Econlib

The Library

Other Sites

 Front Page arrow Titles (by Subject) arrow Newsletters - The Clarke Papers. Selections from the Papers of William Clarke, vol. 3

Return to Title Page for The Clarke Papers. Selections from the Papers of William Clarke, vol. 3

Search this Title:

Also in the Library:

Subject Area: Political Theory
Subject Area: History
Topic: The English Revolution

Newsletters - Sir William Clarke, The Clarke Papers. Selections from the Papers of William Clarke, vol. 3 [1899]

Edition used:

The Clarke Papers. Selections from the Papers of William Clarke, Secretary to the Council of the Army, 1647-1649, and to General Monck and the Commanders of the Army in Scotland, 1651-1660, ed. C.H. Firth (London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1899). 4 vols.

Part of: The Clarke Papers. Selections from the Papers of William Clarke, 4 vols.

About Liberty Fund:

Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private, educational foundation established to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals.


Newsletters

Dec. 1, 1657.—

f. 132.The regiments here ordered to be recruited, and by the Lord Chamberlaine’s order noe person except members of the councell permitted to goe further into his Highness lodging at Whitehall than the first gaurd chamber.

Dec. 5.—

f. 133.His Highness delivered some reasons in a paper presented to him touching the Duke of Buckingham’s liberty, but the Councell thought not fitt to advise his Highness to give him liberty, it being not consistant with his Highness trust or their duty.2

Dec. 9.—

f. 134.Col. Salmons regiment (all but three companies) and 5 companies of Col. Gilbons’ regiment are ordered to goe to Mardike. The rich crosses and jewells seized with 8 Jesuites in Covent Garden were this day brought to the Councell. This day the Lord Richard was made one of his Highness Councell. The members of the other House (its said) will not be named.3

Dec. 19.—

f. 139.An ambassador is come from Florida (a people at variance with the Spaniard, and from whence merchants came hither before), hee had noe covering but a thin loose garment, but the merchants have persuaded him into the Spanish habitt. Yesterday his Highness and family set apart a day of humiliation. His Highness sent yesterday to the Citty to prepare a convenient place in or neere Poules church for the quartering of 600 horse and foote for the safety of the Citty.

Dec. 28.—

f. 140.Christmas day was never more exactly observed by this Citty then the last, very few or no shops at all being opened therein. Severall disaffected congregations mett this day in publique, and had the Common Prayer read unto them by sequestered ministers. After sermons were ended [they] were secured by the soldiers (who were then dispersed in and neer the citie to prevent mischief) till the names of all the auditors were taken in writing, and then dismist. Severall persons were likewise the night before apprehended at the gaming ordinaries by the soldiers, and brought down prisoners to the garrison of James.1

Order was sent to the Lord Mayor to put in execution the Ordinance against observation of hollidays. Mr Gunnings and Dr Taylor sent for to give account concerning the multitude of people meeting with them. Severall persons were ordered to visit the houses where publique meetings were, and give account concerning them.

December 29.—

f. 141.Some parties of horse are this day sent to Benstead Downes, where was an expectation of att least 2000 horse to bee assembled to a race, and many if nott most of the eminent Cavaleers.

There are daily more of the old Cavaleere partie apprehended and examined, and I heare some of the leaders in the Common Prayer Booke meetinges are like to bee fetch’t in and secur’d, to prevent the designes promoted under the disguise of such meetinges. Att some Churches in the citty there was as bad doinges, for the superstitious and ceremonious parte, as att the private places. Att one church by Garlick Hill I heare they had gett some old choristers and new taught singing boyes, and after the Common Prayer att length in all pontificalibus ended, a young canonicall votary went uppe into the pulpitt, and made an oration or sermon (without praying before or after), half of itt Latin sentences, and often taking occasion to mencion the name of Jesus, hee duck’t even to within the pulpitt, and all the people bowed and cringed as if there had bin masse. Neverthelesse I doe nott heare of any disturbance was given to the publique assemblies in Churches, save that att the noted place Gregoryes in Paul’s Churchyard a guard of souldiers was sett att the doores to keepe any from assembling there.

W. R.

[2 ]Cromwell was apparently more desirous to oblige Lord Fairfax by releasing Buckingham, than his Council were. See also Thurloe, vi. 617.

[3 ]A list of the members, identical with that printed in Thurloe, is given on a later page of the MSS. At the end of the list it is added: ‘The number for the present is but 60, his Highness having left power to him self to issue out a writt for ten more.’

[1 ]John Evelyn was amongst the persons thus arrested. See his Diary, ed. Wheatley, ii. 95.