The Complaint of the County of Brecon, against the undue proceed of the Sheriff of that County, and false return by him made of Edmond Jones as Knight for that Shire. With Articles and Exceptions, setting forth the incapacity of the said Edmond Jones, to sit as Representative in Parliament, he being a Compounded Delinquent on Record at Goldsmiths-Hall, and therefore not qualified according to the Articles of the Government, etc. To the right Honourable the Council of State to his Highness the Lord Protector, The humble Petition and Certificate of the Gentry, Freeholders', and Inhabitants of the County of Brecon. Humbly Showing, THat according to a Writ issued from his Highness the Lord Protector and his most honourable Council, for the free Election of two Knights to serve for this County of Brecon in the next ensuing Parliament to be held for this Commonwealth of England the third day of September next, and directed to John William's High Sheriff of the said County; we did upon Proclamation and Summons, in obedience to the said Writ assemble ourselves in the Castle Green of Brecon, upon the 12 day of this instant July in all quiet and peaceable manner, and without any Arms, according to a private Order of Sessions that day proclaimed for the purpose therein mentioned: And being persons Qualified according to the Act of The Government of the Commonwealth, were divers ways interrupted, menaced, and terrified from giving our Votes according to our Consciences, and not enjoying a free Election according to his Highness and his Councils Articles therein provided, Occasioned chief by the said Sheriff (not performing (as we conceive) his duty according to the 13th Article,) his Under Sheriff, Bailiffs, and Jailers, and other Agents, (being with divers others all armed, contrary to their own Order) who did drag and hale many of the Inhabitants to vote for Mr. Edmond Jones, a person uncapable of such Trust, according to the 14th Article being in service against the Parliament, and a Compounded Delinquent. And notwithstanding that we being allowed and thought fit to be a number competent for the Pole, in the behalf of another person capable of the said Trust, and qualified according to the said Articles, were denied to put in our just exceptions made against divers persons, who were in many respects uncapable and disabled of Voting in his behalf, and not qualified according to the 18th Article: We were therefore constrained, both in respect of our Duty to God, obedience to his Highness the Lord Protector, his Honourable Council, and Public good, and interest of our whole County, To declare and pro●e●● publicly and unanimously against the undue Carriage and illegal Proceed of the said High Sheriff, Edmond Jones and their parties interessed therein; And do hereby make bold to certify your Honour of the said illegal Election of Edmond jones, continuing our protestation against 〈◊〉, and humbly beseeching your Honour's due Examination of their whole proceed in the said business before he be approved, being ready to make due proof of the premises, submitting ourselves to your Honour's grave judgements for our Redresses herein in what manner shall seem fittest to your Honours for a new and free Election. Henry Williams Edward Vaughan Richard Herbert Morgan jones john Vaughan Thomas Vaughan Robert Walbeife Thomas Powel Jeffery Lewes Roger Vaughan james Watkins john Prosser, William Powel Philip Williams james Williams Rich: Winter Walter Winter William Powel William Awbrey Thomas john David Roger Lloyd Llew. jenkin's Llewes Watkins Henry Parsons Walter Williams Jenkin William. With hundreds more much aggrieved. Exceptions against Edmund Jones Esq setting forth his incapacity of being entrusted or elected as a Member of Parliament. 1 FIrst, For that he was notoriously disaffected to the late Parliament, for whom he never did any Service. 2. That he deserted his Chamber in Grays-Inne, and repaired in the time of the war to Oxford, and did there agitate for the Popish Forces of Ragland and other Enemies of the Commonwealth, against the Parliament. 3. That he during his abode there, did much further the Irish Rebellions, by suing out Commissions for divers of the Irish Rebels, and furthering their designs. 4. That by that means he came into such favour with the late King and the Earl of Worcester, that he was nominated Commissioner of Array and Association for the County of Monmouth, where he did use his uttermost endeavours (being a Counsellor at Law) to draw the said County to yield obedience thereto. 5. That he was Treasurer for the said King in the said County, and received several vast sums of money, for which there is no account as yet given to the Commonwealth. 6. That he did press men, and raise horses and arms for the late King and his Forces against the Parliament, and did thereby much advance the late King's service in those parts. 7. That he was a main agent and instrument for the Popish party, and forces under the E. of Worcester in the Garrison of Ragland, being one in whom he so much confided, that he did convey the said Earl in a disguise in safety through the Parliaments-Quarters and Garrisons. 8. That for these and for other his delinquencies, the said Edmond jones was voted a delinquent by the Committee of the County of Monmouth, with whom he compounded at an under value for his personal Estate, and since likewise compounded at an under value with the Committee at Goldsmith's Hall for his real Estate, by that means owning his said Gild, and submitting to the Parliaments mercy for the said offences, and therefore not capable (as we humbly conceive) to be a Member of Parliament, having never been in the service of the Parliament, nor given any signal testimony of his affection to the present cause, further than by a Politic compliance with some in power in those parts when the war was ended, by which means he hath avoided an account for the moneys received by him as Treasurer for the late King and by the favour of some persons (to advance a particular interest 〈◊〉 into some places both of honour and profit to himself, viz. to be attorney Gen. of Southwales, which he obtained by an Order of some of the Council of State, appointed by the last Paul▪ who were wholly ignorant of the said jones high delinquency, which place the said Edmond jones doth now hold and execute contrary to the several Acts and Ordinances of Parliament in that behalf made, wherein he hath miscarried himself in many particulars, as will be sufficiently proved, if this honourable Council think fit to direct a proceeding therein. THese are to certify whom it may concern, That Edmond Jones of Landsoy in the County of Monmouth Gent. paid into the Treasury at Goldsmith's Hall the 20 of March 1646, the sum of Thirty five pounds, three shillings, and fourpences in part, and the 7 of Feb. 1647 the like sum of Thirty five pounds, three shillings, & fourpences, being the last moiety, and in full of his Seventy pounds six shillings and eightpences Fine, imposed upon him as a Fine for his Delinquency against the Parliament. And for which moneys paid as aforesaid, was given him two Printed Receipts under the hands of Richard Waring, and Michael Herring, late Treasurer at Goldsmith's Hall, which at the request of Sir Hen: Williams is certified this 25. of July 1654. by l. s. d. 35 03 4 35 03 4 Fine paid, 70 06 8 Michael Herring. Examined by Jo: Bateman. Exceptions against the undue election of Edmond Jones Esq as Knight for the County of Brecon, setting forth the gross partiality of John Williams Esq higb Sheriff of the said County, and the imperfect, irregular, and false return by him wittingly and willingly m●de, contrary to the express letter of the Government of the Commonwealth of England, etc. Published by his Highness the Lord Protectors special Commandment. 1 FIrst we do aver, and shall be ready to prove and make good, That the said High Sheriff hath born Arms for the late King, and otherwise hath aided, advised, abetted, and assisted in the late war against the Parliament, and in that respect uncapable (as we humbly conceive) to make a return of Election of Members to sit in Parliament. 2. That the said Sheriff out of his desire to promote persons of the like Principles as himself to the next Parliament, did by all ways and means labour to preingage divers of the Gentlemen and Freeholders of the said County to give their votes for the said Edmond Jones, And for that purpose did procure divers of them to subscribe for the said jones three weeks before the election. 3. That upon the day of election, being the 12 of July instant, the said Sheriff did show himself most grossly partial on the behalf of the said Jones, in these particulars following. In admitting such to vote for the said Jones; who were not qualified, nor capable to vote, particularly, Mr. Edward Gwyn, who was for a long time a Captain in Arms for the late King, and as Colonel did lead the Country against the Parliaments Forces: Watkin Vaughan Esq who was likewise Colonel for the said late K●●g: Edward William's Esq who as Colonel did lead his division against the Parliaments Forces, and vigorously acted as Commisioner of Array for the King: Meredith Lewes Esq who was an active Commissioner of Array for the late King: Thoma● William's Esq who was Judge Advocate, and in Arms for the late King: Thomas Vaughan an Officer under Colonel Price for the late King: John Roberts, Morgan Awbrey, and others listed Soldiers under the said Colonel Price, Matthew Herbert, Henry Herbert, Richard Vaughan, Richard Lewes, David Philip, john Lewes, and most of the rest of the Electors returned, have under the command of the said persons, or otherwise aided, advised, assisted and abetted in the late War against the Parliament, whereby they became uncapable to Vote in election of Members for Parliament (as we humbly conceive) according to the Government of the Commonwealth of England, etc. and several other Acts and Ordinances of Parliament, having not been since in the service of the Parliament, nor given any signal testimony of their good affection thereto. 4. In admitting persons to Vote for the said Jones who had not a competent estate according to the direction and qualification of the said Government. 5. In putting off and thrusting by such Freeholders as came to the place to give their Vote for Henry William's Esq though qualified to Vote. 6. In hindering the Clerks appointed by William's party to take notice of and except against such persons as were not qualified and capable to vote for Jones. 7. In suffering all that were for Jones to be in Arms, and amongst them the most notorious in the late King's party in those parts, and disarming, threatening and discountenancing such who were for Williams. 8. In permitting if not abetting divers persons who were armed of Jones his party to lay violent hands and to hale in to their party divers of those who were for Williams, whereby they were forced to Vote for Jones. 9 For the better performance thereof, the said Jones did openly threaten such who Voted against him, and jeffery Williams the Deputy Sheriff (whose name is returned as an Elector) did openly say, that such as would not give their Votes with Jones should lie by it. 10. William-Watkins (formerly Lieutenant under Major Gen. Harrison) did lay hold on his Sword, and threatened to draw his Sword against William james, who was of William's party, and had only a whip to defend himself, all which was done by the said William Watkins because the said William james did appear and Vote on the behalf of Mr. Henry Williams. 11. The High Sheriff himself said, that he was resolved to return Jones, though he were sure to pay the Fine; who made good his Word therein, although the said Mr. Williams had by far a greater number of voices, of Freeholders and others qualified and capable to elect Members for Parliament, and himself a person of known worth and integrity, The said Jones being a Voted and compounded Delinquent of Record at Haberdasher's and Goldsmith's Hall, as by a true Copy of his Petition, particulars and Fine paid, attested by the Clerks and Treasurer, hereto annexed, may appear; Whereby the said Edmond Jones is (as is humbly conceived) uncapable to be elected a Member for Parliament, by the express Articles of the said Government of the Commonwealth of England, and the several former Acts and Ordinances of Parliament. 12. That the said Sheriff in the Indenture returned by him doth not mention the places of abode of the Electors subscribed thereto, whereby they might be the better known and distinguished from those that Voated for Henry William's Esq and their delinquency and incapacity more clearly detected and discovered. The said Sheriff having returned the names of Morgan jones, William Williams, Thomas Williams, Thomas powel, jenkin Williams, Walter Williams, james Watkins Gent. and others who Voted for Henry Williams, so that the return is imperfect and erroneous in that particular as is humbly conceived. 13. That the said Sheriff (to make a greater show of appearance of persons of quality on the behalf of the said jones, and the better to countenance his said false return) did return William Morgan Esq Edward Gwyn Esq Walter Vaughan Esq Richard Games Esq as Electors, whereas in truth there are no such persons within the said County of Brecon. 14. Mr. Edmond jones came to the Poal and held it in his own hand and said, he would be even with most of those that Voted against him whatsoever it cost him, so that all the Inhabitants that Voted not for jones are unsafe in their persons and estates, if the said jones should be admitted a Representative for the said County. 15. William Morgan voting for jones laid violent hands on john Powel, and Llewelin jenkin's Gent. to force them from the place, and hinder them to give their voices for Henry William's Esq for whom they did declare. 16. Edward Williams a person that formerly assisted, advised and abetted in the late war against the Parliament, and impeached in the charge of the Army as a Person uncapable of trust for the Parliament, and now charged with apparent disaffection; if not high Treason against his Highness the Lord Protector, was permitted to stand by the Poal and not only to Vote for jones, but also to affront; discourage, and discountenance such as offered to Vote for Mr. Williams. 17. Howell Llewelin Servant to Col jefferies' who have been both in all the late wars against the Parliament, was permitted by the Sheriff and his Officers to drag several persons to Vote for jones. FINIS.