under the Marquess Ansbach The Evangelicks were put to the worst by General Buquoy in several encounters and were much terrified by the Duke of Bavaria who marched with an Army of Fifteen thousand Horse and Foot and a Train of Artillery proportionable and they were weakned by a Cessation of Arms in Hungary between the Emperor and the Prince of Transylvania In Spain they make all possible preparations for this War onely the King of England will not take the Alarm abhorring War in general and distasting the Palsgraves cause as an ill president against Monarchy and fed with hopes of composing all differences by the success of the Spanish Treaty For which purpose Sir Walter Aston was then sent Ambassador into Spain and Gondomar returned into England there to abide till the long debated Match be fully effected The Articles of Religion for securing Liberty of Conscience to the Infanta and her Family were greatly inlarged by the Commissioners designed for the Treaty and were allowed by the King of England but without a dispensation from Rome the transactions between the two Kings were but Nullities And for this cause it was expected that our King should propound such conditions for the increase and great advantage of the Roman Catholick Religion that the Pope may deliberate whether they be of that nature as may perswade and merit the dispensation To this demand the King made answer in his Letter to the King of Spain That he had done as much in favor of the Catholicks as the times would bear and promised in the word of a King That no Roman Priest or other Catholick should thenceforth be condemned upon any capital Law And although he could not at present rescind the Laws inflicting onely pecuniary mulcts yet he would so mitigate them as to oblige his Catholick Subjects to him And if the Marriage took effect his Daughter in Law should finde him ready to indulge all favors which she should request for those of her Religion Herein the Spanish Council acknowledged great satisfaction given and a Paper was conceived and drawn up by a Iunto of Canonists Lawyers and Divines to perswade the Pope to act his part IN the mean while an Army of Thirty thousand was levying in Flanders under the command of Marquess Spinola The King of England sent to know the cause of so great preparations The Marquess gave answer That he received his Commission sealed up with a charge not to open it till his Army were compleated and brought together to a Rendevouz But the King had proof enough to assure him that this Army was intended for the Palatinate Yet no more then one Regiment under the Command of Sir Horatio Vere could be obtained from him though two more were promised When Spinola had his Rendevouz where he mustered Six and twenty thousand Foot and Four thousand Horse he opened his Commission which required him to make War against all those which should be confederate with the Bohemian Rebels and he communicated the same to the Ambassador of Great Brittain At the same time the English began their march as brave a Regiment as hath appeared in any age consisting most of Gentlemen under a most worthy Leader who was accompanied with the Earls of Oxford and Essex persons innobled as well by their own vertues as by their Progenitors Other Commanders in this Regiment were Sir Edward Sackvile Sir Gerard Herbert Sir Robert Knolles Captain Stafford Captain Wilmot Captain William Fairfax Sir Iohn Burlacy Cap. Burroughs Cap. Robert Knightly c. This handful of men reached the Palatinate with some difficulty by the aid and conduct of Henry Prince of Nassau The Imperial forces became exceeding numerous by large supplies from several Countreys and Provinces The States Protestant of the Upper and Lower Austria upon the approach of the Bavarian Army seeing nothing but manifest ruine renounce their Confederacy with the Bohemians and submit to the Emperor saving to themselves their Rights and Priviledges in Religion Whereupon the Bohemians and their King being but Twenty thousand strong besides an addition of Ten thousand Hungarians from Bethlem Gabor and fearing least Bavaria and Buquoy joyning their forces should fall into Bohemia thought it best to fortifie the Frontiers and to defend their Country which they conceived they might well do if the Elector of Saxony would continue in his Neutrality The Emperor sent to the said Elector to execute his Ban or Declaration of Treason against the Count Palatine and the Bohemian Rebels The Bohemians by their Ambassadors requested him if he would not own their Cause yet at least to remain Neutral The Duke of Saxony replied to King Frederick That he had often represented to him what ruine was like to follow him by taking an others Crown and for his own part being called upon by the Emperor to execute his Ban and chastise the Rebels he could not disobey that just command The Protestant Princes sent to him again and gave him notice of Spinola's advance to subdue the Palatinate but this did nothing move him He entred Lusatia with some forces and quickly reduced a part of that Province In the Palatinate Spinola having got the start of the English by means of a far shorter march had no sooner arived but he took in divers Towns and prevailed greatly over a spiritless people yet he warily declined the hazard of Battel with the Princes of the Union Neither was the Marquess Ansbach very forward to engage or to seek or take advantages The Dutch slowness was not excusable howbeit the great access of strength to the Emperors party and this slender aid from the King of Great Brittain to preserve his Childrens Patrimony must needs dishearten the German Princes and help to dissolve the Union After a while the season of the year drew them into their Winter Quarters the Princes retired into their several Countreys and the English Regiment was disposed into three principal Garisons Sir Horatio Vere commanded in Manheim Sir Gerard Herbert in Heidelborough and Captain Burroughs in Frankendale having onely power to preserve themselves within those Walls whilest the enemy ranged round about them A Letter written from the Marquess of Buckingham to Conde Gondomar discovered the bent of the Kings minde and will touching the German War That he was resolved to continue Neuter for Conscience Honor and Examples sake In regard of Conscience judging it unlawful to inthrone and dethrone Kings for Religions sake having a quarrel against the Jesuites for holding that opinion Besides he saw the World inclined to make this a War of Religion which he would never do In point of Honor for that when he sent his Ambassador into Germany to treat of Peace in the interim his Son in Law had taken the Crown upon him And for Example sake holding it a dangerous president against all Christian Princes to allow a sudden translation of Crowns by the Peoples Authority Nevertheless he could not sit still and
points of Grace to the people but also by the labor we took for the satisfaction of both Houses in those three Articles recommended unto us in both their names by the Right Reverend Father in God the Archbishop of Canterbury and likewise for the good Government of Ireland we are now in hand with at your request but not onely have we heard no news of all this but contrary great complaints of the danger of Religion within this Kingdom tacitely implying our ill Government in this point And we leave you to judge whether it be your duties that are the Representative Body of our people so to distaste them with our Government whereas by the contrary it is your duty with all your endeavors to kindle more and more a dutiful and thankful love in the peoples hearts towards us for our just and gratious Government Now whereas in the very beginning of this your Apology you tax us in fair terms of trusting uncertain Reports and partial Informations concerning your proceedings we wish you to remember that we are an old and experienced King needing no such Lessons being in our Conscience freest of any King alive from hearing or trusting idle Reports which so many of your House as are nearest us can bear witness unto you if you would give as good ear to them as you do to some Tribunitial Orators among you And for proof in this particular we have made your own Messengers confer your other Petitions sent by you with the Copy thereof which was sent us before Between which there is no difference at all but that since our receiving the first Copy you added a conclusion unto it which could not come to our hands till it was done by you and your Messengers sent which was all at one time And if we had had no Copy of it before-hand we must have received your first Petition to our great dishonor before we had known what it contained which would have enforced us to return you a far worse Answer then now we do for then your Messengers had returned with nothing but that we have judged your Petition unlawful and unworthy of an Answer For as to your conclusion thereof it is nothing but Protestatio contraria facto for in the Body of your Petition you usurpe upon our Prerogative Royal and meddle with things far above your reach and then in the conclusion you protest the contrary As if a Robber would take a mans purse and then protest he meant not to rob him For first you presume to give us your advice concerning the Match of our dearest Son with some Proâ—â—stant we cannot say Princess for we know none of these fit for hâ—m and disswade us from his Match with Spain urging us to a presenâ— War with that King and yet in the conclusion forsooth ye protest ye intend not to press upon our most undoubted and Regal Prerogative as if the Petitioning of us in matters that your selves confess ye ought not to meddle with were not a meddling with them And whereas ye pretend That ye were invited to this course by the Speeches of Three honorable Lords yet by so much as your selves repeat of the Speeches nothing can be concluded but that we were resolved by War to regain the Palatinate if otherwise we could not attain unto it And you were invited to advise forthwith upon a Supply for keeping the forces in the Palatinate from disbanding and to foresee the means for the raising and maintenance of the Body of an Army for that War against the Spring Now what inference can be made upon this that therefore we must presently denounce War against the King of Spain break our dearest Sons match and match him to one of our Religion let the World judge The difference is no greater than if we would tell a Merchant that we had great need to borrow Money from him for raising an Army that thereupon it should follow that we were bound to follow his advice in the direction of the War and all things depending thereupon But yet not contenting your selves with this excuse of yours which indeed cannot hold water ye come after to a direct contradiction to the conclusion of your former Petition saying That the honor and safety of us and our Posterity and the Patrimony of Our Children invaded and possessed by their enemies the Welfare of Religion and State of our Kingdom are matters at any time not unfit for your deepest considerations in Parliament To this generality we answer with the Logicians That where all things are contained nothing is omitted So as this Plenipotency of yours invests you in all power upon Earth lacking nothing but the Popes to have the Keys also both of Heaven and Purgatory And to this vast generality of yours we can give no other answer for it will trouble all the best Lawyers in the House to make a good Commentary upon it For so did the Puritan Ministers in Scotland bring all kinde of causes within the compass of their jurisdiction saying That it was the Churches office to judge of slander and there could no kinde of crime or fault be committed but there was a slander in it either against God the King or their Neighbor and by this means they hooked into themselves the cognisance of all causes Or like Bellarmines distinction of the Popes power over Kings in Ordine ad Spiritualia whereby he gives them all Temporal Jurisdiction over them But to give you a direct Answer to the matter of War for which you are so earnest We confess we rather expected you should have given us thanks for the so long maintaining a setled Peace in all our Dominions when as all our Neighbors about are in miserable combustion of War but dulce bellum inexpertis And we indeed finde by experience that a number of our Subjects are so pampered with Peace as they are desirous of change though they knew not what It is true that we have ever professed and in that minde with Gods grace we will live and die that we will labor by all means possible either by Treaty or by force to restore our Children to their ancient Dignity and Inheritance And whatsoever Christian Princes or Potentates will set themselves against it we will not spare any lawful means to bring our so just and honorable purpose to a good end neither shall the match of our Son or â—ny other worldly respect be preferred to this our resolution For by our credit and intervention with the King of Spain and the Arch-Dutches and her Husband now with God we preserved the Lower Palatinate one whole year from any further conquering in it which in eight days space in that time might have easily been swallowed up by Spinola's Army without any resistance And in no better case was it now at our Ambassador the Lord Digbies coming through Heidelburgh if he had not extraordinarily succored it But because we conceive that ye couple this War of the Palatinate with
was done to this effect THat our Soveraign Lord King Iames of Famous Memory at the Suit of both Houses of Parliament and by the powerful operation of his Majesty that now is gave consent to break off the Two Treaties with Spain touching the Match and the Palatinate and to vindicate the many wrongs and scorns done unto his Majesty and his Royal Children Besides if the King of Spain were suffered to proceed in his Conquests under pretence of the Catholick Cause he would become the Catholick Monarch which he so much affects and aspires unto Also amidst these Necessities our late King considered That he might run a hazard with his people who being so long inured to Peace were unapt to War that the uniting with other Provinces in this undertaking was a Matter of exceeding Difficulty This drew him to new Treaties for regaining his Children right which were expulsed by the Friends and Agents of Spain and wherein his Majesty proceeded as far as the wisest Prince could go and suffered himself to be won unto that which otherwise was impossible for his Royal Nature to endure He considered also the many Difficulties abroad the Duke of Bavaria by Force and Contract had the Palatinate in his own possession most of the Electors and Princes of Germany were joyned with him The Estates of the other Princes most likely to joyn in a War of Recovery were seized and secured and all by a Conquering Army Besides the Emperor had called a Diet in which he would take away all possibility of recovering the Honor and Inheritance of the Palatinate thus it stood in Germany And in France the King there chose to sheath his Sword in the Bowels of his own Subjects rather then to declare against the Catholick Cause In the Low-Countreys the Sect of the Arminians prevailed much who inclined to the Papists rather then to their own safety notwithstanding that the Enemy had a great and powerful Army near them so that his Majesty was inforced to Protect and Countenance them with an Army of Six thousand from hence with a Caution of the like Supply from thence if required Moreover he sought Alliance with France by a Match for his Royal Majesty that now is thereby to have Interest in that King and to make him a Party The last consideration was his Majesties own Honor who had labored with the two Kings of Denmark and Sweden and the German Princes from whom he received but cold Answers they refusing to joyn unless they first saw his Majesty in the Field But of this he was very tender unless the League were broken or he first warred upon The Forces of an Army were considered and the way of proceeding whether by Invasion or Diversion The Charges thereof appeared in Parliament to be Seven hundred thousand pounds a year besides Ireland was to be fortified the Forts here repaired and a Navy prepared he thought it feasible to enter into a League with the French King and the Duke of Savoy and Venice Hereupon an Army was committed to Count Mansfield the charge whereof came to Seventy thousand pounds a Moneth for his Majesties part also he commanded the preparing of this great Fleet All which so heartned the Princes of Germany that they sent Ambassadors to the Kings of Denmark and Sweden and those two Kings offered a greater Army both of Horse and Foot to which his Majesty was to pay a proportion Count Mansfields Army though disastrous produced these happy effects First It prevented the Diet intended by the Emperor Secondly The German Princes gained new courage to defend themselves and oppose their Enemies Thirdly The King of Denmark hath raised an Army with which he is marched in person as far as Minden Moreover the Confederates of France and Italy have prosecuted a War in Milan and Peace is now made by the French King with his own Subjects so that by this means breath is given to our Affairs This Parliament is not called in meer Formality upon his Majesties first coming to the Crown but upon these Real Occasions to consult with the Lords and Commons Two Subsidies are already given and gratiously accepted but the Moneys thereof and much more are already disbursed A Fleet is now at Sea and hastning to their Rendezvous the Army is ready at Plimouth expecting their Commanders His Majesties Honor Religion and the Kingdomes safety is here engaged besides he is certainly advised of Designs to infest his Dominions in Ireland and upon our own Coasts and of the Enemies increase of Shipping in all parts These things have called the Parliament hither and the present Charge of all amounts to above Four hundred thousand pounds the further prosecution whereof the King being unable to bear hath left it to their Consultations His Majesty is verily perswaded That there is no King that loves his Subjects Religion and the Laws of the Land better then himself and likewise that there is no people that better loves their King which he will cherish to the uttermost It was thought that this place had been safe for this Assembly yet since the Sickness hath brought some fear thereof his Majesty willeth the Lords and Commons to put into the Ballance with the fear of the Sickness his and their great and weighty occasions Then the Lord Treasurer added That the late King when he died was indebted to the City of London 120000 l. besides Interest and indebted for Denmark and the Palatinate 150000 l. and indebted for his Wardrobe 40000 l. That these debts lie upon his Majesty that now is who is indebted upon London 70000 l. That he hath laid out for his Navy 20000 l. and 20000 l. for Count Mansfield And for Mourning and Funeral expences for his Father 42000 l. For expences concerning the Queen 40000. The Navy will require to set it forth in that Equipage as is requisit for the great Design his Majesty hath in hand and to pay them for the time intended for this Expedition 300000 l. After this Conference the Commons fell into high Debates alleaging That the Treasury was mis-employed that evil Councels guided the Kings Designs that our Necessities arose through Improvidence that they had need to Petition the King for a strait hand and better Counsel to Manage his Affairs And though a former Parliament did engage the King in a War yet if things were managed by contrary Designs and the Treasure misemployed This Parliament is not bound by another Parliament to be carried blindfold in Designs not guided by sound Counsel and that it is was not usual to grant Subsidies upon Subsidies in one Parliament and no Grievances redressed There were many Reflections upon the Dukes miscarriages likewise they reassumed the Debate concerning Montague and they resolved That Religion should have the first place in their Debates and next unto it the Kingdoms Safety and then Supplies Other particulars were likewise insisted on That the King be desired to Answer in full Parliament to the Petition
and to lend after the rate propounded and among others certain of the Parish of Clement Danes the Savoy the Dutchy and other parts within the Liberties of Westminster who first alledged poverty Whereunto reply was made That if they would but subscribe their ability should be enquired off before any thing were levied upon them and in case they were found unable they should be discharged notwithstanding what they had under written and unto some of them the money demanded was proffered to be given them Nevertheless they afterwards absolutely refused to subscribe their names or to say they were willing to lend if able Whereupon the Council directed their Warrant to the Commissioners of the Navy to impress these men to serve in the Ships ready to go out in his Majesties service The Non-Subscribers of higher Rank and Rate in all the Counties were bound over by Recognisance to tender their appearance at the Council Table and performed the same accordingly and divers of them were committed to prison but the common sort to appear in the Military-Yard near St. Martins in the Fields before the Lieutenant of the Tower of London by him to be there inrolled among the Companies of Soldiers that they who refused to assist with their Purses should serve in their Persons for the common Defence The same Loan being demanded of the Societies and Inns of Court the Benchers of Lincolns Inn received a Letter of Reproof from the Lords of the Council for neglecting to advance the Service in their Society and to return the names of such as were refractory ANd for the advancement of the said Loan Doctor Sibthorpe now publishes in Print a Sermon Preached by him at Northampton February the Two and twentieth One thousand six hundred twenty and six at Lent Assizes entituled Apostolick Obedience This Book was Licenced by the Bishop of London who did approve thereof as a Sermon learnedly and discreetly Preached It was dedicated to the King and expressed to be the Doctors Meditations which he first conceived upon his Majesties Instructions unto all the Bishops of this Kingdom fit to be put in execution agreeable to the necessity of the times and afterwards brought forth upon his Majesties Commission for the raising of moneys by way of Loan His Text was Romans 13.7 Render therefore to all their dues Among other passages he had this And seriously consider how as Jeroboam took the opportunity of the breach betwixt Rehoboam and his Subjects to bring Idolatry into Israel So the Papists lie at wait if they could finde a Rent between our Soveraign and his Subjects which the Lord forbid to reduce Superstition into England I speak no more then what I have heard from themselves whilst I have observed their forwardness to offer double according to an Act of Parliament so providing yea to profess That they would depart with the half of their Goods And how or why can this forwardness be in them but in hope to cast the imputation of frowardness upon us and so to seem that which the Iesuite will not suffer them to be loving and loyal Subjects Also the said Sermon holds forth That the Prince who is the Head and makes his Court and Council it is his duty to direct and make Laws Eccles. 8.3 and 4. He doth whatsoever pleases him Where the word of the King is there is power and who may say unto him What doest thou And in another place he saith If Princes command any thing which Subjects may not perform because it is against the Laws of God or of Nature or impossible Yet Subjects are bound to undergo the punishment without either resistance or railing or reviling and so to yield a Passive Obedience where they cannot exhibite an active one I know no other case saith he but one of those three wherein a Subject may excuse himself with Passive Obedience but in all other he is bound to Active Obedience It is not our purpose to repeat his Sermon the Reader may at leisure inform himself more fully by the Printed Copy Doctor Roger Manwaring promoted the same business in two Sermons Preached before the King and Court at Whitehal wherein he delivered for Doctrine to this purpose That the King is not bound to observe the Laws of the Realm concerning the Subjects Rights and Liberties but that his Royal Will and Command in imposing Loans and Taxes without common consent in Parliament doth oblige the Subjects Conscience upon pain of eternal damnation That those who refused to pay this Loan offended against the Law of God and the Kings Supream Authority and became guilty of impiety disloyalty and Rebellion And that the Authority of Parliament is not necessary for the raising of Aids and Subsidies and that the flow proceedings of such great Assemblies were not fitted for the Supply of the States urgent Necessities but would rather produce sundry impediments to the just designs of Princes The Papists at this time were forward and liberal on this occasion insomuch that it was said in those times That in the point of Allegiance then in hand the Papists were exceeding Orthodox and the Puritans were the onely Recusants Distastes and Jealousies had for a while been nourished between the Courts of England and France which seemed to have risen from Disputes and Differences about the Government of the Queens family By the Articles of Marriage it was agreed That the Queen should have a certain number of Priests for her Houshold Chaplains together with a Bishop who should exercise all Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction in matters of Religion These with other Romish Priests within this Realm began to practise and teach That the Pope upon the Marriage Treaty assumed to himself or his Delegates the Jurisdiction of the Queens whole family especially the Institution and Destitution of the Ecclesiasticks and that the King of England had no power to intermeddle therein because he was an Heretick the Pope threatning to declare those to be Apostates that should seek their establishment from the King Likewise the Queen insisted to have the ordering of her family as her self pleased and the naming of her Officers and Servants and being therein crossed did somewhat distaste the King and unkindness grew between them These things the King represented to his Brother of France imputing the same to the Crafty and Evil Counsels of her Servants rather then to her own inclination And so declared he could no longer bear with those that were the known causes and fomenters of these disturbances but would presently remove them from about his Wife if there were nothing more then this That they had made her go to Tiborne in devotion to pray there Which action as it was reported his Majesty said can have no greater invective made against it then the bare relation yet his Majesty acknowledged That the deportment of some of them was without offence but others of them had so much abused his patience and affronted his Person reflecting most upon
fully acquit of his engagement of Honor and Conscience for their Relief But notwithstanding this Declaration and Sobiez his earnest solicitation and endeavor The Magistrates and wealthier sort of People in the Town being possessed with the fear of the King of France his Army then upon a march against them and there being a Court party also prevalent in the Town could be drawn to give no other answer at that time but this That they did render all humble and hearty thanks to his Majesty of Great Britain for the care he had of them and to the Duke for his forwardness and readiness to do his best service for their good but said They were bound by Oath of Union to do nothing but by the common and unanimous consent of the rest of the Protestant party in France And therefore prayed the King of Great Britain to excuse them in that they did suspend the Conjunction of Forces till they had sent to the rest of the Protestant Towns who were of the Union with them And in the mean time their Prayers and Vows should be for the happy progress of such actions as the Fleet and Army should undertake Notwithstanding this Answer Sobiez had strong assurance from a well-affected party in the Town That they could and would be able to preserve the same for the encouragement of the English and to assist them also with supplies from thence When Sobiez went from the Fleet into Rochel with Sir William Beecher the Duke of Buckingham was pleased to communicate his design to Sobiez by reason of his knowledge of the Countrey as well as for his interest in that Kingdom to raise forces that his full purpose and intention was to land his Army in the Isle of Oleran near unto Rochel and not at the Isle of Rhee being a little further distant Which Sobiez well approved of as a thing feasible at the first entrance the forces therein being few and the Forts weakly manned and victualled and besides it was of advantage for the Oyls Wines and other Commodities therein whereas the Isle of Rhee as he said to the Duke was furnished with a considerable force both of Horse and Foot which would make the landing there very difficult and besides they had a Cittadel well fortified to retreat unto The Duke not staying for Sobiez his return from Rochel alters his resolution and directs his course to the Isle of Rhee Toras the Governor thereof having before taken the alarum by the sight of the Fleet at Sea marches with his forces to impede their landing but maugre their opposition and the Fort La Prie. Sir Iohn Burroughs Sir Alexander Bret Sir Charles Rich together with Monsieur St. Branchard and other brave Commanders land first ashore and after them about Twelve hundred men who were presently encountred with the French horse and foot and a sore fight happened thereupon being a long time well maintained on both sides and many Commanders fell both of the English and French few of the English were unwounded but at last the English forced their way the enemy was constrained to retreat and to permit the whole Army to land In this combate Monsieur St. Blanchard was slain whose loss was much lamented by the Protestant party in France Sir William Heyden and some hundreds of the English were slain The foot which engaged on both sides were much equal in number but in horse the French had a great advantage The Victory was not pursued by a speedy march after Toras who retreated to his Cittadel at St. Martins with his wounded men for five days time was spent before the Army moved whereby Toras got not onely time to encourage his men to hold out being much discomfited at this fight but to get in assistance of Men and provision of Victuals out of the Island into the Cittadel which he improved to great advantage The Fort La Prie near unto the landing place and meanly Victualled and Manned was all this while the Army staid neglected omitted or contemned as inconsiderable the gaining whereof as was said would have secured a retreat for the English and impeded the landing of the French during the siege of the Fort at St. Martins This landing of the English was a great astonishment in the Court of France and if the taking of the Fort had immediately followed there would have appeared a great change of Affairs for the King fell sick about the same time and great discontent there was at Court and the King sent his Resolution to give the Protestants honorable terms if they will not joyn with the English sent to the Duke of Rhoan to content him with money and other proffers and renders the landing of the English to other Protestant Towns to be a thing not to be complied withal The Duke in two days march came with his Army before St. Martins and published a Manifesto justifying his Masters taking up of Arms against the King of France declaring amongst other Reasons as one cause thereof the Frenches employing of the English Ships against Rochel contrary to promise and lodgeth his Army at the Burgh of St. Martins at Rhee which upon the approach of the Duke the enemy quit and retreated into the City and quit a Well which was about thirty paces from their Counterskarf which being not at first coming of the Army made totally unserviceable to the enemy they presently drew a work unto it and so secured the same for their use by which they subsisted during all the time of the siege The Duke blocks up the Cittadel draws his forces round about it in order to a close siege and disposes his Fleet so as to hinder Relief by Sea and resolves to take it by Famine upon presumption and as the truth was that they were not provided with Victuals in the Cittadel for a long siege and being Master at Sea he might in short time be Master of the Cittadel But whilst the Duke employs his time in drawing a Line of Circumvallation and raising of Bulwarks and Batteries let us see what they are doing in England Those Gentlemen who stood committed for not parting with moneys upon the Commission for Loans were appointed to several Confinements not in their own but Foreign Counties Sir Thomas Wentworth afterwards Earl of Strafford and George Ratcliff Esq afterwards Sir George Yorkshire Gentlemen were sent for by Messengers and removed out of the County of York into the County of Kent and there secured by Confinement Sir Walter Earl and Sir Iohn Strangwayes who were Dorsetshire men were secured in the County of Bedford Sir Thomas Grantham and some others of the County of Lincoln were removed and secured in the County of Dorset Sir Iohn Heveningham and others of the County of Suffolk were secured in the County of Somerset Richard Knightly Esq and others of the County of Northampton were secured in the County of Southampton and Wiltshire Sir Nathaniel
he hath prefixed and still resoves to hold that so for this time all Christendom might take notice of a sweet parting between him and his people Which if it fall out his Majesty will not be long from another meeting when such if there be any at their leisure and convenience may be considered Mr. Speaker proceeded I will observe somewhat out of this Message ye may observe a great inclination in his Majesty to meet in this House I was bold yesterday to take notice of that liberty ye gave me to go to his Majesty I know there are none here but did imagine whither I went but that I knew ye where desirous and content that I should leave you I would not have desired it give me leave to say this Message bars you not of your Right in matter nay not in manner but it reacheth to his Councels past and for giving him Councel in those things which he commanded It is not his Majesties intentions to protect any Abetter of Spain The end of this was that we might meet again sweetly and happily The House of Lords likewise received this Message by the Lord Keeper MY Lords his Majestie takes notice to your great advantage of the proceedings of this house upon the hearing of his Majesties message yesterday He accounts it a fair respect that ye would neither agree of any Committee or send any Message to his Majesty though it were in your own hearts but yeild your selves to his Majesties Message and defer your own resolutions till you meet again at the time appointed by his Majesty Yet his Majesty takes it in extream good part to hear what was in your heart and especially that ye were so sensible of the inconvenience that might ensue upon the breach of this Parliament Which if it had happened or shall hereafter happen his Majesty assures himself that he shall stand clear before God and men of the occasion But his Majesty saith ye had just cause to be sensible of the danger considering how the estate of Christendom now stands in respect of the multitude and strength of our Enemies and weakness on our part All which his Majesty knows very exactly and in respect therereof called this Parliament the particulars his Majesty holds it needless to recite especially to your Lordships since they are apparant to all men Neither will it be needfull to reiterate them to his Majesty whose cares are most intentive upon them and the best remedy that can be thought on therein is if his Subjects do their parts Therefore his Majesty gives you hearty thanks and bad me tell you that nothing hath been more acceptable to him all the time of this Parliament then this dutiful and discreet carriage of your Lordships which he professeth hath been a chief motive to his Majesty to suspend those intentions that were not far from a resolution Sir Robert Philips assumed the Debate upon the Message delivered by the Speaker and said I rise up with a disposition somewhat in more hope of comfort then yesterday yet in regard of the uncertainty of Councels I shall not change much In the first place I must be bold without flattering a thing nor incident to me to tell you Mr. Speaker you have not only at all times discharged the duty of a good Speaker but of a good man for which I render you many thanks Another respect touching his Majesties Answer to our Petition First if that Answer fall out to be short I free his Majesty and I believe his Resolution was to give that that we all expected But in that as in others we have suffered by reason of interposed persons between his Majesty and us But this day is by intervenient accidents diverted from that but so as in time we go to his Majesty Therefore let us remove those jealousies in his Majesty of our Proceedings that by somâ— men over-grown have bin mispresented we have proceeded with temper in confidence of his Majesties goodness to us and our fidelity to him and if any have construed that what we have done hath been out of feare let him know we came hither free men and will ever resolve to endure the worst and they are poor men that make such interpretations of Parliaments in this way and method we proceeded and if any thing fall out unhappily it is not King Charles that advised himself but King Charles misadvised by others and misled by misordered Councel it becomes us to consider what we were doing and now to advise what is fit to be done We were taking consideration of the State of the Kingdome and to present to his Majesty the danger he and we are in iâ— since any man hath been named in particular though I love to speak of my betters with humility let him thank himself and his Councels but those necessary jealousies gives us occasion to name him I assure my self we shall proceed with temper and give his Majesty satisfaction if we proceed in that way his Majesties message is now explanatory in point of our liberties that he intends not to barre us of our rights and that he would not have any aspersion cast on the Councels past let us present to his Majesty shortly and faithfully and declare our intentions that we intend not to lay any aspersion upon him but out of a necessity to prevent the eminent dangers we are surrounded with and to present to him the affaires at home and abroad and to desire his Majesty that no interposition of mis-information of men in fault may prevaile but to expect the issue that shall be full of duty and Loyalty The Commons sent a message to the Lords that they would joyne in an humble request to the King that a clear and satisfactory answer be given by his Majesty in full Parliament to the petition of Right whereunto the Lords did agree Afterward the House was turned again into a Committee and considered of some more heads to be inserted into the Declaration or Remonstrance as the designe to bring into this Nation Forreign Forces under the command of Dolbeir And Burlemack was called into the House who confessed he received thirty thousand pound by Privy seal for the buying of Horses that one thousand of them are levied that those Horse and their Riders are to come over and Armes are provided for them in Holland but he â—eares a Countermand is gone to stay them The Privy Seal is in these Words CHarles by the Grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. To the Treasurer and under Treasurer for our Exchequer for the time being Greeting We do hereby will and command you out of our Treasury remaining in the receipt of our said Exchequer forthwith to pay or cause to be paid unto Philip Burlemack of London Merchant the summe of thirty thousand pounds to be paid by him over by Bill of Exchange into the Low-Countreys and Germany unto our Trusty and
favor of Roman Catholicks A difficulty concerning the Popes title on the Kings part Another on the Ambassadors part concerning prayers in the Kings Chappel A titular Bishop of Calcedon sent into England Preparations for conducting the Infanta into England No mention made in the Capitulations of restoring the Palatine Mr. Allured his Letter to the Duke The French jealous of this conjunction Pope Vrban to K. Iames. Pope Vrbans Letter to Prince Charls The Treaty begins to tend to a rupture The Prohibition to the Judges and Bishops in behalf of the Catholicks suspended Some of the English in Spain dislike the Match and Religion The Duke disgusted in Spain Buckingham and Bristol run different ways The Palatine by his Secretary labors to engage the Prince against the Marriage The Spaniard continues new delays The English Papists perplexed The Prince ready to depart from the Court of Spain leaves a Proxy with the Earl of Bristâ—l The Duke and Olivares part not Friends The Prince universally â—steemed His departure solemn The Prince feasted the Dons aboard his Ship and bringing them back again to the shore a storm surprises them Expressions of joy for the Princes safe return into England Private Instructions delivered to Bristol contrary to the Proxy Bristol in a Letter gives the Prince a good account of the business King Iames falls off and for a Condition of the Mariage demands the Restitution of the Palatinate Bristol and Asâ—â—n demur upon the new Instructions Sir Walter Aston endeavors to reconcile the Dâ—ke to Spain Advice to the King touching the Duke The Earl of Bristol is commanded by the King to follow the new Instructions King Iames puts the Palatine in hope by Proposal of new terms The Palatines Answer to those Terms proposed by the King The Netherlands appear ready to embrace the antient Union with England The Ratifiâ—â—â—ication come from the new Popâ— and when all is ready for the E 〈◊〉 ls thâ—n is the Maâ—ch dasht by order from England Bristol sends his Apology to K. Iames for having demurred upon the new Instructions Olivares offers Bristol large Preferments in the Kings name when he was to take his leave Bristols Answer to those Profers The Spaniards prepare for a War with England The L. Kensington sent Ambassador into France to feel the pulse of that Court touching a Match renders an account of his acceptance The King advised to call a Parliament The Kings Speech to the Parliament The King approves Sir Tho. Crew for Speaker who made this Speech The Dukes Narrative Both Houses of Parliament justifie the Duke in his Narrative His Majesties Answer to that Justification Both Houses of Parliament concur that the King may not honorably proceed in tâ—e Treaty of the Prince's Marriage and the Palatinate The Kings Speech 〈◊〉 Parliament perswaâ—â—â—â— him to break off the two Treaties of the Match and of the Palatinate Sir Edw. Sackvile's Speech Sir Edw. Sackvile's Speech The Parliaments Answer to the Kings Speech The Parliament offers his Majesty Three Subsidies and Three Fifteens if he break off both Treaties His Majesties Reply The King declares his Resolution to dissolve the Treaties The King accepts the aid proffered him King Iames his Letter to Secretary Conway touching a Petition against the Papists The Petition His Majesties Answer to the Petition The Spanish Ambassadors accuse Buckingham to the King of matters of high concernment The issue of those Accusations The Earl of Bristol protests against the Dukes Narration is imprisoned in the Tower The Speakers and the Kings Speech at the Adjournment of the Parliament Kings Iames demands the Town of Frankendal deposited in the Archducâ—hess hands Spinola marches out of the Town and immediately Re-enters King Iames very desirous of a Match with France The Match with France concluded Count Mansfield arrrives in England 12000 Foot and 200 horse raised to go under his command Scarce the third part of Count Mansfields Army came safe to Land Richard Smith made Bishop of Calcedon and sent into England with Episcopal Jurisdiction * The Duke of Buckingham Instructions to Mr Drummond The Privy-Counsellors present themselves to King Charles King Charles proclaimed at Theobalds At Whitehall In London The old Privy-Council new sworn The Councils advice to the King Proclamation concerning Persons in Office c. Proclamation of Government Resolution taken by the King concerning King Iames Funeral and his own Marriage A Parlamenâ— summoned King Iames Funeral Duke of Buckingham continues Favorite to King Charles Religion considered A general Muster Souldiers levied for the Palatinate Proclamation against disorders committed by Souldiers Articles of the marriage with France signed by the King Private Articles in favor of the Catholicks The Marriage solemnized in France The Duke sent into France for the Queen A Royal Navy sent to Bolâ—ign to transport the Queen The Marriage consummated at Canterbury The Trained Bands of Kent commanded to attend the Queen The King and Queen come to London A Chappel built at Somerset-house for the Queen A great Plague in London The Parliament opened The Kings Speech in Parliament The Lord Keepers Speech in Parliament Sir Tho. Crew Speaker Debates in the House of Commons A Fast. Committees chosen Message to the King touching Religion and his Answer Mr. Montague brought to the Bar. The Arminian party assert his cause The King takes Montagues businâ—â—â— into his own hand Two Subsidies presented to the King The King accepts them and desires more A short Answer to the Petition touching Religion The Parliament adjourned to Oxford The Exchequer removed to Richmond The Vantguard and seven other Ships employed against Rochel The Parliament meets again at Oxford Grievances Mr. Montague Summoned to appear His Cause recommended by the Bishops to the Duke The Appeal to Caesar disputed The Kings Speech in Christ-Church Lord Conway and Secretary Cook by the Kings Command declare the present slate of Affairs Lord Treasurer proceeds in that subject Debates in the House of Commons touching the present state of Affairs Complaints against Papists favored notwithstanding the Kings Answer to the Petition against them The Petition concerning Religion together with his 〈…〉 The Duke renders an account to both Houses of the Fleet. He speaks by way of Objection and Answer * The Earl of Bristol The Dukes Relation accasioned variety of Opinions in Parliament The Kings Message to the Commons Debates upon the Kings Message The Commons Declaration The Parliament dissolved The King follows his Design of War The Kings Proclamation to recal home children of Recusants The Kings Letter to the Lieutenants for the Loan of Money upon Privy-Seals Privy-Seals issued forth to certain Persons Warrants for disarming Recusants Letters directed to Lords Recusants Concourse of Papists prevented Viscount Wimbleton Commander in Chief in the Voyage to Cadez Lord Cromwels Letter to the Duke touching the Fleet. The Earl of Warwick secures Langer-Point in Essex English and Dutch Fleet before Dunkirk dispersed by a storm The General examined before the Council The
Cases at the Council Table when great Causes were heard before the King and Council And when matters were agitated at a greater distance I was there also and went on purpose out of a curiosity to see and observe the passages at the Camp at Berwick at the Fight at Newborn at the Treaty at Rippon at the great Council at York and at the meeting of the Long Parliament The Observations I made during all the said time shall be further known if I be encouraged to proceed and that this my Forlorn be not repelled and defeated Thus have I good Reader acquainted thee in plain English with the Lines and rude Draughts of what hath been and what is like to be multorum annorum opus in which as I never did approve so neither could I perswade my self to tread in their Steps who intermingle their Passion with their stories and are not content to write of unless they write also for a Party or to serve an Interest and so declare themselves far better Advocates then Historiansâ—â— I profess that in singleness of heart I aim at truth which to me has alwayes seemed hugely amiable even without the tires and advantages of Wit and Eloquence And therefore in order to my greatest purpose I have esteemed the most unaffected and familiar Stile the best Altum alii teneant And so irresistible is the force of Truth and the Divine Providence so great that howsoever all possible diligence may have been used to carry things in secret and to act by colourable Pretences men often acting like Tumblers that are squint-eyed looking one way and aiming another Yet hath God in these our dayes brought to light such Secrets of State such private Consultations such strâ—nge Contrivances discovered by Letters Papers and Cabinet-memorials seised on in time of the War as otherwise probably neither we nor our Posterity should have ever known I conclude with the learned Spaniards opinion Satis est Historiae si sit vera quae ut reliqua habeat omnia si veritatem non habet obtinere nomen suum non potest J. RUSHWORTH 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 h.e. Anglorum leges Suadam consulta Senatus ausáque cuncta loquor tempore quaeque suo Excipis adverso si pectore ore maligno pluribus invideas Zoile nemo tibi The Printer to the Reader BEing obliged to get this Book finished against the ensuing Term I was constrained to make more haste then ordinary so that possibly some Faults have escap'd which I request the Courteous Reader to Pardon and Amend as they shall be met with VALE The right high and most mightie Monarch â—AMES by the Graâ—ce of God King of great Britaine Fraunce and Ireland c Defendor of the Faith Historical Collections THe grand business of State in the latter times of King Iames was the Spanish Match which had the Kings heart in it over-ruled all his Counsels and had a mighty influence upon the Universal State of Christendom This King affecting the name of a King of Peace and Peace-maker as his chief glory had designed what in him lay the setling of a general Peace in Europe and the reconciling of all Parties and professed that if the Papists would leave their King-killing and some other grosser Errors he was willing to meet them half way moreover he was ever zealous for the honor and height of regal Majesty and to maintain the glory of it in his Successors 't was his chief desire and care to match his Son with some Princess of most high descent though of a different Religion There had been a Treaty of Marriage between the late Prince Henry and a Daughter of Spain which on the Spaniards part was found a meer Complement carried on by the accustomed gravity and formality of that Nation For Cecil Earl of Salisbury the great States-man of that time pursued and drove the matter to that point that the Duke of Lerma finding no evasion disclaimed the being of a Marriage Treaty Nevertheless the Spanish Ambassador to acquit himself to this State and to clear his own honesty at a full Council produced his Commission together with his Letters of Instruction given under the Duke's hand Such manner of dealing might have been sufficient Cause of just Indignation against any future motion of this Alliance After death of Prince Henry the King set his thoughts upon a Daughter of Henry the Fourth late King of France as the fittest Match for Prince Charles and by Sir Thomas Edmonds his Legier Ambassador endeavored to know the minde of that State but could not discern their affections and was not willing to discover his own At length taking occasion to send the Lord Hayes Extraordinary Ambassador to the French King to Congratulate his Marriage with Anne the Infanta of Spain he resolved to make a thorow Trial The matter was put forth and in appearance well taken but proved of no effect For the Duke of Savoy was before-hand and prevailed for his Son the Prince of Piedmont During this Negotiation of Alliance with France the Duke of Lerma frequently intimated unto Sir Iohn Digby Ambassador Resident in Spain an extraordinary desire in the King his Master not onely to maintain Peace and Amity with the King of great Britain but to lay hold on all means that might be offered for the nearer uniting of their Majesties and their Crowns as also a disposition in this regard to match his second Daughter to the Prince of Wales The Ambassador replyed that His Majesty had little reason to give ear to this overture having not long since in the Treaty for the late Prince received such an unexpected Answer and Demands so improper and unworthy and that there needed more then ordinary assurance to induce him to believe that there was now so great a change and the match desired in good earnest and not propounded meerly to divert the match with France wherefore he expected the proposal of such terms of advantage and certainty as might gain a belief of their sincere Intentions Lerma promised a further Conference But by reason of a strong report that the Match with France was absolutely concluded and within few dayes to be published the business lay asleep until Sir Iohn Digby going for England was desired by the Duke to give him notice of the state of this Affair From hence Digby gives him to understand that there was no cause of dispair concerning this new overture unless the difficulty of the Conditions should make it desperate but if the Demands in point of Religion were no more then what would satisfie another Catholick Prince and to which his Majesty might yeild with Honor he knows that divers persons not of the meanest power were well inclined and ready to give their helping hand He said further that it were much better not to revive this motion then by impossible and unfitting
declared for War he pursued Peace and resolved to close with Spain hoping to heal the Breach by that Alliance The House of Commons before they granted Subsides resolved to try the Kings Spirit by this Petition and Remonstrance which laid open the distempers of those times with their causes and cures Most Gratious and Dread Soveraign WE Your Majesties most Humble and Loyal Subjects the Knights Citizens and Burgesses now Assembled in Parliament who represent the Commons of Your Realm full of hearty sorrow to be deprived of the Comfort of Your Royal Presence the rather for that it proceeds from the want of Your health wherein we all unfeignedly do suffer In all humble manner calling to minde Your Gracious Answer to our former Petition concerning Religion which notwithstanding Your Majesties Pious and Princely intentions hath not produced that good effect which the danger of these times doth séem to us to require And finding how ill Your Majesties goodness hath béen requited by Princes of different Religion who even in time of Treaty have taken opportunity to advance their own ends tending to the subversion of Religion and disadvantage of Your Affairs and the Estate of Your Children By reason whereof Your ill affected Subjects at home the Popish Recusants have taken too much encouragement and are dangerously increased in their number and in 〈◊〉 insolencies We cannot but be sensible thereof and therefore humbly represent what we conceive to be the causes of so great and growing Mischeifs and what be the Remedies I. The Uigilancy and Ambition of the Pope of Rome and his dearest Son the one aiming at as large a Temporal Monarchy as the other at a Spiritual Supremacy II. The Devillish Positions and Doctrines whereon Popery is built and taught with Authority to their Followers for advancement of their Temporal ends III. The distressed and miserable estate of the Professors of true Religion in Foreign parts IV. The Disasterous accidents to Your Majesties Children abroad expressed with rejoycing and even with contempt of their persons V. The strange Confederacy of the Princes of thâ— Popish Religion aiming mainly at the advancement of theirs and subverting of ours and taking the advantages conducing to that end upon all occasions VI. The great and many 〈◊〉 raised and maintained at the charge of the King of Spain the 〈◊〉 of that League VII The expectation of the Popish Recusants of the Match with Spain and féeding themselves with great hopes of the consequences thereof VIII The interposing of Forein Princes and their Agents in the behalf of Popish Recusants for connivance and favor unto them IX Their open and usual resort to the Houses and which is worse to the Chappels of Foreign Ambassadors X. Their more then usual concourse to the City and their frequent Conventicles and Conferences there XI The education of their Children in many several Seminaries and Houses of their Religion in Forein parts appropriated to the English Fugitives XII The Grants of their just Forfeitures intended by Your Majesty as a Reward of Service to the Grantees but beyond Your Majesties intention transferred or compounded for at such mean rates as will amount to little less then a Toleration XIII The Licentious Printing and dispersing of Popish and Seditious Books even in the time of Parliament XIV The swarms of Priests and Iesuits the Common Incendiaries of all Christendom dispersed in all parts of your Kingdom And from these causes as bitter Roots we humbly offer to Your Majesty That we foresée and fear there will necessarily follow very dangerous effects both to Church and State For I. The Popish Religion is incompatible with ours in respect of their Positions II. It draweth with it an unavoidable dependency on Forein Princes III. It openeth too wide a gap for Popularity to any who shall draw too great a party IV. It hath a restless spirit and will strive by these Gradations if it once get but a connivancy it will press for a Toleration if that should be obtained they must have an equality from thence they will aspire to Superiority and will never rest till they get a Subversion of the true Religion The Remedies against these growing Evils which in all Humility we offer unto Your most Excellent Majesty are these I. That séeing this inevitable necessity is faln upon Your Majesty which no Wisdom or Providence of a peaceable and pious King can 〈◊〉 Your Majesty would not omit this just occasion spéedily and eâ—â—ectually to take Your Sword into Your hand II. That once undertaken upon so honorable and just grounds Your Majesty would resolve to pursue and more publickly avow the aiding of those of our Religion in Forein parts which doubtless would reunite the Princes and States of the Union by these disasters disheartned and disbanded III. That Your Majesty would propose to Your Self to manage this War with the best advantage by a diversion or otherwise as in Your déep judgment shall be found fittest and not to rest upon a War in these parts onely which will consume Your Treasure and discourage Your People IV. That the bent of this 〈◊〉 and point of Your Sâ—â—â—d may be against that Prince whatsoever opinion of potency he hath whose Armies and Treasures have first diverted and since maintained the War in the Palatinate V. That for securing of our Peace at home Your Majesty will be pleased to review the parts of our Petition formerly delivered unto Your Majesty and hereunto annexed and to put in execution by the care of choice Commissioners to be thereunto especially appointed the Laws already and hereafter to be made for preventing of dangers by Popish Recusants and their wonted evasions VI. That to frustrate their hopes for a future age our most Noble Prince may be timely and happily married to one of our own Religion VII That the Children of the Nobility and Gentry of this Kingdom and of others ill-affected and suspected in their Religion now beyond the Seas may be forthwith called home by your means and at the charge of their Parents or Governors VIII That the Children of Popish Recusants or such whose Wives are Popish Recusants be brought up during their Minority with Protestant Schoolmasters and Teachers who may sow in their tender years the Séeds of true Religion IX That Your Majesty will be pleased spéedily to revoke all former Licences for such Children and Youth to travel beyond the Seas and not grant any such Licence hereafter X. That Your Majesties Learned Council may receive Commandment from Your Highness carefully to look into former Grants of Recusants Lands and to avoid them if by Law they can and that Your Majesty will stay Your Hand from passing any such Grants hereafter This is the sum and effect of our humble Declaration which we no ways intending to press upon Your Majesties undoubted and Regal Prerogative do with the fulness of our Duty and Obedience humbly submit to Your most Princely consideration The glory of God whose cause it is
having received all he had from his Majesty was most desirous and held it a happiness to pour it out upon his service and occasions and had laid out of his own purse Four and forty thousands pounds and the Treasurer of the Navy at his request had laid out Fifty thousand pounds that he entred not into this business upon his own head but fortified with the Advice and Counsel of those worthy persons the Lord Conway the Lord Chichester Lord Grandison Lord Carew Sir Robert Mansel and Sir Iohn Cook Their last consultation was of the War next of the means but both one and the other was justified by more then himself he never did any thing but by them he either repairing unto them or else they did him the honor to resort to his Chamber afterward the business with the Kings leave was imparted to all the Lords of the Council and the account was made unto them and allowed by them who said there openly his Majesty being present that if this were put in execution it would do well and gave some Attribute unto it And Sir Iohn Cook justified the shewing and the approving of these Accounts at the Council Table the Accounts consisted of long particulars of Souldiers to be levied Mariners to be pressed forwarding of Ships and provisions and that nothing wanted but Money He proceeded yet further and shewed that he was so Religious to guide these great Affairs by Council as that at his journey into France which fell out about this time he desired his Majesty to recommend the business to a select Council which his Majesty did who in his absence took care of the same Object 2. Why did not his Majesty declare the Enemy presently upon granting those three Susidies Answ. His Majesty considered the State of Christendom at that Season and found it full of danger to declare the Enemy for three Reasons First because the great Enemy would be more prepared secondly Spain being the Enemy our Merchants goods would be imbarged which are now drawing home thirdly our Friends finding us so long unprepared after our Declaration would never believe any reality in our intentions Object 3. Whether a considerable sum of money be yet required Answ. Forty thousand pounds is yet necessary but our Master is exhausted his Treasure anticipated his Lands pawned his Plate offered to be pawned but not accepted and yet his Majesty must be maintained Object 4. Why was not this want of Money foreseen but now onely thought upon unexpectedly and dangerously considering the sickness Answ. It was foreseen before but interrupted by unfortunate accidents the death of the late King the Funeral which for decency could follow no sooner the Journey into France and the Marriage which procured more delay then was expected but necessary At the opening of the Parliament his Majesty did declare this Necessity and told the House plainly that this sitting must not be for Counsel but Resolution and when he understood the grant of two Subsidies he conceived that money to be a matter of Custom to welcom him to the Crown Object 5. Who gave counsel to his Majesty so suddenly when the sickness was so dangerously spread to convene this Parliamant Answ. His Majesty commanded him the Duke to say that it was the business it self that gave this counsel and the necessity of it else his Majesty would not have hazarded the two Houses nor the rest of the Kingdom if he had been able any way without the Parliaments Supply to set out the Navy Object 6. Is not the time of the year too far spent for the Navy to go forth Answ. The King answered this formerly better half the Navy perish then the going thereof should be stayed it would argue such want of Counsel Courage and Experience in the Design such beggerliness in being not able to go through with it that it may not be diverted the season of the year suiting with the Design as could be demonstrated if the Design might not be published thereby Object 7. Whether those Eight Ships lent to the French King which were imployed against the Rochellers were not paid with the Subsidy-money Answ. Those Eight Ships were imployed at the charge of the French King Secondly it is not alway fit for Kings to give account of their Counsels judge the thing by the event Object 8. Whether the Duke having been our Servant to break the Match with Spain made not a worse Match with France and upon harsher terms Answ. I hope the contrary will appear by the Answer to your Petition Object 9. Did not the Duke serve us in breaking the two Treaties with Spain out of spleen and malice to Conde Olivares Answ. There was no cause to hate Olivares who was the means to make him happy for out of his hands came those papers by which the Duke gained the love of this Nation which before thought not so well of him he was not vindicative in his Nature he can forgive those which had no such natural respect to their Country as Olivares had neither doth the Duke love that any man should be an instrument by ill means to do a good Action as Olivares intended to serve his Master and Kingdom by indirect means and he could make a proof that he was not vindicative he can forgive one of our own Nation that concurred with Olivares but he was minded to leave that business asleep which if it should awake would prove a Lion to devour him who as he said he meant one of our Nation who cooperated with Olivares Object 10. It will be objected That hitherto the Duke speaketh of immcense charges which the Kingdom is not able to bear as to assist the King of Denmark with Thirty thousand pounds per Moneth Count Mansfield with Twenty thousand pounds per Moneth the Low-Countries with Eight thousand pounds per Moneth and Two thousand six hundred pounds per Moneth for Ireland Answ. Make the King Chief of the War by a diversion and he will give a greater advantage to all his Allies then by allowing of them Fifty thousand pounds nay a Hundred thousand pounds per Moneth What is it for his Allies to scratch with the King of Spain to take a Town to day and lose it to morrow for it is almost impossible to hope for a Conquest in this kinde the King of Spain being so able by Land but let the King our Soveraign be Master of the Wars elsewhere and make a Diversion and let the Enemy be compelled to spend his Money and Men in other places and our Allies in those parts will be suddenly and perceivedly strengthened and enabled and by this kinde of War you send no Coyn out of the Land you issue nothing but Beef Mutton and Powder and the Kingdom is not impoverished but may make good Returns Object 11. But where is the Enemy Answ. Make the Fleet ready to go out and the King bids you name the Enemy your selves put the Sword into his Majesties hands
of the State and safety of them both I never had any end of mine own and that may be perceived and proved by the expence of mine own estate I am ashamed to speak it and it would become another mans tongue better then mine own My Journey into Spain was all at mine own charge my Journey into France was at my Masters charge my Journey into the Low-Countreys was all at mine own charge I am accused by common Fame to be the cause of the loss of the Narrow Seas and the damage there sustained That I can say is this Since the War begun with Spain I have always had Twelve Ships on the Coasts and allowance but for Four the rest my own care supplied And for the Office of Admiral when I came first to it I found the Navy weak not neglected by my Noble Predecessor for I cannot speak of him but with honor and I shall desire to go to my Grave with the honor he carried hence but by the not paying of moneys in time there were such defects his care could not prevent that if the War had then broken out there would have been found few Ships and those unserviceable I was first perswaded to take this Office by perswasion of Sir Robert Munseld and though I objected I was yong and unexperienced yet he said that by my favor with my Master I might do more good in procuring payment for that charge And because I was yong and unexperienced I took advice as I do in all things and am not ashamed of it I desired my Master to grant a Commission as it were over me I have found a great Debt the Ships defective and few in number the yearly charge of Fifty four thousand pounds which was brought to Thirty thousand pounds per annum we built every year two Ships and when so many were built as were requisite we brought it to Two and twenty thousand pounds per annum which comes not to my hands but goes into its proper streams and issues from the Officers to that purpose deputed Now if any can shew me a Project how to maintain War against Spain Flanders and the Turkish Pirates with less charge he shall do a great work and good service I have had sometimes Twenty sometimes Thirty Ships though sometime disastred by Tempest which disperst the Hollanders Ships and caused them to cut their Masts and forsake their Anchors There are now Twelve Ships victualled for two Moneths and though many Reports have been that they do not do their duty yet I have advertised them thereof from time to time and finde no such fault in them There are Thirty Ships more at Plimouth victualled for six Moneths and Ten more ready so soon as they may be victualled I have been so frugal of making use of the old remain that there is no need of Ammunition or other necessaries Besides all these there are Twenty Ships to come from the Low-Countreys so you have Twelve Twenty Thirty and Ten more which I think you have not heard of And therefore if any have blamed me I do not blame him but think he hath done well but when you know the truth and when all this shall appear I hope I shall stand right in your opinions Gentlemen It is no time to pick quarrels one with another we have enemies enough already and therefore more necessary to be well united at home Follow not examples at least not ill examples of Gondomar and Ynojosa who would have had my head when you thought me worthy of a salute Now though I confess there may be some Errors I will not justifie my self yet they are not such gross defects as the World would make them appear I desire they may be admitted Cum Nota. They are no Errors of Wilfulness nor of Corruption nor oppressing of the People nor Injustice but the contrary and then may I say for what good done by me do I suffer And now I might Answer more particulars but I have been long and so will forbear and will conclude if your Supply answer not your Promises and Engagements to my Master you will make this place which hath been in Peace when others were in War the Seat of War when others are in Peace Now Gentlemen You that were Antient Parliament-men when this Council was first given strive to make good your own Engagement for the Honor of your King and your own safety Let Religion in which I would be glad to be more watchful and industrious then any unite your hearts both at home and abroad and you that are yong men may in these active times gain honor and reputation which is almost sunk and gain the Antient Glory of your Predecessors And remember it is for restoring to her Inheritance the most viruous Lady I think in the World I have nothing more but to intreat your charitable opinion of me and my actions For the further vindicating of the Duke the Lord Conway stood up and said THat whereas divers jealousies have been raised in the House that the Moneys have been expended unusefully and without Council himself who was the onely Secretary and had the hand in guiding the business could best give an accompt of it When King Iames of glorious Memory at the Request of both Houses had broken both the Treaties he considered how to maintain the War for he saw that the King of Spain was awaked and that the Palatinate must be got by the Sword and that Spain would oppose it with all the power they could and computing the charges found the Subsidies granted too short for that it could not be done without an Army of Five and twenty thousand Foot and Five thousand Horse which would amount to Six hundred thousand pounds for the Armies yearly and Three hundred thousand pounds for the Navy but finding all his means short and as the Proverb is Not knowing of what Wood to make his Arrows to hit the Mark withal Count Mansfield stirred up by his own judgment came over and made overture That for Twenty thousand pounds a moneth he would raise an Army of Thirty thousand men and draw in the French King Denmark Sweden Venice Savoy the Cantons of the Switzers perhaps and some other German Princes and raise a War in Alsatia of great consequence to make a Diversion Now about this time the Council of Austria resolved to call a Dyet and exclude the Count Palatine and put in a Popish Elector and for that end offered a general Peace in Germany and so left not a crevice to look into for assistance but if any of them should aid the Count Palatine he should be out of the Peace The King accepts Mansfields offer conditionally that he draw in the French King So Mansfield went over into France and the King by Advice of his Council sent Ambassadors into France Denmark Venice Savoy and Cantons of the Switzers from whom he received cold Answers for King Iames had stood so long on terms of