To the right Honourable the Lords in PARLIAMENT Assembled.  
The Humble Petition of Oliver fleming, Knight.  
Humbly Sheweth,  
THat your Petitioner after 15. Years service to his late Majesty, of ever blessed memory in foreign Negotiations, having contracted therein a great debt, and being left abroad destitute of all supply for his subsistence, he was forced to return hour at such a time as his Majesties own afflictions had made it unseasonable and unpossible for him to expect any other relief or recompense, then his Majesties acceptance and royal compassion of both which your Petitioner had a large and ample Testimony.  
That staying in Town by his Majesties command, he was by an Ordinance of Lords and Commons put upon the Office of Master of the Ceremonies, which he several times performed to his Majesty( who well knew and considered your Petitioners sad condition) with his favour and approbation; yet after an innocent and faithful discharge for several years of his trust therein, he was again 〈◇〉 upon that fatal usurpation and change of Government left in a State, much worse then when it was first put upon him, as by the humble Narrative annexed, more fully appears.  
That for the third stroke of this shipwreck of his fortune, he was threwn upon executing the same Office to persons whom he could not resist and by his own invincible necessities he was forced to act passively. In which his least Misery, was the utter ruin of himself and family, and his only consolation, his constant refusal to repair it, in that detestable way, out of the spoils of his gracious Majesty, the ruins of the Church, or the desolation of private families, although often pressed and urged upon him. Your Petitioner therefore far strike in years, & out of all employment, with the so near concernment of a Wise and children, yet unprovided for in extreme poverty, humbly begs, that your Lordships would commiserate his deplorable condition, and take into consideration his debts contracted in the public service, and order such relief as his extreme pressing calamitier require, and as shall seem sit to the Justice, Charity and generosity of the Parliament.  
And Your Petitioner shall pray. &c.   

THE Humble Narrative OF OLIVER fleming KNIGHT; showing the manner how I came to execute the Office of Master of the Ceremonies, with my Comportment and sufferings therein, for the space of near 18. Years.  
I Had the honour to serve his late Majesty( of blessed memory) in the quality of his Resident, for the time of 15. years, to the Cantons of Swizzerland, Grizons, Geneva, several German Princes, and to some imperial Cities; but by reason of the then growing troubles at home, I found myself totally abandoned, great Arrears due to me, no money transmitted for my subsistence, nor could I expect any for the future, and notable to suffer any longer my extreme misery, being incredibly afflicted, to see his Majesties honour and the public Reputation wounded through my sides, I was forced to come home.  
At my arrival, I acquainted his Majesty with my sad condition, who was graciously pleased to be very sensible of it, but not able at that time to help me. I also acquainted his Majesty with some secret Negotiations which I had had; with the Directors of the late Duke Bernard, of Weymors Army, according to instructions I had to that purpose. Some Propositions were made unto me of great Importance, concerning Brisack, and the rest of the said Dukes Conquests in Alsatia, and other adjacent parts, which I then delivered his Majesty in writing. It did much trouble his Majesty that the posture of his affairs then were such, as that he was altogether unable to lay hold on those overtures, so honourable and advantageous. I was commanded to return them thanks for their good will and affection to his Majesty, but they finding themselves destitute of their hopes, were forced to stick close to their former agreement with France.  
His Majesty was then at Windsor, when I waited on him; and at his departure thence was pleased to command me to stay at London, and to make what shift I could for my subsistence, promising and assuring me that when God should restore him to his authority again, he would take care for the payment of my Arrears, & some fitting encouragement for my long service. He was then also pleased to command me to be vigilant & industrious to keep life in that business of Brisack and Alsatia, hoping that in time he should be in a condition to embrace it.  
After his Majesties departure, the ambassadors and Residents continued their Residence in London; where having observed from time to time the beginnings, and seen some sad events of our civill war, they did successively make their addresses to the Parliament.  
It was then thought necessary, to find out a person fitly qualified, to execute the place of Master of the Ceremonies. Some were pleased to name myself, and so I was commanded by an Ordinance of Parliament, to discharge that place.  
This was done, not only without my seeking,( not having spoken to any friend either for this or any other place whatsoever) but to the contrary;( from a serious desire to be excused from that employment, and in a private station, to attend the good issue of his Majesties Concernments) I did urge some friends of mine, that I might be dispensed with, which can be witnessed by persons of eminent quality yet alive. But the Ordinance being passed both the Houses, I did,( not without reluctance, accept of it, and this is the manner of my being engaged in that expensive, and to me ruinous employment, which I have ever since executed with unwearied diligence, and so far as the calamities of the Times, so full of Distraction, Factions, Disorders and Confusions would permit; constantly managed the things which came within the sphere of my activity, with all possible prudence and dexterity, to the profit and honour of the Nation.  
This puncti●lious place I was constrained to execute alone, without any help, only when the Lords and Commons sate, I made use of force Gentlemen of quality, that out of aff●… ction to th● pu●lick reputation did voluntarily assist me, when there was 〈…〉 public service, during which time, and his Majest 〈…〉 commanded upon several occasions, and to several places, to conduct ambassadors to his Majesties presence, who was pleased to approve of those services, and graciously to reiterate his former promises to me.  
Shortly after, it pleased God for the sins of these Nations, to permit wicked men to perpetrate an Act of the greatest attrocity; The King was put to death, with no less barbarous cruelty then unheard of insolent ostentation; such as no History can parallel since the Creation. This fatal blow given, and the Peers ignominiously laid aside, and left a Skelliton only of their innate dignity and honours, and the most zealous, faithful, and prudent Patriots of the House of Commons forcibly secluded, and the whole Foundation of the ancient Government subverted, a democratical Common-Wealth Declared for; but in effect it proved to be a lawless and Tyrannicall Oligarchy, which was ingenuously confessed by some of the most Judicious amongst them, foretelling that all would come to confusion and ruin.  
foreign Princes and States sand their ambassadors to aclowledge & congratulate this new Government, with great obsequiousness, comforming themselves with great difficulty and aversion, to the capriciousness of those that did manage the affairs, who did unhinge all decency and order therein.  
They did sand their Emissaries abroad, with great expense and ostentation, accompanied with extravagant Instruction, which was matter of laughter to some of our neighbours. The great concourse of foreign Ministers, made some of them think it sit to have a committee to Regulate affairs of that nature, and how to manage the public Negotiations with foreign Ministers; and what course and form to be established in the distribution of national civilities toward strangers, according to their several Characters and qualities; but no such Committee was appointed. Some were of opinion; that all Ceremonies were sup●… fluous, that substantials were to be minded, as if there were no substance in the Transactions betwixt Nation and Nation; That such trivial things might be taken into consideration, according to the emergent occasions. The duty that I owed to the honour of the Nation, begot in me an afflictive resentment of these disorders yet 〈…〉 nd sincere desire to be as instrumental as, I 〈…〉 violations thereof, and from a necessity against which I had no defence,( my then condition considered) I was forced to act in this place, &( to the intent I might better accomplish those public ends, which I then designed) having more work then I was able to wield, and no gentlemen persuaded to assist me as formerly, they being weary of that trouble and thankless office, I did Remonstrate the necessity of having some help, alleging the Example of the Kings Court, and of all other Courts and Governments, and did instance in Sir Lewes Lukenor, who had for his assistance Sir William Button, and Sir John Finnet, beside a Marshall of the Ceremonies, whose Office was to go before, and to make way at Audiences, and to be sent by the Master, upon ordinary occasions to the public Ministers. The assistants did officiate in case of sickness, or other necessary absence of the Master but all my endeavours proved fruitless. I was  told by some of them that they needed no Pedagogue to instruct them. That their Government was of that power and authority, that they could establish things of that nature, without being minded of former examples in England, or of what was practised in foreign parts. That I ought to rest satisfied with what orders I should receive from time to time, and for to help and assist me they would give order to their Messengers, to wait upon me to that purpose; I desired that it might be seriously considered how much it would reflect upon the honour of the Nation, to employ men of that condition, breeding, & odious employment, no wise capable nor qualified to act in a business of such a punctiglious and delicate nature; That the public Ministers could not choose but be sensible of such attempts and affronts put upon them; but all I could say was in vain, and as I did foresee, the public Ministers did greatly storm at this indignity, and did make their complaints, but no redress was given, and they calmly at last did endure it with patience, contenting themselves to laugh at our extravagant ways, and despoticall actings, making themselves merely with the gallantry of the Serjeants and jailers( as they called them) that were appointed to accompany them to their Audience. All which I was forced to hear and see, to my extreme grief and vexation, and sometimes taking occasion to speak of these things, hoping thereby to procure a remedy; I was answered, they were sent, and not sent for, and that they might return whence they came, if not pleased with the government of England.  
When ambassadors came, then on a sudden all things were huddled up with confusion and disorder, and acted according to the imperious humour of some few, who with great superciliousness did arrogate to themselves an infallible knowledge of all State Negotiations and affairs, which others taking for granted, did acquiesce in the judgement of those self-creating State-Grandees, who created also these Innovations in matter of Audience, that it must not be demanded of the Master of the Ceremony, according to the general practise of all Nations, but must be demanded by Letter to the Speaker, when granted, then the Master of the Ceremonies did bring them to the House where being sate, they delivered their Credentials to the said Master, and he to the Speaker. In private Audience with the Counsel of State it must likewise be procured by Letters from the public Minister to the President, and then an Order to the Master of the Ceremony to bring him: None were permitted to have Audience in the House, but extraordinary and ordinary Ambassadors, other public Ministers of lesser Characters, must not be admitted into the House; but a Committee was chosen and sent up to the House of Peers, and the chairman received his Credentials from the hand of the Master of the Ceremonies. The House of Lords was not constantly made use of, but sometimes the Inner Court of Wards was appointed, which sometimes did beget Disputes, because they who had not their Audience in the House of Peers, conceived it a disparagement to their Masters, but that which did most justly offend those public Ministers of the lesser Classis, and in them their Masters, was; That contrary to the practise of the whole World in all the sorts of Government, they were not permitted to deliver their Credentials themselves, to that which was looked upon as the supreme Authority; but when they saw their Complaints and quarrelings did produce no satisfaction, they were ordered by their Masters to connive at such punctiglios, to the end it might not be an impediment to more material businesses. The public Ministers in their Reciprocal Visits, would comfort one another, that they must do in England, as those that did reside in Turkey, Moscovia, and other Barbarous Princes Courts, and as to their State Negotiations, that they had as little satisfaction, for they did meet with so many difficulties, delays, unaccustomed and uncivil ways of Treating, that they could not tell how to behave themselves, their Commissioners being often changed, and so constrained to ravell into business, that had been upon the matter already agreed upon.  
The truth is, that the public Ministers were generally ill used, unequally and uncivilly dealt withall, the Laws of Nations violated, affronted in their persons, arrested in their Coaches, violent hands laid upon them by bailiffs.  
An Extraordinary Ambassador from Venice, being upon his way hither, had sent some of his goods by Sea, the Ship being of Holland, was taken and brought into England, and the goods seized upon by the prise Office, the Secretary of that State claims the Ambassadors goods, but no restitution endeavoured. A while after the Ambassadors comes himself, and at an Audience preys, that his goods might be restored unto him again, offering to discover some person that had some part of his thing, especially some fair Lookingglasses; and had nothing but fair promises, and went away without satisfaction.  
This is but a touch, incidental to this Discourse, it would require a Volume to enumerate the Injuries that have been put upon public Ministers. When great Faults were committed, and of so gross a nature; that even those who had usurped the Authority, were ashamed of them, then was I made choice of, to excuse and apologize for them, and desired to take the fault upon myself; Some of the Ambassadors would smile; and say there was a little Civility in the excuse, but that they knew well enough from whom those Affronts came. These things were swallowed and dissembled, to the admiration of all those who had any knowledge in Foreign affairs.  
No presents were to be given to public Ministers, contrary to the custom of all Nations and Governments; no, not the Warrants for Bucks and Does in their Seasons, as was constantly used to be in the Regal Government; and to the end that this might not seem to be a sordid frugality, it was tempered with an Act of generosity( so called by them) towards public Ministers, which was to forbid me to accept of the Donations due to my place, and an odious command laid upon me, not to permit any others employed in the Service of public Ministers, to receive any gratuity from them; but some said that this was a great wrong and injury to me, and that I and others ought to be reimbursed out of the public purse, which was promised, but not performed in the least. With no small d fficulty and shameful solicitation, the public Ministers had their wonted proportion of Wines allowed them, custom and Excise free; but towards the latter end, the Residents were abated a fourth part of their accustomend proportion, all which I was constrained to bear upon my heart as matter of much sadness and sorrow, having no other comfort lest me, but the constancy and integrity of my endeavours, to prevent the prostituting of the Nations Honour by such miscarriages.  
I humbly conceive, that this rational question may be asked me, why I did Act all this time, and that in all Changes whatsoever, whether my reason could dispense and approve of these frequent revolutions? To which I answer in the Negagative, for as I was unwilling at first to meddle with this Office, which hath been my undoing, so did I from time to time express my dislike of proceedings, when and where I could do it with prudence and safety, in a time when the power of the Nation, was wielded with so much passion and violence.  
But my invincible answer is, that Lawless necessity is an irresistible Tyrant, which forced me to act passively, or to perish, for as I humbly shewed in the beginning of this Narrative, I was deeply engaged for his late Majesty( of ever blessed memory) which debts are since doubled, the Creditors reckoning Interest upon Interest for Twenty Years together, this made my burden so heavy and sad, nay almost unsupportable, that men did admire how I was able to bear it.  
And I seriously considered with myself, that my serving in that place was very innocent, as consisting in holding forth to Strangers the Civilities of the Nation, and indeed, during the whole course of my service in this Office, my end was fixed upon the service, Interest and honour of the Nation, constantly hoping, that God, in his providence would in his good time deliver us out of our distractions, and resettle the three Nations again, upon the ancient Basis, of our former Government, which we see now effected, in great mercy, by the happy return of his sacred Majesty to his Throne. That this is not a flattering insinuation, but a sincere and real truth is sufficiently known to such, as I durst open my thoughts unto. Besides the duty of my Loyalty, and my confidence of the publiques re-establishment, and therein my own particular concernments were a strong motive thereunto; for I found that I could not expect any Justice, much less favour from men that did look upon me, as an old Courtier, and so not much to be trusted, and to this I may add, the hatred that some leading men did bear me secretly, for having with freedom of discourse expressed my aversion, against Enthusiasts, and their new Heterodox principles in matters of Religion.  
I acted all along by the abovesaid Ordinance of Lords and Commons, who had Declared for a King and Parliament, during which time, I had the honour to be commanded to conduct ambassadors to his late Majesties presence, who was graciously pleased to accept of my service, as is above mentioned, and I have in all changes, constantly shunned all other Patents, Commissions and powers of whomsoever, which was not without great difficulty and increase of jealousy and distrust, which besides the operation it had, in obstructing the just payment of what was due to my place, did even hinder the reimbursiing of what I was out of purse for their public service; Nay, their suspicion went so far, that some that had the management of State-affairs, did secretly request the public Ministers, not to acquaint me with their Negotiations, but they frequently coming to visit me did impart to me, what had been said to my prejudice, blaming greatly their ingratitude, jealousy and ignorance, professing, the greatest comfort they had here, was my conversation.  
This can be witnessed by many ambassadors and others yet alive. The necessity of speaking of these things, I hope will Apologize for this seeming ostentation. I did easily perceive that their drift in revealing those things concerning myself was to have wrought a discontent, and resentment in me, and to have made some use of me to the public prejudice, which our raw States-men,( not having past their novitiate) did not dive into, and the truth is, that upon this score of revenge and my known poverty, some of them thought, they had gotten such intimacy with me, that they might attempt to feel how the pulse of my fidelity did beat; not doubting, but their injuries added to my extreme necessity, and ill usage would make me malleable enough for their ends, and to become an Instrument for the furthering of their Masters designs; to this purpose considerable sums of money were offered, but were by me refused with a generous Resentment, justly abhorring any thing of that nature, that might any way tend to the dishonour or disadvantage of the Nation, or to my particular infamy; I am ready when required, to name the parties. It may easily be conceived, that during the space of so many years, and the constant concourse of so many public Ministers, and important Negotiations, if I had sought myself, I had opportunities many and great, to have made my fortune, especially, considering that I( almost alone) was permitted to converse with them daily.  
When his Majesty( of blessed memory) his goods and movables were sold, then was I earnestly advised and pressed to lay hold on that opportunity, for the payment of what was due to me, and fitting recompense for my service; the same was offered me, when the Kings, Queens, and Church-Lands were to be sold, to pay those to whom they were indebted, but I did loyally, constantly and conscientiously decline and shun those ways of payment and compensation, neither would I meddle with any confiscated particular mans estate, rather choosing extreme poverty, then to bee obnoxious to the Curse of the true Owners; and this I did, in Times, when there was little or no probability, to be called to an account by man: I was also  told, that I should be employed on some considerable embassy, but in a prudent way, did shun all occasions that might engage me in any such odious employment, although the Allowance was incomparably beyond all former precedents, and better paid, being permitted to draw Bills of Exchange upon their Masters, a thing never heard of heretofore.  
Many other great promises were made to me, by the successive powers, but none performed in the least; nor could I ever obtain so much Justice, as to have some appointed to sign my Bills, according to Custom, for the money I had continually occasion to disburse for the public Service. By the Ordinance of Parliament, I was to enjoy the Office, with all the Allowances, perquisites, Rights, and privileges, as hath at any time, or doth belong to any Master of the Ceremonies; which I found did formerly arise by 200. l. annual Fees, an allowance of twenty shillings a day for every Audience, twenty shillings a day for a Coach out of Town, if in Town ten shillings; and besides other incidents, one of the greatest benefits, the right of receiving the accustomend Donations, and Presents from Ambassadors, and other public Ministers: But I have not received any of these Perquisites and Rights, belonging to the place, according to the Ordinance; only I received a great part of the two hundred pound salary per annum, with great pains, solicitation, and extraordinary expense. What I received on that account, will appear on the public Receipts; I am out of purse, above a thousand pound for Coach Hire, and a thousand pound for Audiences, and Conferences; and besides the several Journeys to his Majesty, for five and twenty Journeys to Gravesend, and elsewhere, to fetch in, and to re-conduct ambassadors back again; each Journey, computed one with another, did cost me ten pound at the least, considering the Expensiveness, and distance of the places, and the number of such, as were ordered from time to time, to attend that Service. The Donations and Presents due to the place, from ambassadors and other public Ministers, were courteously sent by them to me, and by me Civilly sent back again. What those Presents did amount unto in so long a time, I cannot exactly set down, but according to my best, and most conscientious estimate, I conceive, that it might amount unto something above five thousand pound.  
I find myself, after near five and thirty years public Service abroad and at home, in this sad and unparallelled Condition, that I am eight thousand pound worse then nothing, although far beneath what is justly owing me from the public; I have been forced to pawn and sell, what I had of worth, even to my wearing clothes. What I have set down in this Narrative( as to the substance of it) I affirm to be a positive Truth, and ready to make Oath upon it, if required. Therefore I do humbly pray, that some present relief may be afforded me( to prevent my otherwise inevitable ruin) and that a course may be taken for discharging of a Debt contracted in his late Majesties Service Abroad and at Home, in obedience to public Commands, upon an indeclinable necessity.  
I do in all humble manner crave pardon for this Prolix Discourse; but I hope the extremity of my Condition will Apologize for me, and pled my Excuse.  
FINIS.