Ships richly laden in their usual course of Trade the Duke moved the Lords then assembled in Parliament to know whether he should make stay of those Ships for the Service of the State which motion being approved by the Lords the Duke accordingly did stay those ships and after procured a joynt Action to be entred in the Court of Admiralty in the name of the late King and himself as Lord Admirall against 15000 lib. pretended to be Pyratically taken by some Captains of the said Merchants ships and in the hands of the said Captains and accordingly an Attachment was served upon the said Merchants Whereupon the said Merchants being urged to bring in the 15000 lib. or to go to Prison made new suit to the Duke for the release of their ships who pretending that the Parliament must be moved therein the Merchants much perplexed and considering that they should lose much by unlading their ships and the losse of their voyage resolved to tender to the said Duke ten thousand pounds for his unjust demand who by colour of his Office extorted and exacted from them the said ten thousand pounds and upon receipt thereof and not before released the said ships That the motion in Parliament about the stay of the East-India ships was onely upon apprehension that they might be serviceable for the defence of the Realm That the Action entred in the Court of Admiralty against the East-India Company was not after as is suggested but divers moneths before that motion in Parliament yea before the Parliament began That the composition mentioned in this Article was not moved by the Duke but made by the late King and that the Company without any menaces or compulsion agreed to the Composition as willing to give so much rather then to abide the hazzard of the suit That of the said sum all but two hundred pounds was imployed by his late Majesties Officers for the benefit of the Navie And lastly that those ships were not discharged upon payment of the said sum of ten thousand pounds but upon an accommodation allowed that they should prepare other ships for his Majesties service whilest they went on their Voyage which accordingly they did VII Reply 7. That the Duke being great Admirall of England did by colour of the said Office procure one of the principall ships of the Navy-Royal called the Vant-guard and six other Merchants ships of great burthen to be conveyed over with all their Ordnance Ammunition and apparel into the Kingdom of France and did compell the said Masters and Owners of the said ships to deliver the said ships into the possession and command of the French King and his Ministers without either sufficient security for their redelivery or necessary caution in that behalf contrary to the duty of his Office and to the apparent weakening of the Navall strength of this Kingdom That those Ships were lent to the French King without his privity that when he knew thereof he did what appertained to his Office That he did not by menace nor any undue practice by himself or any other deliver those ships into the hands of the French that what errour hath since happened was not in the intention any way injurious to the State nor prejudicial to the interest of any private man VIII Reply 8. That the Duke knowing the said ships were intended to be imployed against the Rochellers and the Protestants else-where did compel them as aforesaid to be delivered unto the said French King and his Ministers to the end that they might be imployed against those of the Reformed Religion as accordingly they were to the prejudice of the said Religion contrary to the intention of our Soveraigne Lord the King and to his former promise at Oxford and to the great scandal of our Nation That understanding a discovery that those ships should be imployed against Rochel he endevoured to divert the course of such imployment and whereas it is alledged that he promised at Oxford that those ships should not be so imployed he under favour saith he was mis-understood for he onely said that the event would shew it being confident in the promises of the French King and that he would have really performed what was agreed upon IX Reply 9. That he hath enforced some who were rich though unwilling to purchase honours as the Lord Roberts Baron of Trure who was by menaces wrought to pay the summe of Ten thousand pounds to the said Duke and to his use for his said Barony He denyeth any such compulsion of the Lord Roberts to buy his honour and that he can prove that as the said Lord did then obtain it by the solicitations of others so was he willing formerly to have given a great sum for it X. Reply 10. That in the 18. year of the late King he did procure of the late King the Office of High Treasurer of England to the Viscount Mandevil now Earl of Manchester for which Office he received of the said Viâ—count to his own use the sum of 20000 l. of money and also did procure in the 20. year of the late King the Office of Master of the Wards and Liveries for Sir Lionel Cranfield afterward Earl of Middlesex and as a reward for the said procurement he had to his own use of the said Sir Lionel Cranfield the sum of 6000 l. contrary to the dignity of his late Majesty That he had not nor did receive any penny of the said sums to his own use that the Lord Mandevil was made Lord Treasurer by his late Majesty without any Contract for it and though his Majesty did after borrow of the said Lord 20000. pounds yet was it upon proviso of repayment for which the Duke at first past his word and after entred him security by Land which stood ingaged untill his late Majesty during the Dukes being in Spain gave the Lord satisfaction by Land in Fee-farm of a considerable value whereupon the Dukes security was returned back And that the 6000 l. disbursed by the Earl of Middlesex was bestowed upon Sir Henry Mildmay by his late Majesty without the Dukes privity who had and enjoyed it all entire XI Reply 11. That he hath procured divers Honours for his kindred and Allies to the prejudice of the antient Nobility and disabling the Crown from rewarding extraordinary virtues in future times That he believeth he were rather worthily to be condemned in the opinion of all generous minds if being in such favour with his Majesty he had minded only his own advancement and had neglected those whom the Law of Nature had obliged him to hold most dear XII Reply 12. That he procured and obtained of the late King divers Mannors parcels of the Revenues of the Crown to an exceeding greâ—â— value and hath received and â—o his own use disbursed great sums of money that did properly belong unto the late King and the better to colour his doings hath obtained severall privie Seals from
an enterprize For those your donatives are all disburst to a penny and I am enforced to summon you hither to tell you that neither can the Army advance nor the Fleet set forth without further aid Consider I pray you the eyes of all Europe are defixt upon me to whom I shall appear ridiculous as though I were unable to outgo muster and ostentation if you now desert me Consider it is my first attempt wherein if I sustain a foyl it will blemish all my future honour If mine cannot let your own reputation move you deliver and expedite me fairly out of this war wherewith you have encombred let it never be said whereinto you have betrayed me I desire therefore your speedy supply speedy I call it for else it will prove no supply The Sun you know is entring into his declining point so it will be soon too late to set forth when it will be rather not too soon to return Again I must minde you of the mortality now regnant in this City which should it as so it may and no breach of priviledge neither arrest any one Member of either house it would soon put a period both to consultation and Session so that your own periâ—litation necessitates an early resolution In sum Three of the best Rhetoritians Honour Opportunity and Safety are all of a plot and plead you see for expedition Perhaps it may be expected I should say something in way of account of my Religion as also of the temper and tenour of my future Government But as I hope I have not been guilty of any thing which may justly start the least question in either so I desire you would repose in this assurance that I will in neither vary from those principles wherein I have been instituted at the feet of that eminent Gamaliel my late Father And ending his Speech he with his hand moved his Crown Not usual saies one with any his predecessors to vail it Nor did he but the massy Gold and precious stones gave him cause to ease his browes of that weight and of which he complained when he came home without any other observation then which yet hath begot so much comment now as to be called Calamitous Presages no less then a dozen in the Kings future Reign which we shall remember as we meet them in order hereafter and for the present examine the Note of Mr. Prins telling That the King on his day of Coronation was clothed in White contrary to the Custome of his Predecessors on that day clothed in purple the Regal colour of Kings the Robe of Majesty the other of Saints the Robe of innocency And to this as to the other a great plague had driven the greatest trades men out of the City and the Kings Mercer infected and fled No Purple Velvet to be had on the sodain and so the colour of his Robes was changed by Necessity yet to the better by his own observation But to the matter of the Kings Speech Money for a War with Spain upon the former score of Quarrel the Palatinate which ingaged King Iames in Justice and honour and so this King To a War is required a Iust Quarrel Wars are suits of Appeal to the Tribunal of Gods Justice where there are no Superiours on Earth to determine the Cause Yet do the Princes of this World endeavour to declare the reasons of their defiance to ballance with the opinions of a righteous cause England had at this time two just Grounds of War with Spain 1. The recovery of the Palatinate 2. A just fear of subversion of our Civil Estate I have no mind to mention the Third so usually pretended viz. Fear of subversion of our Religion for though the House of Commons the first Parliament of King Iames voted that for a reason to make a War upon Spain the King was so wise as not to involve into a quarrel against him upon that score lest he should be necessarily drawn into a defiance likewise with all the Roman Catholiques of Christendome and so that vote was dasht out of the Record by the Register But we shall take the two for granted That Just fears are indeed true Defensives as well as actual Invasions but offensive Wars for Religion King Iames was of opinion are never just Not to force the Conscience which Guides the Soul with the power of the Sword which is but humane and though he was by his Title Defensor â—idei if oppugned yet he was not thereby authorized to quarrel with another mans belief For the first Ground the concernment of the Palatinate as there was no color in that Prince Elector to accept of the Kingdom of Bohemia so no Justice in the house of Austria to retain the Palatinate from him For though an Elective Monarchy cannot be so free as anâ— Hereditary yet if yoâ—â—â—ke to boot the Customes transactions and privileges of that Kingdome of Bohemia It will appear as positive as Soveraigns Descendent But leaving that Title as disputable I shall not offer at it though I were able to master the Question And then the Quere will follow whether an Offensive War being made unjustly the Defendant may not by diversion invade and master the undubitable possession of the Aggressour who is now turned Defendant of his own Surely he may and enjoy the conquest lawfully and is not bound to restore it but by force which force is as lawfull to be done as the other The Spaniard in eighty eight invaded our Seas and designed it upon our Land also was not our expeditions thereupon against Lisbone and Cadiz a just war surely it was And truly King Iames held these Opinions which put him into Treaties for the Palatinate upon terms and conditions of a mariage with Prince Charles his Son and the Infanta of Spain wherein being some years deluded it was just in him to begin the way by force which he did as it is now for King Charles to endeavour the like regaining it for his Brother-in-law by a War which he now intends For Wars are Vindictae Revenges Reparations like to cross suits in civil pleas sometime both of them just And thus much for the Palatinate The Second Ground A just fear of subversion of our Civil Estate The overgrowing Greatness of any neighbour Nation is a necessity imposed upon anothers fear of violation which becomes defensive Christian Princes have a just invasive War against the Turk as a grand Enemy indeed not for cause of Religion no good ground for that but upon a just fear because the fundamental Law in that Empire is to propagate their Mahometan faith by any War So saies the Persian for his belief two opposite enemies upon that ground and the Christians are as well upon the Preventive as the Defensive War All men know the great endeavours of the Spanish Monarchy to aspire new Acquests and to be absolute The History of the Triumvirate Kings Henry the eighth of England Francis the first of
of his own with pretence of greater advantage and alwaies of less expence then any other Undertakers And to mate it the more the Lord Chichester an Irish Commander approved thereof to the Council of War But it was soon replyed by the Solicitor General that the Duke Lord Admiral had been consulted who though of abilities to judge yet his Modesty and Wisdom had communicated Mansels Project to the Council who utterly disliked thereof and had approved of the Design in hand Being convinced in this yet the vote of the House was not to Supply but rather to Remonstrate their Reasons wherein they ranted so high and desperate upon the Duke that it was apparent they meant to divest him of his Offices Admiralty and all Nay they left not there but were canvasing his Comings in his great Revenues of Crown-demeans which they would revoke and resume back to the Kings wants And in fine to bring him an Accomptant for his Receipts and Expences of publique Revenue intrusted unto him for the State It is handsomely observed the Commons Inconstancie herein Breves Amores Populi who but lately the very last Parliament cired up the Duke for the ornament and honour of the whole Nation that it was then almost put to the question What shall be done to Him whom the Houses will honour Now to be popular hatred Their design was saies he to take the Great Seal from the Bishop of Lincoln who cunningly to divert the Judgement proposed Buckingham as the properer person to furnish them with matter as the fitter game of which the Duke had inckling which lost the other the favour for ever And yet in Ianuary next we find the Bishop his Letter to the Duke boldly and if not with impudence so soon to caress him for a Courtesie To Crown the King for thus he writes Being come hither in the duty of my place to do my best Service for the preparation to the Coronation and to wait upon his Majesty for his Royal pleasure and direction herein I do most humbly beseech your grace c. 7. Ianuary 1625. Which the Duke denied for another did it But this was too high for the Duke to hold out The Remonstrance penned so bitter with aspersions on the Kings Judgement in his choice and to grace him more then all others as that to prevent the Dukes ruine and not to retard the publique affairs of his Naval Design the King in much regret resolved to give end to their Sitting And of this Arrand comes the Usher of the Black Rod from the Upper house who finds the Commoâ—s resolved into a Grand Committee and the Solicitor in the Chair whom they forced there until a Protestation was framed which Mr. Glanvile declared viz. First To give his Majesty thanks for his Gracious Answer to their Petition for Religion For his care of their healths in giving them leave to depart this dangerous sickness With a dutiful Declaration of their affection and loyalty and their purpose to supply his Majesty in a Parliamentary way in fitting and convenient time After this the Speaker re-assumes the Chair and admits the Usher and his Message for Dissolution of the Parliament And now the King must do his work himselâ— and minding that he first dismist the train and burthen of the French Madams and other that waited on the Queen hither These were shipped away from Dover who carried the tidings of the Kings evil success with his Parliament and subjects to his great regret and grief And therefore we may spare him from the censure of an otium for summer pastime for he was very sad But the danger of infection spread to Oxford forced his Progress and this speedy resolution of his affairs For the Fleet to put to Sea and to conserve strickt Amity with our Neighbours France Denmark and the United Provinces The last having been here by their Ambassadours in September To supplicate a League offensive and defensive against the Common Enemy the House of Austria and to pray his Majesties assistance in soliciting other States in this general Confederation of equal expence to all and for the present the States should bear a fourth part of the Fleets charge To see these performed and to put it to present issue with the best grace and honour to so high a Design Ambassadours were resolved upon to confirm the Association beyond Seas and presently the Fleet went forth The Duke and the Earl of Holland in Commission for the Embassie lay a long time at Harwich for a Wind to waft them over in two Men of War which met with ill weather upon the very Coast of Holland a furious storm off from Sea forced them upon the Shore â—t a foot sounding to sinck all when no other hope was left to help but splicing two main long Cables at a Ketch Anchor and so Veer out the storm which had the Anchor not held but come home They had all been lost but landed safe at Brill and so to the Hague where Ambassadours of other Princes were to meet impowred for so great a Compliance as the necessities of the Design required But there they found them all to flag The Dane not able the French not willing stopt the Carreer of a further Journey into France where preparations were gone before to entertain our Ambassadours there But the French were cunning not to engage expences with the English Fleet which was now at sea upon the Design for Cadiz and all that was done by this meeting they concluded in a League For restoring the Liberties of Germany wherein was included the particular reflection the Cause of the Palatinate and restitution of the Kings Sister the Queen of Bohemia and no sooner were they returned home but were received with unwelcome report of the Fleets Miscarriage under their General Edward Cecil Viscount Wimbleton This Gentleman was second Son to Thomas Cecil Earl of Exeter of a comely person and long experienced in Martial affairs in the School of the United Provinces where he waited long for little preferment alwaies kept under by the Eminencie and merit of the family and Honour of Veres untill King Iames gave him his great rise from a Colonel to be General of the English in the Mis-effects of the Palatinate war wherein he was suspected by that ill successe his own complaint He suffered disgrace by his Enemies about the imployment of the Palatinate from which time twenty seven years since he was importunate to be called home for imployment here His indulgent caressing the Duke with letters from the Low-Countreys who truly before wisht him not much kindnesse yet in the end gave him warning to this Expedition and Commission to waft hither such Officers and Souldiers English as he should elect out of Companies ten Captains and thirty officers but he got none at all for he was much offended that Sr. Horace Vere was made a Baron before him and then to please him he got Precedency with a Vice-Count
remember my Father moved by your counsel and won by your perswasions brake the Treaties in these perswasions I was your instrument towards him and I was glad to be instrumental in any thing which might please the whole body of the Realm nor was there any then in greater favour with you then this man whom you now so traduce And now whâ—n you finde me so sure intangled in war as I have no honourable and safe retreat you make my necessity your priviledge and set what rate you please upon your supplies a practise not very obliging towards Kings Mr. Coke told you it was better to dye by a foreign enemy then to be destroyed at home Indeed I think it is more honourable for a King to be invaded and almost destroyed by a foreign enemy then to be despised at home This was sharp and sowre yet the Câ—mmons kept close to their custom and reply with a Remonstrance That with extream joy and comfort they acknowledge the favour of his Majesties most gracious expressions of affection to his people and this present Parliament That concerning Mr. Coke true it is he let fall some few words which might admit an ill construction and that the House was displeased therewith as they declared by a general check and though Mr. Coke's explanation of his minde more cleerly did somewhat abate the offence of the House yet were they resolved to take it into further consideration and so have done the effect whereof had appeared ere this had they not been interrupted by this his Majesties message and the like interruption â—efel them also in the businesse of Doctor Turner As concerning the examination of the Letters of his Secretary of State as also of his Majesties own and searching the Signet Office and other Records they had done nothing therein not warranted by the precedents of former Parliaments upon the like occasions That concerning the Duke they did humbly beseech his Majesty to be informed that it hath been the constant and undoubted usage of Parliaments to question and complain of any person of what degree soever and what they should do in relation to him they little doubted but it should redound to the honour of the Crown and safety of the Kingdom Lastly As to the matter of supply That if addition may be made of other things importing his service then in consultation amâ—ngst them they were resolved so to supply him as might evidence the truth of their intentions might make him safe at home and formidable abroad The King tired with pro and con Petitions Answers Speeches Remonstrances was resolved to reply to them in brief That he would have them in the first place to consult matters of the greatest moment and that they should have time enough for other things hereafter But their designes were otherwise and the Important business to them was an Inquisition against the Duke and Incourâ—gement to the Parliament to any Informations The Earl of Bristow being excluded the House petitions them to prefer his Accusation which was soon admitted whom the Duke necessarily incounters and begins the charge against him But it is some Scandal to vertue to say that many good men were passing jocund at the contest Indeed the Lower Members might make it their mirth to finde the Upper Ones so malitious and imprudent to persecute each other being a presage of ruine by degrees and time to them all when as the policy of the Commons would not suffer one of theirs to be questioned till themselves considered of their Crimes which kept them close together Imboldned thus to preserve themselves to the last But the Duke ptocures the King by his Attorny Generall to summon Bristow to the Lords Bar as a grand Delinquent and to his face accuses him of High-Treason To which he Answers That he was a fâ—ee man and a Peer unattainted and had somewhat to say of high consequence Being bid to proceed Then saith he I accuse that man the Duke of Buckingham of High Treason and will prove it And forthwith produceth twelve Articles of his Charge May the second 1 That the Duke did secretly conspire with the Conde of Gondamâ—r Ambassador of Spain before the said Ambassadors last return into Spain 1622. to carry his Majesty then Prince into Spain to the end he might be enforced and instanced in the Romish Religion and thereby have perverted the Prince and subverted the true Religion established in England 2. That Mr. Porter was made acquainted therewith and sent into Spain and such message framed at his return as might serve for a ground to set on foot the conspiracy which was done accordingly and thereby both King and Prince highly abused 3. The Duke at his arrival in Spain nourished the Spanish Ministers not onely in the beleef of his own being Popishly given by absenting himself from all exercises of our Religion then constantly used in the Earl of Bristows house and conforming himself to please the Spainard by kneeling to and adoring their Sacraments but gave them hope also of the Princes conversion which caused them to propound worse conditions for Religion then had been formerly setled and signed by the Earl of Bristow and Sr. Walter Aston 4. That the Duke did many times in the presence of the Earl of Bristow move his Majesty at the instance of the Conde of Gondamar to write a letter to the Pope which the Earl utterly disswaded and that although during the Earls abode in England he hindred the writing any such letter yet the Duke after the Earls return procured it wrot 5. That the Pope being informed of the Dukes inclination in point of Religion sent him a particular Bull in parchment therein perswading him to pervert his Majesty 6. That the Duke in Spain did abuse the King of Spain and his Ministers so as they would not admit of a Reconciliation with him whereupon seeing the match would be to his disadvantage he endeavoured to break it not for any service to this Kingdom nor dislike of it in it sâ—lf nor for that he found as since he hath pretended thâ—t the Spaniard did not really intend it but out of his particular end and indignation 7. That he intending to cross the match made use of Letters of his Majesty then private to his own ends and not to what they were intended as also concealed many things of great importance from his late Majesty thereby overthrowing his Majesties purposes and advancing his own ends 8. That for the foresaid ends he hath abused both Houses of Parliament by a sinister relation of the carriage of affairs as shall be made appear in every particular of that relation 9 That he imployed his power with the King of Spain for the procurement of favours and offices which he bestowed upon unworthy persons for the recompence and hire of his lust which is a great infamy and dishonour to our Nation that a Duke a privy Counsellor and Ambassador eminent in his Majesties favour and
solely intrusted with the person of the prince should leave behind him in a foreign Court so much scandal by his ill behaviour 10. That he hath been a great part the cause of the ruine of the Prince Palatine and his estate in so much as those affairs concern this kingdom 11. That he hath in his relation to both Houses of Parliament wronged the Earl of Bristow in his honour by many sinister aspersions 12. Lastly that the Earl of Bristow did reveal to his late Majesty both by word and letter in what sort the Duke had misdemeaned himself and abused his trust and the King by several wayes sent him word he should rest assured that he would hear the said Earl in due time and that four dayes before his sicknesse he signified to the Earl that he would hear him against the Duke as well as he had heard the Duke against him And not long after the King died having been much vexed and pressed with the said Duke Here is no High Treason herein mentioned if the charge were proved then no Traytor at all neither most nor least for indeed had this done it the Commons needed not their new Impeachment which followes and never amounted to more than Misdemeanors Misprisions Offences and Crimes Nothing rare with favourites and therefore never such pursued upon any before this person and these times Which might occasion an antient Baron the Lord Spencer To start up that was no upstart Lord and to demand Is this all you have to say against the Duke The Earl replyed Yes my Lord and I am sorry it is so much then quoth the Lord Spencer If this be all Ridiculus Mus and so sat down again Upon this a Crotchet took the Lord Cromwel in the Crown and out he goes to Mr. Richard Spencer a younger Son of that Lord and a great Zelot in the Lower house against the Duke Dick said he What is done in your House to day against the Duke My Lord said he he is charged with high Treason Tush Dick quoth the Lord High Treason If this be all Ridiculus Mus. The Charge I say might occasion this story of the Lords complements which out of doubt was told to the Historian for truth though couched in this wanton stile not usuâ—l with his gravity I confess And indeed if Mr. Richard Spencer have not forsaken his Memory he professes there was never any such confabulation with any Crotchet of Cromwells Crown and desires the Author to expunge it out of his next impression and me to excuse him in this But such a Charge as it was It served the turn for that time but not to prevent the Attornies Charge against the Eaâ—l which to my knowledge was framed long before and therefore needed no speeding as to prevention Yet being ready It was put in the next day abating one of the Earls number against the Duke for these were but Eleven Articles First That the said Earl being imployed by the late King Iames as his Ambassadour unto Ferdinando Emperour of Germany and unto Philip the fourth King of Spain in the years 1621 1622 and 1623. with Commission to treat with them for the plenary restitution of the Palatinate to the Count Palatine who maried the Lady Elizabeth the onely Daughter of his late Majesty and also to treat with the King of Spain for a Mariage to be had between his now Majesty then Prince of Wales and the Lady Donna Maria the Infanta of Spain did falsly trayterously and confidently inform the late King by sundry Letters That the said Emperour and King of Spain would really make restitution of the Dominions and Electoral dignity of the said Count Palatine and that the said King of Spain did really intend the Mariage aforesaid Whereas in truth the said Emperour and King or either of them never really intended such restitution and the King of Spain never intended the said Mariage whereof the Earl could not be ignorant whereby the the Dominions and Electorall Dignity aforesaid were utterly lost Secondly That the said Earl having received from his late Majesty particular directions to put the King of Spain to a speedy and punctual answer touching the Treaties aforesaid did nevertheless continue those Treaties upon Generalities without effectuall pressing the King of Spain to particular Conclusions sutable to his Instructions Thirdly that the said Earl to the intent to discourage the late King from taking up of Arms or entring into Hostility with the said King of Spain did many times both by word and letters to him and his Ministers extoll the greatnesse and power of the King of Spain and did cunningly strive to retard the late Kings Resolutions of declaring himself an Enemy to the King of Spain Fourthly That the said Earl being told upon his dispatch out of this Realm that there was little probability that these Treaties would have any good successe he then replyed He cared not what the successe thereof would be for he would take care to have his instructions perfect and to pursue them punctually and howsoever the businesse went he would make his fortunes thereby Fifthly that the said Earl on purpose to advance the Romish Religion did during the time aforesaid often by Letters and otherwise counsell and perswade his late Majesty to set at liberty Iesuits and Priests of the Romish Religion which were imprisoned according to the laws of the Land and to grant the Papists a Toleration of their Religion Sixthly That by the said Earls false Informations and Intelligences given to the late King and now his Majesty then Prince they were put into hopes and by long delayes they were put into jealousies concerning the said Treaties that there was not that sincerity in them which they expected Whereupon the said Prince his now Majesty was enforced to undertake in his own person a long and dangerous Journey into Spain intending either speedily to conclude the said Treaties or to discover the feigned Intentions of the Emperoâ—r and King of Spain and thereupon to dissolve them By which Journey the Person of the said Prince and in Him the peace and safety of this Kingdom was brought into apparent danger Seventhly That at the Prince his first coming to the said Earl in Spain he asked the Prince For what he came thither The Prince at first not conceiving the Earls meaning answered You know as well as I. The Earl replyed Sir Give me leave to tell you they say here in Madrid that you mean to change your Religion and added further Sir I do not speak this that I will perswade you to it or that I will promise to follow your example though you do it but as your faithful servant if you will trust me with so great a secret I will endeavour to carry it in the secretest way I can At which the Prince being moved said unto him I wonder what yoâ— have ever found in me that you should conceive I would be so base as for a wife to change
well resemble us the Commons And as it is encompassed with Air and Fire and Spheres Celestial of Planets and a Firmament of fixed Stars All which receive their heat light and life from one great glorious Sun even like the King our Soveraign So that Firmament of fixed Stars I take to be your Lordships Those Planets the great Officers of the Kingdom That pure Element of Fire the most religious zealous and pious Clergy And the reverend Iudges Magistrates and Ministers of Law and Justice the Air wherein we breath All which encompasse round with cherishing comfort this Body of the Commons who truly labour for them all and though they be the Foot-stool and the lowest yet may well be said to be the setled Centre of the State Now my good Lords if that glorious Sun by his powerful Beams of Grace and Favour shall draw from the Bowels of this Earth an Exhalation that shall take fire and burn and shine out like a Star it needs not be marvelled at if the poor Commons gaze and wonder at the Comet and when they feel the Effects impuâ—e all to the corruptible matter of it But if such an imperfect mixture appear like that in the last Age in the Chair of Cassiopeia among the fixed Stars themselves where Aristotle and the old Philosophers conceived there was no place for such corruption then as the learned Mathematicians were troubled to observe the irregular motions the prodigious magnitude and the ominous Prognosticks of that Meteor so the Commons when they see such a Blazing-Star in course so exorbitant in the Affairs of this Common-wealth cannot but look up upon it and for want of Perspectives commend the nearer Examination to your Lordships who may behold it at a neerer distance Such a prodigious Comet the Commons take this Duke of Buckingham to be against whom and his irregular wayes there are by learned Gentlemen legal Articles of Charge to be delivered to your Lordships which I am generally first commanded to lay open First the Offices of this Kingdom that are the eyes the ears and the hands of this Common-wealth these have been engrossed bought and sold and many of the greatest of them holden even in this Dukes own hands which severally gave in former Ages sufficient content to greatest Favourites and were work enough for the wisest Counsellors by means whereof what strange abuses what infinite neglects have followed The Seas have been unguarded Trade disturbed Merchants oppressed their ships and even one of the Royal-Navy by cunning practice delivered over into foreign hands and contrary to our good Kings intention imployed to the prejudice almost to the ruine of friends of our own Religion Next Honours those most precious Jewels of the Crown a Treasure inestimable wherewith your Noble Ancestours my Lords were well rewarded for eminent and publique service in the Common-wealth at home for brave exployts abroad when covered all with dust and blood they sweat in service for the honour of this Crown What back-wayes what by-wayes have been by this Duke found out is too well known to your Lordships whereas anciently it was the honour of England as among the Romanes the way to the Temple of Honour was through the Temple of Virtue But I am commanded to presse this no further then to let your Lordships know one instance may perhaps be given of some one Lord compelled to purchase Honour Thirdly as dâ—vers of the Dukes poor kindred have been raised to great Honours which have been and are likely to be more chargeable and burthensom to the Crown so the Lands and Revenues and the Treasuries of his Maiesty have been intercepted and exhausted by this Duke and his friends and strangely mis-imployed with strange confusion of the Accompts and overthrow of the well established ancient Orders of his Majesties exchequer The last of the Charges which are prepared will be an injury offered to the person of the late King of blessed memory who is with God of which as your Lordships may have heard heretofore you shall anon have further information Now upon this occasion I am commanded by the Commons to take care of the Honour of the King our Soveraign that lives long may he live to our comfort and the good of the Christian world and also of his blessed Father who is dead on whom to the grief of the Commons and their great distaste the Lord Duke did they conceive unworthily cast some ill ordure of his own fowl wayes Whereas Servants were anciently wont to bear as in truth they ought their masters faults and not cast their own on them undeservedly It is well known the King who is with God had the same power and the same wisdom before he knew this Duke yea and the same affections too through which as a good and gracious Master he advanced and raised some Stars of your Lordships Firmament in whose hands this exorbitancy of Will this transcendency of Power such placing and dis-placing of Officers such irregular running into all by-courses of the Planets such sole and single managing of the great Affairs of State was never heard of And therefore onely to the Lord Duke and his procurement by mis-informations these faults complained of by the Commons are to be imputed And for our most gracious Soveraign that lives whose name hath been used and may perhaps now be for the Dukes justification The Commons know well that among his Majesties most royall virtues his Piety unto his Father hath made him a pious Nourisher of his Affections ever to thâ—s Lord Duke on whom out of that consideration his Majesty hath wrought a kinde of wonder making Favour hereditary But the abuse thereof must be the Lord Dukes own And if there have been any Commands such as were or may be pretended his mis-informations have procured them whereas the Laws of England teach us that Kings cannot Command ill or unlawful things when ever they speak though by their Letters-Patents or their Seals if the thing be evil these Letters-Patents are void and whatsoever ill event succeeds the Executioners of such Commands must ever answer for them Thus my Lords in performance of my duty my weaknesse hath been troublesome unto your Lordships It is now high time humbly to intreat your pardon and give way to a learned Gentleman to begin a more particular charge The Prologue ended Sr. Dudly sat down and the Impeachment was read so large as that for method we adjoyne it to the Dukes Answer which came in some dayes after In which time the Commons sent a Message to the Lords how mightily it did mis-become the honor of their House to permit a man so deeply impeached to sit in Councel with them whilest Sr. Dudly Diggs and Sr. Iohn Elliot the Van and the Rear of the Commons were beckened out to speak with two Gentlemen who proved to be two Messengers of the Kings Chamber having his Warrant to take them prisoners to the Tower where they lay till the Iudges resolved
into one Opinion that thereby no reason given to the House their Restraint was an Arrest of the whole Body and a breach of Priviledge must needs follow which was so remonstrated to the King and they therefore released But what ground â—r Presidents had the Judges a late law of their own making for it is well observed That in the Parliament 35. Eliz. Sr. Peter Wentworth and Sr. Henry Bromley by petition to the Upper House to be supplicants with them of the Lower House unto her Majesty for entailing the succession of the Crown the Bill being drawn by them These two were summoned before Sr. Thomas Henage one of the Privy Councel and commanded to forbear the Parliament and to stand secured to their Lodgings and after further examination before the Councel were committed Wentworth to the Tower Bromley and other Courtiers to the Fleet. Another instance Mr. Morice Attorny of the Dutchy of Lancaster for moving against the justice of the Courts of Ecclesiastical Iudges Subscriptions and Oaths was taken out of the House so saith another Authour and committed to Prison for whose release Mr. Wroth humbly moved the House to be petitioners to her Majesty But was answered That the Queen must not accompt for actions of Royal Authority which may be of high and dangerous consequence nor can it become them to search into the Prerogative of Soveraigns These Members were five in all and might have been Precedents for the King and his five Members in due place hereafter But this course now taught the Lords to resent the like indignity to them in the Earl of Arundels case who lay committed to the Tower as before said and so they would sit still without motion to any matter till that he might be reâ—admitted which was instantly done To ballance with the Dukes Enemies Three Persons his confederates were made Barons to compeer in the Lords House the Lord Mandevil the eldest son to the Earl of Manchester created by Patent Baron Kimbolton Grandison son to the created Baron Imbercourt and Sr. Dudly Carlton made Baron Tregate being newly returned from his Trade of seven years Leiger Ambassadour abroad in Venice and Holland But it is said That the Lords found out an Old Order to Counter checque that designe That no Creations sedente Parliamento should have power to vote but onely to sit Not to Iudge but to learn to understand during that Session so that their Suffrages were excluded But I am assured of the contrary for they sate and voted Hence it is truly observed That in the late Parliament 1640. Seymor Littleton and Capel were so created sedente Parliamento and Digby Rich and Howard of Charlton called by special Writ were also admitted their votes and afterwards the last of the nineteen Propositions to the King at York for the King to passe a Bill to restrain Peers made hereafter to sit and vote in Parliament unlesse with consent of both Houses To which the King absolutely refused But however they were admitted the Duke was put to his own Innocency partially stiled impudency and lodges injustice on the Peers whose ill opinion he sayes deprest him and partial affection elevated the other who received the Attornies charge with undaunted spirit and returned so home an Answer as the House was amply satisfied of which take his own so saying for we hear not a word more nor other of it than that he saies so But the Dukes defence came quick to the Lords the eighth of Iune Who he sayes sequestered him from the House until his cause was determined upon which he was much dejected when really of himself he had forbore the House And therefore this morning had resolved to send it but was advised to present it himself which we shall finde to this purpose The Commons Impeachment and Declaration against the Duke of Buckingham FOr the speâ—dy redresse of the great evils and mischiefs and of the chief causes of those evils and mischiefs which this Kingdom of England now grievously suffereth and of late years hath suffered and to the Honour and Safety of our Soveraign Lord the KING and of his Crown and dignities and to the good and welfare of his people the Commons in this present Parliament by the authority of our said Soveraign Lord the King assembled do by this their Bill shew and declare against GEORGE Duke Marquesse and Earl of Buckingham Earl of Coventry Viscount Villers Baron of Whaddon great Admirall of the Kingdoms of ENGLAND and Ireland and of the principalitie of Wales and of the Dominions and Islands of the same of the Town of Calais and of the Marches of the same and of Normandy Gascoigne and Guyen Generall Governour of the Seas and Ships of the said Kingdoms Lieutenant Generall Admirall Captain Generall and Governour of his Majesties Royall Fleet and Army lately set forth Master of the Horses of our Soveraign Lord the King Lord Waâ—den Chancellour and Admirall of the Cinque-ports and of the Members thereof Constable of Dover Castle Iustice in Eyre of all Forests and Chaces on this side of the River of Trent Constable of the Castle of Windsor Lieutenant of Middlesex and Buckingham-shire Steward and Bailiffe of Westminster Gentleman of his Bed-chamber and one of his Majesties honourable Frivie Councel in his Realms both of England Scotland and Ireland and Knight of the most noble order of the Garter The Misdemeanors Misprisions Offences Crimes and other matters comprised in the Articles following And him the said Duke do accuse and impeach of the the said Misdemeanors Misprisions Offences and Crimes ARTIC I. The Duke 's 1. Reply THat he the said Duke being young and unexperienced hath of late years with exorbitant ambition and for his own advantage procured and engrossed into his own hands severall great Offices both to the danger â—f the State and prejudice of that Service which should have been performed in them and to the discouragement of others who are thereby precluded from such hopes as their virtues abilities and publique employments might otherwise have obtained THat his late Majesty did of his own Royal Motion bestow them upon him and he hopeth and concieveth he may without blame recieve what his bountiful Master conferred upon him if the Common-wealth doth not suffer thereby Nor is it without precedents that men eminent in the esteem of their Soveraign have held as great and many Offices as himself But if it shall be proved that he falsely or corruptly hath executed those Offices he is and will be ready to resign them with his life and fortunes to his Majesties dispose II. Reply 2. That in the 16. year of the Reign of the late King he did give and pay to the then Earl of Nottingham for the Office of Great Admiral of England and Ireland and of the principality of Wales and Generall Governour of the Seas and Ships of the said Kingdomes and for the surrender of the said Offices to the intent the said Duke might
his late Majesty and his Majesty that now is warranting the payment of great sums of money by him as if such summes were directed for secret service of the State when as they were disposed of to his own use and hath gotten into his hands great sums which were intended by the late King for the furnishing and victualling of the Navy-Royall to the exceeding diminution of the revenues of the Crown to the deceiving and abusing of his late and now Majesty and detriment of the whole Kingdom That he doth humbly and with all thankfulness acknowledge his late Majesties bountifull hand to him and shall be ready to render back into the hands of his now Majesty whatsoever he hath received together with his life to do him service But for the value suggested in the charge he saith there is a great mistake in the calculation as he shall make evident in a Schedule annexed to which he referreth himself Nor did he obtain the same by any undue solicitation or practice nor yet a Release for any sums so received But having severall times and upon severall occasions disposed divers sums of his late and now Majesty by their private directions he hath Releases thereof for his discharge which was honourable in them to grant and not unfit for him to desire and accept for his future indemnity XIII Reply 13. Lastly That he being a sworn servant of the late King did cause and provide certain Plaisters and Potions for his late Majesty in his last sicknesse without the privity of his Majesties Physicians and that although those Plaisters and Potions formerly applied produced such ill effects as many of his sworn Physicians did dis-allow as prejudiciall to his Majesties health yet neverthelesse did the Duke apply them again to his Majesty Whereupon great distempers and dangerous symptomes appeared inhim which the Physicians imputed to those administrations of the Duke whereof his late Majesty also complained which was an offence and misdemeanour of so high a nature as may be called an act of transcendent presumption And the said Commons by Protestation saving to themselves the liberties of exhibiting hereafter any other accusation or impeachment against the Duke and also of replying unto what the Duke shall answer unto the said Article do pray that the said Duke may be put to answer all and every the premises and that such Proceedings Examinations Tryals and Judgements may be upon every of them had as is agreeable to Law and Justice That his late Majesty being sick of an Ague a disease out of which the Duke recovered not long before asked the Duke what he found most advantagious to his health the Duke replied a Plaister and Posset-drink administred to him by the Earl of Warwick's Physician whereupon the King much desired the Plaister and Posset-drink to be sent for And the Duke delaying it he commanded a servant of the Dukes to go for it against the Dearnest request he humbly craving his Majesty not to make use of it without the advice of his own Physicians and experiment upon others which the King said he would do and in confidence thereof the Duke left him and went to London And in the mean time he being absent the said Plaister and Posset drink were brought and at the Dukes return his Majesty commanded the Duke to give him the Posset-drink which he did the Physicians then present not seeming to mislike it Afterward the Kings health declining and the Duke hearing a rumour as if his Physick had done his Majesty hurt and that he had administred Physick without advice the Duke acquainted the King therewith who in much discontent replied They are worse then Devils that say so This being the plain clear and evident truth of all those things which are contained in that Charge He humbly referreth it to the judgements of your Lordships how full of danger and prejudice it is to give too ready an ear and too easie a beleef unto a Report or Testimony without Oath which are not of weight enough to condemn any Also he humbly acknowledgeth how easie it was for him in his young years and unexperienced to fall into thousands of errours in those ten years wherein he had the honour to serve so great and so open-hearted a Soveraign Master But the fear of Almighty God his sincerity in the true Religion established in the Church of England though accompaninied with many weaknesses and imperfections which he is not ashamed humbly and heartily to confesse his awfulnesse not willing to offend so good and gracious a Master and his love and duty to his Countrey have restrained and preserved him he hopeth from running into any hainous misdemeanours and crimes But whatsoever upon examination and mature deliberation they shall appear to be least in any thing unwittingly within the compasse of so many years he shall have offended He humbly prayeth your Lordships not onely in those but to all the said misdemeanours misprisions offences and crimes wherewith he standeth charged before your Lordships to allow unto him the benefit of the free and general Pardon granted by his late Majesty in Parliament in the one and twentieth year of his Reign out of which he is not excepted And also of the gracious Pardon of his now Majesty to the said Duke and vouchsafed in like manner to all his Subjects at the time of his most happy Inauguration and Coronation which said Pardon under the Great Seal of England and granted to the said Duke beareth date the tenth day of February now last past and so here shewed forth unto your Lordships on which he doth humbly relie And yet he hopeth that your Lordships in your Justice and Honour upon which confidence he putteth himself will acquite him of and from those misdemeanours offences misprisions and crimes wherewith he hath been charged And he hopeth and will daily pray that for the future he shall by Gods grace so watch all his actions both publick and private that he shall not give any just offence to any However that that an Authour hath descanted on this defence It doth really appear prudential modest and humble and no doubt a Reply might be intended In the interim the Kings affaires requiring a quicker supply for the publique than these lingring proceedings could admit he demands the speedy producing their Bill of Subsidy to be passed to which they were forced suddenly to conform not unlikely to prevent their present dissolution which otherwise they suspected And resolving to make work they were hammering a tedious Declaration of Grievances which was allowed by the House before the Bill of Subsidy Whereupon with huge indignation the King the very next day Iune 15. dissolves them with this positive answer to some Lords that were sent to intercede for longer sitting not a minute And the same day Bristow was committed to the Tower and Arundell confined to his House with a Proclamation for burning all Copies of the Commons Declaration which was
scarce one of theirs from the lodging in our durance but escaped Our Reformado's eager to fight used this Strategem to draw them out The low ditch neer the Tower where the Besieged came often for water was of more strength then they could well maintain and to impoyson that water they came forth with three Companies Sanigur a French Baron leading the way and meeting fought gallantly on both sides and mutually withdrew amonâ—st whom Shugburn an English Captain having his arm broken died four dayes after a more cruell terrible fight had seldom been seen done upon Emulation of either gallantry Then another French fleet well appointed with provisions made stay a while at the mouth of the River Tramba but the English ships being prepared to oppose them they kept aloof anâ— for that time this succour made unserviceable Lingeadi returned out of Spain assures the French that fourty great ships and eighteen severall vessels were ready to set to Sea for their aid which made Buckingham say That since he had Authority to war against Spanish and French and whether by an honourable Sea-sight against both or by land or either he wisht the decision of the Warre and glory And yet the distance of ships were so apart that we could hardly joyn our Sea forces together as Is nard confesses pa. 99. The siege is now become more hot being a Moneth old a fight happened neer the fortresse Antioch with some slaughter but not notable The news of the besieged are sent to their husbands either into the Castle or to the Main a milde and gentle way of Buckingham though Isnard is angry and counts it upon the score of the English as Tyrannous because by chance one of them was killed with their own shot which had been but Tyranny if we had done so by them all A Letter of Toras to Bellimount was intercepted which saies That the Mills could not long stand all their Corn spent inforced the souldier to feed on their store of Bisket not lasting above tenne dayes which is confest to put them in great fear Whereupon Command is sent to the Duke of Angolesme Marrillac Bellimount to help Toras and Belcebate a Captain is commanded forthwith to conduct Ten well appointed ships elected out of their whole number to the relief of the besieged and so to make a cleer passage for those sent before which were an hundred and nine ships All the care of France was not to put us to flight but to assist the Castle which they attempted by an hundred wayes but all against the Art Military and therefore they bid adieu to all hopes since no Age ever knew a lesse Army of English nor a greater of French They consisting of thirty thousand sufficient to beat the other and closely to besiege Rochell as by their very large Trench and strong Forts almost inclosing that City The Garrison secured with these the rest might privily have been sent unto the Isle of Rea exceeding the English by Ten parts The Emulation also of a famous victory not long since gotten and hope of booty might invite forth supplies of English probable enough for there was a rumour in England thereupon to sent Colonies thither to plant Before therefore this should happen It was necessary that from the Continent and Isles of Oleron and some eruption from the Castle at the same time must prevent Nor could our Naval forces be any obstacle for the large compasse of the Island did enforce our ships far assunder and no winde assisting us besides the night and that space denied us sufficient time to perfect that work and advised the Enemy to recollect their Courages their repaired Army could not have been broken by any supplies out of England if the Reformed had time to take Arms and to joyn in league with the English This was gallantly considered and souldier-like levelled but not fit to be told abroad for such a fear possest the French that they attempted nothing till our departure and the hoysing our great Artillery into our ships Those delayes thus joyning together They kept themselves unexampled in any age three Moneth within their skonces let their own Heroes which envy not our glory speak the truth About this time came the Duke of Orleans the Kings onely brother to lead over thirty thousand from the Isles Oleron yet nothing done for help of the Castle But why nothing done Ask the Honour of France Yet the King writes to Toras with wonderfull comfort to incourage the besieged Mean time the Bishop of Nants brother to Toras finding Bellimount too slow to send succours induced Desplane with money in hand to relieve Toras He writ also to Bellicabe a famous Sea-man with promise of a mighty reward to convoy victualls into the Island And the same day the Cardinal sent a bond obligatory and signed with his Sâ—al to pay ten thousand pounds sterling to any that would passe over to release the besieged Nor were these the first for sundry letters had pasâ—ed before with Prayers and Menaces which it seems were not of value till gain should hire them yet nought prevailed Harvest now at hand frequent Rains steeped the earth the souldiers on all sides drowned in dirt which yet the besieged prevented in some sort with coverings of Planks and Pavilions but the English suffered all hazzards Open air mirey dirt bred into sicknesses of severall diseases Catarrhes short breath feavors ending in incurable distempers of bloody-flux Our number diminished not to be recruited from England and Ireland England so abounding with all Necessaries either by nature or by purchace that our fresh water souldiers all these were no other warring in another soyl do ill brook the Inconveniences of a stranger Nation the true cause of our Army mouldring away not by their sallies which were often for we fought them within our Munition Nor did it please their King that those within the Castle more than a well compacted Number should be too much wasted with hunger being feazable to overcharge us on a sudden we not exceeding the half of those besieged besides their advantage of having Meden-Castle at our backs and the very Islands forced to our sides unfaithful entrapping us on all sides which takes off the mighty glory that the French assume to themselves to be the Kill-Cows of all others Otherwise they might be ashamed after but five weeks hard siege to rely upon Treachery to hire a Cuthberte to stab Buckingham which though the French fail to mention yet the truth is justified by the fellows confession under his hand shewing the Duke the very knife which clears the story to be true We lodge it not upon Toras though the villain confest that too He scaped that fate then which followed and fell upon him after by one of our own Three Souldiers perswaded by Toras to swim over that Narrow Sea to the Main with Intelligence from him One of them failing fell into our hands A second prevented in the
for two couple of Dogs from England When it was certain we had of of theirs here that came prisoners to the Duke and of greater quality to be exchanged for him and others and only the Common men returned free Nor does any of all our Adversaries Authors whom I have named that spit their malice most make the least mention hereof Only this our own writer defames us At this time Pens and Tongues were set on work to scandal and descant on this Expedition I have answered these our Adversaries Some of our own too do say It was propter Inscitiam temeritatem Ducis But Buckingham himself and others that lived to suffer under obloquie lodge the loss of the Design upon the Earl of Holland not seconding the expedition with recruit of Men and Victual with those ten Ships committed to his command for strengthing and continuance of the Siege and guarding the Passes to the Island which might have prevented the Relief of the Besieged And which Ships were ready part at Plymouth under oversight of the Lord Wilmot Vice Admiral the other Squadron made up at Chatham were to take in provision there and the Earl of Holland admiral of all T is true he failed of his time to attend the Wind which afterwards he lost so long that the King was returned his Summer progress ere Holland was got out of Portsmouth Roade but was aboard where he received the Kings angry Order That the Vice Admiral the Lord Wilmot hast post command at Plymouth to be gone with his Squadron and Holland might now stay his own leisure which so astonisht him to be left behind that instantly he quits his ship and all but his Secretary and one of his Chamber and with the help of a small fisher Boat skews the Wind to the Cowes in the Isle of Wight in imminent danger of drowning by the way and the next day by Post to Newport from thence he got into the weather and wind and so gained of thâ— way and landed again in the west posting to Plymouth timely enough to put to Sea And by the way he met with the Duke returned from the Isle of Ree for which he hardly escaped resentment and jealousie during life that Holland could have been content with his feigned hopes to succeed him favourite Thus ended this Design with loss of blood and honour Which had it succeeded saies one to our desire would not have rewarded the charge but he is much mistaken in this account for besides the preserving Rochel and the advantage to us of those Isles Rhe and Oleron and so footing in that part of Aquitain Besides the mid-way and conveniency of carrying on our Fleets and Forces towards Spain upon all occasions of quarrel with that Monarch But the Duke returned having an eye of Jealousie upon the Earl of Holland for retarding his necessary Recruit and so relief which indeed for the present had slender apology However the Duke posting to Court and heartily received of the King Professing that this neglect of Relief must lodge on his Friend and Confident Holland To which he acknowledged That indeed he had very affectionately intrusted him in ordinary affairs but never in such an esteem as to second him in Arms. And accordingly it being now in the Dukes power to reward his wilfull negligence Holland had orders to stay by the way and remain at Portsmouth under the notion of ordering the Ships and Souldiers there untill the Dukes further pleasure which was so long in resolve as lodged Holland under suspition to find the effects of utter ruin prevented only by his humble Remonstrance and submission to the Duke But the Landmen many strangers Irish and Scots were billeted by parcels in the County Villages and to the great regret of their Hosts that never felt any such burthen before nor could this give any just cause of murmurre at all And to boot Sir William Balfore a Scot Coâ—mander of Horse in the Netherlands and Dalbier a Dutch Commissary heretofore under Count Mansfield joined in commission with bills of Exchange thirty thousand pounds to buy and transport horses from beyond Seas into England for the Kings service which occasioned the more muttering in fear forsooth as the Turkish Ianizaries and terrour to force obedience of the people which report was fain to be palliated by Protestation That as they might be useful for suddain and foraign service so he willingly endeavoured at his own charge to ease their purses and so the Design took end with these Jealouâ—ies In the time of the Expedition to the Isle of Rhe the French had a gallant great Ship built at Texel in Holland named the Sancta Esprit and furnished with all materials necessary foâ— War Captain Trevere a worthy Englishman in his return from Hamburgh had Command to seize any Ships of the French upon the coast which lay there in the mouth of that Haven and this in the Harbour The night most proper for Trevers enterprize he procured a Dutchman Hollander for a round sum of money to direct him in the dark to aboard this great Ship which Toras the Governour of the Isle of Rhe caused to be built at his own charge upon the approach the French man let fly his great guns suspecting this Ship advancing so neer but Trevers made up with courage under this others upper Tire and shot the Frenchman through and through boarded her bravely and brought her away And fitting her with his own Men summoned the rest of his own consorts and so fell upon the whole French Fleet who in fear by the noise of the Cannon and ignorant of any event weighed anchor and got away to Sea in great confusion Spesse the French Agent complains to the States of Trevers boldness to seize any Ship in their Chambers of Harbour under their Protection To which Trevers tells them the Articles of Amity between his Royal Master and them to pursue Enemy in eithers Harbour which you have done said he by the Dunkirks out of English Ports But whilst they disputed Trevers hoists sail and comes home with his Prize and 20. whole brass Culverins two brass semi-Culverins two other great brass Guns sixteen large Iron Guns and two less In the Hold for Ballast was twelve great Guns arms of 1100. Souldiers eighty barrels of Powder And though a general command kept all the French Ships in Harbour not to stir whilest the English were Masters at Sea Yet Pennington the English Vice-Admiral took thirty four of theirs homeward bound rich Merchant men without loss of any of ours and others were forced out of their Havens under their very Castles and Forts to the terrour of the French At this time Abbot Arch-bishop of Canterbury was sequestred from those services which he could not at that present personally attend otherwise proper for his cognisance and jurisdiction and which as Arch-bishop he might and ought in his own person to perform and execute and a Commission
fled nor could any creature discern the Murderer but by several suspitions of those that were left last above with the Duke and therefore some cried out upon Soubiez the Frenchmen Friar whilest Felton having no power to fly far uncertain what to do stepped aside into the Kitchin near at hand hither the uproar and search followed some cried out Where 's the Villain Felton mistaking the words for Here 's the Villain suddenly started and said I am he whom they seized and with much ado to preserve alive from the fury of the Servants Mr. Stamford the Dukes follower tilting at him with a Rapier which others put by that missed but little of his intent to repay him to the full This being the truth we can scarce give credit that any one much less that the Earl of Cleveland and some others who were in the hearing of the thing reported that the most religious Murderer in the very act of striking said Lord have mercy on thy soul a Speech which the Duke had scarce ability to say himself but was onely heard to say some report with an Oath The Villain hath kill'd me We must observe the Authours easiness to believe Reports so improbable that the Earl and others Witnes enow should be so near to hear the thing and the several sayings and yet could not meet with the man till he discovered himself How very Christian-like he stiles â—he Malefactour The most religious Murderer and grounds his faith no doubt upon his charitable Requiem for the Duke's Soul which he had scarce ability to say for himself and yet with the same certainty he assures us that the Duke was heard to say much more and that with an Oath The Villain hath kill'd me This Oath was either an Asseveration which needed not or a Curse more wretched and both alike unlikely to be true Strange Reports are seldome of certainty which wise men justly forbear without good proof To say upon hear-say that A. B. hath hang'd himself is an abominable untruth if he be living Yet in such case the party belied hath time and means hereafter personally to recover his good fame by disproving the Report But to create and chronicle a fatal Scandal upon the very Soul of a noble person dying and that irreccoverably beyond the reach of repair is no doubt most unbeseeming an Historian or a good Christian. And for his two especial almost singularly observable things are thus mistaken that the Gorps was he says totally abandoned by each living man Indeed he dead the inquisition for Murder made every good man a party in the search as in such distraction is always needfull and besides the Duke's Dutchess and other Ladies in the upper Chamber hastened all mens affections and charity thitherward to preserve them and others in desperate agony And for the other ill news hath wings carried to Court by Captain Charls Price who found the King in the Presence chamber at his publick daily Prayers and the Company about him on their knees over whose heads he unhandsomly bestrid to make his way to the King rounding his ear The Duke is murdered which being thus passionately acted and so observed the Chaplain he made a stop till the King bid him go on as not to interrupt his Devotions with any outward accident But others he says thought he might dislike the mode of the Dukes dispatch yet was well pleased with the thing as if Providence had rid him of the subject whom he could not prefer with safeâ—y nor desert with honour an unhandsome character of the Kings conscience Many Messengers posted to Court with this ill News more hasty than able to satisfie the particulars therein and as passionately the Courtiers posted to Portsmouth There was one had command to inquire of the Fact to see the man and to search out somewhat to satisfie the King and with his Warrant to the Governour was put in to the Prisoner a little timber meagre gastly frightfull face Fellow already clapt into a small Centry house upon the Guard horribly laden with manacled Irons neither to sit nor to ly down but to be crippled against the Wall with him thus in private and to sweeten his devilish conditions the party pretended that in affection to some of his Friends he came of this visit to administer comfort with his Prayers the best effects of Charity to him But he answers that he was not so ignorant to believe that a man in his condition should be admitted such comforts but â— rather receive you an Examiner said he impowred to make inquisition of me and this Action of mine And after some disâ—oâ—rse Sir said he I shall be brief I killed him for the â—â—use of God and my Countrey Nay said the other there may be hope of his life the Surgeons say so It is impossible he replied I had the force of forty men assisted by him that guided my hand And being interrogated to several Questions he made these Answers That he was named John Felton heretofore 〈◊〉 to a Foot Company â—â—der Sir James Ramsey that he had endâ—â—voured for a Commission to be Captain in this Expedition and faild tâ—â—ein but without any regret upon the Duke from whom he had found respect nor for any private interest whatsoever that the late Remonstrance of Parliament published the Duke so odious that he appeared to him deserving death which no Iustice durst execute That it was not many days since he resolved to kill him but finding the Duke so closely attended that it should be his business to pass a Voluntier and do it in this Voyage Somewhat he said of a Sermon at St. Faiths Church under Pauls where the Preacher spake in justification of every man in a good cause to be Iudg and Executioner of sin which he interpreted to be him That passing out at the Postern-gate upon Tower-hill he espied that fatal Knife in a Cutler 's Glass-caâ—e which he bought for sixteen pence It was the point-end of a tuff Blade stuck into a cross Haft the whole length Handle and all not twelve Inches fastened to his right Pocket and from that time he resolved therewith to stab him That some days after he followed the Train to Portsmouth and coming by a Cross erected in the High-way he sharpened the point thereof upon the stone believing it more proper in justice to advantage his design than for the idolatrous intent it was first erected That he found continual trouble and disquiet in minde untill he should perform this Fact and came to Town but that Morning That no Soul living was â—â—cessary with him by any ways or means of the Dukes Execution That he was assured his Fact was justified and he the Redeemer of the Peoples sufferings under the power of the Dukes â—surpations c. And his Paper tackt in the Crown of his Hat seemed to satisfie his Conscience that he was thereof well pleased A little assurance may serve the turn to satisfie any
they say and so understand not what they speak truths against their wills and to give evidence to that they would not do Balaam did so and yet it was no act of Satan And though the Sibylls were as bad yet why the act of Satan that they foretold of Christ The Devil was not so ill affected to his own State as to foretell the ruine of it nor could teach men honesty which he knew not himself He might know that Christ was to come to be born of Judah of the House of David but to be born of the Virgin Mary Daughter of Anna Wife to Ioseph and his Name to be Iesus c. untill he saw the event he could not Those and many such are in Sibylls which makes some conclude them counterfeits postnatis forged by Christians In a word Arreptiti and Enthusiasts amongst Pagans those possessed of unclean spirits are distracted enraged carried haled distorted in body and minde The true Prophets spake words of knowledg and understanding used gestures of modesty sobriety and gravity It is against reason that by the Spirit of understanding a man should be divested of his former understanding that light should make a man blinde But certainly such were not those Dames the Lady Davies and Mistris Carew their words and writings always vain full of whimsies uncertain full of mysterious expressions they knew not what and so assuredly were from and by the Devil knowing by several designs of wicked men what the Event was likely to be but not certainly what to be But to our History The Duke being dead the Kings personal presence hastened all the Necessaries fitting for the Fleet and the great Expectation on whom that Honour would be conferred all men in amaze the Earl of Lindsey was assigned for the Command Certainly hâ— was a person of no likely presence but of some experience by his last Expedition thither and hereafter to the last of his life made good his faith with gallantry and courage So that on the eighth of September he set forth from Portsmouth and came to the Bar of the Haven with reasonable speed of winde and weather where he findes that the Duke Cardinal Richelieâ— had finished his monstrous Work with Boom and Barracado exceeding all the mighty Designs that ever were effected by narrative of any History yet none of these nor all the Enemies Land-works Forts or Strengths could deter this brave Man from dangerous Attempts having passed the Out-forts and Bulwarks even to the Mouth of the Bar untill a cross Winde returned them foul of each other And so it appeared impossible the Town viewing the sad effects without more dispâ—te called in their King with the greatest submission that Revolters could express and had mercy accordingly to the remain which Famine had left for otherways they lost none by the Sword the King entring with all mercifull mildness the eighteenth of October and found but four thousand the remain of twenty two thousand Souls The prodigious Works and Fortifications were instantly slighted and for the ignominy of the Inhabitants the very name Rochel was sacrificed to oblivion and a new Title given to that City Borgo Maria in honour of Queen Mother the Cardinals dear Patroness Thus ended that quarrel between King Lewis and his rebellious Rochellers for whose cause King Iames somewhat but King Charls much more endeavoured their relief first by Treaties and after by Forces the Grounds and Reasons I have endeavoured to assure from observation of the particular causes since their first difference and which reasonably the Duke of Buckingham's Manifesto seems to satisfie somewhat may be said to the Design in policy but for that score of Religion it is truly noted That not onely that very Sect but of that very Church for whose Protection King Charls was so solicitous and whose supportation he now so ardently endeavoured became afterwards none of the meanest sticklers and fomenters of his own and his Churches troubles A document to Kings to be wary whom they aid And so the Fleet returned safe home again The Parliament met the twentieth of Ianuary and convenient for complaints against the Customers for destraining the Merchants Goods for Tonnage and Poundage which the King meant to defend and therefore summoned them to his Banquetting-house at Whitehall and told them That the difference might soon be decided if his words and actions were considered for though he took â—ot those duties as belonging to his Prerogative nor had he declared to challenge them his right but onely desired them by gift of his People why had they not passed the Bill according to their promise to clear his former and future actions in this time of his great necessity which he now required them to make good and so give end to all Questions without delay But the religious Commons must reform God's cause before the King 's nor would they be prescribed their Consultations but resolved to remit the Bill of Tunnage and Poundage at pleasure And so they did appoint Committees one for Religion and the other for Civil affairs to represent the abuses in both The first Committee for the Commons of England to regulate Religion which one says the Courtiers called the Inquisition and well they might for such it was The Points were general Arminianism and Popery The Informations were many concerning the first grounded upon the ancient nine Articles resolved at Lambeth 1595. by the reverend Bishops and Deans on purpose to declare their sense of the nine and thirty Articles in those particulars and unto which the Archbishop of York and his Province did conform They did so indeed deliver their sense as Opinions not publick Doctrines as is truly observed and King Iames recommended them over to the Synod of Dort and there asserted by suffrage of those Doctours and were afterwards commended to the Convocation in Ireland to be inserted into the Articles of Religion 1615. And so they were But how The Observation tells us That our first Reformers were not regulated by Lutheran or Calvinian Doctrines but by the constant current of Antiquity and the way of Melancton most consonant thereto was approved by Bishop Hooper on the Decalogue and by Bishop Latimer in his Sermons but also by the Compiler of the Book of Articles and the Book of Homilies which are the publick Monuments of this Church in Points of Doctrine But the Calvinian entring the way there aroâ—e a difference in particular judgments of these Debates the matter controverted pro con by some confessors in Prison in the time of Queen Mary she dead and our exiled Divines returning from Geneva Basil and Frankford where Calvin's Dictates became Oracles brought with them his Opinions of Predestination Grace and Perseverance which they scattered over all the Church by whose authority and double diligence of the Presbyterian party to advance their holy Discipline it became universally received as the onely true Orthodox Doctrine and so maintained in the
Parliament here after he had â—itted Supplies thither from Scotland and after his return hither he observed such forms for that service as his Council in Ireland did advise they desiring the Proclamation no sooner nor so many by twenty to be by him signed which he did and printed them for haste and sent them over which divers of the Members of both Houses here well know who are the more to blame to suffer such an envious aspersion upon the King when themselves could satisfie the action And wishes that they could with aâ— good a conscience call God to witness that all their counsels and endeavours have been free from private aims personal respects or passions whatsoever as he hath done and does And was it not time for our Brethren of Scotland to put in their Sickle into our Harvest besides their being invited their late entertainment of Fidlers have in England set their wheel a going The King had written a Letter to his Scotish privy Council there of the State of his affairs here Declaring and clearing such imputations which the Parliament endeavoured to fix upon him and his mis-governing together with the indignities and intrenchments upon his person and honour which he is assured will be tender in their natural affection rather to be kindled than extinguished by his distress to which their Covenant bindes them by Oath and Subscription and clears the calumniation to be popishly affected to be guilty of the bloudshed in Ireland to bring in foreign Forces Wherein he calls God to witness he is falsly aspersed And who ever hereafter shall distrust this his Declaration the fault is in the malignitie of their rebellious humours and no ways deserved by him This so wrought upon the hearts of the Scots for that time that I know not how such a Petition was framed by the Nobility and people of the whole Nation and presented to the Council as more could not be required from the most faithfull and indulgent Subject humbly shewing in effect That to call in question the Kings royal zeal and resolution of preserving the Religion Laws and Liberties of these his Kingdoms is so undoubted as after so many reiterated asseverations emitted in his Declarations and Answers and so many evidences of his justice and wisdom cannot be conserved in any but an unchristian distrust And therefore justly challenges from them all due respect to his sacred Majestie by so many ties and titles so much professed and promised by them in their solemn Oath and national Covenant and Oath at his Coronation to defend and maintain the person greatness and authoritie of our dread Sovereign as by the Act of General Assemblie we have all sworn and signed and therefore are bound to represent to their Lordships their humble desires to be assured and known to his Majestie of their loyaltie and resolution And that some course may be taken to the view of the world that they intend the brotherly and blessed conjunction of both Nations happily united in loyaltie and subjection to our Sovereign tending nor intending as they attest God the Searcher of all hearts for any other end but performance of their humble dutie to their dread Sovereign to which they are bound by all ties of Nature Christianitie and Gratitude and to which they crave their Lordships to contribute their wisdoms and and speedie answer hereto May 20. A man would be amazed to finde other effects hereafter of this most serious Protestation which in a word came to this end they sold this their dread Sovereign Lord and King to the death and execution for a piece of money The Parliament hear of this and turn the Scale for eight days after the Scots Council do declare their earnest desires both to King and Parliament to joyn in a perfect union imbracing his Majesties expressions to them of his religious care of the Liberties and Laws of both Kingdomes And do in like manner with brotherly reciprocal affections acknowledg the care and zeal of the Parliament of England to keep a right undâ—rstanding betwixt the two Nations as both the Parliaments have avowed to each other And although they neither will nor should meddle with publick actions of any other Kingdom but as they are called yet since the Parliament of England have drawn the former practices of the Parliament of Scotland into example of Declaration they humbly desire the King to hearken to his greatest his best and most unparalleld Council And utterly disswade the King from any personal journey into Ireland and that a Mediation may be at home ere the wound be wider or the breach deeper To which end they have sent with this Message the E. Loudon Chancellour of Scotland who will give a more full declaration of their minde and desires which in fine came out to be A large Manifestation of their true and heartie affection to the Parliament of England protesting to do nothing contrary to them in their Privileges May 28. Nay after all this the old accustomed Rabble meet at Edinburgh and hearing of the late Letters from the King with the petitionary Answer and the late Message from the Council to the King by the Lord Loudon and finding the affairs of England likely to bring Grist to their Mill these Multitudes I say being as they style themselves The intire bodie of the Kingdom petition or rather threaten the Kings privy Council there not to meddle with any verbal or real ingagement for the King against the Parliament of England And so from that time forward we finde them covenanting to the destructive conclusion as hereafter follows Upon all these Scotish passages the Parliament of England do Protest That those sufferings expressed in those Papers betwixt his Majestie and the Parliament cannot be imputed to any actions of ours who endeavoured with all fidelitie the happiness of his Majestie labouring to take the blame from the King and to lay it on his evil Councils And as touching the Petition we with much contentment and thankfulness observe the faithfulness and good affection of our dear Brethren of Scotland to prevent all Iealousies so timely expressed to the Lords of the Council and we shall never cease to answer their great care with the like diligent endeavours to promote the honour wealth and happiness of that Nation and to preserve the unitie so strongly fortified by mutual interest and affections on both sides And desire the English Commissioners to assure the Scots Commissioners how heartily and joyfully we imbrace their kindness manifested in that Petition Hoping that this constant and inviolable amitie between us and them will prove very usefull for the advantage and securitie of both which it did for a time and ruine to both hereafter In what a miserable condition is the Kingdom when King and Parliament are so divided What not one wise man amongst them Yes truly the Earl of Bristol had a large sense thereof and in this strait he moves for
this Kingdom by a most wicked and cruel Rebellion there and to divide the King from his Parliament and people here and by false slanders and imputations of things never done nor intended by us hath incensed his Majestie so as that after many bitter Invecâ—ives published against us without any just cause given he hath now at lastresolved to set up his Royal Standard and draw his Sword for the destruction and ruine of his most faithfull and obedient people whom by the Laws and Constitutions of this Kingdom he is bound to preserve and protect The cases and the fortunes of both Estates being so involved and united we cannot expect to be hindred by them in our just defence or that they will do any thing to aggravate the Miseries and Troubles of this Kingdom in the peace and happiness whereof they have found much advantage and by such unfriendly and unseasonable Supplies of our common Enemies make a way to their own as well as our ruine We therefore desire they may betimes look into this mischief and having searched it into the bottom to stop the further progress of it That they will not suffer more Ordnance Armour or any other like warlike provision to be brought over to strengthen those who as soon as they shall prevail against the Parliament according to their principles and interests by which they are guided will use that strength to the ruine of those from whom they have had it We desire they would not send over any Countreymen to further our Destruction who were sent to them for their preservation That they will not anticipate the spilling of English bloud in an unnatural civil War which hath been so chearfully and plentifully hazzarded and spent in that just and honourable Waâ— by which they have been so long preserved and to which the bloud of those persons and many other Subjects of this Kingdom is still in a manner dedicated but rather that they will cashier and discard from their Employment those that will presume to come over for that purpose And in satisfying these our reasonable and necessarie Desires they shall thereby not onely secure us but themselves yea they shall most of all advantage his Majestie for whose service those things are pretended to be done The question between his Majestie and Parliament is not whether he shall enjoy the same prerogative and power which hath belonged to our former Kings his Majesties royal predecessours but whether that prerogative and power should be imployed to our defence or to our ruine We expect nothing from him but securitie and protection from those mischievous Designs which have been so often multiplied and renewed against us though hitherto through Gods providence as often frustrated It cannot be denied by those who look indifferently on our proceedings and affairs but that it will be more honour and wealth safetie and greatness to his Majestie in concurring with his Parliament than in the course in which he now is but so unhappie hath his Majestie and the Kingdom been in those who have the greatest influence upon his Counsels that they look more upon the prevailing of their own pâ—rtie than upon any those great Advantages both to his Crown and Royal Person which he might obtain by joyning with his people And so cunning are those Factors for Poperie in prosecution of their own aims that they can put on a counterfeit visage of honour peace and greatness upon those courses and counsels which have no truth and realtie but of weakness dishonour and miseries to his Majestie and whole Kingdom We have lately expressed our earnest Inclinations to that National love and amitie with the United Provinces which is nourished and confirmed by so many civil respects and mutual interests as makes it so natural to us that we have this Parliament in our humble Petition to his Majestie desired we might be joyned with that State in a more near and strait League and union And we cannot but expect some returns from them of the like expressions and that they will be so far from blowing the fire which begins to kindle amongst us that they will rather endeavour to quench it by strengthening and encouraging us who have no other Design but not to be destroyed and preserve our Religion save our selves and the other Reformed Churches of Christendom from the massacres and extirpations with which the principles of the popish Religion do threaten us and them which are begun to be acted in Ireland and in the hopes endeavours and intentions of that partie had long since been executed upon us if the mercie favour and blessing of Almightie God had not superabounded and prevented the subtiltie and malignitie of cruel wicked and bloud-thirstie men And thus being fleshed they go on amain having seized the Kings Magazines Forts Navy and Militia leaving him naked and indisposed no doubt to the beginning of this War whereof himself complains How untruly I am charged says he with the first raising of an Armie and beginning this Civil War the eys that onely pitie me and the loyal hearts that durst onely pray for me at first might witness which yet appear not so many on my side as there were men in Arms listed against me mine unpreparedness for a War may well dishearten those that would help me while it argues truly mine unwillingness to fight yet it testifies for me that I am set on the defensive part having so little hopes or power to offend others that I have none to defend my self or to preserve what is mine own from their prerâ—ption No man can doubt but they prevented me in their purposes as well as their injuries who are so much before hand in their preparations against me and surprisals of my strength Such as are not for them yet dare not be for me so over-aw'd is their loyaltie by the others numbers and terrours I believe mine innocencie and unpreparedness to assert my Rights and Honour makes me the more guiltie in their esteem who would not so easily have declared a War against me if I had first assaulted them They knew my chiefest Arms left me were those onely which the Ancient Christians were wont to use against their Persecutours Prayers and Tears These may serve a good man's turn if not to conquer as a Souldier yet to suffer as a Martyr Their preventing of me and surprizing my Castles Forts Arms and Navie with the Militia is so far best for me That it may drive me from putting any trust in the arm of flesh and wholly to cast my self into the protection of the living God who can save by few or none as well as by many He that made the greedie Ravens to be Elias's Caterers and bring him food may also make their surprizal of outward force and defence an opportunitie to shew me the special support of his power and protection I thank God I reckon not now the want of the Militia so much in reference to mine own protection as my
Kings partie are Masters of the Field with Garisons round about plentifully supplied from the King but the Parliaments partie in great want are likely to disband within ten days And this is the Relation from the Lord Fairfax Decemb. 10. 1642. The Counties of Norfolk Suffolk Essex Cambridg the Isle of Elie Hertford and City of Norwich are authorized to associate and their General the Earl of Essex gives Commission to the Lord Grey of Wark to command in cheif as Major General over those Counties with Instructions to govern accordingly The most part of the Earl of Newcastle's Forces lie upon the County towards Halifax and the clothing Towns imposing Taxes upon the Inhabitants according to their qualities from one thousand pounds to one hundred pounds proportionable who found a Light-horse at an hundred pounds every one who found Musket or Pâ—ke at fourty shillings And about the fifteenth of December lands Colonel Goring for the King with more Arms some Pieces of Ordnance and some Money and fourscore old Commanders with the Queens Standard and to joyn with the Earl of Newcastle And in this Moneth of December the Kings Forces prospered Westward Marlborough and Tadcaster taken with a great Defeat of their Enemy Winchester and Chichester won by the Parliament The noble Lord Aubignie Brother to the Duke of Richmond died and was buried at Oxford And now it was thought time for the City to speak for themselves they well know what an odium lodged upon their disloyalty and therefore they petition the King how they are deeply pierced with Gangrene-wounds of his Majesties fear to hazzard his person in returning home to his Citie they abhor all thoughts of Disloyaltie making good their late Solemn Protestationâ— and sacred Oath with the last drop of their dearest bloud to defend and maintain the true Reformed Protestant Religion and your Majesties royal person honour and estate and do hereby engage themselves their estates and all they have to defend your Majestie with as much love loyaltie and dutie as ever Citizens expressed towards their Sovereign They are answered That his Majestie can distinguish some good Subjects in the Citie from the bad not all guiltie but what confidence can the King have there where the Laws of the Land are notoriously despised and the whole Government of the Citie submitted to the arbitrarie power of a few desperate persons of no reputation and names them Pennington their pretended Mayor the principal Authour of these Calamities which threaton ruine to that heretofore famous Citie Ven Foulk and Manwaring all of them notoriously guiltie of Schism and high Treason in oppressing robbing and imprisoning his good Subjects because they will not rebell against his Majestie nor assist those that do not that he condemns all for some that are guiltie and yet he offers his gracious pardon to all except such as are excepted if they shall yet return to their dutie if not he sums up the miserie that will necessarily fall upon every such person as shall continue acting and assisting the Rebellion This Answer full and home to the Cities conscience startled many into reluctancy when it was therefore thought fit by the Parliament to visit their Common Council and to caress them with a Committee of some Members lest this Answer should work too much with reluctancy And are told by Mr. Pym and others That this Answer reflects with wounding Aspersions upon persons of very eminent Authoritie of very great fidelitie amongst them that the Parliament owns them and their actions and will live and die in their defence and evermore concluding that their protection is the Armie and that it is hoped they will enlarge their Contributions for the maintenance of this Armie wherein as they have been liberal in former necessities so now they will exceed for safetie of themselves At the end of every period which Mr. Pym made in his Speech the applause was so great and so loud that he was silenced not without jugling and so concludes Worthy Citizens turning to the Rabble you see what the Parliament will do for your Lord Mayor and you 〈◊〉 your affections to do for the Parliament and State To which they replied We will live and die with them live and die with them All which says their printed Paper we may sum up in that Triumph of that Man of God In the thing wherein they dealt proudly God was above them There were some humble Desires and Propositions presented to the King at Oxford February 1. by four Lords and eight Members of the Commons but with so wilde and ranting a Preamble and the Desires so peremptory no less than fourteen viz. To disband his Armie and to return home to his Parliament Leave Delinquents to Trial Papists to be disarmed Bill for abolishing the Church-governours and Government and to pass such other Bills as shall be devised for a new Reformation Recusants to abjure Papacie To remove malignant Counsellours To settle the Mâ—litia as the Parliament please To prefer to the great Offices and Places of Iudicature such of the Parliament as they name and to take in all such as have been put out of Commissions of the peace A Bill to vindicate the Lord Kimbolton and the five Members To enter Alliance with his Proâ—estant Neighbours for Recoverie of the Palatinate To grant a general pardon with Exception of the Earl of Newcastle the Lord Digby and others To restore such of the Parliaments Members to their Offices and Places and to satisfie for their Losses c. The King answers with amazement If he had not given up all the faculties of his soul to an earnest endeavour of â—eace and Reconciliation or if he would suffer himself by any proâ—â—â—â—tion to be drawn to a sharpness of language at a time of Overtures of Accommodation he could not otherwise but resent their heavie charges upon him in the preamble and not suffer Reproaches which they cast upon him but his Majestie will forbear bitterness or the heat of his own sufferings throughout that if it be possible the memory thereof may be lost to the world And how unparliamentarie it is by Arms to require new Laws And he is pleased that a speedie time may be agreed upon for a Meeting and to debate those Propositions of theirs and these of his viz. That his own Revenues Magazines Towns Ships and Forts be restored That what hath been done contrary to Law and the Kings right may be renounced and recalled That all illegal power claimed or acted by Orders of Parliament be disclaimed The King will readily consent to the execution of all Laws made or to be made concerning Popery and Reformation so he desires a Bill for preserving the Book of Common Prayer and against Sectaries That all persons to be excepted against in the Treatie may be tried per pares with the cessation of Arms and for a free Trade But nothing followed till the third of March. In the North parts from
such as he shall appoint and to this end you are authorized and required to compound and deliver such Articles and demands as now are or hereafter shall be given you for a full consent thereunto and to Treat from time to time upon such directions as shall be thought fitting upon the several Reports that ye shall make unto us c. Richard Lane Cust. Sigill Cottington Hartford Dorset Chester Southampton Seymor E. Nicholas Glenham Governour Never was Garison so long maintained so resolutely and so mightily opposed as this of Oxford during all the Treaty which did not exclude the power of Arms and the Articles not concluded untill the 25. of Iune the Surrender thus A guard of several Regiments were placed from the East Port on both sides the way to VVhately the way to march out in a very bitter and violent storm of an hour to the number of three thousand five hundred ordinary persons the Noblemen and Gentlemen had leave for some dayes to stay for Passes the whole number of the Garison supposed seven thousand Souldiers and Scholers in pay Thirty eight Pieces of Ordnance ready mounted the Works strong and large perillous to storm The Conditions were Noble and in Print but being slenderly performed afterwards by others not the Souldiers I leave it to the Cavalier to complain The Nobility were the Earls of Dorset Hertford Southampton The Lords Cottington Lane Dunsmore Secretary Nicholas and others who have sent Letters to the King of the Surrender Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice had conditions to transport themselves beyond Seas The Duke of York is to be conducted to the Parliament and so to St. Iameses to the rest of the Royal Children And the Prince Elector already at London had leave from the Parliament to his shame for being here to visite his Brothers Prince Rupert and Maurice which he did received their salutation with scorne Two daies after came up from the General the Seals of State which were delivered to him upon surrender of Oxford The Great Seal of England carried from Westminster to the King An. 1642. The Privy Seal Signet King-Bench Exchequer Court of Wards Admiralty and Navy and the Sword All which Seales were voted to be broken in peices but the Sword to be kept safe in the Wardrobe And were so done by a Smith in the House of Lords in presence of the Commons and the broken silver given in reward to the Speakers of either House And now the Parliament consider of a Term or Title to be given to the Commissioners intrusted with their Great Seal and are to be called Conservators of the Common Wealth of England The Duke of York included with Articles of Oxford and brought up to the Parliament the twenty eight of Iuly in some shew of honour to the view of the People but no sooner at St. Iames's with the rest of the Royal Children and under Government of the Earl of Northumberland and his Lady but all his Servants are turned away and others strangers put in their places where he stayed not long but got away into France some years hereafter In the like manner the youngest Princess Henretta-Maria was now convayed away from Oatlands by her Governess the Lady Dalkeith who complaines of the necessity that enforced her Take her own words to the Gentlewomen in that Family twenty fourth Iuly 1646. Gentlewomen You are witness with what patience I have expected the pleasure of the Parliament Impossible to finde any Iustice to her Highnesse or favour to my self or any of you I was no longer able to keep her but am forced to take this upon me You shall do well to repair to the King all of you which is the same service as to her Highnesse and enjoy the honour of serving him It will be a great mark of your faithfulnesse to her Highnesse for to conceal her absence as long as you can as if I had removed her to a better Air. All her Apparel and such peices of Plate belonging to her you may receive for your selves and believe me to be Yours A. Dalkieth So then the Eldest Son and the Youngest Daughter are with the Queen in France The two Dukes of York and Glocester with the Princess Elizabeth at St. Iames's The Prince in the West with his Army Mr. Withers the Poet had write a Pamphlet Iusticiarius Iustificatus against Sir Richard Onslow a Surrey Knight wherein he is accused but this Man being a Member poor Withers had the worst though he endeavoured to prove the Charge against the other Colonel Poines and Rossiter had a minde to Newark long since the last year but were not able to Manage the Siege with their slender forces and therefore the Scots were very much entreated before they would vouchsafe to descend so far Southward At last they were hired with the sum of thirty thousand pounds and came in December 1645. and then began the Siege And to entertain them with a Sally a fortnight after they fell upon Peat's Quarters beat them and carried in many Prisoners Two dayes after another encounter upon Colonel Thornies Troop and returned with Prisoners But now the Scots are lodged on the North side of Newark with two thousand Horse and three thousand Foot to make good Nuschams-bridg and the General Leven there in person upon some discontent left the Leaguer and went back to Newcastle Poines lay on the South side in this manner the Lincolnshire forces four Troops of Horse and six hundred Foot about Belvoir Rossiter and Le-hunt at Blechington and Claypool with the Leicester and Ely Foot five hundred lay at Benington Nottingham and Derby forces six hundred at Stoake The Parliaments Commissioners met with the Scots General at Nottingham who demanded two thousand five hundred and eighty pounds weekly for his Army at Newark consisting in all near ten thousand Horse and Foot He was offered ten thousand pounds part of their thirty thousand pounds faithfully promised but none as yet paid and so deep was the distaste that the Scotish Commissioners from London were fain to march thither to even this difference In the mean time not a day passed but some action happened The besieged fall upon Poines Quarters at Stoake beat his Horse and near surprised the Foot till Rossiter hearing Allarum came in and endeavoured to come between the Salley their home but were prevented and beaten to purpose many killed others hurt and return with fourty Prisoners But now the Siege grows hot and the Assailants are resolved to Storme and first to Summon which was done April the first and a stout and witty Answer returned by Bellasis the Governour and the next day such another Sally upon Poines's Quarters with notable Successe upon him many slain above fourty drowned Captain Iepson and Murrey slain by the winde of a Bullet and yet Poines gaines much upon the Queens Fort and turned the River Trent quite from the Town on the North side The
must be the best and only remedy to remove our troubles That without a Treaty the Propositions may be esteemed Impositions That the King might have some just desires to move for the Crown and for himself and that every thing in the Propositions might not be of such importance as that the not granting it might hinder a peace That a personal Treaty is the best way to beget a mutual confidence between the King and Parliament And amongst other Protestations they aver That if Scotland had apprehended that the least injury or violence would have been committed against his person or Monarchical Government had they not received assurances from the Parliament to the contrary certainly all the threatnings and allurements in the world could never have perswaded them to have parted from the King and that it was their brotherly confidence in the Parliament fellow Subjects and the assurance that they had from both Houses that made them leave the King Then they complain of a vast deformity or multiformity of Heresies and sects endangering the ruin of Religion in this Kingdom But what ere the Scots have said in this Declaration the Parliament afterwards found out such Members at leisure that formed into a Committee for that purpose gave them a sound Answer But the King in the general Interest of all conceived them so unreasonable to be positively assented unto before a Treaty or dispute of some part or either of them as that he refused Giving his Reasons in a Letter or Message sealed up to the Commissioners for the Parliament to open But the Earl of Denbigh the cheif Commissioner desired the King that although they were intrusted only to bring the demands in writing and not to Treat yet they hope his Majesty would distinguish them from ordinary Commissioners and suffer them to see what was written professing that his Majesty should not receive disappointment or prejudice thereby The King Commands Ashburnham to read them aloud in these words C. R. The Necessity of complying with all engaged interests in these great distempers for a perfect settlement of peace his Majesty findes to be none of the least difficulties he hath met with since the time of his afflictions Which is too visible when at the same time that the two Houses of the English Parliament do present to his Majesty several Bills and Propositions for his consent the Commissioners for Scotland do openly protest against them So that were there nothing in the case but the consideration of that difference his Majesty cannot Imagine how to give such an Answer to what is now proposed as thereby to promise himself his great end A perfect Peace And when his Majesty further considers how impossible it is in the condition he now stands to fulfil the desires of the two Houses since the only ancient and known wayes of passing Laws are either by his Majesties personal assent in the House of Peers or by Commission under his great Seal of England He cannot but wonder at such failings in the manner of addresse which is now made unto him Unlesse his two Houses intend that his Majesty shall allow of a great Seal made without his Authority before there be any consideration had thereupon in a Treaty Which as it may hereafter hazard the security it self so for the present it seems very unreasonable to his Majesty And though his Majesty is willing to believe that the intentions of very many in both Houses in sending these Bills before a Treaty was only to obtain a trust from him and not to take any advantage by passing them to force other things from him which are either against his Conscience or Honour Yet his Majesty believes it clear to all understandings that these Bills contain as they are now penned not only the divesting himself of all Soveraignty and that without possibility of recovering it either to him or his Successors except by repeal of those Bills but also the making his Concessions guilty of the greatest pressures that can be made upon the Subject as in other particulars so by giving an arbitrary and unlimited power to the two Houses for ever to raise and levy Forces for Land or Sea service of what persons without distinction or quality and to what numbers they please And likewise for the payment of them to levy what monies in such sort and by such wayes and means and consequently upon the Estates of whatsoever persons they shall think fit and appoint which is utterly inconsistent with the Liberty and Property of the Subject and his Majesties trust in protecting them So that if the Major part of both Houses shall think it necessary to put the rest of the propositions into Bills his Majesty leaves all the World to judge how unsafe it would be for him to consent thereunto And if not what a strange condition after the passing of these four Bills his Majesty and all his Subjects would be cast into And here his Majesty thinks it not unfit to wish his two Houses to consider well the manner of their proceeding That when his Maiesty desires a personal Treaty with them for the setling of a Peace they in Answer propose the very subject matter of the most essential part thereof to be the first granted A thing which will be hardly credible to posterity Wherefore his Majesty declares That neither the desire of being freed from this tedious and Irksome condition of life his Majesty hath so long suffered nor the apprehension of what may befall him in case his two Houses shal not attend him a personal Treaty shall make him change his resolution of not consenting to any Act till the whole Peace be concluded yet then he intends not only to give just and reasonable satisfaction in the particulars presented to him but also to make good all other concessions mentioned in his Message of the twenty sixth of November last Which he thought would have produced better effects than what he findes in the Bills and Propositions now presented unto him And yet his Majesty cannot give over but now again earnestly presse for a personal Treaty so passionately is he affected with the advantages which peace will bring to his Majesty and all his Subjects of which he will not all dispair there being no other visible way to obtain a well grounded peace How ever his Majesty is very much at ease within himself for having fulfilled the Offices both of a Christian and of a King and will patiently wait the good pleasure of Almighty God to encline the hearts of his two Houses to consider their King and to compassionate their fellow Subjects miseries Carisbroke Castle Decem. 28. 1647. For the Speaker of the Lords House c. Herein the Commissioners found what pinched the Parliament and no sooner had the Parliaments Commissioners taken their leave and were gone towards Newport but Hamond turns out all the Kings Servants out of the Castle The confusion was so great that the King demands of