came downe to Westminster, and was installed Lord Protector of the
three Nations, the manner whereof was thus.
His Excellency about one of the clock in the afternoon came from
White hall to Westminster, to the Chancery Court, attended by the
Lords Commissioners of the great Seal of England, Barons of the
Exchequer, and Judgés in their Robes; after them, the Councel of
the Commonwealth, and the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Recorder
of the City of London, in their Scarlet Gowns; then came his
Excellency attended with many of the chief Officers of the Army;
a chair of State being fee in the said Court of: Chancery, his Excellency
stood on the left hand thereof uncovered, till a large writing
in Parchment, in the nature of an Oath, was read; there being the
power with which his Excellency was invested, and how his Excellency
is to govern the three Nations, which his Excellency accepted
of, and subscribed in the face of the Court, and immediately hereupon
sat downe covered in the chaire; the Lords Commissioners then delivered
up the Great Seal of England Excellency, and the Lord
Major his Sword and Cap of Maintenance, all which his Excellency
returned immediately, to them again: The Court then those, and his
Excellency was attended back as aforesaid, to the Banqueting House
in White Hall, the Lord Major himself uncovered, carrying the
Sword before the Protector all she way; and coming into the Banqueting-House,
an exhortation was made by Mr. Lockier, after which
the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Judges departed.
Thus far[unr]thing have been communicated already in Print. To
which may be added as touching the frame and constitution of the
Government established, That we shall have Triennial, Parliament,
and the first to begin on the third of September next, and so from
three years to three years. That Parliaments shall be chosen by the
People, according to certain Qualifications set down in the said
Parchment; That the time of their sitting shall be for five moneths.
That such Laws as shall be agreed on in Parliament shall be presented
to the Lord Protector for his assent; which if it be not obtained with
in 20 days, then those Bill shall pass notwithstanding, and become
Laws in ful force and vertue. Strict provision is made also for the succession
of Parliaments, the management of Elections, and of Returns
to be made by the several Sheriffs of the persons elected. That the
Lord Protector shall govern with the advice and cousent of his Councel,
the number of whom shall not be less then 13 and not exceed 21.
This is the form of Government in general, particulars having slipt
my memory. Only thus much farther; That all Writs, Processes, &c.
shall issue forth in the name of the Lord Protector; That Articles of
War shall be made good; That the Ministry of the Gospel shall be
maintained, and the present way of their maintenance continued,,
till some other way more convenient shall be found out and provided,
These are some few passages set down so near as I can remember, since
the day than they were read it publike. Many other particulars there
are of great importance, which you may hear of in due time.