stone to his own memory, on which may be inscribed, "Sacred to the memory of a mean detractor of virtue which he would not appreciate, of principles he could not comprehend, and of piety which he did not imitate—the contracted Tory pensioner, dictionary compiler, high-church bigot, and semi-popish reviler, Dr. Samuel Johnson!" ROYAL PROCLAMATION. No. II. "By the King:" [The Royal Arms prefixed.] "A Proclamation, for calling in and suppressing of two books by JOHN MILTON; the one entitled, Johannis Miltoni Angli pro Propuli Anglicano Defensio, contra Claudii Anonyani alias Salmasii Defensiorum Regiam; and the other in answer to a book entitled, The Portraiture of his Sacred Majesty in his Solitude and Sufferings; and also a third book, entitled, The Obstructors of Justice, written by John Goodwin. "Charles R. "Whereas JOHN MILTON, late of Westminster, in county of Middlesex, hath published in print two several books, [repeating the titles as above,] in both which are contained sundry treasonable passages against us and our government, and most impious endeavours to justifie the horrid and unmatchable murther of our late dear father of glorious memory. "And whereas John Goodwin, late of Coleman Street, London, Clerk, hath also published in print a book entitled, The Obstructors of Justice, written in defence of his said late majesty, And whereas the said JOHN MILTON and John Goodwin are both fled, or so obscure themselves, that no endeavours used for their apprehension can take effect, whereby they might be brought to legal trial, and deservedly receive condign punishment for their treasons and offences. "Now, to the end that our good subjects may not be corrupted in their judgments, with such wicked and traiterous principles, as are dispersed and scattered throughout the forementioned books, we, upon the motion of the Commons in parliament now assembled, do hereby straightly charge and command all and every person and persons whatsoever, who live in any city, borough, or town incorporate, within this our kingdom of England, and dominion of Wales, and town of Berwick upon Tweed, in whose hands any of these books are, or hereafter shall be, that they, upon pain of our high displeasure, and the consequence thereof, do forthwith, upon publication of this our command, or within ten days immediately following, deliver, or cause the same to be delivered, to the mayor, bailiff, or other chief officer or magistrate," &c. [Then follow orders to seize upon such books, and to prevent their being reprinted or circulated.] “Given at our Court at Whitehall, the 13th day of August, in the twelfth year of our reign, 1660. "London, printed by John Bill and Christopher Barker, Printers to the King's Most Excellent Majesty, 1660,” No. III. Extracted from a work, entitled, " Some Account of the Life The following is copied from Section III. of the THE book of Orders of Council of State, during the usurpation, found in his Majesty's State Paper Office, presents the poet addressed by a Committee, appointed for the purpose of inviting him into office about six weeks after the martyrdom of the king. "1648-9. March 13. Ordered, That Mr. Whitelocke, Sir Henry Vane, Lord Lisle, Earl of Denbigh, Mr. Martyn, Mr. Lisle, or any two of them, be appointed a Committee to consider what alliances the crown hath formerly had with Forreigne States, and what those States are; and how farr they should be continued, and upon what grounds; and in what manner applications and addresses should be made for the said continuance. "That it be referred to the same Committee to speake with Mr. Milton, to know if he will be employed as Secretary for the Forreigne Tongues, and to report to the Councill, C C “ 1648–9.—March 15. Ordered, That Mr. John MilTON be employed as Secretary for Forreigne Tongues to this Councill, and that he have the same salarie, which Mr. Wickerly formerly had for the same service. "1648-9.-March 22. Ordered, That the letters now read, to be sent to Hamburgh, in behalf of the company of Merchant Adventurers, be approved, and that they be translated into Latin by Mr. MILTON. “1649.—March 26. Ordered, That the letters now brought in by Mr. MILTON, to the Senate of Hamburgh, be approved; and that Mr. Isaac Lee, Deputy of the Company of Merchant Adventurers there, shall be appointed Agent for delivering them. 1649.-March 26. Ordered, That Mr. MILTON be appointed to make some observations upon a paper lately printed, called “ Old and New Chains.”* “1649.—March 28. Ordered, That Mr. MILTON be appointed to make some observations of interest, which is new amongst the several designers against the peace of the Commonwealth, and that it be made ready to be printed, with the papers out of Ireland, which the House hath ordered to be printed. "1649.-May 18. Ordered, That the French letters, given into the House by the Dutch Ambassadors, be translated by Mr. MILTON; and the rest of the Letters now in the House, be sent for and translated. "1649.-May 30. Ordered, That Mr. MILTON take the papers forthwith to Mr. John Lee, and examine them, to see what may be found in them. “1649—June 23. Ordered, That Mr. MILTON doe exa * John Lilburn was the author of this book, and was on account of it committed to prison on the suspicion of high-treason. Judge Jenkins used to say of him in regard to his litigious disposition, that if the world was emptied of all but John Lilburn, Lilburn would quarrel with John, and John would quarrel with Lilburn. |