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cellent, or agreeable to this nation; I shall not presume to discourse particularly of the framing of a government to your excellency, whom God, I hope, hath raised to be the legislator of England. Only give me leave to remember you, that it is the judgment of the oracle in the politicks, grounded on notable examples, experience and reason, and approved by modern writers, that the legislator of a nation must be but one man; who, whatsoever extraordinary actions he attempeth, or whatsoever power he assumeth to himself for the accomplishing of so worthy an end, as the settling of a commonwealth will prove to be, deserves not only excuse, but also honour. Consider, Sir, the present state of affairs, and see if you are able to discern the foot, on which our present commonwealth, so called, now stands, so narrow is it become: Or, if it hath a foot, is it not like that of Nebuchadnezzar's image, part of iron, and part of miry clay, which will not cleave together? It is already fractioned and crumbled into a small handful, which, though so small, is not well knit, but affords daily cause of jealousy; that like the little church or sect, which, consisting, as Barclay relates, of but three men, came at last to be three several churches: "Sic de angustà ecclesia, & trium hominum numero definita, tres quoque ecclesiæ natæ sunt;" this party will break, till they have not number enough to make up a family. And do you think so weak a defence, as this party is, will be able to repel the violent rage of that increased multitude, which, like a mighty sca, threatens to overbear it? But, Sir, either you look on the parliament, not only as willing, but also as able to settle us a good government, or else you would never, I conceive, stand by it, and own it. If you look on the parliament as able to perform it, we have new cause to esteem and love our country, after a more extraordinary manner, that can produce one or two-hundred able and sufficient legislators, when Rome, Sparta, Athens, or Israel, can boast of but one a-piece.

But, my Lord, the opinions of so many men met together must be various, and, like a multitude of physicians, will indanger, if not destroy their languishing patient. Let England, therefore, my Lord, have but one physician, and such an one as they esteem and love; which will facilitate its recovery. Your excellency, being esteemed and loved by your country, crowned with victory, celebrated for martial skill, for your undaunted courage, your politick conduct, and also having the militia's of the three nations at your back, is that physician that may make us as happy, or as miserable as you please.

But alas! whilst the ship, that we are all embarked in, is tossed in a high sea, you, Sir, seem to sleep, notwithstanding the loud noise of all degrees of people, crying out to you, "Save us, or we perish." Behold, what a chaos England, your native country, is become; be you to it, as Moses was to Aaron, instead of a God; reduce the jarring elements into their places; set a new and beau. tiful face on your deformed country, and, by bestowing on it an equal commonwealth, make it a paradise, wherein we may pass our

days happily, and chearfully, blessing God for so worthy and he roick a person, as you thereby will approve yourself.

England, when an equal commonwealth, will be as wise as Ve. nice, as rich as Holland, as virtuous and military as Rome. Believe it, Sir, no legislator hitherto hath had so large territories, to settle a mighty and glorious commonwealth on, as England affords. All manner of materials are made ready for erecting the most beautiful structure; there only wants an able workman. Can you see any obstacle in your way? You yourself have affirmed, that the foundation of monarchy is gone. And what nobility is there to oppose you, but a titular and impotent one? What army hath England, but what is at your command? Multitudes of people, indeed, like children, who must have a baby to play with, and something to glitter in their eyes, cry for a king; but, when they shall once view the glory and splendor, and enjoy the felicity of an equal commonwealth, they will cry out with the ravished apostle at the transfiguration of our blessed Saviour, It is good for us to be here, let us build us tabernacles." At worst, if this kind of government prove so good for the nation, as is promised, these fond people will not, nor indeed can they, make any person more than a prince in the commonwealth.

What should hinder you then from settling such a government? Or what encouragements are wanting? Do it, and you make this people glorious and blessed; you will infinitely please them, and thereby attain to the highest step of honour, becoming the founder of a potent state; a legislator, that shall be commended by a learned age, the father of your country, and princeps perpetuus. Et quo sis alacrior ad tutandam remp. sic habeto: Omnibus qui patriam conservaverint, adjuverint, auxerint, certum esse in cælo, ac definitum locum, ubi beati ævo sempiterno fruantur. Cic. de Som. Scip.

AN EXACT ACCOUNT OF THE

RECEIPTS, AND DISBURSEMENTS

EXPENDED BY THE

COMMITTEE OF SAFETY,

UPON THE EMERGENT OCCASIONS OF THE NATION.

Delivered in by M. R. Secretary to the said Committee,
To prevent false Reports and prejudicate Censures.

London: Printed for Jeremiah Hanzen, 1660. Folio, containing twelve pages.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR HONOURS,

I AM come here, according to order, to present unto you an

exact account of what money was disbursed by the Committee of Safety, in the short time of their sitting. Truly, I would fain

justify myself, and those who were my masters, for I desire to appear an honest man outwardly, whatever I am inwardly. I know, and am not ignorant, what a good thing it is to be a good steward; for I know you love good stewards, and have thrown out the family of the Stewards, because you thought them not to be good stewards. I make no question, but your honours will find this to be a just and true account; for I learned subtraction, multiplication, and addition, while I was at Drury-House; and, I thank God, I attained also to some small knowledge of the golden rule. I could have wished with all my heart it had been more, yet I intended to have perfected my knowledge in the Committee of Safety, had my time not been so short; however, I intreat your honours to consider, that the Committee of Safety could be at no small charges, in regard of the expences that wait upon authority. We had many mouths to feed, many wanting brethren, that were in charity to be relieved; and charity, your honours know how lau dable a thing it is. All men love money, all men seek for it, and are not well till they have it; and would you have the Committee of Safety more than men? Truly, I can assure your honours, they were but men at their highest, and now they are God knows what; it is thought, some of them now wish they were women. It is true, changes have been very advantageous to a great many men in these times, but there are no changes now can do them good, but such metamorphoses, as the poets speak of. I myself wish I had been changed into an elder-tree, to have been cut out into potguns, when I first fingered a penny of their money. Truly, I think the curse of Simon Magus fell upon them; for no sooner was their money spent, but they were forced to run away; so that I may say of them, that they and their money perished together. How it perished, I hope your honours will hereby receive full satisfaction. I would have your honours contented with this account, which I have here brought; but I assure your honours, if you will not, I can bring you no other. I have one word more, by way of petition: That your honours would be pleased to consider my condition; and, if I have laid out any money out of my purse (as you may hereby perceive that I have) that you will be pleased to restore it me again, and give me ten times as much more. It is a sad thing to be poor and needy. O hunger, hunger,' said the famous Champion of England, more sharp than the stroke of 6 death, thou art the extremest punishment that ever man endu'red; if I were now king of Armenia, and chief potentate of Asia, yet would I give my diadem, my scepter, with all my provinces, for one sliver of brown bread.' I speak this to show you how much it concerns every man, and as well myself, as any body else, to prevent poverty; which makes me urge my petition to you once again, that you would not only not take away what I have got, but rather, as I said but just now, give me ten times May it please your honours, I have done; the Lord bless you, and incline your hearts to pity and compassion. Received, out of the treasuries of the Excise, Customs, and the

more.

Exchequer, four-hundred and thirty thousand pounds. Disbursed as followeth :

THE ACCOUNT.

IMPRIMIS, For three-and-twenty long clokes, at seven pounds ten shillings per cloke, to cover the Committee of Safety's knavery, one hundred seventy-two pounds ten shillings.

Item, For six dozen of large fine Holland handkerchiefs, with great French buttons, for the Lord Fleetwood, to wipe away the tears from his excellency's cheeks, at twenty shillings per handkerchief, seventy-two pounds.

Item, For four new perriwigs for his lordship, at six pounds a perriwig, together with a dozen pounds of amber powder, with four wooden blocks, and half a dozen of tortoise-shell combs, fortyone pounds ten shillings.

Item, For a silver inkhorn, and ten gilt paper-books, covered with green plush and Turky leather, for his lady to write in at church, seven pounds, three shillings, and three pence.

Item, Paid his young daughter's musick-master and dancingmaster, for fifteen months arrears, due at the interruption of the parliament, fifty-nine pounds five shillings.

Item, For twelve new brass nails that were wanting in his coach, and removing all his excellency's horses shoes, and blooding his pad nag, one-hundred and sixty pounds, one shilling, and twopence.

Item, For four rich mantles for his lady, two laced, and two em. broidered, and a brave new gown made to congratulate her husband's new honour, two-hundred and seventy pounds.

Item, Bestowed by her order, upon the journeymen taylors, and given to him that brought home and tried on her said gown, seven pieces in gold, seven pounds fourteen shillings.

Item, For changing an old fashion caudle cup, and three silver skillets that were melted, ten pounds.

Item, For the use of his excellency's rooms, his chairs and cushions, as also for candles and Scotch coals, while the Committee of Officers sat in his house, five-hundred pounds.

Item, For an innumerable company of pectoral rolls and lozenges, to dry up his excellency's rheum, at two pence a piece, thirty pounds, two shillings, and two pence.

Item, Paid the apothecary's bill, for pills and clysters for the last autumn, eighty-one pounds twelve shillings.

Item, For two rolls of Spanish tobacco for Colonel Sydenham, at twenty shillings per pound, according to the protector's rate; and five black pots to warm ale in, at twelve pence a-piece; toge ther with ten groce of glazed pipes, at nine shillings the groce, forty-five pounds, thirteen shillings, and four pence.

Item, For two gilt horn-books for his great son, at two shillings and six pence a-piece, five shillings.

Item, Bestowed upon the Lord Lambert, to buy him the several pictures of Moses, Mahomet, Romulus and Remus, Cæsar,

and all those that were the first founders of large empires and kingdoms, five-thousand pounds.

Item, Presented to the Lord Lambert the root of a tulip, and a certain East-Indian flower with a hard name; which, for their rarity, cost two-hundred and fifty pounds.

Item, Paid the said lord, who is now no lord, to be spent, the Lord knows how, in a certain northern expedition which came to nothing, six-thousand pounds.

Item, Laid out for seven rich new gowns, bespoke at Paris for the Lady Lambert, to be worn seven several days one after another, at her husband's coming to the crowns, every gown valued at sixty pounds one with another, four-hundred and twenty pounds. Item, For pins and gloves for the said lady, eighty-three pounds nine shillings.

Item, For seven new whisks, laced with Flanders lace of the last edition, each whisk valued at fifty pounds, three-hundred and fifty pounds.

Item, For four-hundred packs of French cards, with pictures, to play at Best and Picquet withal, two-hundred pounds.

Item, For a new pair of spurs for Colonel Clark, and a new whip with a silver handle, and a coral whistle at the end of it to call the ostler, three pounds six shillings.

Item, For vamping the said colonel's riding-boots, and for new spur-leathers, ten pounds.

Item, Laid out, for wedding-clothes for the Lord Lambert's daughter, eleven-hundred and fifty pounds.

Item, Given to the Lord Wareston, to buy him a house and land here, because his lordship had expressed a very great dislike of his own country, and was then resolved never to have gone thi ther any more, one-thousand pounds.

Item, Given to the Lord Strickland, for his very ordinary service, a dozen of gilt nutmegs, at six pence three farthings a-piece, six shillings and four pence.

item, Given to Colonel Berry, to buy him a three-handed sword, five-hundred pounds.

Item, Given to Lord-mayor Tichburne, to buy him a hobby. horse and a clear conscience, three-thousand pounds.

Item, Paid to a spectacle-maker, for a spectacle with one glass for Colonel Hewson, four-hundred pounds.

Item, Paid for three great saddles for the Lord Lawrence's son, and for provender for his lofty steeds, ever since the protector's political death, five-hundred pounds.

Item, Reimbursed to the said Lord Lawrence several sums of money, which his eldest son squandered away upon poets, and dedications to his ingenuity, to the value of five-hundred pounds

more.

Item, Paid Sir Harry Vane, to defray the extraordinary charges of his fruitless voyage into the Hope, cight-hundred pounds.

Item, Given the gunner, for four salutes, as he went off the Admiral, ten pieces in gold, to the value of twelve pounds..

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