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 freedoms.    
With several Proposals tending to the Discovery of 〈◊〉 150000 l. unaccompted for the commonwealth. 

1. Out of the sequestered Estate of Papists and Delinquents.  
2. Out of the sequestered Tithes, Church-Livings, 〈…〉 siastical Revenues in South-Wales and County of Monmouth.    
Humbly tendered to the consideration of the Parliament.  
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, William Blethin, Christopher Catchmay, Rees William's, John Nicholas, Edward Herbert, Robert Jones, 〈…〉, Edward Prichard, John Price, Rowland Dawkins, William Boteler, Edward Stradlinge, John Herbert, Richard Jones, Jenkin Franklin, John James, wrath Rogers, John Herringe, Stephen Winthrop, Sir Erasmus Phillips, Samson Lot, Henry William's, Silvanus Taylor, Richard King, John William's, John Dancy, Thomas Watkins, James Phillips, John Lewis, William Barbar, John Daniel, and John Bowen Esquires, were impowered and entrusted,  
1. To evict and amove all Delinquent and Scandalous Ministers and Schoolmasters in the 6 Counties of South-wales, 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 ecclesiastic Revenues there, 〈…〉 their maintenance.  
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 lives 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 ecclesiastic 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 public benefit: And for one other year, viz. 1653. they contained the receiving & disposing thereof, by virtue of his late Highness Letter.  
And it was observed, that many employed 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 premises 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 account 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 country for the better discovery of the truth of the premises.  
The Petitioners could never obtain any Commissions, or real Examination thereof; at that time eminent persons entrusted 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-wales, 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 commonwealth, and continued to this day faithful to the public 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 than council 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-wales 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 Wales.  
Whereas the said Jones did give no other signal testimony of his good affection to the Parliament, than the most inveterate Cavaliers in all Eng. and Wales would do, viz.  
To bear Offices of honour, 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-wales have also been vested with power; as Sheriffs, Justices of the Peace, Commissioners of the monthly assessments, &c. Insomuch that all were fitted to observe the Arbitrary will and pleasure of him that recommended them to those places.  
2. John Gunter the Petitioners solicitor (a person well affected) was for that cause several times imprisoned, turned out of many several offices and employments, and his very life as well as his estate and good name by horrid perjury endeavoured 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 itself was dissolved, whereby there was no inquiry or account given of this great Revenue: And many are of opinion that their dissolution was hastened by the means of persons liable to account.  
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 council, dated 30 Augusti 1654. was procured to Commissioners to take the accounts of the said Commissioners for propagation, and to give them discharges. And afterwards the same Ordinance was confirmed in the last Parliament.  
What account was taken, or discharges given, have not been thought fit to be made publicly known: however the accomptants conceive themselves secure with their discharges. Against which it is objected;  
1. That Philip Lord Jones, being chiefly entrusted with the disposing of the said Revenue, and being at the passing of the said Ordinance one of his highness' council, 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 account.  
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 account, nor was it probable in their Circuits they should have leisure to attend the same.  
3. This account was taken at one time at Swanzey by four or five persons that were either subject to an account, as Farmers of and Agents concerning sequestered Estates, or of near relation and subordination to the said Colonel, and very unlike to procure his displeasure by a true examination of those accounts.  
4. This account 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 months.  
Obj. If it be objected, this ordinance was confirmed by Parliament, and their discharges bar a reexamination.  
Ans. Nullum tempus occurrit regi. And this Parliament may review the frauds, falsities, and deceits, in the passing of those accounts, 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 council for Ejecting of Scandalous Ministers and schoolmasters, were also named by Philip Lord Jones, whereof seventeen are those formerly entrusted 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 entrusted 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 schoolmasters, many of the Shire Towns, and many Market Towns having no Ministers settled to preach the Gospel amongst them.  
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 account yet given the Commonwealth for the same, amounting to a great value; those very estates of Delinquents in arms sold by Act of Parliament, being surveyed and returned 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 subcommissioners for Sequestration in South-Wales (of his recommendation) that no due account 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 commissioners, and put out three subcommissioners for Breconshire, that in a short time whilst they acted had doubly advanced the revenue there; And to this day there is no true account given the Commonwealth of this revenue, which as is conceived will amount to a vast sum 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 account 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 accounts, 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 their own accounts 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 dependence 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 schoolmaster 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 wilful 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 bargains.  
5. When every Minister and schoolmaster was put in the rooms of those Ejected.  
6. What such Ministers and schoolmasters, and all others the Commissioners agents were allowed and paid; And at the foot of this account it will appear what Surplusage is justly due to the Commonwealth.  
3. And that the same Commissioners may receive the accounts 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 council and Solicitors may be assigned, and a fitting encouragement and protection given them therein.  
Which being granted and effectually put in execution, there will undoubtedly appear to be due to the Commonwealth over and above all just and necessary payments and allowance; above 100000 l.  
As to the people's civil Rights and freedoms 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 suits, protecting and countenancing of heinous Offenders, and taking away of men's Rights and Estates in those Parts, and many other injuries, misdemeanours, 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 monthly assessment, Commissioners of Decimation, Sequestration, Treasurers, Collectors, Excisemen, and all other Officers, Miliary, Civil and ecclesiastic, 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 inquire 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 over six Counties, which he hath exercised in manner aforesaid, for above seven years' last past.  
Published by G. M. ready to prove and justify the same.