Sir if it please you to have a little patience we shall speedily give you an answer to your message After some little conference between the Lord Mayor and Aldermen the Gates were opened and the king at Armes entred with Trumpets sounding before him and was joyfully received by the Lord Mayor in his Crimson Velvet Gown and Hood the Aldermen and Sheriffs in Scarlet and the Officers of the Militia gallantly accoutred on Horse-back Both sides of the streets were guarded by the Mililia forces of London from Temple-Bar to the Old Exchange and stood all with their swords drawn as also the Officers and severall spectators in windows The City Horse fell in next the Life-guard then the Lord Mayor and Aldermen after whom the Herald and the rest as formerly When they came to Chancery-lane end they proclaimed His Majesty a third time where at the word Charles the second in the Proclamation the king at Armes lifting himself up with more then ordinary cheerfulness and expressing it with a very audible voice the people presently took it and on a suddon carried it to the Old Exchange which was pu sued with such shouts that is was near a quarter of an hour before silence could be made to read the rest of the Proclamation After this they went to Cheapside where His Majesty was proclaimed a fourth time the shouts of the people then being so great that though Bow-bells were then ringing yet could not the sound of them be heard Thence they went to the Old Exchange where His Majesty was again proclaimed with the loud shouts and acclamations of the people and so the solemnity ended But to recount the numberless number of Bonfires the ringing of Bells shooting off Guns and the joyfull expressions of the people that attended this gallant and well ordered procession would wear a pen of steel to the stumps and tire the hand of the most unwearied writer But this joy was not confined within the walls of the City the whole Kingdome participating of the benefit so did they also share in the triumph Our Chronicles make mention even to admiration of the solemnities at the Coronation of Richard the first but no History can shew a president of such transcendent joy as was at the proclaiming of Charles the second Take a view of their solemnities at Sherborn in Dorsetshire by which you may give a guesse at the rest On Munday May 14. the Kings Majesty after solemne prayers praises and a seasonable premonition at the Church by Mr. Bampfield to prevent exorbitancie was with high expressions of joy proclaimed by Mr. Birstal Master of the kings School there to whom Sir John Strangways High Steward of Sherborn-Castle did read the Proclamation himself not being able by reason of his age to utter it with so loud and audible voice as was requisite The performance was attended by divers persons of quality viz. Mr. George Digby second Son to the Earl of Bristoll Esquire Fulford Esquire Rogers one of Judge Mallets sons and many other Esquires and Gentlemen who brought with them as many Horse and Foot well armed as together with the Town Forces made up between five and six thousand Besides the melody of divers Consorts of Loud Musick there were the Martiall Noises of many Drums and Trumpets innumerable Volleys of shot the continuall ringing of Bells and loud acclamations of many Thousands of Men Women and Children had that thwack'd the streets so full that thousands of people as well in Armes as others were constrained to stay in the fields for want of room to receive them The very Earth did seem to quake and the Aire to tremble at the mighty rending shouts that were at that irerated On the top of the Tower of the Ancient Cathedrall were four large white flags with red crosses in them displayed on high poles The Conduit that day and the next ran with Claret besides many Hogsheads of March-bear and large Baskets of white loaves set out in the street for the Poor In the close of the day some of the witty wags of the Town did very formally represent an High Court of Justice at the Sessions Bench whither by a formidable guard was brought a grim Judge or Lord President in a Bloud-red Robe and a tire for his Head of the same Hue who being gravely set down in the Chair of Judicature with sundry asseslours the Cryer in the Name of the Supreme Keeper of the Liberties of England did command silence After the appointing of an Attorney Generall a Solliciter Generall and other Officers for the due constituting of so High a Court and the empanneling of a Jury John Bradshaw and Oliver Caomwell whose Effigies were artificially prepared and brought thither by a Guard of Souldiers were indicted of High Treason and murthering of the King commanded to hold up their bloudy-hands which for the purpose were besmeared with bloud They were asked Whether they did own the Authority of the Court which being silent the whole multitude present cryed out Justice my Lord Justice on these bloody Traytors and Murtherers They were asked again whether they owned the Authority of the Court and upon refusall sentence was passed upon them to be dragg'd to the place of Execution to be there hang'd upon two Gibbets forty foot high on both sides the States Armes which had lately been erected by Captain Chasee one of Lamberts Champions which sentence was accordingly executed The Honest Officers that dragg'd them to Execution from the lower part of the Town to the upper had many a blow with Fists Swords Halberts and Pikes which were aimed at the execrable Malefactors As they hung upon the Gibbets they were so hack'd and hew'd so gored and shot through that in a short time little remained besides Cromwells Buffe-coat and Bloudy scarfe that was worth the burning yet would nor the people be satisfied till they had made a fire between the Gibbets and burnt all they could get of their garbage or garments and at last tore down the States Armes to help make up their funerall pile At night besides the multitude of Bonfires there were three huge piles of faggots fired on the brows of three of the Highest Hills about a mile distant from the Town which were visible over all the Marshes of Sommerset-shire in part of Wales and the greatest part of Black-moor This extraordinary joy of the people of this Town might perhaps proceed from the native Genius of the place which having enjoyed formerly the residence of many a King and Bishop and the felicities that attend those Governments in Church and State did cause them to be even transported with joy at the restitution of the one and fair hopes of restauration of the other to these so long harrased Kingdomes and Churches And now the Parliament and City like the men of Israel and Judah when David was forced from Jerusalem by Absalon strive who shall be forwardest to bring the King home The Parliament ordered 50000l to be presented to His
Majesty as also 10000l to the Duke of Yorke and 5000l to the Duke of Glocester as a testimony of their respects to the Royal Family the City of London likewise ordered a present of 10000l to be sent to His Majesty who is desired to make a speedy return to the exercise of His kingly office and these Honourable persons from the Lords Commons and City ordered to attend him in his journey For the House of Lords The Earl of Oxford Earl of Middlesex Lord Brook Earl of Warwick Lord Viscount Hereford Lord Berkley and Dr. Charleton their Physician For the House of Commons Lord Fairfax Lord Bruce Lord Faulkland Lord C stleton Lord Herbert Lord Mandevil Sir Horatio Townsend Sir Anth. Ashley-Cooper Sir George Booth Denzil Hollis Esq Sir John Holland Sir Henry Cholmley and Mr. Bowles their Physician For the City of London Sir James Bunce Baronet Alderman Langham Alderman Reynardson Alderman Brown Sir Nicholas Crispe Alderman Tomson Alderman Frederick Alderman Adams Recorder Wilde Alderman Robinson Alderman Bateman Alderman Wale Theophilus Biddolph Richard Ford. Will. Vincent Tho. Bludworth Will. Bateman J. Lewes Esq M. Chamberlain Col. Bromfield And now since we were come again under a Regall Government the States Armes were ordered to be taken down in all places and the Kings Armes set up in their room the Standerts Flags and Jacks Colours for the Fleet to be used as before 1648. their carved and painted works altered c. The Statue of His late Royal Majesty that was formerly taken down at the Chappell in Guild-hall yard was set up again Thus was all endeavours used to obliterate as much as could be the very memory of our State-juglers who promising to bring us into a fools Paradise of liberty brought us into a reall bondage and slavery Yet notwithstanding the great hopes of a happy settlement the knipperdoling Fifth-Monarchy-men and others of that loose principled gang would needs have another firke to re-erect their Babell their design was having prepared saddles and armes to have stole the Horses and Mares at grasse about the Town and having mounted their Proselites intended with them to perform wonders but their Conspiracy was rotten before it was riâ—e giving to those that were Loyall this advantage thereby before the Stead was stole to shut the stable door Before I pass any further having discovered a Cheat give me leave to have it pillory'd The Parliament being informed of the sum of seven thousand nine hundred seventy eight pounds eight shillings nine pence heretofore paid into the receiâ—t of the Exchequer of the moneys collected for the relief of the Poor Protestants in Piedmont and Poland but by the Quondam States-men converted to another use they detesting and abhorring the diversion of the said money from the charitable uses to which it was originally intended Ordered the said sum to be paid out of such monies as should come into the said receipt upon the moity of the Excise at the rate of 2000 l. by the month till the whole were satisfied unto Alderman Viner and Alderman Pack Treasurers for the said monies by this we may see the large Conscience of our pretended zealots whose insatiable Covetousness extended so far as even to the robbing of the spittle May the twelfth several goods which were kept at a Fruiterers House in Thames-street were seized on they being found to have belonged formerly to His Majesty While His Majesty resides at Breda with the Dukes of Yorke and Glocester the ministers of Spain and France congratulate him The King of Spain presents him very largely The States Generall also desire audience of His Majesty and being admitted they invited His Majesty to the Hague and present him with 6000l Ster and in further testimony of their kindnesse the States of Holland and Westfriesland order severall Commanders as soon as any publick addresse should be made to the King to signifie their serious and sincere affections to His Majesty and to His Family and their desires to settle a firme and everlasting alliance with him About this time the Army in Ireland send an Humble addresse to the Generall shewing That as they were amazed at the former changes and revolutions so they could not but with joy now observe light breaking out of darkness and order out of confusion That whereas the Parliament had manifested their joyfull sense of His Majesties gracious offers they did also testify their joy and contentment therein and were resolv'd to observe the commands of his Excellency desiring him to improve this reall and cordiall engagement of theirs both with His Majesty and the two Houses But to return to the Commissioners sent to attend His Majesty they having a prosperous wind and smooth sea Eolus in short time arrived at the Hague whither soon after came His Sacred Majesty the Dukes of Yorke and Glocester with the Princesse Royall attended by a Regiment of her Horse being Royally entertained all the way from Breda at the charge of the States Generall The next day the Commissioners had audience the Earl of Oxford delivered the message from the House of Lords Denzill Hollis from the Commons and the Recorder of London from the City His Majesty conferred the Honour of knighthood on all the Citizens sent as Commissioners with the Lord Gerards sword The Ministers of London had some conference with him who received much satisfaction in his Religious discourse The States Generall during His Majesties stay there which by reason of crosse winds was the longer entertained him with a Costly Banquet and Royall presents among the rest they gave him the gold plate wherein the first Course at one of their feasts had been serv'd up valu'd at 60000 l. and table-linnen to the value of 1000 l. also a bed worth 7000 l. and 600000. gilders and as a further addition to the satisfaction of His Majesty they presented to his Nephew the Prince of Orange a full confirmation of all Honours and profits his Father enjoyed At last the weather growing calme he went aboard where taking his leave of the Queen of Bohemia the Princess Royall and Prince of Orange who accompanied him into the ship they set sail for England His Majesty in the Royal Charles formerly the Naseby the Duke of Yorke in the London and the Duke of Glocester in the James before called the Swift-sure The Gods did guide their sail course the winds were at command And Dover was the happy place where first they came oâ— land May 25. they arrived at the Beech near the Peer of Dover whither not above two Hours before was come his Excellency the Lord Cenerall Monck to congratulate His Majesties happy arrivall Now did all persons put themselves into a posture for to observe the meeting of the best of Kings and most deserving of Subjects The admirers of Majesty were jealous on the Kings behalf of too low a condiscention and the lovers of duty on the other side of an ostentation of merit but such an humble prostration
meeting His Majesty he run to the King and took him by the arme with such an unadvised rudeness to kiss his hand as made His Majesty more severely then ordinary demand who he was but when he reply'd that he was that William that fed His Majesty in the Oake His Majesty was graciously pleas'd to give the Marq. of Ormond charge of him to see him well provided for for something before that in Reference to the setling of the Kings Houshold the Marquess was made Lord high Steward of His Majesties Houshold Other offices were also dispos'd of to others The Earl Manchester was made Lord Chamberlain The Earl of Barkshire one of the Bed-chamber but the treasurie was still let to remain in the hands of Commanders And as the King is now ordering of his houshold so is the Duke of Albemarly making alterations in the Army to His Majesties best advantage the commands of most of the Regiments both of Horse and Foot being conferr'd upon the Nobilitie Col. Smithsons Regiment is given to the Earl of Oxford Col. Faggs to John Viscount Mordant Col. Purys to the Lord Herbert Col. Twistletons to Sir Edward Massey the Lord Fâ—lkenbridge's to his Highness the Duke of Yorke Sir Ralph Knights Regiment to the Duke of Glocester Sir Ralph Knight Commanding as Lieut. Col. under him Col. Streaters Regiment to the Lord Bellasis Col. Gibbons's Regiment is Commanded by the Duke of Buckingham the Lord Ossory Commands another and the Lord Widdrington another Hereby it was provided by the army 's being put into such safe hands that it should no more be subject to the rebellious contrivances of agitators or any others who should seek to stir them up to rebellion or sedition nor was this all for his Excellency not onely alter'd their commanders but strictly charg'd that every souldier should take the oathes of supremacy and allegiance to His Majesty and that none should be new listed or pass the musters that refused it The City about this time calling to mind the injury which the Rump had offered not onely to the person but the effigies of His late most Sacred Majesty which they had taken down from all the publick places in the City where it had been set up caused another statue to be set up in the place of that which was taken down from the Exchange with this Inscription Monarcharum Mag. Brit. Secundus Franciae Hiberniae Rex Martyr ad coelum missus Penultimo Jan. Anno Dom. 1648. The Scepter in his right hand A Church in his left A Globe at his left foot and on his Shield MAGNA CHARTA As also another to be set up representing the pourtraiture of His Sacred Majesty that now is with this Inscription Monarcharum Mag. Brit. Tertius Franciae Hiberniae Rex Aetat suae Anno tricesimo Regni duodecimo Restorationis primo Anno Dom. 1660. The Scepter in his right hand In his left the Globe and on his Shield AMNESTIA Mis Majesty also set forth a Proclamation for recalling all Commissions at sea granted by himself or his Royal Brother before the first of May last willing and commanding every of them to forbear further execution of the said Commissions under such penalties upon disobedience as may be legally inflicted upon pirates and likewise requiring all his Subjects employ'd in sea affaires by any forraigne Prince to repaire home to His Majesties service It was now time seeing His Majesty restor'd to think of restoring him his revenues but the Parliament seeing them so wasted and imbezeled by the devastations of the times are willing to supply that want by grant of that imposition commonly called Tunnage and Poundage which they prepare with all speed together with an Act for Pole-money and continuing the excize till the 20. of August to all which three Acts His Majesty soon after coming to the House gave his Royal assent and confirmation Which as it was their own Act so was His Majesty willing that no other Act of theirs should seem to proceed from force or violence upon them and therefore at length to take away any such suspition the guards were discharg'd from their attendance on the Houses who being now upon the performance of their duty to His Majesty and the honourable service of their Country were not thought to want any other security then the hearts and affections of the people who think they must have an esteem for them who are so ready to serve their Soveraigne from whom they receive such benefits not only in health but in sickness His Majesty having since he came into England touch'd and heald above 2000. persons On the 13. of August severall proclamations were procaim'd one against fighting Duells whereby His Majesty strictly commands all his Subjects that they doe not by themselves or any others either by message word writing or otherwise challenge or cause to be challenged any person or persons to sight in Duell nor to carry accept or conceale any challenge nor actually to sight or be a second to any therein That the offenders shall not onely incur His Majesties displeasure but be incapable of any office or preferment That persons that know and conceal such challenges shall be liable to the same penalties In the conclusion His M jesty doth deny and forbid any intercession to be made for such offenders declaring that his pardon shall not extend to them The second was for the discovery of goods concealed belonging either to his late Father Queen or himself The third for calling in and suppressing of two books written by John Milton the one intituled Joannis Miltoni Angli defensio pro populo Anglicano contra Claudes Anonymi alios Salmasii defensionem regiam the other in Answer to a book intituled The portraicture of His Sacred Majesty in his solitudes and sufferings and also a third book written by John Goodwin called the obstructions of Justice Nor as His Majesty while he is doing justice and settling the government here unmindfull of securing Ireland to which purpose His grace the Duke of Albemarly is constituted Lord Lieutenant His Majesty thinking it no way prejudiciall to entrust the security of one of his Kingdomes in those hands which have been the safety of all three About the 21. of August was publish'd an Act for the continuance of the Excise till the 25. of December Saturday August 25. His Excellency to ease the burthen and charge of the Kingdome did dispatch expresse ordeâ—s to the severall Regiments of the Army to take no more Officers or Souldiers into any place vacant by â—eath or otherwise Upon the eight of August His Majesty went to the Parliament At his coming into the House of Commons the Speaker made a speech to His Majesty wherein he first took notice how great a blessing God had powr'd upon the nation in restoring His Majesty to his Dominions and lawfull inheritance That the eminent vertues excellent qualifications which God had bestowed upon His Majesty to make him every way