Articles of Impeachment Exhibited against Col. ROBERT GIBBONS AND Cap. RICHARD YEARDLEY, Late Governors of the Isle of Jersey;  
WHEREIN The several Impeachments, notorious Actions, high Misdemeanours, Abominations and Oppressions, are laid open, detected, and made public to the Admiring World;  
AS ALSO, A Remedy for the People, against the Heavy Yoke of such Tyrannical Oppressors, in this Juncture of Miraculous Restauration, after so long a Bondage, wherein the Little Finger of some appeared heavier than the whole Loins of others.  
London, Printed for G. Horton, living near Cripplegate, 1659.   

SIR,  
I Have taken the opportunity, by a Boat now going for England, with Mr Pemell, the Chirurgeon of this Garrison, who is sent with an Address of the Soldiery here, to the Lord Fleetwood, and Council of the Army, to let you know, that without difficulty, you cannot imagine how much the dejected, almost dying spirits of the well-affected people of this Isle have been revived, and the joy they have had by that unexpected, and almost miraculous restauration of the famous long-Parliament, to the exercise (once again) of their supreme trusts, from which they had been so long interrupted. And that which hath added to their joy and content, is the Advice we have received from London, which doth intimate to us, that there is very great probability, that the people of this poor Island (after their long bondage and misery,) will be delivered from the heavy yoke of their present oppressors, to wit, from Col. Robert Gibbons, and Captain Richard Yeardley his Deputy, who, we are credibly informed, appeared in London, and elsewhere, notorious enemies to that happy restauration. It is here affirmed, that Lieut. Col. Mason, is in nomination to be our Governor: we hear a very good report of him, and that he is a professed enemy to Tyranny. In case he doth take care to have Officers under him, that may be thus qualified, it will be an honour to him, and great satisfaction to all the faithful of this place, who have very much suffered under the others; and would have imfallably suffered in a higher degree, in case this sudden alteration of things had not happened: the Bailiff and others being very much threatened, and that only for having signed a Procuration here to some of their faithful Patriots in London, which tended only for the good and safety of the whole Island. Benjamin Dumaresy, the late Protector's Attorney General in this Isle, was very active against the said Bailiff, and others well affected, in opposing the same in the behalf (as he pretended) of his Master the Protector, and the said Gibbons and Yeardley, to whose service he was very zealous against the public good.  
Having seen by divers good things published in print, that there are yet (after so long Apostasy) some hopes of just liberty, it hath encouraged me to send you here enclosed, those Articles of high misdemeanours against the said Gibbons and Yeardley, who (in the life of the old Protector, so called) were sent to the Precedent of his Council; but nothing being done therein, 'tis judged fit, not only by myself, but by several other honest people of this Isle, that they might be made public; for the performance of which, I leave it to your Judgement and Discretion, remaining  
Honoured Sir, Your affectionate Friend and Servant, A. B. Jersey 24. of June 1659.   


Articles of misdemeanours, exhibited against Col. Rob: Gibbons, Governor of the Isle of Jersey.  
1. THat contrary to the ancient Charters and Privileges of that Isle and Ordinances made and practised thereupon, directing the manner how the quantities of Wool, Leather, and other Commodities granted to the Island and Castles, aught to be distributed, to wit, by the said Governor, Deputy, Bailiff and Jurats, who thereby are strictly enjoined to see that all Bills or Licenses granted, and Returns thereupon may be registered in the Court of Jersey, by the Clerk, paying for each only 10 pence; but contrary thereunto, the said Col. Gibbons, (without the privity of the Bailiff and Jurats, or keeping any Registering thereof) hath granted Licences for the said Commodities, to whom he pleased, reserving for himself, Allies, and particular friends, not at all related to the Island or Castles, the greatest quantity: all which illegal and unjust proceed, are very much to the prejudice of the State, and to the Merchants and others of that Island: to the State, because none could control nor check him, either in the granting and disposing of the quantities of the said Commodities, although 20 times more than is allotted to the Isle and Castles, nor in the Returns which he hath made; so that any part or parcel of Wool or Leather, hath been transported or connived at by him, to be transported into France for his advantage; being impossible to question the Transporters. To the Inhabitants, because many of them are denied the benefit of any part of the said Licences: And most of those that have any, it is but by very small parcels, as 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, Todds of Wool, and other Commodities proportionably; for which he hath suffered his Clarks to extort from the people one Crown for each Licence, and for the least, half a Crown, which amounts to a considerable sum of money, amongst the poor Inhabitants.  
2. That the said Governor, in order to satisfy his unsatiable avarice, did contrive another unjust way by fleecing the poor Inhabitants, in extorting from those that trade out of the Island six d. per head for a Pass: which Pass, was to continue but for five days; and then, if (by contrary winds) they were stayed, the said Inhabitants were forced to come to the Castles, and there take another Pass, and pay as they did for the former; and so consequently, if the wind had not served in a month or more, having extorted the like from all Boats that went but a fishing, or fetching at Sea, weed (called Vrack) with which the Inhabitants do soil their Lands: which exaction is contrary to the Charters and Privileges of that Island.  
3. That besides those forementioned extortions, he the said Governor found out a new one, and that very unjust, and dishonourable; (viz.) by appointing some of his Servants and Soldiers to drive away the sheep of the poor Inhabitants to Mount-Orguil Castle, there committing the poor innocent Creatures prisoners, upon pretences of having trespassed by entering the Meadows of the State. And that in the Winter season, and when there is no grass, and that all the Cattle is, by the ancient Laws and Customs of that Isle, known not to be kept in at that time, all being then Common, except enclosures, which are kept by strong senses: the said Servants and Soldiers keeping those poor Creatures, (contrary to Law, Customs and Equity) prisoners in the said Castle, till the owners did release them, by paying a Ransom for each head, except for those that were fat, which the Inhabitants could never find nor redeem again, only the Skins of some, having been found, thrown over the walls of the Castle of Mount-Orguil.  
4. That it is so apparent, that the said Governor hath no other respects or care, but to advance his particular gain and profit, showing the same very openly, upon a Market day in the Island, when he had the flesh of two, or three, or more, fat Oxen to be sold that day in the Shambles: the Butchers came to him, hearing of a great quantity of Fish taken the night before, which was coming to the Market, telling him, that in case he should suffer the said Fish to be brought and sold that day, he would lose a great deal upon the sale of his Beefs: whereupon, the said Governor understanding which way the Cart which brought the said Fish, did come, commanded some of his Soldiers to stop it from coming to Market, upon a seeming pretence, that one third part thereof belonged unto him; but as soon as the Market was over, he released the said Fish, which was a very great loss to the owners thereof.  
5. That, contrary to Law, and by combination, the said Governor hath taken money of persons in that Isle, to release Leather, which he had caused to be seized from them; upon pretence, it was to be transported for France: and without any legal proceed, either in declaring it to the Exchequer, or in the Court of that Isle, according to the ancient Custom, hath of his own Authority, freed the said Leather, which afterwards was transported into France. And namely, from one John Anquetill he received 20 Crowns, or thereabouts. And to release Shones and Boots, which his Soldiers had seized from one John Liscam, twelve Crowns, and afterwards the said Boots and Shoe were transported into France.  
6. That about Septemb. 1655. the said Governor combined with the owners of a great quantity of Tanned-Leather, which came in a Bark from Waymouth into the Road of the Isles, to defraud the State (by pretending the said Leather came from Ireland, and was to be transported to St. Maloes';) but one Scovel Searcher in that Isle hearing of it, went aboard the said Bark, & finding the said Leather to be English, made seizure of the same, and presently acquainted the said Governor therewith, who did check the said Officer for making seizure of Leather, which (as he said) came out of Ireland: whereupon, the said Scovel went again aboard the said Bark, carrying with him skilful persons, who knew the difference between English and Irish tanned Leather, who, after a strict search and visit, found the said Leather to be English; and although the said Scovel returned back to the said Governor, acquainting him what further assurance he had, that it was English Leather; yet the said Governor persisted to be more offended at the said Officer's diligence, and threatened to lay him by the heels; and thereupon the said Scovel desisted, and the said Bark with the said Leather, went for St. Maloes', without any further examination, soon after the said Scovel was by the said Governor, put out of his place of Searcher: at which proceed, the said Scovel was much discontented, and gave out, that he would come into England, to complain of the unjust actions of the Governor; but he fearing, lest the said Scovel should complain, did re-implace him again in his place of Searcher.  
7. That the said Col. Gibbons, notwithstanding his said extortions; and that he is allowed pay of Governor, of Captain of Horse, and Captain of Foot in that Island, and pay of Colonel, and of Captain of Horse and Foot in England; besides several gifts and grants of his late Highness, of other beneficial things in Kent, unto him made and granted; and that he receives his said several Salaries out of the Treasury in England: yet so great is his insatiable avarice & covetousness, that he is not satisfied with the same, but hath received out of the public Revenue of that Island in money, Wheat, Rents and profits of divers meadows and Pastures, since the time he first came thither, to the value of about 2000 l. sterling; for most part of which sum, he hath not accounted at all; and if he hath accounted for any part thereof, he hath had it again allowed unto him out of the Exchequer, upon some pretended disbursements, for Reparations made to Elizabeth-Castle in that Island.  
8. That the said Governor, forces the said Inhabitants of that Isle, (at his will and pleasure) to come and work at the Castle, called Elizabeth: which Castle is surrounded of the Sea, and the coming in and going out of the said Castle, very dangerous, unless the Tides are well observed, and that for no Salary; and about needless Reparations and Fortifications, which have always been pretended necessary by the former Governors, as has been by him: but, indeed and in truth, it is only to have opportunity, to finger the States-money, which hath always been observed, to be pocketed up by them so that the State is put to great waste, and needless charges, and the poor people to a great deal of trouble and hazard, by forcing them to work in the Castle, (as if they were absolure slaves) and that beyond the time used by the worst of the former Governors, which was only during one Tide; so cruel beyond them, hath the said Governor been against the poor people; and particularly against those of St. Laurence Parish, whom he caused to be kept in at work, during the space of two Tides, it happening thereupon, that when they were going out of the said Castle, in a very obscure night, five of them were drowned with some of their : the death, or rather the murder of those persons, having not so much as been examined, or enquired after, although it be evident, their death was occasioned by the said Governor; and some of the  of those poor people, having escaped drowning, were found next morning by the Castle Walls, and seized by his Soldiers as wrack.  
9 That the said Governor, contrary to the Laws and Customs of that Island, and the Rules of Wars, and by his Arbitrary will hath bastonaded and miss-used, (to the endangering of their lives) several of the Inhabitants, committing them close prisoners, keeping them at his will and pleasure; and when seemeth good, releases them again, and that without the consent or knowledge, either of the Jurisdiction of that Isle, or Council of War. And amongst others, one Mr. Clement Galleys, high Constable of St. Saviour, of above 60 years of Age, and one Abraham Beeket Merchant: both which persons have very much suffered for their affection and faithfulness to the Commonwealth of England, by the losses of their Estates, long exile, and imprisonment; and several others.  
10 That upon an Order coming to the said Isle, to procure Seamen; and the Inhabitants knowing, that anciently, upon mature considerations had by the Kings of England, of the situation of that Isle, with the necessity of raising and maintaining Fortifications, and Bulwarks round about it, and the constant Guards by day and night, that the people are obliged at the said Isle, being so obnoxious to a potent Neighbour, did upon these and other weighty Considerations, by several Charters confirmed in the third year of the late King's Reign, and since; by the Council of State-free, and excuse the Inhabitants of that Isle from pressing. And some Soldiers coming to the Parish of St. John's, to press, one of the Inhabitants, by name Francis Marret, who in a civil manner, asked the said Soldier, By what Order they would press the said Inhabitants: whereupon one of the Soldiers answered him, he would presently show him his Warrant, which was by Pistolling him through the head; (saying, This was his Commission, or words to the same effect) whereof he presently died. And then fell with his Comerades upon the rest of the Company, cutting and slashing them. Notwithstanding such inhuman murder, proceed, and cruelties, the said Governor made no more inquiry or examination of the fact, than if the said Soldiers had killed and slashed so many Toads, which indeed was their boasting afterwards.  
11. That divers Soldiers and Seamen pretending to have Order to Impress persons, went about the Island and seized upon several young People of good Families, making them believe they should be sent to Jamaica; but in case they would give them so much money as they demanded (or rather ransomed them at) they would release them: which their Parents and themselves not daring to ask them, by what Order they did such things, lest they should be dealt withal, as the said Maret and others had been: Therefore did choose rather to part with their money to redeem their Children, then to Complain. Which Barbarous and unchristian actions, the said Governor connived act, without inflicting any punishment upon the Offenders, although they knew as well the said evil practices as the former.  
12. That about the month of January 1655, the Bark Bonadventure of jersey, John Ahier Master, was taken by an Ostendor near the said Isle. The said Ahier rather than suffer the loss of all, and to be carried with many Passengers then aboard Captives, did agree with the said Ostendor for the Redemption of his Vessel and Goods; whereupon he was set on Shore in the said Isle, to procure the money agreed upon, and to return with speed, which he did, and carried it aboard, and thereupon his said Vessel, Passengers, and so much of the Goods as were left, were freed and brought into the Island; where no sooner he was arrived, but the said Governor sent for him, calling the said Ahier Traitor, because he had carried money to the enemy, without first acquainting him therewith, which he could not do by reason it was night when he was put a Shore, and the Tide up, that none could get into the Castle where the said Governor was; and being obliged to return with speed, the said Ahier having by his diligence redeemed four times more than he carried, notwithstanding the said Governor to revenge himself of the said Ahier, hath refused to give him Certificats as he doth to others, of the Landing of such Goods as were not Rifled by the enemy, into the Island; although the said Ahier hath showed him Certificats of the Bailiff and Jurats of the Isle, and of the Searcher there concerning the truth thereof: which injustice tends only to endeavour the ruin of the said Ahier: who upon the lading at Hampton a quantity of Wool and Leather, hath given security and bonds of great Sums of money for the Delivery of the same in Jersey, the said Ahier being in danger that the said Bonds, for want of such Certificats, will be put in prosecution against him at the Exchequer Court.  
13. That the said Colonel Gibbons being appointed by the late Protector and Council one of the Commissioners for compounding with the Inhabitants of that Island, and likewise Receiver-General, did contrary to his Instructions, and most inhumane-like, as soon as the poor Inhabitants had submitted to Compound for their small estates, which (of most of them) did not consist of above 8, 9.10.12.15.20, pound per annum, He the said Gibbons would send to them to bring and pay their fine, which many could not perform at the very instant, whereupon the said Gibbons would not give them further time, but would presently send such a number of Troopers to their houses, and there to abide upon free quarter till the poor people had paid in their money, that in several houses the said Troopers did eat and spoil more than the fines of the parties amounted unto. And when the sufferers went to complain to the said Gibbons of their heavy burdens, he would tell them that his son and another Soldier would lend them money to pay their said fines, and so remove the said Troopers, provided they would enter in bond to repay the same within such time as they should limit, and pay him Use for the same, which proffer many of them were forced (rather than to be utterly ruined) to accept, although the same were with such horrid extortion as never was heard to have been practised amongst the worst of Barbarians, to wit, 20.25. & 30. per centum, for each month, and yet the said money so lent, was none of his but of the public, which he then had in Cash, or those appointed by him.  
14. That the said Gibbons knowing such Tyrannical proceed, were directly contrary to all Law, Justice, or Equity, and apprehending that the same would be represented in England, did forbid that any person should departed the Isle without his Pass, or any to send or carry Letters without first bringing them to him to peruse. And besides, the said Gibbons caused all Vessels to be searched for Letters which were bound for England, upon which search one Letter of Mr. Philip Maret was intercepted as it was sending into England, directed to a Captain that hath always been in the Parliament Army, and a great assertor of the Good Old Cause, which Letter was occasioned by reason of the notorious Tyrannies of the said Gibbons, therein fully detected, but particularly of his unjust deal against several well-affected persons of that Island, who although innocent he did not exempt from compounding no more than the said Maret who had very deeply suffered under the enemy, by being declared Traitor by them, and who seized and sequestered his Estate, by reason the said Maret was in the Parliament quarters, at, and after the late King was put to death; for the Redemption of his Estate he was forced to pay to the Enemy a considerable sum of money. Upon which interception the said Gibbons committed the said Maret close Prisoner in Mout-orguill: Castle, where he kept him 16 months together (most part of the time) without Pen, Ink, or Paper, or communication with his Friends, being there used very Barbarously: After which time the said Gibbons released him upon Bail, and then the said Maret came for England, to complain and endeavour to have redress: which the said Gibbons discovering, told the said Maret if he would refer the whole business to him, he would free him from his troubles, which the said Maret accepted, by reason he observed the said Gibbons to be very potent at Court, but in lieu of doing according as he had engaged, he the said Gibbons attempted by sureptitious ways to have the Estate of the said Maret to be forfeited, who for two years together hath waited in London upon the said Gibbons, being thereby very much damnified as well in his bodily health as estate, which Imprisonment and troubles hath almost brought his ancient and weakly Mother to the grave.   

Articles of misdemeanours, exhibited against Cap. Rich. Yeardley, Deputy Governor of the Isle of Jersey.  
15. THat the said Captain Richard Yeardley as Deputy Governor, hath for these late years, contrary to the privileges granted to the people of that Isle, taken upon himself to dispose of the Licenses of Wool, Leather, and other Commodities granted and allotted to the said Isle, to whom he seemeth good; and for his particular gain and advantage, doth engross a great part of the said Commodities to himself, by granting Licenses to his Servants, Allies, Factors and others, not in the least related to the said Isle, to the great prejudice and damage of Merchants and others Inhabitants of that Isle, amongst whom, and of right, the said Licenses ought to be distributed; by which unjust proceed, several of the said Merchants and Inhabitants, are forced to buy the said Licenses from the said strangers, at very high rates; it being evident, and of certain truth, that a great quanting of the said Commodities, are for his Accounts, and of his Factors and Agents, transported into France, which cannot be hindered, by reason that none can, or dare control him, either in the disposing the said Licenses, or in making and giving Returns for the several Commodities as he doth, and seemeth best for his advantage, all being at his arbitrary will and disposal; But directly contrary and against the ancient way practised in the disposal of the said Licenses; which are to be distributed in the presence of the Bailiff and Justices there, and registered in the Court by the Clerk, and that for ten pence per Licence, whereas the said Yeardly suffers his Clerk to take of the poor Inhabitants five shillings, or at least two and six pence for every Licence, although but for five todds of wool.  
16. That the said Yeardly contrary to the Law and ancient privileges of the said Isle, and contrary to the Law of War, hath by his arbitrary will and pleasure Imprisoned, and afterwards released divers of the Inhabitants, namely, one Mr. Ph. Richarson, and lastly, the High Constable, and other Officers of the Parish of St. Brefade, only for executing the Duty of their places, in searching a suspected House of the Parish (where lived one of his Soldiers) for divers Sheep, and other things that had been stolen from some of the inhabitants: And that only by reason that it was a Soldiers House; as if Soldier's houses were Sanctuaries, and not to be searched.  
17. That the said Yeardly very well knowing that by the Establishment of Jersey, and for the defence thereof, there ought to be kept twenty Troopers furnished with Horses, for which number there is constant pay allowed from the Commonwealth; and yet the said Yeardly (Commander in Chief there) connives and suffers the Commonwealth to be defrauded, (and the Island endangered) by not keeping above twelve Troopers that have Horses serviceable. Some of the Troopers which are in pay having never a Horse, and others that have are no way serviceable; suffering Servants and Children of eleven years of age to be mustered, and Pay allowed to their Masters for the said Servants and Children.  
18. That the said Captain Yeardly to the very much endangering the safety of the Castles, and of that Isle so considerable to the Commonwealth, doth suffer Soldiers to be lifted in foot Companies that were in actual war in that Isle against the Commonwealth of England.  
19 That the said Captain Richard Yeardly, Deputy Governor of the said Isle, contrary to the Laws of War, and to the great Scandal of the Government of the Army, and godly people in that Isle, and ill example to others, doth keep constant Company with the most notorious Cavaliers of that Isle, going often to their houses there to play at Cards, to feast and drink healths in such excessive manner, that several times the said Yeardly hath been observed to be so much distempered with Liquor, and so drunk, that he could not scarce go or stand.  
20. That the said Yeardly hath several times vowed, if he should remain in the said Isle, he would take such course that all the Anabaptists there should be banished the Isle.  
21. That it is here credibly informed that the said Captain Richard Yeardly before and since the dissolving of the late Assembly, did appear very much dissatisfied of the proceed of those called Commonwealth men, then sitting in the said Assembly, saying, that they were all for Charles Stuart. And after the said Assembly was dissolved, he did appear very much discontented and dissatisfied of the same, muttering against the proceed of the Army, and pleading openly against them and their actions; and for the late Protectors Government, with whom he was the night before the said Dissolution.  
22. That the said Captin Richard Yeardly is such a Countenancer of Notorious Cavaliers in that Isle, that when any well-affected persons have a Suit or Action at Law against them in any thing considerable, than the said Yeardly upon the day of trial or hearing of the Cause was sure to come to the Court, and so effectually countenanced the Cause of such Cavaliers against the well-affected, that by his high words & threatenings, he did awe the Court in such manner that the well-affected persons could not have Justice: And particularly, about the month of October last, he appeared for one grand Malignant whom he calls Sr. Ph. Carteret, against two known well-affected persons, (by name) Mr. Thomas Roberts, and Mr. John Ricard, who both of them have much suffered for their affection, to the renowned long Parliament of England, who did then sue the said Carteret in Court, by virtue of a certain Ordinance of Parliament dated the 16th of September 1645. The said well-affected persons being then railed against, and accused as if they had been guilty of high Treason, to plead against the said Delinquent; and the said Roberts then Lieutenant of the Train Band of St. Owen's Parish, and the said Ricard Ensign, were both dismissed that day from their Commands, by the said Yeardly; for no other offence (known to them) but for pleading against a Notorious Malignant.  
23. That the said Captain Yeardly being Authorized in that Isle a Commissioner to have an inspection upon such persons as should be made choice of by the People to be Justices: He the said Yeardly would rather admit, and cause to be admitted, some that had been in Arms against the Parl. to the place of Judicature, then to permit those which had been chosen, and had been great sufferers for the Parliaments Interest, to be admitted in the said place of Judicature.  
24. These high Misdemeanours committed and connived at by the said Col. Rob. Gibbons, Governor as aforesaid, and the said Yeardley his Deputy, with more of that nature, can be sufficiently proved, in case certain persons of integrity and honesty, (having neither relation to the said Gibbons, nor to the Isle, and such as the said Governor may not be a terror to, as he is to the poor innocent people there) might go thither with power & authority, not only to examine the truth of the said Misdemeanours, but likewise all other grievances of the people: and either to authorise them to reform the same, and see that the Offenders may receive condign punishment for those enormous and foul Crimes, according to the Laws and Customs of that Isle; or at least, to make their Report upon the whole matter formerly, as upon such complaint, was practised in Cases of the like nature.   
FINIS.