Index Expurgatorius Anglicanus / Or, a descriptive catalogue of the principal books printed or published in England, which have been suppressed, or burnt by the common hangman, or censured, or for which the authors, printers, or publishers have been prosecuted

by W. H. Hart

Mercurius Elenchicus
and
Mercurius Pragmaticus.

These were periodical pamphlets. No. 1 of the Elenchicus appeared on November 5th, 1647, and No. 1 of the Pragmaticus on September 21st, 1647. On November 27th, 1647, the House of Commons ordered that a Committee should enquire after the licensers, authors, printers, and publishers of these pamphlets, or any other pamphlet of the like scandalous or seditious nature, and all unlicensed pamphlets, and to cause the licensers, authors, printers, and publishers thereof to be apprehended and imprisoned; and to seize all such seditious and scandalous pamphlets and cause them to be burnt; and to destroy and take away the presses and letters and all materials and instruments of printing.[132] The publication, however, of these periodicals was continued for some considerable time, notwithstanding the vote of censure passed on them by the House of Commons.

165.

The answer of the Commissioners of the Kingdome of Scotland, to both Houses of Parliament, upon the New Propositions of Peace, and the Foure Bills to be sent to his Majestie. London, Printed for Robert Bostock, dwelling at the sign of the Kings Head in Pauls Church-yard. 1647.

On December 21st, 1647, the House of Commons referred to the Committee for printing to send for Bostock and Walkeley and all others who had been concerned in printing this paper, and to know by what authority they printed the same, and to proceed with them in such manner as they should think fit according to the power granted to that Committee.[133] A copy is preserved in the British Museum Library.

166.

The People and Souldiers Observations on the Scotch Message to the Parliament concerning the King; 5. of November, 1647. By the scope whereof, all who will be satisfied with Reason, or with men's practises more than their words, may have full resolution to this more usuall then doubtfull question: Whether the King, Lords, Commons, Scotts, City, Clergy, City, and Officers of the Army, have sought more their own private ends then the publick weale of this Nation?

On December 25th, 1647, the House of Commons referred to the Committee of Complaints to enquire who was the author and printer of this "scandalous libellous pamphlet."[134] A copy exists in the British Museum Library. It is in quarto, and contains sixteen pages.

167.

The humble petition of Agnes Corbett, a most distressed widow from Ireland. (1647.)