The Distressed oppressed condition of the inhabitants of South-Wales for many years last past, briefly and impartially stated 1. in reference to their spiritual concernments, 2. in relation to their civil rights and freedomes : with several proposals tending to the discovery of above 150000Ł unaccompted for the Common-wealth ...

The Distressed oppressed condition of the inhabitants of South-Wales for many years last past, briefly and impartially stated 1. in reference to their spiritual concernments, 2. in relation to their civil rights and freedomes : with several proposals tending to the discovery of above 150000Ł unaccompted for the Common-wealth ...

Table of contents

The Diſtreſſed Oppreſſed Condition of the Inhabitants of SOUTH-WALES, for many years 〈…〉 briefly and impartially ſtated. 1. In reference to their Spiritual Concernments,2. In relation to their Civil Rights and Freedomes. With ſeveral Propoſals tending to the Diſcovery of 〈◊〉 150000 l. unaccompted for the Common-wealth. 1. Out of the Sequeſtred Eſtate of Papiſts and Delinquents.2. Out of the Sequeſtred Tithes, Church-Livings, 〈…〉ſiaſtical Revenues in South-Wales and County of Monmouth. Humbly tendered to the conſideration of the Parliament.

The Diſtreſſed Oppreſſed Condition of the Inhabitants of SOUTH-WALES, for many years [...] briefly and impartially ſtated. • 1. In reference to their Spiritual Concernments, , and • 2. In relation to their Civil Rights and Freedomes. 
With ſeveral Propoſals tending to the Diſcovery of [...] 150000 l. unaccompted for the Common-wealth. • 1. Out of the Sequeſtred Eſtate of Papiſts and Delinquents. , and • 2. Out of the Sequeſtred Tithes, Church-Livings, [...]ſiaſtical Revenues in South-Wales and County of Monmouth. 
Humbly tendered to the conſideration of the Parliament.

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IN the years 1647. & 1648. a conſiderable number of the Miniſters of thoſe Parts were Ejected by the reſpective Committees, who by themſelves and Agents received the Profits of their Livings, as yet unaccounted for.

The 22 of February 1649. by an Act of Parliament then made, Colonel Thomas Harriſon, Col. Philip Jones, Henry Herbert, William Herbert, William P [...]o [...]er, VVilliam Blethin, Chriſtopher Catchmay, Rees VVilliams, John Nicholas, Edward Herbert, Robert Jones, [...], Edward Prichard, John Price, Rowland Dawkins, William Boteler, Edward Stradlinge, John Herbert, Richard Jones, Jenkin Francklin, John James, VVroth Rogers, John Herringe, Stephen VVinthrop, Sir Eraſmus Phillips, Sampſon Lot, Henry VVilliams, Silvanus Taylor, Richard Kinge, John VVilliams, John Dancy, Thomas VVatkins, James Phillips, John Lewis, VVilliam Barbar, John Daniell, and John Bowen Eſquires, were impowered and intruſted,

1. To evict and amove all Delinquent and Scandalous Miniſters and Schoolmaſters in the 6 Counties of South-VVales, and County of Monmouth.

2. To put in able Miniſters and School [...] qualified for that purpoſe.

3. To diſpoſe of the Revenue of the Ti [...] Livings, and other Eccleſiaſtick Revenues there, [...] their maintenance.

[Page] Thoſe Commiſſioners acted ſo vigorouſly and ſeverely, that moſt of the Miniſters in thoſe Counties were ſuddenly Ejected; and amongſt them, ſome that were worthy perſons, that by their Lifes and Doctrines were uſeful in that high Calling, and in Chriſtian prudence and moderation, might have been reſerved until (at leaſt) others better qualified could have been found to ſupply their Places: But at that time their Calling and Orders were accounted crimes; and for ſmall faults done many years before were freſhly arraigned, in order to their conviction.

The Commiſſioners by themſelves and their Agents had the managing and diſpoſing of the Tithes and Eccleſiaſtick Revenue there for three years by that Act, which were privately let to many of their relations at under-values; for they poſted none of their Bargains, nor uſed any means to improve the ſame for publick benefit: And for one other year, viz. 1653. they continned the receiving & diſpoſing thereof, by vertue of his late Highneſs Letter.

And it was obſerved, that many imployed in this Work did ſuddenly and highly improve their Eſtates.

And one man before the Wars not worth 500 l. hath ſince acquired above 5000 l. per Ann.

The 10th. Mar. 1651. Complaint of the premiſſes was made to the then Parliament by Petition, atteſted by many hands of thoſe 7 Counties, who prayed,

1. A ſupply of their Churches with ſuch godly able Miniſters as the Parliament ſhould approve of.

2. That an exact accompt might be made of that Revenue, which was moderately eſtimated by the Petitioners at 20000 l. per Ann. and ſo much offered the Parliament for the ſame, and good ſecurity for the payment thereof.

The Parliament referred the Examination thereof to a Committee, with power to grant Commiſſions to the Countrey for the better diſcovery of the truth of the premiſſes.

[Page] The Petitioners could never obtain any Commiſſions, or real Examination thereof; at that time eminent perſons intruſted with the receiving and diſpoſing of that Revenue, being members of Parliament: But in ſtead thereof, all means were uſed to ſuppreſs the ſame; and in order thereto

1. Col. Freeman the Petitioners Counſel (being then Attorney General of South-VVales, by Order of Parliament, and Patent under the Great Seal of England, Habend. donec Parliament. Angliae aliter ordinaverit, who had done eminent Service for the Common-wealth, and continued to this day faithful to the publick Cauſe of the Nation) was for proſecuting that Petition impriſoned, and after the diſſolution of the long Parliament, by an Order of a few of the then Councel amoved out of his place.

And to add to his aff [...]iction, one Edmund Jones, a Compounded Delinquent of Record, who had violently acted during all the late Wars againſt the Parliament, and a grand Inſtrument of the Popiſh Party at Ragland, was by the means of the ſaid Col. Philip Jones appointed Attorney General of South-VVales in the place of Col. Freeman.

This Jones did procure good Bargains from his young Mr. the Lord Herbert for Col. Philip Jones, who bought ſeveral Lordſhips from him, and was the main Agent and Inſtrument of the ſaid Colonel in all his affairs and concernments in VVales.

Whereas the ſaid Jones did give no other ſignal teſtimony of his good affection to the Parliament, then the moſt inveterate Cavaliers in all Eng. and VVales would do, viz.

To bear Offices of honor, power, and profit, and to be in a better capacity to ſerve the Malignant Party: And it is obſerved, that ſince the ſaid Jones came to Authority there, the moſt notorious Delinquents and Cavaliers in South-VVales have alſo been veſted with power; as Sheriffs, Juſtices of the Peace, Commiſſioners of the monethly Aſſeſſements, &c. Inſomuch that all were fitted to obſerve the Arbitrary will and pleaſure of him that recommended them to thoſe places.

[Page] 2. John Gunter the Petitioners Sollicitor (a perſon well affected) was for that cauſe ſeveral times impriſoned, turned out of many ſeveral offices and imployments, and his very life as well as his eſtate and good name by horrid perjury endevoured to be taken from him.

3. Divers of the Petitioners being Juſtices of the Peace, and Commiſſioners, &c. were diſplaced, and the ſelf-ended complying Delinquents put in their ſteads.

4. And laſt the Parliament it ſelf was diſſolved, whereby there was no inquiry or accompt given of this great Revenue: And many are of opinion that their diſſolution was haſtened by the means of perſons lyable to accompt.

That the cry of this buſineſs ringing loud in the Ears of moſt perſons, (though the poor people ſtill were left remedileſs) it was ſo ordered, that a very formal Commiſſion by an Ordinance from his late Highneſs and Councel, dated 30 Auguſti 1654. was procured to Commiſſioners to take the Accompts of the ſaid Commiſſioners for propagation, and to give them diſcharges. And afterwards the ſame Ordinance was confirmed in the laſt Parliament.

What accompt was taken, or diſcharges given, have not been thought fit to be made publickly known: however the accomptants conceive themſelves ſecure with their diſcharges. Againſt which it is objected;

1. That Philip Lord Jones, being chiefly intruſted with the diſpoſing of the ſaid Revenue, and being at the paſſing of the ſaid Ordinance one of his Highneſs Councel, and thereby in a capacity as well to nominate as [...]pprove the ſaid Commiſſioners; It is conceived unreaſonable he ſhould have the nomination of perſons to call himſelf and his aſſociates to accompt.

2. Though the Welſh Judges, (who were alſo placed with his conſent, if not appointment) and ſome other Gentlemen of quality were named in this Ordinance to give it the greater Countenance, yet not any of them were called in to the taking of this grand accompt, nor [Page] was it probable in their Circuits they ſhould have leiſure to attend the ſame.

3. This accompt was taken at one time at Swanzey by four or five perſons that were either ſubject to an accompt, as Farmers of and Agents concerning Sequeſtred Eſtates, or of near relation and ſubordination to the ſaid Colonel, and very unlike to procure his diſpleaſure by a true examination of thoſe accompts.

4. This accompt was alſo taken on the bare Credit of the accomptants, without any ſurcharge or examination of witneſſes, and in one day; which being effectually done would require ſome moneths.

Obj. If it be objected, this ordinance was confirmed by Parliament, and their diſcharges barr a reexamination.

Anſ. Nullum tempus occurrit regi. And this Parliament may review the frauds, falſities, and deceipts, in the paſſing of thoſe accompts, if it ſhall ſo appear unto them; And the rather, for that in the laſt Parliament, none ſat as Members for ſuch parts, but ſuch as were accomptants, or Elected by the recommendation, approbation, or intereſt of the accomptants.

The 29th of Auguſt 1654. thoſe Commiſſioners named for South-Wales in the Ordinance then paſſed by his Highneſs and Councel for Ejecting of Scandalous Miniſters and School-maſters, were alſo named by Philip Lord Jones, whereof ſeventeen are thoſe formerly inſtruſted with the diſpoſing of the Tithes and Church-revenue.

By colour whereof they and their former Agents continued the letting and diſpoſing of the ſaid revenue to this day, being full nine years ſince they were firſt inſtruſted therewith, which for that time is conceived to amount to above 150000 l. And to this time the reſpective Pariſhes muſtlye unſupplied with Miniſters and School-maſters, many of the Shire Towns, and many Market Towns having no Miniſters ſettled to preach the Goſpel amongſt them.

[Page] As to the Eſtates of Papiſts and Delinq. in South-Wales;

That for the time the ſame was managed by the Committees, there hath been no true accompt yet given the Commonwealth for the ſame, amounting to a great value; thoſe very eſtates of Delinquents in armes ſold by Act of Parliament, being ſurveyed and retorned on oath to be anually worth 3654 l. 11 s. 3 d. ob. q. And the improvement thereof to 895 l. 13 s. 1 d. which during the war, and until the ſame was ſold lay under Sequeſtration.

That Complaint to the Commiſſioners at Haberdaſhers-Hall being made againſt Colonel Jones, and the Sub-Commiſſioners for Sequeſtration in South-Wales (of his recommendation) that no due accompt was given the Commonwealth of this revenue; The Commiſſioners amoved thoſe they formerly Commiſſionated there, yet nevertheleſs afterwards gave way for Colonel Jones to name new Commiſſoners, and put out three ſub-Commiſsioners for Breconſhire, that in a ſhort time whileſt they acted had doubly advanced the revenue there; And to this day there is no true accompt given the Commonwealth of this revenue, which as is conceived wil amount to a vaſt Summe of money if duly inquired into.

Foraſmuch as theſe matters were tranſacted in ſeven Counties, conſiſting of ſeven hundred Pariſhes, very remote; and it is impoſſible that a true and exact accompt can be had of all theſe revenues, without the Miniſters, and three or four of the moſt knowing Freeholders in every Pariſh be examined on oath touching the ſame, which a Committee of Parliament cannot have leiſure to attend, nor the people brought hither without Exceſsive charge and trouble:

In order to the taking of all theſe Accompts, it is therefore humbly propoſed,

1. That none of the Commiſſioners of Propagation, or their near friends and relations that are now members of Parliament, may fit in any Committee to vote or judge of [Page] their own accompts or concernments, or to obſtruct the effectual carrying on of this work.

2. That a convenient number of diſcreet able Perſons of no relation or dependance on the ſaid accomptants, may be appointed Commiſſioners for South-Wales and County of Monmouth by Act of Parliament, or by Commiſſion under the great Seal of England, or his Highneſs Court of Exchequer, with ſufficient power, To ſend for Perſons, papers and witneſſes, and to examine witneſſes on oath touching the particulars following, viz.

1. The real valuations of the Tithes and Church-livings and other Eccleſiaſtical Benefices, and promotions in every individual Pariſh there.

2. When every Miniſter and School-maſter was Ejected.

3. Who received and diſpoſed of the Tithes, &c. And how long, and what is become of the moneys thereby raiſed.

4. What willful miſcarriages and indirect proceedings were uſed in the letting and diſpoſing of that revenue at undervalues to friends and relations, and what rewards were given for ſuch Bargaines.

5. When every Miniſter and School-maſter was put in the roomes of thoſe Ejected.

6. What ſuch Miniſters and School-maſters, and all others the Commiſſioners agents were allowed and payed; And at the foot of this accompt it will appear what Surpluſage is juſtly due to the Commonwealth.

3. And that the ſame Commiſſioners may receive the accompts of the Committees and Commiſſioners of Sequeſtration, with the like power given them for that purpoſe.

4. And for the better and more effectual carrying on of this good work, that Councel and Solicitors may be aſſigned, and a fitting incouragment and protection given them therein.

Which being granted and effectually put in execution, there will undoubtedly appear to be due to the Commonwealth [Page] over and above all juſt and neceſſary payments and allowance; above 100000 l.

As to the Peoples civil Rights and Freedomes in thoſe Parts;

It would be almoſt incredible to relate, and too voluminous herein to inſert the many falſe impriſonments, forcible Entries, part [...]king in Cauſes and Suites, protecting and countenancing of hainous Offenders, and taking away of mens Rights and Eſtates in thoſe Parts, and many other injuries, miſdemeanors, and oppreſſions done, being very grievous and intolerable; the particulars whereof are ready to be exhibited to Parliament when they have leiſure to examine matters of that nature, which for the preſent are herein omitted.

And in truth how can it be otherwiſe expected, when all theſe Powers for many years have centred in one Perſon? viz.

The recommendation and nomination of all members of Parliament, Judges, Juſtices, Sheriffs, Commiſſioners of the monethly Aſſeſſement, Commiſſioners of Decimation, Sequeſtration, Treaſurers, Collectors, Exciſemen, and all other Officers, Miliary, Civil and Eccleſiaſtick, who on the leaſt diſpleaſure given, are ſubject to be as eaſily removed, as they were firſt impowered, which hath been frequently practiſed in thoſe Parts; Eſpecially thoſe Malignants and Cavaliers in authority, who being conſcious of their own guilt and incapacity, are the more ſlaviſh and apt to act any thing arbitrarily at the will and pleaſure of their Patron.

It is therefore humbly left to conſideration,

1. Whether any one man in the beginning of theſe Wars, being not worth in all the World 500 l. could ſince by lawful honeſt means acquire an eſtate of above 5000 l. per Annum.

2. Whether it be not fit to enquire how he came by this great Eſtate, the Commonwealth being in great want of money.

3. Whether it be ſafe for the people, or conſiſtent with the policy and prudence of a well governed State, to continue ſuch a perſon in ſuch an abſolute authority ouer ſix Counties, which he hath exerciſed in manner aforeſaid, for above ſeven years laſt paſt.

Publiſhed by G. M. ready to prove and juſtifie the ſame.

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Title statement

The Distressed oppressed condition of the inhabitants of South-Wales for many years last past, briefly and impartially stated 1. in reference to their spiritual concernments, 2. in relation to their civil rights and freedomes : with several proposals tending to the discovery of above 150000Ł unaccompted for the Common-wealth ...

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1655

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Text Creation Partnership,

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2009-10 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A51193

ID [STC]

Wing M25

ID [STC]

ESTC R26165

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

09375108

ID [OCLC]

ocm 09375108

ID [VID]

42892

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— The Distressed oppressed condition of the inhabitants of South-Wales for many years last past, briefly and impartially stated 1. in reference to their spiritual concernments, 2. in relation to their civil rights and freedomes : with several proposals tending to the discovery of above 150000Ł unaccompted for the Common-wealth ..., G. M..

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8 p.

Published by G.M.,. [S.l.] :: [1655]. (Caption title.) (Attributed by Wing to G.M.) (Reproduction of original in the Bodleian Library.)

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