters that they like not, for then they affirm it not to be a Free Parlia∣ment.

That a Woman pretnding to Prophesy, with others of her Crew, denyed Christ and the Scrip∣ture wholly.

From Pool, That 8 good Ships went from thence to Newfoundland, and two to the Barba does.

From Edenburgh, That the Scots had agreed upon their Commissioners to go to the King, that first they were to go to Capher, and from thence to send to the King, and to the Prince of Orange for a safe Conduct, to come to Breda, and to stay there.

That they carry with them for the Supply for their King, 40000 Marks Scotch Money, that is 2200 l. English Money. That 1000 Arms, and twenty Cannon are lately landed in Ork∣ney.

An Act passed for the Advancement of the Gospel, and of learning in Ireland, and for set∣tling upon the Colledge in Dublin, several Lands formerly belonging to the Archbishop of Dublin, and other Ecclesiastical Persons, and for erecting and maintaning a Free School in Dublin.

Order for an Act to abolish the Hierargy in Ire∣land, and to forbid the use of the Common-Pray∣er Book there.

Debate of an Act for restrayning the killing of flesh Meat, or Poultry, from 14. March to the 15. of April.

Letters that C. Cook, Governour of Wexford went out with a Party, and took in Enniscorfie, formerly betrayed to the Enemy, and upon the Storm, put them to the Sword.

(8) Letters from Ireland, confirming the re∣taking of Eniscorfie, and that no Enemy appear∣ed to make any Opposition in those parts.

Letters to the same Effect as before, touching the Commissioners agreed upon to go to the King from Scotland.

(9) Several Orders concerning Supplyes of Money, Provisions, and Recruits for Ire∣land.

(11) Letters concerning the further Succes∣ses of the Lord Lieutenant in Ireland, since his last taking the Field from Yoghall, and that at the ta∣king of Castleton by the Lord Broghill, he gave Quarter for Life, and their wearing Apparrel to the private Souldiers, but the Officers to be at his Discretion.

That thereupon by advice, he caused all those Officers to be short to death, to affright those lit∣tle Castles from so peremptorily standing out.

That C. Zanchy reduced the Castle of Dundrum, where were two Troops of Horse, and some Foot os the Enemies; Zanchyes Horse charged those without, and the men stormed the Town, which was delivered up to him, leaving their Horse and Arms behind, here Zanchey received a wound in his right hand.

That the Enemy scouting into their Quarters, and taking a Castle 7 Miles from Cork, C. Phayer, the Governour there, pursued them with 16 Foot, and 50 Horse unto a Bogg, where he killed 20, and took 30 of them Prisoners, and the Castle was surrendred to him.

That they have settled themselves in the Heart of the Enemies Quarters, and thereby much hinder them from recruiting, and gather∣ing together again in the Spring, and have gained a very rich Country, which by agreement are to give them 1500 l. per mensem.

From Newcastle, that More Mosse-Troopers are dayly taken. That Prince Ruperts Ships were in much confusion, and many of them taken. That the Scots Commissioners are not yet gone to the King, and there is much difference about their go∣ing, betwixt the Kirk and the State, That the Forces in Orkney increase dayly.

From Beaumorris, That M. G. Mitton, and o∣ther Officers, upon Intelligence that Ormond had given a Commission to C. Robbinson, to Garrison the Isle of Barsey, they sent thither Ensign Aspinal with 30 Men, who three dayes after his landing there, seized upon Collonel Gerrard, Mr. Conwey, and 6 Gentlemen more, who landed there to sur∣prize the Island, took their Boat, and sent them Prisoners to Carnarvan, and the Pyrate fled away who had set them on shore, and was an Irish Man.

(12) An Act passed for redress of delayes, and Mischiefs arising by Writs of Error in seve∣ral Cases.

Amendments reported to the Act for relief of Creditors, and recommitted.

An Act passed for settling the Freefarm Rents, heretofore paiable to the Crown.

Debate about a Book lately printed, and Vo∣ted That the Book asserting the Observations of the Jewish Sabboth, and condemning the Observation of the Lords Day, as the Christian Sabboth, is errone∣ous, Scandalous, and prophane, contrary to the Pract∣ice of the Apostles, and of all the Christian Churches.

Orders that all the printed Copies of the Book be brought in, and burnt, and referred to the Comittee of plundred Ministers, to take Care for the apprehension and imprisonment of the Au∣thors, and for punishment of the Printer and pub∣lisher of it.

Order to send over 6 able Ministers to preach in Dublin, and they to have 200 l. per annum a piece out of Bishops and Deanes, and Chapters Lands in Ireland. And in the mean time, the Lord Lieutenant to take care that it be paid out of the publick Revenue, and if any of those Mi∣nisters die in that Service in Ireland, that the Parliament will make competent Provision for their Wives and Children.

A Bill committed for preventing, and redress of many injuries done to the Merchants of this Commonwealth, by Ships of the French, and o∣ther Nations, under pretence of visiting them, and for recalling and inhibiting the Mariners and Seamen of this Nation, for serving other Princes and States.

An Act for the Indemnity of Tenants, well af∣fected to the State.

An Act passed for the better packing of Butter, and redress of abuses therein.

(13) Letters from Chester, That Oneales Ar∣my was in great want about Cavan. That as soon as Supplyes should come, Sir Charles Coot intend∣ed to take the Field.

That the Plague raged much at Kilkenny. That Inchequin appeared in a Body about Kilmallock, and the Lord Lieutenant sent a Party to look upon him.

From Exeter of the Commissioners proceedings in settling the Militia there.

From Harwich, That Captain Goose of the hart Frigot, and all his Officers being on Shore, 28 of the Mariners of the Ship, who agreed together to betray her to the Prince, and to carry her to Dunkirk, took their Opportunity, when the rest of their fellow Seamen were under Hatches, and kept them there.

Those under hatches were 40 Men, who would not joyn in this Treachery, and being now shut in there by the rest, they hoised sail to carry the Ship to Dunkirk.

But being off at Sea, these 28 fell out among themselves, and 17 of them took the Boat to put out to Sea, and were drowned.

The other 11 were not able to carry on the Ship, and seeing themselves pursued, put back in∣to Harwich, where they were apprehended, and committed to Prison.

(14) The Trustees sor sale of the Freefarm Rents, published their Intention to begin the sale of them on a day set by them.

One Boutholmey, a Quartermaster, was try∣ed by a Councel of War, for Blasphemy, and sen∣senced to have his Tongue bored through with a hot Iron, his Sword broken over his head, and to be cashiered the Army.

Letters from Ireland, of more Castles taken in, and that the Lord Lieutenant was wholly become Master of the County of Tipperary, and was upon his march into the County of Lymerick, where he had Intelligence that the Enemy was imbody∣ed, that so he might prevent their joyning toge∣ther.

That the Sickness was very hot at Lymerick, Kilkenny, and other places.

From Pool, of Tumults about the Excise, espe∣cially at Shafton, where they rescued Prisoners, and took away from the Officers, Goods distreyn∣ed for the Excise, but they were quieted by a small party of Souldiers sent to them.

(15) Letters that G. Preston was come in∣to Waterford with 1500 Men, and that the Lord Lieutenant had besieged Kilkenny.

From Leverpool, of Tumults about the Excise, but quieted.

From Scotland, That the Commissioners were upon going to the King, and that Sir James Smith had advanced 2000 l. upon the business, and was one of the Commissioners for the Treaty at Breda.

(16) From Coventry, of the preaching of one Sal∣mon, and of his wicked Swearing, and unclean∣ness, which he justifyed, and others of his way, That it was God which did Swear in them, and that it was their Liberty to keep company with Wo∣men for their Lust.

That one Wyke, another of his Crew, kissed a Souldier three times, and said, I breath the Spi∣rit of God into thee, and many the like abomina∣ble Blasphemies spoken by them, for which they were imprisoned till a Tryal for the Crimes.

(18) Letters from Berwick, That the Scots Parliament had sate, and dispatched away their Commissioners to the King for Treaty.

From Cork, That the Lord Lieutenant publish∣ed a Declaration, in answer to certain Decla∣rations, and Acts, framed by the Irish Popish Prelates, and Clergy.

Letters that Sir Charles Coot had reduced Cast∣ledove.

That the Plague was hot in Galloway, and ma∣ny principal Actors in the Rebellion perisned by it.

That the Parliament Forces took in a Fort o∣ver against Passage, whereby the trading by Sea to Waterford, is wholly stopped up.

That the Tories behaved themselves so bar∣barously towards their own Party, that the Priests have excommunicated them.

(19) Returns of Subscriptions to the In∣gagement, by divers Regiments and Garri∣sons.

An Act for establishing an high Court of Justice in London and Westminster, Committed.

An Additional Act for providing Maintenance for Preaching Ministers, and other pious uses, Committed.

Amendments passed to an Act for the better Preaching of the Gospel, and maintainance of Mi∣nisters in Bristol.

An Act passed for settling certain Houses upon the Corporation for the poor of London, and for Money for that Work.

An Act for constituting Commissioners, as a standing Councel for the ordering, and regula∣ting of Trade, Committed.

Amendments to the Act of Indempnity for Te∣nants who have adhered to the Parliament recom∣mitted.

Petition of the Inhabitants of Westminster, re∣ferred to a Committee.

Petition from Arundel, and another from the Cinque Ports, referred to the Committee of Cor∣porations to consider of their Franchises, and re∣port them to the House.

From Chester, That the Rebels in Ireland did blow up some strong Castles, and quitted them.

That C. Hewson with 2500 Foot, and 1000 Horse, one Demyculverin, and a Mortar Piece, marched to Bellishannon, where he planted his Guns, and after the Granadoes had flown in among them, killing at one time 14 Men, the Enemy beat a Par∣ley, and delivered up the place. That the Lord Lieutenant was before Clonmel, and that the Plague was very hot in the Irish Quarters.

(20) Letters from Ireland, That the Lord Lieutenant is before Clonmel.

That the Plague, which is seldom known in Ireland, was very hot in Lymerick, and Killken∣ny.

That the Mayor of Waterford, refused to ad∣mit Ormond into that Town, saying, That he was the Kings Lieutenant there. That Ormond, and Muskerry were gone away for France. That much contention was amongst the Irish Officers, and many of them desired to come and serve the King of Spain, which the Spanish Ambassador in Ireland laboured to effect.

That about 80 of the Enemies Foot, and 10 Horse of the Garrison of Clonmel, went forth to fetch in Provisions, but were fallen upon by some of the Parliaments Horse that Quartered near the Town, who killed 23 of them, and took 17 Prisoners, and the Horses.

(21) Letters from Dublin, of the taking of Balisha∣non, a strong Fort, and well manned, by C. Hew∣son without the loss of one Man.

That there were great differences among the Irish, and between them and the Kings Party, and among the Cavaliers themselves.

(22) Letters that Prince Rupert was yet at Lisbon, and had with him but 6 Ship, and those not well manned.

Letters of many Robberies, and wicked Acti∣ons, and of a Butcher of Malton that hanged his Wife, and of a Woman that burnt two of her Children, assoon as she was delivered of them.

An Account of Forces Shipped for Ire∣land.

From Scotland, That the Scots Commissioners are gone to Breda, and that the King went from Beauvois to Breda, and parted with the Queen his Mother, who with Jermin returned to Pa∣ris.

The Heads of their Propositions to the King were.

That all who continue excommunicate by the Kirk, may be removed from his Person.

That he would declare, that he will by solemn Oath under his Hand and Seal, allow the National Covenant of Scotland, and the Covenant of the three Kingdoms, and ratify all Acts concerning the Cove∣nant, Establishing Presbyterian Government, the Directory of Worship, the Confession of Faith, and the Cateehism in Scotland, as they are approved by the G. Assembly of the Kirk, and by the Parlia∣ment there.

That he will consent, that all matters civil, be de∣termined by the present, and subsequent Parliaments, and all matters Ecclesiastical by the ensuing gene∣ral Assembly of the Kirk, as was formerly agreed by his late Father.

(23) The Army Petitioned the Parliament That such as had Articles upon rendition of Towns, and paid their Compositions, and were not ingaged in the second War, might not be taken within the late Act of Delinquents, to re∣move out of London and Westminster.

Letters that the Lord Lieutenant had taken in Clonmel, and slain 2000 of the Enemy there, and was marched towards Waterford, where Preston Commanded.

From Edenburgh, That Mr. Douglas who preach∣ed to the Scots Parliament at their first Meeting admonished them to avoid the two Rocks of the Ma∣lignant Scilla, and Sectarian Caribdis; and doom∣••d both Malignants, and Sectaries, to be Hereti∣cal.

That the Scots Parliament sate but two dayes, (as is usual with them) to confirm what work the Cabal had cut out for them, and then adjourn∣ed to the 5th of May next.

That the Scots Army were about choosing of a Committee of themselves to purge the Army, but with difficulty it was carryed, to be referred to the Committee of Estates, and they referred it to David Lesly.

25. Letters That the Scots Commissioners were landed in Holland. That a Ship came to Edenburgh from Holland, with many German Of∣ficers, expecting imployment there. That the Scots Commissioners have Commission to take up 300000 l. Scots Money to gratify the King, in case there be an Agreement.

Account of Recruits for Ireland, and of pro∣claiming the Act for taking of the Ingagement at York, and at Manchester.

From Milford Haven, That the Country there∣about, did unanimously take the Ingagement; That Mr. Peters opened the matter to them, and did much incourage them to take it.

26. The Parliament Voted, That the concern∣ment of Articles, relating to the late Act for removing Delinquents out of London, &c. be re∣ferred to the Commissioners for Articles, to do therein according to Justice.

An Act for impowring Commissioners to put in execution, all the Powers hereto fore given to Commissioners for compounding with Delin∣quents, and for managing all Sequestred Estates, and to the Committee of Habberdashers Hall.

Vote, That all who have compounded, and are now beyond Sea without leave, their Estates shall be sequestred, and the Committee of Gold∣smiths Hall, to put this Vote in Executi∣on.

Vote that the Estate of Sir Christopher Hatton be forthwith sequestred.

Several other Votes touching Compositions of Delinquents.

An Act for such as hold the Estate of any De∣linquent by Mortgage, Judgement, or Statute, to compound for the Estate, committed.

An Act passed for the Redemption of Cap∣tives.

(27.) An Act passed for establishing an high Court of Justice, and the Commissioners Names, any 12 to be of the Quorum.

Letters from Tossiter, of settling the Militia in that County.

Letters of a Charge given by Judge Nicholas, at the Assizes at Sarum, in vindication of the Pro∣ceedings of Parliament and of theirs, and the Peo∣ples power, and the Original of it.

One was indicted for saying there was no Law, and that a company of Rogues had beheaded the King, and therefore there was no Law.

The Indictment was for scandalous words, and he was found guilty, fined 100 l. and imprisoned without Baile till the Fine was paid.

(28) An Act passed touching the way of col∣lecting the Excise of Ale and Beer, brewed and spent in private Families.

The Act for erecting the high Court of Justice proclaimed in Westminster Hall.

Letters that the Marquess of Hertford coming from London, in obedience to the late Act for removing of Delinquents, he resided at his House at Netley near Southampton, and the day after he sent to the Governour of that Garrison to give him notice thereof, and to assure him that he would not give any Offence to the Garri∣son.

The Governour returned a civil answer to the Marquesse, and that as long as he continued in a peaceable manner, not any from the Garrison should molest his Lordship.

From Daver, That an English Hoy setting sail from Ostend for London, Captain Evans by Com∣mission from the Prince, with eight or nine English and Flemmings put themselves into a ship Boat, made up to the Hoy, and boarded her about 2 Miles from Ostend, at which the Governour shot from the Castle at Evans, but could not reach him.

Thereupon he sent 50 Souldiers on board a Fisherman to rescue the Hoy, who after a little skirmish in Dunkirk Road, brought away the Hoy, and stowed Evans and his company in the Hold, upon which two or three French Troops came out from Dunkirk and set upon the Osten∣ders.

They, because the Winds were cross, and the French Troops pursuing them, brought the Hoy and Prisoners, and delivered them to the Gover∣nour of Dover Castle, who committed Evans and his Fellows to the Marshal.

That the same Hoy was formerly taken by a Irish Man of War under the Fort of Ostend, and by the Governours Order rescued from them, he saying, That he would not indure such things to be done under his Command.

From Pendennis Castle, that C. Slingsby Priso∣ner there, was by Order of the Councel of State carried from thence to Exeter, to be tryed by the Common Law, for levying War against the Parli∣ament.

An Account of Recruits shipped for Ireland.

(30) From Exeter, of the solemn reception of the Judges of Assize by the Magistrates, and Military Officers, and of the conducting them through the several Counties by the Troops of Horse, and of the great respect shewed by the Souldiery to the civil Magistrates.

From Taunton, That the Commissioners had settled the Militia in that County, C. Popham a Regiment of Horse, and another of Foot, C. Pine, C. Ceely, and C. Gorge Regiments of Foot.

From Scotland, That their Commissioners gone to the King had power to to take up 300000 l. Scotch that is 25000 l. Sterling, to gratify the King it he agreed with them.

That the Kirkmen were generally very zealous for the closing with their King, yet some of them averse to it, and Praying against it.

Notes

• Scotland
• Preachers
• ••ct for ••eamen.
• March.
• Ministirs.
• Ingage∣ment.
• Taunton.
• Scots.
• ••reland.
• vote.
• Sabboth.
• Blasphemy
• Blasphemy
• Ireland.
• Army. Petition.
• Ireland.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• Judge. Nicholas.