even above the Temptation of Sovereignty it self as did after wards fully appear Nay and so glorious was the atchievment also that there was more in it then the single Restauration of Charles the Second even the recovery of lost Monarchy to the Royal Family it self to whom the Diadem of Right belonged though at that time it was left a prey to Usurpers as they could play their Game He Lov'd his Prince and he lov'd his Country and as a True English-man judged them to have one and the same Interest And thus his Actions justified his Declarations which were to reduce the Military Power in obedience to the Civil The Soldiers of England having then Erected a distinct Interest from the People of it Nor was it an easy matter to have reduced them had not the Army by His most Excellent conduct I will rather say by a Divine been divided and set at odds It now only remains my Lord tâ—…at I deliver this Memorial to Posterity under your Patronage In which I purpose not to touch upon things known and allow'd any otherwise then barely for Method sake the stress of the Controversy not depending upon Them but upon General Monks designed Loyalty to restore our Sovereign and our Laws to us Now because he was short sighted and could not discern at a Distance it has been suggested to me more sarcastically then wittily as if that Imperfection had reached his understanding also and that he could not see so far as to the Restoring of the King Let others who are as tender of the honor of the late Duke of Albemarle as I am and ought to be contribute to the vindicating of his Memory from this Calumny in what proportion and with what solemnity of attestation they please to gain Credit As for my self being of an Inferior rank I do foresee that what I shall deliver will not by a great many easily be believed yea I am before hand threatned that it shall not whether it be upon the Score of my fidelity and secresie in that great affair or of the prosperous close and Issue of it in my deceased Lord I shall not trouble my self to determine against spite and Prejudice But contenting my self with the answer of a good Conscience that I have not forged things either to greaten his Honor and Loyalty or to lessen it by relating some few passages to which I was privy or in which I acted Envy having pursu'd even a Fly upon this fortunate Wheel of Revolution though not making the noise of a Qualem or Quantem pulverem I shall presume to pray your Lordships protection of the ensuing Narrative and of the unworthy Author of it who is My Lord Your Lordships Obliged and Devoted Servant John Price THE MYSTERY AND METHOD Of His MAJESTIE' 's Happy Restauration c. AUGUST 1. 1659. Sir George Booth now Lord De la Mere by compact at his day appeared in Arms be it Recorded to his Eternal Honour and â—…ent forth a brisk Declaration manifesting the justice and necessity of them For at that time the whole Nation groaned under the insupportable Servitude of the Tyrannical Oligarchy sitting at Westminster under the notion of a Parliament against whom a very powerful Combination was then made Many of those who had sormerly fought under them complained that they wâ—…e deceived nay and diverse even then actually in their service were so ingenuous as to confess that That could not be their Countries Freedom where the worst of Tyrannies under the 〈◊〉 of a Commonwealth aâ—…d the good old â—…use were like to be perpetuated And however the great Officers might thrive whilst they were in poweâ—… yet they saw full well that their Posterity would be forced to pay back to tâ—…ose liâ—…entious Usurpers whatever their 〈◊〉 had got should the Government still restâ—… an Oligarchy which is the corruption of the worst of Governments a Democrasie and consequently the worst of Tyrannies Thus we â—…ee thaâ—… the State oâ—… Three Kingdoms was then most deplorable The King compassionated their condition for himâ—…elf had the greatest share in the calamity and though his Royal Person was safe from the fury of his Enemies yet was he so neaâ—… that by his authority he was still ready to contribute to the vindicating the just rights of his Subjects and his own To this end there were constantly residing at London some Noble Persons of great Honour and 〈◊〉 Loyalâ—…y in spight of Axes an Gibbets aâ—…ter they had lost the Field who were commissioned by his Majesty both to hold correspondence with him and to issue forth such commands from time to time as occasion should offer for his Majesties Service And the occasion was eminent now upon the return of that Thing called a Parliament who had been respited from their Power by the Monarcâ—…ical Interposition of their General Oliver Cromwel and his Son and that too by the space of about five years This Restitution was mostly procured by the Army who feared that a National Interest like a Deluge would have broken in upon them had they suffered Cromwel's Son and his MockParliaâ—…ent to sit longer in Authority And the Armie's pretences being for Commonwealth they had no nearer a Sanctuary to flye unto then this Long Parliaâ—…ent as they called it whose guilt they knew to be at least equal with Theirs and distasted and abhorred by all thaâ—… were not their own and even by â—…ome of Them too wherefore the Presbyterian Party began now at last to awaken into Loyalty and chose â—…ather to joyn with the Cavaliers as they pretended then to see their Country â—…o enslaved and indeed the Cavaliers 〈◊〉 quieted their Jelousies for his Majesties Commissioners consented that the Presbyterians should have the chief command in all places and that their Declaration should only be for a Free Parliament and against publick grievances And now Sir George Booth Lord De la mere undertook â—…or Cheshire and the Counties adjacent Sir Thomas Middleton for North Wales Major General Massy for Glocester and South Wales The Lord Fairfax for the North The Lord Roberts now Earl of Radnor and President of the Council for the West Colonel Alexander Popham and Col. Robert Rolles for Wiltshire Somersetshire and Devonshire Col. Norton for Portsmouth and Hantshire and Sir Horatio now Lord Townsend for the associated Counties and in like manner diverse others in all places through out England solemn Protestations and Assurances being given that they would not fail each other Not long before this Sir John Greenvile the now Earl oâ—… Bath who was one of those Honourable Commiâ—…sioners residing at London for his Majesties Service had received a particular Commission to treat secretly and privately with General Monk in Scotland The King it seems having these thoughts about him that if a dexterous Application could be made to him he might be gained to his Service as having been in his Fathers in which he was taken Prisoner and his Releasement neglected But the Parliament having experienced
hiâ—… usefulness and Conduct in Ireland against the Rebells there set him at liberty and sent him back again thither into their Service and afterwards Cromwel who knew how to value a good Souldier took him with him into Scotland Sir John Greenvile by an express Messenger with a Letter in Cipher direâ—…ted to Chancellor Hide at Brussels with whom only by his Majesties order he was to correspond Proposed the sending of Mr Nicholas Monk to his Brother in Scotland which was allowed The King leaving the whole management of the Business to the Secresie and Prudence of Sir John who could not be said to have declined a Journey tâ—… the General in Scotland for the Danger of it for he dayly conveâ—…ed with as great as being one of his Majeâ—…ties Commissioners in Town besides that He and the Monks were Cousin Germans and both of them obliged either by himself or his Family However sure I am that he did the King and the General more Service in not coming to us for his very Person then would have been suspected tho' he had come without any Commission or Message So he sent for Mr. N. Monk out of Cornwal to whom he imparted the Kings Commission to treat with his Brother Mr. Monk fraught with hopes and instructions the design of revolting from the Parliament being now universal too Sir George Booth actually in Arms against their Authority and Insurrections from all Counties in England dayly expâ—…cted embark'd for Scotland with a prosperous Gale within few days after arriving at Leith and so from thence five Miles to Dalkeith where the General resided He gave out that the intent of this Voyage was only to fâ—…tch his Daughter Mary in order to bestowing her in Marriage to her advantage hoping that his Brother would add some weight and encouragement to it this pretence for his Journey was real too and so signified by Letters Col. Jonathan Atkins afterward Knighted and 〈◊〉 Governor of Barbados was now at Dalâ—…eith where he had been about two days before Mr. Monk came to his Brother aud was preparing for his journey further to visit some Relations of his in Fife having already received his answer from the General For this Gentleman either upon confidence of the Generals Lo alty or of his Friendship and Interest in him they having been formerly Souldiers under the same command in Ireland and I think in Holland also imparted to him the Designs of the Gentlemen of the North of England who being ready he said to appear in the quarrel and assistance of Sir George Booth sollicited the help of his Arms or at least that he would not disturb them in their Levies To whom the General smartly return'd that if they did appear he would send a Force to suppress them and that by the duty of his Place he could do no less The Colonâ—…l afterwards came to my Chaâ—…ber and propounded the Business in waâ—…y Terms yet so as to be understood But I unconcernedly replyed that to me it appeared as if the Malecontents in England laboured only how to ruine Themselves and their Cause for so long as London was the Magazine of Arms and Men the Country Plots without it could never prove very effectual for what I â—…upposed he aimed at But if that City could be engaged as it was discontenâ—… upon this Return of the Parliament and would shut up their Gates and rise as one man and had donâ—… so now whilst Lambert was maâ—…ching against Booth the design would carry a much better prospect of success then it did This Intrigue of Colonel Atkins aâ—… bâ—…ing first in order of time I relate before the success of Mr. Monk's message to hiâ—… Brother that so it may appear what weight the King's Aâ—…thority had with General Monk tho but vâ—…baly delivered by his Brother he depending upon the Faith and Integrity of Sir John Greenvile and the truth of his Brother's Relation For he might well suppose as wary as he was that they did not deceive nor would betray him And I believe he relyed upon the word oâ—… a King as much as if he actually had received a Commission from his Majesty for he told me afterwards that he was resolved to Commission the whole Scotch Nation against Parliament and Army and all before he would be taken tamely by them But he had no other Authority to do it than this aiery word of mouth conveyed to him from Sr. John Greenvile who had it in Writing from the King Mr. Monk found his Brother engaged in Business and in several Dispatches too tho' it was in the declining part of the day and indeed it was rare to find him otherwise so the General sent him to my Chamber under the conduct of an Highland Foot-Boy in the House who proclaimed his Arrival at my Study-Door I courteously received him and asked how Affairs stood in England for Booth's being in Arms and Lamberts march towards him were now the common entertainment of News I soon perceived that he had a mind to say something to me which he as soon disclosed The Tenor whereof was that he was sent to his Brother by Sir John Greenvile to invite him in this juncture of time to appear for his Country telling how the design was laid and universal in all Counties and he did not doubt he said â—…ut that his Country Men in the West had already made an Insurrection adding further that this was not barely a Combination without Authority for tho' the King was not named in the Declaration sent out for a Free Parliament and against Taxes and Grievances complained of some of which Declarations he ventur'd to bring with him yet all this was done by his Majesties Privacy and countenance Therefore was he sent by his Cousin Greenvile to try if he could bring over his Brother into the King's Service and at this time to espouse his Cause and that Sir John Greenvile hoped that his Brother might be as succesful in it as was the famous Stanly who determined the day in Bosworth field to Henry the Seventh tho he came thither to the succour of Richard the III. These were high hopes but that which now puzled Mr. Monk was that he knew not how to break this Message to his Brother but if he would undertake so glorious a Work as the restoring of the King no encouragement he was sure would be awanting he might set down his own Conditions and the King would upon his Royal Word perform them For he had seen his Majesties Commission to Sir John Greenvile to treat with his Brother And indeed in that Commission Sir John was left at large to promise or assent to any conditions of reward But by his secret Instructions he was bound up to the definitive Gratuity of one hundred thoutand pounds per annum for ever to be disposed of at the General 's discretion So Mr. Monk produced to me a broken piece or two of Money as Tokens if need were to be sent with
â—…ouglas as if â—…e had betrayed them But the next Pacquet â—…rom England assured them that Monk had â—…ikewise declared for a Free Parliament and so all was right again Sir Joseph Douglas is well known at Court being at this time as I take it a Gentleman of the Privy Chambâ—…r In our March afterwards we made no Halt till we came to York Here we staid five days one of them being Sunday and Mr Bowles gave us a good Sermon in the Cathedral This Gentleman was the Lord Fairfax's Chaplain Counsellor and Agitator and dealt with the General about weighty and dangerous Affairs One night above the rest keeping him up so very late that upon my Entering the Chamber to go to Prayers I found Him and Bowles in very private Discourse and the General ordering me to go out for awhile but not to Bed Sometime after Midnight Bowles went away so that then our Servants hoped to Sleep But the General sent for Me into to Him and commanded them to stay without as before He took me close to him and said what do you think Mr. Bowles has pressed me very hard to stay here and declare for the King assuring me that I shall have great assistance I started at the boldness of the Proposition and asked him whether he had made Bowles any such promise He answered me no truly I have not or I have not yet For I found him a little Perplexed in his thoughts And I my self was as much But after a little Pause I spake to this Effect That after the Famous Gustavus King of Sweedland was Slain in Germany his Effigies in Wax with his Queen's and Children was carried up and down to be shown for 2 pence the Spectators being entertained with the story of his Life of which I remembred this Passage That when this King enter'd Germany he said That if his Shirt knew what he intended to do he would teare it from his back and burn it My Application of it to the General was designed to entreat him to Sleep between this and the Walls of London and when he came within them which I doubted not but would be very shortly then to open his Eyes and consider what he had to do This Advice I also back't with such Reasons as I conceived to be most prevalent But it was not the General only that was here Solicited upon the Kings Behalf some of his Officers being also set upon and promised great Rewards One of whom was Represented to have demanded no less then to be Lord Chancellor This Sr. Edward Hide who was so when the King came in told the General and he to me The Noon before this mighty Intrigue the Lord Fairfax Dined with the General privately in his Chamber and I was then deputed to be his Host at his publick Table where he allowed a Half-Crown Ordinary large Commons for Twenty Men. And the General to return the Lord Fairfax's kindness went one day and Dined with him at his Country House where He and his Retinue were Hospitably Entertained and returned the same night Hither Now were brought Orders from the Parliament to March towards them The General expected them sooner and in requitable of their confidence in him publickly cudgel'd an Officer who had traduced him by saying this Monk will at last bring in Charles Stuart charging his Officers to do the like to those under their Command that should so offend The Parliament were jealous of Fairfax's late rising for them and therefore probably thought this no fit place for Monk to lodge his Army in from whence I suppose he would not have removed Southward without orders and it might be have disputed it had he been remanded Northwards But if he had so faâ—… yielded to the Parliament as overruled by the Apprehensions of the Army of England and by the advantages that might have been taken of him in York-shire outweighing all those that he could then reasonably propound to himself to return from whence he came yet his Army could not but have stomached the disgrace of the jealousie to be sent back into Scotland And this resentment he might have made good use of for there the Kingdoms of Scotland and Ireland would have been entirely at his devotion and the assistancâ—… from thence together with some farther modelling of his Army the discontents in England dayly increasing too might have produced some formidable disturbances to the Government especially now the Parliament could not well trust their own Army at home But the coming of orders to March forward took away the Umbrage of all Distrusts So Auditor Tompson from London found us at York and in the remainder of the Generall 's March was entertained by him as one of his Counsellors Here we left behind us Coll. Fairfax's Regiment of Foot and Major General Morgan was sent back to Scotland with his two Regiments of Horse and Foot to secure the peace of that Kingdom From York we made no stay till we came to Nottingham Hither came Dr. Clargis Mr. Gumble being returned to us from London the Stage before at Mansfield Now the General made a hault to bring â—…p the Rear of his Army and here our Counsellors had leisure to fall into debates Among divers other Projects a Subscription was propounded that we should be obedient to the Parliament in all things but the bringing in of Charles Stuart But this was as subtilly opposed by Arguments to the effect following That this was the way to fall into the â—…ame Error with the English Army to makâ—… our selves Judges and consequently Masterâ—… of the Parliaments Actions For whensoever they did any thing that disliked us it was but suggesting that they were doing such things as tended to the bringing of him in and so make our selves our own Carvers So this was waved and the rather because the Parliaments Commissioners were to meet us the next Stage which was Leicester However the General to remove all distrust of himself yielded that a Letter should be sent in his Name to his Country-men in the West wherein were State Reasons alledged asserting the impossibility of the Kings Return and his protestation against it for now it seems he was informed what hopes these Western Gentlemen had conceived of him As we entered the Town of Leicester we saw the Irâ—…sh Brigade drawn up by Collonel Redman and Collonel Bret whom the General received with great courtesie they being his Cordial Friends His Counterfeits Mr. Scot and Mr. Robinson the Parliaments Commissioners were now at Hand From hence the next night we came to Harborow where Divers from London waited the Generals entrance They complained of grievances which he durst not promise to redress for now Scot and Robinson Councellors of State and Abjurers of the Kings Family were his Ears and his Mouth This was a hard task for him to bear and yet not so hard as it would have been to most other men for he never loved to speak much and cared for none that did
Afterwards when the King was recognized by both Houses of Parliament it was thâ—… very first day that the Regal Authority had been so owned several persons of honour some who had abetted the King's and others the Parliament's cause dined with the General at St. Jame's And there arose a hot contest about the Lawfulness of the late War and whether the King should be admitted to return with or without conditions I observed the General to be silent tho some hard words had passed at his Table so he required me to say Grace â—…ather than he would stay out his Dinner â—…nd the Controversy But to return to the matter Greenvile's negotiation was managed with such secresie and his Journey to Brussels was so speedy and fortunate that few knew of it before his arrival tâ—…ere and those who did and went in his Company did not so much as suspect the errand he was sent on The King upon intimation of his being come went privately to hiâ—… Lodgings and was alone with him and Greenvile discovered his Instructions from the General to his Majefty by whom he was believed tho he brought no Letter For the King to debate what was to be done consulted with his Lord Chancellor Hide the Marquess of Ormond and Secretary Nicholas in the presence of Greenvile And in this privy Council Monks Commission Was signed to be Cap. General of all his Majefties Land Forces in the three Kingdoms and publick dispatches according to Instructions given were framed and signed here Likewise then the King removed from the Spanish to the United Netherlands according to the advice given by the General to Greenvile and this was done both in hast and Privacy His Majesty being come to Breda dated his publick dispatches from thence and there Sir John Greenvile â—…eceived them from his Majesty in order to his returning for England but the King would not send him back empty and without a mark of his favour Sir John Greenvile when he came first to Brâ—…ssels and had related Monks resoluâ—…ion to espouse the Kings Cause and Interest humbly desired his Majesties Pardon is in his negotiation he had exceeded his Instructions of reward To â—…hich the King graciously answered that whatever he had promised in his name should be punctually performed upon his Restauration But Greenvile then insormed his Majesty that he had propounded to the General 100000l pr. annum for ever as his Majesties donative to him and his Osficers with the Office of Lord High Chancellor and Constable of England for Himself and the Nomination of any other the great 〈◊〉 of the Crown All which Monk had generâ—…usly refused saying that he would not â—…ye the King to any tâ—…rms of reward and that he took more comfort and consent in that now he hoped he was able to do his Majesty and Country service then in expectations of greatness Besides that the General had given him this as a special charge that he should not propound any thing to his Majesty as a gratification for service either for himself or for any Friend or Officer of his upon His accompt The King then pressed Greenvile to know what he should do for Him but he after the General 's example nobly refused all Proposals of reward for the service in which he had been so eminently successful till he should happily see his Majesty at Whitehall However the King had then put up into Greenvile's Pocket though unknown to him a Warrant under his Hand and Seal for an English Earldom and the assurance of 3000l pr. annum for ever to support his Honour together with a Promise to pay his and his Fathers Debts which had been contracted in the War Time in the service of his Majesty and his Royal Father So Greenvile was sent back by his Majesty to the General and brought with him besides the above mentioned Commission his Majesties Seals and Signet by which the General was empowred to make a Secretary of State which he conferred upon Mr. Morrice by the advice of Sir John Greenvile Morrice upon the Kings Return was soon after toward the latter end of May Greenvils return to the General being about the beginning of April was Knighted and confirmed in his place of Secretary of State Now besides his publick Letters which were reserved to be communicated he brought with him a private one to the General from his Majesty written with his Maiesties own hand to this the General returned an answer to by Mr. Bernard Greenvile Broâ—…her to Sir John who at this time could not be spared to go over again to his Majesty because the Parliament was aproaching and he to present to both Houses his Majesties Letters and Declarations Wherefore Bernard Greenvile that this secret negotiaion might be continued in the Family was thought to be the most fit and the safest express that could be sent And indeed he could not but be as welcome to his Majesty for he brought now the assurances under his hand of the Generals resolution to adhere to the Kings cause against all opposition whatever I therefore notifie this because it was the first that the General duâ—…st adventure to his Majesty Nay and even this was with the soonest for Lambert by the secret connivance the Inâ—…erior Trustees of the Tower was escaped out of Prison this was the joy and tryumph of such as designed an after-game by the Sword for he had the good luck to be beloved by the Souldiery for which reason Oliver Cromwel when he was Protector revered but displaced him as divining that he would not only tread in his Steps but upon his Heels The News of Lamberts escape soon came to us at St. James's and almost at the same time a private information where he was hid Thither the General fenâ—… and found it true but he was got away before to set up the Trade of War in the Countrey Wherefore as soon as ever it was adverâ—…ised where Lambert was the General prepared or seemed to do itat least for a March From which he was easily prevailed upon to defist by those who represented unto him the necessity of keeping the Town in regard the Common Souldiers of the Army were not yet fixed to him however he had modelled the Officers of it and indeed many of these had already subscribed that they would rest satisfyed in what the Parliament should determine about Government as did all of them afterwards who continu'd in their commands and these Subscriptions not long after were required even of private Souldiers Lambert having gained some accomplices to his Designs they shisted Quarters into Northampton and Warwickshires to pick up more all whom the Council of State declared Traytors But Col. afterward Sir R. Ingoldbsy made them such for â—…e â—…ook Lambert Prisoner and sent him upâ—… in Easter-week to the Council of State Here it was that I first and last saw this Renowned Captain but now a Captive to our comfort be it spoken of whoâ—…e skill in the art of War the
General had no great Opinion and of which I can make no Judgment But if Lambert intended to make a Rape upon the Government as it was thought he did he had not unqualified himself for it For I never heard that he had listed himself into any Religious Faction but being a Latitudinarian to all he might with less opposition have ruled the Rost Nay and even a Party then most odious did not dispair of fair quarter from him This unhappy Captain fell sooner than the General once thought he would because now the Kings Interest was become visible upon the Stage and the Souldiers and under-Officers would soon have resorâ—…ed to him as the Deliverer of their Country had he not been thus timely â—…uppressed This piece of Service none could so luckily have performed as Colonel Ingoldsby for he was both known anâ—… beloved in the Army and had affection as well as Courage to do it as having been though covertly in Booth's Conspiracy But whilst Lambert was thus in the Field and threatned a War the General sent for Sir John Greenvile and told him that if Col. Ingoldsby was beaten and the Army so went over to follow Lambert that he could not be suppressed but by a War Then he was resolved to put off his disguise declare the Kings Commission own it for the authority by which he acted and Commission the royal Party into Arms in all places through England Scotland and Ireland Wherefore he required Sir John to attend him and receive orders from him for his Majesties service But Providence had appointed the Kings Restauration to be without Blood nay and some few of our Officers for it was no publick combination expressed their willingness to do it making this overture to the General that if he would undertake by his sole authority as Generalissimo at Land and half a one by Sea to restore the King they promised their own assistaâ—…ce and undertook to promote this design farther in the Army if he would give them leave to appear in it theâ—… prudently alledging that such a Course would be more for his honour than to give way to a Parliament to do it and then they might expect better terms afterwards for themselves He knew the Men and their designs and returned this answer That the Parliament which was to be was called upon a Commonwealth-Accompt and it did not now at least become Souldiers to meddle with the change of Government for he would be true to his Declaration to keep the Military Power in obâ—…dience to the Civil reminding them that themselves had promised to rest contented with what the Parliament should do touching Government To this the Royal Party in and about the Town had also subscribed testified their submission to he present Power as it then resided in the Council of State in expectation of the future Parliament and promised to bury all rancors and animosities This Declaration was by them published with the subscriptions of several Noble Men and Gentlemen of eminent quality However Affairs now were in a fair procedure towards a National Settlement yet there wanted not Agitators to disturb it who went up and down in the City and Countrey to Spirit the Army into Discontent Wherefore the Reward of 10 l. was published and promised for the Discovery of any one of them But Agitators enow of this sort as well Lay as Clergy came to St. James's Hugh Peters was of both Coats for he had a portion of the Lord Craven's Lands and feared a secular Restitution too This Noble Lord Nobler now being advanced to the Earldom of Craven had never fought against the Parliam but from his Youth generously hazzarded his person and spent his Estate in Foreign wars to the Honour of his Country whom the General always honoured and who succeeded him after his Death in the Command of the Regiment of the King's Guards my most Honourable and Noble Colonel And by what contrivance or for what Delinquency his Estate was forfeited is not an Enquiry proper for this place But the General 's Lady was so bold as to ask Hugh Peters if he was not for Restitution The Ministers of Independency likewise were very solicitous to know what they must trust to disturb'd the hopes of the Presbyterians by telling them that Episcopacy and Arminianism were comin upon them 'T was my Portion to hear these things being sometimes deputed to attend them But I was an Infidel to all these Fears for the General still adhered to a Commonwealth and neither Jest nor Earnest could make any other Discovery of him For once he was set upon in Jest by a late Long-Parliament-Common-wealths-man who was good at it He told the General that he had always had a great esteem of him I think he had once at a pinch happily served him and asked him what he aimed at a King or a Commonwealth The General answered you have known me a long time and you know that I have been these many years for a Commonwealth and I am still of that opinion He returned I ought to believe your Excellency but will you give me leave to tell you a Story ' Twasthis A CityTaylor was met one Evening in the Country with a Pick-Axe and Spade a Neighbour of his asked him whither he was going with those Instruments He answered to take measure for a new Suit of Cloaths at such a House and for such a person His Neighbour demanded what with a Pick-Ax and Spade Yes quoth the Tailor these are the Measures now in fashion so he left the Application to his Excellency whether his new Models in the Army were fit Tools to make a Common-wealth with Nor could Monsieur Bourdeaux then Resident Ambassador for France gain any certainty of his Designs though he made an attempt to dive into them He sent for Commissary Clargys and propounded the Assistance of Cardinal Mazarine either to help the General to the Sovereignty or to restore our King adding his Advice that the King might be desired to retire into France and that speedy notice should be given him to leave Flanders if the General aimed at his Restitution But the General would not allow the Ambassador the liberty of this Discourse to him though he refused him not a Visit upon the Request of Clergis The Story is at large related in Baker's Chronicle pag. 717. Printed Anno 1674. whither I refer the Reader because I knew nothing of it till I found it there The Parliament was now ready to sit down and the King's Return was visible to the wise and discerning provided that the General had not his Reserves to give a stop to it for he still kept himself in a Cloud Wherefore the prying and suspitious of which sort were Women found out little Devices to sound what were his Intentions by giving small gifts to his Son a Child then between six or seven years of age the now Duke of Albemarle who innocently told these busie Enquirers that his Father and Mother
in Bed had talked of the King 's coming home I dare promise that he shall not be so easily out witted or surprized now and I doubt not but that he will be heir of his Fathers Prudence as well as of his Estate And may he live to out-do him in both However I wish so for I love and honour him whose Education was sometimes committed tomy Charge Though the Parliament were not met yet all apprehensions of danger were already over only a few Libels were thrown in the night at our Guards against the King and his Party Wherefore now we were entertained with Feasting to which the Worthy Citizens of London did invite the General and his Officers and it would be ungrateful not to mention their great and sumptuous Entertainments Thanks being the proper Reward of good Cheer These Feasts were performed in the publick Halls of the more Ancient Companies where besides Meat and Musick we had sometimes the Sin-Songs of more than BalladePoets who hope yet for better things than what they saw At which some of the Officers would say that they were Beasts set up a fatting for the Slaughter But now came the 25th of April when both Houses of Parliament the great Restorers of their Countrys freedom set down It was not disputed who call'd and gave them this authority but the most Rebellious submitted to it Now it appeared that Gods mercy which must be first revered and eternized then the Kings Clemency the Generals Conduct and this Parliaments sitting had prevented our Officers fears and the effufion of Blood either by the Sword of War or of Justice for none suffered upon the old score those only excepted who were after adjudged to Death for the Murder of Charles the First and some of these too had their Lives given them unless I should add the further exemption of some few others as Mr. Henry Vane the very Son of his Father and Hugh Peters whose whose Guilt was thought greater than some of the greatest of the Criminals who sate in a Court of Mock-Justice upon the Life of their Sovereign The Parliament adjourned for some few days Sir John Greenvile consulted with the General about the delivery of his message from his Majeâ—…ty That which was superscribed to the General to be by him communicated to the Army and Council of State was by his appointment delivered to him at the Door of the Council-Chamber where Greenvile attended and into which as Col. Birch one of the Members of it was entring Greenvile requested him but unknown that he might spake with My Lord General who upon Birch's intimation came to the Door and there in the sight of of his Guards attending received Greenvile's Letters but not with much regard either to his Person or his Business of which the General seemed to understand somewhat by the Seal and asked him if he would stay there till he had his answer otherwise his Guards should secure him commanding them to look to him So his Excellency produceth his Letters to the Council of State Greenvile is sent for in and Birch protested that he neither knew the Gentleman nor his Business The Lord President of the Council examined Greenvile from whence those Letters came whose they were and how he come by them for as yet they were not opened he told the President that the King his Master gave him them with his oâ—…n hands at Breda So the opening of them was deferred till the Parliament â—…at Greenvilâ—… was to havâ—… been sent into Custody but the General was his Bail who said he knew the Gentleman being his near Kinsman and would take his parol to appear before the Parliament But the Monk's Hood was now to be taken off the Parliament sat and Greenvile delivered his Letters with inclosed Declarations to both Houses upon whose owning his Majesties Right the General being â—… Member of the House of Commons chosen both for a Knight oâ—… the Shire of Devon his Country and a Burgess for the Uuiversity of Cambridg desired that the Kings Letters to him to be communicated to the Council of State and the Army might be read The Lord Mayor of the City of London and the Common Council received theirs with inclosed Declarations from the King and the Fleet under the command of Mountague had theirs delivered them also from Greenvile All these Letters and Declarations are extant and well known so that there is no need of a Rehersal but one of them which was the private concern of Sir John Grâ—…nvile of which I have before given the substance I have asked leave here to insert that it might be better understood what sense the King had of his service in his negotiation with our General and how grateful his Majesties intentions towards his Restorers were The Letter or rather Warrant under the Royal Signet runs thus CHARLES R. IN consideration of the many Services done us by our Right trusty and well-beloved Servant Sr. John Greenvile one of the Gentlemen of our Bed-Chamber and his Father the most Valiant and Loyal Sir Bevile Grèenvile who most Honourably lost his Life at the Battel of Landsdown in the Defence and Service of the Crown against the Rebels after he had performed many other great and signal Services But more especially in consideration of the late most extraordinary Services never to be forgotten by us or our Posterity which the said S. John Greenvile hath lately rendred us in his Person in his secret prudent and most faithful Transactions and Negotiations in concluding that most happy Treaty which he had lately by our special Command and Commission with our Famous and Renowned General Monk and wherein he alone and no other was intrusted by Us concerning the said Treaty about those most important Affairs for our Restauration which he has most faithfully performed with great prudence care secresie and advantage for our Service without any conditions imposed upon us beyond our expectation and the Commission we gave him whereof we doubt not but by Gods blessing we shall speedily see the effects of our said happy Restauration We are graciously pleased to promise upon the Word of a King that as soon as we are arrived in England and it shall please God to restore us to our Crown of that Kingdom We will confer upon our said right Trusty and well beloved Servant Sir John Greenvile the place and office of Groom of our Stole and First Gentleman of our Bedchamber with all Fees Pensions and Perquisites thereunto belonging together with the Title and Dignitâ—… of an Eâ—…rl of our Kingdom of England And the better to support the said Title of Honour and to reward as we ought those many great services and to recompence the losses and sufferings of and his Family we are further graciously pleased to promise upon our said Royal Word to pay all the Debts that he the said Sir John Greenvile or his Father have contracted in the late Wars in our service or in our Royal Fathers of
Blessed Memory and also to bestow and settle in good Land in England an Estate of Inheritance to the value of at least 3000l per annum upon him the said Sir John Greenvile and his Heirs for ever to remain as a perpetual acknowledgement for his said services and as a Testimony of our Grace and Favour towards him and that Ancient and Loyal Family of the Greenviles unto all Posterity Given at our Court at Brussels the 2d of April in the 12th year of our Reign 1660. By his Majesties Command Edw. Nicholas To conclude on the 8th of May the King was joyfully proclaimed in the Cities of London and Westminster and Greenvile having received the thanks of both Houses of Parliament was sent back to his Majesty at the Hague with 50000 l. Sterling from the Parliament to supply his Majesties present occasions till the arrival of the Commissioners of both Houses who were hastening after to invite his Majesties Return to his Native Kingdom and to the exercise of his Royal Authority So that on the 29th his Majesty with great Solemnity entered the City This Day has since 1660 been solemnized by our Church for his Birth and Return and may the Prayers of his Loyal Subjects for him ascend and be heard by the God of Heaven who bowed the Hearts of the most rebellious among us to submit to his Scepter Of this the General was truly sensible for when I came to him at the Cock-Pit to give him my share of thanks for this renowned Restauration I kneeled to him and kissed his hands but he took me up and was pleased to speak some kind words to me but in speaking broke into Tears saying these words No Mr. Price It was not I that did this you know the Jealousies that were had of me and the oppositions against me It was God aloâ—…e who did it to him be the Glory whose is the Kingdom and the Power over this and all Governments But to diâ—…turb all this there was an After-contrivance framed and propounded to the General viz. that he would most vigorously declare for the Solemn Leaguâ—… and Covenant to do this there were invitations of Advantages offâ—…red him But he was Resolute and saw that he had deceived all those with whom he had to do and had gratified none of them and that it was now tâ—… late to play an After game by attempting to impose conditions upon his Prince He having before when it was in his power scorned it Now he was to sink or swim with the King for his Interest was no wider These bold words were said not for his sake but others for this his Loyalty was most truly fixed and he was glad that he was delivered from the Impertinencies of the Sollicitation of such People May God of his infinite mercy deliver us from all narrow Interests which in our Age have been the ruine of a most famous Commonwealth left us by the wisdom our Ancestors And may the Men of private conceits unite and bring their hands and hearts to the support of the publick for Extra Rempublicam non est salus THE END Some BOOKS lately Published by James Vade at the Cock and Sugar Loaf near St. Dunstan's Church in Fleet-Street THE Sâ—…vereign or a Political Discourse upon the Office and Obligations of the Supream Magistrate The Sâ—…ate and Interest of the Nation with respect to his Royal Highness the Duke oâ—… York Discourâ—…ed at large â—…n a Letter tâ—… a Member oâ—… the Honourable House of Commons The True Protestant Subject or the Naturâ—… and Rights of Sovereignty discussed and stated A Brief Survey Historical and Political of the Life and Reign of Henry the Third King of Englan A Seasonable Mementoâ—… both to King and People upon this Critical Juncture of Affairs A Survey of the Lord High Steward of England his Office Dignity and Jurisdiction particularly the manner of Arraining a Peer Indicted of Treason or Felony in a Letter to the Lords in the Tower With Resolâ—…tions to certain Queries made by their Lordships relating to Trayterous and Seditious Practises Written at their Lordships Request The Power of the Lords and Commons in Parliament in Point of Judicature briefly discours'd at the request of a worthy Member of the House of Commons The late Kâ—…epers of the English Libertiâ—… drawn to the Life in thâ—… Quâ—…lifications oâ—… Persons by them declared capable to serve in Parliament Naboth's Vinyard Or the Iâ—…ocent 〈◊〉 copyed from the Originâ—…l of Holy Scripture in Heroick Verse The Sentimâ—…nts a Poem to the Earl of Danby Writtâ—… by a Person of quality A Paradox against Liberty Written bâ—… the Lordâ—… during their Imprifonment in the Tower ERRATA PAge 27. l. 1 21. read Gradeâ—… Ker. p. 32 l. 29. â—… Resolutioners p. 40. l. 28. r. Proâ—…esie p. 41. l. 7. â—… Viâ—…tuosoes p. 45. l. 12. r. Husband p. 46. l. 1. r. Visibly p. 46. l. 4. r. Seâ—…ure ib. l. 29. r. Albemarle p. 47. l. 25. sor Ofâ—…ences r. Offices p. 55. l. 5 for Awick r. I think Berwick p. 57. l. 25. r. Troopers p. 67. l. 13. after in r. 〈◊〉 p. 68. l. 29. for tâ—…ey r the. p. 73. l. 31. for 〈◊〉 left Money r. nâ—… Moâ—…ey left p. 75. l. 17. dele tâ—…at ib. l. 18. for soon r. that ib. l. 19. after would r. soon p. 76. l. 27. dele aâ—…d p. 92. l. 21. for seven r. several p. 96. l. 4. r. Abjuâ—…er p. 97. l. 24. for Minâ—…s r. Hâ—…ds p. 105. l. 24. r. Rumps p. 108. l. 25. after State â—… tâ—…at p. 109. l. 13. r. Fifth-Monarchy-men p. 113. l. 10. for resisting r. Resitting p. 117. l. 16. r. tâ—…is p. 127. l. 12. for 〈◊〉 r. seâ—…luded