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

Commission to General Monck as Commander-in-Chief - Sir William Clarke, The Clarke Papers. Selections from the Papers of William Clarke, vol. 4 [1901]

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., 1901). 4 vols.

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

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Commission to General Monck as Commander-in-Chief

ii. f. 51.By the Councill of State appointed by Authority of Parliament.

To Generall George Monck.

Whereas the Parliament, by vertue of theire instructions given to the Councill of State, have impowred them to command, order, and direct all the forces both by sea and land, raised, or to bee raised by authority of Parliament in England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the dominions and territories thereunto belonging; And uppon emergencyes to raise such other forces as they should judge necessary, and to give them commissions under the Seale of the Councill for the ends therein expressed; And whereas the Parliament is at present interrupted, and they hindered from the exercise of theire authority by a force putt and still continued upon them by some persons late officers of the army, whose commissions weere by order of Parliament declared voyde, by reason whereof diverse of the saide forces, being misled by those officers and others, are in opposition to the Parliament: The Councill, takeing into theire seriouse consideration what is theire duty in such a juncture of affaires, and in pursuance of theire instructions, have thereupon thought fitt to order and appoint, and doe heereby constitute and appoint yow to bee Commander-in-Cheife of all the forces raised, and to bee raised, within the dominions of England and Scotland, as well in feild as guarrisons. And yow are heereby impowred to give unto such person or persons as yow shall judge faithfull, commissions; all which said forces yow are to take into your charge, and with them, or any part of them, to march, or cause the same to march into any part of England or Scotland, according as any occasion shall bee offered for the service of the Parliament and Commonwealth; and the said forces or any of them yow are to imploy for the secureing of the peace of the Commonwealth, the restoration of the Parliament, and the suppression of all persons whatsoever who are declared opposers of and enimies to the same. And to that end and purpose yow are heereby impowred and authorized to hinder all meetings, tumults, and insurrections which are or shalbee made to the prejudice of the publicque peace and of the Parliament. And with the saide forces or any of them yow are to feight with, kill, and destroy, or by any waies put to death all such who are in hostility against the Parliament, or doe oppose or hinder, and declare themselves to hinder, the sitting of the same. And yow are with them, or any of them, to fortifie, keepe, and defend any townes, castles, or howses which yow shall judge to bee for the publicque service. And yow have heereby power given unto yow to call and hold Courts Martiall, as often as yow shall finde necessary, for the tryall of any offences committed by any person belonging to the armies under your command, and for the punishment of the said persons for the same according to the law martiall and discipline of warr. And yow have alsoe heereby power given unto yow for the better accomodateing of the march of the armies, or any part of them, or the transportation of them from place to place, to imprest, or cause to bee imprested, any draught horses, teames, waggons, carts or carriages, shipps, boates, or vessells which yow shall judge fitt and necessary for the present service; and, if neede shall require, yow have heereby power to give ticquetts for the same, chargeing them uppon the publicque. And all the said forces within the limitts aforesaide, whether they bee in feild or garrison, are heereby commanded and required to bee obedient unto yow as theire Comander-in-Cheife, and from time to time to observe and obey such orders as they shall receive from yow; and yow are to observe and obey such orders and directions as yow shall from time to tyme receive from the Parliament, the Councill of State, or shall bee agreed uppon by your selfe, Sir Arthur Heslerigg, Colonell Walton, Colonell Morley, Major-Generall Overton, or any three of yow. And this commission is to remaine in full force untill the Parliament shall give further or other order to the contrary. And the severall commissioners for the Militia and forces appointed by Parliament, or Councill of State, or other the forces of this Commonwealth, and alsoe all officers, military and civill, are heereby desired and required to bee aideing and assisting to yow in the execution of the premises, as they will answer the contrary at theire utmost perill.

Given under the Seale of the Councill of State, the fowre and twentieth day of November, in the yeare one thousand six hundered fifty and nine.

Signed in the name and by order
of the Councill of State,

Tho. Scot, President.

Thursday, January 26th, 1659.

Resolved, &c.:

That the Parliament doth approve of the commission granted to Generall George Moncke by the Councell of State.

Thomas St. Nicholas, Clerke
of the Parliament.