Petition and Advice of the Parliament, but of all that hath been done these seven years; hoping thereby to bring all things into confusion ;—and were in a very tumultuous manner procuring subscriptions thereunto, giving, out that they were encouraged to it by some Members of the House of Commons.

And the truth is, the Debates that have been in that House since their last meeting have had a tendency to the stirring up and cherishing such humors ;-having done nothing in fourteen days but debate Whether they should own the Government of these Nations, as it is contained in the Petition and Advice, which the Parliament at their former sitting had invited us to accept of, and had sworn us unto; they themselves also having taken an Oath upon it before they went into the House. And we, judging these things to have in them very dangerous consequences to the Peace of this Nation, and to the loosening all the bonds of Govern- ' ment; and being hopeless of obtaining supplies of Money, for answering the exigencies of the Nation, from such men as are not satisfied with the Foundation we stand upon, we thought it of absolute necessity to dissolve this present Parliament,-which I have done this day,-And to give you notice thereof: that you, with your Troop, may be most vigilant for the suppressing of any disturbance which may arise from any party whatsoAnd if you can hear of any persons who have been active to promote the aforesaid treasonable Petition, that you apprehend them, and give an account thereof to us forthwith. And we do further let you know, That we are sensible of your want of pay for yourself and troop; and do assure you that effectual care shall be taken therein, and that without delay. And so I rest,

ever.

Your loving friend,

OLIVER P.*

5. For the Commanders of the Militia of the City of Gloucester: These.

Whitehall, 11th March, 1657.

GENTLEMEN, We are informed that the Enemy from Flanders intend to invade us very suddenly, and to that purpose have Twenty-two Ships of War ready in the Harbor of Ostend, and are preparing others also which they have bought in Holland, and some men are ready to be put on board them. And at the same time an Insurrection is intended in this Nation. And the time for the executing these designs is intended by them to be very sudden.

We have therefore thought fit to give you notice hereof; and to signify to you our pleasure, That you put yourselves into the best posture

* Gentleman's Magazine (London, 1788), lviii,, 313,

you can for the securing the City of Gloucester, and put the arms into such hands as are true and faithful to us and this Commonwealth. We desire you to be very careful, and to let us hear from you of the receipt of this, and what you shall do in pursuance of this Letter.

I rest,

Your very assured friend,

OLIVER P.⭑

* City Records of Gloucester (in Bibliotheca Gloucestrensis, p. 421).

INDEX

INDEX.