his Majesty at Bristol return'd home and lived for some space in a great deale of security not doubting she could be betray'd Yet at length by what means I know not though indeed I have heard of many relations that I dare not relate any it came to light yet she had some timely notice of it whereupon she who had formerly disguised his Majesty in a Serving-mans habit now disguises her self in that of a Country Wench and trots on foot to save her life which she was like to lose for having formerly saved his sacred Majesties quite crosse the Countrey to Yarmouth where she found shipping which conveyed her safe into France great search after her departure there was made for her but in vain which so incensed the Souldiers that they burnt down to the ground that poor Cottage where his Majesty first took shelter after his escape from Worcester She being arrived in France sends a Letter to the Court whereupon his Majesty almost over-joy'd at her Escape who had been the cause of his immediatly sends some persons of quality in Coaches to conduct her to Paris whither he being near come himself with the Queen his Mother the Duke of York Gloucester went out to meet this Preserver of the life of their Son Soveraign and Brother the Coaches meeting and she being descended from her Coach his Majesty likewise descends taking her by the hand salutes her with this gratefull expression Welcome my life so putting her into his own Coach conducts her to Paris where she was entertained with the applause and wonder of the whole Court and she could indeed deserve no less for I believe neither past or future Ages can or will ever parallell so great a pattern of female Loyalty and Generosity Whilst his Majesty was thus passing away his time in France more in contemtemplation then action Oliver Cromwell made General of all the Juncto's Forces in England Scotland and Jreland finding now a fit opportunity to put his long-laid ambitious designs in execution had dissolved that Juncto which had usurped the Kingly power or more over England and taken upon himself though not the title yet the Royall power and authority over these Nations which the people though unwilling yet were forced to submit to though he had not at first any basis whereon to ground his new usurped Regality yet in stead of one Juncto he pluckt down he easily sets up another which I may the more justly call so in regard there was not one of them chosen by the free Votes of the People but by his own arbitrary Election and those such persons who knew well enough what they had to doe before they met these after a short time sitting without doing any thing besides the making of some impertinent laws which were forceably imposed on the people surrender their power as dying men do their souls to God into his hands that gave it who by the help of the Officers of the Army and Lamberts instrument makes himself immediatly king of England Scotland and Ireland which government he had often sworn against though under the title of Protector This I must needs say Noble Tyrant having got the Dominion of three such Kingdoms into his possession made it now as much his study to preserve himself safe in his Estate and Grandure as he did before to acquire it to which purpose he thought it most suitable to that design to make some remarkable disturbance amongst the neighbouring Princes then to continue that War begun by the Juncto of Parliament with the Dutch to which purpose severall motions of a Treaty passed His sacred Majesty though he had sundry times before solicited the assistance of those United Provinces for the regaining of his Right in his Kingdoms now more earnestly upon secret intelligence of the first motions of this Treaty sends the Lord Gerard his Embassadour to the United States more earnestly intreating them to own his Interest then before proffering that if they would set out a good squadron of ships under his Flag he would command them himself in person His Sister the princess of Orange and other of his friends in the Low Countries addicted to his Interest earnestly prosecutes his desires and use their utmost influence on the States of the United provinces for the performance of his propositions Nor are there five of these Provinces nor Van Trump himself their Admiral unwilling to comply with him Only the Province of Holland the most potent at sea stands out chiefly out of the disgust they had lately taken to the family of Orange whose interest and command they were fearfull might bee restored should his Majesty who was Uncle to the young Prince be invested in his Territories His Majesty likewise to advance his hopes of their assistance when Monsieur Bortell came from those United States to negotiate a League with the King of France used his utmost Interest to promote the Treaty and in fine brought it to a desired period notwithstanding the United States sent no other answer to his Embassey then a cold Letter of Complements His designs thus failing him here he directed himself to a more hopefull course by interposing himself a Mediator with the Pope and other Catholick Princes for an accord and peace between the two mighty Crowns of France and Spain And indeed two such potent Monarchs had been in better capacity with their joynt forces to have assisted him had the peace gon forward as there was great hopes then the United States of the Netherlands but Cardinal Mazarine by a piece of secret state-policy endeavoured to obstruct all proceedings which might tend to a Treaty or accord Nor was this Cardinal's spleen to his Royall Majesty yet allayed for his supposed Council against him in the forementioned difference between the King Princes but farther to prejudice him and his affairs he endeavours the promotion of a peace between the Protector of England and the French King his Master which though opposed by all the force and Interest that either himselfe or the Queen his Mother had in the French Court yet was by the Cardinall whose will was a law all other Government in that Kingdome being but a meer shadow vigorously carried on and an Embassadour sent over to treat of an accord where having been sometime in England his Majesty was by secret intelligence informed that the chief Article insisted upon in the Treaty by the Protector of England was the excluding himself relations and followers out of the Kingdome of France and it's Territories wherefore least the treaty should be suddenly concluded upon those tearms he ceremoniously excluded he thought it more honourable himself to leave that Kingdome of his own accord and having taken his leave of the King of France and the rest of the Nobility accompanied with his Coufin Prince Rupert he departed for Germany where the Lord Wilmot had long been Embassadour for him to solicite aid and assistance Yet notwithstanding his Brothers the
Souldiers I am loath to judge this mighty Army then beleaguring Dublin was beat from before it by the besieged and utterly routed by the third part of its Number This overthrow the repulse of Sir Robert Stuart and Col. Mervin from London-Derry by Sir Charles Coot and Cromwell's suddain landing in Ireland whose motion now there was no field Army either to attend or oppose made his Majesties affairs grow almost as desperate in Ireland as they were before in England But the Scots Kirk who had sold their King into the hands of the Independant English Army after they heard that they had condemned him to death repent them of their Wickedness wash their hands from any guilt in his bloud Expostulate with the English siting in Parliament about their so severe proceedings and protest against having any hand in his Murther and to make the world believe they had yet some touch of loyalty within them they had just after his death proclaimed Charles Prince of Wales eldest Son to the late murthered King Charles the first and his lawfull and undoubted Heir King of Great Britain France and Ireland and had immediately resolved in the Committee of Estates then sitting to send some fitting persons to treat with his Majesty about sundry Articles before his reception to the Crown but long debates and demurs there were in the businesse before they could resolve what whom to send For some there were in this Grand Committee of Estates who fee'd or seduced by the Sectaries in England impeaded to the utmost of their power and endeavours all proceedings in the businesse so that once in stead of debating what or whom they should send to his Majesty it came to be a debate whether they should send or no but at length a Letter and Propositions was by the prevailing part concluded on and Mr. Windram Laird of Libberton appointed to be the Messenger who on the 25. of September 1649. received his dispatches and some time after arrived before his Majesty at Iersey The chief of their desires was to this effect That his Majesty would gratiously be pleased himselfe to sign the Solemn League Covenant and that he would passe an Act in Parliament that every person in that Kingdome might takeit That he would passe divers Acts of the Parliament of Scotland which was concluded on the two last Sessions 1. For approving of their disclaiming Duke Hamilton 's last return 2. For receiving severall Acts made by English for the Militia 3. That the Kings of Scotland may have no negative voice 3. That his Majesty would recall the late Commissions given to Montrosse 4. That he would put away all Papists from about him 5. That he would appoint some place about Holland to treat with their Commissioners An honourable Company of the most noble Lords in Scotland being to be appointed to attend his Majesty to whom likewise they would send a sufficient provision to maintain him a train sutable to his birth and deserved greatnesse 6. That he would be gratiously pleased to give a speedy answer to their desires These Propositions were very stifly debated Pro and Con some were so firce that they would have his Majesty utterly reject the Scots Propositions as dishonourable disadvantagious to his affaires Others were of opinion that it would more conduce to the Kings interest to accept of such Conditions as he could agree with the Scotch Commissioners which would be a readier way to attain the Crown then by Montrosse his designs who had lately received Commissions from the King to assault the North of Scotland with what force he could raise however the business was still demurred and delayed and no answer for a good while given to the Lord Libberton who earnestly prest it till such time as answer could come from Montross then in Holland and out of France touching their opinions concerning these Propositions concerning which Montross returned answer to his Majesty desiring him to harken to the Scotch Commissioners whilst they would propose agree to any thing which might stand with his Majesties honour for the restoring him to his Rights and Dignities That for himselfe he should rather be content to endure banishment from his highnesse sight and person then in the least prejudice his affaires Thus this faithfull and loyall servant courted banishment as the late famous Earle of Strafford had done death for his Masters good service but too generous was he and had too great a sence of goodnesse gratitude to grant his request but returned him this answer That he had so high a sence of his fidelity and loyalty all along and that he had performed so many signal services both for his Father and himselfe that he could not in honour leave him and therefore desired him to press him no farther The Queen Mother likewise earnestly presses her son to the acceptance of the Scotch Propositions for a Treaty as the onely and readiest way for the establishing him in his Kingdoms These resolves of his Mother and the Marquess of Montross wrought strongly with his Majesty yet notwithstanding they are as stoutly opposed by the Lord. Cleveland Byron Gerard others whose chief opposition proceeded from the alledged Treachery of the Scots to his Father That they were Scots still and might practice the same upon him But the majority of voices carrying it fora Treaty it was resolved on yet in regard it would require some time to frame an answer Sir William Fleming was sent Agent to the Committee of Estates in Scotland 'till such time as the Laird Libberton could be dispatc't Short time after Mr. Windram returned into Scotland with a Letter and instructions by word of mouth whereby he gave the Committee of Estates who having long expected were therefore more desirous to hear what he now brought an account how much he found his Majesty compliant to their Propositions viz That as to what acted to the two last Sessions of Parliament he was content a Generall Act of Oblivion should be passed but could not approve it That neither those of Montrosses nor Duke Hamilton 's party in his last engagement should bear Office in State without consent of Parliament That he had appointed Breda in Holland for the place of a solemn Treaty for the making a full accomodation and agreement between him and his loving Subjects of Scotland The Contents of his Letter were as followeth For the Committee of Estates of Scotland CHARLES R. VVE have received your Letters lately presented to us by Mr. Windram of Libberton and we accept gratiously all the expressions of affection and fidelity therein contained towards us with your tender resentment of our present Condition and the just indignation which you profess to have against the execrable Murther of our Father and we believe that your intentions are full of Candor towards us as we are and always really have been desirous to settle a clear and right intelligence between us and our Subjects of our ancient
Kingdome of Scotland which may be an assured foundation of their happiness and peace for the time to come and an effectual means to root out all the seeds of animosity divisions caused by these late troubles and also to unite the hearts and affections of our Subjects one to another and of them all to us their King and lawfull Soveraign to the end that by their Obedience to our Royal and just Authority we may be put in a condition to maintain them in peace and prosperity to protect them in their Religion Liberty as it appartains to us according to our charge office of a King And as we have alwayes resolved to contribute whatever is to be done by us to obtain these good effects for the just satisfaction of all our Subjects in this Kingdome We have now thought fit upon the Return of Mr. Windram to command desire you to send unto us Commissioners sufficiently authorized to treat agree with us both in relation to the Interest just satisfaction of our Subjects there as also concerning the aid assistance which in all reason we may expect from them to bring and reduce the murtherers of our late most dear Father of happy memory to condign punishment to recover our just rights in all our Kingdomes And we will that they attend us on the fifteenth of March at the Town of Breda where we intend to be in Order thereunto And in confidence of a Treaty as also to make known to you all the World that we sincerely desire to be agreed We have resolved to Addresse these unto you under the Name Title of a Committee of Estates of our Kingdome of Scotland and will and expect that you use this grace no otherwayes for any advantage to the prejudice of us or our Affairs beyond what we have given this Qualification and Title for namely for the Treaty and in order to it Although we have considerations sufficient and very important to disswade and oblige us to doe nothing in this kind antecedently at this time Also we hope the confidence which we declare to have in your clear and candid intentions towards us will furnish you with strong Arguments to form in your selves a mutual confidence in us which by the blessing of God Almighty by your just prudent moderation and by that great desire we have to oblige all our Subjects of that Kingdome and by the means of the Treaty which we attend hope for may be a good foundation of a full and happy peace and an assured security to this Nation for the time to come which we assure you is wished of us with passion and which we shall endeavour by all means in our power to effect This is the full of his Majesties Letter to the Cōmittee of Estates in Scotland much to this effect was there another writ by him to the Committee of the Kirk But this I the rather fully insert in regard of the many Calumnies cast upon it and by it upon his Majesty His enemies here by taking occasion to carp at him by pretending his inveterate desire of revenge which was so contrary to the last precepts given him by his dying father I think I need not answer his enemies objection they by those carps only condemning themselves of a self-guiltinesse but to the more sober sort of people I shall refer it and let them seriously consider whether the begining progresse and end of the Latter demonstrate him not a man more addicted to peace quietnesse then to revenge and destruction The principall Objection which his enemies have against him is that he desires the aid of his Scotch Subjects to bring the Murderers of his Father to condigne punishment does this shew him a lover of Revenge or of Justice I would fain know which of his enemies or of his Fathers Murderers would not should I have done the same to any of their so near Relations have endeavoured to have brought me under the utmost censure of the Law But to proceed these Letters are seriously debated both in the Committee of Estates and Kirk the first order its consideration to a select sub Committee of their own consisting of nine Lords and others who present their opinions upon it to the grand Committee and these provide ready a state of the Case to be presented to the Parliament of Scotland which was shortly after to assemble But mean while a select number of the Kirk and State made up a Committee who by common consent were to consider what was to be done about sending Commissioners and Propositions to his Majesty these had strong and serious debates for the arrogant Kirkmen would not have his Majesty admitted into Scotland but upon Conditions which should make him wholly subservient to their commands but the State would have such tart Conditions wholly waved and though their own were rough enough yet at length a mediation is concluded on between theirs and the Kirk And the Earl of Castles the Lord Louthian Burley Libberton Sir Iohn Smith and Mr. Jeoffreys for the Estates Mr. Broady Lawson and Wood are appointed Commissioners for the Kirk These having received their Commissions and Instructions took their journy for Holland and arrived at Breda some few dayes before his Majesty got thither On the 16. March 1649. he also arrived there and on the 19. the Lord Wentworth Master of the Ceremonies conducted them to Audience being come before his Majesty who in a large Chamber purposely provided expected them The Lord Castles in behalfe of the Estates and Mr. Lawson in behalf of the Kirk having made their Speeches declared the occasiō of their coming and shewing their Commissions they delivered the ensuing Propositions in the behalfe both of the Kirk State of Scotland 1. That all those who had been excommunicated by the Church and still continued so should be forbid accesse to the Court. 2. That all Acts of the Parliament of Scotland should be by him ratified and approved of That the solemn League and Covenant the Presbyterian Church-government The Directory Confession and Catechism should be enjoyned in Scotland and the same used and practised in his family and an Oath to be taken by him that he would never oppose it or endeavour to alter it 3. That he would by solemne Oath under his hand seal declare and acknowledge his allowance of the solemne League and Covenant the National Covenant of Scotland 4. That he would consent and agree that all civil matters might be determined by subsequent Parliaments in Scotland and all Ecclesiastical matters by the General Kirk assembly as was formerly granted by his Royal father To these Propositions his Majesty demanded Whether this were fully and wholly all that the Committee of Estates and Kirk in Scotland had to desire or propound whether these Commissioners had power to remit or recede from any of these particulars and further what they had to propound
concerning his affairs in Scotland To whch the Commissioners replied That they had acquainted him with their full power according to the instructions they had received from the Committees of Estates and Kirk in Scotland Upon which his Majesty made answer that he would consider of their Propositions and doubted not but to return them such an Answer as might give his Kingdom of Scotland satisfaction and so dismissed them for the present But let us thus leave his Majesty and Councel debating about the Scotch Commissioners propositions and discourse a little about his affairs under the conduct of the thrice noble and Illustrious Marquess of Montrosse who having notwithstanding the opposition which Hamilton gave to the design obtained Commissioners from his Majesty to leavy what force he could on that side the sea endeavoured to the utmost of his power to effect it but chiefly among the Princes of the German Empire where he found large and fair promises but very little real assistance onely the Duke of Holstein supplied him with four ships well arm'd and mann'd though these were likewise by some strange neglect delayed a long time at Amsterdam which much retarded the service Colonel Cochram likewise who had been sent agent into Poland to the Scottish Merchants there for assistance of men and money having received a considerable quantity of money and good supply of corn disposed of the first to his own use sold the other and himselfe revolted from the service General King who was expected out of Sweden with a party of Horse came not at all so many crosses there were in the begining of the business as had Omens to it's future ill successe But at length the Marquesse fearing least if the King should conclude with the Scots before he had attempted any thing his Cōmissions would be recalled fatally resolved to depart Scotland as he was So with four ships indifferētly well armed but with not above six or seaven hundred men those most stangers besides a small Frigat of sixteen Guns one thousand five hundred good Armes given him by the Queen of Sweden he set sail this was all the strength he carried with him from Hamburgh to assault that potent Kingdom Two of these ships and those the biggest were sent before directed to steer their course for the Orcades but these unfortunately met with a storm and where amongst those rocky Islands their men arms amunition was cast away so that a third part of the Forces raised for this expedition was lost But notwithstanding these fatal disasters the sad presages of his ruine the noble Marquess proceeds and with the small number that was left him lands amongst the Islands where he gets together a pretty considerable number which had almost the face of an Army but was for the most part composed of raw and unskilfull fellows a party of these he sends out who without resistance enters the Isle of Orkney there being no Garrison there from thence he dispatches Commissioners to Scotland and the Island adjacent for the levying of Horse and Foot which because the inhabitants of those places to which they were sent could not resist obeyed and not long after the sending of those Commissions Montrosse himself with those forces he had and those Gentlemen resolved to engage in partaking of his fortune landed in Scotland at the point of Cathanes the very farthest land to the Northwest of that Kingdom The people here whom he expected to have joyned with him were so sensible of the miseries of the former war and now more terrified with the name of Forraigners deserted their dwellings and fled away some never stopping till they came to Edenbrough The Parliament of Scotland who were now assembled though they had former advice of the Marquess's designes yet could not tell the place of his landing but now alarm'd by the flying Countrey David Lesley is commanded with the body of the Army to march directly towards them for feare Montross should grow too numerous and Colonel Straughan whose valour the States highly approved is ordered with a party of select Horse to advance before to hinder the Marquess's levyes and if he saw oportunity to fight him Montrosse in the mean time to satisfie the World and because the people should not be startled at his Invasion whilst the King was upon Treaty publishes a very patheticall Declaration declaring the justness of his cause and to clear himselfe from the aspertion of sinister ends and that his intention was only against some particular persons who had against the Laws of the Kingdome raised and maintained a war against his Majesties father and did now by their wiles and subtile practices endeavour to destroy the Son also therefore exhorting all Subjects of that Nation to endeavour to free themselves from the Tyranny of those who then by an usurped power ruled over them But notwithstanding this Declaration the Countrey came very slowly in Straughan in the mean time advances with all possible speed towards the Royall party whilest Montross had not for indeed he could not effect any thing Material besides the fortifying of Dunbath Castle but the Marquess hearing of the enemies approach made his whole Forces march at a great rate to recover a pass yet nevertheless before they could come at it the front of the Army discovered Straughan's forlorn hope who marching with hast upon the Marquesses Army found them both almost tired out of breath Order howevera forlorn hope of a 100. foot are drawn out to meet them who giving them a resolute Charge forced them to an Orderly Retreat but being seconded by Straughan's whole body of Horse they again maintained their ground resolutely Charging upon the Marquesses main body the Islanders immediately threw down their Arms and cryed for quarter but the Holsteiners and Hamburgers made an Orderly retreat for the present into some bushes which having a short time defended they were at last enforced to yeild This was a sad blow to his Majesties affairs in Scotland there being great hopes that had Montross succeeded and kept them in play both Kirk and State would have come to milder Conditions with him Yet the Marquess himselfe escaped for the present out of this Battel Though there were hear two hundred slain and twelve hundred taken in the field for the Countrey coming in upon them few escaped Amongst the Prisoners of note there were taken Col. Hurry the Lord Frenderick Sir Francis Hay of Dalgettey Col. Hay of Noughton Col. Gray and several other Officers together with the Kings Standard which contained this Emphaticall Motto JUDGE AND REVENG MY CAUSE O LORD and whereon was pourtrayed to the life the Effigies of his Majesties Father beheaded But long it was not ere this thrice Heroick Marquess fell into the hands of these cruel Obdurate inveterate enemies for though when he saw the Battell at a losse he had saved himselfe by escaping out of the field and had afterwards to disguise himselfe changed his
adjourned to give time for his Majesties nation being met again there were strong endeavors of the King that several Lords of the Royal party should be admitted to their seats in Parliament but the assemblies of the Kirk at Sterling Aberdeen as strongly oppose it and shew themselves discontented both at this proposal and likewise at the new levies in regard they were there admitted to commands in the Army as they now desired to have place in Parliament yet notwithstanding these murmurings they were upon their reconciliation to the Church and passing the stool of Repentance re-admitted to their places in Parliament such were Duke Hamilton the Marquess of Huntley the Earls of Calendare Crawford others But stil not only many of the Ministers notwithstanding there was a select Committee appointed to examine and punnish such persons who any way confronted and murmured against any designs or acts of State rail against these proceedings but some of the Nobles too are discontented insomuch that the Earl of Sutherland utterly refused to concur with them and if he could possibly would have opposed them by force And indeed very many or most of the Presbyterians were discontented For the Royal party by the Admission of those Lords and others was grown stronger then the Kirk's and now bore all the sway which made the proud Marquesse Argyle and other Covenantier Lords murmur at being afraid least in time they should wholly be laid aside they having already seen one of their party begun with for the Earl of Louden who customarily had the Lord Chancellorship of the Kingdome was removed from his place and the Lord Burleigh constituted Chancellor in his stead Yet on the Covenanters side there wanted not some Ministers such were Mr. RoBert Douglass and Mr. David Dicks who endeavoured to beget a right understanding in both parties that these sparks of discontent might not at last burst out into a flame as 't was very much feared they would but rather that in this time of danger they might lay a side all animosities and unite together against the Common Enemy who else would be the Ruine of them both And now his Maiesty to keep a corespondency abroad sends the Earl of Dumferlin Ambassador to the States of Holland he had likewise at the same time several other Ambassadors oragents abroad in the courts of several Princes to require aid but never found more then what fair and sugar'd promises produced And about this time Sir Henry Hide being sent ouer to England from Constantinople whither he had been sent as Ambassador from his Majesty to the Grand Seignior by Sir Thomas Bendysh his means who was then Ambassador for the republick in England but yet deem'd a person of more loyalty to his Prince then to have sent his Ambassador to be murder'd if he could have avoided it after somewhat a formall tryall he suffered death on a Scaffold before the Royal Exchange in London for having taken Commissions from his Soveraign And not long after him Captain Brown-Bushell who though he had formerly been an enemy to his Majesties father yet now suffer'd death upon the Tower-hill London for having done some signal services by sea for his present Majesty But to return to the Kings affairs in Scotland where the special businesses in hand were the compleating the Levies to 15000 foot and 6000 horse which went on a pace and the fortifying the town of Sterling which his Majesty intended for the place of his chief residence to the hastening of the which his Majesty went often in Progress to view the Works encourage the Pioneers And time it was to hasten those Works for the English drew every day nigher and nigher towards them having already taken the Fort of Blackness which lay btween Sterling and Edenbrough which was never theless not accounted so great a loss as the surprizsal of the Earl of Eglinton and one of his Sons by a party of English horse at Dumbarton for this Earl was a person of a great deal of power in that Nation and his taking very much obstructed the going forward of the Levies But Sterling being almost fortified sufficiently his Majesty removed his Court hither where whilst he was his birth day being the 29 of May was kept through Scotland with such tokens of joy as are usuall upon such occasions but the town of Dundee exceeded all the rest for besides their equal expressions of joy they presented his Majesty with a rich Tent six pieces of Field Ordinance and set out a Regiment of horse towards his assistance at their own charge At Sterling likewise were the head Quarters kept most of the Scotch Army Quartering about it whither Middleton's levies from the North being come and amounting to about 8000 men it came to be a dispute whether these should be a distinct Army by themselves or be joined with Lesley's Southern levies but at length it was thought most conveniēt to joyn them and his Majesty to prevent those animosities which might arise between Middleton and Lesley for the General-ship tooke upon himselfe the Command of the whole From hence his Majesty sent a messenger to the Parliamet still sitting at S. Johnston's with these demands 1. That the Act about the Classis of malignants should be revok'd disannull'd and that an Act pass for its repeal 2. That there may be no more any mention of the name of malignants among them 3. That Duke Hamilton the Earls of Seaforth and Callendare c. might have as full commād in the Army as any others The demands were strongly debated pro con in the Parliament the Marquess of Argyle and others of the Covenanted strain endeavouring by all means possible to oppose them yet at length though with much difficulty they were carried in the affirmative it being urged by the more moderate sort too that the granting of these would be the only way to take away all animosities between those parties which they intended to unite The Parliament having granted these things to his Majesty given large commissions instructions for the compleating of the Levies about the begining of Iune dissolved leaving all things in relation to civil and intestine distempers in a calm quiet all parties seeming to be pleased and their actions united towards the opposing of their common Enemy Cromwell Whilst these things were thus transacted in Scotland a great and terrible plot was discovered against the Juncto then ruling in England and their government in assistance of his Majesty to his just Rights This design was chiefly laid by those Presbyterians who had been such dire Opponents of his Majesty's blessed father of happy yet unhappy memory viz the greatest part Presbyterian Ministers who had most of them formerly belcht out such fire-brands from their Pulpits as had set both Church and State in a combustion but now whether out of a reall sence of their Errour which I have the charity to believe it was they had a desire to return to
their Allegiance to his Son their lawfull and native Sovereign or out of an ambition by joining with their Scotish Brethren which I am loath to judge to get the Power again into their hands which was snatch'd from them by the Independant English Army and the Juncto of Sectaries in England they had laid a designe to raise both a contribution of money and levy men for his Majesty's assistance here but their Plot was betrayed by the intercepting of Letters in a ship forced by foul weather into Ayre in Scotland but bound with provisions for the Isle of Man whereupon the chief undertakers in London were apprehended viz. Mr. Cook Mr. Gibbons Mr. Christopher Love Mr. Jenkins D. Drake and others of which two viz. Mr. Gibbons and Mr. Love was condemned by a high Court of Justice and suffered death on the Tower hill for that cause against which they had once so strongly declar'd But to return again to the cheif Scene in Scotland The English Army had long had a desire to bring the Scots to a field battel which his Majesty upon sundry good reasons serious advice declin'd so Cromwell endeavoured to the utmost of his power to force them to it therefore several times fac'd his Majesty's Army which lay encamped at Torwood within three miles of Sterling but could not yet draw them out of their trenches the chief reason being imagin'd to proceed from their stay for Argyle Huntley and Seaforth who were gon into their several Territories to compleat the King's Levies Cromwell perceiving that he could not draw the Scots to a field-battel upon a sudden draws off his Army and transports fixteen hundred Foot and foure Troopes of Horse over unto Fife on such a sudden that it startled his Majesties whole Army And Cromwell with an unparallel'd expedition faces again the Royal Army with a resolution to fall upon their rear if they should attempt a motion thetherwards but they offered not to stir for already order had been given to Sir Iohn Brown Governour of Sterling to march with four thousand Horse and Foot to drive out that party of Cromwell's which were already landed in Fife of which intelligence being brought Lambart and Okye with two Regiments of Horse and two of Foot are with all possible haste wafted over to reinforce the party already there with which additionall supply of men they routed Sir Iohn Brown who expected none but the first landed party taking himself and several other officers of quality prisoners and killing two thousand upon the place and taking near 1200. prisoners and shortly after Cromwell transports most of his Army over the Fife and resolving to stop the passage which the Scots had over by Sterling marches to S. Iohnstons and takes it almost upon summons Hs Majesty seeing the English Army was advanced so far Northward thought it in vain to attempt the forcing them back knowing that the Scots naturally fights better in anothers then in their own Conntry resolves toadvanc with all possible speed into England where he yet hoped not withstāding the discovery of the design to find some Loyal souls to joyn with him for the Recovery of his right and Kingdomes Many were there who opposed this intention of his Majesty and among those Duke Hamilton was one of the chiefest whose dislike may sufficiently appear by his Letter to Mr. Crofts after their Advance to this effect We are now laughing sayes he at the rediculousness of our present State We have quit Scotland being scarce able to maintain it and yet we grasp at all and nothing but all will satisfie us or to lose all I confess I cannot tell whether our hopes or fears are greatest but we have one stout argument Despair for we must now either stoutely fight or dye all the Rogues have left us I shall not say whether out of fear or disloyalty but all now with his Majesty are such as will not dispute his Commands But notwithstanding his dislike his other oppositiōs yet the Kings resove takes place and on July the 31. 1651. his Majesties Army began to advance from Terwood near Sterling steering their course dirirectly for England which they entred six dayes after by way of Carlisle This march of the Royall Army made Cromwell with the greatest part of his forces immediately recrosse the Frith and forth with send Major General Lambert with a select party of Horse and Dragoons to fall upon the Rear of his Majesties Army whilst they hop'd that Major General Harrison then lying neer the borders with about three thousand Horse and Dragoons would attach them in the Front shortly after himselfe followed with the rest of the Army which could be spar'd amounting to about eight compleat Regiments of Foot and two of Horse But then this greater preparation is made against him in England for the Juncto then fitting at Westminster not onely interdicted all aid or assistance either of men or moneys to be given to his Majesty under the penalty of High Treason but also in all or most of the Countrys had caused a numerous force to be raised the Church-Militia of the City of London being likewise sent out against him and for the present impeading of his march two thousand of the Country Militia of Staffordshire and four thousand out of Lancashire and Cheshire under the command of Col. Birch had joyned with Harrison But be sides all this many of the Royal Army had in their march deserted their colours neer a fourth part of the army was wanting but these were most of them such as were not very well affected to the business nor cause they went about and therefore there was but little miss of them for the rest of the Army marched on chearfully and continued to the utmost push stedfast and loyal were so contentedly obedient to all Military Discipline that 't is believ'd that in al their march through all that part of England they hardly took the value of six pence forcibly But notwithstanding this unwonted evility of the Scottsh Army and his Majesties earnest invitations the Country came very slowly in whether besotted dulled and contented with that slavery they then lay under or over-aw'd by an armed power I cannot tell but such was their backwardness that few or none besides the Lord Howard of Estriche's son with a Troop of Horse came to him during his long tedious march through England Nor did his Majesty with his Army take that course which was expected by most he should for the great fear of his Enemies and greatest hopes of his Friends were that he would march directly for London but he contrary to their expectations being come into Lancashire struck off at Warrington either doubting the enterprize for London too hazardous or out of the hopes had of the Forces it was expected Major General Massey might raise in Glostershire which was the then generally voagu'd reason But before his Majesty could pass over Warrington Bridge he had
all means possible to keep down hatred to their Tyrannies makes the people naturally desire his restauration and him whom before they thought justly expulsed they think it both Justice and Charity to reinstate as much considering it to be their own as his interest experience having taught them the difference between the Government by one gentle Prince and many Rusticks Thus far did these mens devisions invest his sacred Majesty with the love of his people who in the mean time lives retiredly at Bruges expecting either what the good will of his subjects might do for the restoring him to his right or what the success might be of that Treaty which was then the grand action of Europe in agitation between those two potent Monarchs France and Spain from whose joynt-forces he might expect so great a supply as might have reinstated him in his Dominions by force a course most of all opposite to his Majesties nature who even in private things never attempts any thing by violence which he can obtain by intreaty Yet great hopes had the Royalists both in England and aboade that this Treaty would produce some good effects yet it went on very slowly after a great deal of tediousness came to a cessation and from that to an interview between the two grand Officers of State Don Lew is de Hare Count de Olivares chief favourite to his Catholick Majesty and Cardinall Mazarine chief Minister of State to the most Christian King these being met upon the Frontier his sacred Majesty of great Britain was invited thither by Don Lew is de Haro His Majesty received this invitation at Diepe in Normandy whither he had privately withdrawen himself as likewise had his Brother the Duke of York to Calice that they might be in a readiness to have come over into England upon any fit opportunity they having received many invitations from their friends here about that time when Sir George Booth was up in Cheshire and all England in a manner gaping for him But Sir George being as I said before overcome his Majesties and the whole Nations hopes fail'd and the Phanatick power still continued Paramount His Majesty therefore from Diepe begins his journey towards the frontiers of Spain which journey he intended to make privately and being first come to Roan he was there nobly entertained and feasted by Mr. Scot an English Merchant who accompanied his Majesty to the Protestant Church about three miles from the City where with a great deal of Devotion and Attention he heard a Sermon From Roan his Majesty accompanied with the Marquess of Ormond the Lord Digby Mr. Oneen took Post steering their course directly for Bayonne neer which the two great officers of state were to meet not staying in any place but endeavouring by all means possible to travel undiscovered as was before resolv'd Being come near to the end of his Journey advice was sent to Don Lewis de Haro of his Majesties approach who immediately accompanied with a gallant Train came forth to meet him and being come near unto him Don Lewis alighted from his horse and notwithstanding the place where they met was very durty kneeling down he clapt his hands about his Majesties Knees and with a great deal of humility kissed them His Majesty was from hence conducted with becoming Ceremonies to the place appointed for his accomodation Don Lewis riding all the way bareheaded by him where he was entertained with all possible splendor and gallantry Many overtures and propositions there passed between his Majesty and Don Lewis de Haro touching what aid and assistance might be granted him by his Catholick Majesty for the regaining of his rights Kingdoms his Majesty endeavouring by all means possible to promote and further the present Treaty between France Spain and to bring it to a happy conclusion by the Marriage of the King of France to the Spanish Infanta it tending so much to his interest that 'till the conclusion of it nothing could be effected by those Princes which might any way promote his right or possession To all his desires or propositions the noble Count de Olivares returned pleasing answers carried himself with so much respect towards him that he could not have been more submissive to the Catholick Majesty of Spain his Master His Majesty having some time been treated here returned back again through France being accompanyed some part of his way by Don Lewis and repassing the rest privately by Post as he had formerly passed it till he came to Charinton and Paris where his Mother was with whom he staid some few dayes though he was not now Courted and carressed by the French Nobility as formerly and then returned to his residence at Brussels His Majesties private departure from Brussels his privacy during his whole journy made it certainly believed that both he his Brother the Duke of York who lay at Callis were come over into England that they lay hear concealed expecting according to the event of things either to discover or secure themselves nay so certain was the belief even those in power had of it who had not so good intelligence as Oliver Cromwell that many persons were aprehended for them and particularly one Mr. Colt was taken for the Duke of York and kept in prison for him till such time as certain news arrived in England of the Dukes return to Brussels Several other persons likewise suffered imprisonment forbeing suppos'd tobe like either his Majesty or his Brother His Majesty living retired at Brussels the continuances of the differences in England among those who had usurped his power doth still highly promote his interest For though Lambert had routed Sir George Booth and by it declared absolutely against a Free Parliament for which as the undoubted right of the Nation Sir George Booth and his party took up Arms yet the people could not be content but now once put in the way they began violently to hanker after their long lost Liberty Nor could the turning out of the Rump for so had the people out of disgrace termed the Juncto which then sate whom they inveterately hated any whit now sweeten them in their slavery but they continually murmured out agravated their oppressions one to another though they came to no violence yet 't is suspected it was more out of the hope they had that Generall George Monck who was then marching with his Army out of Scotland should assert their Liberties which somewhat allayed the popular fury then out of any fear or Cowardise But in the mean time their expectations seem'd utterly to fail them for the Rump had by their industry so inveigled most of the Army from Lambert that by their help they return and take their seats in the House and dissolve his Committee of Safety cōmanded the Souldiers of his Army to repair to their appointed Quarters Order Generall Monck to bring up his Army to London in all which they are punctually obeyed
to Rebellion Who knows not that in our unfortunate jnterregnum the design of our hardharted task-masters was to blind if not put out the Eyes of the three Kingdoms by endeavouring to pilladge those formerly famous Seminaries of Learning and discourage it for the future as if they had been of that judgement that ignorance was the Mother of devotion All which and much more that might justly be vrged on this subject must needs make us acknowledge as it is in the forementioned psalme and that often as it is there to Praise the Lord for his goodnes in restoring him declare the wonders that he hath done for him and the people of these Kingdones I am sure we may justly say If God had not been on our side we had been destroyed but to him for ever be the praise The snare is broken and we are delivered Yet there are a sort of people in the world and too many in this kingdome the more is the pitty God grant there be none in England the Epistle of Saint Jude espetially the 10. 16. describs them that through ignorance misinformation prejudice or advantage are redy to slander the foot-steps of the LORDS anoynted who live in this dark corner of Ireland and are ignorant of the worth of that happines that is in the King to themselves thereby I thought it therefore a necessary duty having this History by me to get it reprinted here for information being as far from endeavouring to gain applause thereby as I am uncapable of attaining it by any thing from my selfe only that I may manifest the goodnes of God which is the duty of every Christian and my loyalty which is the duty of every Subject good Christian though for these twelve years I have been a sufferer for it and informe those that yet know not so much as this manifests To the Lord the only ruler of Princes whose right hand and mighty arm hath done it for ever be the praise Yea let all the People praise thee O Lord for thy goodnes to us in restoring the light of our Eyes the breath of our Nostrills the Kings most excellent Majesty the restoring of whom unto his Throne must needs be acknowledged the hand of God and if enough to convince an Athist may evince to the World the validity of vnited and devout prayers such as are injoyned with good authority by the Church of England and are the very Marrow of the Scriptures and where are not Scripture are vncontroulably agreeing composed by those that lay'd down their lives to maintaine and bequeathed as the best Legacy to their Wives and Children And in a word are those prayers for which our blessed Saviour will not refuse to be an intercessour and which have so miraculously restored the defendor of our Faith to his Throne which noe rational man alive but may well conclude being as I am confident they were put up to the Throne of Grace with pure upright hearts by the dutifull and obedient Sons of the Church And therefore let all but espetially such never forget to return due praise for his mercyes to us and to our King and as it is there directed yeild praise and thanksgiving for our deliverance from those great and apparent dangers where with we were incompassed and to acknowledge it his goodnes that we were not delivered over as a prey unto them beseeching still his goodnes and mercy to us that all the World may know that he is our Saviour and mighty Redeemer And that all those that do confess his holy Name may agree in the truth of his holy word and live in vnity and Godly love that under our Lawfull King and governour we may be Godly and quietly governed And for our most gratious Soveraign also let us pray That he knowing whose Minister he is may aboue all things seeke his honour glory that so we his Subjects duly considering whose authority he hath may honour and humbly obey him according to Gods blessed word and Ordinance And as it is directed by that Divine Orthodox ancient and best lyturgie of the Church of England To keep and strengthen in the true worship of thee in righteousnes and holynes of life thy Servant CHARLES our most gratious KING and Governour That it may please thee O Lord to rule his heart in thy faith feare and love that he may ever more have affiance in thee and ever seek thy honour and glory That he may alway incline to thy will and walk in thy way Endue him plentyously with heavenly gifts grant him in health wealth long to live strengthen him that he may Vanquish and over come all his Enemies and finally after this life he may attain everlasting Ioy and felicity through Iesus Christ our Lord. As for those who so barbarously acted in that horrid crime the Murder of his Sacred Majesty of blessed memory they have had at least some of them the reward of Regicides So let his Enemies perish O Lord and all that rise up against him But on his own head let his Crown flourish Let his dayes be many and prosperous and let all but espetially those that are truly loyal finde the Comfort of it The unexpressable joy of all his Subjects felt and declared at his return requires a Volume and at this place cannot be inform'd it being indeed beyond expression God inclining the hearts of all his people as some times all the Subiects of King David the people of Juda to bring home their King 2. Sam. 19.14 Take one for all a Copie of Verses presented with his own hand at his return to his Government By that most Honorable and Heroick person and renowned Champion of the English interest in Jreland which Maugre all opposition will eternize his fame to all posterity The Lord President of Munster all that know him know his excellency that way it s enough to say they are his and they follow as well worthy to conclude the History of his most excellent Majesty whom God preserue H F Cork 22. No 1660. TO THE KING UPON HIS MAJESTIES Happy Return AS the Great World at first in Cbaos lay Then darknes yeilded to triumphāt day And all that wild and undigested Mass Did into Forme and to perfection pass So in our lesser World Confusions were Many and vast as now our Blessings are Our past and present State fully express All we could bear and all we would possess Wonder not that your forces could not bring You to Your Crowns nor us unto our King Fate made therein this high design appear Your Sword shall rule abroad Your Virtues here The lesser Conquest was to you deny'd That by the greater it might be suppy'd Nor think it strang that som so long have strove With that which they did most admire love Since all against their dissolution pray Although to Heav'n there is no other way Like to Bethesdas Pool our Common-wealth Till it was troubled could not give