assured that they would deal syncerely and moderately with me afterwards I should witsh te armies casheering but the very ill usage I receive as yet from them makes me suspect alle things that I can hardly resolue what is best for me to doe in such an unhappy conjoncture and shall deliberate a little longer however take you hence the occasion to let those see whoe say they are my frends how much more reasnable I am even according to their owne rules then the authors of theise desorders which can never be appeased unless they agree with me they know what will satisfy me but the botom of theise mens designes is not easily sownded upon the place where you are you know best how to urge this with the most efficacy According to the advice your next letter brings me I shall take my measures Send the inclosed to my wife and deliver the other your selfe to my Lord Dumfermlin and keep my correspondence with him secret farewell Your frend CHARLES R. Sect. 46. Upon the answer which I made to this letter which contained very many matters of fact of great importance betwixt the Parliament and army whose differences flew very high with the opinion of others as well as my owne there upon the particulars where of all thowgh to long to be Here Mentioned may be guessed at by the Kings answer which followes May the 16. SEct. 47. Monday last I received yours which put such thowghts into my head that I could not delay the dispatching my Message to the twoe houses for undoubtedly reason will be sooner heard by unreasnable men when they dispute whoe shall be master then when there is no opposition and certainly seeing many of those in the Parliament whoe pretend to be my frends make soe little account of what you have offered them in my name I can expect nothing from them but extremest rigour when they have no competitors for in the incertainty of their affaires they may judg me necessary but then useless What I send you now is no more then what you know allready touching the four cheif propositions and for the covenant I have Done as much as I promised them Cause my message to be printed and published all you can Make my excuse to the french Ambassadour for what he has written to me in his last is of soe little concernment that it is not worth the payns to answer it in cipher to him selfe Assure him from me that neither Dumfermlin whoe is now here nor any els saving you shall know what passes betwixt him and me Send the inclosed to my wife to whome faile Not to give an account of all that passes farewell Your frend CHARLES R. Sect. 48. I have many other letters from his Ma tie touching theise negotiations at that tyme not necessary here to be inserted for the end I propose to my selfe The Parliament had past an ordinance in both houses for the disbanding of the army which would not obey their refusall and proceedings there upon were very high and factions and out of the power of the houses to restraine their only force lying in their votes and orders which the other laughed at and dispised whoe haveing thus begun fownd themselves obliged to goe on or perish The Parliament was here at much alarmed and the wisest amongest them began to repent their haveing rejected a proposition which was secretly made to them and often urged with weighty reasons not to send the Scotch army out of England entirely and at once but at the same tyme to disband part of their owne and send away a like proportion of the Scots and soe by degrees make them selves quit of both But this was refused without aleaging any solid reason against it but only depending on Parlementary authority which they sayd the army would never dare to disobey they were likewise sorry they had soe long and soe much neglected the great advances which the King had made and told me plainly they would endeavour the passing of a vote in both houses for the Kings coming to London but that they apprehended the army there upon would seize upon his person before he could come thither Sect. 49. They desired me to write to his Ma tie to know his inclination I told them I would goe my selfe to a frends house within less then an hower from Holmby and would write from thence which I did all the same night post Arriving where I intended before noon the next day from thence I wrote I mediately to his Ma tie inclosing my letter in one to the Earle of Dumfermlin I acquainted him with the great danger he was in of being seized by the army to prevent which I saw no means unless his Ma tie would and could save himselfe by night in desguise and that I would have horses ready very neer the place to bring him to London where as affaires stood I was persuaded he might come to a reasnable accord on the fowndation of his Message The next morning he sent my Lord Dumfermlin to me whoe gave me the following lerter Holmby June 4. SEct. 50. Referring particulars to the Earle of Dumfermlin I shall only tell you that what you proposed to me by your letter of yesterday is quickly to be answered that ever since I heard of the armies refusal to disband I have often thowght of what you now propownd and am resolved not to fall into their hands if I can avoyde it I have sownded the commissioners about the expedient which you mention of escaping with them to London I have assured them to confirme my last message and to treat with the Parliament concerning the other things in question I have layd before them the publique danger as well as of my person in case I should be taken by the army all agree to it except two whoe say they connot Consent without order from the Parliament it being to betray their trust soe that I see no way to shun falling into the hands of the army if they have the designe to take me as soone as Dumfermlin returns I will try againe what may be done with those whoe make the greatest difficulty Expecting your answer this evening if I can put in execution by any means what you move you shall know my resolution speedily to which end you shall doe well to remain where you are farewell Your frend CARLES R. Sect. 51. My answer to this letter was very short haveing acquainted my Lord Dumfermlin fully with all things whoe had likewise himselfe received letters from some of the Scotch Commissioners at London which confirmed all I had written and savd and therefor concluded some thing was to be done out of hand for the Kings escape He named the twoe persons to me whoe opposed it one where of commanding the troupes which garded his Ma tie without him it was not possible to have been done The next morning in stead of receiving any advice from the King how I might serve him in
they lay nor was it councellable he Should only that he would demande a treaty and debate by a power given to the commissioners to explaine and discuss Every artickle apart and in particular which was the likeliest means to produce a good Effect and that by such an answer and demande those persons whoe had as then the most credit and cheif direction would endeavour to despose the Parliament to consent by which means and throwgh reasnable expedients which might be fownd out the severest things might have been moderated and great difficulties remouved To which end I told him I had already written to the King whoe seemed to be very well satisfied therewith and disposed to give such an answer 35. He replyed that he was upon good grounds assured when his Maj. had hearâ—d what this messenger forementioned had to propownd be would not demande any treaty and that the army would set him on his throne and make him a great King I besowght Allmighty God that it might prove soe but that I feared thy would at last take away his life and crowne together puting him in a capacity of possessing another in Heaven more durable Sect. 36. The next day I went to waite on the Marquis of Hartford since Duke of Somerset whoe the forenamed Gentilman had told me was acquainted with all this transaction and concurred in it which I fownd true and that he was persuaded the army would restore his Maj. sudainly perceaving me obstinate in the contrary opinion he sayd theise words to me Colonel Bamfield I have allways wished you well and doe soe Still and therefor would advise you not to oppose your selfe further to obstruct this cource towards the Kings recouvery for some of the clergy begin to suspect that you have particular interests in your transactions with the Presbitereans which weigh more then that of his Maj. I made answer that I had no other worldly interest but what was involved in and subordinate to the Kings that I never expected any advantage neither from the one or from the other partie but that I was soe fully convinced of the desperate designs secret practices and principles of the army and their adherents where of I did not want light that the groundless jalousie of some men nor their deluding hopes should never make me prostitute my reason nor act against it or have any thing to doe with those whose end and underground workings were for the destruction of the Kings person and Monarchie Sect. 37. A few days after this his Maj. answer came but not alltogether such as theise his freinds whoe I have mentioned desired but unhappy enough for him to doe the armies business at that tyme for the most Zealous part of the Presbitereans left the wisest and most moderate whoe endeavoured to have made the Kings answer the fowndation of a treaty and being likewise irritated by the Schotish Ministers Gyllaspy and others joined with the armies adherents in Parliament to demande of the Scots the delivery of his Maj. person to commissioners whoe were sent to receive him and guardes commanded by Collonel Graves This was clearly foreseen by the late Duke of Lauderdalle then one of the Commissioners for Scotland the Earle of Holland my Lord Willowby of Parham my Lord Hollis S r. Phillip Stapleton and very many others in both houses whoe were ar that tyme entirely for the Kings restauration upon as moderate termes as their conduct and credit in Parliament Could possibly worke out and as the only expedient to remoue difficulties wished and endeavoured to bring the business to a personall treaty by which means they hoped to abate the severity of some demands which all reasnable and truly conscientions men amongst them knew his Maj. Could not graunt without violence to his conscience in the breach of his othe and divesting himselfe of all power to maintaine ye lawes protect his subjects or to preserve himselfe and his posterity from being deprived of that less then halfe his regall and just authority which his assenting to those propositions in the termes they were drawne up would have left him the remaining part of his power being but precario and at the arbitrement of every succeeding Parliament Sect. 38. The wisest amongest them Considered and acknowldged theise truths and seeing a part of the Nation desposed with the army and their adherents towards a popular Gouverment would willingly have had more power in the King then when they began the war they desired or designed Sect. 39. On the contrary the adverse partie was absolutely against a treaty which they feard might lead to moderation on both sides and produce an accord destructive to those great projects the cheifs of them had figured to themselves for a long tyme and resolved upon after the niew modeling of the army to prevent an agreement they must hinder a treaty to which end that party in both houses haveing at first vigorously opposed sending of any propositions to the King but that being carried against them in the affirmative by great adress and infusing jalousies concerning Religeon into the greatest nomber of the Presbitereans few of them being States men by experience and peradventure not all by reason they easily drew them to a vote that his Maj. Should be obliged to signe the propositions in the termes as they were sent him by both houses alowing no latitude to the Commissioners by whome they were sent to treat or debate one syllable knowing very well that the King neither would nor indeed Could consent to them as they were neither with Conscience honour or safety however least the extreme danger whereunto he lay exposed might have prevayled with him to consent they made use of the stratagem I have allready mentioned of infusing into the belief of many of the most considerable of the Kings freinds that the army would restore him upon certaine conditions specified whoe led his Maj. himselfe to some hopes of it Sect. 40. By theise means the King was by the Scots delivered to the commissioners sent by the Parliament to receive him by them browght to Holmby one of his owne houses where he was rigorously guarded and very hardly used in all considerations not permitted to Speak with any man but in presence of some of the Commissioners not one of his domestique servants suffered about him nor the liberty to write or receive a lettre from the Queen any of his Childeren or freinds knowing nothing what his enemies did or what he was to doe himselfe In this deplorable condition one nepar whome the Parliament had placed about him as his barber being gained whose employment every morning and evening neer his person gave him the oportunity of conveying letters unpercevably into his hands how strictly soever he was watched by this conveniency haveing written to him at large concerning many things and especialy of the desorders begun betwixt the Parliament and the army and of all els which I judged necessary for his Knowledg in that estat
was conducted to New Castle Whither Imediately at his arrivall he sent me his commands to Come with all diligence haveing obeyed his Majestie was Pleased to Acquaint me with the State of his affaires with the Scots Whose conduct towards him had not Given him the Satisfaction which he reasnably hoped for when he had volontarily betaken him selfe to them for Refuge in his distress haveing heard all I had to represent concerning the affaires at London wich could any ways relate to his person or Intrest since his Escape from Oxford he commanded me to make a short deduction of all in writing to leave with him for the refreshment of his Memory 26. Haveing remained there a few days his Majestye was pleased to trust me with new Instructions according to the change and Exigence of his affaires and to dispatch me back to London 27. Not long after I receaved a Letter from him by an express whome he eminently trusted to whose Information he referd me chiefly in the following termes The Severall ends I have in this despatch I have fully communicated to the Bearer resulting from what you left with me when you where Heere and from what you and others have written to me since the Particulars are to long and troublesome to bee put in chypher and to important to be hazarded out of it Wherfore I must refer you to him for answer to your two last and for direction in your conduct touching what you have propownded Your assured frend CHARLES R. 28. Part of this Business needs not to bee mentioned Heere being in some Kinde particular relating to what degree two or three persons might or might not be trusted and in what Maters but the principall thereof was to Engage the Earl of Essex the Earl of Holland Mylord Willoby of Parham with severall others of both houses so to contrive the Business by their owne and frends credit that the propositions of the Parliament which were resolved should be drawne up upon his Maj. message a litle before pressing earnestly a treaty migt be as moderate as possible Could be Procured and that such commissioners by the influence of theise persons might be chosen to compile them as neer the model which his Ma tie had given in writing to the person all ready mentioned as Could be effected 29. The business was communicared where it was most convenient but the sudaine death of the Earle of Essex throwgh an appoplexy rendered the propositions more harsh and difficult then peradventure they would have been had he lived whoe was animated resolute would hazard more then all the others had credit and was every moment incited by the influence and persuations of his sister the late Dutchess of Somerset 30. However Cromwell the army and their adherents in Parliament fearing the very possibility of the Kings assent in that extremity of his affaires and by consequence the frustration of their designs leading to the destruction of his person and the subversion of Monarchy Employd all the artifices Imaginable to have the King desposed to reject entirely the propositions Without soe much as demanding any treaty or Explication which they concluded would disgust to that height both the Scotch and severer of the English Presbitereans as indeed it did that they should the easilier arrive at their great designe in the overthrowe of all as it after fell out and chiefly throwgh that maxime which he all a long persued of keeping the King and Presbiterans from agreeing whereof the success was even at that tyme clearly probable 31. To this end they connived at the escape of a person out of the tower there Prisoner and in reasnable credit with the King being moreover a clergy Man animated in the highest degree against the Scotch and Presbitereans was a very proper instrument for their designe thowgh I shall doe him that right as to declaer my persuation that he suspected not the deceit wherein he was flattered employed and deceaved as many others were unblemishedly faithfull to the King but to credulous This man as I have sayd escaped made his speedy repaire to Niew Castel being fortified with powerfull recommendations from twoe or three great and worthy persons 32. The same day that he parted from London one whoe was at that tyme very intimately my frend and in the secret gave me a visit telling mee with joye even in his eyes that he came to tell me the best newes that ever I had heard being a particular recite of the Escape of the fore Mentioned person with his Message instructions and the ouverteurs he was charged with to his Maj. from some of the army and principal persons of their adherents whoe as he sayd were absolutely resolved to restore the King upon his utterly rejecting the Parliaments Propositions and graunting them a full liberty of conscience and such a power in the Militia as might secure all to them which his Maj. as affaires stood should finde himselfe necessitated to accord them Sect. 33. He added as allready in tryumph that the business was as good as done and that in less then three months we should see the King on his throne and in the full Execution of his Regal authority haveing heard him with great attention for his discource was weighty thowgh his judgment deluded without one word of interuption I answered him at lenght that I was sorry I could not rejoice with him at his triumphant niewes which I should undoubtedly doe as much as any Man alive if I believed the success would prove what he and those engaged in that designe figured to them selves for he had told me whoe they were three or four of the greatest and one of the wisest men that served the King on whose prudence and integrite his Maj. relyed as much as any mans I added I believe or rather I knowe this to be a manifest cheat concerted betwixt Cromwell Ireton and some cheif persons of their adherents in the twoe houses whose reall and hidden end is what specious pretences soever they make to abuse the credulity of you and others to render this treaty ineffectuall which has been browght about with great difficulty and against stronge opposition even of those persons whoe make theise ouvertures now hoping hereby to frustrate by adress what they Could not hynder by their debates in the twoe houses and by Makeing it break of abruptly by his Maj. Rejecting all the propositions in Generall cast the odium upon him and render the breach irreconcilable betwixt him and the Presbitereans whereby as I had much reason to fear the moste zealous the most violent and the least reasnable which are allways the greatest nomber would entirely abandon the wisest and most moderate uniting them selves to the armies party in both houses whereby the authority of Parliament being joyned to the power of the army both the Kings person and Monarchie would be desperately exposed Sect. 34. I aleaged further that I knew his Maj. would never consent to the propositions as
he was he did me the honour to write to me an answer in the following termes Holmby the 15. April Sect. 41. I have received your cipher and your twoe letters both without date desirnig you to mend that omission here after And now to come to the business without further preambles you must know that I am guarded with such extreme severity that I can neither write nor receive any letter nor speak with any of my frends to let pass all other rigours which are such as I cannot but often tymes profess publiquely that I can neither with honour nor prudence answer to any proposition which either has been or can be made me whilst I am in this condition for what ever I can now offer or consent to will rather be interpreted to proceed from fear or at best to mend my condition then from any motif of publique good for I am as a blinded man without the least light of what I am to expect from my enemies or hope for from my frends saveing what Gods Providence affords me by the industry and hazard of those whoe are most faithfull to me inso much that I cannot change my resolution unless upon the certainty of gaining some advantage for the publique which may counterballance the passing by this reall point of honour for I cannot admit of your distinction of promising things now to be ratified when I am at liberty But when you can give me such an assurance as may reasnably be depended upon that the answer which I am able to make to the propositions will produce the effect of bringing me with honour to London I shall not delay to give it even before the twoe houses demande it of me And least your not knowing of my minde might hynder you from answering me fully and particulardy I have thowght good to give you under my hand what the satisfaction is which I can give to the four cheif propositions First for Religeon I shall consent to confirme the Presbiterian Gouverment and the directory for three years being the tyme as yet limited by the houses provided I and my household have the liberty of serving God as formerly and that allsoe a consultation and free debate be agreed to with the assembly of divines at Westminster only twenty of my nomination being added to them where by I and the twoe houses may agree howe the church shall be Gouverned upon the expiration of the sayd terme of three years Secondly I will consent that the Militia by act of Parliament as well by sea as by land shall be in the twoe houses for ten years and at the expiration of that terme to returne to the Crowne as in the tymes of Queen Elizabeth and of my father of happy Memory Thirdly for their great seal I will confirme it and all acts passed under it Provided that I be not pressed to disanull those passed under my owne and that the Gouverment there of for the tyme to come be in me according to due cource of Law Fourthly for the business of Ireland theise other things being agreed I shall give satisfaction therein I am content to lay aside much of my owne proper right for the publique tranquility And to agree to all tending really to the conservation and better reformation of the Protestante Religeon as far as I may without wownding of my conscience by the breach of my othe And assure all those with whome you treat about these Matters that no humane consideration shall bring me further as to theise four propositions tell 128. that without encouragement from him and from you I shall not goe thus far Be carefull that the twoe inclosed letters be sudainly and safely delivered the one to my wife the other to the French Ambassadour Adieu Your assured frend CHARLES R. Sect. 42. Haveing shewed this letter to some of the chiefs of both houses whoe I had gained into the Kings interest and that they had consulted such of their frends as they could trust concerning his Ma ties resolution touching theise four principal propositions and done all in the business which was necessary and for me possible I gave his Ma tie an account there of with all that I had learnt and observed touching the twoe parties as well as my humble opinions there upon grounded in answer whereunto I received shortly after this following letter Holmby April ye 27. SEct. 43. I have received yours of the 24. present on thursday to which in short my answer is that no apprehention nor yet certitude of any evils which can befall me shall make me leave out those twoe clauses you mention which are not circomstantiel but most essentiall and in such things to relye to much on their good nature or to belive that they care not to conserve what they desire with soe much ernestness or like children shall be soone weary of it seems to me a most inexcusable folly Wherefor I commande you to assure all with whome you treat or thinke further fit to speak with about my affaires that I shall adhere firmly without addition or substraction to what I wrote to you in my last only adding their expedient which you sent me concerning the Covenant as to the substance but not in the same termes which they have drawne up which I hope will give satisfaction to all reasnable men Let no man see the note in cipher but doe all you can possible in what it containes The greatest of the inclosed is for my wife the other for the Ambassadour Bellievre to whome I have written to acquaint you with what he has done or hopes to doe with those of the Scotch commissioners which he belives he has influence upon to the end you may write it to me in cipher Let me know by your next whoe gave you the note in French which I fownd in your last allthowgh I belive it a cheat yet I have made no great scrupule to answer it which you are to deliver as soone as you can and here after doe not engage your selfe to secrecy in such adresses for I will not receive any thing from those whoe Conceal their names inconveniencies may befall me by it If they thinke fit to trust you they May me I am your frend CHARLES R. Sect. 44. Shortly after upon the advertisements which I had given his Ma tie touching the Parliaments resolution to disband the army which effected some pretended to me that they Could treat with the King in greater liberty and securety But suspecting that he would not meet with such reasnable Conditions after as before the armies Cassation I gave him the advertisement with my humble opinions there upon beseeching him to send his offers whilest things were in the condition they then Stoode He was pleasd to answer me as followes Holmby May the 8. SEct. 45. Your advertisement of the Parliaments resolution to disband the army and of its discontentement lets me see the cause of their delaying to send me the propositions Were I
no opposition S r. William Waller fled into Hollande S r. Phillip Stapleton to calais where he died in eight or ten days after and many others retired to several other places divers of both houses as well as of the citty were imprisoned A great part of his army marched throwgh London in triumph he made one of his owne partie Leutenant of the Tower modelled the Militia to his owne pleasure and interest left some Regiments about the Mewes and Whitehall to encourage his frends and terrifye his enemies in Parliament Sect. 77. This thowgh at that tyme a bloodless victory was in effect one of the greatest that ever he gained makeing way to that unbownded power which he after atchieved and waded to throwgh a sea of blood in all the three nations and which was most extraordinary died in peace and declared his successour Sect. 78. This haveing succeeded according to what he had long designed yet hardly hoped for but was resolved to hazard he began to put of the masque where withall he had hithirto desguised himselfe as to what concerned the King thowgh not as to other subsequent and great projections Sect. 79. He quartered part of his army in the adjacent places neer London Conveyed the King further from it the councels of the officers and agitators were assembled at putney t' was now thowght high tyme to breake with his Ma tie and for him with his Mirmidons to appear in their pure naturals Sect. 80. Subjects for desperate and bloody debates touching the King were propownded in their meetings by his and his son in lawes instruments and secret instigations thowgh it was yet unseasnable that the scean of execution showld be exposed Sect. 81. He seemed much concerned for the danger he had plunged the King into and would appear willing to quench a reall fyre which he had kindled nourished and now cheefly administred fuel to with an imaginary water Sect. 82. This danger of his Ma tie was communicated to him both by his frends and enemies but with very different intentions Cromwell would not appear the last nor the least concerned for his security which undoubtedly and visibly was to have it provided for in the Isle of wight To which end he wrote a letter to his Couzin Commissary General Whaly whoe had the guarde of his Ma ties person signifying the desorders of the army with the Kings danger which being communicated to his Ma tie he recalled his word which had been given that he would not endeavour to escape notwithstanding whaly tooke not the least care to prevent it which he undoubtedly would have done had he not foreknowne what arrived very shortly after Peradventure being at that tyme a preacher as most of the officers then were he was likewise a prophet and Could divine that his Ma ties escape would prove but a translation from an ill imprisonment to a worse In short he left Hamton Court I will not say saved himselfe from it few knew what path he had taken thowgh some I am confident did besides those with him till the newes came to the Parliament of his being in the hands of Colonel Hamond in the Isle of wight It not being my business here to enlarge to much or to discant upon other mens alegations for the excuse of Cromwells and Iretons after proceedings as extorted from them throwgh danger and necessity for their owne preservation some whereof being falce others frivolous and childish I shall leave them as they are without further reflexions passing on cursorily to some few matters of weight leading to the fatall event of this most unhappy business The King being in the Isle of wight and not finding his entertainment answerable to his hopes and that the personall security oraculously promised him was to be interpreted in the sence of his enemies tending directly to his stricter and surer confinement and in the extremest danger which could threaten him his escape was become much more difficult if not impossible and being advertised from London means haveing been sudainly fownd out for correspondence with him of those things which most neerly concerned him and particularly that propositions were preparing to be sent him to obviate which that he foresaw would be to his prejudice He wrote a letter to the Parliament confirning what he had offered them in his Message from Holmby some months before with other very considerable additions of the Militias being in their hands during his life together with the chusing the councel and Ministers of State as likewise the payment of the arrears of the army and concerning other things he ernestly pressed that he might with honour and safety have come to a personall treaty at Londen Sect. 83. In answer where unto the Parliament passed four bills to be sent to the King provisionally for his ratification which being returned as acts his Ma tie should be admitted to a personall treaty Theise bills were large and needless to be recited here verbatim the first regarded the Melitia both by sea and land to be entirely in their hands and for the raising mony for the maintainance there of the last by inevitable consequence must have contiued that Parliament to all perpetuity by investing them with full power to prorogue and meet againe at their pleasure By twoe of these acts the King must have devested himselfe and his posterity of the sword and treasury and established them in it And by the last given them such a power as was little less then the legislative which in a short tyme they would undoubtedly have drawne to themselves It is here remarquable that Cromwell and ireton whoe six or seaven months before by an adresse from the army had in a mennacing manner demanded of the Parliament to resolve upon and declare a fixed period to their cession thereby to make roome for a trienniall to be assembled in this occasion were the most violent in pressing theise four acts before his Ma tie were admitted to any personall treaty And when the King had passed all at this tyme demanded and came to a treaty it was in their power whither they would have agreed with him or not from all which considerations and divers others which undoubtedly he had he waved the ratifying of any acts untill all were agreed Sect. 84. Upon this refusall which he foresaw from the very nature of the demands must ensue Ireton after an invective speech tending to the Kings rejection and to the setling the Gouverment without him moved that it might be resolved to make no more adresses to him the debate lasted long and as Ireton began Cromwell ended with bitter reproches against his Ma tie and threatings of the Parliament if they passed it not at length this resolution was forced out not without vigorous opposition of neer the halfe in both houses Sect. 85. First that no further adresses be made to the King Secondly that no application be made to the King by any of his subjects without permistion
of Parliament under the penalty of high treason The last vote was relative to the first as before theise votes all most as soone as he was in the Isle of wight I had fownd out means of correspondence with him and of giving his Ma tie constant advertisements of all occurrencies which concerned him soe notwithstanding this danger of being punished as a traitour I continued it even to the last continuing to write to him and to receive letters from him both for my selfe and others the greatest part of his intelligence both with english and Scotch passing throwgh my hands whilest I remayned in England not without great hazard as may easily be conceaved which had it ever been discouvered no humane means that I sawe could have secured my head Sect. 86. Cromwell haveing as I have already sayd and demonstrated from tyme to tyme opposed and by his several artifices prevented all treaties as much as he possibly could and agreements betwixt the King and the Presbitereans by degrees wrowght the Earle of Essex Bedford and Manchester the Generall Waller Major General Massy Major General Browne and all those Military persons out of all employment whome he judged capable to bring any opstacle to his projects in some Kinde reduced the citty of London and jugled the King prisoner into the Isle of wight in the custody of Colonel Hammon one of his creatures he belived his game sure which was the sole reason why I ever declined all treaty or colusion with those people foreseeing clearly their ends and as visibly their ways to them even when the Generallity of the Kings party assured themselves that they would infallibly restore both him and them Sect. 87. My stedfastness in the contrary opinion and my endeavours against that gross delusion not prostituting my reason to other mens phantasies procured me many enemies with very severe sensures leading divers to a jalousie that I had rivited my selfe into that interest rather for my owne private ends then for his Ma tie service or for the publique behoofe of the Nation which most groundless and unreasnable credulity together with the animosities and calomnies which arose therefrom had prepared the way and facilitated my after mine all thowgh I solemnly and syncerely protest that I alone declined the one party as being unchangeably convinced that they designed his Ma ties destruction nor applyed my selfe to the other then by his commands and as things were in those tymes that I Could perceave no other means for his preservation Sect. 88. Upon advertisements I gave the King which I know he had from other hands of the foregoeing votes as likewise of what Cromwell and Ierton had sayd against him he sawe to late howe perfidiously they had jugled with him which first disposed him to treat with the Scotch and with as many of the Presbitereans in England as safely Could and would be treated with which evidently refutes that rediculous assertion of some whoe pretend to be the Kings frends that Cromwell and Ireton broke with his Ma tie because he treated with the Scots makeing the effect the cause it being notorious to all whoe had any transactions in and knowledg of the affaires at those seperate tymes that the King after the armies proposalls had no treaty with the Scots or any els till the votes of non adresses and unanimous protestation of the army to live and dye with the Parliament in the persuance of those votes and for the setlement of the Gouverment without his Ma tie and a little after the like was done by the Parliament to live and dye with the army for the same ends and which was the wonder of wonders the house of Lords Passed this resolution first with great zeal and sent it downe to the Commons for their concurrence whoe for some tyme opposed it vigorously till threatnings and fear caused many members to absent themselves soe that it was carryed in the affirmative by five or six vooices Thus the commons contended to preserve the Peerage for the abolishing of which the Peers themselves layd this fowndation which ensued in about a year after Sect. 89. Theise proceedings haveing been visible and his Ma tie no other recource for the gaining of his liberty with the preservation of his crowne and life came to a conclusion with the Scotch Commissioners whoe were permitted by the Parliament to repaire to the King about the Gouverment of their owne nation Sect. 90. The agreement with them gave such satisfaction that they engaged themselves to enter into England with an army as speedily as well could be and in order to conjonction with them severall treaties were secretly mannaged with the principall persons of the Presbiterean party In a Parliamentary way nothing Could be done with them nor by them because of the awe of the army and the incertainty of many amongst themselves whoe in divers debates voted with the contrary party Besides that the very late resolutions and protestations of both houses rendred all propositions of that Kinde vaine and exceeding dangerous in soe much that there remained no other way but to treat with them a part and with the greatest Privacy The result was that they should declare at the same tyme with the Scotch the Kings party being to joine with them Upon the Scotch commissioners leaving the Isle of wight his Ma tie was more severely guarded then ever Not with standing I had constant correspondence with him all or much the greatest part of his intelligencies either with the Kingdome of Scotland or England passed my hands not without great difficulty danger and expence When all these transactions were concluded the King sent me the following letter of credit to be communicated to as many of the Gentilemen of the Easterne assotiation as I should thinke fit with the advice of those with whome I had before treated The Duke of Lauderdalle did me the honour to deliver it me at his returne from Cairsbrook Castel and to let me know what was concluded betwixt his Ma tie and the sotch Commissioners Cairsbrooke Decemb 1647. SEct. 91. Gentilemen I have been long since advertised by Colonel Bamfield whoe I have often employed to you of your good affections to my service and since there may fall out in a short tyme an occasion wherein they may be usefull to me in the present condition I am it may prove inconvenient for me and to you dangerous that I should give you Particular directions under my hand I have left it to Colonel Bamfield whoe knows my affaires and has order to communicate to you as much of them as is necessary for the direction of your Councels and endeavours for the publique good of your country and for him whoe is Your most assured frend CHARLES R. For the Gentilemen of the Easterne association Jan. the 24. SEct. 92. I have received yours of the 17 present but have not as yet decypherd the other letters inclosed because I would first fiuish this despatch
to my wife the Earle of Laneric and my Lord Willowby wherefor excuse me to the Earle of Southampton that I have not answered his wich I shall doe by the first occasion I am advertised that it has been deliberated by some of the army to possesse themselves of the Duke of Yorke consider if you cannot finde means to convey him out of England cause the inclosed to be delivered to him for it concerns me neerly to have correspondence with him at this tyme let me knowe as soone as may be your opinion touching this business farewell Your assured frend CHARLES R. Sect. 93. Upon the receipt of this letter I caused the inclosed for his Royale Highness the Duke of Yorke to be delivered him by a sure hand whoe had that accesse to him which I could not have and unless my memory failes me as I am persuaded it does not he had been pleased not long before by Message to let me knowe that he had promised the King his father whilest he was in the hands of the army to make his escape out of England as soone as he Could attempt it on any reasnable appearance of success demanding if Could not serve him in it which I am confident I had undertaken in which resolution I was fully confirmed by theise his Ma ties commands and not knowing whither by this occasion he had mentioned the business to the Duke or not with his owne letter I sent his Royalle Highness mine which was transmitted againe to me and upon his resolution and answer I framed mine to his Father The Duke was pleased to commande me not to precipitate the business but to take necessary tyme and use all circomspection not to plunge him into a worse condition then he was Haveing duly considered what measures were fittest for me to take herein and given the King an account there of his Ma tie was pleased to write me the following letter Cairsbrooke the 22 Feb. SEct. 94. I have received yours of the 14 present and being weary with decyphering it I cannot answer to all its particulars nor is it needfull I will only tell you in Generall that I approve what you have allready done and what you propose for the saveing of the Duke of York I confirme the promesse he has made to Howard and the assurances you have given him in my name to be continued in the Charge of Master of his horse allthowgh the Parliament has made him soe The rest I leave to your conduct committing you to Gods Providence trawble not your selfe about my other affaires but thinke only of what you have now in your hands bring him if possible either to his Mother or sister farewell Your assured frend CHARLES R. Sect. 95. For some Important reasons which I acquainted his Ma tie with I delayed this business untill the end of Aprill following at which tyme it succeeded happily to the great contentment of the King and of the Royalle famely his Highness arrived first in Zealand and the next day in Holland Sect. 96. About six weekes after the Parliaments whole fleet quitted their unlawfull masters came to anker in Gorée Rode delivering themselves up to the Duke of York as their Admirall which they knew he was by the King his fathers patent and was really the occasion of their coming thither and submitting to him Sect. 97. The winde which was favourable to bring them into Holland prouved a storme to me which occasioned my wrack ever since haveing unhappily given some councell concerning that fleet it seemes with to much precipitation which was well meant very ill taken because most bitterly represented by a person of quality and to doe him but Justice of merit betwixt whome and me there was at that time some competition about particular matters who according to the ordinary practice in such cases to ruine my credit and increase his owne held it expedient to couver his private animosity under the specious vaile of Zeal to a more publique interest I shall againe declare what I have ever protested that I had no other end or designe then either freeing the King out of his Imprisonment in the Isle of wight or if it were fownd Impossible which I did not then belive nor doe now that is was to have landed 1500. or 2000. men at yarmouth to have countenanced a rising in northfolke suffolke and the other adjacent Provinces of the easterne assotiation the probabillity of the one or of the other I shall here expose to any reasnable consideration Sect. 98. First touching the Kings freedome I had been assured out of England of a landing place in the Island which I looked upon as the greatest difficulty Sect. 99. Secondly that we Could have landed with 2000 Men haveing raised at that very tyme in Holland about 1200 English Soldiers of the reduction which the States had then made of the troupes of our nation and might well have added to them upon such an occasion 1000 sea men chosen out of the Fleet besides that great assurances were given that the inhabitants would have risen with us if we could have furnished them with armes which was to have been done Sect. 100. Thirdly I could never conceave in case of a free descent on land any great or long opposition wee Could have met with by sea not the least the Parliament not haveing had one ship of war fitted out in ten weekes or three months after By land as little except what Colonel Hamond Could have made with not above 5 or 600 foote which was all he had nor Could have hoped for more Cromwell with the greater part of the army was marched against the Scots Fairefax engaged before Colchester and some considerable parties of the army diverted into walles by risings there for the King at the same tyme. Moreover if they Could have sent an army entire to portsmouth or any other part upon that coast to have been transported into the Island not a barque or bote Could have passed without either being sunke or taken Besides there were many of the bravest and best officers whoe had served his Ma tie whoe were Embarqued in the fleet as Prince Mauris S r. John Boyce Colonel Washington S r. Francis Mackworth and very Many more whoe wee fownd retired into Holland at our arivall and some followd nor is it to be Imagined that in soe glorious an enterprise but that the greatest contestation would have been whoe should have been readiest to have sacrifised themselves For my part I never could apprehend any other difficulty in this attempt then to have landed which we had great and likely assurances of and in all events our retreat was sure and the fleet at liberty for any other designe in case that could not have been effected Sect. 101. Which was to have landed at yarmouth where we were sure of a free reception and did persuade my selfe that a body of 2000 Soldiers would have had the reputation of double the nomber and have encouraged
with M r. Moray whoe the King sent expressly to me with a letter and with his Commands I fownd means to speak with Generall Waller whoe was returned from the Hague whither he was constrained to fly some months before and sate now againe in Parliament and by his means and ordnarily at his house with divers others of both houses The great and severe demands about church Gouverment which really and sencibly touched his Ma ties conscience in regard of his othe and of other considerations the first forty days to which the treaty was limited were expired without coming to a conclusion in which tyme I had written very often to the King and received letters from him in all I writ I humbly and yet freely as the matter required represented to him the dangerous and allmost desperate condition of his affaires by the protraction of tyme and dit not faile on the other side to lay before those persons of both houses with whome I had dayly Communication as demonstrably and as forcibly as my reason Could reach to the horrible confusion which would inevitably arrive both in religion and the Politique Gouverment to the utter ruine of the nation the consequencies where of their posterity might feel and bewaille in case the accord were not concluded tyme enough to make some reasnable and solid Provision against the desperate designes of Cromwell and his army which was on its march furiously towards London before it Could arrive there desiring them to consider that they would finde empty Imaginations supported only by the votes of both houses to weak to encounter the reall dangers which threatned them and the Nation by the audatious violence of those whoe had allready gone soe far towards their pernitious projects that they Could never thinke themselves secure but by goeing boldly on to ye bloody accomplishment of it which was clearly and dayly perceaved by the comportment of Cromwells party in both houses I wrote an ample letter as sencibly and convincingly as I could to the same effect to the late Lord Hollis which to my knowledg haveing effaced my name whither for his owne or my consideration I know not he read to others of the commissioners and fownd means to let the King see it thowgh at the same tyme I wrote fully to his Ma tie particularly and plainly it being then no season to lessen or render objects more agreable then they were in themselves I represented that Cromwells army advanced with all possible diligence I acquainted him with the practices of his party both in the Parliament the citty of London and in severall other parts of the Nation where they had influence humbly beseeching him to conclude the treaty before the army Could approache to hinder the effects of it that the Parliament might have had tyme to have declared all the Generall officers commissions voyde and some others whoe were most desperately active to make niew Generalls and to raise an army in the citty of London and in the neerest adjacent Provinces and to bring his Ma tie with honour and freedome to London and since it was feared that he whoe commanded the Guards about the King would not have obeyd as to what concerned his person in such an unhappy event I added some particulars which I thowght moste conducible not only to the prevention of the greatest and neerest danger to which his Ma ties person lay exposed but in the worst which could fall out to the preservation of Monarchy in the persons of his posterity in their just degrees according to the due course of law in that case provided and not otherwise it is most true that upon a weighty matter I had a most just and necessary occasion to mention nominally twoe of his children to him as I had done when I judged it requisite very often before adding for the conclusion of that paragraffe which contained my humble opinion for it was no more theise following words that it would undoubtedly be a great security to his affaires and of no less encouragement to his frends when his children were at the head of those whoe should appear for him where withall I ended my letter which was the last that ever I had the honour to write to him Had it been then printed would have fully convinced all men whoe might have read it of my Loyallty and Zeal to the King and for the preservation of his person and no less of my fidelity and affection to the service of his lawfull successours in theire just degrees as God Nature and the lawes of the Land had ordayned without ever mentioning or soe much as thinking upon that villainous and most foolish hysteron proteron which I was secretly accused of not long after the Kings death by one single person alone to have inserted in that letter Had it been soe it neither was nor is comprehensible howe he Could have knowne it I never trusted him enough to let him have seen any letter I either wrote or received nordid I ever know any person of what quality soever more exactly circomspect in Keeping of his correspondencies secret and the letters of those whoe wrote to him then his late Ma tie was nor Could he have had any end which might have counterballanced the inconveniencies that were reasnable to apprehend for his service by communicating that letter to him or indeed to any els unless it had been for their Councel which this person in the judgment of all whoe knew him was no ways capable of nor proper for in which regard his Ma tie would rather have communicated it to some other persons of the greatest capacity in the nation and of the greatest credit with him and were at that tyme permitted about him then to a yongue Man of no Importance and whoe had never served him the truth is had I wrote what I was accused to have done it had been in the highest degree factious and seditious as well as the most foolish project and proposition which Could have entered into the thowghts of any man not actually in a frenzy and fitter for bedlam then for any reasnable society nor Could I ever observe that my greatest enemies were at any tyme inclined to place me in that cattegory In fin my letter was never produced nor seen by any man that I Could hear of but by my accuser nor by him neither in that sence he reported it I well know to what an extent words written as well as spoken may be wrested if there can in them be any possibility of a double sence the change of a point of a comma or of the least accent may vary a whole sentence or periode as may be confirmed by a multitude of examples both in history and frequent moderne practice but in what I wrote there was nothing but simple and categorique naratives of matters of fact pregnant and visible dangers and humble representations touching the best and likeliest means to obviate and prevent them where of
months after his Ma tie sent an order for my liberty I continued some tyme in London where I lived with the greatest circomspection Imaginable not to give cause of jalousy or offence to any Till at length S r. Allen Apsly treasurer to his Royale Highness whoe did me the honour some tymes to see me with a civile and frendly introduction to very ill niews told me in plain termes that the court was againe abondantly unsatisfyed with me and that Particularly his Royale Highness the Duke of Yorke had commanded him to tell me that I owght to be carefull of my comportment that if I fell into any trowble he would have nothing to doe with me adding theise words the Duke is soe displeased with you that I belive it easier for you to recouver the Kings favour then his I with some Importunity urged him to tell me if he knew any thing of the cause to which he gave no other answer then that the best cource he Could advise me to was for some tyme to retire my selfe out of England till the publique affaires were soe re-settled that there might remaine no grounds of jalousy concerning me I replyed I shall take this night to thinke of it and would the next day give him an account of my resolution which I did the morning following before he was out of his bed I told him that I had duly weighed his councel and was determined to follow it that thowgh the storme I had stoode out seemed to have been abated yet I Could perceave the sea was stil unquiet the winde contrary and my ankers not the surest in soe much that I should seek another port his answer was you doe very wisely for in case the least newe disorder should arise I am soe much your frend as to tell you freely that I persuade my selfe you would be confined to a perpetuaile Imprisonment I replied I had rather dye he told me brusquly that you may easily doe if you have a minde to it I besowght him to acquaint his Ma tie that if he pleased to give me leave I would for some tyme retire out of his Dominions till the affaires of state were soe settled to his contentment that my returne might give no ombrage The apprehension of a continuel Imprisonment had soe alarmed me that I was willing to be gone as soone as I could which made me hasten to him agayne twoe days after he told me he had fownd occasion to represent to the King my humble resolution of retirement which his Ma tie approuved He added likewise that he had acquainted my Lord Chancellour therewith whoe he sayd commended my discretion councelled me to carry my selfe abrode circomspectly and Dutifully not haveing to doe with factious or scismaticall people by which means he hoped to see me in some tyme recalled from my volontary banishment Theise discources of his together with some advertisements I had from a person of great Importance at that tyme of his Ma ties councel whoe either out of compassion or frendship by one of his neer relations had desired to meet me in a third place caused me to hasten my departure with soe much precipitation as to leave my torne affaires in a very desorderly condition for he gave me some light into the reasons of my niew desgrace as my often frequenting of some places thowgh most publiquely which was interpreted to my disadvantage as all things in nature at that tyme by some would have been secondly that I had spoken words to a certain person with greater confidence then discretion which were looked upon as marques of remaining discontent and of factious inclinations he told me the expressions but assured me that he knew not whoe the reporter was where upon I named the person avowing that I had sayd those words or to the same effect Acquainting him with the occasion which was that this Gentileman was not at that tyme in very much greater grace in the court then I with whome some tymes I met occasionally and at other oportunities he did me the honour to visit me one day I retayned him with me at dinner at the table we discourced of many indifferent things as I tooke them to be for as long as he was there one of my servants was present and till neer the end of dinner his footeman whoe being gone out of the chamber he sayd some words to me absolutely in rallerie which was custumary amongest the great wits of which nomber he really was both by nature and acquisition as any I knew of the Nation the substance was a paralelle he made betwixt me and one dead some tyme before whoe had not been of the Kings most dutyfull subjects referring to the future course of things as he sayd they might fall out I I suspecting nothing for we had lived during the space of twelve or thirtien years with great kindeness and familiarity answered him in the same dialect in pure and manifest rallerie nor could the thing it self about which he had spoken bear any other sence if weighed without passion and my answer much less if the antecedent as well as the consequent had been reported but he in another place and to other persons repeated only and that grammatically my words as seperate from his owne which he never mentioned in soe much that where twoe sentences are relatives if the later be reported without the former to which it related the sence may be wrested oftentimes to what one will Haveing recited exactly the whole Matter with all the circomstances to this noble person he shooke his head and sayd theise are dangerous tymes and such are most dangerous men I besowght him that he would acquaint my Lord Chancellour with this business and all its circomstances He replied his Lordship knowes nothing of my speaking with you much less of what I say to you and I desire he never may nor any els I have wished you well as long as I have knowne you and have been very sorry for your misfortunes and out of pure pitty have adventured to speak with you to hynder your falling into greater which may prove as lasting as your life and therefor I hope you will keep this meeting and what I have sayd to you secret otherwise you will deal unwisely as to you selfe and unthanckfully as to me Some persons of the greatest Calibre are soe prepossested against you that your clearing your selfe in this point will in no kinde help you for the words themselves can bear no action in law nor be of any other consequence then to confirme some in the belief long rooted in them that you are discontented and that your heart swells with mutinous and revengfull thowghts which is soe ingrafted that if an Angel should descend from Heaven to declare the contrary I may question whither it would avayle you Retire your selfe as soone as you can be very circomspect in your whole comportment and especially in your discources wherein your best frends
condemne you as often to free Speaking to him about his Royale Highness the Duke of Yorke and my Lord Chancellour he told me the Duke is not as I hear inclined to you as he has been and I easily belive that S r. Allen Apsley sayd the truth to you for I had told him what it was that his Master will not medle in your concernments My Lord Chancellour had kindeness for you wrowght out your liberty was opinion when you first came out of the Tower that you might have been employed at sea for the King would not endure to hear of your coming to Court but now those thowghts of his Lordship are off and thowgh I can perceave that he wishes not your utter ruine yet if you should fall into any new trowble you will finde no favour from him I have here inserted the substance of this noble persons discource and as far as I can possibly recollect his words Upon these advices twoe or three days after I embarqued my selfe in a ship of Zealand and landed at Midelburgh where meeting with very great civility and kindeness from all persons in generall I remayned neer four years when by the councels and very effectual recommendations of some of my frends I went to the Hague where by their credit and by the power of some persons in Holland whome they had engaged to favour me I had the honour to be received into the service of the State Shortly after Colonel Dolman and I were summoned by proclamation without the specification of any crime as the cause to render our selves in England by a day which neither of us doeing we were both proscribed and which I belive was never done before by act of Parliament without any Criminal charge aleadged against either I shall not wear out tyme with fruitless complaints nor with any other kinde of reflexions which can signify nothing I only solemnly protest that after my proscription which was I thinke in the very beginning of the year 1666 till the month of April in the year 1674 I never wrote letter nor sent message to any creature in any of his Majesties Dominions nor did receive any Haveing not had in all that tyme being about eight years the least correspondence directly or indirectly either to good or bad ends In the month of April 1674 when the peace was concluded by the last treaty of Breda I wrote three or four letters to twoe persons of great quality in the most eminent employments about his Majestie and in no less credit Whoe had been bred up from their youth in the service of the crowne one with whome I had formerly long and great correspondence returned me no other answer then verbally to him whoe delivered him my letter that he was very sorry for the unhappiness of my condition but that the conjoncture Could not permit any man to speak in favour of that unfortunate Gentileman The other I know did move his Ma tie in my behalfe for my returne into England severall tymes but Could obtayne no Grace Thus finding my selfe most entirely ruined and hopeless of ever recouvering either in England or els where I betooke my selfe to a resolution as contrary to my temper humour and custome as one opposite can well be to another where unto I could never constraine my inclination throwgh the whole course of my life untill that tyme which was to retire my selfe not only from all kinde of affaires of what nature soeever but even from the usual contentment of humane conversation as far forth as the possibility of subsisting Could admit and to lead an Hermitical kinde of life to which end haveing throwgh the frendship of a worthy person to whome I was knowne procured in the country a little house in a garden but as great as my designe Thither I retired my selfe and soe continued during the space of five years haveing had in all that tyme very little other society then my bookes and meditations notwithstanding this great circomspection and harmless way of living I Could not be entirely free from some practises which had been for a long tyme one of the chiefe causes of my great calamitie in soe much that I then did and doe now thinke that if the very trees Could have had the discoursive faculty they would have been employ'd to my disadvantage which made me as much as was decently possible to avoyd the speaking with all man kinde but in this egiptiene darkness by intervalls God extraordinaryly afforded me such glimerings of light that I Could discouver the first mouvers reasons ends and instruments of all theise practises as likewise that passion in the first and interest in the last produced theise effects from which I playnly saw no manner of life that I Could consine my selfe unto was of sufficient force to free me Theise considerations which were solid and reall exempt from all Hypocondriacall vapours or chimeraes together with the very sencible decay of my health throwgh this way of living as likewise that melancholy sencibility of my to heavy distresse not haveing been Stoicien enough to have lost my feeling together with other reasons that I shall not mention I concluded my return to Leuwarden at least for the winter more conducible to my health to my security and more convenient in other considerations then the country about the end of September 1679 I posted my selfe there where I lived as free from all conversation as I had done at Bergum In the year 1680 coming to the knowledg of some things which concerned me in the highest degree that I Could be touched with and perceaving by the prints which were frequent and filled therewith that the desordres in England were risen to that Height that the storme seemed to blow from all points of the compass and not only conjecturing that I should be suspected but knowing that I was soe thowgh innocent as to all those transactions as the childe whoe had never seen the light I begun to thinke with my selfe what course was fittest for me to steer and after much deliberation I concluded it absolutely best to write into England which accordingly I did to a person whoe I thowght Could not be exposed to any suspition and by their means if they would have adventured it to have letters delivered to some of the Court whoe had formerly been my frends this person answered my letter and undertooke what I desired Where upon calling the saying to minde that he that wallkes circomspectly walkes surely allbeit I saw no necessity to have done it as things were betwixt England and this State I demanded leave from those whoe had the power to accord it me for my writing to such of my frends as would have endeavourd to get my proscription taken off free and entire liberty was graunted me very Generously without those limitations which I offered to Impose upon my selfe I wrote three letters to persons of Importance at the court one tooke tyme to resolve whither he would