Interest of the Commonwealth that they were still upon the same Bottom oâ—… a frâ—…e State that they would take care that what they had purchased at the expence of their Blood should not be lost that they would effectually mediate with the next Parliament to sit in April next that the publick Sale of Lands should be confirmed and that withoâ—…t another Parliament the Commonwealth could not be established against pretenders desiring their dear Brethren and Fellow Soldiers to have a vigilant eye upon all such as â—…hould presume to abet the pretences of Charles Stuart or any other single person or authority whatsoever Then they were sollicitâ—…d to send up some Officer to signifie their concurrence with the Lord General Monk and his Officers adding further to cry Clink in the Close that no money could have been had to pay the Arrears of the Army and Navy without the effusion of blood unless they had let in the sâ—…cluded Mâ—…mbers So be it As for our own Soldiers they soon learned that this was the good old Cause still this being the same Parliament that began the War against the late King The General went to bed that night not late but in a very good humour And indeed he had good reason for it for now he had perfected his own safety and stood no longer in fear of being questioned for interesting himself in Booth's Conspiracy I came into his Chamber and understood â—…e was in bed so I was about to retire but his Lady entertaining me with discourse he perceived that I was in the chamber and so commanded me to his bedside vvhere I found him satisfyed with what he had done and pleasant with me I told him I came over and above the Duty of my Attendance to give him thanks for his Dayes work He answered me with great courtesie of words No no This is none of your business you but dissemble with me You come now for somewhat else and I believe I know for what I humbly asked him what he could think I came for Sit down then says he and I 'le tell you You come for Bishops He spake it not so softly but his Lady overheard it and mistook it as my proposal at which she was angry But the Curtains and the Generals Favour skreen'd me he assuring her that I had not spoken to him of Bishops So she went off but he detained me with thi serious Discourse upon the thing that he thought This could never be done for not only their Lands are sold says he but the Temper of the Nation is against them I told him that as yet he could not see the Temper of the Nation the Royal Party having judg'd it prudence not to appear openly or make any Addresses But since he had mentioned it I entreatcd him to grant me one Request which was that he would not be drawn to engage against them and this I thought he might safely grant me now who would not be ensnared to abjure the King and the Royal Family He paused a while as his manner was and taking me by the hand Well then said he so much I will promise you that I will not be engaged against Bishops I thank'd him and kissed his Hand adding that it was best to leave it to God's Providence and the next Parliament when we should be able to discern the temper of the Nation in reference both to Church and State The Secluded Members from all parts of the Kingdom returned to the House of Commons which was now open for them of which number Mr. Morrice of Devon was one This Gentleman was somewhat allied to the General but more to his Favour than his Blood for he had a great opinion of his Prudence and Integrity He was one that much conversed with Books and had lately written one against the Practice of Independent Teachers who would admit none in Parochial Cures to the Lords Supper but such only as being distinguish'd by their Separation were most peculiarly their own Flock This had rendered him very grateful to the Presbyterians whose Cause he seemed most to serve for the Ministers of the Church of England were generally contented with the exercise of their Religion in private houses tho' even These also were often disturbed by Souldiers or Constables who used to hale them from their very Communion-Tables upon the more solemn Festivals of their despised Church rending their Surplices where any were used and tearing their Mass-Books for that was the Name by which the crafty Statesman and the more jugling Gospeller taught the indiscerning Multitude to call the English Liturgy into pieces The General from and before the beginning of this Enterprize had pretended to be a Presbyterian and indeed I knew his Godmother who did her share too and had not yet renounced his Faith but now it most behoved him to appear one and to act his part well in it for it was his last Wherefore Mr. Morrice was received into his House This pleased his new Masters at Westminster who were most of them of this Religion some few only excepted who by beholding the calamities of the Church and their own Errours had been converted to a better esteem of Episcopacy which the Learning of Mr. Morrice could not but favour so that I looked upon him to have the good Repute only of a Presbyterian Him the General retained as his Elbow-Counsellor and a State-Blind concealing his own sense of things and very often speaking contrary to his own thoughts that so he might better understand the sence of others and take his Measures accordingly This is a sort of Cunning which will fail no Man who meets with the plain and open-hearted But whether this was inherent in the Genâ—…ral's Tempeâ—… and consequently a Natural Wisdom or acquir'd by living so many years both in and under Command among such whose Cause and Principles he hated I will not be positive in the Determination But I incline to believe it was the Latter This I the rather mention because it hath been said that Mr. Morrice found him obstinate against the King's Restauration Something to this purpose was once told the General in my hearing possibly with a Design to do the good man an injury But I know how he resented it And if Morrice did entertain any such Opinion I can assure him and others that he was not the only man that did so for after we came to Town where the Geneâ—…al received the Visits of many worthy men who loved their Countrey and of whom some were then in Authority These Gentlemen took the freedom of speaking and â—…ropounding to him what they thought expedient for the publick Good Nor in tâ—…uth have they beâ—…n wanting to themselves to represent their Doings to advanâ—…ge which 't is sit to suppose were great and real because the rewards of them were such nor ought any to envy them because their Assistance was seasonable they concurring with the General for the Redemption of their Countries Freedom But yet I
Afterwards when the King was recognized by both Houses of Parliament it was thâ—… very first day that the Regal Authority had been so owned several persons of honour some who had abetted the King's and others the Parliament's cause dined with the General at St. Jame's And there arose a hot contest about the Lawfulness of the late War and whether the King should be admitted to return with or without conditions I observed the General to be silent tho some hard words had passed at his Table so he required me to say Grace â—…ather than he would stay out his Dinner â—…nd the Controversy But to return to the matter Greenvile's negotiation was managed with such secresie and his Journey to Brussels was so speedy and fortunate that few knew of it before his arrival tâ—…ere and those who did and went in his Company did not so much as suspect the errand he was sent on The King upon intimation of his being come went privately to hiâ—… Lodgings and was alone with him and Greenvile discovered his Instructions from the General to his Majefty by whom he was believed tho he brought no Letter For the King to debate what was to be done consulted with his Lord Chancellor Hide the Marquess of Ormond and Secretary Nicholas in the presence of Greenvile And in this privy Council Monks Commission Was signed to be Cap. General of all his Majefties Land Forces in the three Kingdoms and publick dispatches according to Instructions given were framed and signed here Likewise then the King removed from the Spanish to the United Netherlands according to the advice given by the General to Greenvile and this was done both in hast and Privacy His Majesty being come to Breda dated his publick dispatches from thence and there Sir John Greenvile â—…eceived them from his Majesty in order to his returning for England but the King would not send him back empty and without a mark of his favour Sir John Greenvile when he came first to Brâ—…ssels and had related Monks resoluâ—…ion to espouse the Kings Cause and Interest humbly desired his Majesties Pardon is in his negotiation he had exceeded his Instructions of reward To â—…hich the King graciously answered that whatever he had promised in his name should be punctually performed upon his Restauration But Greenvile then insormed his Majesty that he had propounded to the General 100000l pr. annum for ever as his Majesties donative to him and his Osficers with the Office of Lord High Chancellor and Constable of England for Himself and the Nomination of any other the great 〈◊〉 of the Crown All which Monk had generâ—…usly refused saying that he would not â—…ye the King to any tâ—…rms of reward and that he took more comfort and consent in that now he hoped he was able to do his Majesty and Country service then in expectations of greatness Besides that the General had given him this as a special charge that he should not propound any thing to his Majesty as a gratification for service either for himself or for any Friend or Officer of his upon His accompt The King then pressed Greenvile to know what he should do for Him but he after the General 's example nobly refused all Proposals of reward for the service in which he had been so eminently successful till he should happily see his Majesty at Whitehall However the King had then put up into Greenvile's Pocket though unknown to him a Warrant under his Hand and Seal for an English Earldom and the assurance of 3000l pr. annum for ever to support his Honour together with a Promise to pay his and his Fathers Debts which had been contracted in the War Time in the service of his Majesty and his Royal Father So Greenvile was sent back by his Majesty to the General and brought with him besides the above mentioned Commission his Majesties Seals and Signet by which the General was empowred to make a Secretary of State which he conferred upon Mr. Morrice by the advice of Sir John Greenvile Morrice upon the Kings Return was soon after toward the latter end of May Greenvils return to the General being about the beginning of April was Knighted and confirmed in his place of Secretary of State Now besides his publick Letters which were reserved to be communicated he brought with him a private one to the General from his Majesty written with his Maiesties own hand to this the General returned an answer to by Mr. Bernard Greenvile Broâ—…her to Sir John who at this time could not be spared to go over again to his Majesty because the Parliament was aproaching and he to present to both Houses his Majesties Letters and Declarations Wherefore Bernard Greenvile that this secret negotiaion might be continued in the Family was thought to be the most fit and the safest express that could be sent And indeed he could not but be as welcome to his Majesty for he brought now the assurances under his hand of the Generals resolution to adhere to the Kings cause against all opposition whatever I therefore notifie this because it was the first that the General duâ—…st adventure to his Majesty Nay and even this was with the soonest for Lambert by the secret connivance the Inâ—…erior Trustees of the Tower was escaped out of Prison this was the joy and tryumph of such as designed an after-game by the Sword for he had the good luck to be beloved by the Souldiery for which reason Oliver Cromwel when he was Protector revered but displaced him as divining that he would not only tread in his Steps but upon his Heels The News of Lamberts escape soon came to us at St. James's and almost at the same time a private information where he was hid Thither the General fenâ—… and found it true but he was got away before to set up the Trade of War in the Countrey Wherefore as soon as ever it was adverâ—…ised where Lambert was the General prepared or seemed to do itat least for a March From which he was easily prevailed upon to defist by those who represented unto him the necessity of keeping the Town in regard the Common Souldiers of the Army were not yet fixed to him however he had modelled the Officers of it and indeed many of these had already subscribed that they would rest satisfyed in what the Parliament should determine about Government as did all of them afterwards who continu'd in their commands and these Subscriptions not long after were required even of private Souldiers Lambert having gained some accomplices to his Designs they shisted Quarters into Northampton and Warwickshires to pick up more all whom the Council of State declared Traytors But Col. afterward Sir R. Ingoldbsy made them such for â—…e â—…ook Lambert Prisoner and sent him upâ—… in Easter-week to the Council of State Here it was that I first and last saw this Renowned Captain but now a Captive to our comfort be it spoken of whoâ—…e skill in the art of War the
that the General stood Engaged and from this time I do date that his Resolutions were fixed for the Kings Restauration So happy it was for His Majesty to employ Sir John Greenvile and so lucky for him to send his Clerk Mr. Nicholas Monk hither where he omitted nothing of his Instructions and prudently managed them as may reasonably be inferred from the good effect they had Thus did the sense of Allegiance and the Love of his Country prevail with his Brother against all hazzards And if I knew him right the revenge of slights was some part of a grain in the Scales It is not improbable neither that he had been in the Night quickned with a Curtain-Lecture of Damnation a Text that his Lady oft Preacâ—…ed upon to him and sometimes he would complain of it where he safely might Saturday came and brought Mr. Gumble to Dalkeith where now and then he used to give the General a Sermon or Two and so eased me for which I gave him thanks He was then one of the Chaplains of the â—…nto which Cromwel had Erected and which did act till the Deposition of Richard his Son nay the Officers were still continued upon that Establishment in expectation of what the Parliament would do in it Such a Cabal they found necessary for the support of their Usurpation and hereof the General from the time of its first Erection was nominated a Member So Mâ—… Gumble's imployment was such as made him well known beside that he was an acceptable Preacher and his Company much more so to very many Officers of Edenburgh where he resided and this the rather both to them and the General because he had not engaged into a Congregational Church as his Brother Chaplaine had done He was a strenuous asserter of Freedom and disrelished the single persons of Oliver and Richard Cromwel when they sate successively in the Throne of Usuâ—…pation he was somewhat better pleas'd at the return of the old Parliament but being of quick apprehension he soon discerned that those few Members of it would keep themselves within those Walls of Empire at Westminster and not suffer the Wheel to turn round and as a generous person did not dissemble his discontents but would speak them franckly and boldly enough to the General And this too was Sir George Booths quarrel So the General who knew how to make use of men after some conference with him made him his Minister of State And having received instructions how to proceed he came up to my Study where he found me then busie and alone So he bad me lay aside all thought of Preaching for to Morrow for he would undertake it for me Now at that time there happened to be other work upon my hands which required a quick Dispatch for I was transformed into a Secretary of State my province being to frame a Letter to the Parliament according to directions given which was to be sign'd by the General and such of the Officers as he could bring into this new design But Mr. Gumble said he was not fully satisfied of the grounds of the Generalls Engagement now after his Brother was come for he might have done that sooner and if he had I am confident that Mr. Gumble would not have been wanting on his part to serve the Publique But I told him that Mr. Nicholas Monks Journey was for his Daughter and it was necessary to try what his Brother would contribute towards her Marriage the match being to be with a Kinsman of theirs which the General had desired and approved So the motives of this Engagement being waved for Mr. Gumble did not insist upon them as a hindrance to the good cause in which he was resolved to embarque himself we proceeded to the finishing of the Letter to the Parliament which was that day done The next was the Lords day and the work of it was carried on by Mr. Gumble who in hâ—…s last Prayer put up a Petition for the good Intentions of the General which soon after were communicated in my Chamber whither came the General and his Brother Adjutant Smith and Mr. Gumble But before any discourse was enter'd upon I swore the General his hands being laid upon the Bible open in these words You 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 swear that you shall not reveal any 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shall be discoursed of by us or read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without the consent of all here present So he kissed the Book The rest I swore in order one by one after this manner You shall truly swear that you shall not reveal any thing that shall be discoursed of or read unto you without the consent of the General and all here present And lastly I â—…wore my self and I will be my own Casuist for publishing of this and keep the Bible for a Relique without feaâ—… of Superstition Our Declaration in deed but in form our Letter or Supplication to the Parliament was read 't is supposed to have been prefaced with good words clawing them for their glorious actions which we could not avoid doing But yet we took the liberty to mind them that we found the body of the English Nation disatisfied with their proceedings as apprehending that their Intention was to appropriate the Government to their Individual persons and that though there might possibly be â—…omething of danger in gratifying them for fear of the old Enemy yet however it did not appear to the good People who had fought for their Liberty that they had entertain'd any thought of the filling up of their Number much less done any thing toward the prescribing of Rules for the Future Elections of such Parliaments as were supposed to be contained under the name of a Common wealth which themselves owned to be the Supream Government and that otherwise their Armies could not protect them in their Authority this not being the good old Cause for which they fought and they could not answer to their consciences the effusion of so muâ—…h blood to uphold only a few men in their Sovereignty Wherefore to prevent the shedding of more we became Petitioners to them we said that they would speedily pass such votes and do such things as might satisfie all the honest and Gâ—…dly People in the Nation that they did not design their own greatness but the good and safety of the Common-wealth In the mean time the General declared that he would associate what force he could till he saw that their Votes and actions were satisfactory Here I confess that I have not related words but things for the Paper was the next day burnt because our design proved abortive This was the Substance of our intended Letter to the Parliament which having been read by me the General with his Confederates correcting or adding such expressions as were thought fit the Presenting of it to the Officers of our Army to signe as their humble Petition and Advice to the Parliament was resolved upon But theâ—… were to be Petitioners with Swords in their hands for the General
hiâ—… usefulness and Conduct in Ireland against the Rebells there set him at liberty and sent him back again thither into their Service and afterwards Cromwel who knew how to value a good Souldier took him with him into Scotland Sir John Greenvile by an express Messenger with a Letter in Cipher direâ—…ted to Chancellor Hide at Brussels with whom only by his Majesties order he was to correspond Proposed the sending of Mr Nicholas Monk to his Brother in Scotland which was allowed The King leaving the whole management of the Business to the Secresie and Prudence of Sir John who could not be said to have declined a Journey tâ—… the General in Scotland for the Danger of it for he dayly conveâ—…ed with as great as being one of his Majeâ—…ties Commissioners in Town besides that He and the Monks were Cousin Germans and both of them obliged either by himself or his Family However sure I am that he did the King and the General more Service in not coming to us for his very Person then would have been suspected tho' he had come without any Commission or Message So he sent for Mr. N. Monk out of Cornwal to whom he imparted the Kings Commission to treat with his Brother Mr. Monk fraught with hopes and instructions the design of revolting from the Parliament being now universal too Sir George Booth actually in Arms against their Authority and Insurrections from all Counties in England dayly expâ—…cted embark'd for Scotland with a prosperous Gale within few days after arriving at Leith and so from thence five Miles to Dalkeith where the General resided He gave out that the intent of this Voyage was only to fâ—…tch his Daughter Mary in order to bestowing her in Marriage to her advantage hoping that his Brother would add some weight and encouragement to it this pretence for his Journey was real too and so signified by Letters Col. Jonathan Atkins afterward Knighted and 〈◊〉 Governor of Barbados was now at Dalâ—…eith where he had been about two days before Mr. Monk came to his Brother aud was preparing for his journey further to visit some Relations of his in Fife having already received his answer from the General For this Gentleman either upon confidence of the Generals Lo alty or of his Friendship and Interest in him they having been formerly Souldiers under the same command in Ireland and I think in Holland also imparted to him the Designs of the Gentlemen of the North of England who being ready he said to appear in the quarrel and assistance of Sir George Booth sollicited the help of his Arms or at least that he would not disturb them in their Levies To whom the General smartly return'd that if they did appear he would send a Force to suppress them and that by the duty of his Place he could do no less The Colonâ—…l afterwards came to my Chaâ—…ber and propounded the Business in waâ—…y Terms yet so as to be understood But I unconcernedly replyed that to me it appeared as if the Malecontents in England laboured only how to ruine Themselves and their Cause for so long as London was the Magazine of Arms and Men the Country Plots without it could never prove very effectual for what I â—…upposed he aimed at But if that City could be engaged as it was discontenâ—… upon this Return of the Parliament and would shut up their Gates and rise as one man and had donâ—… so now whilst Lambert was maâ—…ching against Booth the design would carry a much better prospect of success then it did This Intrigue of Colonel Atkins aâ—… bâ—…ing first in order of time I relate before the success of Mr. Monk's message to hiâ—… Brother that so it may appear what weight the King's Aâ—…thority had with General Monk tho but vâ—…baly delivered by his Brother he depending upon the Faith and Integrity of Sir John Greenvile and the truth of his Brother's Relation For he might well suppose as wary as he was that they did not deceive nor would betray him And I believe he relyed upon the word oâ—… a King as much as if he actually had received a Commission from his Majesty for he told me afterwards that he was resolved to Commission the whole Scotch Nation against Parliament and Army and all before he would be taken tamely by them But he had no other Authority to do it than this aiery word of mouth conveyed to him from Sr. John Greenvile who had it in Writing from the King Mr. Monk found his Brother engaged in Business and in several Dispatches too tho' it was in the declining part of the day and indeed it was rare to find him otherwise so the General sent him to my Chamber under the conduct of an Highland Foot-Boy in the House who proclaimed his Arrival at my Study-Door I courteously received him and asked how Affairs stood in England for Booth's being in Arms and Lamberts march towards him were now the common entertainment of News I soon perceived that he had a mind to say something to me which he as soon disclosed The Tenor whereof was that he was sent to his Brother by Sir John Greenvile to invite him in this juncture of time to appear for his Country telling how the design was laid and universal in all Counties and he did not doubt he said â—…ut that his Country Men in the West had already made an Insurrection adding further that this was not barely a Combination without Authority for tho' the King was not named in the Declaration sent out for a Free Parliament and against Taxes and Grievances complained of some of which Declarations he ventur'd to bring with him yet all this was done by his Majesties Privacy and countenance Therefore was he sent by his Cousin Greenvile to try if he could bring over his Brother into the King's Service and at this time to espouse his Cause and that Sir John Greenvile hoped that his Brother might be as succesful in it as was the famous Stanly who determined the day in Bosworth field to Henry the Seventh tho he came thither to the succour of Richard the III. These were high hopes but that which now puzled Mr. Monk was that he knew not how to break this Message to his Brother but if he would undertake so glorious a Work as the restoring of the King no encouragement he was sure would be awanting he might set down his own Conditions and the King would upon his Royal Word perform them For he had seen his Majesties Commission to Sir John Greenvile to treat with his Brother And indeed in that Commission Sir John was left at large to promise or assent to any conditions of reward But by his secret Instructions he was bound up to the definitive Gratuity of one hundred thoutand pounds per annum for ever to be disposed of at the General 's discretion So Mr. Monk produced to me a broken piece or two of Money as Tokens if need were to be sent with
Restaâ—…ration and the difficulties that it met with declining as much as possible remarks upon such parâ—…icular persons as would have obstructed this glorious Enterprise and most 〈◊〉 atchievement of the late Duke of Albermale whose memory must be revered by all the Subjects of these 3 Kingdoms who delight not in Blood and Faction To proceed therefore that Afternoon the Genâ—…ral sent his trusty Adjutant now Sir Jeremiah 〈◊〉 â—…o Edenburgh and Leith which by his diligencâ—… and the influence and intâ—…grity of Hoblthorn Hughes Miller and Chlifton were secured to the Generals Interest The 〈◊〉 likewisâ—… order'd the March of such Troops of Horse on whoâ—…e Captains he could most relye as Johnson Symnel and others At Night he stopped the Pacquet for England and the next day left Dalkeith and his Lady there to pack up their Truncks not knowing whether the fate of the day would carry him He came about 2 or 3 hours besore Nighâ—… to Edenburgh where were usually quartered two Regiments of Foot excepting some few Companies which were sent out upon particular service ready to be remanded and exchanged The Regiments were is Own and Col. Talbots by the assistance of This He began the Reformation of his Own out of which he dismissed several Officers and would have imprisoned his Major for ill offiences done had he not narrowly escaped his hands and althâ—… the Leiutenant Colonel was absent â—…rom his Command as he usually was yet upon Presumption that he was no Friend to his Design the General gave away his Commission to Captain Morgan and his Majors to Captain Nichols At Night when he came to his Quarterâ—… he bethought himself of securing Berwick as a Place of great importance to his new affairs He knew the Governor Col. Meers was steedy to him but doubted whether Meerâ—… could answer for his Officers who should they mutiny at the noise of the Generals Declaration the Town might run the hazard of being lost Wherefore a Party of Horse commanded by Captain Johnson was sent thither to strengthen the hands of the Governour and indeed the Captain came but just time enough to do it for the Governour had sâ—…arce clapt up his dissenting Officâ—…rs but Col. Cobbet enter'd there with Instructions and authority from the Army in England to afsert and promote their Interâ—…st But Captain Johnson brought him Prisoner to the General and he committed him to the Castle of Edenburgh But had not General Monk been quick in remonstrating against Lambert's proceedings It was thought Cobbet would and could have sent Him thither The General was wholly intent upon satisfying his Army of the justice of his Proceedings and of the necessity of using the method of force to restore the Parliament To this end now hâ—… had his Confidents and Adjutators up and down of whom Mr. Gumblâ—… did him singular service for he had an excellent dexterity at spiriting a Cause The General now resolving to make a thorough Reformation of his Troops dismissed all Officers from their trust who would not be satisfyed with his engagement against the Army in England and having secured his homequarters â—…e forthwith extended his care to the Cittadels and Castles Remote Captain Witter undertook for the Cittadel of St. Johnstons and Captain Robinson for that of Air. Finding now that he had a good Cause and some ground to stand upon he dispacht Letters to Lieutenant General Fleetwood to Major General Lambert and to Mr. Lenthal the late Speaker In one or more whereof was signified his Resolution to restore our Laws and Liberties which expression was afterwards construed in a larger sence than possibly might at first be intended and I know how it was expounded to the Lord Fairfax The arrival of these 3 Letters at London gave some seint Hopes to the Rumpers of a second Restauration and infinitely surprised the Army-Grandees who neither expected such an opposition nor would believe they had any reason to fear it It being so directly against the Interest of any one part of the Army to divide against the rest Besides that it could not enter into the thoughts of the Men of Wallingford house that Souldiers should love their Country better than their Pay Nay and though they might have rational Jealousies that Monk would not approve of their actions yet they were assured by some of his Officers who were in Town that he had not Interest enough to make the Army in Scotland against them But this being to some degrees already esfected Monk was too much a Souldier to be dispised the place he was in such as would enable him to stand a War and the Cause in which he engaged so just and plausable that Lamberts ambition would have found it difficult to attempt over the Twâ—…d into Blood against him For the true state of the quarrel was whether a second Protector or the old Parliament again And thus much Fleetwood seemed to understand soon after Lamâ—… March towards the North and it tended not a little to Monks advantage that Fleetwood by express Messengers pretended to court him True it is indeed that Lambert put him self into action under Fleetwood's command but had success answered his ambition the Souldiery would without much difficulty have allowed him the Superiority This Rupture between Monk and the Army was the talk and joy of London whose Lord Maior and Common Council soon after received a large Letter from him inviting them to assist in the Cause he had espoused The Presbyterians the far greater part among them liked the Man better than his unâ—…ertaking and the latter it may be somewhat the worse because he had but just before sollicited the Independent Churches to the same esfect and assured them of their Spâ—…ritual Liberties as well as Civil He likewise sent Letters to the Fleet then in the Downs under the Command of Lawson and to some Garrisons and particular Persons in England and namely to Collonel Overton Governor of Hull and to the Officers and Army in Ireland desiring them to declare with him for the Restoring of the Parliament But no Encouragement did he receive from any of these They Returning that to them the Offences of their Brethren of the English Army did not appear so heinous as to require a Recourse unto Armes and that amicable and calm Treaties were more likely to secure their Common safety against the Common Enemy who by this breach would watch an advantage against them Nay from the then Governing Officers in Ireland he was answered with a Resolution to declare against him in case he advanced further Yet did not these discouragements in the least stagger his firm purpose to go through with his Work No not though Dr. Clergis and Collonel Talbot were also expresly sent from Fleetwood and Lambert to supersede it by whom they were entreated and conjured to use their utmost endeavors to allay the sudden heats of Monk which had been kindled they said by ill Artifices or mistakes of their proceedings of which they assured him
Belly-deep in Snow made of that his Provinder too and lodged them in it for scarcity of Villages on the South side of Tweed he might have attacked us on the North where after he had ascended on even Banks he would have found a Battalia ready to rceeive him filed into Horse and Foot which the Countryman may unby a Lare of Fat and a Lare of Lean in his Bacon for Wings of Horse we hadâ—… none as not intending to flye This was the Posture in which Morgan by the Generals Order drew up his Men at Kelsey And now comfortable News thronged in upon us as that they then growing Party in Ireland had declared for us and were ready to â—…end us assistance that Portsmouth â—…ad opened her Gates to Hazlerig Morley and Walton three of the seaven Commissioners for governing the Army and this Col. Wetham the Governour of it did in respect to the General as well as in duty to the Parliament that the Fleet under Lawson had owned our Quarrel against the Army and that Fairfax was ready to march to fall in upon Lambert's Rear should he advance forward upon us assuring us that what e're came on 't he would not fail of being in Arms by the first of January and he was better than his word The Souldiers began now to be revived in these cold Quarters as hoping for better Hither came some of our Officers to us that were absent from their Commands when the General first declared alledging in excuse of their staying so long away that they were stop'd by Lambert at Nâ—…wcastle but all was to no purpose for they found their places filled This Stream of good News notwithstanding the General continu'd his wonted care of his Guards It being now evident that Lambert within a few days must either fight or fall And as for my self I must confess that I was inwardly displeased at thus many favourable expresses as apprehending that this name of a Parliament would by nominating and shifting Commissioners for it engage the Army so much to their Devotion and get such other advantages of fixing their Oligarchy that it would be no easie matter to dispossess them With these foolish whimsies in my head I was resolved to steal privately to the General who had cautioned me before hand not to be seen to appear in these publick Transactions and to do this I knew between Midnight and the Morning to be the only time so between 2 and 3 of the Clock by the help of a Corporal I came to his Chamber-door found it only latched the General in his Cloaths his head laid on the side of the Bed and his Body resting upon two Stools or a Form Fire and Candles being in the Room He awaked at my first entrance I desired his pardon and he kindly gave liberty of Speech Upon my representing to him what I judg'd to be his Interest and Duty that is to say the reâ—…toring of our known Laws for I never used to speak in any other terms I cannot for get his Passion and his Posture Mr. Price said he I know your meaning vnd I have known it by the grace of God I will do it if ever I can find it in my power and I do not much doubt but that I shall So closeing my hands in both his he lifted them up and devoutly uttered by Gods help I will do it I then took the further liberty to mind him of the Papers he had signed to stand to this Parliament as it sat the 11 of October and no other and of several other Restrictions which he had needlesly as I conceived put upon himself He Answered me with some regret you see who â—…re about me and write these things I must not shew any dislike of them I perceive they are jealous enough of me already bidding me not to look upon it as â—…ny act of his Having thus discoursed him of diverse things which I thought might be for his service he courteouâ—…ly allowing me the freedom I left him to his short Rest for he was to be early at business And thus I became further satisfyed at what Port he aimed however then and afterwards with the winds he steered his course December was very â—…ar spent but so were not the hopes of accommodating this breach between both Armies by a Treaty Wherefore Monk is pressed to depute and send his Officers to treat with Lambert's as it was promised yet the doing of this was suspended we having understood that there would be powerful diversions in the South But so soon as we were certainly informed that Portsmouth had declared for the Parliament and that the Southern Generals who acted by the same authority with our Nothern began to give out their orders and were obeyed Monk immediately dispatcht away an Express to Lambert signifying that He and his Osficers were ready for a Treaty but that he could not proceed that way till he had by Letters consulted his Brethren at Portsmouth and obteined their consent for the same and the choice of the place where they would have it wherefore he desired that his Messenger Major Banniâ—…ter might without any interruption pass on his way to them subjoyning Complement Lambert perceiving the drift of this deteined Bannister and vented his Resent against Monk and his Officers as if they had deluded him And now the Mighty Men of Newcastle who found not their hands or their hearts in condition to fight against their Scottish Brethren sell a raging into dispair for the next News that they and we hear of was that the Regiments in and about London had revolted from Fleetwood and mutined into obedience to the Parliament The penitent Souldiers were content to take shame upon them for their second Apostacy from the good old Cause Leiutenant General Fleetwood expressing it that God had spit in their faces and seeing there was no other remedy to trust their Masters a third time with the Commonwealth So December the 25 by some called Chriâ—…tmasse day in the afternoon the Fag-â—…nd of a Parliament sat down again within those Walls which by their good wills they would never have parted with Sovereignty it seems was so very sweet that the bare Priviledges of coming thither to give Councel was in those times canvessed â—…or as if the contest had been for a Roman Tribune-Ship But this doth not concern Coldstream whose General was not altogether a Prophet for tho' he told me after the defeating of Sir George Booth that he knew Lambert so well that he would not lâ—…t the Men at Westminster set tilâ—… Christmasse-day yet he said not on that day they should return to sit again The News of this came not to us till the very end of December But though it had not come at all the General would have marcht forward because the Lord Fairfax was by agreement to appear on the first of January with what force he could make and what Confederates he could gain by his Interest out of the old
Scotland and Ireland yet the Generals care reached even these also In Scotland he had not forgot his Trusty Friend Major General Morgan by a more Authoritative Commission constituting him to command there and sending him more strength In Ireland so many persons of eminent quality appeared for him that he apprehended no danger thence either of a present diâ—…turbance or oâ—… playing an after-game diâ—…tinct from themselves Though this in Scotland they might have done had not Morgan been true to Monk But at home though he had made a very large reformation in the Army yet he thought not his time ripe enough as yet for the displacing of some who now gave him a trouble All the Officers of the Army who kept their Commissions had under their hands signed their concurrence â—…or introducing the setled Members and owned the necessity of it but â—…till they would underâ—…tand their obedience to the Parliament to extend no further than as they were bottomed upon a Free State For this was the Phrase of Monk and his Officers Letter to them which intimated their readiness to take care that these should not bâ—… loâ—…t But now they were not satisfied of the good intentions of the Parliament touching this Government nor much better of the Generals who had refused the offer oâ—… the Honour and Mannor of Hampton-Court the only Portion of Crown-Lands yet unsold and possessed by Cromwel when he assumed the Title of Protector For the old sitting Members had craftily proposed the giving of this to him and the Secluded could not fairly withâ—…tand the motion of rewarding him But the General upon his refusing the Donation of these Lands as a House too great for him was recompenseâ—… with a gift of twenty thousand Pounds Yet this Non-acceptance rendered him still more suspected Now these Officers when they saw the General had refused these Crown-Lands and even the dignity of the Crown it self when offerd by some who best understood their own saftey combined into dangerous resolutions aud contrived a Paper to be universally â—…ubscribed presenting itto the General for his subscription in the first place the Purport of which was To declare that the Government of these Three Nations should be a Câ—…mmonwealth without Kingship or any other single person by what Name or Title soever dignified or distinguished And that this present Parliament should be required to pass this into an Act as a Fundamental Constitution not to be â—…haken or questioned by future Parliaments and that the Army ought upon no other Terms to maintain their Authority These Officers did assemble very daringly beforâ—… the General Col. Oky being their Prolocutor This Gentleman was a better Souldier than an Orator beside that his Life lay at Stake having sat as Judge upon the King 's He was also a known Stickler for the Commonwealths Party and but lately as much a General as Monâ—… himself neither did he want either a courage 〈◊〉 or â—…ossibly a Party of the Army to sollow him Wherefore the General did not esteem it prudent to ruffle in words though he was resolved not to gratifie their request by subscribing to the Paper So that Commissary Clargis for so now he was of the Musters was put upon undertaking the debate for he had the Generals good opinion as favouring his design And indeed it concerned him to deserve it both their Interests being bound up in the same bottom I hapned to be present at the dâ—…bate which Clargis managed with much resolution and dexterity of words laying before them their own danger in making such an Address at that time to the Parliament in regard This was the very Parliament that would not be frighted with their Arms or Impeachments of Treason before much less now when all sober men saw the Inconvenâ—…ency of being Governed by an Army â—…urther Insinuating that the General and his Officers vvere to prefcribe unto them that the Parliament had an Authority in which themselves by their subscription did acquiess that they could vote the General and whom else they thought fit out of their Commands and vvhen that vvas done pass a vote for their own Dissolution vvithout appointing the issuing out of Writs for the succeeding Parliament for if the General he said vvould break his promise of not disturbing them they might very vvell break theirs for calling another Parliament And that there vvould be no fear of a Civil Government because none to assume it unless they vvould trust Richard Cromwell the General having reâ—…used it as some of themselves vvell knevv vvho had made him an offer of it the reasons these General approved of and added that he would rather be torn in pieces by wild horses than be sotreacherous to his Coun. treys freedom The Debate was long and not without some heat of words but after our Officâ—…rs had spent their Fears and Jealousies of losing the Good Gld Cause the General with Gravity and Calmness admonished them that it was contrary to the Discipline of an Army to meddle with Civil Government That they and he were under the Command of the Parliament their Superiors That he did not doubt but the next Parliament would quiet all their Apprehensions and that this could not hurt them for that they were upon the point of dissolving themselves then he severely comanded his Officers to have no more of these Meetings without his privacy soon after removing some of them from their Commands But the next trouble that the General found was from the Parliament it self several of whose Members were offâ—…ring to break the Articles of their Admission and not to yield to the calling of another Parliament Mr. Prin spake it openly That if the King must come in it was safest for them that he should come in by their Votes who had made the War against his Father Whereupon Prin was sent for and admonished to be quiet and it was the bufineâ—…s of Mr. Morrice to keep this expiring Session of Parliament steddy and clear from intermedling with the change of the Government in which case he did excellent Service punctually observing the Directions of the General who so passionately longed for their Dissolution that at last he took the Liberty to mind them of it they having done his work So they authorized the Issuing out of Writs for another Parliament which was to Meet the 25th of April next at Westminster their Promise being that it should be the 20th But before they broke up they Vote to Justifie themselves That the General should give no Commission to any Officer to serve in the Army who should not declare in these Words I N. do Acknowledge and Declare That the War undertaken by both houses of Parliament in their Defensive part against the Forces raised in the Name of the late King was Just and Lawful And Ordered That the Commission-Officers should further Declare That they believed Magistracy and Ministry to be the Ordinances of God By this may Posterity understand to what a fine Pass their