The Grand Account. OR, A REMONSTRANCE: WHEREIN Is plainly discovered the vast Sums of Money levied upon the kingdom by Ordinance of Parliament, since the beginning of the late war: As also an account of the disposal of the greatest part therof, for the service of the PARLIAMENT, &c.  
ALSO VOX POPULI: OR, The Cry of the Commons against Committee-men.  
In all humility rendered unto the consideration of the Body Representative, now sitting in Parliament at Westminster.  
Let him that stolen, steal no more.  
OXFORD, Printed and published for the satisfaction of the kingdom, 1647.   

A Remonstrance, or Grand account of the vast sums of Money levied upon the Kingdom, by virtue of several Ordinances of Parliament, since the beginning of the distractions in this Kingdom.  
AMong many other grievances which we the Commons of England have for these late yeers lain under, this is not the least; to wit, the great sums of Money from time to time levied upon us without any account given of the disposal thereof. Now to the end that you may not alway be bound up in ignorance, but may at last be made sensible of the burden, that not onely yourselves, but the whole Kingdom hath groaned under; take this account as perfect as can by computation be gathered, being I believe( though in itself large) yet much short, in respect of those vast sums by them received of the free Commons of England to be by them disposed and employed for the service of the public, although contrarily( to the prejudice of the Kingdom) they have contracted great debts upon the Kingdom, and shared and divided the public Stock amongst them; they have empoverished you, to enrich themselves; and instead of being Stewards, they have made themselves your Lords.  
How can it be imaginable that( so long as such large Fees are taken out of the common Store by Committee-men, and others entrusted) the Treasury should be other then empty? If the Stewards wages exceed his Lords Revenue, 'tis likely the Servant will be a better man then his Master: If the Speakers and their clerks receive such large Fees( as is very true, and shall be demonstrated) I am very confident they may well be rich, but the Kingdom must of necessity be poor: neither need it be a wonder, they being paid so well, that the Army is paid no better: but I shall forbear, and onely proceed to the matter proposed, touching the account, as followeth.  

Composition-Money for Delinquents Estates.  
The Fees of the two Speakers( and their clerks) of the Lords and Commons House of Parliament, for Pardons of Delinquents, is thirty five pounds of every man, whose estate is one hundred pounds per annum, and upwards.  
So that three men, at thirty five pounds a man, comes to one hundred and five pounds. Ten men at thirty five pounds a man, comes to three hundred and fifty pounds. One hundred men, at the same rate, comes to three thousand five hundred pounds. One thousand men at thirty five pounds a man, comes to thirty five thousand pounds. Ten thousand men so paying,( as all have, and must before they can have their Pardons) comes to three hundred and fifty thousand pounds; which is thirty five wagons loading of silver.  
By Ordinance of Parliament, every Delinquent pays two yeers Revenue: as thus, He whose estate is a hundred pounds a year, pays two hundred pounds: and so proportionably.  
As thus, Ten men, whose estates are betwixt one and two hundred pounds a year, their composition money comes to two thousand pounds.  
One hundred men whose estates are between one and two hundred pounds a year, every man paying two yeers. Revenues, comes to twenty thousand pounds.  
One thousand men so paying, comes to two hundred thousand pounds.  
Ten thousand men so compounding, and paying, amounts to two Millions, and is twenty hundred thousand pounds, being two hundred wagons loading of silver, every wagon loading being ten thousand pounds in silver.  
Now by the way, I beseech you, consider if there were no greater Compositions then these, nor any other way used to raise money; if the Speakers had less Fees, and the sums so raised, were employed for the Kingdoms benefit: might not( think you) the Army have been as well paid, and the Kingdom as little in Debt as now it is? I humbly conceive that the Associated Counties and the rolls in Chancery-Iane, hath been pay enough for their good service, it being yet invisible,( for though they are sure of our money, we have not so much as the public Faith for their good service, and which is worse, it is to be feared never shall have, unless it be Dennington-like.) But consider your misery further: If it be so sleec'd at the first hand; surely tis flayed before it gets through the Purgatory of Committee-men, Treasurers, and the like;( it must needs be pure silver, enduring such a fiery trial.) but to proceed.  
Divide ten thousand men in ten parts; as thus.  
One thousand men Delinquents whose estates are betwixt one and two hundred pounds a year, every man paying but two hundred pound, two yeers revenue, amounteth to two hundred thousand pound a year.  
The second thousand men whose estates are betw̄ixt two and three hundred pounds a year, paying two yeers revenue, comes to four hundred thousand pound.  
The third thousand of Compounders, whose estates are betwixt three and four hundred pound a year, and so paying, amounts to six hundred thousand pound.  
The fourth thousand Compounders, whose estates are betwixt four and five hundred pound a year, pays eight hundred thousand pound.  
The fifth thousand Compounders, whose estates are betwixt five and six hundred pound a year, pays ten hundred thousand pound, which is three hundred wagons loading of silver, every wagon loading being ten thousand pound in silver.  
The other five thousand Delinquents paying as the before mentioed five thousand Compounders amounts to eight Millions, that is eight hundred wagons of silver, ten thousand pound being a wagons loading, and is in all one Million, one thousand, thirty and five wagons Loading of silver  
Then consider, if one thousand men, whose estate is but betwixt 1, and 2. hundred pound, come to two hundred thousand pounds, at two yeers revenue; how many hundred thousand pounds comes one thousand mens estates to, that have been sequestered for this five yeers: most of their estates being 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 900. l. and many of the said sequestered estates of the said one thousand Compounders, one, two, three, five, seven, yea nine thousand pound a year: yea some, ten twelve, fourteen, fifteen, yea sixteen thousand pound a year, if not more? All which cannot but be some Millions, as may be proved, which sequestration money if by them duly employed would have paid the Army, it being 435. wagons loading of Silver.  
All which is a mass of money, yet but a small sum to the moneys brought in as followeth.  
First, Head-money.  
Secondly, Plate lent upon the propositions.  
Thirdly, Money raised for the Rebels Lands.  
Fourthly, Money for the weekly Meales, for a meal for one day in the week.  
Fifthly, Money lent upon Ordinances of Parliament.  
Sixthly, Fifty Subsidies.  
Seventhly, the Twenty, and Twenty and Fifth part of Land and Goods.  
Eightly, Excise.  
Ninthly, customs.  
Tenthly, Sequestration of all the Delinquents Lands, since the war began.  
Eleventh, the Kings revenue.  
twelve, Money for Newcastle coals.  
Thirteen, Money raised for his Excellency of House-keepers, and some other Commanders in the like nature; besides plunderings, and what hath been taken going out of the Land, and to the King.  
Lastly, Monthly Taxes upon all the Lands in the Associated Counties; which came to threescore thousand pounds a month, and so given in, if not more, and by the year amounts to seven hundred and twenty thousand pounds, and in five yeers comes to three Milions fix hundred thousand pounds, and is, three hundred and fixty wagons Loading of silver, at 10000. l. a wagons loading.  
Yet for all these great sums thus raised, such is the want of moneys( as must be supposed) that the Bishops lands must be sold( for some hundred thousand pounds) to pay the Arrears of both Armies, yet but in part.  
If this be not seriously looked into, and taken into consideration by the sovereign, the people,( many of them now being ready to perish) they must look to be greater sufferers, by so much the more the exhausters increase in riches, and they decay by poverty, through oppression. And it is generally known we have no good common-wealths men, neither Judges, Lawyers, no nor those from whom we expected the establishment of good and wholesome laws, who have sufficient power so to do, and to have prevented all deceitful and corrupt dealings, were not the over-ruling part of them corrupt.  
Here is a glass for all honest true hearted English-men to present the deformities of corruption unto, and to cause them to think it is high time to inquire what is become of these vast sums of treasure: what Lord but may justly require or demand a just account of his Steward? If your Stewards have dealt deceitfully with you, let them know it, if you will not, then know, they will be your Lords, and you their vassals, Therefore in time assist that Army( all true hearted English-men) who neither hath, nor yet do account any thing too dear for the welfare and safety of this nation, nor will proceed,( as generally published by their Declaration) but to make this a famous and happy kingdom, in the ways of true justice, then shall no drone live upon the laborious Bee, who now swarms in every mans ground.  
And how necessary it is with expedition, to have this kingdom settled in the best ways and laws that can be advised; let the most judicious judge, then shall not any man whomsoever, by any power or authority oppress another: will not this be to let the lamb lie down with the lion and not fear devouring?  
But if no law nor justice, but what shall be bought with money, Then be it known unto all men( who now may purchase their liberties and privileges at an easy rate, shall as formerly they have been, be slaves to corrupt laws and wills of men.  
The total of all which sums amounts to sixteen Millions, sixteen hundred thousand pounds of Silver, besides head money, plate money, and in that way.    

VOX POPVLI: OR, The Cry of the Commons against Committee men.  
SEEing it is now high time( most worthy Senators) that we the Free Commons of this Kingdom, after so hard a servitude under an unlimited monarchical power; So difficult a passage towards deliverance and freedom through a read Sea of blood, and so many dubious changes in the wilderness of disorder and confusion; should now begin to look after the enjoyment of that good Land( to wit, Peace, Freedom, and Justice) promised us at the beginning, and for which we have with the expense of our lives and estates, so earnestly contested with the enemies of our and the Kingdoms Peace.  
Was it not unlimited Prerogative, corruptions in Law and Courts of Justice, infringement of our Liberties, illegal Taxes, and the like, which was by you declared to be the misery of the Kingdom, a door and in-let to tyranny and oppression? And was it not that regal power might be limited by Law, not proportioned by will? that the constitutions of our Law might not be destroyed, but reduced to their fundamental purity; that Justice might be executed, and we preserved in our Liberties and Estates.  
Give us leave then to expostulate a little: How comes it to pass, that( notwithstanding all your promises made so solemnly in the presence of God and the Kingdom) we reap not the harvest of this promising seed time? How comes it to pass, we beseech you, that such fair blossoms yield such slender fruit? Whence grows this muttering, nay, we may say groaning under, and exclamations against oppression, tyranny, and injustice in our streets, nay, Courts of( Injustice) Justice we cannot call them, even at the Parliament door, nay, within the Parliament House? How comes it to pass, that so many irregular, illegal, and we may say, Unparliamentary Votes, Orders, Declarations, and Ordinances, pass for currant coin one day, and counterfeit the next? Whence proceeds this spirit of ambition, contention, oppression, and sedition, which reigns so powerfully amongst you? We cannot be seduced to believe that ever this proceeds from Parliament Principles; from Principles of Law and Justice; but from Principles of Ambition, Usurpation, Pride, covetousness, and the like, from the power of which Good Lord deliver us, &c.  
Did you so vehemently declare against Prerogative, with intent to destroy us by privilege? Did you exclaim against injustice in others, that yourselves might be singular, yea superlatively unjust? Were corruptions in the Law past cure, so that your wils must be our supreme Law? Was the taking a little of our estates illegal in others, but in you justice to take all? Is this the end of our labour? The return of our expectation, the prise we have sweat so much blood for? Certainly we looked for Peace, but behold war; we looked for Justice, but behold Oppression; we looked for Liberty, but behold Slavery; and our end is worse then our beginning.  
And now grave Senators, having with sorrow of heart given you some hints of the sense of our present sufferings, take notice( wee beseech you) of these our desires, in which we expect speedy satisfaction from you.  
1. And first, wee beseech you look unto the rock from whence you were hewn; were you not fellow Commonners with us? Were not every one of us as equally, fully, and properly interested in the safety and welfare, yea government of the kingdom, as any or all of you, considered as Commoners and Subjects? Did not you receive your power from us, for our good; to be accountable to us, by whom you were impowred and entrusted? Have you not yourselves confessed and declared, that all intrustments are and ought to be for the good of the Trusters? upon this ground we the free Commons, and your fellow-Subjects expect from you the performance and discharge of your duty herein, together with the following particulars.  
2. Have you not declared that the Law ought to be the rule of the Kings Actions: and must it not be of the Parliaments likewise? Certainly you have sometime confessed, that they that give Law to others, ought not to be without, or above Law themselves. Therefore we the free Commons expect, that all un-Parliamentary actions either within or without the House; whether privately, or publicly; either by the whole, or any particular Member, or any other by them entrusted, or impowred, be publicly declared against; and that a way be opened for just reparation and relief against all such Arbitrary and exorbitant practices.  
3. Have you not declared, That no free Commoner ought, or might be dis-infranchised of his liberty, without indictment, and that the fining and imprisoning men without due process at Law, was a breach upon the Law, and destructive to the Subjects liberty? How comes it then to pass, that since the time of your declaring it to be so unjust in others, you have so frequently used it yourselves? What Prison is there free? Nay, what county or Corporation but hath some sufferers, being imprisoned by the Arbitrary Subject, destroying power of your Committees? The misery whereof we expect speedy redress of; it being your own declared duty, and suitable to law and conscience; that being no way lawful in you, which was by you condemned as unlawful in others.  
4. Have you not complained that the public stock was converted to private uses; and that the Kings favourites spent the kingdoms money? And may not wee the poor Commons justly complain now( considering the vast sums of money levied upon us, and extorted from us) of the like, or worse practices? Hath not the kingdoms money been divided, thousands in a morning? But for what memorable service we know not, unless it were for betraying us, our Cities, towns, Forts, and the like.  
5. Have you not often declared against the King for protecting and keeping Delinquents from trial? How comes it to pass then that you yourselves have protected and abetted so many false and traitorous Members, under pretence of privilege? under correction we conceive, the Kings Prerogative is a much better Plea, then your privilege: therefore we expect the speedy suspension of all persons charged with any crime, and that all persons that have acted to the prejudice of the kingdom, in endeavouring to foment a new war, be brought to condign punishment.  
6. That forasmuch as it is pretended, that( notwithstanding the vast sums of money that have been raised for the service of the kingdom) the public Treasury is empty, and the State not able without further charge to the kingdom,( which will occasion great trouble and discontent) to pay the arrears of the Army: And forasmuch as it is apparent, that vast sums of the Kingdoms money yet remaineth in the hands of several Ministers of State, as Committee-men, Excise-men, Sequestrators, and the like, unaccounted for; to the great prejudice of the kingdom: That therefore the honourable Houses of Parliament would be pleased, by Order, Ordinance, or otherwise as to you shall seem meet; to command all Committee-men, Excise-men, Sequestrators, and the like; through whose hands the kingdoms money hath gone; who have not given a just account; to bring in by such a day, such competent sums of money,( according to their Relations, and Employments) as shall be sufficient to pay the arrears of the Army: which sums so to remain deposited, until such time as they have given a true account of the disposure of all moneys by them levied and received of the Kindgome for the service thereof.  
To conclude, we desire and expect the due execution of Justice, and Judgement: That satisfaction be given the Army: That all lawful means be used for the establishment of Peace in these Dominions: That our burdens be lessened, and as soon as may be with safety removed: That the Accounts of the kingdom be perfected: The public faith, and other public Debts satisfied: That our Petitions be from time to time freely received, and speedily answered: Without which we shall not disengage you of the performance of your trust; but shall be enforced to take such a course as Providence, and our pressing necessity shall lay before us, and leave the issue thereof to God, who is able to direct you, and protect us in all our undertakings.  
There is no end of this matter.