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
Merits The Queen began her Journey this day from Oxford towards the West of England those parts the most free from the poweâ— of her Enemies and more peaceable for her quiet rather than Oxford where though she were safe yet not secure from noise and business not much though regarding their Forces nor much troubled at the falsities for which the Parliament at VVestminster had voted her a Traitour besides the vain Libells that were let loose from Press and Pulpit in much plenty against the honour and dignity of Majesty and so she was conducted by the King Prince and Duke of York waited on with the chief Nobility and Gentry the first days Journey The King in presence of his Peers before they parted from Oxford received the holy Eucharist at Christ's Church from the hands of the Arch-bishop of Armagh used these publick Expressions immediately before his receiving the blessed Elements he rose up from his knees and beckning to the Arch-bishop for a short forbearance made this Protestation My Lord I espie hâ—re many resolved Protestants who may declare to the world the Resolution I do now make I have to the utmost of my power prepared my Soul to become a worthy Receiver and may I so receive comfort by the blessed Sacrament as I do intend the Establishment of the true Reformed Protestant Religion as it stood in its beauty in the happy daies of Queen Elizabeth without any connivence at Popery I bless God that in the midst of these publick Distractions I have still liberty to communicate and may this Sacrament be my Damnation if my heart do not joyn with my lips in this Protestation The King had caused a Garison in South Wales at Swansey a Town of good note in the County of Glamorgan under command of the high Sheriff residing there in person and were summoned from a Ship-board by Captain Molton To the Mayor and Gentlemen of Swansey Gentlemen these are to will and require you in the Name of the right honourable Robert Earl of Warwick Lord high Admiral of England Wales and Ireland and his Majesties Navy Royal at Sea that you forthwith yield the Town and Garison to the King and Parliament c. And this is the advice of your Friend who endeavours to preserve you if not I shall keep you without Trade till your forced obedience bring you to the mercie of him that tendereth to you grace and favour Milford-haven from the Ship called the Lion Ro. Molton This Lion-like sawcy Paper the high Sheriff received and suddenly sends Answer To Robert Molton Subscriber unto the Paper directed to the Mayor and Gentlemen of Swansey We cannot understand how we may with any justice or loyaltie return you the name of a Gentleman in answer to your rude and rebellious Paper in the front whereof you have the boldness and presumption in the Name of the right honourable as you term him whom we account otherwise Robert Earl of Warwick by you styled high Admiral of England and his Majesties Navie Royal which he hath illegally possessed to will and require us forthwith to yield the Town and Garison of Swansey into the obedience of the King and Parliament c. In defiance of which your traiterous Summons under a spurious shew of your loyalty and subjection to his Majestie We will not yield Town nor Garison nor any the least interest we hold of Life or Fortune under protection of his sacred Majestie but will defend the same against your proud and insolent Menacingâ— wherein your proper Trade is exhibited and in the account of a Rebell and Traitour we leave you to your self May 14. Subscribed by the high Sheriff and Gentlemen of Glamorganshire Certainly this Frolick for a Ship Captain to attach a Land Garison was not with any assurance to master it by his great Guns or that he could imagine so great fear in Master Sheriff to quit his trust upon a weak Summons rather it was with an intent to answer that Knack of a Troop of Horse in the North who finding some Sailers drinking in an Ale-house seized their Ship and Goods hard by in a blinde Creek If Captain Molton could have done so by Swansey he needed the less to give warning by Summons but he left it as he found it in the Sheriffs command Latham house was sore beset with a Siege against that noble Countess of Derby for above three Moneths by these Commanders Ashton Moor and Rigby nay by the power of Sir Thomas Middleton and Sir William Fairfax addition upon whom the besieged have sallied out and killed many at several times Colonel Moor's men erected a Breast of Mutton on a Pikes point held it up to the hunger-starved Rascals within daring them to come out and dine and the Countess was called to by name a young Gentleman Captain Chisnall desired my Lady that he might sally out ere the Table should be taken away which he did ere they had dined forced into their Trenches took divers Prisoners and some Colours which instantly they carried to the back Gates of the House opened them and shewing these Colours cried out A Latham a Latham the House is taken hereupon the Enemy being ignorant of this Deceit concluded it to be taken and advancing in a Body came in speed to the Gate where they were welcomed with three Pieces of Cannon and much execution and thus this Lady held out Latham till Prince Rupert came to her Relief For on Tuesday May 21. he marched on his way towards Lancashire and the five and twentieth towards Stopwash a border Town of Cheshire seated on the Banck of the River Mersey dividing these two Counties here the Parliament had a strong Garison who drew out with three thousand Horse and Foot and faced Rupert's Horse but at the coming up of his Foot in the Evening about six a clock the other side withdrew to the Hedges and lining them shot through which he must pass and therefore he commands Colonel Washington with some Dragoons to scowre the Hedges and forced them to the Town whom the Prince followed so close that he entered with them and took the Town Cannon Army and Amunition and many Prisoners Then being so near he sends Relief to the Countess of Derby who had now opposed a strong Siege of eighteen Weeks but her Adversaries were rising and going in fear to stay for Prince Râ—pert yet not without some Farewell therefore the Garison sallied out fell upon the Enemies Rear killed some and took Prisoners and so way was given for the Earl of Derby to return home to his own house The King having drawn out all his Forces from several Garisons to meet at Goring Heath in Oxfordshire the Parliament at Westminster was much troubled ordering that their General Essex the Earl of Manchester and Lord Grey with what Forces could be raised at London with the Garisons of Windsor and Alisbury and all to meet at the general Rendezvouz Alisbury in the
who whilst Waller hunted the King was gotten Westward and to please the Lo. Roberts with advice of his Iuncto Counsel a Committee of Members is perswaded into Cornwal to credit Roberts for getting his Rents his main end hitherto obstructed by the power of the Cavaliers in that County The King comes to Kingsmore in Somersetshire Iuly 23. and passed Tamer at Palton-bridge in Cornwal Aug. 1. and so to Liskard 8. miles disâ—â—nt from Essex who was at Lesttithyel in Cornwal 5. Aug. there he is encompassed his Majesty and Prince Maurice at Bonnock on one side and Sir Richard Greenvile in Bodmin and Sir Iacob Ashley at Haul which commands Foy Haven But so soon as his Majesties Army drew from Liskard he faced the enemy in their Quarters at Listithiel who had strongly fastned their Foot Quarter on one side of the Town and placed most of their Horse and some Foot on the hills beyond The Town is situate in a valley and Tyde flows up from Foy to the Bridg so as it is not Fordeable but at one passe between that and the Sea Upon sight of the enemy his Majesties Army was full of courage and desired to be engaged but that was not thought fit to be done and the way of distressing the enemy for want of Provisions was resolved on as the most secure and so drew into Quarters the King to Boconnocke the Lord Mohuns House his Army between him and a Heath that parted his Quarters and the enemy at Listithiel the distance between both being â—ot above a mile Assoon as his Majesty had fastned his which was quickly done every enclosure here being Cannon-proofe most of the chief Officers of both Armies subscribed a Letter to Essex by his Majesties consent notwithstanding his Majesties Gracious Letter to him immediately before was not vouchsafed an answer To the Letter sent by the Commanders he returned a Negative yet his denyal wrought no great effects on his Majesties Army for in this posture between the expectation of Sir Grenevile's assistance who was coming on from the West the starving of the enemy and many debates but no positive results His Majesty spent above eight dayes putting little in execution but drew out often on the Heath had some light skirmishes with the Horse Guards and so drew into Quarters again at last Sir Richard Grenevile came with his Force then the Army began more seriously in the prosecution of the design Grenevile fastning his Quarter at Lanhetherocke the Lord Robert's house beyond the River three miles West of his Majesty and possessed Leprin Bridg on the same River a mile above Listithiel and his Majesty on the other side placed Guards on all the passes on the River leading from his Quarters and Listithiel to Foy and possessing a house of the Lord Mohun's over against the Town and a Fort that commandes the very mouth of that Haven being there but half Musket-shot over this was the first work which conduced to his Majesties advantage which proved fatal to their Army they being thereby deprived of an Harbor to bring them in provisions or supplies which they had plentifully before and now they had only a small Creek at Mimibilley and Saint Blases Bay but neither of those safe for Ships yet they still possessed a large space of ground West-ward which made his Majesty after few dayes expectation conclude that he could not starve them in so short a time as was imagined and therefore drew nearer to their Quarters and fastned his Army within Encloâ—â—res on the Wings of theirs within Musket-shot each of the other between which lyes part of the Heath there not half a mile over At the farthest extent of the Kings Quarters on that Heath he built a Fort that by Cannon very much anoyed theirs though they returned daily twenty great shot for one of his the same day Grenevile on the other side of the River drew near to Listithiel took Lesterman Castle a strong Fort and a Passe underneath it little more then half a mile from the Town and hereby his Majesty bettered the communication of his Forces when he had secured these and his Quarters he lay still again expecting the event but the ill weather coming on he resolved on a new design which was to attempt on some of their Quarters by surprise and thereupon Prince Maurice's Army was ordered to have fallen on two dayes successively on the next Quarter to them but the first day it was thought neither easie to get nor advantageous being got and the next by delay and the enemies discovery of the design nothing was effected to the trouble and dislike of many who thought the same more easie then perchance it was yet that failing necessity forbad any longer idlenesse and so again his Majesty resumed the former design of starving them to which purpose General Goring with most of the Horse and Sir Thomas Basset with fifteen hundred Foot of Prince Maurice his Army were sent West to stop all provisions coming in at Saint Blase and to reduce them to straits by keeping their Horse and Foot close together This wrought the expected effect for on Friday night came intelligence that they were drawing their Cannon and Baggage towards Foy whereupon his Majesty made ready not knowing what they had done with their Horse who the next morning before day in great fear marched between his Majesties two Quarters being about two thousand five hundred commanded by Balfour but his Majesties Horse followed them though they made so great hast as that they were timely at Saltash near which Sir Edward Waldgraves brigade lay and was almost surprised but the gallant old man got his men together Flanked them slew a hundred took Major Abeâ—cromy and many prisoners Being well bruised here they laboured to transport themselves over the River for Plymouth their Horse being very weak and tired but in the afternoon that day General Goring and most of the Horse had order to pursue them and timely notice was given to all Forces in the Southern parts to meet them in the Front but failed Their Foot Army drew out likewise on Saturday and by eight in the morning marched away towards Foy his Majesty presently followed and having got the Bridg and Town of Listithiel advanced the Hill where he found two rare pieces of Cannon and about a mile farther three or four more with powder and Amunition which in their hast they left behind them Thus marching after them his Majesty fell in their Rear two miles from Listithiel and from hedg to hedg enforced them to an hasty retreat at length having got some advantage of an inclosure they made a stand and with their remaining Horse regained some fields whence they were forced before whereupon the King sent presently Captain Brett with the Queens Troop who in the Kings view forced them to retire regained the ground lost got more and returned gallantly and in good order with the losse only of four men and
Caelum She lands at Dover 12 23 of Iune on Sunday seven a clock at Night and in the appearance of those who observed her in France at the first time of the Overtures for the Mariage she was grown from the fear of never being tall and already sits upon the very skirts of womanhood Her countenance sweet and lovely which opened a window with her heart where one may see Nobleness and Goodness and the actions of her self her own Will to be excellent full of Wit and a lovely manner of expressing it Her attire very plain for so great a Princess can be thought to have nothing mean about her His Majesty was come thither from Canterbury no otherwise to the Conquest of Love than to receive Her at the top of the stairs She on her Knee striving to kiss his hand He takes her up with treble surprized affection expressed in so many salutes on her lips And so with excessive strains of Love retire to the inmost chamber where after his expression of many sad fears for her hazard at Sea She whether in fright of the remembrance or sorrow to be now surprized into the subjection of a Stranger that was of her self free before she tenderly and unwilling slipt down some tears which trickled on her lips and he with the other passion of Love took that occasion to dry them up with kisses and so he said he would do till she had done confuting her that she was fallen into the effect of Gods divine Providence to forsake her kindred and cleave to her Spouse He professing to be no longer Master of himself than whilest he was a servant to her Here the Ceremony was accomplished and the Duke of Chevereux the Kings Representative in France renders her up to his Majesties Bosom and to his Bed at Canterbury From whence the whole journey in the way to Gravesend was laned through with millions of people crying out Halelujahs of Hasanna for their eternal happiness They were attended with a train of Gallantry the youth of Honour and others the Noblest of this Nation whom the Kingdom could send thither to wait upon their Majesties At Gravesend they take water towards London in the sumptuous Barge of State followed with numbers of other Barges and Boats The whole Naval Fleet designed to clear the stream and to Anchor neer either shore and their Majesties to be rowed through their ranks the Ships in comely order giving fire by degrees after the first shot vollyed these Princely Guests with the roaring Cannons that shook the ayre even to their landing at Somerset-House The third day appeared their Majesties on Royal Thrones to the Nobility and now their Mariage proclaimed with excessive joy at all From hence they too soon took leave of this evermore pestilential City but then and most usuall at the death of Soveraigns fatal which forced their remove of State to Hampton Court And so this disease of plague becoming casual we shall not need any idle suggestive Apologie to â—ake into other reasons or to fetch a freak of speculation as one hath done To mate all events passionately ascribing future calamities to the 〈◊〉 of the Kings Mariage with a Lady of Misbelief closing his excuse conjectural that No Protestant Princess was left alive to equal his Majesty for a Compleat Consort Necessity of State affairs and the custome of soveraigns enter their Inauguration with summons of their subjects Peers and People Politique and Necessary as Husband and Wife an Absolute and Natural the One may err the Other offend Not that a K. is bound up in all Acts of State lawfully to their Council and so the Parliament to be co-ordinate not subordinate to their Prince Yet King Iames often used the comparison in Matrimony And King Charles unadvisedly hereafter makes himself a Member of the Representative of Peers which the Parliament would never acquit him But for that a King is a man subject to errors in Judgement he assignes to himself Helps for directing and Rectifying his Will and Judgement by Laws and Councils Law Est mens quaedam nullo pertuâ—bata affectu So that a Prince by Law is more then a man deified but ruling by affections is brutified and nothing so outragious as injustice armed with power will and authority Councils are Privy and Publique his Privy Councill by his own free Election Publique his Parliament Peers and People so our Neighbor Nations Parliaments of France Courts of Spain Diets of Germany without which no Matters of Moment are concluded In the Monarchy of England all the three forms of Government do enter It hath one King as a Monarchy by certain Councils it participateth of Aristocracy and in the Commonalties voices and Burgesses in Parliament it taketh part of Democracy and all to temper somewhat the absolute form of Monarchy whose danger may be too peremptory At this Parliament Sir Thomas Crew was chosen Speaker of the House of Commons and was so the last of King Iames His place being as antient as Parliaments in the time of King William Rufus where he is termed Totius Regni Adunatio Afterwards stiled Vice totius Communitatis And the 51. of Edw. 3. He is named Speaker In the fifth of Rich. 2. the first that made any excuse to be discharged and in the 17. Rich 2. the first that was presented to the King in full Parliament But of late all these particulars are become proper to his place to do as this Speaker did And at the opening of this Parliament Iune 18. the King Himself salutes them which was not expected the common usage of former Princes being to speak by their Chancelour but King Iames altered that course as best able of any his Predecessors to speak for himself and King Charles began now to appear Inheritor of his Crown and Virtues though his Impediment of not speaking plain might spare him from a long Speech and have excused the grace of Oratory A note of Wisdome not weakness of understanding and in those dayes of less observation in the defect for the then Kings of Spain and France stammer'd but he with the least imperfection of them all who were men of Eminency in the effects of Government My Lords and Gentlemen YOu are not ignorant that at your earnest entreaty March 23. 1623. my Father of happy memory first took up armes for the recovery of the Palatinate for which purpose by your assistance he began to form a considerable Army and to prepare a goodly Armado and Navy Royal. But death intervening between him and the atchievement the war with the Crown is devolved upon Me. To the prosecution whereof as I am obliged both in Nature and Honour so I question not but the same necessity continuing you will cherish the action with the like affection and further it with a ready contribution True it is you furnished my Father with affectionate supplyes but they held no symmetry or proportion with the charge of so great
obtain them to his own use the summe of 3000 l. and did also procure for the said Surrender from the late King an Annuity of 1000 l. per annum payable to the said Earl for which considerations the said Earl surrendred the said Office with his Letters Patents unto the late King who granted them to the said Duke for his life which is an Offence contrary to the Laws and Statutes of this Realm those Offices so highly concerning the Administration and execution of Justice That the Earl of Nottingham then Lâ—rd Admiral being grown much in years and finding himself not so fit nor able to perform what appertained to his place as formerly became an earnest sutor to his late Majesty to permit him to surrender up his Office who at length being overcome by the Earls many solicitations condescended thereunto and his late Majesty at the entreaty of others without the Dukes privity was also perswaded to confer it upon the Duke much against his will he being no way experienced in those Affairs so that the Earl did freely surrender and the Duke aecept the grant of the said Office without any the least contract or proviso But true it is that his late Majesty out of his Royall Bounty did grant to the said Earl a Pension of 1000 l. per annum as a Recompence for his former service to the Crown and also the Duke himself did freely and voluntarily with his late Majesties approbation as an Argument of his honorable respects to so Noble a Predecessor send the Earl three thousand pounds which he hopeth is not blame worthy in him III. Reply 3. That he the said Duke in the 22. year of the late King did give and pay unto Edward Lord Zouch for the Offices of the Lord Warden of the Cinque-Ports and Constable of Dover Castle the sum of one thousand pounds and granted also an Annuity of 500 l. per annum during his life and that for the consideration aforesaid the said L. Zouch did surrender his Offices and Letters Patents to the late King who granted them to the said Duke for his life which Offices so highly concerning the Administration of Justice the Duke hath ever since held against the Laws of the Land That the Lord Zouch being grown in years and unfit to manage the Office of the Warden of the Cinque-Ports and Constable of Dover Castle which are indeed both but one discovered a willingness to surrender it and made severall Offers thereof to the Duke of Richmond who at last contracted with the said Lord Zouch for his surrender for the consideration of 1000 l. in money and 500â— l. per annum and the said Duke of Richmond being prevented by death his late Majesty directed the Duke of Buckingham to go through with the Lord Zouch for it upon the same terms which he was the willinger to do by reason he had found by experience that the Kings service suffered much through the emulation disaffectiâ—n and contention arising between those two Officers and he hopeth this act of his in acquiring this Office accompanied with such circumstances the King also being both privy and directing it will receive a favorable construction especially considering he was altogether unacquainted with any law tâ— the contrary IV. Reply 4. That he hath neglected the just execution of those his offices and violated the Trust reposed in and committed to him by them insomuch as through his neglect the trade of this Kingdome hath been of late much decayed and the Seas ignominiously infested with Pirates and Enemies to the great loss of both ships and Goods and imminent danger of this Kingdom That the loss happening to the Kings Subjects by Pirats and Enemies hath not proceeded through the Dukes default as is suggested but because those Pirats ships are built of a mould as fit for flight as for fight being far too nimble for the Kings Ships To prevent which inconvenience for the time to come there is present order taken for the building of Ships of the same shape with those of Dunkirk and for the Pirats of Sally that provision is taken either to restrain by Treaty or to repress them by force as will give good satisfaction and this will clearly appear upon proof V. Reply 5. That whereas about Michaelmas last a Ship called the St. Peter of New-haven laden with divers Merchants Jewels and Commodities to the value of 40000 l. or thereabout for the proper account of Monsieur de Villeurs then Governour of New-Haven was taken by the Ships of his Majesties late Fleet and brought into the Port of Plymouth as a Prize upon probability that the said Ship or Goods belonged to the Subjects of the King of Spain whereupon there was an arrest of two English ships at New-haven in the Kingdome of France after which intimation was given to the Advocate in the chief Court of Admiralty from his Majesty by Secretary Coke for the freeing and discharge of the said ship and goods and thereupon by Commission under Seal the said Ship and goods were released The said Duke notwithstanding any such order and decree detained still to his own use the Gold Silver Pearls Jewels and other Commodities so taken out of the said Ship and unjustly caused the said Ship to be arrested again in contempt of the Laws of this Land and to the prejudice of Trade That Complaint being made on the behalf of some French men at the Councel Table concerning the Saint Peter and some other ships His Majesty then present did order that she and all other stould be released as were found to belong to any Prince or State in amity with him provided they were not fraâ—dulently coloured And accordingly this ship was by Sentence in the Admiralty discharged But within few daies after new information came to the Lord Admiral that this ship was laden by the Subjects of the King of Spain in Spain that the Amirantesio wafâ—ed her beyond the North Cape and that Witnesses were ready to attest as much upon which the Duke acquainted his Majesty therewith and by his command made stay of this ship as he was assured by the opinion of the King and five other Advocates he might do and command was given to the Kings Advocate to hasten the examination of Witnesses in pursuance of the new information But the French Merchants impatient of delaies which the producing many witnesses would occasion complained again to the Council-board and obtained an Order from thence for the delivery of the said Ship and goods upon security which Security was once offered but after retracted yet upon consideration of the testimonies produced the Kings Advocate informing the Duke that the proof came short for that Ship the D. did instantly give order for her final discharge and that all her goods should be re-imbarked to the Owners which was done accordingly VI. Reply 6. That the East-India Merchants in the 21. of the late Kings Reign preparing to set forth four great
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
aloft and water workes below It was indeed a Royal worke finished not more then 13 moneths before Such a magnificent piece and so well provided as might stand the shock of mighty forces whether within or without And to these all warlike provisions that could be imagined for many moneths Lastly a most excellent Garrison strictly manned and commanded by Toras of an undaunted and gallant spirit And yet Buckingham durst dare this Frame upon the Coast of France and now fortified by a numerous Army on the Main and all with a handfull of English far from home After debate whether by assault because the further side of the Tower was not finished or furnished with fresh supplies or famine for all men can defend by fight and either the weaker parts of the Isle to be laid waste and so to move from place or to besiege by a trench But then some danger of an Enemy to hem them in unless the English ships of war failed to discharge their trust But Buckingham the mist of Humanity meant rather to correct then so cruell to destroy such a people from whose Royall Race a Queen so lately and so Excellent was delivered into the Heart and hands of his Majesty and Master the King of England And so rather resolved upon these perswasions He gives order for the Circumvallation the ships disposed to encompasse the Island without A Trench drawn round and a Rampire just against the Tower bank with Bulwarks in equall distance perfected the inmost Lastly for great Guns in Artillery so disposed with Gabrions and blindes on high either to batter the forts and yet hinder an Enemies landing or any hostile vessel Some Garrisons in several villages to restrain the poor Inhabitants and all irruptions from the Continent Buckingham shews the largenesse of his heart and desired requital with necessary supplies but whom hope allows mischance deceives spent three moneths this way to discover his meaning to be merciful as a friend not foe yet not so unwary but promoved his designe which was daily occasioned by his Canon which played on the fort that kept in the besieged The French King in the Campain is seized of a feavor A Person fit for action is forced away and leaves the command to Cardinal Richelieu whom the Reformed commend for his fair dealing He tells them their danger to hazzard all their happinesse upon false hopes and so their wavering brains were brought about to depend on his promises and to neglect themselves And by this time the Universal face of Europe changed the single pretence which scarcely was upright at home reached to all foreign and strook at their own Grandees And the Cardinal with all his power for the welfare of France sends to Haver de Grace for ships and to the Isles and other places for provisions into the Castle and some auxiliary ships from Spain forces some of our English ships intercepted at Blois now made fit for use And to their aid comes thirty frygots with ready money and Arms and the Command upon Bellimount and for Belly-fare or victuall Marsilane the Abbot had the mannaging Their Sea Council also concluded to fire our ships and Pompeius de Faragoe the famous Ingeneer at Dunkerk is solicited hither And all this in fear for the English Duke was set down to do somewhat as is confessed by Isnardus pag. 83. So that our small forces exercised all France and their Confederates Buckingham mounts his six great Guns to overthrow their Windemills that served the Castle and the Besieged oppose with theirs to defend them which were overthrown and made unserviceable and many of the Garrison destroyed A numerous Navy now gathered by the French the Abbot Marsilane advises some friends of Toras to adventure into their Narrow Seas but they affraid come under the safety of Bellamount The same time that Chasilvalin guarded with small force of foot and horse not far from the Castle is sent to guard some Mills by order of Toras but meeting with ours he instantly rendred up himself and them unto our power The Duke having entertained these some three or four dayes returned them to the Continent The day after by Marsilanes procurement another Conduct is furnished whom some Nimble Gallies are to carry but the swiftest of them falling into our hands the rest retired and increased with them of Bellamount The Trenches now open and our Bulwarks so placed at distance that our shot might certainly reach them on either side The Circumvallation reaching from St. Martins Church in frame of a half Moon ended at the furthest â—â—de of the Castle very near the Port it self the Enemy making no opposition suffering themselves thus to be shut up of a good number and fearing famine if the fugitives speak truth They privily sent out of the Castle Mounsier Sangrene to hasten the Conduct but he coming to Court where their King lay bound of his disease received this answer that he should exchange his Prayers into thanksgivings that all things were in readinesse for the relief of the besieged Onely he besought that Bellamount might be sent privily to give them aid And with like subtilty came to Buckingham an English Monk being slipt aside out of the French Tents about Rochel but pretends from the Court of Great Brittain reporting withall what a numerous Army was in readinesse over all France and at Sea above three hundred and fourty sail And that the subsidiaries of the Confederates might appear the more speciously is Chatase a Baron sent that those ships might be received into the neer Harbours wiâ—h all â—ignalls and Maritine Pomp and that some ships built in Holland were to come hither In the mean time some light skirmishes happened before the Castle of those many ships adventuring into the Island onely one by a little winding crooked course came into the Castle the rest put to flight another hovering further off crept into the Meden Tower in a dark and quiet night the winde that helped them dissevered and hindred us These Provisions refreshed the besieged who sent forth fourty horse to skirmish with the like number of ours that kept the watch but they were put to flight and some men lost on both sides Then on the Main the King in some recovery raises large forts and holds nearer Rochel fearing left if we got the Island we might meet with a stop upon the Main and the Towns-men full of Inconstancy might with more ease be bridled who sent us food and cattel uâ—derhand The fourth onset for Relief was committed to Mounsier Reyme Du Closse and others of their chief Nobility They did not do it by craft as the Jnuier but down-right with their force-ship towards the Castle and paid the price for his boldnesse being the most slain drowned and made prisoners and amongst them the Baron Reyme who had so much favour that he ran away the gentle Noblenesse of Buckinghams nature disdaining the advantage oâ— a Prison
this Victorious General divide their great Body into flying Armies carrying on an offensive War up and down where they pleased for Norlington forthwith surrendred the Duchy of Weitemburgh soon submits and their Duke flies to Strasburgh The Emperour sufficiently recovering his Eagles Plumes formerly obscured by the Septentrional Mars And yet to shew to the world reason and right from the difference of contraries The one would have War in the continuation of Conquest But the Emperour declares his desire of peace even in Victory They would carry on all with violence He to restore all to the first owner by a moderate accommodation And truly so it was offered by the King of Hungary to the Duke of Saxony and the other Prince which was afterwards the next year accepted for a while until the French Flower de Luce with her Odour marred the scent of the sweet smelling Frankincense In which time the Cardinall Infanto took time to visit his Government in Flanders The aid of Ship-money had set out one Fleet for securing of the Narrow-Seas this summer under Command of the Earl of Lindsey not the Earl of Northumberland till next year with fourty gallant Ships the third of May and the Earl of Essex his Vice-Admiral with twenty sail And being abroad at Sea the King resolves to continue his designe for the future with formidable Fleets annually and so it was thought convenient to lay the charge of Ship-money universally upon all Counties And therefore the Lord Keeper had command to direct the Judges of Assizes in their Circuits for the promoting of the Writs which were to Issue out for the next year which he did at the usual Assembly of the State in Star-chamber the end of Midsummer term the seventeenth of Iune to this effect My Lords the Judges THe Term being ended you are to divide your selves to your several Circuits for the service of the King and the good of the subjects In the Terms the people follow and seek after justice four times in the year but in the Circuits Iustice is carried down to them for their ease twice in the year so gracious is the frame and constitution of the Kings Government It is the Custom that you receive directions as his Majesties or his Councel shall think seasonable to impart to you that no cause may be of complaint either for denial or delay of Iustice. Of the tryal of Nisi prius it moves in a frame if your Officers do their duties you cannot tread awry Look to the corruption of the Sheriffs and their deputies the partiality of Jurors Aâ—d because the time of Assizes is very short therefore apply your selves to these particulars Amongst many I shall commend unto you first the presenting and convicting of Recusants those â—orfeitures being many years assigned for the publique defence Next to make a strict inquiry after Depopulations and Inclosures a Crime of a crying Nature robbing God of his honour and the King of his subjects Churches and Houses going down together the Freeholders hate them as oppressions of an high Nature bringing to posterity that Wo which is pronounced to those that lay house to house and field to field to dwell alone in the widest of the earth The next is the numerous erecting of Ale-houses the pest of the Kingdome none to be permitted without Licence a few in fit places according to Law The Iustices of peace are often to blame herein I did once discharge two Justices for setting up one Ale-house You are to see that the vagabonds shall be duly punished Constables Headboroughs and watchmen are to do their duties herein and these to be elected out of the better sort of Yeomanry There have been Presidents that the whole County hath been accountable to the King for the election of a faulty Coronor And if the Lords of Leetes were so punished for ill Constables the mischief would finde remedy And for binding of Apprentices in the Country the Iustices of peace are to execute their printed directions therein and you are to return the Names of the Iustices of peace to the Lords of the Councell that are faulty in their duties One thing more I have in charge to give you of great weight the honour of the King and Kingdom and their safety Christendom is full of wars the goodnesse of God to us that we are in peace and plenty It is a good precept in Divinity and holdeth in policie too Jam proximus ardet which if well observed it would warn our Neighbours to â— stand upon our own Guard Not to be enforced to fight and therefore to arm our selves better then not to arm and to be forced to fight providence being better than necessity The king therefore hath commanded all Land forces to be in readiness and hath set to sea a Royal Fleet not all at his own charges but also with the assistance of the Maritan places of the Kingdom And his Majesty hath vouchsafed by his Writs to declare enough to satisfie well minded men and to expresse the clearnesse of his princely heart in ayming at the general good of all The dominion of the sea as it is the ancient and undoubted right of the Crown so it is the best security of this Land and all good subjects will endeavour that the dominion of the Sea may be preserved not to be lost or deminished The Woodden Walls are the best walls of the Kingdom and if the Riches and wealth of the Nation be respected for that cause the dominion of the Sea is to be preserved else what would become of our Woolls Lead and the like the prizes would fall to nothing if others should be Masters of the Sea There is a Case in the Book of Assizes 43. That certain men went down into the Countrey and reported there that no Wooll should passe over Sea that year which occasioned the Woolls so low prized that the men were questioned and fined what then may follow in the losse of the dominion of the Sea in all our Commodities but losse of Trade Therefore as his Majesty thought fit to set forth that Fleet now upon the sea so he being ingaged for the honour of himself and Kingdom to strengthen this with greater Forces and more shipping therefore he upon advice is resolved to send forth new Writs for the preparation of a greater Fleet the next year not onely to the maritime Towns but to the whole Kingdome as wholly interessed in the benefit And that you the Iudges are commanded in your charge at the Assizes and at all places opportunely to acquaint the people of his Majesties care and zeal to preserve his and the Kingdoms honour in the dominion of the Sea by a powerfull Fleet and you are to let them know how just it is for his Majesty to require this for the common defence and with what alacrity and chearfulness they are bound in duty to contribute the best way to assure unto us a
Councel at Hampton Court the case was concluded for the Arch Bishop as the greatest reason not to rule themselves having suffered such an Inconvenience there without so much as taking notice much lesse reforming It had been more then fifteen moneths that the Writs of Ship-money were issued out to divers Counties many Men and in special Mr. Hambden of Buckingham Shire being Assisted by the Sherifâ— made default of payment this Person well known and supposed a stake for others not without a resolved factious assistance of powerful parties And therefore the King this Michaelmas Term not precipitate into a quarrel advised the opinion of his Judges stating the Case by Letter to them To our trusty and well-beloved Sir John Bramstone Knight Chief Iustice of Our Bench Sir John Finch Knight Chief Iustice of Our Court of Common Pleas Sir Humphrey Davenport Knight Chief Baron of Our Court of Exchequer and to the rest of the Iudges of Our Courts of Kings Bench Common Pleas and the Barons of our court of Exchequer Charls Rex Trusty and well-beloved we greet you well taking into our Princely consideration that the Honor and safety of this Our Realm of England the preservation whereof is onely entrusted to Our care was and is more dearly concern'd then in late former times as well by divers councels and attempts to take from Us the Dominions of the Seas of which We are sole Lord and rightful Owner or Propriator and the losse whereof would be of greatest danger and peril to this Kingdom and other Our Dominions and many other wayes We for the avoiding of these and the like dangers well weighing with our self that where the good and safety of the Kingdom in general is concerned and the whole Kingdom in danger there the charge and defence ought to be born by all the Realm in general did for the preventing so publique a mischief resolve with our self to have a Royal Navy prepared that might be of force and power with Almighty Gods blessing and assistance to protect and defend this Our Realm and Our Subjects therein from all such perils and dangers and for that purpose We issued forth Writs under our Great Seal of England directed to all Our Sheriffs of Our several Counties of England and Wales Commanding thereby all Our said Subjects in every City Town and Village to provide such a number of Ships well furnisht as might serve for this Royal purpose and which might be done with the greatest equality that could be In performance whereof though generally throughout all the Counties of this Our Realm We have found in Our Subjects great chearfulnesse and alacrity which We gratiously interpret as a testimony as well of their dutiful affection to us and our service as of the respect they have to the Publique which well becometh every good Subject Nevertheless finding that some few happily out of ignorance what the Laws and Customs of this Realm are or out of a desire to be eased in their particulars how general soever the charge be or ought to be have not yet paid and contributed to the several Rates and Assesments that were set upon them And fore-seeing in Our Princely wisdom that from thence divers Suits and Actions are not unlikely to be commenced and prosecuted in our several Courts at Westminster We desirous to avoid such inconveniencies and out of Our Princely love and affection to all Our People being willing to prevent such Errours as any of Our loving Subjects may happen to run into have thought fit in a case of this nature to advise with you Our Judges who We doubt not are well studied and informed in the Rights of Our Sovereignty And because the Trials in Our several Courts by the Formalities in Pleading will require a long protraction We have thought fit by this Letter directed to you all to require your Judgments in the Case as it is set down in the inclosed Paper which will not onely gain time but also be of more authority to over-rule any prejudicate opinions of others in the Point Given under Our Signet at our Court of White-hall the Second Day of February in the Twelfth Year of Our Reign 1636. CHARLS Rex CHARLS Rex VVhen the good and safety of the Kingdom in general is concern'd and the whole Kingdom in danger whether may not the King by VVrit under the great Seal of England command all the Subjects in his Kingdom at their charge to provide and furnish such number of Ships with Men Victuals and Munition and for such time aâ— he shall think fit for the Defence and Safeguard of the Kingdom from such Danger and Peril and by Law compel the doing thereof in case of Reâ—usal or Refractoriness and whether in such case is not the King the sole Iudge both of the Danger and when and how the same is to be prevented and avoided The Judges return their Opinions thus May it please your Most Excellent Majesty we have according to your Majesties Command severally and every Man by himself and all of us together taken into serious consideration the Case and Questions signed by your Majesty and inclosed in your Letter And we are of opinion that when the Good and Safety of the Kingdom in general is concerned and the whole Kingdom in Danger your Majesty may by Writ under your Great Seal of England command all the Subjects of this your Kingdom at their charge to provide and furnish such number of Ships with Men Victual Munition and for such time as your Majesty shall think fit for the Defence and Safeguard of the Kingdom from such Peril and Danger And that by Law your Majesty may compell the doing thereof in case of Refusal or Refractoriness And we are also of opinion that in such Case your Majesty is the sole Iudg both of the Danger and when and how the same is to be prevented and avoided John Bramston John Finch Humphrey Davenport John Denham Richard Hutton William Jones George Crook Thomas Trever George Vernon Robert Barkly Francis Crauly Richard Weston Thus they subscribe which was inrolled in all Courts at Westminster Hall and without doubt Warrant sufficient for the King to proceed against any Defaulters specially singly against Hambden who appeared upon Process and required Oyer of the Ship Writs and so being heard he demurred in Law and demanded the Iudges opinion upon the Legality of those Writs which being argued in the Exchequer all the Iudges and those Barons except Crook and Hutton were of opinion for the Writs and the Barons gave Iudgment accordingly against Hambden who under hand advised held up the Quarrel by Intermissions till further time and conveniency The Queen bare the Princess Ann the seventeenth of March the third Daughter to the King This Midsummer Term were censured in Star-chamber three Delinquents confederate A medley of Mal-contents The one a Divine Mr. Burton who is a mistiled Sometime Tutor to the King which he never was nor any
confirmed by Parliament did after add two shillings per pound without leave of the Parliament We began to be great Practitioners in the School of Revolting in Tumults and Insurrections following the Rules of our Neighbour Brethren in their pretences of Liberty and as it is truly brought into parallel with the Scots former Proceedings in their Discipline of Reformation even from their first Murder upon their Arch-bishop of Saint Andrews Anno And so by that and other Examples we are set on work to begin violation upon our Arch-bishop of Canterbury A Paper being poasted up at the Old Exchange the ninth of May exhorting Prentices to rise and â—ack the Arch-bishop house at Lambeth the Munday following when in the dead time of Night the number of five hundred beset his Palace and endeavour to force their Entrance but were repulsed by such power as he had prepared to oppose them who parted without more hurt than the Glass Windows for which attempt many of them the next day being narrowly observed were seized and sent to Prison to the White-Lion but three days after some of their former Companions in the open day-time beset the Prison force the Doors and delivered them to liberty for which and for Example onely one of them a Captain Cobler was apprehended tried in Southwark and condemned and hanged drawn and quartered and his Limbs set upon London-bridg The King in very great earnest for his Expedition to the North cals a Iovento of select Counsellors where Secretary Vane was conceived so trusty as not to be left out who yet took such Heads of the Debate as he and his Son made use of afterwards towards the destruction of the Earl of Strafford The Heads were thus in brief as they are recorded No danger in undertaking this War Whether the Scots are to be reduced or no To reduce them by force as the state of this Kingdom stands If his Majesty had not declared himself so soon he would have declared himself so no War with Scotland they would have given him plentifully The City to be called immediately and questioned to lend an hundred thousand pounds The Ship-money to be put rigorously upon Collection and by these two ways will furnish his Majesty plentifully to go on with Armies and War against Scotland The manner of the War Shipping of the Trade of Scotland to be detained prejudice so they had the Trade free with England for their Castle A defensive War to sally against offensive War into the Kingdom his opinion is that few Moneths will make and end of the War do you invade the Scots strongly If no more Money than what proposed how then to make an offensive War a difficulty Whether to do nothing or to let them alone Or to go on with a rigorous War Go on rigorously or let them alone No defensive War love of Honour and reputation the quiet of England will not hold out long your might will languish as betwixt Saul and David Go on with an offensive War as you first de signed loose and absolute from all Rulers and Governments being returned to extreme necessity every thing will be done as power will admit and that you are to do They refused you are acquitted towards God and Man you have an Army in Ireland you may imploy it to reduce the Kingdom I am confident as any thing under Heaven Scotland shall not hold out five Moneths One Summer well imployed will do it I venture all I have I would carry it or lose all Whether a defensive War as impossible as an offensive or whether to let them alone Tried always Refused always By the Laws of God you should have subsistence and ought to have it and lawfull to take it Leagues they make abroad and we will do so for the defence of this Kingdom The Lower House are weary both of King and Church Commission of Array to be put in execution they are to bring them to the Borders In reason of State you have power when they are to use them at the Kings pay If any of the Lords can shew them a better way let them do it The Town full of the Nobility who will talk of it he will make them smart first These were the Notes taken thus by Vane and to the Design and general opinion for War the Londoners are summoned to lend Money but the Citizens were sullen indeed no Trading made them poor they who had injoyed such a length of time in peace and commerce just fourty years as never any City could boast of more happiness nor truly of more wealth their bliss Luxury and Pride and Plenty with all Vices answerable unfaithfull to their Sovereign unstable in Religion ungratefull to their own Members and Friends We cannot finde other than this the onely cause that this City might justly regret upon unkindness from the King was the account of their Plantation of London Derry in Ireland a slender occasion their usurpation of more liberty than their Patent would impower was here questioned in Star-chamber and sentenced to be forfeited to the King and Fines imposed upon the Undertakers which though very justly deserving correction yet they proposed reasonable overtures of satisfaction and more honourable for the King to have accepted which was to have contributed a very ample Sum of Money by way of Composition towards the erecting of a Royal Palace for his Majesties Court in Saint Iames's Park according to a Model drawn by Inigo Iones his excellent Architectour and to have taken down White-hall towards the Thames carrying the common way in the room thereof directly from Charing-cross straight through Cannons-row to Westminster-hall leaving the River-side an open Wharf quite along And although their offer in Money came short of the Sum to finish such a Fabrick yet so noble a Design might have found many well-affected to have offered to the supply besides sundry other occasions of raising Money sufficient to have perfected that Work whereas this Fine producing a considerable Sum was begged and squandred away to the Kings small advantage But neither the City nor Nation could pretend to want the Kingdom became the envy of Europe Mollia securae peragebant otia Gentes The Court never so glorious the Gentry no where more gallant the Citizens so abounding with Treasure Bullion and Buildings that no Age can parallel Commerce inward and outward never at that height before the Custome increasing to admiration the Narrow Seas never better guarded with braver Ships nor the Navy Royal for number of Vessels and Magazine the Vniversity replenished with learned men and for the Church among all the Reformed she was esteemed as in truth she was justly stiled the Church Triumphant And Ireland was arrived almost to the like degree of prospertiy All the Arrerages of the Crown were paid there without a Penny sent from hence for some years past to maintain that standing Army Traffique there to that
are contained in our late printed Declarations which were sent to your Lordship which summarily we here repeat That the late Acts of Parliament may be published in his Majesties Name with the States of Parliament That Edenburgh Castle and other Strengths of Scotland may as to their first foundation be fortified and used for our defence and security That our Countreymen in England and Ireland may not be pressed with Oaths and Subscription warranted by your Law and contrary to their National Oath and Covenant That the common Incendiaries the Authours of Combustions in his Majesties Dominions may receive their Censure That our Ships and Goods with all the Dammage thereof may be restored That the wrongs losses and charges which all the time we have sustained may be repaired That the Declarations made against us as Traitours may be recalled That by the advice and consent of the States of England to be convened in Parliament the Garrisons may be removed from the Borders and any Impediment that may stop free Trade and settle Peace for our Religion and Liberties against all Fears of Molestation and the undoing of us from year to year or as our Adversaries shall take the advantage And that the meeting of the Peers the four and twentieth of this instant will be too long ere the Parliament will be convened the onely means of settling Peace the sooner they come the more shall we be enabled to obey his Majesties Prohibition of our advancing with our Army Nothing but invincible necessity hath brought us out of our Countrey to this place and no other thing shall draw us beyond the Limits appointed by his Majesty wherein we hope your Lordship will labour for our Kings honour and the good of our Countrey Leaguer at New-castle Septemb. 8. 1640. Your Lordships loving and humble Servants and Friends c. Those English Lords that meant not to fight either for necessity or honour fearing that their next Meeting might prevent a Parliament had this while devised their Petition to the King in effect for a Parliament the great aim on all sides answerable to the Scots desire before they set out from home which they published at the head of their Army in a Pamphlet called The Intentions of their Army viz. Not to lay down Arms till the Reformed Religion were settled in both Nations upon sure grounds the Causers and Abetters of their present Troubles be brought to publick justice and that in Parliament And these Abetters were the Papists Prelates and their Adherents in general but more particular the Arch-bishop of Canterbury and the Lieutenant of Ireland And therefore to answer them comes out a correspondent Petition from a Compound of six Earls one Viscount and four Barons being a Descant on the Scots Plain-song And to back these Petitions are poasted from London and other places presently after The Lords Petition was thus Most gracious Sovereign The zeal of that duty and service which we ow to your Sacred Majesty and our earnest affection to the good and welfare of this your Realm of England have moved us in all humility to beseek your Royal Majesty to give us leave to offer to your Princely wisdom the apprehension which we and others your faithfull Subjects have conceived of the great Distempers and Dangers now threatning the Church and State and your Royal Person and of the fittest means by which they may be removed and prevented The Evils and Dangers whereof your Majesty may be pleased to take notice are these 1. That your Majesties Sacred Person is exposed to Hazzard and Danger in the present Expedition against the Scotish Army and by occafion of this War your Majesties Revenue is much wasted your Subjects burthened with Coat and Conduct-money billeting of Souldiers and other Military charges and divers Rapines and Disorders committed in several parts of this your Realm by the Souldiers raised for that Service and your whole Kingdom become full of Fears and Discontents 2. The sundry Innovations in matters of Religion the Oath and Canons lately imposed upon the Clergy and other your Majesties Subjects 3. The great increase of Popery and the imploying of Popish Recusants and others ill-affected to the Religion by Laws established in Places of power and tâ—ust especially in commanding of Men and Arms both in the Field and sundry Counties of this your Realm whereas by Law they are not permitted to have any Arms in their own Houses 4. The great Mischiefs which may fall upon this Kingdom if the intentions which have been credibly reported of bringing in Irish and foreign Forces should take effect 5. The urging of Ship money and prosecution of some Sheriffs in the Star-chamber for not levying of it 6. The heavy charge upon Merchandise to the discouragement of Trade the multitude of Monopolies and other Patents whereby the Commodities and Manufactures of the Kingdom are much burthened to the great and universal grievance of your people 7. The great grief of your Subjects by long intermission of Parliaments and the late and former dissolving of such as have been called without the happy effects which otherwise they might have produced For remedy whereof and prevention of the dangers that may arise to your Royal Person and to the whole State they do in all humility and faithfulness beseek your most Excellent Majesty that you would be pleased to summon a Parliament within some convenient time whereby the causes of these and other great grievances which your people lie under may be taken away and the Authors and Counsellors of them may be there brought to such legal trial and condign punishment as the nature of their several offences shall require And that the present War may be composed by your Majesties wisdom without blood in such manner as may conduce to the Honour and safety of your Majesties Person the comfort of your people and the uniting of both your Realms against the common Enemy of the Reformed Religion And your Majesties petitioners shall ever pray c. Concluded the 28. of August 1640 Francis Bedford Roberâ— Essex Mulgrave Say Seal Edward Howard The Earl of Bristow William Hartford Warwick Bulling brook Mandevil Brook Paget The Kings Answer was BEfore the receipt of your Petition his Majesty well foresaw the danger that threatens himself and Crown and therefore resolved to summon all the Peers to his presence upon the 24 of this September and with them to consult what in this case is fittest to be done for his honour and safety of the Kingdom where they with the rest may offer any thing that may conduce to these ends And so accordingly the Lord Keeper had command and did issue out Writs of summons for their appearance at York the 24. of September And to meet them there comes To the Kings most Excellent Majesty The Humble Petition of your Majesties Loyal Subjects the Citizens of London Most Gracious Soveraign BEing moved by the Duty and Obedience which by Religion and Laws your Petitioners owe unto
your Sacred Majesty they humbly present unto your Princely and pious consideration the several and pressing grievances viz. 1. The great and unusual Impositions upon Merchandize exported and imported 2. The urging and levying of Ship mony notwithstanding which both Merchants their goods and Ships have been destroyed by Turks and Pyrates 3. The multitude of Monopolies Patents and Warrants whereby trade is decayed 4. The Innovations in matters of Religion the Oath and Canons newly imposed by the late Convocation whereby your petitioners are in danger to be deprived of their Ministery 5. The concourse of Papists and their habitation in London and the suburbs whereby they have more means and opportuâ—ities of plotting and executing their designes against the Religion established 6. The sudden calling and sudden dissolution of Parliaments without addressing of the subjects grievances 7. The imprisonment of divers Citizens for not paying Ship-mony and other impositions and the prosecution of others in the Star-Chamber for non conformity to commands in Patents and Monopolies whereby trade is restrained 8. The great dangers your Sacred Person is exposed unto in the present war and the various fears that have seized your petitioners and their families by reason thereof which grievances and fears have oâ—casioned so great a stop and destruction of Trade as neither to receive and pay as formerly and tends to the utter ruine of the Inhabitants of this City the decay of Navigation and clothing and other Manufactories of this Kingdom your petitioners humbly conceiving the said grievances to be contrary to the Laws of this Realm and finding by experience that they are not redressed by the ordinary Courts of Iustice do therefore beseech your Majesty to cause a Parliament to be summoned with all convenient speed whereby they may be relieved in the premisses The Scots proceeding hand in hand with some of the English petition also for the same in effect to call a Parliament for setling a peace between the two Nations and they had the like Answer which behoved the English to hasten for the Scots took liberty to ravage New-Castle seizing four great English Ships laden with Corn ere the masters knew who they were rifling houses and ranting every where laying a Tax of three hâ—ndred and â—ifty pounds per diem upon the Bishop of Durham and three hundred pounds upon Northumberland upon pain of plundering The day come the 24. the King salutes them thus My Lords UPon suddain Invasions where the Dangers are near and instant it hath been the custome of my Predecessors to Assemble the great Council of the Peers c. by their advice and asistants to give a timely remedie to such rules as could not admit a delay so long as must of necessity be allowed for the assembling a the Parliament This being our condition at this time and an Army of Rebells lodged within the Kingdome I thought it most fit to conform my self to the practise of my predecessors in like cases that with your advice and assistants we might joyntly proceed to the chastizement of their Insolencies and securing of our good Subjects In the first place I must let you know that I desire nothing more then to be rightly understood of my People and to that end I have of my self resolved to call a Parliament having already given order to my Lord Keeper to issue the writs instantly so that the Parliament may be assembled by the third of November next whither if my Subjects brings the like good affections that I do it shall not faile on my part to make it a happy meeting In the mean time there are two points to be considered wherein I shall desire your advice which indeed is the chief cause of your meeting first what answer to give to the petition of the Rebells and in what manner to treat with them of which that you may give a sure Iudgment I have ordered that your Lordships shall be clearly and truly informed of the State of the whole business and upon what reasons and advices that my Privy-council unanimously gave me were grounded Secondly how my Army shall be kept on foot and maintained untill your Supplies of a Parliament may be had for so long at the Scots Army remains in England I think no man will Councel me to disband mine for that would be an unspeakable loss to all this part of the Kingdome by subverting them to the greedy appetite of the Rebells besides the unspeakable dishonour that would thereby fall upon this Nation And after several meetings and debates a Messenger Mr. Bellows was sent from the King and Lords to the Scots Army to give them notice on Tuesday next that sixteen of the English Lords shall meet with as many Scots Lords at York to treat of the differences The English Lords were these Earls Bedford Essex Barkshire Holland Herford Bristow Salisbury Warwick Barons Mandevil Savile Howard Brook Paget Dunsmore Paulet Wharton But the Scots refuse the place York as not secure for their Commissioners so long as the Lieutenant of Ireland commanded there in chief who had proclaimed them Traytors in Ireland before the King had done so in England threatning to destroy their memory against whom they had matter of high complaint And so the place was named at Rippon The Scots Commissioners take exception at the Earl of Traquairs presence being no Commissioner on either side but was admitted as a person indifferent to satisfie the English concerning the former affaires in Scotland if questions should be debated The English proposed a Cessation of Arms but the Scots as they would obey his Majesties Commands not to advance so they could not return till they had the effects of their Arrand and therefore desired the way and means of subsistence in their Quarters and so the second of October they present their demands First How their Army should be maintained untill the Treaty be ended and the Peace secured Secondly if more Commissioners be required then for their safe convoy Thirdly Safe convoy for all Letters from them and the Parliament and to them Fourthly That there may be free commerce of both Kingdoms and that the Common trade of New-Castle be not hindred especially for victuals Their first Article is otherwise than their Pamphlet before expressed for there you shall have them profess to take up nothing of the people without ready mony And that failing to give Bills and Bands of debt for true payment but finding good correspondence and weak resistance they did not only spoile and plunder but enforced this first Article Indeed they were cryed up as the sons of Enoch and the English as Grashoppers though the Earl of Strafford then General desired the King that he might give them battel and as his Letters speak to the Arch Bishop of Canterbury he durst undertake upon the Perill of his head to beat them home again although now he held it not councelable as the case then stood And certainly it was generally
Parliament or grant them access to his Person Fifthly that their Ships and Goods and all Dammages thereof may be restored It is agreed Ian. 7. 1640. That all Ships taken and staid should be reciprocally restored on both sides And that the Scotish Commissioners having informed that about eighty Ships of Scotland are yet staid in the Ports and are like to suffer much loss if they shall not be delivered into some hands who may have care of them It is agreed that Warrants shall be presently granted for delivery of all their Ships And that four thousand pounds be presently advanced for Caulking Sails Cordage and other necessaries for helping the presenâ— setting forth of the said Ships Sixthly they desire from the justice and the kindness of the Kingdom of England Reparation concerning the Losses which the Kingdom of Scotland hath sustained and the vast Charges they have been put unto by occasion of the late Troubles That this House thinks fit that a friendly assistance and relief shall be given towards supply of the Losses of the Scots and that the Parliament did declare that they did conceive that the Sum of three hundred thousand pounds is a fit proportion for the friendly assistance and relief formerly thought fit to be given towards supply of the Losses and Necessities of their Brethren of Scotland and that the House would in due time take into consideration the manner how and the time when the same shall be raised Seventhly that as his Majesty hath approved the Acts of the late Parliament wherein all such Declarations Proclamations Books Libells and Pamphlets that have been made written and published against his loyal and dutifull Subjects of Scotland are recalled and ordered to be suppressed So his Majesty may be pleased to give order that the same may be suppressed recalled and forbidden in England and Ireland and that the loyalty integrity and faithfulness of his Majesties Subjects of Scotland towards his Majesties royal Person and Government may at the closing of this Treaty of Peace and at the time of publick Thanks-giving for the same be made known in all places and all Parish-churches of his Majesties Dominions It is agreed upon the 10. of February 1640. That all Declarations Proclamations Acts Books Libells and Pamphlets that have been made and published against the loyalty and dutifulness of his Majesties Subjects of Scotland shall be recalled suppressed and forbidden in England and Ireland And that this be reciprocal in Scotland if any such have been made or published there in prejudice of his Majesties honour And this upon diligent enquiry to be done by the Authority of Parliament next â—itting in Scotland of which the Commissioners of Scotland do promise to have an especial care And we do also agree that when it shall please Almighty God to grant an happy close of this Treaty of Peace the Loyalty of his Majesties Subjects of Scotland shall be made known at the time of publick Thanks-giving in all places and particularly in the Parish Churches of his Majesties Dominions That all Monuments Tokens and shews of Hostility upon the Borders of the two Kingdoms may be taken away That not onely the Garrisons of Barwick and Carlile may be removed but that the Works may be â—lighted and the places dismantled To the eighth Demand it is said that being offered the twelfth of this Moneth there was no Answer But there waâ—â—his Answer Die Lunae 8. Martii 1640. This house of Commons concur with their Lordships that when a peace shall be established all things reciprocally be reduced into the Termes they were before the Treaty And do agree with their Lordships that the Scotish Commissioners shall set down all their particular heads and demands at once together that so their eight Articles which they propound for establishing a peace may with all speed be concluded that being done this house shall willingly concur with their Lordships to settle all things for their just satisfaction Then comes the Scots remayning heads to the Eight Demands 1. Our desires concerning Unity in Religion and Conformity of Church Government as a special means for preserving of peace between these Kingdomes 2. That some Scotish-men of respect and intrusted by their Nation may be in place about the King Queen and the Prince 3. That none be in place about his Majesty and the Prince but such as profess the Reformed Religion 4. Concerning the manner of chusing the Councel and Sessions in Scotland 5. Naturalization declaring the capacity and mutuality of the Subjects of both Kingdomes 6. Concerning Customes in the Kings dominions and Foreign Nations 7. Concerning freedome of trade and intercourses 8. Concerning Manufactory and assessations by Sea and Land 9. Concerning Equality and course of coyn in his Majesties dominions 10. Concerning Fishing 11. An Act of Oblivion of all by gone deeds betwixt the Kingdomes of Scotland England and Ireland since the beginning of the late troubles 12. An act of Parliament for the ratifying this Treaty and Articles and establishing the means of a firm and perfect peace 13. That none of his Majesties dominions shall take Arms or invade others without consent of the Parliament of that Kingdome and after declared Peace no stopping of Trade or taking of ships or any Acts of hostility the contemners to be punished as Enemies to the State 14. That neither Scotland nor England ingage in a foreign war without mutual â—â—nsent and to assist each other against all foreign Invasions 15. Concerning the remanding of offenders or debtors in both Kingdomes 16. Concerning exacting deâ—rees and sentences 17. In either Nation authentike extracts without production of the principal warrant about the late borders and middle Marshes and that this peace may be inviolably observed Trials may be taken in the triennial Parliament of both Kingdomes of all wrongs to be done by either nation to other that the differences may be removed and some commissioners to be appointed of both Kingdomes for the conserving of peace in the Intervall of Parliaments And being required to bring in a full Accompt of their charges in writing according to their sixt Article they enlarge it unto five hundred and fourteen thousand one hundred twenty and eight pounds nine shillings c. abating only the odde pence A monstrous sum Besides what losses their Nation Nobility and Gentry have sustained which they amount unto Two hundred and twenty one thousand pounds and the neglect of their fortunes at Two hundred and twenty thousand pounds Besides the Eight hundred and fifty pounds a Moneth Contributions of the Northern Counties and besides the exhaustable Insolencies also upon them by the Scots Army All which because it may seem an impudent Account impossible to be made out upon any pretences See it in their own particulars which was set out in print if it had been possible to have made them odious to the suffering English Subjects The Scots Great Account BEsides the particular charges
others who came over only to complain of the exorbitances and oppressions of the said Earl Testified by the Earl of Desmond the Lord Roch Marcattee and Parry The Earls Reply That the Deputy Falkland had set out the same Proclamation That the same Restraâ—nt was contained in the Statute of 25 of Henry 6. upon which the Proclamation was founded That he had the Kings express Warrant for the Proclamation That he had also power to do it by the Commission granted him and that the Lords of the Council and three Justices not onely yielded but pressed him unto it That it was done upon just cause for had the Ports been open divers would have taken liberty to go to Spain to Doway Rhemes or Saint Omers which might have prooved of mischievous consequence to the State That the Earl of D' Esmond stood at the time of his Restraint charged with Treason before the Council of Ireland for practising against the Life of one Sir Valentine Coke That the Lord Roch was then a Prisoner for Debt in the Castle of Dublin and therefore incapable of a Licence That Par ry was not sined for coming over without Licence but for several Contempts against the Council-board in Ireland and that in his Sentence he had but onely a casting Voice as the Lord Keeper in the Star chamber The Seventeenth and Eighteenth Articles were not insisted upon 19. That the said Earl having taxed and levyed the said impositions and raised the said Monopolies and committed the said oppressions in his Majesties name and as by his Majesties Royal command he the said Earl in May the fifteenth year of his Majesties reign did of his own authority contrive and frame a new and unusual oath by the purport whereof among many other things the party taking the said oath was to swear that he should not protest against any of his Majesties Royal commands but submit themselves in all obedience thereunto Which oath he so contrived to enforce the same on the subjects of the Sâ—oâ—ish Nation inhabiting in Ireland and out of a hatred to the said Nation and to put them to a discontent with his Majesty and his Government there and compelled divers of his Majesties said subjects there to take the said oath some he grievously fined and imprisoned and others he destroyed and exiled and namely the 10. of October Ann. Dom. 1639. he fined Henry Steward and his wife who refused to take the said oath five thousand pounds a peece and their two daughters and James Gray three thousand pounds a peece and imprisoned them for not paying the said fines The said Henry Stewards wife and daughters and James Gray being the Kings liege people of the Scotish Nation and divers others he used in the like manner and the said Earl upon that occasion did declare that the said oath did not only oblige them in point of allegiance to his Majesty and acknowledgement of his supremacy only but to the Ceremonies and Government of the Church established or to be established by his Majesties royal Authority and said that the refusers to obey he would prosecute to the bloud The Earls Reply That the Oath was not violently enjoyned by him upon the Irish Scots but framed in compliance with their own express Petition which Petition is owned in the Proclamation as the main Impulsive to it That the same Oath not long after was prescribed by the Council of England That he had a Letter under his Majesties own hand ordering it to be prescribed as a Touch-stone of their Fidelity As to the greatness of the Fine imposed upon Steward and others he conceived it was not more than the heinousness of their offence deserved yet had they petitioned and submitted the next day that would wholly have been remitted 20. That the said Earl in the fifteenth and sixteenth Years of his Majesties Reign and divers Years past laboured and endeavoured to beget in his Majestie an ill opinion of his Subjects namely those of the Scotish Nation and divers and sundry times and especially since the Pacification made by his Majestie with his said Subjects of Scotland in Summer in the fifteenth Year of his Majesties Reign he the said Earl did labour and endeavour to perswade incite and provoke his Majesty to an Offensive War against his said Subjects of the Scotish Nation and the said Earl by his counsel actions and endeavours hath been and is a chief Incendiary of the War and Discord between his Majesty and his Subjects of England and the said Subjects of Scotland and hath declared and advised his Majesty that the Demand made by the Scots in this Parliament were a sufficient cause of War against them The said Earl having formerly expressed the height and rancour of his minde towards his Subjects of the Scotish Nation viz. the tenth Day of October in the fifteenth Year of his Majesties Reign he said that the Nation of the Scots were Rebells and Traitours and he being then about to come to England he then further said that if it pleased his Master meaning his Majesty to send him back again he would root out of the said Kingdom meaning the Kingdom of Ireland the Scotish Nation both Root and Branch Some Lords and others who had taken the said Oath in the precedent Article onely excepted And the said Earl hath caused divers of the said Ships and Goods of the Scots to be staied seized and molested to the intent to set on the said War The Earls Reply That he called all the Scotish Nation Traitours and Rebells no one proof is produced and though he is hasty in speech yet was he never so defective of reason as to speak so like a mad man for he knew well his Majesty was a Native of that Kingdom and was confident many of that Nation were of as heroick spirits and as faithfull and loyal Subjects as any the King had As to the other words of rooting out the Scots both Root and Branch he conceives a short Reply may serve they being proved by a single â—estimony onely which can make no sufficient faith in case of Life Again the Witness was very much mistaken if not worse for he deposeth that these words were spoken the tenth day of October in Ireland whereas he was able to evidence he was at that time in England and had been so near a Moneth before The one and twentieth and two and twentieth Artâ—cles were not urged 23. That upon the thirteenth Day of April last the Parliament of England met and the Commons House then being the Representative Body of all the Commons in the Kingdom did according to the trust reposed in them enter into Debate and Consideration of the great Grievances of this Kingdom both in respect of Religion and the publick Libertie of the Kingdom and his Majestie referring chiefly to the said Earl of Strafford and the Arch-bishop of Canterbury the ordering and disposing of all matters concerning the Parliament he the said Earl of
Strafford with the assistance of the said Arch-bishop did procure his Majesty by sundry Speeches and Messages to urge the said Commons House to enter into some Resolution for his Majesties supply for maintenance of his War against his Subjects of Scotland before any course was taken for the relief of the great and pressing Grievances wherewith this Kingdom was then afflicted Whereupon a Demand was then made from his Majesty of twelve Subsidies for the release of Ship money onely and while the said Commons then assembled with expressions of great affections to his Majestie and his service were in Debate and Consideration of some Supply before Resolution by them made he the said Earl of Strafford with the help and assistance of the said Arch-bishop did procure his Majesty to dissolve the last Parliament upon the fifth Day of May last and upon the same Day the said Earl of Strafford did treacherously falsly and maliciously endeavour to incense his Majesty against his loving and faithfull Subjects who had been Members of the said House of Commons by telling his Majesty they had denied to supply him And afterward upon the same did treacherously and wickedly counsel and advise his Majesty to this effect viz. That having tried the affections of his People he was loose and absolved from all Rules of Government and was to do every thing that Power would admit and that his Majesty had tried all ways and was refused and should be acquitted both of God and Man and that he had an Army in Ireland meaning the Army above mentioned consisting of Papists his Dependents as is aforesaid which he might imploy to reduce this Kingdom to obedience The Earls Reply That he was not the principal cause of dissolving the last Parliament for before he came to the Council-table it was voted by the Lords to demand twelve Subsidies and that Sir Henry Vane was ordered to demand no less but he coming in the interim he perswaded the Lords to vote it again declaring to his Majesty then present and them the danger of the breach of the Parliament whereupon it was again voted that if the Parliament would not grant twelve Subsidies Sir Henry should descend to eight and rather than fail to six But Sir Henry not observing his Instructions demanded twelve onely without abatement or going lower that the height of this demand urged the Parliament to deny and their denial moved his Majesty to dissolve the Parliament so that the chief occasion of the breach thereof was as he conceived Sir Henry Vane He confesseth that at the Council-table he advised the King to an offensive War against the Scots but it was not untill all fair means to prevent a War had been first attempted Again others were as much for a defensive War it might be as free to vote one as the other Lastly Votes at a Council-board are but bare Opinions and opinions if pertinaciously maintained may make an Heretick but never can a Traitour And to Sir Vane's Deposition he said it was onely a single Testâ—mony and contradicted by four Lords of the Iunto Tables Depositions viz. the Earl of Northumberland the Marquess of Hamilton the Bishop of London and Lord Cottington who all affirmed that there was no question made of this Kingdom which was then in obedience but of Scotland that was in Rebellion and Sir Henry Vane being twice examined upon Oath could not remember whether he said this or that Kingdom and the Notes after offered for more proof were but the same thing and added nothing to the Evidence to make it a double Testimony or to make a Privy-counsellours Opinion in a Debate at Council high Treason The four and twentieth Article not urged 25. That not long after the dissolution of the said last Parliament viz. in the months of May and June he the said Earl of Strafford did advise the King to go on rigorously in levying of the Ship-mony and did procure the Sheriffs of several Counties to be sent for for not levying the Ship-money divers of which were threatned by him to be sued in the Star-chamber and afterwards by his advice were sued in the Star-chamber for not levying the same and divers of his Majesties loving subjects were sent for and imprisoned by his advice about that and other illegal payments And a great loan of a hundred thousand pounds was demanded of the City of London and the Lord Maior and the Aldermen and the Sheriffs of the said City were often sent for by his advice to the Counsel Table to give an accâ—unt of their proceedings in raising of Ship-money and furthering of that loan and were required to certifie the names of such Inhabitants of the said City as were fit to lend which they with much humility refusing to do he the said Earl of Strafford did use these or the like speeches viz. That they deserved to be put to Fine and Ransom and that no good would be done with them till an example were made of them and that they were laid by the heels and some of the Aldermen hâ—nged up The Earls Reply That there was a present necessity for Money that all the Council-board had voted with yea before him That there was then a Sentence in Star-chamber upon the Opinion of all the Judges for the legality of the Tax of Ship-money and he thought he might advise the King to take what the Judges had declared was by Law his own He confessed that upon Refusal of so just a service the better to quicken the Citizens to the payment of Ship-money he said they deserved to be fined Which words might perhaps be incircumspectly delivered but conceives cannot amount to Treason especially when no ill consequence followed upon them and it would render men in a sad condition if for every hasty word or opinion given in Council they should be sentenced as Traitours But that he said it were well for the kings service if some of the Aldermen were hanged up he utterly denieth Nor is it proved by any but Alderman Garway who is at best but a single Testimony and therefore no sufficient Evidence in case of Life 26. That the said Earl of Strafford by his wicked counsel having brought his Majesty iâ—to excessive charges without any just cause he did in the moneth of July last for the support of the said great charges counsel and approve two dangerous and wicked Projects viz. To seise upon the Bullion and the Money in the Mint And to imbase his Majesties Coin with the mixtures of Brass And accordingly he procured one hundred and thirty thousand pounds which was then in the Mint and belonging to divers Merchants strangers and others to be seised on and stayed to his Majesties use And when divers Merchants of London owners of the said Bullion came to his house to let him understand the great mischief that course would produce here and in other parts what prejudice it would be to the Kingdom by discrediting the Mint and hindring the
of morning-stars so called terrible weapons on the walls A world of Crescets for lights to the Town An iron chain cross the River warning to all Neighbours to draw in their Corn and Hay which was prevented the Enemy at midnight firing the worth of 1000. l. yet some grain was with much hazzard brought in and fired all our out houses from sheltring the Enemy At the beginning of December the first fruits of Skirmish at St. Lawrence Gate and west Gate The Town â—allied out 350. foot and two Troops of Horse for securing some carriages sent out for Corn from the Green Hills within half a mile the Enemy having intelligence from within and met in the middle way in a mighty Fog standing in Batalia and numbred to be 3000. At their shout the English Officers advised to retreat and no sooner said but the horse in the Rear ran back to the Gates discouraging any supply to speed for their succour yet the Governour Titchburn in this confusion the more resolute alighted and led the Foot forwards to the Succour advanced the Shot to the Hill and placed the Pikes in the narrow passage of the Lane to open for the Horse and so soon made ready The Rebells by this time had charged twice without doing hurt but the Aid being come up they charged them so full and effectual that without standing to the shock they fell back and fled chased a Mile and more in sight of the Town Walls with loss of two hundred and not one of the English hurt Amongst the Dead were one priest and three Captains one of them near a Kin to the Earl of Tyrone with pillage of some money Cloaths and Arms very useful to the Assailants Such of them Prisoners were often ransomed and if returned were well fed by their Town-sisters and so fully supplied as if they had been Martyrs Those of ours from them had been crouded in Dungeons fed with Garbage and Offals Dogs meat without Salt or Fire with Cabbage-stalks or a Sheaf of Beans and being returned almost starved seldom recovered Such of the Town Souldiers that were Papists were so poysoned by the Priests that they stole over the Walls at Mid-night by Dozens But after their usual manner with affording us false Allarms The Enemy sent an extraordinary Embassage by a Frier one Father Darcy lately a Prior of the Dominicans in that Town his Companion was a Captain of his own name beating a parley was admitted to the Captain of the Port who received his Commission in effect That the General and Captains of the Catholick Army had sent Father Darcy with others to treat with the Governour und Captains of the Town of Drogheda to whom they were to give credit as in their Names desiring safe Conduct and Return under the Governours hand before they would enter But ere it could be considered the Frier upon the bare word of an Officer presents himself By which he was told the safety of his life yet being imputed to his inconsiderate Act not skilled in arms he had Audience And his Arrand no less than the absolute surrender of the Town for his Majesties use and service assuring them beside of such Projects and Forces by Land and Sea as would confirm it impossible to be relieved The Governour and Council told him of their Commission from the King of such a Date to defend it against them but if theirs were of a later Date from his Majesty or the Lords Justices they would submit In the mean time they were better able to keep the Town than the Countrey was to keep them No such distress within to admit of so mean a thought were it by Sword or Famine to endure the most extremity And so having this â—nswer to his Arrand he took leave giving to the Governour a Copy of the Oath lately taken by the Lords of the Pale and by the rest of the Catholicks I A. B. in the presence of Almighty God and all the Angels and Saints in Heaven promise vow swear and protest to maintain and defend as far as I may with my life power and estate the publick and free exercise of the true Catholick Roman Religion against all persons that shall oppose the same I further swear that I will bear faith and true Allegeance to our Sovereign Lord King Charls his Heirs and Successors and that I will defend him and them as far as I may with my life power and estate against all such persons as shall attempt any thing against their royal Persons Honours Estates and Dignities and against all such as shall directly or indirectly endeavour to suppress their Royal Prerogatives or do any Act or Acts contrary to royal Government as also the power and Priviledges of Parliament the lawfull Right and Priviledges of the Subject and every person that makes that Vow Oath and Protestation in whatsoever he shall do in the lawfull pursuance of the same And to my power as far as I may I will oppose and by all ways and means endeavour to bring to condign punishment even to the loss of life liberty and estate all such as shall either by force or practice Counsels Plots Conspiracies or otherwise do or attempt any thing to the contrary of any Article Clause or any thing in this present Vow Oath and Protestation contained So help me God Upon this the Governour and Council thought fit to draw up a Protestation and Oath as followeth The Protestation Whereas we are beset with such who pretend their Attempts in taking of this Town to be for the advancement of his Majesties service which notwithstanding is but a pretext to delude the vulgar we the Governour and Captains for the further manifestation and approbation of our loyalty and faithfulness to his Majesty by whose immediate command we are charged for the defence of his royal Title in it doth likewise hereby unanimously make this following Protestation and Oath The Oath To defend this Town against all outward and inward attempts whatsoever for his Majesties service And discover any Plot Conspiracie or Combination which may or shall come to my knowledge from without or within which may be any way intended to the prejudice of the whole Town or Governours and Council Nor consent that the Town shall be givâ—n up upon any pretence or cause whatsoever without the consent of the Governour and Officers or without the special command from his Majesty or chief Governour or Governours of this Kingdom But Master Mayor and Aldermen after time allowed for consideration utterly refused this Oath pretending that thereby they might hazzard the favour of a fair Quarter and two chief Officers papistical yet having taken the Oath and afterwards stealing over the Wall the one brake his Back the other his Neck and sundry others none escaped without Maims The Siege growing hot yet thâ— weather cold about the end of December friezing the River Boyn in one night a boy was taken very early upon the
the Kings Answers unsatisfactory And that the Kingdom be put into a posture of Defence in such a way as is agreed upon by Parliament and a Committee to prepare a publick Declaration from these two Heads 1. The just causes of the Fears and Iealousies given to the Parliament and to clear them from any Iealousies conceived against them 2. To consider of all matters arising from his Majesties Message and what is fit to be done A man would wonder upon what grounds they should arm by Sea and Land specially so hastily resolved as the next day March 2. Advertisements they say of extraordinary preparations by the neighbouring Princes both by Land and Sea the intentions whereof are so represented as to raise a just apprehension of sudden Danger to the King and his Kingdoms unless the wisdom of Parliament prevent it And therefore the Earl of Northumberland Admiral of England is commanded with all speed to order the Rigging of the Kings Ships and fit them immediately for the Sea And to frighten us into fear all Masters and Owners of Ships are perswaded to do the like for the emergent occasions of publick Defence In order to these the Beacons were new made up Sea-marks set up such riding posting with Pacquets whispering and Tales telling as put the people in fear of they knew not what wise men onely told the Truth discovering the Enemy wholly at home I have been as brief as may be in the business of this year and yet to satisfie the curious I cannot omit all the occasions of this miserable Eruption which follows presuming yet that this Declaration designed may be spared the recording for certainly no new matter can be invented and what hither to hath been the cause the Reader has leave to judg But not to amuse your imaginations it self must satisfie the Declaration was born to Roiston by the Earls of Pembroke and Holland He who read it to the King this Lord being raised and created to become his most secret Counsellour the most intimate in affection the first of his Bed-chamber his constant companion in all his sports and recreations even in that place and to this hour At the sight of him the Kings countenance me thought mixed into compassion and disdain as who should as Caesar did Et tu mi fili But on he went to this effect March 9. The manifold Attempts to provoke your Majesties late Armie and the Scots Armie and to raise a Faction in London and other parts the Actours having their dependence countenance and encouragement from the Court witness Jermin's Treason who was transported beyond Sea by your Majesties Warrant and that dangerous Petition delivered to Captain Leg by your Majesties own Hand with a Direction signed C. R. The false and scandalous Accusation against the Lord Kimbolton and the five Members Plotting and designing a Guard about your person labouring to infuse into the people an ill opinion of the Parliament as if to raise Arms for a Civil War in which Combustion Ireland would be lost That the Lord Digby was sent to Sir John Pennington to be landed beyond Sea to vent his traiterous conceptions for the King to retire to some place of strength offering to correspond by cyphers with the Queen as if to procure some forreign Forces to assist your Majestie answerable to your remove with the Prince as in a readiness for the acting of it Manifold Advertisements which they have from Rome Venice Paris and other parts expecting the effects of the Kings Design to alter Religion and ruine the Parliament That the Popes Nuntio hath solicited the Kings of France and Spain to lend his Majesty four thousand Men a plece to help to maintain his Royalty against the Parliament And this foreign Force the most pernicious and malignant Design of all the rest so they hope it is from his thoughts Because no man will easily believe you will give up your People and Kingdom to be spoiled by strangers if you did not likewise intend to change both your own profession in Religion and the publick profession of the Kingdom that so you might be more assured of these foreign States of the Popish Religion for the future support and defence They â—eseech his Majesty to consider how fair a way he hath to happiness honour greatness plenty security if he would but joyn with his Parliament and people in defence of the Religion and Kingdom This is all they expect from him and for which they shall return their Lives Fortunes and utmost Endeavours to support him and Sovereignty And for the present have but onely this to desire To turn away his wicked Counsellours and put his trust in Parliament At the reading of that part which mentioned Master Iermin's transportation by his Majesties Warrant the King interrupted him and said That 's false And at the business of Captain Leg he told him 'T is a Lie And at the end of all he said He was confident the Parliament had worse information than he had Councils What have I denied you The Militia said Holland That 's no Bill The other replied It was necessary Which I have not denied but in the manner His Lordship would perswade the King to come near the Parliament Have you given me cause said the King This Declaration is not the way to it and in all Aristotle's Rhetoricks there is no such Argument of perswasion Pembroke that he might say something said it over again The Parliament prays him to come to them The King told him Words were not sufficient What would you have Sir said he The King replied To whip a Boy in Westminster School that could not tell that by my Answer Then the Lord asked him to grant the Militia for a time Not an hour this was never asked of any King with which I will not trust my Wife and Children But his Majesties Answer to all was this That to their Fears and Iealousies he would take time to satisfie all the World hoping that God would in his good time discover the secrets and bottoms of all Plots and Treasons to set him upright with his people For his Fears and Doubts are not trivial while so many scandalous Pamphlets seditious Sermons sundry Tumults publick are uninquired into and unpunished He must confess his Fears calling God to witness they are the greater for the Religion for his people and for their Laws than for his own Rights or safetie of himself and yet he tells them none of these are free from Danger What would you have said he Have I violated your Laws Have I denied any one Bill What have ye done for me Have my people been transported with Fears and Apprehensions I have I offer a free pardon as your selves can devise There is a Iudgment from Heaven upon this Nation if these Distractions continue God so deal with me and mine as all my thoughts and intentions are right for the maintenance of the true Protestant profession the observation and preservation of
to the King disarmed the wel-affected to the King in that Town And that the Earl of Warwick contrary to the Kings command under his hand being legally discharged of any conduct of his Majesties Ships hath taken upon him to dispossess the King of his Navy and imployed them against him and imprisoned divers of his Majesties loyal Officers and Subjects And therefore the King is resolved with Gods assistance to force Hotham and all other his Assistants in this his treasonable defence and invites all his good Subjects to assist him in this his resolution Dated at Beverley the eighth of Iuly Three daies after the Parliament Resolve That an Army shall be raised for defence of King and Parliament and of all such as obey the orders of both Houses That the Earl of Essex shall be the general and they to live and dy with him and that a petition should be sent to the King by the Earl of Holland Sir Iohn Holland and Sir William Stapleton to Beverley and that the Earl of Bedford be General of the Horse which so troubled the Earl of Holland who was refused upon voting that it was never digested Indeed the Parliament were wary not to intrust two Brothers with Land and Sea service together The effect of their petition was to pray the King to disband all his forces which are reckoned up to be about Hull and from Newcastle Tynmouth Lincoln and Lincoln-shire to recall his Commissioners of Array and to dismiss his guards and come to his People and Parliament and hearken to their advice and then what they will do for him The King might smile at this and therefore tells them They were never unhappy in their Petitions and supplications whilst they desired the preservation of Religion the Kings Honour and the peace of the Kingdome But after their martial designs and some proceedings and effects of their forces and after their votes and raising of an Army their Generals assigned and possessing his Navy to advise him to denude himself and wait upon them is pitiful councel to which he will not submit The Parliament provide for the sinews of war to that end they declare for Lone of Money upon publique faith of the Parliament upon which and the Ministers invitations the best part of their preachings turned into perswasions and prayers to the people for their contributions and assistance that it became incredible what a mass of money plate and Ammunition was presented even at the Parliaments feet from the golden cupbords of vessels to the Kitchen-maids silver bodkins and Thimble The King had some help from the diligent indeavours of the Queen beyond Seas and out of Holland upon the pawned Jewels and at home contributions of the Lords and Gentry Loyal to his service for what was publique he gives thanks To the Vice-chancellor and all other his Loyal Subjects of the university of Oxford for the free Loan of a very considerable sum of money in this his time of so great and eminent necessity shall never depart out of his royal memory Nor is it reasonable to deny them a memorable Record for ever which in duty to them I may not do Beverley 18. Iuly From thence the King removes to Leicester summons the appearance of the Gentlemen Free-holders and Inhabitants of that County telling them of the acceptable welcome he hath found in these Northern parts finding that the former errours of his good Subjects thereabout have proceeded by mistakes and misinformatioâ—s proceeding from the deceits used by Declarations and publications of the Parliament pretended for the peace of the Kingdom which rather would destroy it To prevent their mischief he needs not ask their assistance of Horse Men Money and Hearts worthy such a Cause in which he will live and die with them Iuly 20. The Earl of Stamford Lord Lieutenant of the County of Leiceister for the Parliament had removed the County Magazine from the Town to his own house at Bradgate over which he had set a Guard or Garison against the Kings command for which he and his Adherents are by name proclaimed Traitours which troubled the Parliament and discouraged their party untill they were vindicated by a publick Declaration that being for the service of the Parliament and the peace of the Kingdom it was an high Breach of Privilege in the King and that the said Earl and his Assistants are protected by them and all good Subjects The first of August brings the King back again to Yorkshire where he summons the Gentlemen of that County tells them the forward preparations of the Parliament to a War and desires their advice what Propositions they conceive for them to ask and he to grant in reference to their and his safety and for the present desires them to spare him some Arms out of their store which shall be redelivered when his provisions shall come thither and that his Son Prince Charls his Regiment for the Guard of his person under the command of the Earl of Cumberland may be compleated The Parliament declare for the raising of all power and force by Trained Bands and otherwise to lead against all Traitours and their Adherents that oppose the Parliament and them to slay and kill as Enemies to the State and peace of the Kingdom naming such of the Kings party that were his Lieutenants of Array of the Northern Counties viz. the Earl of Northampton the Lord Dunsmore Lord Willoughby of Eresby Son to the Earl of Lindsey Henry Hastings and others of the Counties of Lincoln Nottingham Leicester Warwick Oxfordshire And for the Western Counties the Marquess Hertford the Lord Paulet Lord Seymer Sir Iohn Stowel Sir Ralph Hopton and Iohn Digby and others in the County of Somerset And to oppose these and others the Parliament doth authorize the Earl of Essex the General as also these to be the Lieutenants of several Counties viz. the Lord Say of Oxon the Earl of Peterborough of Northampton Lord Wharton of Buckingham Earl of Stamford of Leicester Earl of Pembroke of Wiltshire and Hampshire Earl of Bedford of Somersetshire and Devon Lord Brook of Warwick Lord Cranborn of Dorsetshire Lord Willoughby of Parrham of Lincolnshire Denzil Hollis of the City and County of Bristol And thus ranked they are to kill and â—lay their Enemies August 8. And the King traceth them in these steps replies to theirs and will justifie the quarrel and for that purpose published his Proclamation against the Earl of Essex the General that he is Rebell and Traitour to the King and his Crown and all Colonels and Officers under him that shall not instantly lay down are guilty of high Treason And because of their two particular Designs to march Northward against the King and others Westward to seize and force the Garison and Fort of Portsmouth therefore he commands Colonel Goring his Captain Governour there to oppose the Rebells And commands his Cousin and Counsellour William Marquess Hertford his Lieutenant General of
Companies of Horse under command of Sir Charls Cavendish Brother to the Earl of Newcastle the Enemy having left within Nottingham a thousand Foot The Queen marched with three thousand Foot thirty Companies of Horse and Dragoons six Pieces of Cannon and two Morters Mr. Iermin commanding all these Forces as Colonel of her Guard and Sir Alexander Lesley a traiterous cowardly murderous Scot ordered the Foot and Sir Gerard the Horse and Captain Leg the Artillery and her Majesty Generalissima extremely diligent with an hundred and fifty Wagons The King and Queen met at Edg-hill the first time since she landed out of Holland and so to Oxford where she continued till the seventeenth of April the next year and then she took her last leave of the King at Abington for the West and was brought to Bed at Exeter of a Daughter the sixteenth of Iune named Henrieta Maria and afterwards in Cornwall she passed over to France lands at Brest the fifteenth of Iuly and so to Paris where she since continues a sad sorrowfull afflicted Princess with incomparable sufferings which she hath undergone And now comes over an Ambassadour from France Monsieur Harcourt to mediate an Accommodation between the King and Parliament but prevailed not and so returned it being rather a flourish from the policy of Cardinal Mazarine to pry into the Actions of this great Difference and so to set them at a greater distance for it was Richlien's Master-piece to frame the Quarrel first and now for Mazarine not unlike to put them far asunder And presently after is Sir William Armin sent to Edinburgh from the Parliament to hasten the Scots Army hither having first sworn to the Solemn League and Covenant each to other The English Presbyters now scotiâ—ied throughout take Example by the Brethrens Principles in their former Insurrections of Scotland and therefore as they did heretofore so now the Parliament engage that Nation in a strict solemn League by Vow Oath and Covenant taken by the Parliament and afterwards sent down to all the Counties in England and Wales upon which the King observes That the Presbyterian Scots are not to be hired at the ordinary Rate of Auxiliaries nothing will induce them to engage till those that call them in have pawned their Souls to them by a solemn League and Covenant Where many Engines of religious and fair pretensions are brought chiefly to batter or rase Episcopacy This they make the grand evil Spirit which with some other Imps purposely added to make it more odious and terrible to the Vulgar must by so solemn a Charm and Exorcism be cast out of this Church after more than a thousand years possession here from the first plantation of Christianity in this Island and an universal prescription of time and practice in all other Churches since the Apostle's times till this last Century But no Antiquity must plead for it Presbytery like a young Heir thinks the Father hath lived long enough and impatient not to be in the Bishop's Chair and Authority though Lay-men go away with the Revenues all Art is used to sink Episcopacy and lanch Presbytery in England which was lately buoyed up in Scotland by the like artifice of a Covenant Although I am unsatisfied with many passages in that Covenant some referring to my self with very dubious and dangerous limitations yet I chiefly wonder at the Design and drift touching the Discipline and Governmet of the Church and such a manner of carrying them on to new ways by Oaths and Covenants where it is hard for men to be engaged by no less than swearing for or against those things which are of no clear moral necessity but very disputable and controverted among learned and godly men whereto the application of Oaths can hardly be made and enjoyned with that judgment and certainty in one's self or that charity and candour to others of different opinion as I think Religion requires which never refuses fair and equable Deliberations yea and Dissentings too in matters onely probable The enjoining of Oaths upon People must needs in things doubtfull be dangerous as in things unlawfull damnable and no less superfluous where former religious and legal Engagements bound men sufficiently to all necessary duties Nor can I see how they will reconcile such an Innovating Oath and Covenant with that former Protestation which was so lately taken to maintain the Religion established in the Church of England since they account Discipline so great a part of Religion Bâ—t ambitious mindes never think they have laid Snares and Gins enough to catch and hold the Vulgar credulity for by such politick and seemingly pious Stratagems they think to keep the populacie fast to their parties under the terrour of perjurie Whereas certainly all honest and wise men ever thought themselves sufficiently bound by former ties of Religion Allegiance and Laws to God and Man Nor can such after-contracts devised and imposed by a few men in a declared partie without my consent and without any like power or precedent from God's or Man's Laws be ever thought by judicious men sufficient either to absolve or slacken those moral and eternal bonds of dutie which lie upon all my Subjects consciences both to God and me Yet as things now stand good men shall least offend God or me by keeping their Covenant in honest and lawfull ways since I have the charity to think that the chief end of the Covenant in such mens intentions was to preserve Religion in purity and the Kingdoms in peace To other than such ends and means they cannot think themselves engaged nor will those that have any true touches of conscience endeavour to carry on the best Designs much less such as are and will be daily more apparently factious and ambitious by any unlawfull means under that title of the Covenant unless they dare prefer ambiguous dangerous and un-authorized novelties before their known and sworn Duties which are indispensible both to God and my self I am prone to believe and hope That many who took the Covenant are yet firm to this judgment That such later Vows Oaths or Leagues can never blot out those former Gravings and Characters which by just and lawfull Oaths were made upon their Souls That which makes such Confederations by way of solemn Leagues and Covenants more to be suspected is That they are the common Road used in all factious and powerfull perturbations of State or Church where formalities of extraordinary zeal and piety are never more studied and elaborate than when Politicians most agitate desperate Designs against all that is setled or sacred in Religion and Laws which by such Scrâ—â—es are cunningly yet forcibly wrested by secret steps and less sensible degrees from their known Rule and wonted Practice to comply with the humours of those men who aim to subdue all to their own will and power under the Disguises of holy Combinations Which Cords and Wit hs will hold mens Consciences no longer than force
negotiate the introducing by His Uncle the King of Denmark a foreign power to settle His affairs and under that pretext have given large Commission and particular instructions to the Fleet to visit search and intercept all such Danish ships as they should meet and to fight with sink or destroy all such as should resist them not permitting the same or to take and detain them having any arms or ammunition on board according to which they have searched visited and detained divers to the great prejudice and interruption of the Norway trade driven commonly in this Kingdom in their own Bottoms And that they did prepare force against others whom they permitted not to water nor any other accommodation being bound for the West-Indies and put in by stresse of weather in the West of England That in pursuance of their great design of extirpating the Royal blood and Monarchy of England they have endeavoured likewise to lay a great blemish upon His Royal Family endeavouring to illegitimate all derived from His Sister at once to cut off the interests and pretensions of the whole Race which their most detestable and scandalous design they have pursued examining witnesses and conferring circumstances and times to colour their pretensions in so great a fault and which as his sacred Majesty of England in the true sense of honour of his Mother doth abhor and will punish so he expects his concurrence in vindicating a Sister of so happy memory and by whom so near an union and continued League of amity hath been produced between the Families and Kingdoms That the particulars in which His Majesty doth desire his assistance are in the loan and raising of Men Money Arms and Ships all or such of them as may consist best with the conveniences of his own affairs and of such iu the first place as may be most requisite and are wanting to his Majesty That to set His levies on foot and to put him in a posture to protect his Subjects in all places that adhere to him and receive their contribution a hundred thousand pounds will be necessary for him which his Majesty desires by way of loan And for the restitution of it besides his Kingly word and solemn engagement upon this treaty he is contented of such his Crown Iewels as are in his disposure to leave His Royal pledge if it shall be desired The particulars of arms that he desires are six thousand Musquets fifteen hundred Horse-arms and twenty pieces of Artillery mounted Assistance of men he desires only in Hâ—rsmen and to know in what time thâ—y may be ready and how many That the Holy Island or Newcastle are designed for the landing of the said Horse and Magazin of the said provisions for reception likewise and protection of such his ships as he shall think fit to imploy for the countenance and security of those his Subjects that shall trade upon these Costs and for ascertaining the correspondency and intelligence between the two Kingdoms in which the number is left to be proportioned as may best sort and agree with his own affairs And for which the Holy Island is conceived one of the aptest Harbours in all his Majesties Dominions being capable of any ships whatsoever in a very great proportion an excellent rode at the entrance a ready out-let and a strong Fort under his Majesties command That in lieu of this assistance contributed by the King of Denmark his Majesty will oblige himself and ratifie in expresse Articles to restore into the Magazins of Denmark a like proportion of Arms and amunition to repay and defray the charges of the money leâ—t and levies of Horse and as soon as his affairs shall be setled and himself in a condition to do it upon all occasions to contribute the assistance of his Fleet in maintaining his Right and title to the Customs of the Sound against all persons whatsoever and to ratifie the Treaty thâ—â— was last made by Sir Thomas Roe to enter into a League offensive and defensive against intestine Rebellions In pursuance of which Treaty while the Negotiations and Articles may be severally perfected his Majesty doth expect this first Supply of Moneys and Arms present affairs not admitting a Delay in the same That in case the King of Denmark will lend Money upon Iewels there is in Holland a great Collar of Rubies and another of Rubies and Rearl that may be sent to him or delivered to his Agent here who may have order to pay the Money here or any other Iewels That there have been in Discourses several Propositions of Accommodation made by them to the King to which the King hath at all times made more Advances on his part than in reason could have been expected from him and the Difficulties have still risen on theirs And that whereas his Majesty doth understand that a person is addressed to the King of Denmark from his Parliament to insinâ—ate misunderstandings abroad with his Majestie 's Allies as they have done at home among his People his Majesty expects that he be neither received nor permitted to remain within his Dominions to become an Intelligencer and Spy upon the Treaty and Negotiations between their Majesties but that he be dismist and sent away so soon as ever he shall arrive These Instructions intend to state the affairs between the King and his Parliament which how truly rendered the History before doth express in particular The Parliament observe from hence that the King solicites Denmark making not onely Papists the Parliaments Enemies for Religions sake but all Princes though Protestants for Monarchies sake rather than fail of aid from thence And concerning the Rumour of his Mothers Queen Ann's chastity it is most true they did therein examine Witnesses upon Interrogatories most abusive base even to an Impossibility which yet was rumoured whispering to the great dishonour if possible of the memory of that virtuous noble Lady whom all Historians crown with glory and honourable Fame and which scandal I have not hitherto touched in this History nor would till now I finde his Majesty so sensible thereof that he signifies so much in private to the King of Denmark her Brother But the Parliament publish it in print to the World with their Paraphrase not to palliate the Injury but to increase the Scandal Sir William Waller had lain long at London for compleating his new Levies into a pretty Army and now he marches Commander in chief and as it was gotten without the Gen. Essex his good will so is he left at liberty without dependence on his direction And when he set forth from London his Expedition was accompanied with Fasting and Prayers and five several Sermons in one Church one day evermore recommending him The Servant of the State now going out to fight the Lords Battles against the Enemies of God And lest he should want Pay the Citizens will pinch their Bellies for the Parliament had put them by Ordinance to afford him one Meal a VVeek
in him by the Parliament and adhered to the Enemie to be proved by his words by his Letters and by his actions and 1. His compliance with the Enemie the Lord Digby and the Marquess Newcastle 2. His Refusal to supplie the Lord Fairfax with Amunition to the great Disservice of the Parliament and prejudice of the Affairs in the North. 3. His uttering divers scandalous words against the Parliament and Close Committee 4. His endeavouring to betray the Town of Hull to the Enemie 5. His holding correspondencie with the Queen by several Messengers 6. His causing a Demi-culvering to be planted on the top of the Castle against the Town and two Pieces in the Block-house to give fire on the Parliament Ships 7. His sending away Mayor Captain of the Ship Hercules 8. His quitting of the Garison at Beverley which strengthened the Town of Hull 9. His endeavouring to escape so soon as his Designs were discovered All which were proved upon him by several Witnesses above thrity persons and that was the business of this day On Munday after he comes to his Defence beginning with a tedious Narrative of his faithfulnesâ— in maintaining the Town of Hull against his Majestie at the beginning of the War when he might have expected great preferment and advantage To the first Article he saith That Captain Mayor sailing forth to meet the Providence the first Ship that brought the King Amunition took a Catch in the River Humber wherein was the Lord Digby in disguise of a French man Col. Aâ—hburnham and Sir Edw. Stradling whom he brought Prisoners to Hull where the Lord Digby told him that he was a Souldier of Fortune and for his Libertie would adventure to the Enemie and give Sir J. Hotham Intelligence which accordingly he did and returned several times but at last gave the slip and then sent a Letter of Inticement that he was the Lord Digby and wished him to return to his Allegeance to his Sovereign after which he had no further Treatie with him That he treated with the Marquesse Newcastle was to no other end but to keep the Riding of Yorkshire free from plunder for the maintenance of Hull which was then destitute of money That for the Letters which he should send to the Marquess He alledged he knew not but that they might be counterfeit being only like his hand Then he proceeded by way of defence producing Witnesses on his own part which were Commissarie Coply and other Knights and Gentlemen on purpose only to take off the testimonie of Examinants against him but they proved to little effect And so after some daies spent in examining Witnesses pro and con he was sentenced 7. December to be carried back and from thence to the place of Execution to suffer death by having his head cut off Two daies after comes his Son Captain Hotham to his Trial. His Charge against him was in effect That he being a Commander in the Parliament Service had Traiterously betrayed the Trust reposed in him perfidiously adhering to the Enemy all which would be proved And was by the Advocate of the Court the chief matters were these That he had been disobedient to the Commands of the Lord Fairfax Commander in chief of the Northern Counties and that he had refused to account for the Parliaments moneys raised in Yorkshire and converted to his own use And for his adhering to the Enemy It was instanced by his going into the Enemies Quarters and returning without any ingagement His several private Treaties with the Enemy under pretence of Exchanging Prisoners and private discourse with the Marquesse Newcastle twice by his own confession and that the Marquesse offered him to be made a Lord and to have General Gorings Command or any other Honours if he would turn to the King His omitting several opportunities to fight with the Enemy and permitting a Convoy from the Queen with Arms upon her first landing at Burlington and to passe to York without fighting That Lord General Cromwel being in Lincolnshire with him upon a Design against the Enemy Hotham was to Charge the Right Wing and Cromwel the Left whom he Routed and Chased them above two miles who returning found the Enemies Right Wing unmoved and so Hotham had not charged at all That after the discovery of some of his Treachery and whilst committed prisoner to Notingham Castle he sent his Servant John Keyes swearing him to secrecy with a Message to the Queen then at Newark how he was imprisoned and to be speedily sent up to the Parliament or to the General and prayes her Majesty to send a Party of Horse to rescue him and that he had a Regiment of Horse under his Command and should be ready for the Service she expected in Lincolnshire That his Company of Foot at Lincoln the Town of Hull Beaverly and the Ship called the Hercules were all at her Majesties Service That after his being released from Nottingham Castle he went to Lincoln and gave out many scandalous Speeches invective against the Parliament with inticements to Colonel Rositer to betray his trust who detesting such perfidie Hotham went to Hull to his Father and forthwith both of them received Letters from the Marquesse Newcastle about the betraying of Hull and other matters And that the day before they both were apprehended at Hull 18. June 1643. Hotham writ to the Marquesse an Answer to his Letters which were found in his Chamber sealed not having time to send them away wherein much of his treacherie was therein laid open On Thursday 12. Decemb. Hotham makes his defence large and verie formal from four afternoon till eight at night That he treated with the Enemie for the Parliaments advantage in setling a course for exchange of Prisoners and the like which he conceived he might doe without acquainting his Superiour and to that purpose pleaded the priviledge of all Commanders instancing divers and that he knew no Law against it nor was it prohibited by the Ordinance of War That before he adventured upon Treaties he still had advice of his Commander in Chief Sir John Hotham and some of his own Captains That for his not fighting the Queens Convoy they were far stronger yet he attacked the Rear as far as he might with safety And had learned this Maxim of War that a Commander in Chief is not to adventure upon an Enemy but upon advantage or compelled by necessity That for the businesse betwixt him and Lord General Cromwel He offered to prove that he charged the Enemies Right Wing to the utmost though it proved not so effectual as the others Actions upon the Left Wing That when he was committed to Notingham not knowing his crimes or by whose Order committed He sent to his Father to Hull to enquire the cause but denyed he sent his servant to the Queen and made many Objections against his man Keyes testimonie therein The words which he spoke to Rositer he confessed but were in passion and he recalled them
privitie or directions of his Majestie or the Lord Lieutenant or any of his Majesties Council there But true it is that for the necessarie preservation of his Majesties Protestant Subjects in Ireland whose case was daily represented unto him to be so desperate his Majestie had given Commission to the Lord Lieutenant to treat and conclude such a Peace there as might be for the safetie of that Crown the preservation of the Protestant Religion and no way derogatorie to his own Honour and publick Professions But to the end that his Majesties real Intentions in this business of Ireland may be the more clearly understood and to give more ample satisfaction to both Houses of Parliament and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland especially concerning his Majesties not being engaged in any Peace or Agreement there he doth desire if the two Houses shall admit of his Majesties Repair to London for a personal Treatie as was formerly proposed that speedy notice be given thereof to his Majestie and a Pass or safe Conduct with a Blank sent for a Messenger to be immediately dispatcht into Ireland to prevent any accident that may happen to hinder his Majesties Resolution of leaving the managing of the business of Ireland wholly to the two Houses and to make no Peace there but with their consent which in case it shall please God to bless his Endeavours in the Treatie with success his Majestie doth hereby engage himself to do And for a further explanation of his Majesties Intentions in his former Messages he doth now declare that if his personal Repair to London as aforesaid shall be admitted and a Peace thereon shall ensue he will then leave the nomination of the persons to be intrusted with the Militia wholly to his two Houses with such power and limitations as are expressed in the Paper delivered by his Majesties Commissioners at Uxbridg the sixth of February 1644. for the term of seven years as hath been desired to be given immediately after the conclusion of the Peace the disbanding of all Forces on both sides and the dismantling of the Garisons erected since these present Troubles so as at the expiration of the time before mentioned the power of the Militia shall intirely revert and remain as before And for their further securitie his Majestie the Peace succeeding will be content that pro hac vice the two Houses shall nominate the Admiral Officers of State and Iudges to hold their Places during life or quam diu se bene gesserint which shall be best liked to be accountable to none but the King and the two Houses of Parliament As for matter of Religion his Majestie doth further declare That by the libertie offered in his Message of the fifteenth present for the â—ase of their consciences who will not communicate in the Service already established by Act of Parliament in this Kingdom he intends that all other Protestants behaving themselves peaceably in and towards the Civil Government shall have the free exercise of their Religion according to their own way And for the total removing of all Fears and Iealousies his Majestie is willing to agree that upon the conclusion of Peace there shall be a general Act of Oblivion and free Pardon past by Act of Parliament in both his Kingdoms respectively And lest it should be imagined that in the making these Propositions his Majesties Kingdom of Scotland and his Subjects there have been forgotten and neglected his Majestie declares That what is here mentioned touching the Militia and the naming of Officers of State and Iudges shall likewise extend to his Kingdom of Scotland And now his Majestie having so fully and clearly expressed his Intentions and Desires of making a happy and well-grounded Peace if any person shall decline that happiness by opposing of so apparent a way of attaining it he will sufficiently demonstrate to all the World his Intention and Design can be no other than the total Subversion and Change of the ancient and happy Government of this Kingdom under which the English Nation hath so long flourished Given at our Court at Oxon the twenty fourth of January 1645. To the Speaker of the House of Peers c. This did not satisfie for upon the reading of this Declaration or Message in the House of Commons they produce other Letters and Papers taken at the Defeat of the Lord Ashley amongst which they finde Letters of the Arch-bishop of Yorkâ—o â—o the Lord Ashley and the Lord Digby's Letter from Ireland to the Archbishop concerning this business out of which and Glamorgan's own to the King hereafter they concluded much matter To the Right Honourable the Lord Ashley Most Noble Lord Your Lordships Letter of the twelfth of January I received late at night the nine and twentieth I have communicated to the Lord Byron the Marquess of Ormond his Letter of the twelfth of December and by this time not sooner the Lord Byron's Answer is at Dublin which I sent by his Lordships Chaplain it implied some Fears of holding out Chester thus long c. Colonel Butler tells me even now that the men and the shipping are still ready in Ireland though retarded hitherto by reason of this Distraction which sithence Tuesday last is so composed that the Earl of Glamorgan is out upon Bail of six or eight Noblemen whereof the Marq. of Clenricard is one c. from the Lord Lieutenant I have received no Answer in writing as yet though mine to him were many since the first of January nor from the Lord Digby any more to the purpose than this inclosed There is no relying on these Irish Forces for this Service though if they come they shall be carefully transported to such Rendezvouz as I shall hear is most â—itting for the passage of your Lordships Armie and to that end your Lordship shall be punctually informed of their landing and condition Conway Jan. 25. 1645. Your Lordships c. John Eborac The Lord Digby's Letter inclosed May it please your Grace I give you many thanks for your obliging Letter by Mr. Moor I have likewise sent yours to the Marquess of Ormond and I am glad to finde there that you do nott ake the Allarm at my Lord Glamorgan's Commitment so hot as upon it to despair of the Relief of Chester which though it hath been somewhat retarded by it yet I make little question now but it will go on speedily and effectually and of this I desire you to certifie my Lord Byron Dublin Jan. 21. 1645. Your Graces c. G. Digby And then to discipher the Mystery this of the Earl of Glamorgan's to the King was read also in the House For his Sacred Majestie May it please your Majestie I am now at Waterford providing Shipping immediately to transport six thousand Foot and four thousand more are by May next to follow I hope these will yet come opportunely to the Relief of Chester What hath been the occasions of so long Delay and
for his labour Then the Scots select a Committee of their own Lowthian and others to move the King once more for all to take the Covenant and sign to the Propositions which they did endeavour but could not prevail For the Kings intention to escape was thus proved out of several Letters of the Kings to Hudson whilst he was out of prison by way of direction how to manage the design with great promises of reward to such as should assist therein Hudson sends a Copy of this Letter inclosed in one of his own to Major Gen. Langhorn a Commander in Wales and tels him what a great value the King had of his worth and desires his assistance with other his friends to restore his Majestie to his Rights This letter was sent to Mr. Gibb late of Lincolns Inn who sent it to Mr. Price in Wales who delivered it to Langhorn And had the King escaped it was conceited that he was to be received into a Holland Ship that had lain off at Sea near the Shields this two moneths to carry him God knows whither for none on earth could imagine But now the Scots are ready to deliver up their King and Soveraign to Commissioners appointed by the Parliament to receive him and to convey him to Holmby Viz. the Earls of Pembroke Denbigh and the L. Mountague Sir Iames Harrington Sir Io. Hollyland Siâ— Walter Earl Sir Io. Cook Mr. Crew and Major General Brown And the servants to attend the King in Ordinary were Voted to be Sir Thomas Herbert Mr. Maxwell Mr. Astley Mr. Harrington Mr. Patrick Marel Sir Foulk Grevil Mr. Middleton Serjeant at Arms and Doctor Wilson Physician Mr. Marshall and Mr. Caryll to attend them as Chaplains The Parliament of Edenburgh had some debate concerning the King and Queries put to the General Assembly of Ministers Queries If the King shall come to this Kingdom and that the Kingdom of England shall exclude him from the Government there for his leaving them without granting their Propositions whether or no it will be lawfull for this Kingdom to assist him for the recovery of the Government he not granting the Propositions concerning Religion and the Convenant and not giving a satisfactory Answer to the rest of the Propositions They answer The Quere presupposeth the Kings coming into this Kingdom which Case we humbly conceive should not be put into the Question and therefore we desire your Lordships to go about all means to prevent it as a matter of most dangerous consequence to Religion this Kirk and Kingdom and to the King himself and his Posterity But if the Question be stated simply in these terms If the King be excluded from Government in England for not granting the Propositions concerning Religion and the Covenant and for not giving a satisfactory Answer to the rest of the Propositions whether in that case it be lawfull for this Kingdom to assist him for the Recovery of the Government or if it be not lawfull Being put to it we cannot but answer In regard of the Ingagement of this Kingdom by Covenant and Treaty Negative Hereupon the Parliament of Scotland resolve 1. Resolved upon the Question That the Kingdom of Scotland shall be governed as it hath been these five last years all means being used that the King may take the Covenant and pass the Propositions 2. Resolved That the taking of the Scots Covenant and passing some of the Propositions doth not give warrant to assist him against England 3. Resolved That upon bare taking the National Covenant we may not receive him 4. Resolved That the clause in the Covenant for defence of the Kings person to be understood in defence and safety of the Kingdoms 5. Resolved That the King shall not excute any power in the Kingdom of Scotland untill such time that he hath granted the Propositions concerning Religion and the Covenant and given a satisfactory Answer to both Kingdoms in the rest of the Propositions presented to him by both Kingdoms at Newcastle 6. Resolved That if the King refuse to pass the Propositions he shall be disposed of according to the Covenant and Treaty 7. Resolved That the Union be firmly kept between the two Kingdoms according â—o the Covenant and Treaties And to shew you the consequence hereof see the joint consent of the Estate of Scotland together with the Army for delivering up of the King If the King have any thoughts of coming to this Kingdome Scotland at this time he not having subscribed the League and Covenant nor satisfied the lawfull desires of his loyal subjects in both Nations we fear the consequence will be very dangerous which we desire may be timely prevented Neither is it possible but that our receiving him in this present posture of affairs will confirm the suspition of the English Nation of our under dealing with him before his coming to our Armies and make them not without cause to think that we purpose to dispose of him without their consent Which is contrary to the profession of those that were in trust at the Kings first coming to the Scots Quarters and overthroweth all the Arguments that have been used by the Commissioners of our Parliament in their Papers concerning the disposing of his Majesties Person by the consent of both Kingdomes given in to the Parliament in England Nor do we see how we can vindicate such a practice from a direct breach of our engagement to them by Covenant and Treaty which were not onely to expose us to the hazard of a bloody war but to involve us in the guilt of perjury And what greater disservice could be done to the King and his posterity than to give way to a course that might prove prejudicial to their Interest in the Crown and Kingdome of England and conclude Our carriage now for many years past in the midst of many temptations hath put us beyond all suspition in the point of our Loyaltie Ianuary 14. If otherwise let the world judge And yet the King put some Queries to the Scots Commissioners at Newcastle Ianuary 14 It is a received opinion by many That Engagements Acts or Promises of a restrained person are neither valid nor obligatory How true or false this is I will not dispute but I am sure if I am not free I am not fit to answer your or any Propositions Wherefore you should first resolve me in what state I stand as in relation to freedome before I can give you any further answer the reason of this my answer the Governour can best resolve you But if you object the loss of time and urgency of it certainly in one respect it presses none so much as my self which makes me also think necessary that I be not to seek what to do when this Garison shall be surrendred up to demand of you in case I go into Scotland if I shall be there with Honour Freedom and Safety or how being ready to give you a farther and more particular answer how
well Irish as strangers that we have not nor will give our consent to such Peace except that safe condition as well for our Religion as for the King and for the Countrey according to our Oath be offered unto us And that our Flocks and all our Catholick people without confederate Forces who in these general meetings have sometimes asked our advice in this Spiritual business belonging only to a Spiritual Iudge may know certainly what hath been determined by us to the end that the godly and faithful Catholicks obeying their Shepherds and Pastors may concur in the same We have commanded this Decree to be written and published in all places in the English and Irish tongues which we have confirmed with our hands and Seals But to the other question concerning Excommunication we have referred until the next Sessions Given at Waterford 12. of August 1646. And Ormond being wanting of Amunition and Powder Articled with two Captains of the Parliaments Ships upon the Coast of Ireland to furnish him to be imployed against the Irish Rebels and condiscended to his Propositions with assured hopes of his complying with the Parliament of England the House of Commons confirmed the Transactions and Negotiations herein sending Letters of thanks to the two Captains and to Captain Willoughby 5. October The Rebels had taken Acklew Castle belonging to the Protestants who had refused to subscribe unto the Peace with eighty Souldiers and one hundred Arms therein as also the Fort of Marborough in the Center of the Province of Lemster to Quarter with Sir William Gilbert Governour thereof all his Officers and Souldiers all the Arms and Amunition and about a thousand persons men women and children now at the mercy of the barbarous and insulting Enemy Theâ— three Commissioners sent to the Parliament of England from Ormond landed at Chester being transported over by Captain Willougby 26. October The Committee appointed to Treat with them made report of the conditions from Ormond for the surrender of Dublin and the rest of the places of Strength in his power he desires Supplies and Moneys for the Forces with him and for himself he is willing to come into England if it shall be thought fit which accord troubled the King at Newcastle The Parliament of England send over Commissioners to remain in Ireland with two Regiments and all possible speed for Amunition and Victual to follow And now the President of Connaught and the British bestirring themselves on one side and Inchequin of the other but it s believed the Rebels will be able to attempt upon Dublin and yet leave sufficient number of Forces to make incursions upon the British and Inchequin For by Ormonds Letters the Rebells are fifteen thousand Foot and two thousand Horse commanded by Owen O Neal at Kilkenny and have frequent Councel the chief of whom are Preston Roger Moore Hugh Mac Phelin Brion Con. O Neal with many more of the old Natural Irish. Preston is at Agamoe intending to advance towards Dublin and to attempt the same before the Parliament can send relief But the intended high flying Excommunication of the confederate Catholicks against such as agreed to the peace and the great Declaration of these against the Nuntio and others for opposing the peace are now composed to a cunning agreement and altogether to joyn for the design of taking Dublin and are minded to storm it speedily 3. November Ormond was now in Dublin accompanied with Sir Arthur Aston sometime Governour of Oxford and the Lord Castlehaven with three thousand in the City The Rebells are strong in Force and numerous who straiten Dublin have taken all the Out-Garisons seven all yeelding upon discretion save one commanded by Major Piggot who had Articles agreed upon and sending his brother to have them signed the Irish run in at the Gate fell upon them within put the Major and all others to the Sword except the Majors Wife and Daughter saved by an Irish Gentleman the Minister in whose hands they found a Bible they Butchered him and bid him goe preach to his Patron the Divel The Popes Nuntio and Clergy have a mighty influence upon the people for when the Accord was made being not agreed upon by the Nuntio a Roman Catholick coming to serve with 1100. men according to the agreement a Frier came and standing at the head of them declared that if they marched a foot forward they should be all Excommunicated whereupon they returned all home And all Letters give assurance that Ormond means faithfully to the Parliament of England The Recorder of Dublin Mr. Bise came over and reported that the Enemy lay ten Miles round about Dublin with such truths of their barbarous cruelties in their Marches upon the miserable Protestants taking a Castle by the way and the Minister one Mr. Brereton with sixty men upon Quarter yet killed them all in cold blood the Town of Dublin hath Victuals for five moneths The two Justices of that Government Sir Adam Loftis and Sir Williams Parsons are coming for England Nov. 10. Colonel Monk one that had served the King in his Wars and now taken prisoner was tampered with to take the Solemn League and Covenant and the Negative Oath also which he did was released and ordered for the Service of Ireland And there were Shipt for the same 1870. Horse and Foot now at Chester together with the Parliaments Commissioners who came to Dublin safe and were nobly welcomed by Ormond and the Counsel with full assurance to deliver to them the Castle and Town of Dublin the Souldiers landed and the Treaty began between them but Ormond disagreed and at last gave an absolute denial of Surrendring Dublin unto them Affirming that his Letters to the King not being sent by the Parliament according to conditions and so he not having his Majesties full command for the Surrender he utterly refused protesting that to be the only reason which if procured he would forthwith Surrender Upon which the Commissioners sent away by Shiping all the Forces brought with them Northwards to joyn with the British which land at Belfast a Town possessed by the Scots The Commissioners are jealous that the War between Ormond and the Rebels was but calmly prosecuted on either side which makes them suspect they are not in earnest For there hath been since the first of October these Garisons lost to the Rebels Lese Strathbally Bifert Grange Mellon Rebend Athy Greenhill Castle Iordan Edenberry Marmegs Town Sir Io. Hayes House Honestow Nans Castle Warden Monmonck Leslip Lucan Palmeshore Tallon Bulloeis and Bellimont 1. of December And now Ormond in this distress is forced to make a Cessation with the Rebells if not some say a confederacy taking the Keys from the Mayor and giving them to the Lord Lambert of Ireland who is now Governour there 2. December And these Propositions give likelyhood that they are agreed being from the confederate Catholicks of the Kingdom of Ireland to the Marquess of Ormond and signed by the Generals
signal compliance with the Army and their interest and what of importance my complyance was to them and their often repeated Professions and Ingagements for my Iust Rights in general at Newmarket and St Albans and their particular explanation of those generals by their Voted and Re-voted Proposals which I had reason to understand should be the uttermost extremity would be expected from me and that in some things therein I should be eased herein appealing to the Consciences of some of the chiefest Officers in the Army if what I have said be not punctually true and how I have failed of their expectations and my professions to them I challange them and the whole World to produce the least colour of Reason And now I would know what is it that is desired Is it Peace I have shewed the way being both willing and desirous to perform my part in it which is a just complayance with all chief Interests It is Plenty and Happinesse They are the inseparable effects of peace Is it security I who wish that all men would forgive and forget like me have offered the Militia for my time Is it liberty of Conscience he who wants it is most ready to give Is it the right administration of Iustice Officers of trust are committed to the choice of my two Houses of Parliament Is it frequent Parliaments I have legally fully concurred therewith Is it the Arrears of the Army Vpon a settlement they will certainly be paied with much ease but before there will be found much difficulty if not impossibility in it Thus all the world cannot but see my real and unwearied endeavours for Peace the which by the grace of God I shall never repent me of nor ever be slackned in notwithstanding my past present or future sufferings but if I may not be heard let every one judge who it is that obstructs the good I would or might do What is it that men are afraid to hear from me it cannot be Reason at least none will declare themselves so unreasonable as to confess it and it can less be impertinent or unreasonable discourses for thereby peradventure I might more justifie this my restraint then the causers themselves can do so that of all wonders yet this is the greatest to me but it may be easily gathered how these men intend to govern who have used me thus and if it be my hard Fate to fall together with the Liberty of this Kingdom I shall not blush for my self but much lament the future miseries of my people the which I shall still pray to God to avert what ever becomes of me C. R. And now was the strict custody of the King referred to the care and Command of the General to place and displace servants such as to him thought meet and only eight persons for the present allowed to him Of which and his strict Guards he expostulates with Hamond telling him that he might yet ere long be beholding to one of his Sons for his life for now was Prince Charles gone from Paris into Holland from whence we shall hereafter hear more of him February 4. The first alteration of Soveraignty was in Title of things properly stiled the Kings and therefore the Title of the List of his Majesties Ships is but now altered to the List of the Parliaments Ships and the Hollanders refuse to strike Top Sail to the English disputeing that they were the Elder States and indeed so they were and Elder Brothers in the other also The Army resolve of new Modelling themselves to put the Martial power into the best way for themselves to appear formidable in the Field to make good the Garisons and to take in all confiding persons and so to make more Officers and fewer Souldiers under their Command the easier to be governed and in time of Action soon filled up by Sir Thomas Fairfax who now takes an additional Title of Lord Fairfax being the unic Son to his Father who of a Corn on his great Toe iâ— turned to a Gangreen and killed him And so we end the troublesome affairs of State in England for this year But may not pass over those concernments of Scotland and Ireland contemporary Nor would we nor could we handsomly interrupt our History with them and therefore we insert them here by themselves And first of Scotland beginning where we left before The continuation of the Military Actions for the King in Scotland under conduct of the Marquess of Montrose this year 1647. The Covenanters held Convention at St. Andrews upon the East Sea in Fife carrying their prisonâ—rs with them where ever they removed both of War or others of the Kings Friends men of the best note the Lord Ogleby Sir William Spotswood William Murrey and Andrew Gutlery men of singular merit who here were to be sacrificed To which purpose they set up a couple of their Kirk men Kaint and Blaire and others also possessed with the same spirit That God required the blood of these men nor could the sin of the Nation be otherwise expiated or the revenge of heaven diverted sentencing their very souls to damnation But Ogleby the most eminent a Hamilton by the Mothers side and cousin German to Lindsey pretending himself sick had leave for his Mother Wife and Sisters to visit him in prison and whilst the Jaylors withdrew he got on his sisters cloths and put her in his place in bed And at evening passed out with them for a Lady and so got out of danger his sister suffered strict imprisonment in the same Chamber for a long time after and hastened the execution on the rest of the Prisoners The first was Nathaniel Gordon the next Colonel Gordon and then comes Sir Robert Spotswood he had been raised by favour of King Iames to the honour of Knighthood and Privy Councellor of Scotland King Charles made him Lord President of the Session and of late principal Secretary of Scotland Their Charge against him was not for Arms being a man of the Gown but they found Treason in his bringing of the Kings Commission to Montrose to be Vice-roy of the Kingdom and General of all the Kings Forces there It was no boot his Eloquent and Learned defence answerable to the fundamental Laws of that nation But the Earl of Lanerick heretofore Principal Secretary by his revolt against the King this Office was setled upon Spotswood this was additional to his Charge which because he was not able to bear out he was forced to fall under And on the Scaffold prepared to dye he made his last Speech to the People but Blair being by bad the Provost stop his mouth and privately praying Blair interrupting offered his prayers which the other refused adding That of all the Plagues with which God had scourged this Nation this was not the least nay greater than Sword or Pestilence that God had sent a lying Spirit in the mouthes of the pretended Prophets for which Blair basely reproached
so much of the success of our English Army in Scotland 27. Sept. The Scots Armies are accordingly Disbanded Barwick and Carslile delivered up to the English and the Writs gone out for a new Parliament 20. of Ianuary And a fresh General Assembly of their Kirkmen Somewhat strange in the capitulation that the English Assistants to the Scots in both these Garrisons are submitted to the mercy of the Parliament of England And a Letter of thanks is sent from the Committee of Estates of Scotland to the Lieutenant General Cromwel for his orderly government of his Forces and his many civilities and respects to that Nation and they excuse themselves from any guilt or connivance in the late engagement against England acknowledging that his Army so near is the means and occasion of advantage to that Nation to make peace and to prevent distraction and confusion which otherwise had continued amongst them And for confirmation of all he is invited to Edenburgh to Feasts and Banquets with all expressions of Honour of Arms and so returns homewards Octo. 20. by the way is received with Hosannah's of joy by all the Northern Counties and invited to take in the strong Garrisons of Pomfreit and Scarborough which infested the County all about them But let us return to Sea affairs This while the Prince was put aboard the Revolted Ships which with some others of his own were formed into a Fleet and with him his brother the Duke of York Prince Rupert Lords Hopton Wilmot and Willoughby Earls of Branford and Ruthen formerly General for the King the Lord Culpepper and Sir Henry Palmer and increasing number came into Yarmouth Rode with twenty Sail and two thousand men the Town being much divided in affection some would have him land and march to Colchester then besieged with such as will come to his assistance To prevent him Colonel Scroop is coming not fourty miles off with Horse and Foot to attend his motion if he land some hopes he had of landing and therefore provided a Declaration his forerunner 27. Iuly The establishing of Religion according to his Majesties agreement 26. December last The performance of the said Agreement and pursuance of all Concessions on the Kings part The restoring the King to a personal Treaty The maintenance of the just priviledges of Parliament The liberty of the Subject abolishing of Excise contribution for quarter c. with an Act of Obliâ—ion The Disbanding of all Armies setling Peace The defence of the Narrow Seas securing Trade support of the Navy and Sea-men His Commissions to his Commanders were thus stiled Charls Prince of great Britain Duke of Cornwal and Albany Highest Captain General under his Majesty of all Forces both by Sea and Land within the Kingdom of England Dominion of Wales and Town of Barwick c. Whereas we hold it convenient to Arm and set forth to Sea for the weakning and suppressing the usurped power c. Bearing date heretofore from St. Germin in Laye 6. June 1648. A correspondence likewise we finde fixed with the State of Scotland by Letters intercepted and directed to Sir Alexander Gibson Clerk of the Signet at Edenburgh from London 26. Iuly telling him that we are here in the City very right only Skippon makes disturbance by listing Horse and Foot whom we hope to out of his Office The Lords wait for some further incouragement from the City to which purpose the Common Council are framing petitions Our Design to free Colchester is not yet ready c. But the Prince finding no footing in Norfolk sailed back Southwards to the Downs in Kent seizing what Merchants Ships and goods that he could light upon sending Letters to the City of London together with his Declaration and that if the City will redeem their goods they must send him two hundred thousand pound But Anchoring in the Downs he hath a Design upon the Parl. Besiegers of Deal Castle in which were Royalists and Lands five hundred men who March forwards and at first beat off the Horse which Colonel Rich and Hewson had drawn out to Encounter them untill some more Forces of Foot followed routed the Princes Forces killed many and took others Prisoners and the rest hardly got aboard again Whilst the Prince Anchors with his Fleet in the Downs the States of Scotland invite him May it please your Highness Amongst all the Calamities which this Nation these late years hath wrastled under none doth more wound and afflict us next to his Majesty your royal Fathers sad condition and restraint then your Highness long absence from this Kingdom whereunto your right Title is so just and unquestionable and seeing our Forces are now again in England in pursuance of their duty to Religion and his Majesties rescue we humbly beg That your Highness would be pleased to honour and countenance with your presence and assistance our pious and Loyal endeavours which we look upon as the only means of uniting us in this great work being confident that your Highness will effectually apply your self to procure from his Majesty just satisfaction to the desires of Parliaments And if your Highness will grant these our humble requests and trust your peâ—son amongst us we doe ing age the publick Faith of this Kingdom for your well being in honour freedom and safety either here in Scotland or with our Army in England and to remove from us or the Army when or whither you please And these they send by the Earl of Louderdale with Letters of Credence in what he shall further communicate to the Prince From the Estates of the Parliament of Scotland in whose Name and Warrant are signed Aug. 10. Crawford Lindsey The Parliaments Vice-Admiral Batten having heretofore served them with faithfulness and good success was by the Army Voted out of his place and Rainsborough a Land Captain put into his Command Not long after being Governour of Deal Castle which cost him six hundred pound repair He was turned out and made a Delinquent upon the old quarrel for suffering some of the eleven Members to pass beyond Seas Rainsborough was refused by the Sea men not suffering him to come aboard then they â—aress Bâ—â—ten to take up his Commission again which he disdained the Parliament being in distress for a Commander they Vote in the Earl of Warwick who was served so before And now Batten comes to the Prince in Holland who receives him with favour and honours him with Knight-hood where he publishes the reasons of his declining the Parliaments Service and was faithfull to the Prince for ever after It was the middle of Iune as aforesaid that the Kâ—mish Insurrectors got over to Essex and from thence into the Town of â—â—lchester and with such Forces as they could gather they strengthen the place and prepare for a Siege The Commanders in chief were the Eâ— of Norwich old Goriâ—g the Lord Capel Sir Charles Lucas and others in opposition to 〈…〉 and all
the House of Peers whose authority interest and priviledges was now as much slighted and despised as the King was after and as the Lords fell towards themselves in after successes easily passing over those former singular Acts of grace passed by him already in this Parliament or else ascribing them to their own wisdoms in the procurement and conclude against a Malignant party that they have no hope of setling the distractions of this Kingdom for want of a concurrence with the House of Lords into which number all these Lords were cast who presumed to dissent from any Propositions made by the House of Commons But not to hold you in suspence the business was thus When this engine Remonstrance was prepared for the people by the prime Leaders It was presented to the house of Commons and the greatest art imaginable to procure consent to have it passed there And after the longest debate that hath been observed from three a clock afternoon till ten a clock the next morning when many through weakness and weariness left the House So that it looked as it was sawcely said like the verdict of a starved Iury and carried onely by eleven voyces And shortly after that the King had been received with all possible expressions of loyal affection by the City of London against which it was murmured and the chief advancers of that duty discountenanced and their Loyalty envied at And when it was publiquely said in the House of Commons upon some dispute of a pretended breach of the order of the House That their Discipline ought to be severe for the Enemy was now in view meaning the King returned then I say was the Petition and Remonstrance presented to his Majesty at Hampton Court I could wish you had it at length as it was printed but this History growes big with necessary abreviations suppose these what the wit and malice of man could rake together to make a Sovereign suspected of his Subjects Their Petition thus in effect Most gracious Soveraign Your Majesties most humble and faithful Subjects the Commoners in this present Parliament doe with joy acknowledge this favoâ—r of God for his safe return into England when the dangers and distempers of the State have caused them to desire his presence and authority to his Parliament for preventing of eminent ruine and destruction to his Kingdome of England and Scotland fomented by a Malignant party for alteration of Religion and Government the increase of Popery by the practice of Iesuits and other Engineers and factors for Rome corrupting the Bishops and Privy Council They being the cause of the late Scotish war and the Irish Rebellion now for prevention they pray that his Majesty would concur with his Parliament deprive the Bishops of their Votes To take a way oppressions in Religion Church Government and Discipline To purge his Councils of such as are promotors of these corruptions and not to alienate any escheated Lands in Ireland by reason of the Rebellion And these being granted they will make him happy To this the body of their Remonstrance was annexed very particular and large which they draw down from the beginning of the Kings Reign pretending to discover the Malignant party and their designs and consequently the miseries thereby to the State And this they intitle A Remonstrance of the Kingdom Die Mercurii December 15. 1641. In brief to set it down from these Heads 1. The Root and the growth of these mischievous Designs 2. The maturity and ripeness to which they have attained before the beginning of this Parliament 3. The effectual means which hath been used for the extirpations of these dangers evils and progress that hath been made therein by the Kings goodness and the wisdome of Parliament 4. The waies of obstruction and opposition by which the Progress hath been interrupted 5. The courses to be taken for removing those obstacles and for the accomplishing of their dutiful and faithful intentions and endeavours of restoring and establishing their ancient honour greatness and security of this Crown and Nation The Root of all this mischief they finde to be a Malignant and pernicious Design of subverting the fundamental Laws and Principles of Government upon which the Religion and Iustice of the Kingdome are firmly established The Actors and Promoters hereof have been 1. The Iesuited Papists who hate the Laws as the Obstacles of that change and subversion of Religion which they so much long for 2. The Bishops and the corrupt part of the Clergy who cherish formalities and superstitions as the natural effects and more probable supports of their own Ecclesiastical Tyranny and usurpation 3. Such Councellors and Courtiers as for private ends have ingaged themselves to further the Interest of some foreign Princes or states to the prejudice of the King and State at home And to make it more credible the Remonstrance moulds out some common Principles by which they pretend â—ll the Malignant Councels and actions were governed and these are branched in four particulars in effect That the Malignant party maintained continual differences and discontents betwixt the King and the people upon questions of Perogative and priviledge that so they might have say they the advantage of siding with him and under the notions of Men addicted to his service gain to themselves and their parties the places of greatest trust and power in the Kingdome They suppressed the purity and power of Religion and such as we asserted to it as being contrary to their own ends and the greatest impediment to that charge which they thought to introduce Then to conjoyn these parts of the Kingdome which were most propitious to their own ends and to divide those who went most opposite which consisted in many particular observations to cherish the Arminian part in those points wherein they agree with the Papists to multiply and enlarge the differences between the Protestant and those which they call Puritans to introduce and countenance such opinions and Ceremonies as are fittest for accommodation with Popery to increase and maintain ignorance looseness and prophaness in the people that if these three parties Papists Arminians and Libertinâ—s they might compose a body fit to act such Councels and resolutions as were most conduceable to their ends And politickly they disaffected the King to the Parliament by slanders and false imputations and by putting him upon other waies of supply which in shew and appearance were fuller of advantage than the ordinary course of subsidies though in truth they brought more loss than gain both to King and People and have caused the distractions under which we suffer Then the Remonstrance comes to particular charges against this Malignant party 1. The dissolution of the Parliament at Oxford two subsidies being given and no grievance relieved 2. The loss of the Rochel fleete by our shipping delivered over to the French to the loss of that Town and the Protestant Religion in France 3. The diverting of his Majesties course of wars
from the west Indies the onely facile way to prevail against the Spainard to an expenceful successless attempt upon Cales 4. The precipitate breach with France taking their goods and ships without recompense to the English whose goods were confiscate in that Kingdom 5. The peace with Spain without consent of Parliament the deserting the Palsgraves cause mannaged by his Enemies 6. The charging of this Kingdom with billeted Souldiers with the Design of German Horse to enslave this Nation to Arbitrary Contributions 7. The dissolving of the Parliament 2 Caroli and the exacting of the proportion of five Subsidies after the Parliament was dissolved by Commission of Loan and such as refused imprisoned some to Death great Sums of Money required by Privy Seals Excise the Petition of Right blasted 8. The Parliament dissolved 4 Caroli imprisoning some Members fining them and others Sir Francis Barington died in Prison whose bloud still cries for vengeance of those Ministers of State The publishing of false and scandalous Declarations against the Parliament And afterwards Injustice Oppression and Violence broke in The enlargements of Forests contrary to Charta de Foresta Coat and Conduct Money c. And then the Remonstrance ravels into all the particular pretended Designs corrupt Councils and the effects of what ever happened or usually doth happen in any Nation of Government even to Clerks of the Market and Commissions of Sewers Brass Farthings Projects Monopolies c. Then upon all the mis-actions of Courts of Iudicature Council-Table and all And principally against Bishops and their Proceeding by all their subordinate Officers their Writings Preachings Opinions in conjunction with Papists and Prote stants in Doctrine Discipline and Ceremony And endeavouring to reduce Scotland thereto and an Army was raised against them by Contribution of Clergy and Papists the Scots enforced to raise an Army for their Defence but concluded in Pacification and throughout excusing the Scots palliating all their Insurrections as necessitated to defend themselves against malignant Councils and Counsellours calling them Scots Rebells and the English War Bellum Episcopale Then to make a progress into Reformation the Remonstrance tells us what they have done by their care wisdoms and circumspection removed some Malignants suppressed Monopolies and all the aforesaid Disorders in an instant taking away High Commission and Star-Chamber Courts c. Procuring Bills of Triennial Parliament and continuance of this which two Laws they say are more advantageous than all the other Statutes enforce And in a word what ere the King hath done amiss they are not sparing to publish it what gracious favours he hath afforded by several Bills the Parliament ascribe to their own wisdoms and promise to the King and whole Kingdom more honour and happiness than ever was enjoyed by any his Predecessours And this the Parliament instantly printed and published contrary to the Kings desire though his Answer was speedy to the Petition and Remonstrance thus in effect That having received a long Petition consisting of many Desires of great moment together with a Declaration of a very unusual nature being confident that their own reason and regard to him as well as his express Intimation by his Controller to that purpose would have restrained them from publishing of it untill his convenient time of answer and tells them how sensible he is of this their disrespect To the Preamble of the Petition he professes he understands not of a wicked and malignant party admitted to his Council and Imployment of Trust of endeavouring to sow amongst the People false Scandals to blemish and disgrace the Parliament c. All or any of which did he know of he would be as ready to punish as they are to complain To their Petition the first part concerning Religion and consisting of several Branches as for that of Popish Designs he hath and will concur with all the just Desires of his People in a Parliamentary way To the depriving of the Bishops of their Votes in Parliament their Right is grounded upon the Fundamental Laws of the Kingdom and Constitutions of Parliament For the abridging of the inordinate power of the Clergy The taking away of the High Commission Court moderates that and if there continue Usurpations in their Iurisdictions he neither hath nor will protect them And as to the clause of Corruptions in Religion Church-government and Discipline c. That for any Innovations he will willingly concur for the removal if any be by a National Synod but he is sorry to hear of such terms Corruptions since he is perswaded that no Church can be found upon Earth professing the true Religion with more purity of Doctrine than the Church of England doth which by the grace of God he will maintain not onely against all Invasions of Popery but also from the Irreverence of those many Schismaticks and Seperatists wherewith of late this Kingdom and this City abounds To the second prayer of the Petition concerning the Removal and choice of Counsellours that by these which he hath exposed to Trial there is none so near to him in place and affection whom he will not leave to the Law and to their particular charge and sufficient proof That for their choice of his Counsellours and Ministers of State that were to debar him the natural liberty which all Free-men have being besides the undoubted Right of his Crown to call to his Council whom he pleaseth being carefull to elect persons of ability and integrity To the third prayer concerning Ireland Not to alienate the Forfeited Lands thereof he concurs with them but then whether it be now seasonable to resolve before the Event of War be seen that he much doubts of but thanks them for their chearfull Ingagement for their suppression of that Rebellion upon which so many hazzards do depend And for their Conclusion and promise to apply themselves for support of his royal Estate c. he doubts not thereof from their Loyalties to which he will add his assistance The Kings Declaration to all his loving Subjects Although he doth not believe that the House of Commons intended by their Remonstrance to put him to any Apology for his past or present Actions yet since they have thought it so very necessary to publish the same he thinks it not below his Kingly Dignity to compose and settle the affections of his meanest Subjects He shall in few words pass over the narrative part wherein the Misfortunes of this Kingdom from the first entring to the Crown to the beginning of this Parliament are remembred in so sensible expressions And that other which acknowledgeth those many good Laws passed this Parliament To which he saith that as he hath not refused any Bill for redress of Grievances mentioned in their Remonstrance so he hath not had a greater Motive thereto than his own Resolution to free his Subjects for the future And possibly they may confess that they have enjoyed a greater measure of happiness these last sixteen years both in peace
had their several successes and losses on each other recovered from suddain ruine by the assistance of either Allies their Colleagues for the French Swede and all the Protestant Princes against the Emperour and House of Austria who had the help of Spain with the most of Catholiques The Weymarians were well reinforced by the conduct of four Marshals of France with their French Troops and undertook to quarter in Bavaria and were thwarted by the Duke of Loraine whose sufferings from the French forced him to accept the Spanish Command he was accompanied with Iohn de Werde and the Baron of Mercy directors of the Cavalrie to spie out the enemy and in the end met with the Messieurs routed each quarter after other took the Marshals prisoners with four hundred Officers and one thousand common Souldiers without counting the pillage This defeat was as famous for the Spaniard and saved Bavaria from that storm intended and put the French to raise another Army under the same name Weymarian but with a new General for Guebriana was killed the day before the fight And this glorious battel takes name of Durling where it was disputed we shall not read of any such battels so memorable in this last age the first was in May and began the happy reign of Lewis 14 th The other in the end of November and these may stand parallel with those of Leipsick and Northingen the last year This Victory set up Lorain who was caressed into a treaty by the French without any fruit having been once at Paris to that purpose and abused back again to take revenge and marches away to the Low-countries takes Falconstia and leaves the Army to the brave Baron of Mercy who takes Rotweil and Uburling comes to Fiburgh and Brisquer where he meets with his match the Prince of Conde The Parliament having sent their Emissaries to the neigbour Princes and States to caress them for their friendships the King was careful likewise to satisfie them of the true cause of these differences And as they had sent to the King of Denmark so does he also by an expresse one Colonel Cockram with these instructions You are to inform the King â—f Denmark that by his Majesties command as to the nearest ally of his Crown his Unkle and who he believes will not be unconcerned in his affairs as well in interests as affections you are sent to give a particular account of the state of his Majesties affairs to renew the antient League and Amity between the two Kingdoms and Families Royal and to reduce it to more exact particulars such as might be useful to the present affairs of England and all occurrence of those of Denmark That the present affair of your negotiation is to demand an assistance from his Majesty such as the present state of the affairs of England requires against a dangerous combination of his Majesties Subjects who have not only invaded his Majesty in his particular rights but have laid a design to dissolve the Monarchy and frame of Government under pretence of Liberty and Religion becoming a dangerous precedent to all the Monarches of Christendom to be looked upon with successe to their design That the nature of their proceedings hath been such as hath not admitted any foreign treaty to be interessed in suppressing their design without giving them advantage of Scandaling his Majesties intentions and drawing away universally the hearts of his people whom they had insinuated under pretence of Reformation of particular abuses of Government and Ministers of Estate to concur generally with approbation of their proceedings and in which though the dangerous consequence aâ—d design were visible to his Majesty a present compliance was necessary lest any publick opposition on his Majesties part that might seem to defeat the great expeâ—tations which they had raised in the Commons in those plausible particulars might have occasioned a general revolt throughout the Kingdoms great jealousies being dispersed and fomented amongst them of his Majesties Foreign Treaties and Force to be used to oppose and suppresse those their desires and the movers therein Upon the credit they had herewith on the peoples opinions they proceeded under pretence of Reformation of Religion to disolve the Government of the Church according to its constitution in England a chief column and support to that Monarchy and Crown They lastly invaded his Majesty in all the prerogatives of his Crown and under pretence of ill Ministers and Councellours of Estate whom they pretended to remove endeavoured to invest in themselves in all times for the future the nomination of all Ministers of Estate and of his Majesties Family withdrew all his Revenue into their own hands and to confirm themselves in an absolute power of disposing His estate entred upon possessing themselves of the Militia of the Kingdom His Navy and Magazines in which his Majesty being forced to appear in opposition dangerous Tumults were raised against Him so that He was forced to forsake London for preservation of His Person His Queen and Children That since for the safety of the Queen He hath been forced to send her into Holland to retire Himself to the best affected party of His Subjects from whence by Declarations setting forth the sinister proceedings of that Faction discovering their designs of innovating the Government and falsifying the scandals they had imputed to Him He hath had the advantage generally to undeceive His people to draw to Him universally the Nobility and Gentry of the Kingdom But the other Faction still keeping up some interest and credit with the Commons in the desperate estate they finde themselves begin to make head against Him have appointed a General and are levying Forces to maintain their party committing divers acts of hostility violence and Rebellion That his Majesty having great encouragements given Him by the exceeding numbers of Gentry and Noblemen that resort to Him is already advanced near them with six thousand Horse and ten thousand Foot That the States of Holland have condescended to give Her Majesty the Queen a convoy of the greatest part of their Fleet now at Sea for her â—eturn into England That divers Forts and Counties upon his Majesties personal appearance have declared for Him so that His affairs at home grow daily into abetter estate as he likewise expects and hopes that all His Neighbour Princes and Allies will not look upon so dangerous a president to their own Crowns and Monarchies without contributing to suppressâ— this so pernicious a design begun within His Kingdom That to give His Majesty the juster ground to reflect upon the dangerous consequences in relation to His own interest of their successe it hath been by them publickly moved in the Commons House long since to interpose in the accommodation of the Dutch and to set out a Fleet to take away His Customs of the Sound That they have since imputed to his Majesty as a ground to scandal Him with His people that he did
himsefe shot in the arm for this good service his Majesty presently Knighted him and he well deserved it His Majesty wanted only Horse to have utterly destroyed them for they were now unable to help themselves In this condition his Majesty pursued them all day getting still ground in the evening one whole Regiment of their Foot being Colonel Weyres staggared ran from field to field with their Cannon and Colours only at the appearance of but eight of his Majesties Horse and had not night come on all their Army had undoubtedly been destroyed The Gentlemen of his Majesties own Troop did most gallantly in that service being twice bravely led on by the noble and valiant Lord Bernard Stuart to the great terrour of the Rebels This no question caused their General Essex early the nex day to quit his glorious Command and in a small Boat to shift away by water some say for Plymouth as yet there is no certainty where he is nor of Roberts Meirick and others who are gone Thereupon yesterday his own Lieutenant Colonel Butler who was formerly taken Prisoner at the Lord Mohun's House and now exchanged for Sir John Digby came to desire a Parley which was accepted and Hostages interchangeably delivered the Treaty followed in the evening in the Kings Quarter the Treators for his Majesty Prince Maurice the Lord General and the Lord Digby Theirs Colonel Barkeley an insolent Scot Colonel Whichcott a zealous City Colonel and Colonel Butler after high demands the conclusion brought forth these Articles 1. It is agreed That all the Officers and Souldiers as well of Horse and Foot under the command of the Earle of Essex being at the time of the Conclusion of this Treaty on the West side of the River of Foy shall to morrow being the Second of September by eleven of the clock in the morning deliver up near the old Castle in their own Quarters All their Cannon and Train of Artillery with All Carriages Necessaries and Materials thereunto belonging and likewise All the Arms offensive and defensive both of Horse and Foot and all Powder Bullet Match and Amunition whatsoever unto such Officers as the General of His Majesties Artillery shall appoint to receive the same except only the Swords and Pistols of all Officers above the degree of a Corporal who are by this Agreement to wear and carry the same away 2. Secondly It is agreed That immediately after the delivery up of the said Artillery Arms and Amunition c. that all Officers and Souldiers both of Horse and Foot of the said Army shall march out of their Quarters to Listithiel with their Colours both of Horse and Foot Trumpets and Drummes And that all Officers of Foot above the degree of Serjeants shall take with them such Horses and Servants as properly belong unto themselves as also all reformed Officers their Horses and Arms not exceeding the number of fifty and likewise to take with them all their Bagge and Baggage and Wagons with their Teemes of Horses properly belonging to the said Officers 3. Thirdly It is agreed That they shall have a safe Convoy of a hundred Horse from their Quarters to Lestithiel and thence in their March the nearest convenient way to Poole and Warham provided that they secure the said Convoys return to Bridgwater or His Majesties Army and that in their march they touch not at any Garrison 4. Fourthly It is agreed That in case they shall march from Poole to any other place by land that neither they nor any of them shall bear Arms more then is allowed in this agreement nor do any Hostile act untill they come to Southampton or Portsmouth 5. Fiftly It is agreed That all the Sick and wounded Officers and Souldiers of that Army who are not able to march shall be left at Foy and there secured from any violence to their persons or goods and care taken of them untill such time as they can be transported to Plymouth 6. Sixtly It is agreed That all Officers and Souldiers of that Army for the better conveniency of their march shall be permitted to receive all such Monies Provisions of Victuals and other accommodations as they shall be able to procure from Plymouth To which end they shall have a Passe granted for any Persons not exceeding the number of twelve whom they shall send for the same 7. Seventhly It is agreed That there be no inviting of Souldiers but that such as will voluntarily come to his Majesties Service shall not be hindred MAURICE BRAINFORD Phil. Skippon Christ. Whitchcott According to these Articles his Majesty possessed himself of all the enemies train of Artillery viz. 49. Pieces of fair Brass Ordnance taken then and the day before among which was the great Basilisco of Dover 200. and odd Barrels of Gunpowder Match Ball c. proportionable above 700. Carriages and bewixt 8. and 9. thousand Arms Horse and Foot Amongst the Baggage were found a world of empty Bottles belonging to his Excellencies own Quarter As for their persons his Majesty out of his wonted Clemency was unwilling to shed blood they were his own Subjects which caused so many thousands of them instantly to desire imployment in his Majesties Cause to fight especially against them who had led them into all this and at last run away from them To speak truth this is the most high inexpiable piece of cowardize that ever was committed by one who took on him the name of a General to lead an Army of above ten Thousand men into such miserable necessity all which they endured through his Lordships conduct and then to steal away in a poor little boat by night leaving all his flock to starve or submit to the mercy of another Army But the Earl to excuse himself accuseth the Lord Roberts for betraying him into this County of Cornwal where he promised the people would rise upon his coming which they did to some purpose The Lord Roberts saies 't was the Earls own headinesse to advance Westward expresly contrary to the Ordinance of both houses adding that the Earl might have preserved all if he would have but entertained a Treaty with his Majesty by which pretence he might have gained time till relief had come The inferiour Officers accuse them both and both Officers and Souldiers say 't was long of Sir William Waller for not advancing who twenty to one will fault them at Westminster for not recruiting him and the Members must needs lay it upon the Citizens who would not by any means come forth with Waller And yet Sir William would never have run away by Sea nor his Excellency at Roundway-down you see now what hath been the old difference betwixt the Earl and the other the one for a Race-horse the other for a Cock-boat Though truly 't is a wonder that the Earl would take water when he should take possession of Ten thousand pound per annum which the Members voted him out of the Lord Capel's Lands And in his way as the King