The Councel of State considered of Ireland, as its said: At White H[unr]
the Troopers were sentenced for their Letter, first, to ride with their faced
to the horse-taile: then to have their swords broke over their leads:
and lastly, to be cashiered; teach them to meddle without their Officers
consent. The Letter was judged pernicious and scandalous to Parliament, to
Councel of State, and high Court of Justice. Lancashire', February 20.
A Letter upon Saturday last in the afternoon Signed with his Excellencies name, came
hither but not known to be his hand, the Messenger that brought it (one Denburst a Minister
in Blackburne Hundred) telling that he did neither know from whom it came not
the Contents thereof, but said, he received it from a Northerne Gentleman at Manchester,
Col: Ashtons Officers being acquainted there with, the Brigade was put into as good a
posture as could, for the ready disbanding thereof, but they Petitioned not to have it
put in absolute execution untill they had represented their humble Addresses to his Excellency,
which they have done in a letter, and so the businesse is suspended untill a second
Command from his Excellency, which, they say, is not to deny, or retard obediences
their Petition being very reasonable; as they conceive.
An Act for authorizing Col. Blage, Col. Popham, and Col. Dean,
or any two of them, to be Admiral and General
of the fleet now at Sea.
WHere as by an Act of this present Parliament, entituled, An Act for
the setling of the Power of the Admiralty of England and Ireland;
all and every the powers appertaining to the Office of Lord High Admiral of
England are committed unto, and setled in the Councel of State, appointedly
authority of Parliament; And where as Col: Robert Blake, Col: Edward
Popham, and Col: Richard Dean, have been and are nominated and appointed
by this Parliament, to be Commissioners for the immediate ordering and commanding
of the Fleet now at Sea, and which shall be set forth for the year ensuring
1649. Be it Enacted, and it is Enacted by this present Parliament, and by
authority of the same, That the said Commissioners, or any two of them, have
and shall have full power and authority as Admiral and General of the said
Fleet, to order, manage and command the same, for the service and safety of
this Common-wealth; and for that purpose to give Commissions with the Seal of
the Anchor unto the Vice-admiral of the said Fleet, Admiral of the Irish Sea,
and all other Officers of the said Fleet for the service aforesaid; And themselves
from time to time shall observe such Orders and Directions as they shall
receive from the Parliament, or from the said Councel of State; and this power
to commence from the Three and twentieth day of February, and to continue
unto the first day of March, 1649. And that the said Commissioners or any
two of them, during the space aforesaid, have and shall have the power of Martial
Law over all persons belonging to the said Fleet under their command; and
shall be authorized to exercise and execute the same, for the better ordering and
government of the said Fleet, according to such Rules and Articles as shall be