necessary, in order to the suppression of the late distempers, and for the prevention of the like for the time to come, that there might be a general rendezvous of the army; of which the general would best consider when he came down, which he wished might be hastened.' It was now to no purpose to discover what they had formerly intended, or that they had any jealousy of a person who was out of theit reach."

Mr. Whitlocke here observes, "That a victorious Army, out of employment, is very inclinable to assume power over their princi pals; and this, he adds, occasioned the parlia ment's greater care to find thein employment in Ireland." In another place, after some Petitions had been presented to the house, and some printers taken up for publishing two Pam phlets,one called Judge Jenkins's Vindication,' and another intitled, Sir Dudley Digges of the Illegality of Subjects taking Arms against their Sovereign,' he adds, “Thus we see there is nothing constant in worldly affairs; the par liament having conquest and success after their own desires, yet are now miserably incumbered with the mutinousness of their army on one side, with the petulancy of pamphlets and de contented Petitions on the other."

* Memorials, p. 250.

had staid two or three days, he would again return to the house, and complain heavily of the great licence that was got into the army; that, for his own part, by the artifice of his 'enemies, and of those who desired that the 'nation should be again imbrued in blood, he | ⚫ was rendered so odious unto them, that they had a purpose to kill him, if, upon some discovery made to him, he had not escaped out of their hands.' And, in these and the like discourses, when he spake of the nation's being to be involved in new troubles, he would weep bitterly, and appear the most afflicted man in the world with the sense of the calamitics which were like to ensue. But, as many of the wiser sort had long discovered his wicked intentions, so his hypocrisy could not longer be concealed. The most active officers and Agis tators were known to be his own creatures, and such who neither did, nor would do, any thing, but by his direction. So that it was privately resolved by the principal persous of the house of commons, that when he came the next day into the house, which he seldom omitted to do, they would send him to the Tower; presuming, that if they had once severed his person from the army, they should easily reduce it to its former temper and obedience: for they had not the least jealousy of the general, Fairfax, whom they knew to be a perfect Presbyterian in his judgment; and The following curious account of Crom that Cromwell had the ascendent over him well's conduct during the above debate is repurely by his dissimulation, and pretence of lated by bishop Burnet, in his "History of his conscience and sincerity. There is no doubt Own Times," vol. 1. p. 45, fol. edition: "Upon Fairfax did not then, nor long after, believe this I will set down what sir Harbotle Grimsta that the other had those wicked designs in bis told me a few weeks before his death: whether heart against the king, or the least imagination it was done at this time or the year before I of disobeying the parliament. This purpose cannot tell: I rather believe the latter. When of siezing upon the person of Cromwell, could the house of commons and the army were quar not be carried so secretly, but that he had relling, at a meeting of the officers it was pr notice of it; and the very next morning after posed to purge the army better, that they might he had so much lamented his desperate inisfor-know whom to depend on. Cromwell upon tune in baving lost all reputation, and credit, and authority in the army, and that his life would be in danger if he were with it; when the house expected every minute his presence, they were informed that he was met out of the town by break of day, with one servant only, on the way to the army; where he had appointed a rendezvous of some regiments of the horse, and from whence he writ a Letter to the house of commons, "That having the night before received a Letter from some officers of his own regiment, that the jealousy the troops had conceived of him, and of his want of kindness towards them, was much abated, so that they believed, if he would be quickly present with them, they would all in a short time, by his advice, be reclaimed: upon this he had made all the haste he could, and did find that the soldiers had been abused by misinformation; and that he hoped to discover the fountain from whence it sprung; and, in the mean time, desired that the general, and the other officers in the house, and such as remained about the town, might be presently sent to their quarters; and that he believed it would be very

that said, he was sure of the Ariny; but there was another body that had more need of parg ing, naming the House of Commons, and he thought the Army only could do that. Tw officers that were present brought an account of this to Grimston, who carried them with him to the Lobby of the House of Commons, they being resolved to justify it to the house There was another debate then on foot: bu Grimston diverted it, and said, he had a matter of privilege of the highest sort to lay before them: it was about the being and freedom of the house. So he charged Cromwell with the design of putting a force on the house: be had his witnesses at the door, and desired they might be examined: they were brought to the bar, and justified all that they had said to him, and gave a full relation of all that had passed at their meetings. When they withdrew, Cras well fell down upon his knees, and made a solemn prayer to God, attesting his innocence, and his zeal for the service of the house: be submitted himself to the providence of Go who it seems thought fit to exercise him with calumny and slander, but he committed ba

ntly to be admitted to his parliament at tee of parliament, herein named, or any five of estminster, with that honour which is due them, who are impowered to determine such their sovereign; there solemnly to confirm complaints, to examine witnesses, and to come same, and legally to pass the acts before-unit to prison, if they see cause, any person entioned; and to give and receive as well suing as aforesaid, and to award to the deisfaction in all the remaining particulars, as fendant treble damages: that in case any soewise such other pledges of mutual love, licitor, attorney, &c. do not forbear the prost, and condence as shall most concern secution upon order shewed from the said e good of him and his people; upon which committee, that then such solicitor, attorney, ppy agreement, his majesty will dispatch his &c. shall be committed to safe custody. ProFections to the Prince, his son, to return vided that nothing in this Ordinance shall dismediately to him, and will undertake for his charge any person from making a true account udy obedience thereunto. Holdenby, May to any commissioners or committee of parlia 1617." ment of what they have received for the benefit thereof.”

May 20. The lords having appointed this y for taking the king's Letter into considerao, it was again read; and the question being t, Whether the king shall be brought from oldenby nearer to London, before such time their lordships consider of the whole matter the Letter? It was resolved in the aflimae, by a majority of 15 against 9. The queson being next put, Whether Oatlands shall the place where the king shall be removed from Holdenby, as soon as it can be made ady for him? It was also resolved in the afmative, and a message was sent to the comons to desire their concurrence.

6

A Petition, styling the Commons the Supreme thority of the Nation, ordered by them to be rat.] This day a Petition directed To the ght Honourable and supreme authority of is nation, the Commons in parliament asmbled ;' and intitled, The humble Petition of many Thousands, earnestly desiring the Glory of God, the Freedom of the Common wealth, and the Peace of Men,' was read; id it was resolved that the same be burnt by e bauginan, on a division of only 91 against 3. The purport or prayer of the Petition is at entered in the Journals, nor do we meet ith it in any of the Collections. The offence ems to have been styling the commons the upreme Authority of the Nation.'

Votes relating to the Disbanding of the Foot.] May 22. The lords agreed to the following Votes, sent up by the commons, about disbanding the Foot. 1. "That the General's regiment, be first disbanded; that the time for that disbanding be on the 1st of June, and that the town of Chelmsford be the place for the rendezvous. 2. That such as will engage for Ireland shall presently be taken on, and have a fortnight's advance paid them out of their 6 weeks, besides the two months pay of their arrears, and to march forthwith to Ingatstone, there to receive orders. 3. That those that shall be disbanded shall receive their two months pay of their arrears, and shall deposit their arms in the church, and have a pass to go to their several homes. 4. That the like manner be observed in disbanding the rest of the regiments, at the several times and places of rendezvous, as follows, viz. That col. Hewson's regiment be disbanded at Bishops-Stortford, on the 3rd of June next: and those who engage for Ireland to march to Puckeridge to receive orders: that col. Lambert's regiment be disbanded at Walden, on the 5th of June next; and that those that engage for Ireland march to Heydon to receive orders: that col. Lilborne's be disbanded at Newmarket, on the 10th of June next; and those who engage for An Ordinance indemnifying all such as have | Ireland to march to Botesham to receive orcted in the Service of the Parl.ument] May ders; of this regiment there are 580 already 1. In order to satisfy the Army in some mea- engaged now at Evesholm: that col. Harley's are, an Ordinance was passed and puldished be disbanded at Cambridge, on the 8th of June this effect: "The lords and commons taking next; and those that engage for Ireland to otice that divers well-aticcted persons have march to Stanton to receive orders: that sir een sued, indicted, prosecuted, or molested; Hardress Waller's be disbanded at Huntingdon, and others are likely to be sued, indicted, pro- on the 12th of June next; and those who enecuted, or molested, for acts done by autho-gage for Ireland to march to Thrapston to reity of this present parliament, and for the ceive orders: that col. Hammond's be disbandservice thereof, during these late wars and ed at Bedford, on the 15th of June next; and roubles; do hereby ordain and declare, That those that engage for Ireland to march to New. no persons who have acted by authority of port Pagnell to receive orders: that col. Inparliament, or for the service thereof, ought to goldsby's be disbanded at Woodstock, on the ce sued or molested: that such as are or shall 4th of June next; and those who engage for be so sued or molested may plead the general Ireland to march to Chipping-Norton. ssue that they are not guilty, and give this or That field-marshall Skippon's at Newcastle be dinance in evidence; and shall have treble costs taken on for Ireland, and march according to awarded them that such persons as are not his orders. 6. That the money for disbanding able to defend a suit at common law, or may all those regiments, and also a fortnight's pay find themselves aggrieved in the proceedings for those that shall go for Ireland, be conveyed thereof, may, either before or after trial at com- under a strong guard to the several places of renon law, make their complaint to the commit-dezvous, to be there the day before the day of

5.

best for preparing all things which may conduce to the expediting the service, which doth so much import the peace of this kingdom, and the relief of Ireland, to which it is cot doubted but that you will contribute all that lies in your power, and thereby add to your former merit. We are &c. Westminster May 28, 1647."

The Parliament's Declaration touching the Disbanding of the Army; providing for Widows, &c.] May 28. Both houses passed the following Declaration:

"The lords and commons finding it of ab

disbanding. 7. That the general be desired to issue out his orders to the several regiments, to be at the several places and times of rendezvous respectively; and that himself be present to see them disbanded; as likewise field-marshall Skippon, who is then to take on such of them as will go for Ireland: and that, in regard the regiment of col. Ingoldsby lies off from the rest, and it is to be disbanded at Woodstock the 4th of June next, the general is desired to send some officers to see them disbanded. 8.That the several captains of each company bring a list of their company, under their hand, to the place of the rendezvous appointed for disband-solute necessity, in relation to their duty to ing; wherein the name of every soldier in that this kingdom, to take off the great charge company shall be expressed. 9. That where which it hath so long undergone in maintenance it shall appear that any of the soldiers have of arms; as likewise to that of Ireland, which not two months pay due to them, so much be cries out for present relief, and must otherwise abated as shall be found to come short of it. irrecoverably perish, have therefore thought ite 10. That it be referred to the committee of to disband the Foot of this army. But, withal the army, to consider of Instructions for stating have taken it into their special care to give al the Arrears and Accounts of the soldiers of just satisfaction to those who have served this army, and how debentures shall be given therein, providing for their indemnity, and for them for so much as shall appear justly due the maintenance of such as have lost their upon their accounts. 11. That all commission- limbs; and likewise for the widows and ot officers shall receive their particular dehen- phans of those who have lost their lives in their tures upon their accounts made by the com- service; and an assurance unto those wh mittee and treasurers of the army abovesaid. have voluntarily served them, not to be pressed 12. That the excise in course shall be the seout of the kingdom; and also such a conside curity to be given for the payment of the arable part of their arrears to be paid to the rears of the inferior officers and common sol- that are to be disbanded, as is possible to he diers; and that the commission-officers shall be provided for at present, with a regard to other paid out of the estates of the delinquents in public services of unavoidable necessity; and the first exceptions, not yet disposed: and that good and sufficient security for all that sha the committee of the army do prepare and appear to be due, both to officer and solder bring in an ordinance to this purpose. 13. upon the auditing of their accounts; which That a committee of lords and commons be put into a way of speedy dispatch, and of e appointed to go down, and be assisting to the trouble at all to the soldier, and but of little to general in this service of disbanding the army. the officer; all which doth appear by the se 14. That the committee of lords and commons veral ordinances and orders of both houses appointed to go down to the army, shall, at the passed to that effect; which will, we presume head of every regiment, at their disbanding, abundantly satisfy all persons of the parba give them the thanks of the houses for their ment's tenderness towards the army, and s faithful service to the parliament." ceptance of their faithful services; and dispose the army to a chearful and ready compliance with their resolution, that Ireland may be relieved, and this kingdom recover a breathing

Besides the foregoing Votes sent up to the lords for their concurrence, the commons had resolved That 40,000l. be appointed for the disbanding of these regiments, and for the fort-time after so long and heavy sufferings; the night's pay, part of the six weeks pay for those that should go for Ireland. But this last Resolution was not sent up, which is thus accounted for in the commons Journals of the 25th of this month, viz. "Resolved, That all these Votes concerning the Army, except those that concern the disposing of the Monies, be sent to the lords for their concurrence."

It was afterwards ordered, That these Votes, so passed, should be sent down, inclosed in the following Letter from both the Speakers, to sir

Thomas Fairfax.

"Sir; We are commanded to transmit unto you these Votes concerning the disbanding the Foot, whereby you will see the care of the two Louses of parliament, to give all satisfaction to the officers and soldiers under your command. You are desired to communicate these Votes to them in such manner as you shall think

houses being fully resolved to apply their whale care and endeavours, with God's assistance, to remove those pressures, which either the necessity of war, or want of leisure for the re medy in these troublesome times, may have occasioned."

Letter from General Fairfax to the Irish Committee, concerning disbanding of the Army. June 1. A Letter from sir Thomas Fairtas in Answer to the last Orders of parliament sent to him, together with a Paper called The humble Advice, &c. of the Council of War,' were read to the Lords as follows: For the Right Hon. the COMMITTEE

Lords and Commons for Irish Affairs, sitting at Derby-House: Bury, May 50,