1651. VOL. XVI. forces from the army be upon their rear. We inform you of this, that you might know the state of our forces in those parts. You are informed of Major-Gen. Harrison's forces. [I. 96, p. 330.] Aug. 7. Council of State to Col. Wauton. The Scots' army is taking the Whitehall. opportunity of ours being in Fife, and marching southward. MajorGen. Harrison is about Berwick, with 4,000 horse and dragoons. We have written to the militia northward to draw what horse and foot they have to a rendezvous in their several counties, ready for orders, and wish you to order the regiment we wrote about to march with speed to Stamford, the rendezvous formerly appointed, to be there in readiness for further orders from Parliament, Council, Lieut.-Gen. Fleetwood, or Major-Gen. Harrison. Aug. 7. Aug. 7. Whitehall. Aug. 7. Whitehall. The army now in Fife will soon be on their rear, yet we thought it fit to have what force we can ready to join Harrison, and give impediment to their advance; use your best diligence. We hope their march southward will tend much to shorten this work, and would use all means in this conjuncture to promote it; we again recommend this particular to your utmost care. With note of like letter to Col. Duckenfield, for his regiment to be drawn to Uttoxeter. [I. 96, p. 331.] Council of State to the Army Committee. From late intelligence received, we thought fit to cause the regiment of Col. Gibbons, and 1,000 of Col. Berkstead's to march northward, and as they must have waggons, we have furnished them with money for them, and desire you to allow them waggon masters, and surgeons' chests, and to let Čol. Gibbons' regiment have a fortnight's pay in advance, for their better subsistence on their march; and dispatch them without delay. [I. 96, p. 332.] Council of State to Capt. Henry Cannon. Upon receiving into your charge the government of Dover Castle, we imprested you. 2001. for repairs; that they may be carried on, pay the remainder of the said sum in your hand to Lieut.-Col. Kelsey, now governor, that he may proceed whilst the season of the year permits. [I. 96, p. 332.] Council of State to the Committee of the Militia of cos. York, Lancaster, Chester, Salop, Stafford, Derby, and Notts. That Scots' army, which ours could not provoke to fight in Scotland, is now marching towards England, taking the opportunity of the main body of our army being in Fife; and though the army with the Lord General in Fife will soon be in their rear, we desire you, for preservation of the county and to give impediment to the enemy, to draw together to some convenient rendezvous what forces of horse and foot you can of the late militia there, to be ready to join Major-Gen. Harrison's forces already there, and such as we have appointed to march to him, and to execute orders from Parliament and Council, Lieut.-Gen. Fleetwood and Major-Gen. Harrison. Use your best diligence that all may be done with expedition. Your charges in this work Parliament will reimburse. We hope that 1651. Aug. 7. 1 VOL. XVI. this march of theirs southwards will tend very much to shorten this work, and that you will put forth your utmost endeavours in this conjuncture. All commanders, officers, and soldiers in the late militia, and other persons concerned, are hereby required to execute your commands herein, and you are to certify to Council the names of all such as you shall find refractory in this service. Have special care to seize, disarm, and secure dangerous and disaffected persons, and to suppress every the least motion tending to disturb public peace, wherein you are to consult and pursue your former instructions, and present exigencies of affairs, so as nothing on your part may be wanting tending to the prevention of such mischiefs as the enemies of the nation's peace have plotted or shall practise against it. [I. 96, p. 333.] Council of State to the Governors of the several garrisons. To Whitehall. similar effect. The Scots' army is marching southward. There is a party on this side them will be able to impede their march, and if need be to fight them, and the Lord General will send a sufficient force seasonably upon their rear. As their party here will not fail to do their utmost in this conjuncture to execute any designs against garrisons, the better to countenance and give advantage to their cause, we recommend you to have a more especial watchful eye over your garrison, and all the people in it, as well guards as others, and to observe all applications made from any, and to whom and for what, that you may prevent the execution of any designs the enemies may have upon it. [I. 96, p. 334.] Aug. 7. Aug. 7. Whitehall. Council of State to Major-Gen. Harrison. We have received yours giving notice of the Scots' march southward; details of proceedings taken thereon, as in the preceeding letters. We thought fit to give you notice, that you may know whither to direct your orders, as you shall have occasion to make use of the forces sent, for the public safety. God will still appear in this work with His own arm to save, to whom it is alike to deliver by many or few, and when He pleaseth, without the help of man. We desire to hear frequently of your own and the enemies' motions. [I. 96, p. 335.] Council of State to Col. Thomas Birch. We hear from Scotland that the enemy's army is marching southward. We doubt not that if they can make their impression so far, they have an eye upon that county [Lancashire], as conceiving themselves to have a great party there. Take special care of the garrison of Liverpool, whence there are some to be drawn out, by order of this Council, to make up a regiment, for which we gave orders to Col. Duckenfield. Draw into the garrison so many of the late militia forces, such as you can confide in, as may keep the garrison in safety, and for the better security of the place, and other service upon those coasts, you are hereby authorized to give such orders and directions to any commanders of ships in the service of the State, now in the harbour or that shall come thither, as you shall judge may be most for the service of the public, and they are thereby required to give obedience to your said orders. 1651. Aug. 7. The James, Downs. VOL. XVI. Perhaps upon this march of the Scots southward, something may be attempted from the Isle of Man, over which you must keep a watchful eye, and make use of such shipping for preventing thereof, you find any such intentions or attempts. [I. 96, p. 336.] if 21. Col. Edward Popham to the Navy Commissioners. Having received information from you that there were several vessels laden with provisions at Portsmouth, that were only staying for a convoy to conduct them hither, I sent the Dragon frigate on that service, but when she arrived, there were not any victuals shipped, nor any vessels to take it in, so that the Dragon was forced to take it on board, and brought it here, where it yet remains. I stayed the convoy for the Straits here, expecting the ships which are hired to carry the provisions for Capt. Penn's squadron, until a special order came from the Navy Committee for their sailing, which they did last Tuesday. The contractors for victualling the navy wrote me to ship 27,520 lbs. of bread from Dover, in whatever vessel I should think fit, the shipping provided at London not being able to take it in, but the ships were gone before their letter came to hand, and therefore it must be shipped in some vessel that comes from London, or be left behind, unless the Admiralty Committee sends a convoy with it, and then the convoy may take in that proportion of bread. I know of no ships belonging to the State fit for this service, unless it be the Garland, which is now at Hull. Let the enclosed be conveyed to the contractors. [1 page.] Aug. 8. COUNCIL OF STATE. Day's Proceedings. 1. Mr. Cosins and Mr. Falconbridge to attend Council to-morrow at 8 a.m. to give information. 2. The petition of Thos. Davis referred to the Treasurers at Ely House. 3. The petition of Shirley Wilts, master of the Seaport of Aldbrough, referred to the Irish and Scotch Committee. 4. The letter of Col. Duckenfield of the 15th instant referred to the Irish and Scotch Committee, and especially to Lieut.-Gen. Fleetwood, to consider what letters are to be written in pursuance thereof, and report to-morrow. 5. The petition of James Salter, gunner, referred to the Admiralty Committee. 6. The Irish and Scotch Committee to consider what is fit to be done with Leeds Castle, for taking charge of that garrison, and with the magazine of the county.[Kent], and to report. 7. The paper of Thomas Catrow, craving satisfaction for repairs at Tilbury Fort, referred to Sir Hen. Mildmay, Sir Wm. Masham, and Mr. Challoner, who are to report where the money may be had for payment thereof. 8. The petition of the four shipmasters who were to carry 1,000 soldiers to Scotland referred to the Irish and Scotch Committee. 9. The translation of a paper written in answer to MacDowell referred to Sir Gilbert Pickering and Mr. Strickland, to consider whether it be fit to be printed, and if so, in what manner. [Sir Wm. MacDonnell ?, see p. 31.] 10. Order-on a report from the Admiralty Committee represent : 1651. Aug. 8. Aug. 8. Aug. 8. Whitehall. VOL. XVI. COUNCIL OF STATE. Day's Proceedings (cont.) ing that 2,950l. 6s. 3d. is due to the owners of the Discovery—that such sum be paid according to the proportions mentioned, excepting the proportions due to Plunkett, or any other delinquent. [I. 21, pp. 1–2.] Council of State to the Navy Commissioners. The Lady of Jersey, of five or six guns, was taken by some ships of Sir Geo. Ayscue's squadron, and sent to Scilly. As she is fit to be employed about those islands as a man-of-war, you are to equip her accordingly. [T. 96, p. 338.] Council of State to the Militia Commissioners of the several counties on the way to Stafford. We hear from Scotland that the Scots' arms could by no means be provoked to fight in Scotland, and upon our army's marching into Fife, where they now are in good condition, they marched southward with the intention of coming to England, upon the borders whereof there is a good party with Major-General Harrison, and others appointed to rendezvous to join with him, to give them impediment in their van, and we doubt not but a sufficient party of the main army will be speedily upon their rear. We also hear that the Scots have no great opinion of this their design, but prosecute it because they have no other game to play; and yet to make the best they can of it, they have sent their agents into several parts of England, to stir up their party, with commissions to their confidents to give them command. You are therefore to have frequent meetings, and have a watchful eye upon any that comes into your county to make application to any of the disaffected party, and such as you have just cause to suspect, you are to disarm and secure. Also be careful to suppress the first tendency towards insurrection, and to that end you are hereby empowered to raise and call together any part of your forces of the late militia, being such as you can confide in, the officers and soldiers whereof are hereby required to receive and obey your orders; and you are to certify to us the names of such as you find refractory, as also what you do for the safety of your county. [I. 96, p. 339; 21, p. 6.] Aug. 8. Aug. 9. 1. The Committee for Examinations to consider the petition of Saml. Put, in behalf of Rich, Legge, and if they find cause, to take off the restraint laid upon his ship. 2. Warrants for passing ships to Scotland with provisions without customs to be signed by the Lord President, without any special report. 3. Mr. Scott added to the Mint Committee, and the proposition for making farthings referred to the said committee; Mr. Frost to attend them. 1651. Aug. 9. Aug. 19. Paris. Aug. 10. VOL. XVI. COUNCIL OF STATE. Day's Proceedings (cont.) 4. 1,0087. 168. 8d. due to Mons. Augier for his services as Resident in France to be paid by the Revenue Committee; in pursuance of an order of Parliament of 5 February 1648-9. 5. The petition of Col. John Fealan, with the paper annexed, referred to the Irish and Scotch Committee, to consider a further reward to him for good services in the recovery of Scilly. 6. The petition of John Regmorter and company referred to the Admiralty Committee. 7. Lieut.-Gen. Fleetwood to order the continuance of Capt. Wilson at Dover, any former order notwithstanding, and also to order Col. Gibbons to put 100 private soldiers into his regiment, instead of that company, in answer to the petition of divers well-affected persons in Dover and Sandwich. 8. The representation of Mr. Wollaston, concerning the Tower and the stores therein, referred to the Ordnance Committee, who are to consider how the stores may be supplied, and report; and the Ordnance officers and Mr. Wollaston to attend the committee thereon. 9. The Committee for Examinations to send for Mr. Case on Monday, and let him know that his petition has been read, but his representation has not been seen, and to examine him further concerning the conspiracy in which he is engaged, and inform him that he is at liberty to make an answer as he shall think fit, but he is not to prescribe to them what use they shall make thereof, they being only to prepare the business to be offered to Council. 10. The Ordnance Committee to examine what has been disbursed by Capt. Bowerman in the Isle of Wight, about making up a breach made by the sea near Sandown Fort, he alleging that 507. has been laid out. 11. The disposing of Henry, son of the late King, now in the Isle of Wight, to be considered next Wednesday; all orders made in reference to his going beyond the seas to be looked up, and also the order of Parliament to that purpose. [I. 21, pp. 2–4.] The news of the Parliament's forces overthrowing the King's army in Fife has much surprised the Louvre, they having heard much of the hopeful position of the King and his forces. The Queen [Henrietta Maria] is unusually troubled by it, she taking the affairs of Scotland the more to heart, because she was the principal actor of the King's going thither, and the contrary faction of royalists impute the ill success to her. Yet they are not out of heart, for they say the King's forces, being well able to deal with the Parliament army remaining in Lothian, will overcome them, and march into England" where, if they could but once set their foot, all would go "well afterwards." [Ext. French corresp.] COUNCIL OF STATE. Day's Proceedings. 2. Order to be given to Capt. Spencer and Capt. Kiffen, by the Lieut.-General, to list what well affected people they can at Theobalds and the parts adjacent, to be ready for service. |