following Message was sent down to that their late Proceedings.] Feb. 3. Notwithhouse, That the lords had thought fit to standing the former Order, the commons did nanie a committee of 9 of their house, in this not come to any resolution concerning the conjuncture of time, to join with a proportion- House of Lords this day; all that was done, able number of the commons, to meet the was to read a Petition from the county of lie next morning in the lord-keeper's lodgings, if reford, as they had others, from different co it may stand with their conveniency; and so, ties, the preceding days; which Petitions wen from time and place, to adjourn as they shall in the nature of Addresses, on their new ass. see fitting, to consider of the Settlement of ed power. On the presenting of one the Government of England and Ireland; to Kent, the bearers of it told the house, v desire the concurrence of the commons there- voce, at the Bar, "That what it had pleased in; and that they would give the like power to God had been done since the subscribing their commissioners, and afterwards report the their Petition, the petitioners could not tale results of their consultations to their respective notice of in it; but that the petitioners res houses." In this Committee appointed by the ed, in what the commons bad lately acted, i lords, there are only the names of the earls of stick to them with their lives and fortuties" Northumberland and Kent entered for that-So many of these Petitions came up copurpose: but a Memorandum is put in the tinually, that the commons appointed a cour margin, that the carls of Salisbury and Not-mittee to receive them, and report their cotingham, and the lord Montague were named tents to the house. of it, though not present. However, the lords might have saved themselves all this trouble, as will appear very shortly.

The Answer, given by the Lords, to the Dalla Ambassadors.] The same day the house o lords met; and first, ordered the earl of Des bigh, their Speaker that day, to go to the A

Frovinces, to congratulate their safe arrival, and to excuse the house for not sending soone, for which the great alterations, that Lau latry happened in this kingdom, might afford a s cicnt apology: to acquaint them also, That a to what was represented by them, ia relata to his late majesty at their last audience, G having since disposed of him, it would now w unnecessary to give any further Answer tha what may concern the continuance and incre of all fair correspondence between this kag dom and the States General.

The Commons resolve that such of their Members as voted for a Treaty with the King,bassadors of the States of the General Cat be no more admitted.] The same day, one of the secluded members coming into the house of commons, they immediately made an Order, That all those who had 'concuried in the Vote of the 5th Dec. last, That the king's Con'cessions were a Ground for settling the Peace of the nation,' should be disabled from sitting for the future; that such as then opposed the same, and were now present, should enter their Dissents; and that those who were absent should do the same previous to their being allowed to take their seats in that house. In consequence of this Order (which is erased out of the Original Journals, by the authority already mentioned) the following members, some days after, entered their Dissents, viz. col. John Bingham, Mr. E. Ashe, Mr. Armyn, Mr. Gould, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Thompson, sir Wm. Brereton, sir Wm. Masham; and were re-admitted into the house.

The lords being informed that their Mesengers to the house of commons were not ye admitted, expressed not the least resentert at this contempt; and only ordered them ta again this day, being Saturday, and desire un Committees, for settling the Governmet, might meet on the Monday next. Bet that day, the lords still found there was s admittance, either for their messengers or ter message; upon which it was once more ord ed to send another message for a meeting de next morning; only the messengers 17 changed

The Commons abolish the House of Pan Feb. 6. The grand debate concering House of Peers was resumed in the couLENTƏ when the question being proposed, "That house shall take the advice of the House t Peers, in the exercise of the legislative post. in pursuance of the Votes of the 4th Jan, he it was carried in the negative by 44 ag 29. Then it was resolved, without divs, "That the House of Peers in Parliament a

Feb. 2. The messengers the lords sent, the day before, to the commons, acquainted their lordships, That they went to that house and waited long, but were not admitted. On which the lords ordered, That they should go again, and desire that the committees of both houses might meet the next morning, at the same hour as before appointed. The same day, the Speaker of the house of lords acquainted them, that he had received a Letter that morning from the earl of Northumberland, with a Paper inclosed of very great concernment; but, for the present the house ordered, That the Paper should be kept, sub sigillo, by the Speaker. It is probable this was to give the lords notice of their approach- useless and dangerous, and ought to be abo ing Dissolution, for this day the commons lished; and that an Act be brought in to th resolved to take into consideration, and to de- purpose:" the care of which, in a com, bate, the Jurisdiction of the House of Lords; was especially recommended to Mr. W and that it should be the first business the next locke. The same committee were ordent morning. to consider, how such persons, as have boss Petitions to the Commons in Approbation of committed by the House of Peers alone, may

s. '

Whilst the commons were thus passing sene against the lords, the latter were sitting their own house; but did nothing more, r prayers, than dispose of a Rectory, and adjourned to ten the next morning. But roved an adjournment ad longum diem, for never met again till the Restoration of marchy, once more, established the Peers his realin in their antient seats and privi

S.

discharged;* how the subjects may have Resolutions concerning the late King's Burty to proceed against the persons or cs-rial.] Feb. 8. The first thing the commons did s of Peers, and their servants, for their this day, was to pass the following Resolutions debts; and, how far the Peers may be le capable to elect, or be clected, as the Commissioners appointed by parliament to ghts or burgesses; and also to review a attend the king in the Isle of Wight had made ner Ordinance of the house of commons for their final report of the Treaty, the house of ing the estates of their members liable lords unanimously resolved, on the 5th of payment of their debts; to propound a Dec. That the King's Answers to the Propoedy where it is defective; and to render sitions of Peace were a Ground for a future Tectual as to them and their servants. It Settlement;' When the same question was ordered likewise, That the Committee to proposed in the commons, there were present m the care of the Records of the house of about 300 Members; and although many of =mons is committed, do take into conside- these, by age and infirmities, being unable to on the securing and preserving those of the bear the fatigue of attending the whole day and might through, left the house; yet above 200 staid to the end of the debate, when the commons passed the same Vote as the lords had done before, by a majority of above three to two. In consequence of this Vote for Peace, the next day, Dec. 6, 47 Members were seized on and imprisoned by a detachment from the Army; 96 more were personally denied entrance, by the same lawless power, the following days; and many others thereby frightened away. The house being thus garbled, there were no more than 78 Members present on the 7th Dec. when the question was carried for proceeding upon the Army's Proposals; and, of these, 28 voted for the negative, and came no more to the house. From that period, and during the whole process against the King, though there are many Divisions set down in the Journals, yet there is not an instance in which the number of Members present exceeded 53; and they were once so reduced, That the Speaker sent to col. Pride, to bring in one of the Imprisoned Members to make up a house, there not being 40 then present. The Ordinance, passed by this Juncto, for bringing the King to a Trial, was unanimously rejected by the honse of lords; and, in the List of those commoners who sat in judgment upon him, there is not the name of one single gentleman, who made any considerable figure in the beginning of this parliament. From these indisputable facts it appears, That those great and able members, who first engaged on behalf of the Liberties of the People against the Encroacliments of the Prerogative, meant no more than to oblige the King to rule according to law not to bring him to the scaffold: and that Monarchy and the Peerage were not destroyed, till the Liberties of Parliament had been first subverted by air Army of their own' raising."

The Commons pass an Act for the abolishing Monarchy: And resolve to erect a Council State.] Feb. 7. The commons, having hed the House of Lords the day before, =fell upon the Office of Kingship, as it is ed in their Journals; and, after debate, it resolved, "That it hath been found by exence, and this house doth declare, That Office of a King, in this nation, and to have power thereof in any single person, is unessary, burthensome, and dangerous to the rty, safety, and public interest of the peoof this nation; and therefore ought to be lished." An Act was ordered to be brought to this purpose, by the same committee were to bring in the other for taking away House of Lords. It was also ordered, That there be a Council of State erected, to and proceed according to such Instructions shall be given to them by the House of Comns." A committee, consisting of Mr. John le, Mr. Cornelius Holland, Mr. Tho. Scott, Edm. Ludlow, and Mr. Luke Robinson, e appointed to prepare and present to the use these Instructions for the Council of te; and likewise the Names of such persons hey conceived fit to be of this Council, not ceeding 40.t

Mr. Whitlocke writes, "That it was put on him to draw up this Act for taking away e House of Lords; wherein he desired to ve been excused, in regard he was not in the use when the Vote passed, and had declared opinion against it; but he could not get exsed." Memorials, p. 372.

The able Writers of the Parliamentary or nstitutional History of England, conclude is period of their Work with the following mary Review of the most remarkable ransactions of the last three months: "When

This Circumstance (which is given upon the authority of Mercurius Pragmaticus, No. 39.) is confirmed by the following passage in lord Hollis's Speech to col. Axtell, when upon his Trial as a Regicide, Oct. 15, 1660: When both houses had

' resolved, That the King's Concessions were a suf'ficient Ground to proceed on for the Settlement of 'Peace, then did you fall upon the houses, and 'tear them in pieces; and, throwing out above 200,

suffered only about 40 to remain; and these were glad to send for one member out of prison to 'make up a house.' State Trials, Votii. p. 377.

Declaration was agreed to in hæc verba, “That the parliament of England do declare, That being fully resolved to maintain the Funda mental Laws of this nation, for the good of the people; and having appointed Judges for the administration of Justice, in execution thereer: they do expect that they should proceed ac

touching the disposal of the late King's Body, viz.-Resolved, "That the house doth approve of Windsor for the place of the late King's Burial, and that he be carried there to-morrow for that purpose; also that the duke of Richinond, the marq. of Hertford, the earl of Lindsey, the earl of Southampton, and dr. Juxon, with three servants each, may attend the Fu-cordingly."-This Declaration was ordered to neral: That it be left to the duke of Richmond to take order for the place of the late King's Burial at Windsor, either in Henry the 8th's Chapel, or the choir there, as shall be thought fit; the circumstances and manner of the Interment to be wholly left to the said duke of Richmond; and a sun not exceeding 500l. to be allowed for the expences of the Funeral."

be forthwith printed and published; and the name of the King's Bench was directed to be changed into that of the Upper Bench.

The Scots proclaim Prince Charles for ther King.] Feb. 12. Letters came this day from Edinburgh, advising that Prince Charles was proclaimed King of Scotland by the whole parliament there, with great solemnity.

Instructions for the Council of State.] Feb. 13. Mr. Scott reported, from the Committee appointed to nominate a Council of State, the following Instructions for their direction; wirt were agreed to by the house:

The Commons order the Great Seal to be broken, and a new one to be made.] The commons next proceeded to nominate a large Committee, who were ordered to inspect all the Commissions of the Peace in England and Wales, and give in the Names of fit persons to be trusted with new Commissions under their own Great Seal. This mark of sovereign authority, lately ordered to be made, was brought into the house, this day, by sir Tho. Widdrington and Mr. Whitlocke, two of the Commissioners for the late Great Seal, which was broken and defaced whilst the house was sitting, and the pieces thereof given to the said two Commissioners. Then, an Act was passed for authorizing and establishing the new Great Seal; as also another for making it high treason to counterfeit it; and it was committed to the custody of Mr. Whitlocke, Mr. Lisle, and Mr. serj. Keeble, who were to continue Lords Com-ing, for preserving the peace and safety theres: missioners of the Great Seal, quamdiu bene se gesserint.*

Six of the Judges refuse to accept of new Commissions.] The Speaker, who had been ordered to demand of the Judges, whether they would accept of new commissions under the present powers, this day reported their Answers, "That baron Trevor, justice Bacon, justice Creskeld, baron Atkins, justice Brown, and justice Bedingfield, desired to be excused from accepting of new Commissions to be Judges; and that the two lord chief justices, (Rolle and St. John) the lord chief baron, (Wyld) justice Jermyn, justice Phesant, and baron Gates, were willing to accept of them; but desired the house to declare, That the Judges should proceed according to the laws and statutes of this kingdom." Hereupon, a

*Mr. Whitlocke remarks, That it was debated whether they should be simply styled Commissioners, or Lords Commissioners; the word Lords being less acceptable at this time than formerly: yet, that the house might not seem to lessen their own authority, nor the honour of the offices by them constituted, they voted the title to be Lords Commissioners, and the Act was passed accordingly. Memorials, p. 374.-A salary of 1000l. per Aunum was also voted to each of them,

I." You are hereby authorized and required to oppose and suppress whomsoever shall endeavour to go about to set up or maintain the pretended title of Charles Stuart, cldest se to the late king, or any other of the said lar king's issue, or claiming under him or ther. or the pretended title or claim of any oces single person whomsoever, to the crown England or Ireland, dominion of Wales, 2 to any of the dominions or territories to the or either of them, belonging. II. You are hereby authorized and impowered to order and direct all the Militias and Forces, both by sea and land, of England and Ireland, and the dominions to them, or either of them, belang

and for preventing, resisting, and suppresent
all tumults and insurrections that shall I appe
to rise in them, or either of them, or any in-
sions of them from abroad: and also, upen
any emergencies, to raise and arm such foros
as you shall judge necessary for the ends above
expressed; and to give commissions, unde.
the Seal of the Council, to such officers as you
shall judge necessary for the leading, car-
ducting, and commanding of the said forts,
and for the prosecution and pursuance of these
Instructions, or of any other Instructions y
shall receive from the parliament. III. You
are hereby authorized and required to use
good ways and means for the reducing of In-
land, the Isles of Jersey, Guernsey, Scaly !
and the Isle of Man; and all other parts a
places belonging to the Commonwealth
England, not yet reduced. IV. You shall take
care that the Stores and Magazines of all me
litary provisions, both for the land service and
for the sea, he, from time to time, well and
sufficiently furnished; and that the same br
issued, as you shall, by warrant, direct: a
you are also, from time to time, to take car
of the repair of the Shipping belonging to the
Commonwealth; and to build such others
you shall judge necessary for the defence and
safety thereof. V. You are to use a good
ways and means for the securing, advancement,

named: Basil, earl of Denbigh, Edmund, e. of Mulgrave, Philip, e. of Pembroke, W. e. of Salisbury, W. lord Grey of Warke, Henry Rolle, lord chief justice of the upper bench, Oliver St. John, lord chief justice of the common bench, John Wylde, lord chief baron of the court of Exchequer, John Bradshaw, ser

encouragement of the Trade of England Ireland, and the dominions to them beng; and to promote the good of all foplantations and factories belonging to commonwealth, or any of the natives of. VI. You shall advise, order and diconcerning the entertaining, keeping, re1, or settling of amity and a good cor-jeant at law, Thomas lord Fairfax, Thomas ndency with foreign kingdoms and states; or preserving the rights of the people of ation in foreign parts, and composing of differences there; and you are hereby rized to send ambassadors, agents, or engers to any foreign kingdom or state; o receive ambassadors, agents, or messenfrom them for the ends aforesaid. VII. are to advise and consult of any thing erning the good of this Commonwealth, eport your opinions concerning the same, u find occasion, to the parliament. VIII. are hereby authorized to send for any n or persons whatsoever, to advise with , in pursuance of these or any other Intions that shall be given unto you. IX. have hereby power and are authorized to for any records, writings, accounts, books, pers that you shall think fit for your Ination, in any cause, matter, or thing in tion before you, in pursuance of these or other Instructions that shall be given you e parliament. X. You have power, and uthorized, in case of danger to the Comwealth, to administer an oath to any peror persons for the discovery of the truth. You are hereby authorized and impowered nd for and imprison, or otherwise to secure aking bound in recognizance, any such n or persons as shall be offenders st these or any other Instructions which shall receive from the parliament; and all as shall contemn, or be refractory to any commands, directions, or orders in purce of the said Instructions. XII. You hereby power, and are authorized to ge the public revenue, by warrant under Seal of the Council, with such sum and of money, from time to time, as you find necessary for defraying all charges of gn negotiations, intelligence, and other incies; and for the salary of such subordiofficers and attendants as you shall judge | employ; and for the effectual carrying on e service by these Instructions committed u, or by any other Instructions hereafter given you from the parliament. XIII. are also to observe and put in execution further Orders as you shall receive from to time from the parliament. XIV. power hereby committed to this Counof State shall continue for the space of year from the day of passing hereof, ss it be otherwise ordered by the parent."

lord Grey of Groby, Oliver Cromwell, Philip Skippon, Henry Martin, Isaac Pennington, Sir Gilbert Pickering, Rowland Wilson, Anthony Stapeley, sir W. Masham, Wm. Heveningham, Bulstrode Whitlocke, sir A. Haselrig, sir James Harrington, Robert Wallop, John Hutchinson, sir H. Vane, jun. Dennis Bond, Philip lord Lisle, Alex. Popham, sir John D'Anvers, sir W. Armyn, Valentine Wauton, sir H. Mildmay, col. Perfoy, sir W.Constable, John Jones, John Lisle, col. Edm. Ludlow, Tho. Scott, Cornelius Holland, and Luke Robinson. In all 41.-It was likewise ordered, That 9, and not under, should constitute the said Council of State, to act according to Instructions. But a Question being proposed, That there should be a Lord President of this Council, it passed in the Ncgative, by 22 against 16.

Feb. 15. The house ordered that the Arms of the late King, over the Speaker's Chair, be forthwith taken down; and that an Act be brought in for taking away the same out of the several Courts of Westminster, and all other public places, and that the Arms of England be set up in their stead.

ist of the Council of State.] Feb. 14. The e went upon the nomination of the perto constitute their new Council of State; the following lords and gentlemen were

Feb. 17. The commons ordered that the Council of State should prepare two Seals, a greater and a less, for their use; each of them to have engraved thereon the Arms of England and Ireland, with this Inscription, The Seal of the Council of State, appointed by the Parliament of England.' Also, That Whitehall be prepared for this Council to meet in.

Feb. 20. The Council reported to the house, That it was their opinion the Ordinance for constituting the earl of Warwick lord high admiral of England, should be repealed. The house agreed to this, and ordered an act to be brought in for that purpose; and that the Council of State should have and execute all such power and authority, as any lord-admiral or Commissioners of the Admiralty have exercised.

A Remonstrance presented by the Scots Commissioners to the Parliament, against their late Proceedings.] Feb. 21. It has been already observed, that the parliament of Scotland had proclaimed Prince Charles for their king, and sent a deputation to inform him of it; and that the house had since published their Answer to the Scots Commissioners Letters, presented in Jan. last. This day those Commissioners sent another Paper, directed to the Speaker, which is not given us in the Journals. Mr. Whitlocke tells us, That the Speaker acquainted the house this day with a Letter the Scots Commissioners sent him, at their going away, which was without taking leave.' And adds, "It was full of bitterness against the parliament

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