Yet) the Councell of State received on Tuesday last a last a lamentable-Letter
from King Oliver's owne hands; wherein hee set forth the particular
Josses hee had received since hee sate downe before that fatall-place, and
the great necessities hee was reduced to, for want of the timely supplies
of Men and Money promised him, and sent for so often; with the particulars
of all his desires enclosed: which being Reported privately to
the Speaker, and the substance of oll intimated infortunate and Averse
their Expectations, it was not held fit this Letter should be publiquely
Communicated to the Juncto, for feare of disheartning their Party,
and therefore they referred it to Master Scot of Lambeth, and another of
the same Judgement, to consider upon, and to provide the supplies
required, without instancing either their losses or wants, so publiquely,
as that every one of the House might take notice of it; which
they are now about with all care and diligence possible.
Nor have they lesse Cause to feare their successe abroad then they have
to doubt their safety at home; and therefore the Juncto considering the
late Applications of the Scots made to the King, and the great preparations
of his Majesty, and the Aides promised him from France, Spayme
Denmarke, Swede-land, and other places, and the present Designes of
Malignants and Levellers (so called) they debated the Militia of the kingdom;
as how they might secure it in the hands of Independents only,
and by force thereof put the People in a posture of defence; that upon
all occasions they may bee in readinesse to suppresse Insurrections, and
Resist any forraigne Invasions.--- That is, to have them in readinesse to
Transport for Ireland, if occasion require,--- yet this they gild over with
a Gawdy pretence of lessening the Monthly pay for the Army in
time : for they still pay a lovely vizard upon the vilest of all their Actions.
Yet this they knew not how effectually to accomplish by reason of
the discontentednesse of the People, and the Generall Odium which
they had contracted through the violence of their late Proceedings;
and therefore it was stiffly moved, That the House might Adjourne
for some convenient time, wherein the Members might repaire into
their respective Counties to appease the fury of the People, and by
their presence and perswasions, make them believe in what great danger
they were, and how threatned both at home and abroad by the King
and his Party, and of what sad consequence it will prove if they should
not resist, but suffer him to Invade them; and by this meanes to get
them into a posture of Defence: But considering this would bee a worke
of time and could not suddainly bee stated, it was referred to the Councell
of State, they to have Power untill a knack bee prepared and