peoples Their many and sore oppressions grieve me I am above mine own what I want in the hands of force and power I have in the wings of Faith and Prayer But this is the strange method these men will needs take to resolve their Riddle of making me a glorious King by taking away my Kingly power thus I shall become a support to my Friends and a terrour to mine Enemies being unable to succour the one or suppress the other For thus have they designed and propoâ—ed to me the new modelling of Sovereigntie and Kingship so without any realitie of power or without any necessitie of subjection and obedience That the Majestie of the Kings of England might hereafter hang like Mahomet's Tomb by a Magnetick Charm between the power and privileges of the two Houses in an aierie imagination of Regalitie But I believe the surfeit of too much power which some men have greedily seized on and now seek wholly to devour will ere long make the Common-wealth sick both of it and them since they cannot well digest it Sovereign Power in Subjects seldom agreeing with the Stomachs of fellow Subjects Yet I have even in this point of the constant Militia sought by satisfying their fears and importunities both to secure my Friends and overcome mine Enemies to gaine the peace of all by depriving my self of a sole power to help or hurt any yielding the Militia which is mine undoubted Right no less than the Crown to be disposed of as the two Houses shall thank fit during my time So willing am I to burie all Iealousies in them of me and to live above all Iealousies of them as to my self I desire not to be safer than I wish them and my people if I had the sole actual disposing of the Militia I could not protect my People further than they protected me and themselves so that the use of the Militia is mutual I would but defend my self so far as to be able to defend my good Subjects from those mens violence and fraâ—d who conscious to their own evil merits and Designs will needs perswade the world that none but Wolves are fit to be trusted with the custodie of the Shepherd and his Flock Miserable experience hath taught my Subjects since power hath been wrested from me and imployed against me and them that neither can be safe if both be not in such away as the Law hath intrusted the publick safetie and welfare Yet even this Concession of mine as to the exercise of the Militia so vast and large is not satisfactorie to some men which seem to be Enemies not to me onely but to all Monarchie and are resolved to transmit to posteritie such Iealousies of the Crown as they should never permit it to enjoy its just and necessarie Rights in point of power to which as last all Law is resolved while thereby it is best protected But here Honour and Iustice due to my Successours forbid me to yield to such a total alienation of that power from them which civilitie and dutie no less than Iustice and Honour should have forbad them to have asked of me For although I can be content to eclipse mine own beams to satisfie their fears who think they must needs be scorched or blinded if I should shine in the full lustre of Kingly power wherewith God and the Laws have invested me yet I will never consent to put out the Sun of Sovereigntie to all posteritie and succeeding Kings whose just recoverie of their Rights from unjust usurpations and extortions shall never be prejudiced or obstructed by any Act of mine which indeed would not be more injurious to succeeding Kings than to my Subjects whom I desire to leave in a condition not wholly desperate for the future so as by a Law to be ever subjected to those many factious Distractions which must needs follow the many-headed Hydra of Government which as it makes a shew to the people to have more eys to foresee so they will finde it hath more mouths too which must be satisfied and at best it hath rather a monstrositie than any thing of perfection beyond that of right Monarchie where counsel may be in many as the senses but the Supreme power can be but in one as the Head Happily when men have tried the horrours and malignant influence which will certainly follow my enforced Darkness and Eclipse occasioned by the interposition and shadow of that Bodie which as the Moon receiveth its chiefest light from me they will at length more esteem and welcome the restored glorie and blessing of the Sun 's light And if at present I may seem by my receding so much from the use of my Rights in the power of the Militia to come short of the Discharge of that trust to which I am sworn for my peoples protection I conceive those men are guiltie of the inforced perjurie if so it may seem who compell me to take this new and strange way of discharging my Trust by seeming to desert it or protecting my Subjects by exposing my self to Danger or Dishonour for their safetie and quiet Which in the Conflicts of Civil War and Advantages of Power cannot be effected but by some side yielding to which the greatest love of the publick peace and the firmest assurance of Gods protection arising from a good conscience doth more invite me than can be expected from other mens fears which arising from the injustice of their actions though never so succesfull yet dare not adventure their Authours upon any other way of safetie than that of the Sword and Militia which yet are but weak Defenses against the stroaks of divine vengeance which will over-take or of mens own consciences which always attend injurious perpetrations For my self I do not think that I can want any thing which providential necessitie is pleased to take from me in order to my peoples tranquillitie and Gods glorie whose protection is sufficient for me and he is able by his being with me abundantly to compensate to me as he did to Job whatever honour power or libertie the Chaldeans the Sabeans or the Devil himself can deprive me of Although they take from me all Defence of Arms and Militia all Refuge by Land of Forts and Castles all Flight by Sea in my Ships and Navie yea though they studie to rob me of the hearts of my Subjects the greatest Treasure and best Ammunition of a King yet cannot they deprive me of mine own innocencie or Gods mercie nor obstruct my way to Heaven We enter upon the militarie effects of this civil uncivil War betwixt the King and Parliament both parties preparing their several Armies The King is Generalissimo himself in person over his own his Captain General as yet named was the Marquess Hertford but when he came to action he elected for his General that faithfull loyal wellâ—experienced Commander the Earl of Lindsey Lord High Chamberlain of England And the Earl of Essex was Captain General for
against the Earl of Strafford but mercie being as inherent and inseparable to a King as justice I desire in some measure to shew that likewise by suffering that unfortunate man to fulfill the natural course of his life in close imprisonment yet so that if he ever make the least offer to escape or offer directly or indirectly to meddle in any sort of publick business especially with me either by Message or Letter it shall cost him his life without further process This if it may be done without the discontentment of my people will be an unspeakable contentment unto me To which end as in the first place I by this Letter do earnestly desire your approbation and to endear it the more have chosen him to carry it who is of all your House most dear unto me So I desire that by conference you will endeavour to give the House of Commons contentment likewise Assuring you that the exercise of mercie is no more pleasing to me than to see both Houses of Parliament consent for my sake that I should moderate the severitie of the Law in so important a case I will not say that your complying with me in this my intended mercie shall make me more willing but certainly it will make me more chearfull in granting your just grievances But if no less than his life will satisfie my people I must say Fiat justitia Thus again recommending the consideration of my intentions to you I rest Your unalterable and affectionate Friend CHARLS R. If he must die it were charitie to reprieve him till Saturday To this Letter the Lords conceived this Order the same day May 11. 1641. This Letter all written with the Kings own hand we the Peers this day received in Parliament delivered by the hands of the Prince It was twice read in the House and after serious but sad consideration the House resolved presently to send twelve of the Peers Messengers to the King humbly to signifie that neither of the two intentions exprest in the Letter could with dutie in us or without danger to his Consort the Queen and all the young Princes their Children be possibly admitted Which being accomplished and more expressions offered his Majestie suffered no more words to come from us but out of the fulness of his heart to the observance of justice and for the contentment of his people told us that what he intended by his Letter was with an If If it may be done without discontentment to his people If it cannot be I say again the same that I wrote Fiat justitia My other intention proceeding out of charitie for a few days respite was upon certain information that his estate was distracted that it necessarily required some few daies respite for setlement thereof Whereunto the Lords answered Their purpose was to be suiters to his Majestie for favour to his innocent Children and that their Fathers provision for them might be confirmed Which pleased the King who thereupon departed from the Lords At his Majesties departure the Lords offered up to the King the original Letter which he had sent but he was pleased to say What I have written to you I shall be content it be registred by you in your House in which you see my minde I hope you will use it to mine honour Upon the return of the Lords thus much was reported to the House by the Lord Privie Seal Upon the fatal day Wednesday the twelfth of May the Earl was summoned to his period being conveyed from his Chamber in the Tower with these Ceremonies before him went the Marshal's men next them the Sheriff's Officers with Halberts then the Warders of the Tower being of the King's Guard and after the Earl's Gentleman Usher bare and then himself accompanied with the Primate of Ireland and others in his way passing by the Lodging of the Arch-bishop of Canterburie a Prisoner and casting up his eye to his Window where he looked out desired his Prayers and his Blessing who after some collection of his sadness resolved into comfort and doubted not when his own turn came that he should taste that bitter Cup with a most Christian courage The Earl being come to the Scaffold upon the Hill he addrest his Speech to the Lord Primate My Lord Primate of Ireland It is my very great comfort that I have your Lordship by me this day and I do thank God and your Lordship for it in regard that I have been known to you these many years I should be very glad to obtain so much silence as to be heard a few words but I doubt I shall not the noise is so great I come hither by the good will and pleasure of Almightie God to pay the last debt which I ow to sin which is death and by the blessing of that God to rise again through the merits of Jesus Christ to righteousness and life eternal I am come hither to submit to that Iudgment which hath passed against me I do it with a very quiet and contented minde I do freely forgive all the world a forgiveness that is not spoken from the teeth outwards as they say but from the very heart I can very well say in the presence of Almightie God before whom I stand that there is not a displeased thought arising in me towards any creature I thank God I can say and that truly too and my conscience bears me witness that in all the imploiments since I had the honour to serve his Majestie I never had any thing in the purpose of my heart but what tended to the joint and individual prosperitie of the King and people If it hath been my fortune to be mis-understood surely I am not the first that hath been so it is the common portion of us all whilest we are in this life to err but righteous judgment we must wait for in another place for here we are very subject to be mis-judged one of another There is one thing I desire to free my self of and I am confident speaking it now with so much chearfulness that it cannot be but that I shall obtain your Christian charitie in the belief of it I did alwaies think the Parliaments of England the happiest Constitutions that any Kingdom or Nation lived under and next under God the best means to make the King and his people happie so far have I been from being against Parliaments For my death I here acquit all the world and beseech the God of Heaven heartily to forgive them though in the intentions and purposes of my heart I am innocent of what I die for And my Lord Primate it is a very great comfort unto me that his Majestie conceives me not meriting so severe and heavie a punishment as is the uttermost execution of this Sentence I do insinitely rejoice in this mercie of his and I beseech God to return it upon him that he may findâ— mercie when he stands most in need of it I wish this
whereof six only were hanged Many treacherous designs of the Town Papists failed many Protestants fled to sea and although Docter Barnard their chief Minister had the conveniency offered him to be gon he would not desert his Congregation thin as they were telling them as St. Ambrose said to Iustina Non prodam lupis gregem mihi commissum hic â—ccide si libet At this time comes a competent strength of one hundred horse and ten hundred foot under command of Sir Henry Tichburn appointed Governour of the Town the fourth of November which the Catholiques resented coldly upon whom the Protestants had just suspition and therefore wearied succours were faine to stand Guard that Night And now it was time to name the Brat and call it a through Rebellion which till now was favoured with the interpretation of an Act of discontented Gentlemen Not long after the State added three companies of foot so beside the Town Arms they were compleat 1500. foot and 160. horse Not many nights after there was dropt in the street a faire Declaration of the Catholiques of Ireland framed upon presumption that the design contrived had been effected and by the way at each corner seems to have been fixed and this the most authentick that came to light Whereas we the Roman Catholiques of the Kingdom of Ireland have been continually loving and faithfull Subjects to his sacred Majesty and notwithstanding the several and heavy oppressions suffered by the subordinate Governments to the ruine of our lives honours and estates yet having some liberty of our Religion from his Majesty out of the affluence of his Princely love to us we weighing not corporal loss in respect of the great immunity of the soule are instantly resolved to infix our selves in an immutable and pure allegiance for ever to his royal Majesâ—y and successors Now it is That the Parliament of England maligning and envying any graces received from his Majesty by our Nation and knowing none desired of us as that of Religion and likewise perceiving his Majesty to be inclined to give us the liberty of the same drew his Majesties Prerogative out of his hand thereby largely pretending the general good of his Majesties Kingdoms But we the sad Catholicks and loyal Subjects to his Majesty do probably finde as well by some Acts to pass by them the said Parliament touching our Religion in which the Catholicks of England and Scotland did suffer as also by threat to send over the Scotish Army with the Sword and Bible in hand against us That their whole and studied Plots both was and is not onely to extinguish Religion by which we onely live happily but also likewise to supplant us and raze the name of Catholicks and Irish out of the whole Kingdom And seeing this surmise so dangerous tending absolutely to the overthrow of the liberty of our consciences and Countrey and also our gracious Kings power forced from him in which and in whose prudent care of us our sole quiet and comfort consisted and without which the fear of our present Ruines did prescribe opinion and premonish us to save our selves We therefore as well to regain his Majesties said Prerogative being onely due to him and his Successours and being the essence and life of Monarchy hoping thereby to continue a strong and invincible unity between his royal and ever happy love to us and our faithfull Duty and Loyalty to his incomparable Majesty have taken Arms and possessed our selves of the best and strongest Forts of this Kingdom to enable us to serve his Majesty and to defend us from the tyrannous resolution of our Enemies This in our consciences as we wish the peace of the same to our selves and our posterity is the pretence and true cause of our raising Arms by which we are resolved to perfect the advancement of truth and safety of our King and Countrey Thus much we thought fit in general to publish to the world to set forth our innocent and just cause the particulars whereof shall be speedily declared God save the King Upon the fifth of November the Lords and Council of Ireland sent their second Dispatch from Dublin unto the King in Scotland and several Letters also into England to the Parliament and Council and to the Earl of Leicester elect Lord Lieutenant setting down the particular Narrative of the Rebellion and so take together the success of both Dispatches The first Letters arrived at London the last of October and that Even were delivered and the next Morning the Upper House sent them down to the House of Commons by the Lord Keeper Privy Seal High Chamberlain Admiral Marshal Chamberlain the Earls of Bath Dorset Leicester Holland Berks Bristoll Lord Mandevil Say Goring Wilmot who had Chairs to sit while the Letters were read and so departed The House instantly resolved into a Committee and order That fifty thousand pounds be forthwith provided That the Lords be moved that Members of both Houses may declare to the City of London the present necessity to borrow fifty thousand pounds to be secured by Act of Parliament That a Committee of both Houses consider of the affairs of Ireland That Owen O Conally the Discoverer shall have five hundred pounds presently and two hundred pounds per annum Pension till provision of Land of Inheritance of a greater value That the persons of all Papists of quality in England be secured That no persons except Merchants shall pass to Ireland without Certificate from the said Committee To all which the Lords consented Then the House of Commons vote twenty thousand pounds for present supply A convenient number of Ships for guarding the Sea-coasts of Ireland That six thousand Foot and two thousand Horse be forthwith raised for Ireland and Officers to be appointed over them That Magazines of Victual be forthwith sent to Westchester to be sent to Dublin as occasion shall require That the Magazines now at Carlile be forthwith sent over to Knockfergus in Ireland That the Kings Council consider of a Pacification for Rewards to such as shall do service in Ireland and for a Pardon to such Rebells as shall submit within a time and of a Sum of Money for Rewards to bring in the Heads of the principal Rebells That Letters of Thanks be returned to the Lords Justices there That the Committee do consider how and in what manner to make use of Scotland here And a Bill to be prepared for pressing of Souldiers for Ireland An Ordinance passed for the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland to raise three thousand five hundred Foot and six hundred Horse and not to press our dear Brethren of Scotland any further than for one thousand Foot to pass from Scotland to the North of Ireland And Arms to be delivered out by the Master of the Ordnance out of the store for Ireland for eight thousand Foot and a thousand Horse Thus much was discoursed upon the first Letters And now upon the second Dispatch the Parliament voted two