Interest which he could offer unto His Majesty and he would be sure of all his Men there such naked Rogues as they were is his own phrase Besides there were store of Cows in that Island for the provision of the Fleet which he appointed should not be spared Thus was the Design laid down for curbing the Scotish Insolences and layes down methodâ— for the effectuating of his design yet His Majesty firmly resolved that when-ever they returned to their Obedience he should not be inexorable The first thing for prosecuting this Design was the looking for Officers and Money for the former England was pretty scant yet the best were sought out On the second of February the King named the Earl of Arundel to be General the Earl of Essex to be Lieutenant-General of the Foot and the Earl of Holland to command the Horse Letters were also sent through the Counties for levying of Men and Advertisements given to the Nobility to meet the King at York against the first of April Antrim undertook bravely and Strafford said he should doe what was possible with all expedition The Fleet was appointed presently to be rigged out and Orders issued out for levying five thousand Souldiers under the Command of the three gallant Colonels Morton Byron and Harecoat who should go with the Fleet without knowing whither they went A Commission for the Lieutenantry of the North of Scotland was sent to the Marquis of Huntley but he was ordered to keep it up as long as was possible and carefully to observe two things One was not to be the first Aggressor except he were highly provoked or His Majesties Authority signally affronted the other was that he should keep off with long Weapons till His Majesty were on the Borders lest if he should begin sooner the Covenanters might overwhelm him with their whole Force and either ruine him or force him to lay down his Arms. As for the Marquis his Employment he told His Majesty that though he was so far from declining his Service at such a time that he should be infinitely troubled if he were not imployed yet he desired the King might choose a fitter person for the Naval Forces since he was altogether unacquainted with Sea-affairs and not fit for such an important Service But His Majesty looking upon this as an effect of his Modesty gave no hearing to it telling him that as for Affairs purely Naval Sir Iohn Pennington the Vice-admiral should go with him and would abundantly supply his defects in that But the getting of Money was the hardest part of all for two hundred thousand pound Sterlin was all the Money the King could make account of The Treasury was much exhausted and an unlucky Accident fell in at that time which put the King to much extraordinary Expence the Queen-Mother of France coming over to England yet the King found Himself able to doe well enough for the Summer following but His Purse could not weather out another year Thus did the King frame and prosecute His Design with the Secret whereof very few were trusted it being communicated to none without reserve save to Canterbury Arundel Sir Henry Vane and by Letters to Strafford but above all to the Marquis But here this Narration must be stopt that we may take a view of Scotland The Covenanters prepare for War and of the Power and Practices of the Covenanters In the beginning of Ianuary there was a full Meeting of them at Edinburgh where they first resolved to send a Gentleman to the King with the Assemblies Letter and a Petition from themselves full of Submission to the King Invectives against the Marquis and Justifications of their Procedure in all things particularly in the late Assembly which they doubted not they should make appear in the ensuing Parliament of the holding whereof they seemed to make no question With this the Earl of Argyle wrote a general Vindication of his own Behaviour and these Letters were sent to Court by Mr. Winram His Majesty received their Petition but resolved to give it such an Answer in due time as their Behaviour deserved but he wrote back to Argyle that he should be willing to receive from his own mouth a Vindication of his late Behaviour though it seemed scarce capable of any The Covenanters their next and indeed chief care was to fortifie themselves against what they knew in reason they might quickly expect Orders were therefore given through all the Shires of Scotland that a Committee of War should sit in every Shire Souldiers be listed and trained and a Commissioner sent from every County to lie at Edinburgh for receiving and transmitting of Orders Great care was also taken to provide the Country with Arms and Ammunition Merchants were sent every where to buy up all were to be had and in a short time there were Arms for above thirty thousand men brought to Scotland and particular Orders were given that none should be sold but to such as were well-affected to the Cause Strong and strict Guards were set about the Castle of Edinburgh so that it being but hitherto ill furnished little was to be expected from it wherefore Ruthwen would not shut himself up within it but went to offer his Service to His Majesty where he might be more useful They were also careful to fortifie Leith apprehending hazard from the Kings Fleet and about fifteen hundred of all Sexes yea and all Qualities for encouraging of others wrought about it till the Fortifications were compleated But of all men the Ministers were the busiest the Pulpits did ring with the Ruine of Religion and Liberties and that all might look for Popery and Bondage if they did not now quit themselves like men and are much inflamed by the Ministers Curses were thundred out against those who went not out to help the Angel of the Lord against the mighty so oddly was the Scripture applied and to set off this the better all was carried on with many Fasts and Prayers and they forgot not to pretend much Duty and Affection to the King but the Bishops and his other ill Councellours as they called them got the blame of all and none more than the Marquis By these means it was that the poor and well-meaning People were animated into great extremities of Zeal resolving to hazard all in pursuance of the Cause for they were told that the design was to reduce Scotland to a Province under the Power of the English whose Oppression they must resolve to bear if they stood not now to their own Defence Upon this it was that the Committees for War which were held in the several Shires about the beginning of February found small resistance and no difficulty of levying Men greater numbers being offered than could be either armed or maintained At Edinburgh the Session met with great trouble from the Covenanters The Session is disturbed for the greater number of the Lords of the Session being resolved not to own the Assembly all
of the Magazine in the Navy which being done the Fleet was to be sent out of the Frith And accordingly on the 24th of Iune he came to Edinburgh but he met with such Reproaches and Hootings from the Vulgar that he was forced for preventing a Tumult to desire some of the Covenanting Lords to wait on him to the Castle and yet on the way he was all along cried out upon with most unworthy Names as Pyrate Traitour Enemy to God and his Country with other such-like Invectives These he could not but despise though he was sensible of the Dishonour put upon the Kings Commissioner by that Usage yet he might well have expected that it should have secured him from the Jealousies Stories which were spread of him as if he had been all that time so popular that he was looked upon as the chief Friend of the Good Cause which was as well grounded as the rest of these Reports But having executed the Kings Orders about the Castle of Edinburgh he left the Earl of Traquair whom with the Earl of Roxburgh His Majesty had again received into his Favour to see the rest of the Conditions fulfilled The Tables continued to sit The Tables continue to sit pretending it was necessary they should doe so till all were scattered It is true I have in my hands a Copy of a Warrant for them to sit till the 20th of Iuly but whether it was signed I can neither assert nor deny Divers Disorders fell out in Edinburgh and Traquair met with many Insolences in one of which the White-staff which was carried by his Servant before his Coach was pulled out of his Hand and Complaint being made of this to the Town-Council of Edinburgh all the Reparation they offered was to bring my Lord Treasurer another White-staff so it was said they rated the Affront put on the King in the Person of his Treasurer at Six pence Other Insolences were also complained of and the Covenanters partly excused them and the Covenanters are insolent partly denied what was alledged but no Reparation was made These Disorders obliged His Majesty to change his purpose of coming to Scotland in Person resolving to be present onely by his Commissioner The Marquis returned to His Majesty and stated all that was to be thought upon for Scotish Affairs in a Paper presented to His Majesty at Berwick the 5th of Iuly yet extant in these words To leave all that is past the Question is briefly The Marquis his advice to the King WHether the Assembly and Parliament now indicted is fittest to be held or discharged If held the Success of the Assembly will be the Ratisying of what was done at Glasgow or if that point be gained yet certainly most of the Acts that were made there will of new enacted nor is there any hope to prevent their finding Episcopacy to be abjured by their Covenant and the Function against the Constitution of their Church This will be by the Members of Parliament ratified and put to the Kings Negative Voice and if it be not condescended to by him it is more than probable that his Power even in that Court and in that Place will be questioned If it will be discharged nevertheless the Assembly be keeped by the Rebels and the same things done in it by them and thereafter maintained by the generality of the Kingdom this consequently will bring alongst with it the certain loss of Civil Authority and so necessitate the re-establishing the same by Force or otherwise the desertion of that Kingdom So it is to be resolved on whether it be fit to give way to the Madness of the People or of new to intend a Kingly Way If way be given to what is mentioned it is to be considered in that case if the King shall be personally present or not if not present who shall be imployed and how instructed If the Kingly Way be taken what shall be the means to effectuate the intended end particularly how Money may be levied for the waging of this War and if that be feisible without a Parliament If a Parliament what the Consequence may prove So all may be summed up in this Whether to permit the Abolishing of Episcopacy the lessening of Kingly Power in Ecclesiastick Affairs the Establishing Civil Authority in such manner as the Iniquity of the Times will suffer and to expect better and what will be the Consequence of this if way be given thereto or to call a Parliament in England and leave the event thereof to hazard and their discretions and in the interim Scotland to the Government of the Covenanters This Freedom declares how candidly he dealt with the King in all his Counsels It is true he pressed the King earnestly to give way to the abolishing of Bishops judging that to be the onely mean to bring Scotland again into Order but this was out of no other Principle save his Desire to see the King again enjoy the Affections as well as the Obedience of his Subjects of Scotland thinking Episcopal Government not so essential or absolutely necessary as not to be parted with for a time in such an Exigency wherein the Ruine of the King and Kingdom was was so manifestly threatned His Majesty considering that God did not tie him to Impossibilities The King intends to send him again Commissioner into Scotland resolved notwithstanding his Conscientious adhering to Episcopacy in England to give way for some time to lay aside that Government in Scotland hoping to draw more good from it but intended to imploy another for executing it knowing that his Countenance and Carriage would betray the Discord was betwixt his Heart and his Actions if he went himself and being well satisfied with the Marquis his Behaviour desired him to return to Scotland in the same Character and finish that Business But he made use of all his Forces both of Reason Friendship who opposes it with all his Interest and Interest to divert the King from this representing the following Reasons to dissuade him from it in a Paper presented the 8th of Iuly in these words IF Your Majesty give way to the Covenanters Demands it would be seriously considered which will be the fittest way to doe it if by Your Majesties Own Personal Presence or by a Commissioner if Your Self I shall say in that case nothing in this Paper if by a Commissioner then give me leave humbly to represent to Your Majesties Consideration how unfit it is that I should be imployed The Hatred that is generally carried me and in particular by the chief Covenanters will make them hoping thereby either to ruine me or at least make my Service not acceptable stand more peremptorily on these other Points of Civil Obedience which Your Majesty aims at than they would doe to one that is less hated Since they are the same men I have formerly treated with who now again must be principally used they cannot but find these Particulars which I
passed over with some Troops and they were encountred by three Troops commanded by Wilmot whom after a little Dispute they routed their Officers were taken Prisoners and some were killed And after this the whole Body of the English Army that lay there marched to Newcastle which consisted of 2000 Horse and 9000 Foot the Disorder among them was the greater The English Forces are routed and flie at Newburn because the Lord Conway who Commanded had gone that day from the Camp to Dine at a place about a miles distance called Stella The Scots continued passing till it was late and lay in the Fields all night next day they marched towards New-Castle and were beginning to be in some strait for they had driven as many Cattle out of Scotland with them as served hitherto for their Provision and were resolved to take nothing in England but for payment which would have been a vast charge to them They purposed therefore to summon New-Castle and in case it yielded not to threaten to burn all the Coaleries which lay on the South-side though they designed not the executing of that for fear of making the Rupture beyond remedy But as they were marching doubtful what Course to take they met a Scotchman who had been a prisoner at Durham he told them how that morning by six a Clock all the English Forces had marched throw Durham in great haste whereupon they went forward and found New-Castle open to them and there they took up their Quarters and found great Magazins of Provision which the King had laid in for his Army and by those they maintained their Army a great while This Loss and Affront went very near the Kings Heart who begun to fear this years Success as much as he had done the last After this the Lords of the Covenant wrote the following Letter to the Earl of Lanerick by one Cathcart Noble Lord AS we have ever professed and declared as well by our Words as Actions that the Grounds of our Desires are and ever shall be the redress of Wrongs and reparations of our Losses and that we will never leave off in all humility to Supplicate His Majesty for the same so this hath moved us now being come this length yet again humbly â—o Petition His Majesty to take our Case to Consideration and grant our Desires We are debarred from sending or carrying our Supplications in the ordinary way which makes us have our Address to your Lordship Intreating your Lordship in our Names to present this our Petition herein inclosed to His Majesty and in all humility to beg an Answer thereunto to be sent with the Bearer to us who shall ever endeavour to approve our selves His Majesties Loyal Subjects and most unwilling to shed any Christian Blood far less the English whereof we have given very good prooff by our bygone Carriage to every one who hath with Violence opposed us yea even to those who entred in Blood with us and were taken Prisoners whom we have let go with Meat and Money notwithstanding that all those of ours who did but deboar'd from their Quarters are miserably massacred by these whom we can tearm no otherwise than Cut-throats Our behaviour to these in New-Castle can witness our Intention which is to live at peace with all and rather to suffer then to offend We bought all with our money and they have extortioned us to the triple value the Panick fear made most of them leave the Town and stop their own Trade but we have studied to solve their doubts As all our Actions shall ever tend to that which is Iust and Right so we could wish they were interpreted to a true sense and whatever may be the event of business we hope the blame shall not lie upon Your Lordships affectionate Friends to serve you Signed Rothes Cassilis Dumferline Lindsay Lowdon Napier Tho. Hope W. Richarton J. Swith P. Hepburn D. Hoom Keir Ja. Sword J. Rutherford Leager beside New-Castle 2d September 1640. POSTSCRIPT We intreat Your Lordship to let the Bearer have a Pass for his safe Return to us The Petition inclosed was presented by him to His Majesty which follows To the Kings Most Excellent MAJESTY The Humble Petition of the Commissioners of the late Parliament and others of His Majesties Loyal Subjects of the Kingdom of Scotland They Petition the King Humbly Sheweth THat Whereas after our many Sufferings the time past extreme necessity hath constrained us for our Relief and obtaining our Humble and Iust Desires to come into England where according to our Intentions formerly declared we have in all our Iourney lived upon our own Means and Victuals and Goods brought a long with us and neither troubling the Peace of the Kingdom nor harming any of Your Majesties Subjects of whatsoever quality in their Persons or Goods but have carried our selves in a most peaceable manner till we were pressed by strength of Arms to put such Forces out of the way as did without our deserving and as some of them have at the point of death confessed against their own Consciences opposed our peaceable passage at New-burn on Tine and have brought their Blood upon their own Heads against our purposes and desires expressed in our Letters sent unto them at New-Castle for preventing the like or greater Inconveniences And that we may without further opposition come into Your Majesties Presence for obtaining from Your Majesties Iustice and Goodness satisfaction to our just Demands we Your Majesties most Humble and Loyal Subjects do still insist in that submiss way of Petitioning which we have keeped since the beginning and from which no provocation of Your Majesties Enemies and ours no adversity that we have before sustained nor prosperous success can befall us shall be able to divert our minds Most humbly intreating That Your Majesty would in the depth of Your Royal Wisdom consider at last our pressing Grievances provide for the Repairing of our wrongs and losses and with the advice and consent of the Estates of the Kingdom of England convened in Parliament settle a firm and durable Peace against all Invasion by Sea or Land that we may with chearfulness of heart pay unto Your Majesty as our Native King all Duty and Obedience that can be expected from Loyal Subjects and that against the many and great Evils which at this time threaten both Kingdoms whereat all Your Majesties good and loving Subjects tremble to think and which we beseech God Almighty in mercy timeously to avert Your Majesties Throne may be established in the midst of us in Religion and Righteousness and Your Majesties Gracious Answer we humbly desire and earnestly wait for The King having considered their Petition commanded my Lord Lanerick to write the following Answer Dated at His Majesties Court at York the 5th of September 1640. His Majesties Answer HIS Majesty hath seen and considered this Petition and is Graciously pleased to return this Answer by me that he finds it in such general terms
Lesly's Discourse and Instructions but I do not so well understand your Letter of the 23th of this Month as not agreeing fully with what Robin hath said and shewn to Me wherefore I have the more reason to desire you to hasten your Coming up In a word every minute that you stay 't is so much the worse for the Affairs of Your most real constant Friend CHARLES R. Hampton-Court 29th August 1647. For Particulars I refer you to Robin The King was then so filled with Hopes from Assurances given Him by the Army The King is abused by the Army that He was out of doubt of getting things carried by Treaty and therefore continued to press Lanerick's Coming up The Earl of Lauderdale wrote also to Scotland that some Person of Eminence might be sent to concur with him in the great Transactions that were coming on whereupon the Lord Chancellour and Lanerick were appointed to go up upon which a Pass was signed by Fairfax for the Earls of Lowdon and Lanerick according to the desire sent from Scotland to come and wait upon the King But their Coming up was delayed the occasion whereof is given in the following Letter written by my Lord Lanerick to the King which though I set down in the due Stile yet both it and almost all the Letters written this Year being in Cypher run in the third person but for making the Narration smoother I have presumed to change their phrase a little Sir THe difference betwixt Robin's Relation and my Letter of the 23th of August last I shall easily reconcile The Reasons that stopt Lanerick 's Journey for some time when I shall have the happiness to see Your Majesty for I can hardly speak truth and sense without running a hazard of making my self useless and uncapable of speaking at all Those of the Chancellor's Friends who were against his being employed at this time take occasion to press a Delay to his and my present Going to London or Court from the Two Houses their not yet answering a Letter the Committee here wrote to them for Reparation of the Affront done to the Earl of Lauderdale and for Assurances to all Commissioners employed from this Kingdom so until a satisfactory Answer be returned to that Letter it is alledged that their Going will be useless since except they be allowed by the Two Houses access to Your Majesty may still be denied them and so their Endeavours to serve You frustrated This is the rather urged by reason of many informalities in the Pass sent them by Sir Thomas Fairfax by which they were only warranted to come to Your Majesty at Hampton-Court and if You chance not to be there it doth not warrant them to wait upon Your Majesty in any other place especially since it bears not at all a liberty for them to go to London where their Endeavours probably would be of the 〈…〉 use If the Earl of Lauderdale had not been affronted they would not have desired any Assurance at all but that being unrepaired for they are not at all satisfied with Sir Thomas Fairfax his Answer to the Two Houses Letter in that particular if they shall have occasion to move any thing in Your Majesties Favours which shall be disliked by the Parliament or Army they may chance to meet with the same or worse Vsage that Lauderdale did I was not so scrupulous but willingly would have hazarded through these or any Difficulties being required as I am by Your Majesty to haste thither but the Chancellor's Stay would have made my single Going I being only employed to Your Majesty useless yet if it shall be thought fit and I again commanded to it want of Formalities or Passes will not fright me from my Duty In the mean time Instructions are this day sent to our Commissioners at London to delay their concurrence in sending the Propositions of Peace to Your Majesty till the Chancellour's Coming for the Committee resolved to adhere to their former Instructions in pressing Your Majesties Coming to London with Honour Freedom and Safety for confirming so far as You have already granted by Your Message of the 12th of May last and there to Treat upon the rest of the Propositions Thus begging Pardon for this tedious account I expect Your Majesties further Commands which shall immediately be obeyed by Your Majesties most humble most faithful and most obedient Subject and Servant LANERICK Edinburgh 4th September 1647. His Majesties Answer follows Lanerick The Kings Answer to Lanerick YOu had reason not to come up without the Chancellour but I do not understand why you did both stay for is this a time for Scotland to vie punctilio's of Honour with England and thereby neglect even almost to loss the Opportunity of redeeming that Fault which they committed at Newcastle certainly you are not yet in the right way But seriously I write not this for you but to you that others by you might learn more wit In a word Time is not altogether lost redeem it for shame and be not startled at My Answer which I gave yesterday to the Two Houses for if you truly understand it I have put you in a right way where before you were wrong remember the Proverb Ill bairns are best heard at home I say no more but make what haste you can with your Colleague to Your most assured râ—al constant Friend CHARLES R. In the mean while a Message was sent from Scotland to the Parliament of England for such a full Pass as was demanded Lowdon and Lanerick with difficulty are permitted to wait on the King which drew on a great Debate for Haslerig Martin and others of that Cabal argued much against it saying why should Lanerick be sent up who was a known Incendiary and the Latham Letter mentioned in the account of the Year 1643 with many other Particulars were remembred Next they excepted against it that by the Pass that was demanded it appeared they were to go first to the King as if they had been to Treat without the Parliament of England But old Sir Henry Vane took them up sharply for remembring things which were long ago buried yet the Heat was so great that it was referred to a Committee to consider of it but in end it was granted All this while the Earl of Lauderdale went not near Westminster because he got not Reparation for the Affront put on him by the Army but was extremely vâ—xed to see the King possessed with such a good opinion of the Army and used all the ways he could think of to undeceive Him In the beginning of October the Earls of Lowdon and Lanerick came to London The Scotish Commissioners wait on the King and with them the Earl of Lauderdale went to wait on the King who was then at Hampton-Court and after they had learned from Him the State in which His Affairs were and had expressed the Sense and Affection of His Subjects in Scotland who judged all their happiness
of the Scotish Affairs better than the Rabble did so they did more apprehend the Danger of it And first great pains were taken to reconcile the Presbyterian and Independent Parties at least to unite them against the Scots wherefore they Voted that the Government should be by King Lords and Commons yet the Independents opposed this so that it was carried but by 45 Voices They also appointed that the Propositions offered at Newcastle should be the Grounds of settling the Kingdom and they Voted that it should be lawful notwithstanding the Vote of Non-Addresses to make new Applications to His Majesty Their Design in this was visible for they hoped the Scots could not pass from these Propositions and they were assured the King would never consent to them particularly to that of Religion which was so dear to Scotland But Cromwel was not at all pleased with these Votes and as little with the City and if the Stirs over England had not given him other Employment he would have made a Journey to London with his Army for the Purging the House a-new They in Scotland were much straitned with want of Ammunition and Mony therefore they sent Sir William Bellandin to Holland to see what could be had from the Prince of Orange they likewise wise sent Sir William Fleeming to Paris to the Queen and Prince with the following Letters May it please Your Majesty ALL verbal Assurances would justly appear too low and mean testimonies of our Fidelity Letters to the Queen and Prince from the Duke and his Friends since Actions are now the only touch-stones of Loyalty which we hope e're long shall be better than what we can in this Common way speak of our real Affections to His Majesties Service We have presumed from the Encouragements we have received from Your Majesty to hope the Prince his Highness will countenance our Endeavours for his Father's Rescue with his presence amongst us which would certainly give an extraordinary vigour and life to all our Motions For that end we have instructed this worthy Bearer with our humble desires therein to Your Majesty and to his Highness and with such other Particulars as are necessary for enabling us to carry on the Work to whom we beg Your Majesty would be pleased to give Trust and further to believe that nothing was ever more absolutely fixed than are our Resolutions either to perish or eminently to shew our selves Your Majesties most humble most faithful and most obedient Subjects and Servants Hamilton Lauderdale Crawford Lanerick Roxburgh Calender May 1st 1648. May it please Your Highness THe deep sense we have of His Majesties sad Condition invites us to these Actions of Duty and Loyalty to which we are by so many Relations and Tyes bound and obliged and having divers Encouragements from His Majesty and from the Queen to hope for your Highness's Presence amongst us in countenancing our faithful Endeavours for His Majesties Rescue we have presumed humbly to address our selves to your Highness that from your Self we might know your own Inclinations that accordingly such publick Assurances and Invitations may come from hence as your Highness shall think fit to require being confident that before we can receive your Highness's Directions herein we shall be in some condition to evidence our Loyalties otherwise than by Words So until we give a more real testimony thereof we shall only beg to be esteemed of by your Highness as Persons that have vowed themselves to this Service and who are faithfully Your Highness's most humble most faithful and most obedient Servants Hamilton Lauderdale Crawford Lanerick Roxburgh Calender May 1st 1648. Next they modelled the Army which will better appear by the following Letters written to the King SIR YOu now find the effects of what my last of the 28th of April promised we are now engaged and Sir Marmaduke Langdale's successful Attempt upon Berwick and Carlisle will be resolutely seconded by Your Servants here Letters to His Majesty To morrow Sir William Fleeming and Mr. Murray part for France the last acknowledges the baseness of his new Friend Argyle We hope the Prince will now countenance with his Presence our Endeavours for Your Majesties Rescue since the Duke of York is escaped for he will give an extraordinary life and vigour to all our Motions The Kirk hath this day declared against our Declaration and Engagement but all it hath procured is a Vote of thirty thousand Foot and near six thousand Horse which is this day remitted to the Consideration of the several Bodies and I hope will pass the House to morrow 2d May. 1648. SInce my last we are far advanced in our Designs of serving Your Majesty our new Army is modelled which I hope will be more considerable than any Army that ever went out of Scotland the Old General hath laid down his Charge and the Duke of Hamilton is to Command in chief who joys to meet with so happy an occasion to vindicate his Loyalty He will be found active in his Trust and seconded by the most gallant and eminent persons of the Kingdom his Election was carried very unanimously in Parliament Argyle and only six with him dissenting Calender with the same Vnanimity and the same Opposition is chosen Lieutenant-General and David Lesley Lieutenant-General of the Horse but he hath not as yet accepted of his Charge Middleton is appointed Major-General of the Horse who is most eminent for his Loyalty and forward in this Service Our Armie will be on foot about the end of the Moneth and that the Raising of men may the more actively be gone about we have adjourned the Parliament till the first of June We have sent Commissioners with Instructions and Money to invite our Army in Ireland to come and joyn with us in this Service Our Opposition from Argyle and the Ministers is still as great as they can make we are undone for want of Arms and a little Money if we be not supplied from France or Holland this glorious and most hopeful Vndertaking that ever this Nation had may be in hazard to miscarry Sir William Fleeming and Mr. Murray went ten days ago for France and this day we have dispatched Sir William Bellandin to Holland We are much dejected because we have not heard from Your Majesty since the 17th of March which makes us fear You involve us in the Guilt of the by-past deadness and slowness of their Motions here but we take God to witness we are as free thereof as we shall be faithful to the Vows we have made of perishing or of serving Your Majesty in such a loyal and dutiful way as hath been professed by Your Majesties c. 17th May. The Differences that were among the Lords were adjusted The Levies are much retarded by the Ministers and most of the Officers were also well named yet the Levies went on dully though many of the Lords were so cordial that they who had allowance from the Publick but for 80 Horse
inclinations over England should prove too hard for them but Mr. Marshall Great Disorders in England who was sent back from the English Commissioners in Scotland comforted them the best he could giving them all assurance that the Designs there would meet with vigorous Opposition wherefore it was moved that some of the Forces might be presently sent down before the Army were drawn together who might hope for good Assistance in Scotland But he also told them that nothing would be so likely to divide them in Scotland as to declare for the Covenant and the Propositions sent to Newcastle and indeed this was much dreaded by the Duke and his Friends since there was nothing so popular in Scotland as that the Parliament and Army of England had fallen from the Covenant but they resolved though that were granted to accept of no Treaty till the Army were presently disbanded for which the former Years Transactions did furnish them with very good reasons Mr. Marshall did what he could to reconcile the Presbyterians and Independents in London and that they might not fall out about Religion it was Voted that the Kingdom should be first settled before Religion was fallen upon The City of London was generally well-affected to the Scotish Design though some studied to alienâ—te them from it by telling them that those in Scotland were in Correspondence with the Cavaliers in England The City was inconstant and the Citizens feared the Armies falling on them to plunder them so that they were easily over-awed and at that time the Agitators of the Army were upon the Fining of the City in a Million of English Mony A general Answer was returned to the Scotish Demands by the day they had prefixed with the Promise of a more particular one to follow shortly which was looked on as a Design to shift them off by Delays At this time the Two Houses were much lifted up with a Defeat given to Langhorn in Wales which was represented to be greater than indeed it was But to allay their Joy there came in Petitions from many Counties of England for a Personal Treaty with the King and for being disburdened of the Army one came from Essex which was subscribed by twenty four thousand Hands and eight thousand men came out of Surrey with their Petition upon whom the Souldiers fell barbarously and killed about Twenty of them wounding above an Hundred Next the Kentish men rose in a formidable number but it was more terrible that the Navy was staggering and many of the Captains of the Ships declared against their Proceedings This was sad News for London by reason of their Trade which was like to be blockt up And now Cromwel to please the City of London drew the Forces out of it and left the Militia of London in their own Hands only he got Skippon who was of their own Cabal made Major-General of their Trained Bands and there was no small Disorder in the Army the Agitators being for the most part Levellers and against Cromwel as was by some supposed With all this Tragical visage of things they at Wâ—stminster were not a little mortified A Fast at Westminster so they appointed a Day of Humiliation and when they were naming the reasons for the Fast one of the Members had a singular opinion that notwithstanding the Self-denying Ordinance they had past yet they had ingrossed all Places of Power and Profit to themselves by which Juggling God was mocked wherefore he moved that they might devest themselves of these but the rest were not of his mind And if three Sermons and a great many long Prayers would reconcile God to them they would be at the cost but were resolved to quit none of their Power nor Places All these Tumults in England as they had hindered the Two Houses from sending down their Forces to Scotland so they called aloud for hasty Relief from the Scotish Army which from all places was called for But the Oppositition the Clergy and their Party made had so fore-slowed their Levies that they could not overtake this fair opportunity but were forced to leave the poor People in England to be knockt down by the insulting Army The Parliament of Scotland re-assembled in Iune The Parliament adjourns and after few days Sitting and the emitting of new Declarations both for Scotland and England but of a milder strain than their former of April had been being now weary of their hopeless courting of the Clergy they adjourned for Two Years having chosen a Committee of Estates sure to their Designs and they were drawing their Army together with all possible diligence But the great matter now debated in Scotland was A present March is disswaded by some whether they should first make all sure at home or leave things in that disordered posture and make haste into England Lanerick was for taking order with the Opposite Party and the Lords that headed them before they stirred out of Scotland lest otherwise assoon as they were gone the Ministers might blow up the People into Sedition which would either force them to send back a part of their Army for curbing them or lose Scotland totally by their Tumults while their Army should be strugling with an uncertainty in England Besides they were neither well-furnished with Arms Ammunition nor Mony but had good Assurances of large Supplies from the Queen and Prince by Sir William Fleeming and the Prince though much disswaded by these who were both Enemies to the Scotish Nation in General and the Duke in particular continued still firm to his first Resolutions of going to them when all things were brought to that Posture that it were fit for him to hazard himself amongst them and therefore in the middle of Iune Sir William Fleeming was dispatched again from his Highness to Scotland with the following Letter directed For the Lord Duke Hamilton and the Earls of Lindsay Roxburgh Lauderdale Lanerick and Calender My Lords YOu will receive by Sir William Fleeming who is amply instructed the full account of My Intentions and he is not more particularly charged with any thing than to let you know the sense I have of Your Affections yet I thought fit to reserve unto My Self the assuring you that as I conceive I am not capable of being more obliged than I have been by you so I shall be most exactly just in the discharge of my Acknowledgments when it shall please God to make My Condition fit for it In the mean time I have nothing to say but to desire you to be intirely confident of it and that I am most truly My Lords Your Affectionate Friend CHARLES P. Sir William Bellandin met with more Opposition in Holland for Judgments were passed on the Scotish Proceedings from their Declarations and all he could say was not able to take off those Impressions so that no good was expected from Scotland The States of Holland had no great inclination to the Kings Party and the Prince of Orange
be said of the Duke Anno 1649. ON the 4th of December Orders were sent to bring him to Windsor and he came thither the 11th of that Month. He was lodged in the House of one of the poor Knights of Windsor and kept under strict Guards yet on the 21th of that Month as the King was carried through Windsor he prevailed so far with his Keepers as to permit him to see his Majesty and as he passed he kneeled down and with a transport of humble Sorrow kissed his hand and had only time to say My dear Master the King embraced him very kindly and said I have been so indeed to you but they were parted and suffered to have no discourse It may easily be imagined with what sorrow he followed the King with his eyes as far as he could see him knowing he was to do so no more nor did he much regrate his present Trouble or imminent Danger all his thoughts being swallowed up in sorrow at the Consideration of his Master's Ruin which was then no more to be doubted the Army and House as it was then modelled or rather forced having avowed their Design against his Person and thrown off the Disguise with which they had long mask'd themselves The Parliament of England had upon the matter condemned the Duke to perpetual Imprisonment Much pains is taken to draw discoveries from him but in vain by setting an hundred thousand pound sterling for his Ransome which sum could not be raised by him at a time when by the Debts he had contracted in the Kings Service his Fortune was fallen so low Cromwel came several times to him to draw from him some Discoveries of his Correspondents in England and gave him great assurances of Life Rewards and Secrecy but he rejected the Proposition with horrour and disdain though often repeated and apprehending they might get his Brother into their hands sent him at that time the following Note which I set down though unfinisht and written with the Juyce of a Lemmon I Vnder the power of the Sword and merciless men no favour to be expected oft examined but nothing discovered being ignorant perhaps you will abide the same Trial beware if you do The thirtieth of Ianuary was that fatal and never-to-be-forgotten Day wherein His Sacred Majesty after the Pageantry of a Trial to add the appearance of Justice to so base and barbarous a Murder was beheaded to the Amazement of all Europe by an unexampled practice in any Monarchy But the particulars of his Royal Constancy and Christian Patience being so punctually related by others I shall not stand to repeat what is already known but having proposed to my self nothing more in this whole Work than to let the World see the great Piety and strictness of Conscience that Blessed Prince carried along with him in all his Affairs and to publish such Remains of his Pen as had not been formerly seen or known I shall therefore insert a Copy of Verses written by his Majesty in his Captivity which a very worthy Gentleman who had the honour of waiting on him then and was much trusted by him Copied out from the Original who avoucheth it to be a true Copy but I shall first present that Royal Martyr to the Readers view in the Posture which was most familiar to Him and then set down those Verses in which the mighty sense and the great Piety will be found to be beyond all the finest sublimities of Poetry which yet are not wanting here An. 1648. Rom. VIII more than Conquerour Bona agere mala pati Regium est Alij diutius Imperium tenuerunt nemo tam fortiter reliquit Tacit. Histor. Lib. 2 c.47 p417 MAJESTY in MISERY OR An Imploration to the KING of Kings Written by His late Majesty King CHARLES the First during His Captivity at Carisbrook Castle Anno Dom. 1648. GREAT Monarch of the World from whose Power Springs The Potency and Power of Kings Record the Royal Woe my Suffering sings And teach my tongue that ever did confine Its faculties in Truths Seraphick Line To track the Treasons of thy foes and mine Nature and Law by thy Divine Decree The only Root of Righteous Royaltie With this dim Diadem invested me With it the sacred Scepter Purple Robe The Holy Vnction and the Royal Globe Yet am I levell'd with the life of Job The fiercest Furies that do daily tread Vpon my Grief my Gray Dis-crowned Head Are those that owe my Bounty for their Bread They raise a War and Christen it The Cause Whil'st sacrilegious hands have best applause Plunder and Murder are the Kingdoms Laws Tyranny bears the Title of Taxation Revenge and Robbery are Reformation Oppression gains the name of Sequestration An. 1649. My Loyal Subjects who in this bad season Attend me by the Law of God and Reason They dare impeach and punish for High Treason Next at the Clergy do their Furies frown Pious Episcopacy must go down They will destroy the Crosier and the Crown Church-men are chain'd and Schismaticks are free'd Mechanicks preach and Holy Fathers bleed The Crown is crucified with the Creed The Church of England doth all Faction foster The Pulpit is usurpt by each Impostor Ex tempore excludes the Pater noster The Presbyter and Independent Seed Springs with broad blades to make Religion bleed Herod and Pontius Pilate are agreed The Corner-stone's misplac'd by every Pavier With such a bloody method and behaviour Their Ancestors did crucifie our Saviour My Royal Consort from whose fruitful Womb So many Princes legally have come Is forc'd in Pilgrimage to seek a Tomb. Great Britain's Heir is forced into France Whilst on his Father's head his foes advance Poor Child He weeps out his Inheritance With my own Power my Majesty they wound In the King's Name the King himself 's uncrown'd So doth the Dust destroy the Diamond With Propositions daily they enchant My Peoples ears such as do Reason daunt And the Almighty will not let me grant They promise to erect my Royal Stem To make Me great t' advance my Diadem If I will first fall down and worship them But for refusal they devour my Thrones Distress my Children and destroy my bones I fear they 'l force me to make bread of stones My Life they prize at such a slender rate That in my absence they draw Bills of hate To prove the King a Traytor to the State Felons obtain more priviledge than I They are allow'd to answer e're they die 'T is death for me to ask the reason Why. But Sacred Saviour with thy words I woo Thee to forgive and not be bitter to Such as thou know'st do not know what they do For since they from their Lord are so disjointed As to contemn those Edicts he appointed How can they prize the Power of his Anointed Augment my Patience nullifie my Hate Preserve my Issue and inspire my Mate Yet though We perish bless this Church and State Vota dabunt quae bella
that the Duke was suffered to return to Scotland with the King But at His Majesties Landing one appointed by the Parliament to put him from the King required him to withdraw and when the King pressed the Commissioners with the Articles of their Treaty they said they could not oppose an Order of Parliament The King was much offended with this and was inclining to resent it both as an unworthy Usage and as a Breach of Treaty but the Duke told him that at that time Argyle was the person who was most able to render him considerable Service in Scotland therefore though he knew he designed nothing so much as his Ruin yet he advised His Majesty to use all possible means to gain him absolutely to his Party and to neglect himself as much as Argyle desired and not at all to seem much concerned in him adding that he knew when His Majesties Affairs were in a better posture he would not forget his faithful Servants This particular His Sacred Majesty vouchsafed to tell the Writer It was in vain for him to claim either the benefit of the Treaty at Sterlin or Breda Interest and Jealousy prevailing more with these who then ruled than any other Tie so the Duke was forced to retire to the Isle of Arran And goes to Arran where he stayed till the end of Ianuary 1651 nor could his Petitions with the Intercessions of his Friends prevail for allowing him the liberty of coming to fight for his King and Country so that he was forced to stay at Arran till the best half of Scotland was lost Cromwell enters Scotland But God who had suffered the Church-party to prevail long did blast their Force and Success at once for Cromwel upon the Parliament of Scotland's bringing home their King entred it with his Army The Church-party as they had no mind to invade England on the Kings account so were very careful to declare that their Arming against Cromwel was not on the Kings account which they excluded from the state of the Quarrel by an Act of their Committee and declared that they stood only to their own Defence against that Hostile Invasion which was contrary to their Covenant and Treaties They were also very careful to model their Army so that neither Malignant nor Engager that had been of the Kings Party should serve in it for though when His Majesty came to their Army at Leith the Souldiers were much animated by his Presence and with the coming of two thousand brave Gentlemen with him to the Army yet the Leaders of that Party pretended that since the Malignants were in their Army God would be provoked to give them up to the Enemy and therefore forced the King to leave the Army They also forced away all those Gentlemen who came and offered their Service I shall not pursue this account further but only add that notwithstanding all their Confidence of their Army and though they had the Enemy at great disadvantages so that he and all his Officers gavethemselves for gone yet they were with very little Opposition broken and routed near Dunbar on the third of September 1650 Dunbar-Fight and even those who two years before had insulted over the Misfortunes of the Engagement were now themselves taught how ill an Argument Success was to evince the Goodness of a Cause The King is better used in Scotland This procured a great change in the Counsels of Scotland for by that time the honester and better part of the Clergy were by the Murther of the King and the other Proceedings in England filled with distast and horrour at them and began to think how defective they had hitherto been in their Duty to the King and therefore resolved to adhere more faithfully to it in all time coming Others of the Church-party did also see that as Cromwel was setting up a Common-wealth in England so they found many of the forwarder amongst themselves very much inclined to it in Scotland This divided them from the other violent Party made them joyn more cordially with the King and be willing to receive his other faithful Servants to oppose the Common Enemy therefore it was brought under debate if the Act of Classes that excluded them from Trust should not be rescinded and all Subjects allowed to enjoy their Priviledges and suffered to resist the Common Enemy after long debate it was carried in the Affirmative yet none vvere to be received but upon particular Applications and Professions of Repentance The Church-party divided The Commission of the Kirk being also asked their Opinions declared that in such an Exigency vvhen the Enemy vvas Master of all on the South of Forth and Clide all fensible persons might be raised for the Defence of the Country This vvas called the Resolution of the Commission of the General Assembly and was ratified by the subsequent General Assembly But against this many Ministers protested and from thence arose great Heats and Divisions among those of the Kirkmen who owned the Publick Resolutions An. 1652. and those who Protested against them the one being called the Publick-Resolutioners and the other Protesters And now all Churches were full of pretended Penitents for every one that offered his Service to the King was received upon the Publick profession of his Repentance for his former Malignancy wherein all saw they were only doing it in compliance to the peremptory Humour of that time It was about the end of Ianuary that the Duke was suffered to come and wait on the King The Duke is suffered to wait on the King but at that time Cliddisdale with the other Places where his Interest lay were in the Enemies hands who had put Garrisons in Hamilton Douglas Carnwath Boghall and other Houses of that Country Yet the Duke got quickly about him a brave Troop of about an hundred Horse made up of many Noblemen and Gentlemen who rode in it among whom were divers Earls and Lords whose Lands being also possessed by the Enemy they could do no more but hazard their own Persons in his Majesties Service the rest were his Vassals and Gentlemen of his Name and they were commanded under him by a gallant Gentleman Sir Thomas Hamilton of Preston whom he sent with 18 Horse to Cliddisdale to try if the Enemy could be catched at any disadvantage and the People of the Country raised for the King The Enemy kept so good Guards and was so strong at Hamilton that he could not fall in there therefore he went to Douglas where he took about 80 Horse that belonged to the Garrison but could not surprize the House for it was too strong to be taken without Cannon He likewise took all the Horse that belonged to the Garrison at Boghall and killed twenty Souldiers This made the Enemy keep closer at Hamilton upon which the Duke resolved to raise ten Troops of Horse and appointed Sir Thomas Hamilton Lieutenant-Collonel but the Enemies Garrisons gave great interruptions to his
Designs At that time the Enemy landed at Innerkeething in Fife The King marches to England and the great Loss the King had there did both raise the Enemies boldness and much daunt his faithful Friends for now Cromwell was betwixt His Majesty and the Northern Counties of Scotland which were both most affectionate to his Service and from whence he was to expect Provisions and Supplies so that it was not possible for the King to maintain the War any longer in Scotland and therefore he resolved on a March to England being put in hopes of great Accessions of force to his Army from the Royal Party there and this gave a trial to the Fidelity and Courage of many of the Scotish Nation but too many looking on the Attempt as desperate being more careful of their Lives and Fortunes than to hazard either in the King's Service shrunk away though divers of them had Charges in the Army Against these base Deserters of their King and Country the Duke was moved with such just Indignation that he vowed if ever he returned with Life and Liberty he should make these in whom he had interest answer for it But the Duke's thoughts of this March and his sad apprehensions of the whole Business will appear from the following Letter he wrote to his Neece that succeeded him Dear Neece INdeed I know not what to say to you I would fain say something more encouraging than my last was but I cannot lie our Condition is no better and since that time we have a thousand men I fear twice that number run from our Army Since the Enemy shuns Fighting with us except upon advantage we must either starve disband or go with a handful of Men into England This last seems to be the least Ill yet it appears very desperate to me for more reasons than I will trouble you with I fear your own Reason will afford you too many Dear Neece it is not your Courage I will desire you to make use of in this Extremity look for Strength to bear it from a higher Power all your Natural Virtues will not resist it therefore look to him who hath in former times assisted you to resist a great Affliction and can do it again if you seek to him aright you have already lost so much that all other Earthly Losses were drowned in that Those you meet with now are Christian Exercises wherewith oftimes the Lord visits his own to wean their Affections from things here below that we may place them upon himself in whom we have all things and if we could as we ought set our Hearts upon him we should find our selves very little concerned in most things which bring us greatest Trouble here on Earth where we are but for a minute in our way to Eternity O consider that word Eternity and you will find we struggle here for that that 's even less than nothing why trouble we our selves for Earthly Losses for when we have lost all we have there are thousands as dear to God as we as poor as we We are rich though we lose the whole World if we gain him let us set before our eyes the example of those who to give testimony to the Truth rejoyced to lay down their Lives nay let us with humble presumption follow the Pattern of our Blessed Saviour who for our sakes suffered more than man can think on the burthen of all our Sins and the Wrath of his Father and shall we then repine to lay down our Lives for him when he calls for it from us to give us a nearer admittance to him than we can hope for while we are clog'd with our Clay-Tenements Dear Neece I should never be weary to talk with you though this be a Subject I confess I cannot speak of well but even that Happiness is bereft me by the importunity of a Crowd of Persons that are now in the Room with me grudging the time I take in telling you that while I am I am Yours c. Sterlin 28th July 1651. The Duke waited on the King in the whole March and gave Order that the Troops which he had levyed should follow with all possible haste Seven of them came up and joyned the Army at Moffet but the interruptions the Enemy gave made that the rest could not be raised nor were these Troops full The Duke welcomed them with great affection and assured them they should be as dear to him as his own Life and that if God blessed the King with Success he should be very careful to see them rewarded as they should deserve but seeing they made in all but betwixt two and three hundred he feared too many Standards would make them look like the remains of a broken Army and therefore he set up only his own Standard and so turned his small Regiment into a great Troop and marched on with the Army When the Army came to Warington-Bridge An. 1651. and beat Lambert from it the Duke Commanded the Brigade where his Horse were that was in the Reer of the Foot Lambert is beat from Warington-bridge but that and the other Brigade of Horse being commanded to halt he sent his Major to the Lieutenant-General for Orders to March that the Enemy might be vigorously pursued but the Lieutenant-General would have the Foot led over first and so that occasion was lost which he with many others did infinitely greater with great demonstrations of Grief Then it was debated which way the King should hold the Duke pressed that they should March streight to London which was the desire of the whole Army and that which Lambert apprehended for in his Retreat he took the London-Road There were also many other reasons used to enforce it but the English Nobility and Gentry who were in the Army and the Earl of Derby who with many Gentlemen came to the Army that night gave many reasons against that March The Duke seeing them so much against it though his Reason could not go along with theirs yet that he might not oppose so many brave and LoyalGentlemen went out of the Kings Tent for he would not by his Presence seem to consent to that which he apprehended would prejudice the Kings Service but was so far from disparaging the other Counsels and enhancing the value of his own that he went and laboured with all the Officers of the Army to engage them to a cheerful Concurrence in the Resolutions that were taken and studied even to perswade them to assent to that which had not yet prevailed on his own Reason The Resolution being taken to go to Worcester and storm it The King entered Worcester the Army marched and when they came near the Town some Horse and Dragoons which were sent thither by Lambert two days before retired to Glocester and the King entred Worcester with two Bodies of Foot the rest Marched through the Town over the Severn The day after the King came to Worcester the Duke with many
steps their Progenitors went in or had departed from them therefore I told the Duke and Dutchess of Hamilton that now are that if I might have the favour and trust of perusing such Papers as remained in their hands I should do my endeavours to make the best use of them I could upon which they were pleased to send them all to me The Collection was great and in as great disorder yet by a little care I brought them into some Order and found I had very authentical and full Materials for a greater Work than I had at first designed but having read many scandalous Pamphlets that had charged these Dukes in divers particulars with an equal degree of Injustice and Malice I found it necessary to enquire as far as their Papers could carry me into the Truth of these Reports which forced me to be more particular than had been otherwise needful And yet I hope the Reader shall have no great cause to complain of my tediousness but that he shall find an Entertainment through the whole Work that shall not be unpleasant to him I have opened the Intrigues and Counsels of those Times as clearly as I could This some that perused the Work have censured much as a disclosing the Secrets of Government and because in some places errours of Government are neither concealed nor palliaâ—ed some advised me to pass these over and not insist on them but with this I could-by no means comply for I know no good that History does the World so much as the making Posterity the wiser both by shewing the Faults of Ministers that raised the Discontents and the Follies and Madness of those who put all in confusion to get Grievances redressed For the Iealousies that were conceived either from the ill opinion of Ministers or the consciousness of their own Guilt made the Fomenters of those Troubles think that neither Concessions nor Pardons were a sufficient Security but that assoon as the Country and Government was settled what they had done would be remembred and punished and did drive the Faction much further than it seems they intended at first All this I wrote with the more Assurance after I had presumed to tell His Majesty that since I was writing of the late Times I sound it necessary to set down some Errours that were committed even by some of the Ministers of the King his Blessed Father and I could give no true account of matters if these were not likewise related upon which His Majesty most graciously told me That such things were unavoidable in a History and therefore He allowed me to tell the Truth freely Vpâ—â— so gracious a Permission I was the more emboldened to lay open things clearly and to trace the Troubles of Scotland to their first Beginnings It is true there were some things that had much influence on Peoples Minds of which I have given no Account having found no Papers in this Collection to direct me in them and these were the whole Progress of the Design for thâ— Resumption of the Tithes into the Crown and the restoring them to the Church with all the steps that were made in it which was so nice a point and had so much of the subtilties of Law in it that I did not think fit to meddle with it especially it not lying before me in these Papers nor having any Relation to the Concerns of these two Brothers The other was the Proceeding in Parliament Anno 1633 when His late Majesty was Crowned with the Petition that was afterwards drawn for which the Lord Balmerino was tried and found Guilty and had Sentence of Death passed on him Then did the Party begin to be more united and secret Engagements were given either to rescue him by Force or to revenge his Death upon which the Earl of Traquair procured a Pardon for him but from that time the date of the Confederacy of that Party is to be reckoned and though it lay quiet for some years yet it was still fermenting which made it burst forth upon the Crisis that afterwards appeared They were also much encouraged to all that followed by the Informations they had of the Malecontents in England for a Gentleman of Quality of the English Nation who was afterwards a great Parliament-man went and lived some time in Scotland before the Troubles broke out and represented to the men that had then greatest Interest there that the business of the Ship-mony and the Habeas Corpus with divers other things of which there was much noise made afterwards had so irritated the greatest part of the English Nation that if they made sure work at home they needed fear nothing from England And of this the Duke of Hamilton who had lived so many years in England could not be ignorant for so great a disease in the Body Politick as a Civil War does not break out on a sudden but there go before it many Symptomes which are well discerned by men of Iudgment and Fore-sight the matter must be brought to the nature of Tinder or Gun-powder before a Spark can set it on Fire And it was the Prospect he had of what was like to follow in England if once a War begun that made him employ all his Endeavours to carry the King to as full Concessions as he could possibly obtain This to such as do not reflect on the State of England at that time may perhaps appear mean or Malice may give it a worse Character But as no sort of provocation will justifie any man though of the clearest Courage that will go and fight with a Sword loose in the hilt but he must be concluded rash and inconsiderate so the Duke knowing the disjoynted condition of England and apprehending that by all appearance the War would be unsuccessful and that the Demands of the Faction would then grow higher did as became a Wise and Faithful Minister in trying all the ways he could think of to settle Matters before there should be any Breach since the keeping the Kingdom in quiet though upon terms which had been hard to the King and derogatory to His Authority was much to be preferred to a War that was like to prove fatal to the King and Kingdoms For all that while the Affection of the English to the Party in Scotland did discover it self in many high Expressions which others could not but see and the King sadly but too late felt afterwards for Princes most commonly see such things last of all their People their pretending Flatterers who are in truth their greatest Enemies keeping up such Advertisements from them as long as can be as if one out of fear to awaken his Master should let him sleep when his House is on fire till it were scarce possible for him either to quench or escape the Flames All these things concurred to set on the hot Zealots to begin the Troubles that ended so tragically in the Murder of the King and Slavery of the Nations And therefore nothing seems more
what shall be agreed for me betwixt Your Majesty and these to whom this Affair is trusted by me I bind my self to ratifie To the fifth since the reasons of my Expedition to Germany are the same with Your Majesties I have firmly resolved to help and relieve the oppressed Princes and States of Germany with the ease of all these burdens with which they are now pressed and therefore shall do every thing in order and decently as becomes most friendly Auxiliaries and if any thing be taken by me from the common Enemy I shall desire nothing more than that the right of it be entirely and inviolably Your Majesties To the ninth since I have devoted my whole fortune with all my interests for promoting this our Design I promise that whatever any shall contribute for it shall all be laid out for this War which I shall with my whole Forces manage and carry on till either it please God that You obtain a desired Peace or that the Liberty of Germany which is now oppressed be restored To the tenth since by this Article Your Majesty requires and expects Fidelity from me and my Army I James Marquis of Hamilton by these presents give my Faith for my self and them and bind both my self and them and for the Confirmation of this I do subscribe this Article with all the preceding and put my Seal to it at London the first of March Anno Dom. 1631. Signed Hamilton Locus Sigilli Ramsay had in Commission to deal with any Scotish or English Officers who served beyond Sea to come and serve under the Marquis and finding Mackay the Lord Reay in good reputation Ramsay treats with the Lord Reay he dealt with him to engage in his Service who cordially undertook it and some moneths after that wrote to the Marquis which Letter is preserved That though the King of Sweden had given him the Command of three Regiments and made him Captain of his Guards yet he was so desirous to put life in his noble designs that he would serve him were it but to carry a Pike in his Army and thus Ramsay returned and Colonel Hamilton with him Whereupon the Marquis went about the executing of his designs and the levying of his men but all was according to the Kings Orders and Instructions yet His Majesty seemed onely a consenter to it The Levies went on all this Winter in which many were backward because the King owned them so little As for Money the King advanced a good summe though far short of what was necessary but he gave the Marquis a Lease of the Customs of the Wines in Scotland for 16 years upon which Security he and all his friends raised as much Money as the design required Many of the Marquis his friends did in the beginning dissuade him from the undertaking apprehending the hazards both of his person and fortune which were visible from an attempt that was full of dubious success but when they saw him engaged in it they did all very frankly concur mortgaging their Fortunes for raising such summes of Money as were necessary for the Expedition Next Spring the Marquis sent Ramsay to Holland to see what assistance he might expect from the States An. 1631. and in particular to deal with some British Officers who were then in their Service to come and take employment in his Army He likewise sent one Elphinston to the King of Sweden Ramsay is sent over to the States and Elphinston to the King of Sweden to shew him that he would be ready to land with his Army in Iune or Iuly and to press that the Forces he was to have from the Swede might be ready to meet him where ever he were appointed to land his men or if the King of Sweden could not spare so many men that he would order the money for their Levy and Pay to be sent to Hamburg or to any other Bank that so the Marquis might levy them himself Upon this the King of Sweden sent the Lord Reay first to Denmark and then to Holland for carrying on of those Levies and committed the levying of 3000 Foot and 1000 Horse to Colonel Farensback The King was betrayed by Farensback a Leeflander of good repute in the Wars who had served the Emperour but for I know not what crime had lost his favour and undertaken the Service of the Swede and seemed to be going on with his Levy till the time was past and then did basely run over to the Emperour shewing how great a Service he had done by his cousening the King of Sweden since he hoped the failing of the Swedish Auxiliaries would keep the Marquis of Hamilton's Army from coming over that Summer King Gustavus was now in Germany and by his frequent Letters pressed the Marquis his dispatch He pressed the Marquis to come in all haste for he was then in great straits the Princes of Germany begun to fear his success and were not so forward in joyning with him as he expected and by divers Letters both from himself and Camerarius his Ambassadour in Holland and Salvius his Agent in Hamburg it appears that the Princes of Germany took their measures chiefly from the Kings resolutions The King of Sweden also desired a League with the King and that the King should send over ten thousand men whom the King of Britain should maintain during the Wars and desires a League with the King and that Army with the other twelve thousand should be under the Marquis his Command as General upon which the King of Sweden should oblige himself never to make Peace with the Emperour till the Palatinat were restored To this the King gave a good hearing and promised to send over an Embassadour to finish the Agreement and in the mean time the Marquis his dispatch was hasted forward with all diligence His Army was partly Scots partly English and they were to be transported in the Kings Ships the Scotish Forces were to be shipped at Leith and the English at Yarmouth and Yarmouth-Road was to be their Rendezvous In the end of May both Reay and Ramsay came out of Holland to England Ramsay got nothing done with the States who would give no assistance to the Marquis till the King formally engaged himself yet he got some Officers to come over and in particular that gallant English Gentleman Sir Iacob Ashly who had acquired much reputation in the Dutch Wars but Ramsay drew much trouble on himself for being a man of an intemperate tongue he had talked loosly of the Court of England to the Lord Reay At this time the Marquis was in Scotland drawing the Souldiers together and having made all ready there he returned to Court having nothing more to doe but to kiss His Majesties Hand and receive his last Commands but there was then at Court the Lord Ochiltree Reay acccuseth Ramsay and Ochiltree the Marquis a man of a subtil spirit and good parts had not those endowments
of his mind been stain'd with some ill qualities He had acquired some interest in Court by the service he did the Earl of Niddisdale in the matter of the Kings Revocation and the Commission of Surrenders which to explain were too long a digression here and needless to all who understand how the Rights of the Titles were at that time unsettled in Scotland His malice against the Marquis was hereditary he being the Son of Captain Iames Stewart who in King Iames his Minority when the Hamiltons were groundlesly and in a mock-Parliament attainted carried the Title of Earl of Arran and possessed their Fortunes Lord Reay upon what irritation I know not alledged to him that Mr. Ramsay had told him that the Marquises designs were not upon Germany but Britain and that when this Army was once gathered he purposed to pretend to the Crown of Scotland This lye was so ill told that it could take with none but those whose Judgments were blinded through malice for as that Army was very small and in no manner of capacity to prosecute such a design so it was made up of Scots and English and most of the Officers were persons of whom the Marquis had no acquaintance Reay alledged likewise the testimony of one Mr. Cleazar Borthwick Borthwick being a witness clears the Marquis to whom Mr. Meldrum should have communicated the same design but this testimony turned to his shame for that person who was of known integrity being brought from Germany and examined upon what Meldrum had said to him desired liberty to send his Deposition to the King sealed since the particulars were not fit to be publickly heard to which the King yielding he sent it The summe of it was that Meldrum had never communicated any such design to him that he had indeed spoken abominably of the King and Court but all was in his own name and that he brought no credence with him from the Marquis for his errand to the Swedish Court was onely to solicit the payment of some Arrears due to his Uncle who had served that Crown and he had no Employment from the Marquis onely he got from him Letters of recommendation for the dispatch of his business so that whatever he said was understood as his own sense and not as a message from the Marquis Reay also alledged the testimony of Lieutenant Colonel Lindsay for a great part of that he charged on Ramsay This Lindsay indeed was a brave Gentleman and Reay's Lieutenant Colonel but was killed two or three moneths before Reay met with Ochiltree at London He was in new Brandenburg with other Swedish Officers when Tilly took it in and all Reay's Regiment was cut to pieces except a very few which turned to his eternal disgrace who in such a hot time of Action left his Command to come over to England and forge lyes and after that Reay was in no esteem neither with Scots nor Swedes and irrecoverably lost himself in the K. of Swedens opinion But Reay kept himself from charging any thing on the Marquis fixing all he said on Ramsay which Caution was not observed by Ochiltree who drew a representation of the Marquis his interest in Scotland to shew what probabilities might be of such a design and reckoned up all his Kindred and Allyes by which he drew in most of the Nobility of Scotland and so fastned suspicions on them all a madness onely incident to those of Bedlam to which his malice drove him though he was no fool With this account of Reay's and his own he went to the Lord Weston Weston carries the Accusation to the King then Treasurer of England and personating great zeal for the safety of King and Kingdoms revealed this alledged Treason to him adding that it was probable all things being now ready to be put in execution that the Marquis upon his return to put things in the more fearful disorder might if admitted to wait in the Kings Bed-chamber murder him This was a Calumny than which Hell could not have forged a fouler for Lord Ochiltree judged that this would have infallibly produced one of two effects either raised such a Jealousie in the Kings thoughts as to have quite ruined the Marquis since few Princes are proof against such whispers or at least it would have stopt his voyage for a while till he were tried and the smallest delay in that would have scattered his Souldiers so that this design failing in which his Honour was now so far engaged a stain should lie on him through all Europe Lord Weston carried this Story to the King whether provoked to it out of hatred to the Marquis or moved from his zeal and duty to the King shall not be determined though the last was pretended by him and in many of his Letters to the Marquis when he was in Germany he expressed much friendship for him who gives it no good hearing But His Majesty knew the Marquis too well and understood all his motions and the progress of this Affair too exactly to give any credit to this Forgery and indeed he rejected listening to it in terms so full of affection for the Marquis as discovered he was incapable of any Jealousie either of him or any of his actions neither would he hearken to those who onely desired that upon his return he might not be admitted to his Presence at least not to lie in his Bed-chamber Within a very little while the Marquis came to Court utterly ignorant of the execrable designs of his Adversaries His Majesty welcomed him with an air of kindness beyond what he ordinarily gave him and drawing him apart immediately told him all that villainous story which had been whispered against him The Confusion this raised in his thoughts was unspeakable and opens the whole matter to the Marquis being amazed to find himself so horridly misrepresented knowing his heart to be full of duty and affection to his Soveraign he wondered how malice could be so impudent as at a time when he was hazarding Life Honour Friends and Fortune for the Kings Service to fasten such a devillish gloss on his actions but this surprize was overcome with a greater when he saw His Majesty with an unheard-of and truly Royal generosity express his confidence in him in such obliging terms as scarce to allow him to speak in his own Justification which seeming to insinuate he thought he needed to be vindicated the Marquis begged he might be presently tried and offered himself to restraint till he were cleared But His Majesty would not hear of that on the contrary commanded him to lie in the Bed-chamber that night and made him lie in the Bed-chamber that same night and he expressed his confidence and kindness for him in such a strain both of behaviour and discourse that the Marquis frequently said he looked on the kindness of that night as that which obliged him more than all the other publick testimonies of the Kings favour and
and passed the River Sala pressing the Marquis to pass with him so afraid was he of Papenheim but the Marquis sent Sir Iacob Ashley to view the Pass who told him it was so good that he might safely march away in a quarter of an hours warning in spite of Papenheim and his Army upon which he would not stir Meanwhile Papenheim advanced with his Army but is relieved by Papenheim which he gave out to be ten or twelve thousand though it was onely 4700 men but to make the fame of it greater the Purveyors who went before him made provision for near thrice so many his men were drawn out of Garrisons and brought up in all haste and if Bannier had not been stiff it had been easie to have fought him and the least foil given him had made Magdeburg their own Papenheim getting to Magdeburg and finding that it could not be kept who leaves it marched away with the Garrison and every thing worth carrying with them but when he came out of the Town the Marquis and he fac'd one another in a Plain betwixt Kalbe and Saltsa and the Marquis though very much weaker than he yet had a great mind to have engaged but Bannier would not think of it neither had Papenheim any mind to provoke them and so he marched away thus Duke Weimar's slowness and Bannier's carefulness lost them that occasion After Papenheim was gone the Marquis entred Magdeburg where he found they had left about 40 peece of Cannon and great store of Ammunition with plenty of Corns he staid there till the beginning of February that the King of Sweden ordered him to lie about Halberstadt but his Souldiers were ill-entertained and those he had levied in Germany were pressing for Pay which should have been advanced by the King of Sweden therefore in the middle of February he went to that King who received him with his former kindness and by other Letters from His Majesty he found he was still so happy as to retain the room he had in his Heart which appeared by the two following he found there from His Majesty James I Have received four Letters from you almost all together to wit of the 23th of September of the 8th and 14th of October and of the 11th of November this last being under Henry Vane's Cover which makes me not let this Post go without letting you know of the receipt of your Letters having little other thing to write to you at this time because I am taking two or three days to make a full Dispatch to you and Henry Vane that you may know the uttermost of what you may expect from hence assuring you that in all these Conditions you shall still find me to be Your loving Friend and Cousin CHARLES R. Whitehall 16 Decemb. 1631. James YOu know that I am lazie enough in writing being willing to find excuses to write short Letters therefore though I confess that at this time I have matter sufficient to fill a long Letter yet in earnest having commanded Henry Vane to acquaint you fully with all my resolutions it were needless to trouble my self with writing or you with reading a long Letter therefore I will onely say that you will find that I neither mean to forget or break my Promises to you and that you will not be unluckie if you have but as good fortune in all your actions as is wished to you by Your loving Friend and Cousin CHARLES R. Whitehall 31 Decemb. 1631. But there were great rubs in the Treaty with England the main thing pressed by the Ambassadour was that the King of Sweden should give the Marquis an Army The King of Sweden proposeth unmeasurable terms to the King with which and the Forces and Moneys to be sent from England he should fall in on the Palatinat But the King of Sweden proposed unreasonable Conditions demanding greater Assistance from the King of Bohemia than the whole Palatinat could have given in its most flourishing Condition and some Cities of the Palatinat to be put into his hands till the Wars were ended with many other hard Conditions almost as severe as these which had been proposed by the Emperour so that the Marquis did clearly perceive Gustavus was beginning to reckon on all Germany as his Conquest and that he was to give what Laws he pleased in it Thus the Ambassadour and he were in very ill terms but he continued to use the Marquis with great civility yet he still declined to give him a Commission to levy a new Army neither would he pay him those Summes of Money he had laid out in his Service and his Chancellour said to him they knew very well he had spent none of his own Money having gotten 100000 l. from his Master He answered though that were true he and his Master were to reckon but that must not be set to their Accompt In April the Marquis desired that some order should be taken with the remainders of his Army till he got a new one for their number at that time could onely have made him a Colonel but not a General so they were reduced into two Regiments The Marquis's Army is reduced to two Regiments the one of English and the other of Scots the English were commanded by Colonel Bellandin since made Lord Bellandin and the Scots by Colonel Hamilton and they were put in Duke Weimar's Army The Marquis sent over Sir Iacob Ashley to give the King accounts of what passed who was quickly dispatched back with the following Letter James YOu did very well to acknowledge to the Chancellour of Swede his allegation concerning the 100000 l. that he supposed you had from me for His Masters Service and so much as you did reply to him thereupon was good but methinks you might have addeâ— that that would more plainly have shewed him his error which is That if his Master would not accompt to you for what I gave you yet if he will take notice of it that way it were reason not onely that he shâ—uld thank me for it but also suffer me to put it on his accompt in part of that Assistance I am to give him but if he will as he ought stand to his bargain with you then he must leave you and me to reckon together having nâ—thing to do to enquire particularly what passes betwixt us I need write little more to you at this time the trust and sufficiency of this Bearer making it needless onely to recommend him to you as you did to me and to tell you freely that you had done better in my mind if you had reserved to him the English Regiment when your Army was reduced This I write merely of my self on my word for no body knows that I do this and I never heard any blame you for it and for Jacob Ashley himself he is so far from censuring of you that you need wish to be no better than he calls you and he solicits your business
beyond the diligence and industry of a fee'd Lawyer So referring my self for what else I have to say at this time to him I rest Your constant loving Friend and Cousin CHARLES R. London the last of April 1632. POSTSCRIPT I hope shortly you will be in a possibility to perform your promise concerning Pictures and Statues at Muneken therefore now in earnest do not forget it All this Summer the Marquis followed the King of Sweden in the quality of a Volunteer The King of Sweden refuseth to give a new Commission of which he was sufficiently weary but he found that King was so jealous of him that he was not to expect any Trust near or in the Palatinat where he desired most earnestly to be imployed and that he did put him daily off in which the King of Sweden's design was that by his Impatience he might be quickned to carry on the Treaty with England on any terms But no consideration of his own could make him betray his Masters Service or drive on Propositions which he judged so dishonourable for him as were those he offered about the Palatinat wherefore he wrote to His Majesty to receive his positive Commands what to do His Majesties Answer follows James I Have received three Letters from you by James Lesley about the 25th of July all which I assure you have given me very good satisfaction as well for your right understanding of Affairs in general as to give me a light how to direct yours in particular which at this time is tâ—e onely subject of mine One of two you must chuse either to stay or come away For the first it were very Honourable to doe in the timis of Action if you had an Employment but neither having nor likely to have any hereafter it were dulness not patience to stay any longer yet it is fit to come off handsomly neither shewing impatience nor discontentment if may be although I think you have cause for both therefore I have commanded Henry Vane to propose a new Employment fâ—r you which though I think it will not take effect yet it will shew there is no way unsought for to find you out an Employment with the King of Sweden It is that you may be sent into the Palatinat to assist the French with so many men as my Contribution will maintain which if it may be done they promise me to put the lower Palatinat in my hands This though I do not hold as Gospel yet if this design might be put in practice it might certainly prove useful to my Affairs this being denied as I think it will you have no more to doe but to seek a fair excuse to come home which will be best in my opinion upon the conclusion of the Treaty between Sweden and Me or if any rubs arise that you might be sent to clear it with me So that upon the whole matter my Iudgment is that if you cannot serve me in the Palatinat as I have already said the best way is that you take the first civil excuse to come home to Your loving Cousin and faithful Friend CHARLES R. Oatland 1 Aug. 1632. POSTSCRIPT David Ramsay will as I imagine meet with you before you come hither which if he doe I hope you will remember what I have said concerning him already But at this time Oxenstern demanded a League Offensive and Defensive between the Crowns of Britain and Sweden and that the making of Peace in Germany should be onely in the King of Swedens hands This varying wholly from the former Treaty wherein they had onely treated about the Affairs of Germany and whereby no Peace could be without the Kings consent the Ambassadour and he broke up in very ill terms and on the back of this the Marquis pressing the King of Sweden to assign him a Country for levying a new Army The Treaty breaks up His Majesty answered him with a new delay but he told that King that he had been now fifteen moneths from his own Country and though he had been at a vast expence he had received nothing in that Service and that his Heart was too great to be a perpetual Volunteer as he had been these divers moneths past wherefore he pressed for a present Answer The King of Sweden confessed he had reason to be weary and he acknowledged the great obligation he had to him and that he would always look upon him as one of his best Friends but said the blame of all the delays he met with fell on the English Ambassadour on whom he fell a-railing with the greatest passion that the Marquis had ever seen him in The King of Sweden in â—reat passion and in a huffing way pulled the Marquis his Hat out of his hand and clapped it on his own head and went stamping up and down the room in great rage The Marquis shunned the Discourse since as he could not condemn the Ambassadour so he would not irritat the King of Sweden by an ill-timed Justification of him but the chief reason of his passion was that many of the Princes of Germany were beginning to talk that their Deliverer was like to prove a greater Tyrant than the Emperour had ever been and he suspected the Ambassadour was Caballing with them But the Marquis seeing nothing but delays desired liberty to return to England that he might levy a new Army and remove any Misunderstandings were betwixt his Master and the King of Sweden This Proposition was so fair that it could not be refused so on the 8th of September the King signed a Commission to him for bringing over a new Army The Marquis returns to England and gave him Instructions for ending the Treaty with the King and a little after that he took leave of him and was dismissed by the King of Sweden and all about him with very high expressions of Friendship that King telling him that in whatsoever place of the World he were he would ever look upon him as one of his own As he was returning home he received the following Letter from the King James I Wrote to you in my last to find a pretext to come home but now I must tell you it is not fit to stay any longer where you are for the impossibility of your Employment there and the necessity of your business here requires your return so that at this time I 'le say no more but Nil mihi rescribas attamen ipse veni for you shall be no sooner come than welcome to Your faithful Friend and Cousin CHARLES R. Hampton-Court 24 Sept. 1632. And thus ended the Marquis his Expedition into Germany wherein if he missed that Success which himself or others had expected it was no miscarriage nor neglect of his own nor could it be said that he had failed in a jot of what he undertook though almost in every particular the King of Sweden failed to him neither was any thing so much the occasion of these neglects he met
is here said of these matters shall be It is well known that in Scotland the first Reformation from the corruptions of Popery was Popular without the concurrence or allowance of Supreme Authority though the Nobility for the most part joyned in it and the Preachers being the chief actors and prosecutors of it came to have great power over the People and interest with the Nobility The Ministers were popular and factious It continued thus during King Iames his Minority but no sooner came he to assume the Government and to consider the state of the Kingdom than he found the power the Ministers had with the People was swelled to such insolence that it was more than necessary to limit it to its just bounds for nothing passed in the Court or Council but their Pulpits did ring with it and no favour was shewed to any that were Popishly affected but Jealousies were infused into the minds of the People as if Religion had been in hazard and the People being then in their first fervours against Popery were apt to take those Alarms pretty hot neither did the King cherish any who was not devoted to them but they did represent him a Favourer of Popery They also held Opinions which savoured too much of that Church which was so odious to them concerning the power of their Assemblies and their not being accountable for what they preached how Treasonable soever till it were first judged by the Church-Judicatory where all such things were sure of a mild Censure to say no worse divers other Tenets they held which were judged inconsistent with good Government But many of them being popular Preachers and of insinuative tempers they were much depended upon by the People who looked on all their Excesses as holy zeal King Iames bent all his thoughts to the regulating of this King Iames brought in Episcopacy and judging that the onely course to effectuate it was to have some few of greater temper and discretion to be set over the rest he studied by all means to get Episcopacy introduced in Scotland promising himself by that means an infallible remedy of all these Evils of which he was extremely sensible though his great Gentleness made him very slow in punishing them but they foreseeing well the Kings Intentions and the effects they might produce did as cautiously resist all his attempts that way though not without great and long opposition I shall not tell what endeavours that wise and peaceable King used for compassing of his designs nor with what hindrances they were obstructed but no sooner was he happily settled on the Throne of England but he went more roundly to work and yet it was not without opposition that he got Episcopacy settled and ratified in Parliament Anno 1612. But though great art was used to get Assemblies framed to the Kings designs he could never compass it Episcopacy being settled King Iames also erected a High Commission Court for punishing such as offended against that Constitution of the Church This Court was made up of Bishops and other Noblemen and Gentlemen but the Bishops being those who kept the Diets of it best most of the Secular persons absenting themselves often on design and the Bishops leading all matters in it it was counted their Court and the odium of all that passed there fell to their share This step being made King Iames advanced towards an Uniformity with England in Worship and other Ceremonies moved to it either that he might thereby make way for the Union of both Kingdoms which of all things he most desired or that he might root the seeds of Puritanism out of Scotland But in this he met greater opposition and all the progress he made in it was that in one Assembly it was decreed there should be a Liturgy drawn for the use of the Church of Scotland and in another at Perth the Five Articles that bore the name of that place were settled not without great contradiction and these were the Confirmation of Children Private Baptism Private Communion in cases of necessity Kneeling in Communicating the Observation of the Holy days of the Nativity Passion Resurrection Ascension and Pentecost Those were also established in Parliament Anno 1621. where the Marquis his Father was Commissioner and managed that Affair so dexterously that it gained him an equal share of esteem and hatred these things being generally very odious As King Iames was going on warily in this design he died King Iames dies lamented and admired by all the World and even those who had irritated him most when alive did bewail his Death with deep and just regrates He was succeeded in his Throne by his onely Son CHARLES the First who was zealously conscientious for Episcopacy King Charles goes on in hiâ— designs for the Church so what his Father begun out of Policy was prosecuted by him out of Conscience The Bishops therefore were cherished by him with all imaginable expressions of kindness and confidence but they lost all their esteem with the People and that upon divers accounts The People of Scotland had drunk in a deep prejudice against every thing that savoured of Popery Prejudices are conceived against the Biâ—hops This the Bishops judged was too high and therefore took all means possible to lessen it both in Sermons and Discourses mollifying their Opinions and commending their Persons not without some reflections on the Reformers But this was so far from gaining their design that it abated nothing of the zeal was against Popery they are charged with Popery but very much heightned the rage against themselves as favouring it too much There were also subtile Questions started some years before in Holland about Predestination and Grace and Arminius his Opinion and Arminianism as it was condemned in a Synod at Dort so was generally ill reported of in all Reformed Churches and no-where worse than in Scotland but most of the Bishops and their Adherents undertook openly and zealously the defence of these Tenets and breach of Sabbath Likewise the Scotish Ministers and People had ever a great respect to the Lords Day and generally the Morality of it is reckoned an Article of Faith among them but the Bishops not onely undertook to beat down this Opinion but by their Practices expressed their neglect of that Day and after all this they declared themselves avowed Zealots for the Liturgy and Ceremonies of England which were held by the Zealous of Scotland all one with Popery Upon these accounts it was that they lost all their esteem with the People Neither stood they in better terms with the Nobility The Nobility became jealous of them who at that time were as considerable as ever Scotland saw them and so proved both more sensible of Injuries and more capable of resenting them They were offended with them because they seemed to have more interest with the King than themselves had so that Favours were mainly distributed by their
asked why His Majesty had called him the King said to be a Witness of what was done and because he had been before acquainted with the proceedings of that business he was also to be informed of what passed thereafter Then the Marquis desired to know what the Bishops expected he could doe they answered nothing but procure the Peace of the Country and good of the Church he desired they would contribute their assistance for reclaiming the Ministery who were once conformable and for the Ministers that were censured but were now stirring he should deal with them They answered their power was small at that time and their danger great and so inclined to stay still at London but that was overruled the Marquis undertaking that so far as in him lay he should stand betwixt them and danger The Archbishop of Canterbury said much and well on this head so it was agreed that they should go home Next the King expressed how necessary he conceived it was that every one of them should live in their own Diocese Canterbury seconded this and the Bishops acknowledged it was the best way Much was said concerning General Assemblies and that Ecclesiastical matters ought to have been introduced by them and the Marquis was ordered to give assurance that in all time coming nothing substantial should be introduced in the Church but by them Much debate passed about the Oath of admission of Ministers and it was concluded it should be no other than what was warranted by the Law and the Bishops were required to be sparing and moderate for the present both in urging that and the Ceremonies All this His Majesty concluded with his wishes for good success adding that the Marquis had been so far from seeking this Imployment that he had commanded him much against his will to undertakâ— the journey This was in the beginning of May and upon the 7th of May Letters were directed to Scotland giving notice of the Resolutions taken to the Nobility the Marquis wrote also to all his Friends and Dependers to meet him at Hadington the 5th of Iune The next thing that was taken into consideration was the drawing up of his Instructions A Commission in the ordinary form being first drawn there were two Proclamations signed by the King both which are extant the one written with the Earl of Traquair's hand the other by the Marquis the first whereof follows CHARLES R. CHARLES by the Grace of God King of Scotland England The Proclamation sent by the Marquis France and Ireland Defender of the Faith to our Lovits our Sheriffs in that part conjunctly and severally specially constitute Greeting Forsamiekle as We are not ignorant of the great Disorders which have happened of late within this Our ancient Kingdom of Scotland occasioned as is pretended upon the introduction of the Service-book Book of Canons and High Commission thereby fearing Innovations of Religion and Laws for satisfaction of which Fears We well hoped that the two Proclamations of the eleventh of December and nineteenth of February had been abundantly sufficient nevertheless finding that Disorders have daily so increased that a powerful rather than a persuasive way might have been justly expected from Vs yet We out of Our innate Indulgence to Our People grieving to see them run themselves so headlong into Ruine are graciously pleased to try if by a fair way We can reclaim them from their faults rather than let them perish in the same And therefore once for all We have thought fit to declare and hereby to assure all Our good People that We neither are were nor by the Grace of God ever shall be stained with Popish Superstition but by the contrary are resolved to maintain the true Protestant Christian Religion already professed within this Our ancient Kingdom And for further clearing of Scruples We do hereby assure all men that We will neither now nor hereafter press the practice of the aforesaid Canons and Service-book or any thing of that nature but in such a fair and legal way as shall satisfie all Our loving Subjects that We neither intend Innovation in Religion or Laws and for the High Commission We shall so rectifie it with the help of advice of Our Privy Council that it shall never impugn the Laws nor be a just Grievance to Our Loyal Subjects And as hereby it may appear how careful We are to satisfie the foresaid Fears how needless soever of Our good Subjects * So We do hold Our Selves obliged both in Conscience and Honour to hinder the course of that which may prejudge that Royal Authority which God has endued Vs with wherefore understanding that many of Our Subjects have run themselves into seditious and undutiful courses and willing to reduce them rather by a benign than forcible mean because We hope that most of them are drawn thereto blindly out of fear of Innovations are content hereby to declare and promise upon the Word of a King to pardon what is past and not to take notice of the by-gone faults no not so much as of those factious and seditious Bonds upon condition that they seek to Our Mercy by disclaiming the same and in testification of the true sense of their Misdemeanors that they deliver up or continuâ— with their best endeavours to procure the delivering up of the said Bonds into the hands of Our Council or such as Our Council shall appoint Declaring always likeas We by these presents do declare all these to be esteemed and reputed as Traitors in all time coming that shall not renounce and disclaim the said Bond or Bonds within after the publication hereof that is to say Whosoever will from henceforth be thought a good Subject and capable of Our Mercy must either deliver up the same in case he have it or concur with his best endeavours to the delâ—vering up thereof or at least must come to some of Our Privy Council or chief Officers in Burgh or Land and testifie to him that he renounces and disclaims the said Bonds Our Will is therefore and We charge you straitly and command that incontinent this Our Letteâ— seen c. C. R. The other Proclamation penned by the Marquis agrees with the former to the place that is marked * after which it follows thus Another Proclamation So We expect that their behaviour will be such as may give testimony of their Obedience and how sensible they are of Our Grace and Favour that thus pass over their Misdemeanours and by their future carriage make appear it was onely the fear of Innovations that caused those Disorders that have happened of late in this Our Kingdom which now cannot but by this Our Declaration be removed from the hearts of Our loving Subjects but on the contrary if we find not this performed with that chearfulness and alacrity that becomes good and obedient Subjects We declare and hold Our Self obliged in Honour and Conscience to make use of those forcible means which God hath armed Royal Authority with
the use of the new Service-book are to be suspended and to be of no force hereafter You shall declare Our pleasure to Our two Archbishops as soon as the Country is any way settled that it is Our Pleasure that every Bishop shall live within his own Diocess except upon his own urgent occasions or that he be commanded from Vs or the Council to attend there for Our Service which I intend as seldom as may be You shall refuse Complaints against no man in particular whether Officers of State Councellours or Bishops so that it be against their Persons and not their Places All those Ministers who have been displaced by the seditious Multitude are to be so soon as conveniently may be repossessed again as they were As for silenced Ministers you may connive at their Preaching if you find it may tend to the quieting of the Country For the Organs in the Abby-Church We leave them to your discretion when to be used and to advertise Me of your opinion You are to cause insert 6 Weeks in Our Declaration for the delivery up of the Covenant and if you find cause less You shall declare that if there be not sufficient Strength within the Kingdom to force the refractory to Obedience Power shall come from England and that My Self will come in Person with them being resolved to hazard My Life rather than to suffer Authority to be contemned If you shall find cause you are to raise a Guard of 200 or more to attend Our Council You may treat with the Earl of Marr for the keeping of Our Castles of Edinburgh and Sterlin and for the present he must be charged with their safe Custody You shall take seriously into consideration the Copper-coyn and declare Our willingness to remedy the Evils that have risen thereby or what else the Subjects may justly complain of You may declare that as We never intended to assume the Nominating the Provost of Our Town of Edinburgh so We mean not by Our too frequent Letters to hinder the free Election of their own Officers You may likewise declare if you find cause that as We never did so by Gods Grace We never will stop the course of Iustice by any private directions of Ours but will leave Our Lords of Session and other Iudges to administer Iustice as they will be answerable to God and Vs. If you cannot by the means prescribed by Vs bring back the refractory and seditious to due Obedience We do not onely give you Authority but command all hostile Acts whatsoever to be used against them they having deserved to be used no other way by Vs but as a Rebellious People for the doing whereof We will not onely save you harmless but account it as acceptable Service done Vs. Such of these Instructions as you shall find cause We give you leave to divulge and make use of as you find Our Service shall require C. R. At Whitehall the 16th May 1638. All things being thus expeded he took leave a few days after The Marquâ—â— goes for Scoâ—land His Majesty having ordered him to write often to himself and to my Lord of Canterbury he being the onely English person trusted with the secrets of that business The Earl of Sterlin was then Secretary of State for Scotland but as the Copper-coyn made him at that time odious there so he was little esteemed in the Court and not at all imployed in Affairs except in matters of course Sir Henry Vane and the Marquis had contracted a Friendship in the Swedish Camp and so did keep a Correspondence yet that was most about accounts of the posture the King was in in England and what he could do by Force if Treaty could not prevail But with my Lord of Canterbury he kept a constant and free Intercourse and whatever that Archbishop might have been formerly in Scotish Affairs being abused by persons who did not truly represent them to him he was certainly a good Instrument this year which appears from his Letters to the Marquis with the Copies of his Returns which are extant where there were great Jealousies of him My Lord Commissioner begun his Journey about the end of May and on his way he met Letters from Scotland telling him that great Jealousies were raised and vented upon his advertising so many to meet him as if he had some strange design and that his Vassals in Cliddisdale were under high pains discharged to come and pay the duty they owed the Kings Commissioner and their own Superiour On the third of Iune he came to Berwick and there the Earl of Roxburgh met him who told him in what fury all People were and how small hopes there remained of prevailing upon the grounds he was to go on he answered he was resolved to follow his Instructions and be at his hazard Next day the Earl of Lauderdale with my Lord Lindsay came to him and from the later he learned that they would never give up the Covenant that they would have the five Articles of Perth abolished Episcopacy limited so that it should be little more than a Name and if these things were not granted them and a General Assembly and Parliament not called quickly they would call them themselves before the great Crouds at Edinburgh were scattered There was also no small Disorder in Edinburgh at this time for they had notice that there was a Ship in the Road loaded with Arms and Ammunition from which they took the Alarm having it represented much beyond the truth 200 Musquets and as many Pikes with a small quantity of Powder being all the Arms that were in the Ship They resolved to go out the next day and seize the Ship which had been easily done it being onely a Merchant-Vessel but the Earl of Traquair apprehending the hazard caused all the Arms to be sent down in a Boat that night to Fisher-raw and got Carts and presently transported them to Dalkeith which was then the Kings House This enraged the Covenanters when known by them next day and some of the more forward moved that they should presently go to Dalkeith and take them out by force but the wiser of them stopped this yet they set sure Guards around the Castle of Edinburgh and at all the Ports of the City that none of them might be carried thither This meeting with the Marquis his coming down was made use of by the Incendiaries to persuade the People that he designed mischief by these Arms and by the Advertisements he had formerly given another hellish report was also spread that he designed to call a Meeting of the chief Covenanters of all Ranks to Dalkeith and there to blow them up whereupon they resolved not to go out nor treat with him there at all All this was done to irritate the People into a prejudice against him of which he gave Advertisements to the King and held on his Journey The first thing he did was to inform himself exactly of all Matters and Persons
that he might accordingly apply himself to his business but he found things in a greater disorder than he could have imagined He finds the Country in a very ill posture Almost the whole Council did favour the Covenant and the Bishops were hated by all so that there were few or none whom he durst trust the Earls of Traquair Roxburgh and Southesk were the men he found best affected yet even their Limitations vexed him My Lord Lorn who about the end of the year by his Fathers death was Earl of Argyle seemed to go on with the Kings Service but he was suspected both by the King and the Marquis to favour the Covenant In a word those of the Council who were best set were yet overawed by the fury and threats of the other Party The Marquis of Huntley was forward in His Majesties Service but the Marquis was obliged to send him North to keep that Country which was yet peaceable in order Many Lawyers were of the Covenanters side and chiefly the Kings Advocate Sir Tho. Hope which was one of the greatest troubles the Marquis met with for he being a stranger to the Scotish Law in which the other was skilled as much as ever any was was often at a great loss for he durst advise with him in nothing and often the Kings Advocate alledged Law at the Council-Board against what he was pressing Of this he complained frequently to the King and intended to have discharged him the Council but he durst scarce adventure on it lest others should have removed with him He tried what he could doe to get some Lawyers to declare the Covenant to be against Law but that was not to be done Sir Lewis Stewart promised private assistance but said that if he appeared in publick in that matter he was ruined Sir Thomas Nicolson who was the only man fit to be set up against the Kings Advocate though he had never all his life before pretended to a nicety in these matters yet begun now to alledge Scruples of Conscience Next to this the Marquis dealt with the Covenanters who were chiefly the Earls of Rothes Cassils Montrose Lowdon Lothian my Lords of Lindsay Yester Balmerino and Cranston these were the chief Contrivers and Actors though they had many followers and abettors of all Qualities With these he dealt by all means possible but neither could Reason convince them nor Assurance satisfie them nor Promises or Cajolery prevail with them nor Threats overrule them He quickly saw that nothing could be obtained from the Covenanters by way of Treaty and therefore before he left Berwick He puts the King on his guard to look for mischief from the Covenanters he advertised the King to prepare himself for teaching them their Duty by Authority since milder ways were like to prove ineffectual He also found the Country very destitute of Arms and that the Covenanters were beginning to give order for furnishing themselves from several places of which he also advertised the King desiring him to send in all haste Expresses to his Agents in Holland Hamburgh Denmark Sweden and Poland to stop any Arms might be bought up by Scotish men At first when the Marquis came to Dalkeith who fortifie themselves and are insolent he heard that 1500 men were set to guard the Ports of Edinburgh and that they of the Tables had taken the Keys of the City from the Magistrates and had some thoughts of securing the Castle of Edinburgh which had been easily done if attempted there being neither Arms nor Ammunition within it But the wiser of them thought it fitter onely to set Guards about it by which it was rendred useless rather than make so hasty a Rupture and the more violent threatned they would force both Commissioner Council and Session to take the Covenant All this the Marquis heard but he might well regrate it but had no power to curb it for they were resolved to hear of no Proclamation unless with the discharge of the Service-book and Book of Canons the Articles of Perth were also promised to be abrogated Episcopacy promised to be limited and an Assembly and Parliament presently called But his Instructions being so far short of this he durst not adventure on publishing His Majesties Declaration knowing it would meet with a Protestation and as for that part of it which concerned the Covenant my Lords of Traquair and Roxburgh told him he was the ruine of the Country if he did not divide the Declaration and wholly leave out what concerned the Covenant this he said he would yield to and put his Head in the Kings Mercy if they could assure him that thereby matters might be settled The Marquis gives a clear representation of the state of Affairs Of all this he advertised the King and told him he must resolve either to yield to all they demanded or haste down his Fleet quickly with 2000 Land-souldiers in it and send down Arms to the Northern Counties of England advising him also to send Souldiers for Garrisoning of Berwick and Carlisle 1500 for Berwick and 500 for Carlisle and that His Majesty would resolve to follow these Orders in Person with a Royal Army and there was no doubt of Victory if the matter were well managed but he represented withall that His Majesty would consider how far in His Wisdom He would connive at the madness of His own poor People or how far in His Justice He would punish their folly assuring Him their present madness was such that nothing but Force would make them quit their Covenant and that they would all lay down their Lives ere they would give it up But that which he applied himself first to was the dispersing of the Multitudes After he held a Council at Dalkeith where His Commission was onely read and registred he received Addresses from the Town of Edinburgh He goes to Edinburgh humbly inviting him to come to Holyroodhouse which he refused unless the extraordinary Guards about their Ports and the Castle were dismissed But this being done he went thither on the ninth of Iune they were guessed to be about 60000 that met him the greatest number that Nation had seen together of a great while among whom there were about 500 Ministers and four of the most zealous had resolved to entertain him with Speeches but this he shunned not without great difficulty so earnest were they to be disburdened of their Harangues but they came to him in private and with great vehemency not without tears in their eyes represented the danger Religion was in but kept themselves within bounds and mollifies some of the Covenanters And now he came to have access to their ears and this was followed by that which always attended the engaging sweetness of his Converse for he began to gain ground on their affections he shewed them how firm the King was to the Protestant Religion and how ready to hazard Life and Crown in the defence of it that if any error
had been committed in the way of introducing the late Books His Majesty did more than correct that by His gracious Condescensions that he was resolved as soon as the Country was settled to call both an Assembly and Parliament if they themselves obstructed it not but withall he represented to them the madness of hazarding on a Rupture with the King they knew it would not be uneasie to engage England against them the Kings Navy was in good case and it would be no trouble to the King to destroy their Trade which would quickly impoverish the Country therefore he desired they would follow such courses as might redeem themselves and their Country from Ruine and Infamy This prevailed with divers and all acknowledged there was that strength of reason in his Discourse that it was not easie to resist him long and see him much but there were rough and wild Spirits who could neither be tamed nor tuned right by it yet the Multitudes began to disperse but the Covenant was so dear to them that it was the endangering of all to speak of delivering it up On the 15th of Iune he received the following Answer from His Majesty to the Accounts he had sent him Hamilton THough I answered not yours of the fourth yet I assure you that I have not been idle so that I hope by the next week I shall send you some good assurance of the advancing of our Preparations This say not to make you precipitate any thing for I like of all you have hitherto done and even of that which I find you mind to doe but to shew you that I mean to stick to my Grounds and that I expect not any thing can reduce that People to their Obedience but onely Force I thank you for the clearness of your Advertisements of all which none troubles me so much as that in a manner they have possessed themselves of the Castle of Edinburgh and likewise I hold Sterlin as good as lost As for the dividing of my Declaration I find it most fit in that way you have resolved it to which I shall adde that I am content to forbear the latter part thereof until you hear my Fleet hath set sail for Scotland In the mean time your care must be how to dissolve the Multitude and if it be possible to possess your self of my Castles of Edinburgh and Sterlin which I do not expect And to this end I give you leave to flatter them with what hopes you please so you engage not me against my Grounds and in particular that you consent neither to the calling of Parliament nor General Assembly untill the Covenant be disavowed and given up your chief end being now to win time that they may not commit publick Follies untill I be ready to suppress them and since it is as you well observe my own People which by this means will be for a time ruined so that the loss must be inevitably mine and this if I could eschew were it not with a greater were well But when I consider that not onely now my Crown but my Reputation for ever lies at stake I must rather suffer the first that Time will help than this last which is irreparable This I have written to no other end than to shew you I will rather die than yield to those impertinent and damnable Demands as you rightly call them for it is all one as to yield to be no King in a very short time So wishing you better success than I can expect I rest Your assured constant Friend CHARLES R. Greenwich 11 June 1638. POSTSCRIPT As the Affairs are now I do not expect that you should declare the Adherers to the Covenant Traitors until as I have already said you have heard from me that my Fleet hath set Sail for Scotland though your six weeks should be elapsed In a word gain time by all the honest means you can without forsaking your Grounds But he had taken his Resolution about this set down in the Postscript before he got the Kings Answer He delays to publish the Proclamation to avoid an affront for he wrote to the Archbishop of Canterbury that he was resolved on it finding the hazard on the one side was a present Rupture which would have been the ruine of the Kings Affairs and of all his Friends whereas the hazard of not doing it was onely the cutting off his Head for transgressing his Instructions which he was willing not onely to endanger but lose for the Kings Service But till the Multitudes were wholly dispersed he duâ—st not hazard on the the publishing of the Proclamation lest Authority might have met with an affront in it This was now doing apace Commissioners onely staying in name of the rest but all the Ministers hearing that the Covenant must be given up or no Treaty made their Pulpits ring with it and the Marquis was to purpose inveighed against some not sparing to say that the faggots in Hell were prepared for his reward but all declared they would never quit their Covenant but with their Lives A Protestation was also resolved on whenever the Declaration should be published which made it be delayed a little longer and it was told him by the Kings Advocate that a Protestation might be legally made and that it had been done so in the year 1621. But for all this things begun to promise some likelyhood ofSettlement which made him write to the King not to proceed in his warlike Preparations till things were more desperate to which he received the following Answer Hamilton THe dealing with Multitudes makes diversity of Advertisement no way strange and certainly the alteration from worse to less ill cannot be displeasing wherefore you may be confident I cannot but approve your Proceedings hitherto for certainly you have gained a very considerable point in making the heady Multitude begin to disperse without having engaged me in any unfitting thing I shall take your advice in staying the publick Preparations for Force but in a silent way by your leave I will not leave to prepare that I may be reaâ—y upon the least advertisement Now I hope there may be a possibility of securing my Castles but I confess it must be done closely and cunningly One of the chief things you are to labour now is to get a considerable number of Sessioners and Advocates to give their opiniâ—n that the Covenant is at least against Law if not treasonable Thus you have my Approbation in several shapes tâ—erefore you need not doubt but that I am Your assured constant Friend CHARLES R. Theobalds 13 Jun. 1638. At this time the Session sate not He advises the King to bring back the Session to Edinburgh for the Town and Country about Sterlin threatned them so that they could not return thither wherefore the Marquis desired a Warrant from the King to bring the Session back to Edinburgh both because it was not fit they should be too far from himself and the Council
the Accompts of his Trustees at that time Upon the Kings Pleasure that was signified by the Archbishop of Canterbury the Marquis emitted a Proclamation for the Sessions sitting down on the second of Iuly at Edinburgh The Session sits again at Edinburgh and thither he went that day to intimate to them His Majesties Goodness for them in noâ— putting them to the trouble and expence of removing their Families elsewhere wherefore he recommended His Majesties Service to them and that if any thing came from the Tables they should not fail to pass that Censure on it which was according to Law Next he called for the Covenanters Petitions which he promised to present to His Majesty and return them an Answer betwixt that and the fifth of August with which they were satisfied for that time On the fourth of Iuly he held a Council and presented the Kings Declaration to the Councellours and having before-hand prepared most of them with a great deal of industry he got it signed by them all an Act passed The Kings Proclamation is published and protested against that the Subjects ought to rest satisfied with it It was immediately sent to the Market-cross and proclaimed but notwithstanding all the Grace it contained it met with a Protestation from the Tables But upon the back of this the Marquis met with one of the most troublesome passages of his whole Negotiation There were some Councellours who were not satisfied with the Declaration and those he got to be absent from Council that day but divers of thosâ— who had signed the Act that the Subjects ought to rest satisfied with the Declaration came afterwards to him telling him that he had pressed them to what they had not well considered when they did it but upon second thoughts they found they had wronged their Consciences wherefore they desired he would call a new Council The Council is inconstant that they might retract what they had done This he studied to divert by all means representing how contrary it would be to their Honour and to the Kings Service and Good of the Country and so he shook them off that night but next day those and many more came to him with the same Desires and say or do what he could nothing would prevail with them for they told him plainly if he called not a Council they would find another way to make their Retractation well enough known and that was to subscribe the Covenant The Marquis having spoken with the whole Council apart found that three parts of four would immediately fall off if he gave them not satisfaction and judging that such a visible breach with the Council would ruine the Kings Affairs therefore since the Act was not registred but onely subscribed he thought the Course that had least danger in it was to tear it before them by this means he got that storm calmed All this while that he had been in Scotland he had not forgot the Kings Orders about his Castles The Marquis takes care of the Kings Castles Dumbriton was secured though it run a risque the Constable being at London and the Under-keeper taking the Covenant but he called home Sir William Stewart who was Constable under the Duke of Lennox to wait on his Charge and this delivered him from that hazard As for Edinburgh-Castle which was then in the Earl of Marre's hand it cost him more trouble Divers of the Earl of Marre's friends who had much credit with him being not well inclined and much being trusted to the Constable he durst not in the Kings Name require him to yield it up lest that had hasted on a Rupture and he could not prevail by fairer ways at first but the issue of this shall be told in its due place This being done the Marquis took his Journey He takes Journey and on the way he had the following Letter from His Majesty Hamilton I Hope that this will find you on the way hitherward wherefore remitting all business till I speak with you these Lines are only to hearten you in your Iourney for I think that it will be very much for my Service So desiring you to make as much haste as the weather will permit I rest Your assured constant Friend CHARLES R. Greenwich the 9th July 1638. POSTSCRIPT Forget not to bring with you the Copies of all the Proclamations and Protestations that have been made When he came to Court he gave the King a full account of all had passed in Scotland and of the strength and fury of the Covenanters and gives the King an account of Affairs together with the inconstancy of many of the Council and how His Majesty had been abused in the hopes he was put in of the readiness of his Preparations in England which I gather from some little Notes he took of things and the Copies of his Letters He next told His Majesty that nothing prevailed so much on the Vulgar in Scotland as the cursed insinuations were given of His Majesties staggering in the Protestant Religion wherefore he proposed that His Majesty might cause renew the Confession of Faith which was established at the Reformation and ratified in Parliament An. 1567 and to that His Majesty did readily consent At length His Majesty having considered for some days of the whole Affair and having fully debated every particular with the Marquis and my Lord of Canterbury in end His Goodness and Paternal Affection for his poor Subjects overcame all that Indignation which their Actions had raised in him wherefore he resolved on enlarging his Instructions which he did as follows CHARLES R. YOV shall try by all means to see if the Council will sign the Confession of Faith established by Act of Parliament and gets new and fuller Instructions with the new Bond joyned thereto but you are not publickly to put it to Voting except you be sure to carry it and thereafter that probably they will stand to it If the Council do sign it though the Covenanters refuse you shall proceed to the indicting of a free General Assembly and though you cannot procure the Council to sign it yet you are to proceed to the indicting thereof if you find that no other Course can quiet business at this time You shall labour by all fair means that the sitting of the Assembly be not before the first of November or longer if you can obtain it for the place We are pleased to leave it to your election for the manner of indicting you must be as cautious as you can and strive to draw it as near as may be to the former Assemblies in my Fathers time You must labour that Bishops may have Votes in Assemblies which if you cannot obtain then you are to protest in their Favours in the most formal manner you can think of As for the Moderator in the Assembly you are to labour that he may be a Bishop which though you cannot obtain yet you must give way to
most assured who expressed their satisfaction to the full Then he pressed it might be put to the Vote which was there debated at length but some desired they might proceed more maturely since it was a Confession of Faith they were to sign This could not be refused and so was followed by a long debate and in end many desired they might not be put to sign it that night The Marquis remembring the Disorder had followed upon the last Act and resolving not to run such a risque again said he did not desire it should be signed that night but that they should be ready for it next morning withall protesting he would have none sign it but such whose Consciences were satisfied and who were ready to hazard Life and Fortune in the prosecution of it and so after he had caused Registrate His Majesties Letter they rose about ten a clock at night Most part of that night he spent in labouring those who had Scruples and consulting with such as were well affected In the morning the Clerk-Register and Kings Advocate came to draw the Forms of indicting the Assembly The Kings Advocate seemed unwilling it should be according to the style used in King Iames his latest times and much opposed by the Covenanters but he was over-ruled About six in the morning the Earl of Rothes and many of the Covenanting Lords desired access and the Marquis calling as many of the Council together as could be had of a sudden admitted them Rothes in the name of the rest said they heard the Council were to sign the old Confession of Faith and to publish a Declaration thereabout which they desired might be delayed till Monday next and then they doubted not to be able to give good reasons why they should not doe it The Marquis replied he should return them an Answer by the advice of the Lords of the Council quickly and from them he went to Council being firmly resolved to admit of no delay knowing that it was sought on design to divide the Council The Covenanters upon their Petition were called in to the Council and they raised a long Debate which lasted about four hours and in the end no delay was granted at which the Covenanters were infinitely discontented and went away not without some big words At length after three hours more debate amongst the Councellours The Council â—est satisfied with His Majesties offers it was carried without a contrary voice that the Confession should be presently signed next the Proclamation of Grace was ordered to be published with another for indicting an Assembly at Glasgow the 21th of November and another for a Parliament at Edinburgh the 15th of May next then they passed an Act declaring their full satisfaction with His Majesties Concessions together with a Letter of Thanks to His Majesty expressing their full satisfaction with large Engagements to adhere constantly to His Service and so they rose at four a clock having sate from seven in the morning The Proclamations were immediately sent to the Cross yet the Covenanters protest which there met with Protestations but many judged they went upon Grounds so weak that it was visible they were designed for no other end but to keep the People from being satisfied and to hinder the Subscription of the Confession and Bond. Many of the Council were displeased with the Protestation and swore to the Marquis that since Religion was now secured they would appear in another manner for the Kings Interest but all he could do could not persuade them to pass a Censure upon the Protestation as Seditious Next there were Commissions given out for the Shires to seek in Subscriptions to the Confession of Faith and the Earl of Rothes and some other Covenanters were joyned in the Commission for the several Shires which was censured by many but most of all by the King himself who knew not how to construct of this as will appear by a Letter which will be inserted in its place But most of the Councellours were earnest for it upon these Reasons that it gave these Lords a fair opportunity of retreating if they would accept of it it might also confirm all that the Kings Indemnity was designed to be Real when such persons were so soon trusted it might give some Jealousie to the other Covenanters against those who were so trusted as if under-hand they had given some Engagements But chiefly the Body of the People would be very much persuaded that the thing was designed in earnest when they read those Names in the Commissions Upon these Grounds the Marquis yielded to the desires of the Councellours and the King was fully satisfied when he was informed about it which will quickly appear Upon the notice His Majesty had of what passed he wrote the following Letter Hamilton I Have no time now to make my observations upon your Proceedings therefore now I shall onely tell you that I approve them all in what concerns your part of them and that not onely so but that I esteem it to be very great Service as the times are This much I thought necessary at this time to encourage you in your Proceedings my next shall be longer yet this is enough to assure you that I am Your assured constant Friend CHARLES R. Hampton-Court 30 Sept. 1638. This being done the Marquis his next Work was to preserve Episcopacy which was in visible hazard since the worst-affected every where were chosen Commissioners for the Assembly The Marquis apprehends the design against Episcopacy and of this he advertised the King desiring him to go on with his Preparations for fear of the worst and particularly he remembred him of the Resolution he had taken about Berwick which was that because Souldiers could not be levied in England and sent thither without making a direct Breach therefore a thousand and five hundred Souldiers should be levied in the Prince of Orange his Name in Holland and these be suddenly shipped and as suddenly landed at Berwick for securing of that place But withall he advertised His Majesty to go on with much secrecy lest the Covenanters might take the start of him and therefore he advised the stopping of a Magazine that was to be sent to Hull which since it was not presently to be made use of he thought might lie as well in the Tower of London as there And to this Dispatch he had the following Answer Hamilton I See by yours of the 27th of September that the Malignity of the Covenanters is greater than ever so that if you who are my true Servants do not use extraordinary Care and Industry my Affairs in that Kingdom are likely rather to grow worse than better therefore you that do your endeavours accordingly deserve the more praise and your opposers the more punishment and in my mind this last Protestation deserves more than any thing yet they have done for if raising of Sedition be Treason this can be judged no less And methinks if
such Petitions wherein the Bishops were not designed as they ought to have been but were called either pretended Bishops or late Ministers of the Places where they served before their Promotion were rejected and some Signatures being offered in Exchequer wherein they were so designed Traquair took them and tore them to pieces Of all this the Covenanters complained as if Justice were denied but it was told them that if they went to force the Session it would be High Treason and that they would never yield to them But the four Covenanting Lords of the Session having passed Petitions wherein the Bishops were so called these were stopt at the Signet The Covenanters made also great Complaints to the Council of some persons who had written to England of their Designs to invade it of which they protested themselves innocent and craved liberty to pursue their Slanderers but that was laid aside only a Letter was written about it to the King Yet all at least most of the Council what through fear what through inclination went along with the Covenanters and such as stood firm to their Duty were forced to fly into England The Covenanters made sure work of all the Shires They become Masters of all Scotland onely in Tweddale Traquair resisted them a little and got their Meetings to be deserted for two or three Diets but that was all he could doe In Teviotdale the Earl of Roxburgh kept all right and begun to levy men as well as others but he was faintly followed The Marquis of Douglass was not able to doe His Majesty that Service his Illustrious Ancestours had done the former Kings for himself was a Papist and so not followed by the Friends and Dependers of that Noble Family so that all the Marquis could doe was to go and wait upon His Majesty and offer his House of Tentallon to be made use of as the King pleased But the Covenanters seized both it and his House of Douglass and thus all on the South of Tay was lost without stroke of Sword But in Angus the Earls of Airly and Southesk made more vigorous resistance to the Attempts of the Covenanters and were able to have made that Country good for the King but could not withstand the Force came upon them from other Places They all armed and Earl Airly stood out to the Pacification but Southesk was fitter for a Council than a Camp and seeing inevitable Ruine to follow since the Kings Preparations went on so slowly he struck sail and came to Edinburgh Huntley gave them more trouble for my Lord of Montrose and Kinghorn with some others coming to hold a Committee at Turreff in that County he gathered so many together and came so near them that they were forced to disperse themselves yet he kept up his Commission of Lieutenantry acting onely in the quality of a Peer and Councellour But they resolved since they could doe nothing against him with the men of that Shire to bring a Body from other Places to ruine him The want which pinched the Covenanters most at first was of good Officers and this made General Lesley who at that time had acquired much Fame in the Wars of Germany get an earnest Invitation sent him from the Earl of Rothes in the name of the Covenanteâ—s to come home to command their Forces upon which he did quit his Employment there and came to Scotland with many other Commanders He was chosen their General and undertook the Service with much Joy And this was the Posture and Preparations of Scotland which I draw from the Letters that are yet extant written to the Marquis from the Lords of Traquair Huntley Airly and Roxburgh Mean-while the King went on making all the haste with his Levies and Preparations that was possible in which none acted his part with more Fidelity and better Dispatch than the Earl of Northumberland who was Admiral and discharged what was committed to him so well that nothing was defective that concerned the Fleet. But the Marquis found the Hearts of many of the English Nobility both backward and cold and in particular he assured the King that he saw much Heartiness was not to be expected from some of the general Officers which the King apprehending The King emits his Declaration of the Reasons of the War trusted them as little as was possible About the middle of March the King published a Declaration of the Reasons of his Expedition against Scotland which was followed by a larger one commonly called the Large Declaration or Manifesto penned by Balcanqual and revised by His Majesty in which a full account was given of the rise and progress of the Combustions of Scotland of which no more shall be said it being so commonly known save that from the account hath been given it will appear how unjustly that Book was charged to be full of Lies and Calumnies The Covenanters begin the War The News of this coming to Scotland set all a-flaming whereupon they first sent in Papers and Letters through all England and to the Court vindicating themselves with high Protestations that they designed not the Invasion of England as had bâ—en misrepresented and therefore they expected no Hostility from thâ—m to whom they neither did nor intended hurt These Letters were said not to be ill-received even by some at Court who were in the highest Trust. The Covenanters also resolved to take the start of the King and so on the 23th of March General Lesley with some Companies went to the Castle of Edinburgh and petarded the Gates and set Ladders to the Walls and carried it no resistance being made from those within It is true much could not be made but that could not wipe off their stain who yielded that impregnable and important Place so faintly The occasion of their negligence was that a Gentlewoman of good Quality was sent in under pretence of visiting the Captain of the Castle to keep him in discourse she dined with him and engaged him to play at Cards so that they were about his ears before he was apprehensive of danger Dumbriton run the same fate it being surrendred by Sir William Stewart whose only excuse was that at his coming down the former year he found the whole Garrison Covenanters that he durst not turn them off nor take on new Souldiers without a powerful assistance and so finding them resolved both to deliver him and the Castle up he could do nothing alone besides that he was unprovided of every thing that was necessary for a Siege The next day after the Castle of Edinburgh was seized the Covenanters went to the Session to force the Lords to take the Covenantâ— but most of them refused it then they seized on the Privy-Seal aâ—d thought to have got the Great Seal which the Marquis had committed to the keeping of an honest Servant Mr. Iohn Hamilton by their endeavours to prevail with him for it but he refused to part with it except with his Life and so
for the King to do much without a Parliament in England and Subsidies granted by it but they had reason to think the Parliament would begin with Grievances before they went to Subsidies and if their enquiring into the former proved long and fierce as it would protract the Kings Supply it might also breed Irritations and Heats and end in a Rupture without relieving the King Neither could much be expected from a Loan of Money most of the Cities London especially were not well-affected to the Court and so were like to prove backward and narrow and all might be promised from that was to put off one Summer but the Scotish Storm was like to lie longer Besides he believed that if the Loan of Money went through the Scots would think that a good reason for their entring into England to make the Northern Countries the seat of the War which would prejudice the Kings Service in England All this he foresaw well and therefore was rack't with perplexity only he was not doubtful what to doe himself resolving to follow the Kings Interests on all hazards and in these Consultations this Year ended Anno 1640. An. 1640. They prepare in Scotland for War IN Scotland they begun again to prepare for a new War and the Ministers this year were likewise very busie taxing the King as having violated the late Pacification because way was not given to all their Acts. Besides it was preached in the very Pulpits of Edinburgh that the King had caused burn at London by the hand of the Hangman the Articles of the Treaty at Berwick This was founded on the Censure was put on the Paper spoke of last year which they gave out as the Conditions of Agreement and was burned by Order of the Council of England upon the Declaration made by all the English Lords who were on the Treaty That no other Articles were agreed upon beside the Seven above-mentioned yet this took with the People Next they laid on great Taxes for paying the last years Debts and defraying the Expence this year was like to draw on and for procuring of Money they fell on a new Device to cause the Ministers exhort all to lend liberally for the Service of the Cause which they did with so much Art and Zeal that the Women came and brought in their Jewels Rings and Plate however much Money was not got that way and all was far short of what they needed therefore divers of the most zealous of the Lords chiefly the Earls of Rothes and Cassils did give Bonds for great sums of Money and one Dick a rich Citizen of Edinburgh was got to lend them many thousand pounds Lanerick made Secretary of State In February the Earl of Sterlin the Secretary died for whose Place the King made choice of the Marquis his Brother Lord William whom he created Earl of Lanerick It was indeed the Kings choice for neither had the Marquis moved it nor himself pretended to it The Earl of Lanerick did act so considerable a part in Affairs after this that methinks their History should be as little divided as their Counsels and Affections for the Kings Service were and therefore as Lanerick's Actions come in my way they shall not be passed over in silence Being made Secretary his first care was to inform himself of all that belonged to his Place and Duty in the discharge whereof he resolved neither to spare labour or industry that thereby he might supply the defect of his years which were then but four and twenty But to go on with the Series of the Story the King went on carefully with his Preparations only the Charge of a Fleet was so great that he could not think of it this year but sent out as many Ships as stopt the Scotish Trade And finding how ill he had been served by his Lieutenant-Generals the former year and confiding both in the valour fidelity and conduct of the Earl of Strafford then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland he was called over to be Lieutenant-General in this Expedition and the Marquis was designed Colonel of the Kings Regiment of Guards The state of Affairs in Scotland In Scotland they were gathering Money bringing in more Arms and fortifying suspected Places few resisting them except Huntley in the North and Niddisdale in the South but the later was able to doe little The Marquis had divers Letters from my Lord Lindesay which are yet extant complaining of the Preparations they heard were making against them That Officers for the Army were already named Money was gathering not only Berwick Carlisle were fortified but Edinburgh-Castle and Dumbriton also had new men put in them and English-men were put in the former whereupon they were forced to resolve on hazarding the utmost for the Defence of Religion and Liberties and that all were Contributing very liberally and knew of good Friends both in England and abroad wherefore he assured him if things went to extremities they would not end so well as they did last year And he besought him that he would prove a good instrument betwixt the King and the Country protesting that for his own part nothing next to Religion went so near his Heart as the Kings Service In end he conjured him not to accept of any new Service if it went to an open Breach assuring him he would be ruined if he did telling him that God had provided a relief for them beyond their expectation The Marquis carried all these Letters as he got them to his Majesty and by his command wrote the following Answer My Lord I Received yours of February The Marquis his Letter to the Lord Lindsay wherein you endeavour to let me see the hazard that His Majesty may run if he take not a peaceable Course with his Subjects of Scotland which you say I am reported to be no adviser of as likewise the unavoidable Ruine that will befall me in case of my accepting of any Imployment against them The Arguments that you use are the Resolutions of your own People and the assistance that you will have elsewhere the particular way you forbear to write yet you say that God hath provided it beyond your expectation and as it was beyond your expectation so it is still beyond my belief my Reasons you shall have anon But first I will say somewhat concerning my self Know then Brother for a truth that I heartily pray a Curse may follow him and his Posterity that doth not endeavour and wish that these unhappy Troubles may be composed in a fair and peaceable way God who knoweth the Secrets of all mens thoughts can bear me record with how much care pains and zeal I have endeavoured that and I promise you I shall as faithfully continue in that Course as ever man did in any Resolution which was with reason grounded in his heart how few either believe or know this I care not for I have laid my accompt long since and am resolved on the worst that
came to them and with great vehemence pressed them to engage in a new War and among other Motives brought them Engagements in writing from most of the greatest Peers of England to joyn with them and assist them when they should come into England with their Army This did much animate them for they had not the least doubt of the Papers brought them But all this was discovered at the Treaty of Rippon to have been a base Forgery for there the Scotish Lords looking very sullenly on some of the English Lords as on Persons of no Faith or Truth the Lord Mandevil came to the Earl of Rothes and asked the reason of that Change of their Countenance and Behaviour in them who after some high reflections at length challenged him and the other Lords of not keeping what they had engaged to them Upon which that Lord stood amazed and told him and so did the other Lords there that they had sent no such Messages nor Papers to them and that they had been abused by the blackest Imposture that ever was Thus it appeared how dangerous it may be to receive some things that seem to have the highest Probabilities in them easily and upon trust In April following the King called a Parliament in England A short Parliament in England but they begun with their Grievances in which they rose to so high a strain that after twenty days Sitting the King by advice of his Council dissolved them but the hopes of Money from the Parliament failing the next Course was to try what could be drawn by Loan and for good example the Councellours subscribed for near two hundred thousand pounds Sterlin The Councellours lend Money What the Marquis his part was in this I should have willingly concealed judging fit that his Story should be as sparing in relating it as himself was modest in not boasting of it but Sanderson and some other malicious or ignorant Pens who say That he pretended Poverty and subscribed for none force me to free him of that Calumny by a true Relation of what his Duty to the King cost him at this time He subscribed for 10000 l. Sterlin and laid down Eight thousand of it presently in Gold likewise in August following at York he again subscribed and laid down Six thousand and three hundred pounds for both which he had Tallies struck Besides this when he served as Commissioner in Scotland in the year 1638. he got no Payments made him Ten thousand pounds Sterlin was allowed him of which he had not received a farthing and besides the great expence he was at in that Service he laid that year out of his own Money about 5000 l. Sterlin on the Kings account And thus in the space of four years he advanced to the King near Thirty thousand pounds Sterlin and this was in a time when the advantages he had by his Places and Pensions were through the necessity of the Kings affairs dried up But since I was forced to say this I must not conceal His Majesty who now reigns His Justice and Goodness to his Heiress in repaying the sum contained in those Tallies together with the other Royal effects of His Favour which they have felt in the repayment of the Scotsh Debt This is said once for all and all this was little reckoned of by him who was ready to hazard both Life and Fortune for His Majesties Service acknowledging that it was Just since he and his Ancestors owed so much to the King and his Progenitours bounty that all he had should be spent in his Service The Covenanters in Scotland were beginning to look to themselves and fearing Ruthwen Ruthwen a terror to the Covenanters who was in the Castle of Edinburgh they required him to obey their Orders but he told them he had his Trust from the King and would acknowledge no Commands but his whereupon they blockt him up He might easily have done them much Mischief but his Orders were to hold himself most on the Defensive and to amuse them but not to break out to open Hostilities within which limits he contained himself The second of Iune came which was the day the Parliament was to Set but the King had sent down an Order to the Justice-Clerk for proroguing it The Parliament sits notwithstanding the Kings Orders for proroguing of it and he was to carry along with him in this Affair the assistance of the Kings Advocate who was at this time confined to his House in Fife by the King upon pretence of some petty maleversation in his Office but really because of his adhering to the Covenanters too much The Kings Advocate was glad both of being delivered from that Disgrace and for being honoured with the Employment But to clear the Method in which he intended to proceed to make this Prorogation legal I must look back a little when Traquair got his Commission under the Broad-Seal there was another Commission given under the quarter-Seal to the Lord Elphinstown the Lord Napier the Kings Advocate and the Justice-Clerk these or three of them were impowred to act as Commissioners in Traquair's absence and upon his Orders Therefore the Kings Advocate judged it needless to fill up a Blank that was sent down to be made use of if need were to make the Prorogation Legal but resolved to require one of the other two to concur with the Justice-Clerk and himself in the Prorogation which was to be done after the Parliament was Fenced therefore they provided the persons necessary for Fencing of it a Ceremony they use in the beginning of a Session who are the Constable the Marshal the Provost of Edinburgh the Sheriff of Lowthian and a Doomster and if any of these be absent the King must name others for their Service that day So the Members of Parliament being met the Kings Advocate required the Lord Elphinstown who was first in the Commission to go up with them to the Throne for executing the Kings Commands who having read the Commission found their Power was only to act by the Commissioners Order and therefore called for Traquair's Warrant the Kings Advocate answered That as when the King is present a Commissioners Power of it self expires so also when his Warrant is produced there is no need of one from his Commissioner But Elphinstown stood on the Letter of the Commission and so found he was not legally warranted to doe it That same was the Lord Napier's Answer who was also of the Commission and so the Kings Advocate and the Justice-Clerk could doe nothing but take Instruments Many imputed this to the Kings Advocat's Jugling but he vindicated himself solemnly which is extant under his Hand with a long Narrative of this whole Affair sent up by him to the King However the effects of this Errour were great for the Members voted themselves to be in a Parliamentary Capacity as being summoned by the King at first and again adjourned to this day whereupon they proceeded to
that till you express the Particulars of your Desires His Majesty can give no direct Answer therefore His Majesty requires that you set downthe Particulars of your Demands with expedition he having been always willing to hear and redress the Grievances of His People and for the more mature Deliberation of these great Affairs His Majesty hath already given out Summons for the Meeting of the Peers of the Kingdom in the City of York upon the 24th of this Month that so with the advice of the Peers you may receive such Answer to your Petition as shall most tend to His Honour and the Peace and Wellfare of His Dominions And in the mean time if Peace be that you desire as you pretend He expects and by these His Majesty commands that you advance no further with your Army to these parts which is the only means that is left for the present to preserve Peace betwixt the two Nations and to bring these unhappy Differences to a Reconciliation which none is more desirous of than His most Sacred Majesty Signed LANERICK With which he wrote this Cover My Lords ACcording to your Desires I presented unto His Majesty in your names the Petition you sent me whereupon His Majesty hath been Graciously pleased to command me to make this reference which you shall receive herein inclosed joined unto the Petition My Lords by this you may see His Majesty is as he ever was willing to hear and redress the Grievances of His Subjects and I pray God you may take those Courses that may not too much incroach on the Goodness of so Gracious a Soveraign This shall be the earnest Prayer of Your Lordships Servant LANERICK York 5th Sept. 1640. To this they returned the Answer that follows which was sent by Sir Iames Mercer Right Honourable An. 1639. AS nothing in Earth is more desired of us than His Majesties favour so doth nothing delight us more than that His Majesty beginneth again to hearken to our Humble Desires The Covenanters make a second Address wherein we trust nothing shall be found but what may serve for His Majesties Honour and for the Peace of His Dominions The Particulars we would have expressed but that they are contained in the Conclusions of the late Parliament and our Printed Declarations which were sent to your Lordship but in case the Papers be not by your Lordship we now summarily repeat them That His Majesty would be Graciously pleased to command that the last Acts of Parliament may be published in his Highness's Name as our Soveraign Lord with the Estates of Parliament convened by His Majesties Authourity Next That the Castle of Edinburgh and other strengths of the Kingdom of Scotland may according to the first foundation be furnished and used for our Defence and Security Thirdly That our Countrymen in his Majesties Dominions of England and Ireland may be free from Censure for subscribing the Covenant and be no more pressed with Oaths and Subscriptions unwarranted by our Laws and contrary to their National Oath and Covenant approved by His Majesty Fourthly That the Common Incendiaries who have been the Authors of this Combustion in His Majesties Dominions may receive their Iust Censure Fifthly That our Ships and our Goods with all the Damage thereof may be restored Sixthly That the Wrongs Losses and Charges which at this time we have sustained may be repayed Seventhly That the Declarations made against us as Traytors may be recalled and in end by advice and consent of the Estates of England convened in Parliament His Majesty may be pleased to remove the Garisons from the Borders and any Impediment that may stop free Trade and with their advice may condescend to all Particulars which may establish a stable and well-grounded Peace for enjoying of our Religion and Liberties against all fears of molestation and undoing from year to year as our Adversaries shall take the advantage This Royal testimony of His Majesties Iustice and Goodness we would esteem to be doubled upon us were it speedily bestowed and therefore must crave leave to regrate that His Majesties Pleasure concerning the Meeting of the Peers the 24th of this Instant will make the time long ere the Parliament be convened which is conceived to be the only mean of settling both Nations in a firm Peace and which we desire may be seriously represented to His Majesties Royal thoughts the more this time is abridged the more able will we be to obey His Majesties Prohibition of not advancing with our Arms Our Actions and whole comportment since the beginning of these Commotions and especially of late since our coming into England are Real Declarations of our love and desire of Peace nothing but invincible necessity hath brought us from our Country to this Place no other thing shall draw us beyond the limits appointed by His Majesty which we trust His Majesty will consider of and wherein we hope your Lordship will labour to be a profitable Instrument for the Kings Honour the Good of your Country and of Your Lordships humble Servants and affectionate Friends A. Lesly Rothes Cassils Montrose Dumfermline Lindsay Lowdon Napier Tho. Hope W. Rickartoâ—n J. Smith P. Hepbuâ—â— D. Home Keir Ja. Sword Scots-Leager at New-Castle Sept. 8th 1640. An. 1640 On the 24th of September the Peers of England having met the King by their Advice commanded his Secretary to write the following Letter My Lords The King appoints a Treaty ACcording to His Majesties appointment the most part of the Peers of this Kingdom of England met here at York this day where His Majesty did communicate unto them your Desires and Petitions and because you do so earnestly press for a speedy Answer His Majesty with Advice of the Peers hath nominated such a number of them for a Conference with you upon Tuesday at Northallerton whose Names are underwritten But withall if you shall think the time too short and that with conveniency you cannot come so soon thither if betwixt this and Sunday you do acquaint His Majesty therewith he will take Order for the delay thereof for one day or two And that you may without all fear or danger of Detention send such Persons unto the said Conference as you shall think most fit if betwixt this and Sunday you send hither the Names of these you mean to imploy His Majesty will with all possible diligence return a safe conduct under his own Royal Hand for them and their necessary Servants His Majesty hath likewise commanded me to let you know that upon your relieving of such Officers and others of His Subjects as are detained by you he will return all such of yours as are his Prisoners either here or at Berwick and hereafter resolves that fair Quarters should be kept betwixt both Armies Thus having imparted His Majesties Pleasure I continue Your Lordships Servant LANERICK York 24th of September 1640. And now the King was in a great strait what to resolve on Most of all the
Peers advised a Settlement with Scotland and a Parliament in England Strafford's Advice was more severe and the Marquis pressed a Pacification But though their Opinions varied yet their Friendship continued since both had the same designs for the Kings Honour and Service A recruit of Money which was beginning to run low was not to be hoped without a Parliament and their late experience told on how uneasie terms that was to be had Earl Lowdon also assured the Marquis by his Letters that the Covenanters were well armed well commanded and very resolute nor did they doubt of a strong Party in England and therefore shewed how dangerous it would prove to His Majesties Affairs if a Treaty should not presently follow The Marquis little regarding how ill these Counsels would be represented by others used all his Industry to prevail with the King for a Pacification on any terms since none could be so bad as the hazard the King was like to run if matters continued so broken for it was now apparent how faintly His Majesties Forces did serve him and with how much resolution the Scotish Armies proceeded neither were they without fears in their own Army and that many of the Peers and People of England would have assisted the Scots if matters had run to extremities A Breach betwixt the Marquis and the Earl of Montrose But at that time a passage fell out which drew after it a tract of great Troubles on the Marquis The Earl of Montrose had in Iuly that year procured a Meeting of some Noblemen at Cumbermwald the Earl of Wigtons house where there was a Bond signed by them of adherence to one another in pursuance of the Covenant and from New-Castle he continued to keep Correspondence with His Majesty notwithstanding an Act that had passed in the Committee that none should under pain of Death write any Letters to the Court but such as were seen and allowed of by at least three of the Committee But this Correspondence of my Lord Montrose came to the knowledge of the Covenanters and there were ill Instruments who suggested that this Advertisement must have been given by the Marquis which being too easily believed occasioned a Breach betwixt them that could never be made up And Sanderson hath had the Impudence not only to fasten this on him but as if there had not been Imputation enough in it he adds that the Marquis had in the night picked His Majesties Pockets for his Letters Indeed he needed not take such Courses had he been capable of that Treachery for the Kings Confidence in him was such that he delivered all the Letters he had from Scotland to his keeping and if he had designed such a thing upon Montrose it was in his Power to have done it long before for in October and December of the former year Montrose had writ much in the same strain to the King which Letters the King gave him and are yet extant but were never heard off till now that the Writer gives this account of them But the way how that Letter was discovered was this the Covenanters sent Sir Iames Mercer to York with their Letters to my Lord Lanerick of September the 14 th with whom my Lord Montrose sent his Servant with Letters to some of his Friends at Court and these Letters had been shown to the Committee but as he sealed them up he put within one to Sir Richard Grahame a Letter to the King which had not been seen and Sir Richard opening his Letter carelesly the inclosed to the King dropt out whereupon Sir Iames Mercer being near him stooped down in civility to take up the Letter and read the Direction of it and he returning next day to the Scotish Camp told what he had seen to the General who in a Committee that sate that afternoon wherein it was my Lord Montrose's turn to preside said that the Gentleman they had sent must be examined concerning any Letters he carried to the Court and so he was called in and examined But Montrose understanding that his Correspondence with the King was discovered said that seeing others kept a Correspondence with the Court he knew not why he might not do it as well as they it was answered if others were guilty that did not excuse his fault but when that could be made out against any they were liable to the same Censure he had now incurred whereupon he was commanded to keep his Chamber and he called a great many of his Friends to him to try who would adhere to him whereupon the General bade the Earl of Calender who was then Lieutenant-General tell him that if he came not and submitted himself he would hold a Council of War upon him and proceed against him Capitally Upon this my Lord Montrose came and produced a Copy of the Letter he said he had written and craved pardon and so this Matter was passed over â—ut it was suspected that his Letter had been sent to the Covenanters by the Marquis whereas indeed they knew no more of his Letter but what they had from Sir Iames Mercer who read the Address of it and so they knew not what was in it but by the Copy he produced Yet this went current for the Marquis his Treachery though Sir Iames Mercer did often vouch the truth of this before many Witnesses and particularly particularly to Sanderson himself before Noble Witnesses who acknowledged his Mis-information and promised to expunge that in the next Edition of his Book though there are no grounds to fear the Woâ—ld will ever be troubled with another Edition of so ill a Book The Treaty at Rippon In the end of September a Treaty was agreed upon and His Majesty named the Marquis and my Lords of Traquair and Lanerick to be amongst the Commissioners who should Treat in His name But the Covenanters excepted against the Marquis and Traquair whom they intended to pursue as Incendiaries and therefore they could not Treat with them as for Lanerick they had nothing to fasten on him Upon this the King resolved to send none but English Lords conceiving it not fitting to send any Scotchman if the persons he had imployed as Commissioners were not of the number Rippon a little Town fifteen miles from York was appointed to be the place of Treaty instead of Northallertown and the King sent the English Lords thither appointing Traquair and Lanerick to wait upon them for giving them Information of Scotish Affairs but he kept the Marquis to wait upon Himself The Treaty begun at Rippon and after a few days by reason of the new Parliament the King had summoned against the beginning of November was removed to London The Covenanters Demands were the same with those contained in their Letter of the 8th of September about which they continued Treating till the Iune of the next year and so this year ended But here I shall insert a Paper all written with His Majesties hand which though it do not relate
to Scotish business yet I judged it a crime to let any of the Reliques of that Princes Pen perish How it came into the Marquis his hand I know not it is an Answer to a Remonstrance sent to the King by the Two Houses at Westminster in the end of this year I Having taken to my serious Consideration the late Remonstrance made to me by Both Houses of Parliament do make this Answer I take in good part your care for the Preservation of the true Religion established in this Kingdom from which I will never depart as also for your tenderness of my own Safety and security of this State and Government It is against my mind that Popery or Superstition should any way increase within this Kingdom and I will restrain the same by causing the Laws be put in due execution I resolve likewise to provide against the dangers of Iesuites and Priests setting forth a Proclamation with all speed commanding them to depart the Kingdom within one month whereof if they fail or shall return then they shall be proceeded withall according to the Laws Concerning Rosettie you must understand that my Wife hath always assured me that to her knowledge he hath no Commission but only to entertain a persâ—nal Correspondence betwixt Her and the Pope of things requisite for the exercise of Her Religion which is warranted to Her by the Articles of Our Marriage which give Her a full Liberty of Conscience yet I have so perswaded Her that since the misunderstanding of this person's Condition gives offence She will within a convenient time remove him Moreover I will take special care to restrain my Subjects from resorting to Mass at Denmark-house St. Jame 's and the Chappels of Ambassadours Lastly concerning John Goodman the Priest you must know the reason why I reprieved him is that as I am informed neither Queen Elizabeth nor my Father did ever avow that any Priests in their times were executed meerly for Religion which to me seems to be this particular case yet seeing that I am pressed by Both Houses to give way to his Execution because I will avoid the inconvenience of giving so great a discontentment to my People as I perceive this Mercy may produce I remit this particular Cause to Both Houses but I desire you to take into your serious Considerations the inconveniences which as I conceive may upon this occasion fall upon my Subjects and other Protestants abroad especially since it may seem to other States to be a Severity with surprize which I having thus represented to you think my Self discharged from all ill consequences that may ensue upon the Execution of this person Anno 1641. THe Marquis notwithstandiâ—g all the malice he knew some of his Country-men bore him did not slacken his endeavours to bring things to a final Settlement An. 1641. and the high language which was now spoken at Westminster furnished him with too strong Reasons for enforcing the necessity of agreeing with the Covenanters The King yields to all the Demands of the Covenanters At length the King weary of contending so much resolved to yield to most of their Demands For the first of publishing their Acts though it was contrary to the practice of Scotland to hold a Session of Parliament unless the King were present by himself or his Commissioner yet it was represented that was but a point of Form for as they Sate by the Kings Summons so they did not pretend their Votes were Laws without the Kings Ratification and their Sitting in this manner though disorderly could not be so derogatory to the Kings Authority as at first view appeared since it was the constant practice of the Two Houses in England to Sit and Vote in the Kings absence The King was willing all these Acts should be of new voted promising his Royal Assent to them but they were stiff and the King yielded For the Reparation of Losses the King remitted them to the Two Houses who considered their Accompts and gave them a large Brotherly Assistance For the disposal of the Castles the election of the Councellours Officers of State and Judges which the Covenanters desired should be done with Advice of Parliament they went very harshly down with the King But they alledged divers old Laws for their Demands which seemed now necessary to he revived since His Majesty was so seldom in Scotland The Kings great apprehension of this was that it would give a Copy to England for making the like Demands to which it was answered that the Kings residence in England made the case to differ vastly the Scotish Lords engaging upon their Honour to declare in case the Two Houses should make the like Demands they were unreasonable in so doing In a Word the King granted all they demanded only he thought it unjust and unreasonable to grant an Indempnity to the other Party and let his Friends be secluded from it wherefore he pressed nothing so earnestly as that the Oblivion might be without exception and the List of those who were summoned upon the pretence of being Incendiaries was so great that he thought to abandon so many of his Faithful Servants to the violence of the Times was so dishonourable that he could not answer for it neither to God nor man The Covenanters to yield somewhat reduced their great number to five persons who were the Earl of Traquair the Bishop of Ross Sir Robert Spotswood Sir Iohn Hay and Doctor Balcanquell but the King thought he could not yield to that Demand were there but one excepted and told them that though he had better Grounds to pursue some of themselves as Incendiaries yet being willing to dispense with these his Resentments he had reason to expect the same Condescendency from them But they pretended their Bond and Oath for prosecuting of them and though it was told them that an ill Oath was worse kept yet they were stiff and the temper found was that their Processes should go on but their Censure should be remitted to the King and that the Scots should be satisfied with his Assurance that he should imploy them no more in Scotish Affairs without consent of Parliament And thus all things were agreed on and His Majesty determined to go in Person to Scotland to settle matters there but at this time the Scotish Commissioners began to Cabal with the Male-contents in the Two Houses and in particular concurred with them in the pursuit of the Earl of Strafford The Friendship betwixt the Marquis and that Gallant man had been great and intire and as his Testimony in those matters about which he was examined was among the Evidences Strafford had in his Defences so his Confidence in the Marquis did appear by the following handsome Letter he wrote to him a few days before his Death May it please your Lordship HItherto I judged it not fit to endanger your Lordship by any Intelligence betwixt us which might have turned much to your prejudice in a time when
all so that no clear Proof being brought the Parliament could come to no other Decision but that the Lords had good reason to withdraw themselves and so they were invited to return to their place in Parliament But he is again in His Majesties favour This was a tedious business and put a great stop to the Settlement betwixt the King and the Nation but further Particularities are thought needless to be set down since this Matter vanished no effect following on it The Marquis quickly recovered his former â—oom in the Kings Affection so that there remained not so much as a vestige of this cross Adventure Things in Scotland took presently a Settlement and those were called Plotters and Banders after examination and a delivering up of their Bond which was burnt by the hand of the Common Hangman were set at Liberty after some time of further Restraint but the Process of the alledged Incendiaries was to go on yet they were to enjoy their Liberty and undergo no other Censure but the loss of Publick Imployment which though yielded at London was long resisted in Scotland they pretending their Oath to bring them to condign Punishment But as the King was going on with the Settlement of one Kingdom The Rebellion breaks out in Ireland he got the saddest News that ever were heard out of Ireland of the desperate Rebellion and Massacre had broken out there whereupon His Majesty recommended to the Parliament of Scotland the Relief of his oppressed Protestant Subjects in Ireland which they undertook very willingly But because of the interest England had in Ireland Commissioners were appointed to Treat with the Parliament of England for Concluding a Peace betwixt the two Nations and Settling of Trade and particularly about the Terms upon which they should engage in the War of Ireland and so about the middle of November the King having granted to the Scotish Nation all they could demand ended the Parliament there and returned to London about the end of that month But before the Marquis left Scotland he by the Kings particular Command entred in a close Friendship with Argyle considering that besides the great Power of that Family his Interest with the Clergy and Covenanters was such that none could be so useful to His Majesties Service as he And this Friendship was to be twisted closer by a Bond of a near Alliance betwixt their Children But from all the Letters that passed betwixt them yet to be seen it is as clear as can be that all the Marquis his design in this Friendship was for the Kings Service and that all that time Argyle expressed a hearty concurrence in it To gratifie the Covenanters the more the King had created him a Marquis Lowdon was also made Chancellor Lesley Earl of Leven and Lindsay put in a fair way to be Treasurer Traquair being turned out The King at his return to London The King returns to London where he finds matters worse found the Edge he had left on some of their spirits was no way blunted but growing into more sharpness When the Marquis was in Scotland a Member of the House of Commons laying out their Grievances among other things inveighed against Monopolies and spoke so plainly that all understood he meant the Marquis as a Person that deserved to be accused as well as either Strafford or Canterbury but others of that same Cabal took him up sharply And now upon the Kings return his Enemies finding their designs against him could not take with the King in whose Favour he was as much as ever they took a strange Course to destroy him which was to set on some Members of the House of Commons to accuse him as the Incendiary betwixt England and Scotland who had engaged England into all that Expence who had also invited the Scots to march into England and had been always the third in Strafford's and Canterburie's Counsels who had advised the Dissolving of the former Parliament and had oppressed the Subjects by the grants of many Monopolies which he had This was smelled out even by some of the same Cabal who perswaded their Friends to desist shewing them That for his Carriage betwixt England and Scotland an Oblivion was passed in the late Treaty which was ratified by the Parliament of England That for other things though his Engagement in the Court had carried him along to some extreme Counsels yet they said it was well enough known how moderate his Inclinations were how great an Instrument he had been in the late Settlement of Scotland and how much he was hated upon that account and that this was a design to destroy him either out of malice or because some feared his moderate Counsels in England as much as they hated them in Scotland This seems to have flowed from the Friendship which divers of the Leaders in the House of Peers had for him whom he had often obliged and as they were not unsensible nor forgetful of his good Offices so they seem to have had a particular kindness for his Person And while he was in Scotland he kept Correspondence with Mandevil Essex and others and chiefly with the Lord Say and Seale but all their Letters shew that his greatest business with them was to prepare them to a better Correspondence with the King But when the Marquis smelled out the design against him he gave the King an account of it and told him that if His Majesty intended to go on in his Affairs in a Kingly way he would wait on his Commands and expose himself to the displeasure of the House of Commons but if His Majesty intended to settle Matters by an absolute Compliance with the Parliament then he conceived it was fit that his Servants should use their endeavours for their own Preservation that so they might be afterwards useful to his Service yet he said he would do nothing for himself but by His Majesties Allowance and Direction being it is like taught more caution by the Jealousies had been taken from his care of vindicating himself in the Parliament of Scotland The King upon this allowed him to use all means for his own Preservation which he so managed that the designed Accusation came to nothing This particâ—lar His Sacred Majesty vouchsafed to tell the Writter adding that he had it from the Queen His Mother Anno 1642. An. 1642. THe Tumults and Disorders about Whitehall and Westminster rose to that height that the King withdrew to Windsor in the beginning of the year The Scotch Commissioners continued Treating about their engaging for Ireland The Sâ—ots Commissioners animate the Houses to press the change of the Laws about Church-Government which the King pressed forward very earnestly but some of the Commissioners begun to tamper with those who were most opposite to the Court in the Two Houses and in stead of Moderating them were instigating them to persist in their Demands about Religion to get Episcopacy brought down and Presbytery set up To
the first of these most assented but few were cordial for the latter In order to this on the 15th of Ianuary the Scotish Commissioners seconded the Desires of the Two Houses with a Paper which they presented to the King on that Subject and afterwards Printed it The King was highly displeased that they were not satisfied with the Opposition they made him in Scotland with which the King was highly displeafed norwith the Concessions he had granted them there but were now come to foment Troubles in England It was not long since they made loud Complaints against the designed Uniformity with England and the Interest the Englishmen had in managing the Affaiâ—s of the Scotish Kirk and would they now act that part which they had condemned in others They could not alledge that against Episcopacy in England which they pretended in Scotland that it had never been fully nor clearly settled in it or that the stream both of Clergy and Laity had run cross to it the contrary of all that was clear in England where Episcopacy was deeply rooted in their Law And ever since the Reformation for eighty years together the Church of England had flourished under Episcopacy so that it was the wonder and envy of the World till of late that some Brownists and other Sectaries begun to disturb its quiet They knew he declared the Grounds on which he dispensed with Episcopacy in Scotland were not from his own Judgement about it but meerly to comply with their A version to it but the case was very different in England All this he said for giving them satisfaction and it is the sum of what he repeated afterwards upon the like occasions But in the end he told them their Commission was not to mediate betwixt him and the Two Houses and therefore on the 19th of Ianuary he signed the following Order to Lanerick CHARLES R. WE have thought fit to require you to repair to the Commissioners from Our Parliament of Scotland and let them know The King forbids their doing so any more that We expected before they should have interessed themselves in any manner of way betwixt Vs and Our Parliament of England they would according to Our Desire expressed to them by Our Letter of the 13th of this Instant have acquainted Vs with their Resolutions in private and that for the time coming We are very confident out of the respect due to Vs from them and their earnest Desires to shun Mistakes and Disputes they will no way engage themselves in these present Differences without first they communicate their Intentions with Vs in private whereby all Iealousies and Suspicions may be removed and they better enabled to do Vs Service Given at Our Honor of Windsor the 19 th of Ianuary 1641. Directed TO Our Right Trusty and Right well-beloved Cousin and Councellor the Earl of Lanerick Our Secretary for Scotland After this the King sent Mr. Mungo Murray to Scotland with Complaints of the Commissioners signified by the following Letter to the Chancellor Right Trusty and right well-beloved Cousin and Chancellor We Greet you well AS it hath been alwaies Our care and Study to have a right Vnderstanding betwixt Vs and Our Subjects of Scotland and complains of them in his Letters to Scotland so nothing can joy Vs more than to hear the effects thereof to be such as that they in peace and quietness enjoy the benefit of Our Courts of Iustice and that under Our Government they reap the fruits of those sound and wholesome Laws established in that Kingdom by Vs and Our Predecessors for their good and happiness We cannot but take kindly from you your representing unto Vs the Miseries and Afflictions to which Our good Subjects of Ireland are reduced through the inhumane and unheard-of Cruelties of the Rebels there We on Our part have left nothing undone which We thought could express how sensible We are of their Sufferings but the present Distractions of this Kingdom do both delay the sending of those necessary Aâ—sistances and Supplies which they ought to expect from hence and prolong the Treaty with Our Commissioners of Scotland so that if some extraordinary Course be not taken for their present Supply it is not like their Miseries will end sooner than their Days The Consideration whereof induceth Vs to require you to move Our Council that these Forces that are already on foot in Scotland may be presently sent over thither and We will oblige Our Selves to see them readily and punctually paid by this Parliament which if they shall refuse to do We will engage Our own Revenues rather than delay so good and necessary a Work to which purpose We shall issue forth such Commissions and give such Warrants under Our great Seal of England as Our Council of Scotland shall think necessary for their Service and grant all such their Desires for the advancement of this Work as in reason can be demanded from Vs and therefore do require you with all possible diligence to return Vs their Resolutions herein which We are confident will be such as will testifie their Respect to Vs and Affection to their distressed Brethren in Ireland And now We are confident We shall not need to remember you of those Dutiful expressions of Respect and Fidelity you made to Vs at Our late being in Scotland for the same Affection which produced those expressions will induce you to make them good by your Actions We remember well you expressed your readiness to hazard both Life and Fortune for the maintenance of Our Temporal Power and even in matters Ecclesiastick though you wished Vniformity therein betwixt the two Nations yet you would not interest your selves in these Differences further than should be with Our knowledge and good liking We wish Our Commissioners of Scotland had taken that Course and not meddled nor offered to mediate betwixt Vs and this Parliament before they had first made their Intentions known unto Vs in private acâ—ording to Our express Desire nor made their private Advice publickly known unto Both Houses which is now in Print We did conceive the Intention of the Commission granted them by Vs in Parliament was for finishing the remainder of the Treaty for Seâ—tling of Trade and Commerce and keeping a right Vnderstanding betwixt the two Nations not betwixt Vs and Our Parliament here It is true they were to receive their particular Instructions from the Council which We believe to have been limited to these Generals which certainly never could have reached this Particular But we shall pass by this and remember it no more so we may find Our Council hereafter give them no further Warrant to meddle any more betwixt Vs and this Parliament but in so far as We shall first know and approve of it which truely We conceive to be the only Means to shun those Suspicions and Iealousies that might breed any interruption of that happy Vnderstanding that is now established betwixt Vs and that Our Native Kingdom Herein
We exspect your best endeavors as a real Testimony of your Affection to Our Service We do likewise think fit that a Double of all such Instructions as have already been given or shall hereafter be given to the Commissioners be sent Vs which will exceedingly conduce to the shunning of unnecessary Mistakings And in case there come any Dispute betwixt Vs and Our Parliament here about the Nomination of Officers and Councellors We hope you will remember upon what Grounds We were induced to yield in this particular to the desires of Our Subjects in Scotland it being Our necessary absence from that Our Native Country and you in private did often promise upon occasion to declare that this Kingdom ought not to urge it as a Precedent for the like to them the Reasons not being the same therefore now you are to think upon the most convenient way to make good that Promise and labour to prevent so great an Inconvenience unto Vs which We expect from you as one of the most acceptable Services can be done unto Vs. CHARLES R. Windsor 26th January 1642. POSTSCRIPT With His Majesties own Hand I have commanded this My Servant Mungo Murray to tell you some things which I think not fit to write therefore desiring you to trust what he will say to you from Me I will now only add that your Affections rightly expressed to Me at this time will do Me an unspeakable Service to the effecting of which I expect much from your particular Affection and Dexterity His Majesty also wrote to the same purpose to the Marquis of Argyle and added the following Postscript with His own Hand I Cannot but thank you for your Letter I received by Kinnoul it being the performance of a Promise you made at my last being in Scotland not doubting but you will perform the rest with the same cheerfulness And I assure you this is a time wherein the kything of your Affection to Me will do Me an unexpressible Service as Mungo Murray will tell you more at large whom I desire you to trust in what he shall tell you from Me. CHARLES R. Windsor 26th January 1642. His Majesty named the Officers of the Army that was to go over to the relief of the Protestants in Ireland choosing them so that they might be most acceptable to Scotland and this he did both to gain the more upon them by his Confidence as also to set those troublesom People out of the way though this turned to the great prejudice of his Affairs in Scotland as shall afterwards appear But for this Advice the Marquis deserved no share of the Blame for the King left him behind at London to see what could be effectuated by Mediation with those of the Peers whom he knew to love him and it appears by the following Note that he continued in His Majesties Confidence Hamilton I Desire you to come hither to morrow not only to end our last Discourse but also upon other business of great Importance and you shall find that I am Your constant Friend CHARLES R. Windsor 1st February 1642. What that business was does not appear to the Writer When the King withdrew further from the Parliament and went Northwards the Marquis was kept at London by a great Sickness of some months continuance The King leaves the Parliament and the Marquis stays at â—ondon being sick the length of it being occasioned by his frequent relapses into Fevers and a lingering Recovery out of them yet his ill-willers at Court represented the story of his Sickness to be but feigned that under that pretext he might desert the King when he needed his Service most But he hearing of this was resolved to be carried sick as he was to the King which the King knowing commanded him to stay till God gave him Strength to come without prejudice to his Health In March the Treaty between the Parliament of England and Scotland was closed The Treaty with Scotland for the relief of Ireland is ended and among other Articles one was cast in That an Vniformity of Religion should be endeavoured betwixt the Kingdoms But the King would do nothing that might seem to stop the Irish business and therefore gave way to it though he smelled the design of it abundantly well Besides the words being conceived in general Terms he would not oppose them since he judged an Uniformity of Religion was to be endeavoured as well as they did but with this odds that he thought the Standard of it should be taken from England As soon as this went home the Scotish Armies went over speedily in the beginning of April And the Scotish Council wrote to His Majesty and the Two Houses that they designed to send the Marquis of Argyle over to Ireland but first to send him and the Earl of Lowdon to London to mediate betwixt the King and the Houses with which His Majesty was pleased But the Houses excused it in a fair way pretending that they judged Argyle's presence necessary in Scotland Many wondred whence this Jealousie of him did flow some thought it was because the King consented to it and therefore they misdoubted him others apprehended that their Jealousie was founded on the Friendship that was betwixt the Marquis and him and that finding the Marquis so inflexibly firm to the Kings Interest and averse from theirs they feared that Argyle's Friendships and his was founded on the same designs New Calumnies on the Marquis At this timâ— some of the Marquis his Enemies represented to His Majesty that he made Offers of the Militia to the Houses with other things highly derogatory to His Majesties Authority and that he pretended a Warrant for those Offers was sent him by Mr. Murray of the Bed-Chamber These were the bad offices some fiery spirits studied to do to all who endeavoured the quenching of that Flame which was like to devour Britain but notice being given of this to the Marquis he wrote Mr. Murray this Answer Worthy Friend IT is no new thing for me to find my self traduced to His Majesty but I should wonder very much of which he clears himself if he give Credit to a Report grounded upon such Improbabilities for if His Majesty would be pleased to call to mind how oft he repeated to me that He would never condescend to the Parliaments Demands concerning the Militia no not for an Hour in the way it was I am sure He will not think that I could engage my self to the Parliament that He would perform that which He never gave me Ground to believe my self And as for His return to London I likewise affirm He never gave me cause to hope let be to engage my self to the Parliament for it I have had the Honour to be intrusted in divers Employments from Him and He knows I never exceeded His Instructions I hope He will not now think me so mad or so great a Knave as to do that which might bring Him any Inconvenience for why
should I be an undertaker to the Parliament for either having neither my Instructions nor Directions from Him to mention to the Parliament or any Member there But these Reports proceed from such who perhaps if the matter were looked into have said what probably they will not make good and so endeavour to make other men bear the Burthen I am not sorry they have joyned you with me in this since it cannot prove your disadvantage the thing being so eminently false I see my Enemies malice will have no end and when they want other grounds Sickness is enough for them to take advantage of but if they had been in the Condition that I have been in these three weeks they would have been more charitable and so I leave them The uncertainty of my Recovery hath made me write thus much to you and truely not without trouble that you may let His Majesty know my Innocency in these particulars and that I still continue in a Condition not able to attend Him which is a great grief to Your faithful Friend and Servant HAMILTON Whitehall 7th April 1642. In the middle of April the King signified to his Council in Scotland his Design of going in Person against the Rebels in Ireland The King thinks of going to Ireland which he purposed both to put more vigour in the Army by his Presence as also to refute those Calumnies were spread upon him as if he inclined to Popery and had been accessory to the late Rebellion with which damnable Calumnies his Enemies were beginning to asperse him But the Scotish Council as well as the Two Houses but that motion is disliked by both Nations interceded earnestly with him against this Design pretending the Hazard his Sacred Person would be in Some judged that they were afraid lest by such a real Argument the Calumnies were cast on His Majesty and scattered among the Vulgar for carrying on their Designs might be refuted and some feared lest His Majesty had he gone to the Army might have gained too much upon their Hearts whereby he might have been in a Condition to have over-awed the Two Houses In May the Scotish Council sent up the Lord Chancellor to offer a Mediation for a better Understanding betwixt the King and the Two Houses but the King was much irritated The Chancellor of Scotland sent to mediate betwixt the King and the Two Houses by the Affront he had lately received before Hull from Hotham He likewise found the Chancellor insisting on Vniformity of Church-Government therefore he ordered his return into Scotland and gave him a full account of all had passed betwixt him and his Two Houses requiring him to give a true representation of it to his Council there In the end of the Month the Marquis had recovered so much Strength as to come and wait on the King at York where he would gladly have prosecuted his former Counsels for advancing a Settlement betwixt the King and his Two Houses but he knew not how to advise the King to grant more than he had already yielded to which as the King said to him was more than had been granted by all the Kings of England since the Conquest adding that though he had gone a great length in Concessions to them they had not obliged him by one favourable Vote so that nothing remained for the Marquis but to lament the Kings Misfortune yet he offered the uttermost of his Services to him and subscribed for the pay of threescore Horse in the Kings Army But he represented to His Majesty the Hazard of Scotland's concurring with the Two Houses which the King might easily apprehend both from the late carriage of their Commissioners and from what he knew of their Temper especially of the Ministers Zeal and Power with the People For his own part he said he was able to do the King small Service any where but having neither Interest friends nor followers in England he would be but a burden to His Majesty there but if he could signifie any thing it was in Scotland where he should use his utmost Endeavours to divert them from assisting the Kings Enemies for to expect Aid from them was not to be thought upon His Majesty judging this most expedient sent him to Scotland without any positive Instructions recommending only to him his Service in General of which he was so confident that he wrote the following Letter after him Hamilton and is sent by the King to Scotland I Have no time to write Particulars and to perswade you to serve me I suppose that I have less need than time therefore in a word this is a Time to shew what you are assuring you that at all times I will shew that I am Your most assured and constant Friend CHARLES R. MEMOIRES OF THE LIFE and ACTIONS OF James Duke of Hamilton c. LIB IV. Of the Duke's and his Brother the Earl of Lanerick's Negotiation in Scotland till their Imprisonment THE Marquis came to Edinburgh in the beginning of Iuly Great Jealousies of the King in Scotland and found very many disgusted with him for his late concurrence in the Council at York as a Peer of England He studied by all means to remove the wicked Insinuations which some in England had sent to Scotland against the King the most hurtful of them was about his favouring of Popery and his Designs of falling upon Scotland by Force as soon as he had mastered the Two Houses These were zealously propagated by the Emissaries from England and all Places sounded with the danger Religion was in so that he found his Negotiation was like to prove again unfortunate The only means by which he had any hopes of engaging Scotland in the Kings Quarrel was to move that an Invitation might be sent from Scotland to the Queen for her return whom the Tumults at London had driven beyond Sea that she might mediate for a Settlement betwixt the King and the Two Houses This he judged might insensibly draw them on to own the Kings Service for if the Queen came upon their Invitation they would be obliged in Honour to protect her and see that she met with no Injuries and to resent such as should be done her and therefore he sent a confident Friend to give His Majesty an account of the Posture things were in according to the following Instructions SHew His Majesty with what a prejudicated Opinion I was received by reason of what I have done at York which I still lie under Shew in what Temper I found this Kingdom occasioned as I conceive by the apprehension they have of His Majesties not observing what He hath already granted if He shall be in a Condition to force them seeâ—â—g it is believed that what He hath given was against His Will Next divers eminent Persons apprehend that if He obtain His ends by Force they will be neglected and Persons obnoxious to this Kingdom cherished Shew that some activâ— mâ—n will not lie
idle in so stirring Times and therefore His Majesty would consider how to make use of them lest otherwise they may be engaged and with them the Kingdom Shew that it will be impossible longer to delay the Meeting of the Commissioners for Conserving of the Peace and what my Part hath been therein and therefore to Consider if it were not fit they were called by His Majesties Warrant Shew that I could not think of a better way to serve Her Majesty for the present than by procuring an Invitation from the whole Kingdom for Her return which Proposition if His Majesty conceive fit for His Service and be acceptable to Her Majesty I doubt not of the effectuating it otherwise it shall here end Shew that though I can be of no great use to His Majesty any where yet I conceive more here than at York for albeit I still say I can undertake for nothing yet I may possibly be able to prevent Evil if I can do no Good Shew the miserable Condition of my Fortune which occasioneth the not sending as yet the Moneys for entertaining the Horse which if the sale of Land can procure shall be quickly remedied In August following there was an Assembly to which the King sent the Earl of Dunfermline Commissioner Dunfermline Commissioner to the General Assembly with full Assurances of His Majesties Resolution to adhere to what was now settled by Law and to encourage all good Motions for advancing of Piety and Learning and it was also recommended to him as his chief Work to keep the Assembly within their own bounds that they might not meddle with England nor interpose in the Differences betwixt the King and the Two Houses But this was not to be done except by Authority backed with Force for there came a Declaration from the Parliament of England which was very welcome to them and had such a Return as they of England desired For the Assembly declared Prelacy to be the great Mountain that lay in the way of the advancement of Religion The Assembly declares against Episcopacy in England which must first be removed before the Church and Work of God could be established and nothing the Kings Commissioner said was able to divert them from this so irresistible was their Zeal They also sent a Petition to the Council desiring them to second their Address to the King for an Uniformity in Church-Government in all his Dominions and likewise desired that by reason of the Commotions were in England the Council would call together the Conservatours of the Peace this was a Court established by the late Parliament to see to the Preservation of the Articles of the late Treaty with England The Council upon this recommended Uniformity in Church-Government by a Letter to the King wherein they desired also Warrant to convene the Conservatours of the Peace the Assembly wrote also to the King to the same purpose The Marquis represented to His Majesty that their Zeal for this Uniformity was so great that no Art could hinder them from Petitioning for it but if they could be preserved from Deeds Many desire Uniformity in Church-Government and that the Conservators of Peace might meet their big words were to be answered with smooth Language But as for the Meeting of the Conservatours of the Peace he laid out the hazard of it to the King for if he refused to convene them it would raise Jealousies in the Peoples minds and there was ground to fear they would meet of their own accord if they were not called which would be an affront to the Kings Authority and might precipitate a Rupture But on the other hand there was no small danger in their Sitting for of that number some were likelier to disturb than conserve the Peace To the Letters from the Assembly and Council the King wrote the following Answer CHARLES R. BY your Letter to Vs of the 19th of this Instant August We find you concur with Our late General Assembly The Kings Letter about Uniformity of Church-Government in their Desire to Vs about Vnity of Religion and Vniformity of Church-Government in all Our three Kingdoms which cannot be more earnestly desired by you than shall be really endeavoured by Vs in such a way as We in Our Conscience conceive to be best for the flourishing Estate of the true Protestant Religion But as for Ioyning with Our Houses of Parliament here in this Work it were improper for Vs at this time to give any Answer for since their Meeting they have never made any Proposition to Vs concerning Vnity of Religion or Vniformity of Church-Government so far are they from desiring any such thing as we are confident the most considerable Persons and those who make fairest Pretences to you of this kind will no sooner embrace a Presbyterial than you an Episcopal And truely it seems notwithstanding whatsoever Profession they have made to the contrary that nothing hath been less in their minds than Settling of the true Religion and Reforming such Abuses in the Church-Government as possibly have crept in contrary to the establish't Law of the Land to which we have been so far from being averse that We have by divers Declarations and Messages pressed them to it though hitherto it hath been to small purpose But when-ever any Proposition shall be made to Vs by them which We shall conceive may any way advance the Vnity of the true Protestant Religion according to the Word of God or establish the Church-Government according to the known Laws of this Kingdom We shall by Our chearful Ioyning with them let the World see that nothing can be more acceptable unto Vs than the furthering and advancing of so good a Work So we bid you Farewell From Nottingham the 26th of August 1642. All in Scotland called for the Conservatours Sitting and said that they must be on their guard The Chancellor calls a Meeting of the Conservators of the Peace when War was like to be on their Borders whereupon the Council ordered the Chancellour to convene them At this time all the Scotish Commissioners returned from London every thing that concerned the Treaty being expeded but the Council thought it necessary to send the Earl of Lindsay and Sir Iohn Smith to lie there for Correspondence of which they gave the King notice With this His Majesty was highly displeased for he said they were either sent to Treat by vertue of the Commission from the Parliament in which case they were not a Quorum or by the Councils Authority if so then he asked who warranted them to do that without his Order yet to take away any ground of Heats or Jealousies he impowered them to go that they might see to the preserving the Articles of the Treaty As for the Conservators of the Peace he gave the Earl of Lowdon Warrant to convene them against the 22th of September and sent Mr. Murray of the Bed-Chamber afterwards Earl of Dysert with Instructions Mr. Murray
more Messages as may be most for His Majesties Honour and Peace of His Kingdoms which if they shall refuse or despise I hope we will not then forget that it is our King that is reduced to this necessity and that we will never look on unconcerned where he is so deeply engaged I hope you will pardon the Trouble I give you in reading this long ill-written Letter for had I not been Commanded to it by a Power which God willing I shall never disobey it had not been hazarded on by Your most humble Servant LANERICK Nottingham the last of August 1642. The Marquis took all the pains imaginable on Argyle and Lowdon to perswade them to a cordial owning of the Kings Service Much pains taken to engage Scotland to the Kings Service as the only way to give Scotland a lasting Interest in the Kings Affection which also would make them famous all the World over And since the Scotish Troubles had involved the King in all His difficulties it was just they should study to extricate him and for the pretence of Religion with which the English were cajoling our Scotish Clergy he said he was to be pardoned if he presumed to know them better than they could assuring them that Religion was only pretended by them He took also a great deal of pains in many others to prepare them against the day in which the Conservatours were to meet to which Lanerick came with the following Letter from His Majesty Right trusty c. The Kings Letter to the Conservatours of the Peace HAving been informed that upon Petition of the Commissioners from Our late General Assembly Our Council thought fit that you should meet for discharging of that Trust imposed on you by Vs and Our Parliament whereby all fair means may be used to prevent such Troubles and Divisions as may interrupt or endanger the common Peace of Our Kingdom And as it ought to be the continual study of all Good and Pious Princes to preserve their People so certainly it is the Duty of all Loyal and Faithful Subjects to maintain the Greatness and Iust Authority of their Princes so that without this reciprocal Endeavour there can be no Happiness for the Prince nor Security for the People We are sure Our late Actions in Scotland will to all posterity be an acceptable witness of Our Care in preserving the Liberty of those Our Subjects and Our Desire to settle perfect Peace in that Our Kingdom And We are also confident that the many good Acts We have past here since the Sitting of this Parliament indeed denying none but such as denyed Vs any Power at all and were never so much as demanded from any of Our Predecessors will bear the like Testimony of Our Affection to the Good and Peace of this Kingdom though the success hath not been alike For though We have used Our best Endeavours to prevent the present Distractions and threatning Dangers yet so prevalent have been the opposers of Vs and the Peace of Our Kingdoms that not so much as a Treaty can be obtained though by Our several Messages We have descended to demand and press it unless upon such Conditions as would either by taking all Power of Government from Vs make Vs as nothing or by forcing Vs to quit the Protection of such as for obeying Vs according to Law and their Oath of Allegiance they would have Traytors and so make Vs do an Act unworthy of a King Yet so desirous We are to save Our Subjects Blood which cannot but be prodigally spent if We be necessitated by force of Arms to decide these unhappy Differences that no sooner any such Treaty shall be offered unto Vs by them which with Honour and Safety We can receive but We shall chearfully embrace it This We have thought fit to acquaint you with that from Our Selves you may know Our love to Peace and We doubt not but your Meeting at this time will produce something which will witness your tender respect to Our Honour and Safety and so much We do confide in your Affections as We shall absolutely leave the ways and means of expressing it to your selves So We bid you heartily farewell From Our Court at Stafford the 18th of September This so far prevailed with them at their first Meeting The Conservatours incline to serve the King that all things went very fairly so that they sent a Return to the Kings Letters without making any Judgement on the Differences betwixt Him and the Parliament They also resolved to Mediate betwixt the King and the Two Houses and for that end designed to send the Marquis to Holland with an Invitation from Scotland to Her Majesty for her Return to mediate a Peace betwixt the King and Parliament and to invite the Queen And the Marquis got a Paper signed by almost all the Lords not only those who were the best-affected but by Lowdon Argâ—le Waristoun Mr. Alexander Henderson and the other Leaders of the Party containing an Invitation for Her Majesty to come to Scotland with assurance of Security for Her Person and the free exercise of Her Religion for Her Self and Family so that no others were admitted to share in it and that they should concur with Her Majesty in mediating a Peace betwixt the King and the Two Houses which if it were rejected by the Two Houses they obliged themselves to engage for the King against them This was carried with great Address and managed so prudently that wise men called it the Master-peece of the Marquis his Life Lanerick carried it to the King to receive His Pleasure about it a Note whereof follows written by Lanerick in general Terms DIvers of the most considerable of the Nobility of Scotland and send Lanâ—rick to the King have by the Earl of Lanerick humbly offered unto His Majesty their sense of the present Differences betwixt Him and His Parliament of England which they conceive will hardly be reconciled so long as Her Majesty is at so great a distance and therefore are perswaded it would conduce much for Settling these Distractions if Her Majesty might be moved to return and mediate in so good a Work for which end the Marquis of Hamilton if His Majesty think fit and conceive it may be acceptable to Her Majesty will be ready to go to Holland humbly to invite Her Majesty hereunto in Name of this whole Kingdom of Scotland who will as dutiful and faithful Subjects humbly joyn their Endeavours and Mediation with Her Majesty that His Majesty may have Honour and Contentment and His People Happiness and Security under His Royal Government But the King was jealous of them The King at first welcomed this Proposition with a great deal of Joy but upon other grounds he thought not fit to listen to it for his Affection to the Queen made him fear the hazard of Her Person so much that this Proposition was not entertained which the Marquis often regrated as a Loss
which could never be recovered for this raised Jealousies in the minds of the Scotish Lords as if the King had no Confidence in them which was cherished sufficiently by divers Male-contents upon which the Marquis despaired of getting any good done in Scotland All he judged possible thereafter was to prevent and provide against the Evil he feared and that he prosecuted with all the Zeal he was master of which His Majesty understanding by Mr. Mungo Murray Cupbearer wrote him what follows Hamilton YOur Letter and this Bearer hath so fully satisfied me that I cannot be more confident in any thing than that you will beside what you have deserve that mark of Favour I intend you You know me too well to have more words spent upon you only this I think unfit to trust particulars to Paper having so trusâ—y a Messenger whom I stayed this long expecting dayly a Battel but now I think the Rebels want either Courage or Strength to fight before they be forced So referring you to my Servant Mungo I rest Your most assured constant Friend CHARLES R. Wollerhampton the 27th Octob. 1642. The next Meeting of the Conservatours was on the 24th of November The Conservatours become worse affected where their strain seemed much altered to the worse yet they still resolved to interpose in a Mediation betwixt the King and the Parliament of England whereupon they wrote both to the King and the Two Houses for a Safe-conduct to such as they should send up At this time there were great Complaints of some encroachments made upon the Priviledges the Scotish Nation had enjoyed in France The Earl of Louthian is sent to France for Redress whereof the Council thought it necessary to send one to France and made choice of the Earl of Louthian and sent him first to the King with the Instructions they had given him that His Majesty might send him as His Minister to negotiate that Affair One of the Instructions was to get the Marquis put in possession of the Honour and Revenue of Chastle-herault Upon the Earl of Lowthian's coming to Court the Instructions he had from Scotland were called for by His Majesty who judged he had no reason to allow this Precedent of His Subjects instructing His Agents to Foreign Courts and these are yet extant among Lanerick's Papers But the King caused write them over in his Name so that there was no ground from this to charge any thing on the Marquis as tampering with Foreign Princes which was publickly done by his Enemies on this occasion it having been ordinarily recommended by King Iames to all the Ministers he sent from Scotland to France Neither was this done without the Kings particular Knowledge and Orders for besides that the King gave that Instruction with the rest he very seriously recommended it by word of mouth to Lowthian's Care as he informed the Writer After this the Marquis represented to the King that it were fit he should send down some person of Quality to give fresh Assurances and Hopes before they sent up their Commissioners Lanerick is sent back to Scotland whereupon the King sent down the Earl of Lanerick as the person who understood his thoughts best and was ablest to second his Brother in advancing his Service He came from Oxford in the beginning of December and brought the following Letter from the King to his Brother Hamilton THough the Trust of this Bearer needs not a Credential Letter An extraordinary Letter of the Kings yet the Civility of a Friend cannot but under his hand as well as by word of mouth express his Kindness and resentment of Courtesies which of late have been such that you have given me just cause to give you better Thanks than I will offer at in in words I shall not neglect the lazie use of so trusty a Bearer by referring to him not only the estate of my Affairs here but likewise in what way you will be of most use to Me yet I cannot but tell you I have set up my rest upon the Iustice of my Cause being resolved that no extremity or misfortune shall make me yield for I will be either a Glorious King or a Patient Martyr and as yet not being the first nor at this present apprehending the other I think it now no unfit time to express this my Resolution unto you One thing more which but for the Messenger were too much trust to Paper the sailing to one Friend hath indeed gone very near me wherefore I am resolved that no Consideration whatsoever shall ever make me doe the like Vpon this Ground I am certain that God hath either so totally forgiven me that he will still bless this Good Cause in my Hands or that all my Punishment shall be in this World which without performing what I have resolved I cannot flatter my self will end here This accustomed Freedom will I am confident add chearfulness to your honest Resolutions seeing beside Generosity to which I pretend a little my Conscience will make me stick to my Friends assuring you I have none if I am not Your most assured constant Friend CHARLES R. Oxford 2d Decemb. 1642. This excellent Letter will both shew what pious Resentments His Majesty carried along with him in the greatest perplexities of his Affairs and discover how he did not think that the Marquis had either neglected or abused his Trust. Lanerick acted with more briskness and spoke more home and roundly than his Brother which preserved him in a high degree from the Jealousies which the smoothness of his carriage brought upon him Now the Pulpits were not idle for the Ministers begun again to work on the People The Ministers perswade the People to Arms. for the Defence of the Good Cause now in hazard which was ecchoed back with the applause of the Vulgar The Marquis and Argyle at enmity At this time the Marquis his Friendship with Argyle grew to a Coldness which after a few moneths turned into an Enmity for he finding Argyle so backward in all motions for the Kings Service and that he could not be prevailed upon to continue in a Neutrality in the English quarrel broke with him There was then in Scotland one Pickering an Agent from England who studied to poyson all with Misinformations of the Kings Proceedings and Designs The Marquis is complained of England as the Incendiary He wrote to Mr. Pym that he found good inclinations with all in Scotland to own their Quarrel and declare for them only the Marquis with his Friends resisted it so powerfully that till he were laid aside the success of his Negotiation was to be feared Wherefore he advised to proceed against him roundly and either to summon him to the House of Peers or to send down a Warrant to pursue him in Scotland as the Incendiary betwixt the two Kingdoms and he sent threatnings of this to the Marquis but he found his firmness to the Kings Service was proof against all
Attempts and he could neither be caressed nor cudgelled out of it Most of Pickering's Letters both to Pym and Clotworthy were intercepted from which I draw these Accounts About the 20th of December there was a Council-day a particular account whereof I shall give Great debates in the Council about the Kings Declaration as I have it from a Copy of a Letter written to London in which the Chancellour presented to the Council a Letter from my Lord Lindsay then at London with the Declaration of the Parliament But though the Lords of that Party knew nothing of this yet by private Letters Lanerick had some conjectures of it beforehand After the Parliaments Paper was twice read Lowdon resumed it fully and assoon as he had done with that Lanerick delivered another Letter from the King with as large a Declaration within it and after it was twice read Lanerick bade the Chancellour resume it as faithfully as he had done the former which accordingly he did The first thing the Marquis thought best to move as that of the least Importance which yet would discover how the Council was inclined was the Publishing the Kings Declaration The Lord Balmerino said the Parliament desired not theirs to be published so it were Officiousness to do it but that it were Injustice to publish the one without the other The Marquis asked was that because we owed as much to the Parliament of England as to the King Lanerick added he had a Command from the King for it Argyle answered they sate there to good purpose if every Message to them was a Command and they two let fly at one another for a while with much eagerness But the Marquis and Balmerino took the debate off their hands and managed it more calmly The Marquis said the Vote was to be stated Obey or Not obey the other answered that was the Bishops way of proceeding to procure Orders from the King without Advice and then charge all who offered better Counsel with Disobedience The Marquis said to what did they mean to reduce the Kings Authority if he might not set out Declarations for removing the Aspersions were cast on his Person and Government or would they speak plainly were they afraid that his Subjects might have too good an opinion of him if they heard himself There appeared a variety of Opinions before it was put to the Vote some were for Printing both some were for Printing neither some for Printing the Kings and not the Parliaments and one had a singular Opinion for Printing the Parliaments and not the Kings There were one and twenty Councellours present and it being put to the Vote Print or not Print there were eleven who voted I I I and nine voted No No No. This being carried that the Kings Declaration and not the Parliments should be Printed the Marquis moved next that the matter of these Declarations might be considered But the Lord Balmerino said the Parliament of England was long in contriving their Paper and the King and those about him had been no doubt as long in forming the other and if we shall fall upon a few hours Consideration to give our sense of them we were pretty fellows in faith which he twice repeated This rude Raillery touched the Marquis in the quick because he conceived these words were not so much a reflexion upon himself as on the King who on another great occasion had used the same expression However they had sate and debated long so they gave it over for that day This is set down more particularly because it was the first instance that these two Parties fell visibly asunder and henceforth they continued stated in two Factions But because I love not to name persons upon invidious occasions henceforth all the other Faction shall be designed by the General term of the Church-party others calling them Argyl's Party and the other the Hamilton-party However the Declaration was printed which drew a large share of Censure and Hatred on the two Brothers but the King was so well pleased with their Behaviour that he wrote the Marquis the following Letter Hamilton YOu know I am ill at words I think it were best for me to say to you as Mr. Major did you know my mind and indeed I know none of my Subjects that knows it better and having for the present little else to give my Servants but thanks I hold it a particular Misfortune that I can do it no better therefore this must suffice I see you are as good as your word and you shall find me as good in mine of being Your most assured constant Friend CHARLES R. Oxford December 29th 1642. An. 1643. POSTSCRIPT You cannot take to your self nor express to your Brother better thanks than I mean to you both for the Service you did me the last Council-day Anno 1643. THe next Year begun with Petitions which were brought from divers Shires and Presbyteries complaining of their Publishing the late Declaration but the Conservatours of Peace who were for the most part of the Church-party made this up the best way they could Most are inclined to joyn with the Two Houses against the King for first they declared a Publication was not an Approbation next they appointed the Parliaments Declaration to be also Published At this time the Marquis and Traquair renewed their old Friendship and seeing these Petitions coming in so fast which did clearly insinuate desires of engaging in the Parliaments Quarrel he with his Brother's and Traquair's advice contrived a Cross Petition to be offered to the Lords of Council And as the Motion of it came first from him so the first draught of it was from his Pen of which I find an account under Lanerick's hand so little reason there was to charge him with Juggling in that matter though it was not fit he should have owned it lest upon that account the Church-party might either have accused him as a Plotter or at least cast him from Sitting and Judging in it The Petition follows May it please your Lordships The Cross Petition THat whereas His Majesty with Advice of his Great Council the Estates of Parliament hath been pleased to select your Lordships to be His Councellours and hath by an Act of the late Parliament committed to your Lordships the Administration and Government of this Kingdom in all Affairs concerning the Good Peace and Happiness thereof and in regard of that great Trust reposed by His Majesty and the Estates of Parliament in you your Lordships have been and will continue so careful to acquit your selves of that weighty Charge as you may be answerable for all your Actions and Proceedings to His Majesty and the Estates of Parliament to whom as we conceive you are and can only be accomptable And now we being informed of a Petition presented by some Noblemen Gentlemen and others to the Commissioners for conserving the Articles of the late Treaty upon pretext of your Lordships not Sitting at that time
wherein it is represented that your Lordships late Warrant for Printing His Majesties Letter hath occasioned great Grief and heavy Regrate of all who tender the Glory of God His Majesties Honour and procuring Vnity of Religion and Vniformity in Church-Government the continuance of Peace and Vnion betwixt the two Kingdoms and fearing if at this time we should be silent your Lordships should conceive us and the rest of the Kingdom to be involved with them in the like Desires Iudgements and Opinions and lest by our silence our Gracious Soveraign the Kings Majesty should believe us wanting in the Duty and Allegiance which by so many Tyes and Obligations we owe to Him our Native King or that our Brethren of England should apprehend the least Intention â—r Desire in us to infringe or any ways to encroach upon the Brotherly Vnion of the two Kingdoms so happily united under one Head We presume in all Humility to clear our selves and our Intentions to your Lordships and to all the World and therewith to represent our humble Wishes and Desires for Establishing His Majesties Royal Authority and continuing that happy Vnion betwixt the two Kingdoms which can never truely be conceived to be intended to weaken the Head whereby it is knit together and without which it can have no subsistence The happy Vnion of the two Kingdoms under one Head our King doth so much add to His Majesties Greatness and Strength of both Kingdoms that we British Subjects cannot choose but wish that the said Brotherly Vnion be heartily entertained and cherished by all fair and reasonable means to which we conceive no one thing will so much conduce as that the late Articles of the Treaty of Peace and Conclusions taken thereupon about Vnity of Religion may be carefully and timeously prosecuted wherein as our Commissioners then so we now without presuming or usurping to prescribe Rules or Laws of Reformation to our Neighbour-kingdom Civil Liberty and Conscience being so tender that it cannot endure to be touched but by such as they are wedded to and have lawful Authority over them notwithstanding seeing the duty of Charity doth oblige all Christians to pray and profess their Desires that all were of the same Religion with themselves and since we all acknowledge that Religion is the base and foundation of Kingdoms and the strongest Bond to knit the Subjects to their Princes in true Loyalty and to knit their Hearts one to another in true Vnity we cannot but heartily wish that this work of Vnion so happily begun may be crowned and strengthened by the Vnity of Church-Government and that your Lordships with us may be pleased to represent it to His Majesty and Both Houses of Parliament as an expression and Testimony of our Affections to the good of our Brethren in England and of our Desires to make firm and stable our Brotherly Vnion by the strong chain and Bulwark of Religion but as we have said no ways intending thereby to pass our bounds in prescribing and setting down Rules and Limits to His Majesty and the Two Houses of Parliament their Wisdom and Authority in the way of prosecution thereof The sense we have of the great Calamities and irreparable Evils which upon occasion of these unhappy Distractions and Mistakes betwixt the Kings Majesty and the Two Houses of England which if not speedily removed cannot but produce the fearful and prodigious effects of a bloody and Civil War obligeth us in the duty of Christians and as feeling members of what may concern our Common Head the Kings Majesty and the Good and Happiness of our Brethren of England humbly to represent to your Lordships That as we will not be wanting with our Prayers and our faithful and best Endeavours to assist in the removing of these unhappy Mistakes and Misunderstandings so we heartily wish and humbly Petition your Lordships that from the deepness of your Wisdom such happy Motions may flow as upon that tender care of our Soveraigns Person and Authority Peace and Truth may be settled in all His Majesties Dominions Although we will not presume nor take upon us to prescribe Laws and Rules to your Lordships yet in all Humility we intreat your permission to represent such Particulars as we conceive and are very confident will conduce much to the removing of all â—hese Mistakes betwixt His Majesty and His Two Houses of Parliament and be a ready mean to facilitate a happy and wished Peace and continue the Brotherly Vnion between the Two Kingdoms And first that in answering the foresaid Petition your Lordships may be pleased to do no Act which may give His Majesty just occasion to repent him of what Trust he so Graciously expressed in his Letter of the Date the fifth of December He reposes in us His Subjects of His Ancient and Native Kingdom for we cannot think that our Brethren in England or any other can believe that the ground of this Mutual Vnion of the two Kingdoms by the several and respective Vnions to our Prince and Head should weaken the strong Bond whereby it is knit and by which we are so firmly tied by so many Ages and unparalelled lineal descents of an hundred and seven Kings Neither can we suppose that any good Protestant or true member of our Church can imagine far less seduce others to believe that by the late Treaty of Peace or Act of Vnion we as Scotish Subjects are in any sort liberated from the Dutiful Obedience which as Scotishmen we owe to our Scotish King or from that due Loyalty which as Scotish Subjects we owe to our Native Soveraign for Maintenance of His Person Greatness and Authority or that thereby we are in any other Condition in these necessary Duties to our Soveraign than we and our Ancestors were and have been these many Ages and Descents before the making of the said Act or before the Swearing and Subscribing of our late Covenant by which we have solemnly sworn and do swear not only our mutual Concurrence and Assistance for the cause of Religion and to the utmost of our power with our Means and Lives to stand to the Defence of our Dread Soveraign His Person and Authority in the preservation of Religion Liberty and Laws of this Church and Kingdom but also in every Cause which may concern His Majesties Honour we shall according to the Laws of this Kingdom and Duty of Subjects concur with our Friends and Followers in quiet manner or in Arms as we shall be required of His Majesty or His Councel or any having His Authority Secondly That if your Lordships think it fitting to make any answer to the Parliament of England their Declaration your Lordships may be pleased not to declare enact or promise any thing which may trouble or molest the Peace of this Kirk and Kingdom which by God's special Grace and His Majesties Favour and Goodness we enjoy and have established unto us according to our Hearts desire by the Laws Ecclesiastical or Civil of
this Kingdom respectivè and which His Majesty since by so many Declarations and deep Protestations hath Sworn to maintain inviolably Thirdly That your Lordships may be pleased to consider that as nothing will more diminish His Majesties Greatness than that this Kingdom should consume in Civil War so nothing will more conduce to the Suppressing of insolent Papists malignant schismatick and Disloyal Brownists and Separatists the special if not the sole promovers of these unhappy Misunderstandings than that heartily and freely without respect of worldly and secondary Considerations we give to Christ what is Christ's and to Caesar what is Caesar's by means whereof the Truth and Purity of Religion shall be established to the utter Confusion of all these Sectaries true Monarchical Government firmly setled by which likewise Laws and Authority shall retain their ancient vigour and force to the Suppression of all Commotions and tumultuous Conventions the bane and overthrow of all true Religion and Policy Fourthly Although there be nothing farther from our minds than to presume to question or crave of your Lordships an account of your Actions knowing perfectly by the inviolable Laws and Customes of this Kingdome that to be only proper and due to the King and Parliament from whence you have that great Charge and Trust delivered unto you yet we hope your Lordships will give us leave in all Humility to remember your Lordships of your Deliverance June 1642. and are confident that the said Lords the Petitioners neither have nor shall have necessity to trouble themselves nor the Council with Supplications of this kind and that your Lordships in your Wisdom will take some Course for preventing all occasions which may in any sort disturb the Peace of this Kingdom or make Division among the Subjects thereof This Petition was signed by a great many Noblemen and Gentlemen Many sign it but though they took much pains to get Ministers to concur in it yet none of them could be drawn to it This Petition was presented with many hands at it to the Council and it was observed that as it was written by a trusty Friend of the Marquis's so also all his Friends signed it which made the Author suspected and did shew that his Friends adhered hitherto to their Duty and his Example All the Answer the Councellors returned to it was that they should be careful to proceed as they should be answerable All the Ministers condemn it But the Preachers threatned Damnation to all the Authors and Subscribers of it and detestable Neutrality became the Head on which they spent their Eloquence The Commission of the General Assembly passed a severe Censure on the Cross Petition in a Remonstrance they gave in against it which was answered by a Counter-remonstrance Upon these cross tides of Petitions that were offered to the Council the Conservatours of the Peace resolved to send some Commissioners to London Commissioners sent to Treat betwixt the King and the Two Houses to Mediate betwixt the King and the Two Houses and endeavour chiefly the Uniformity of Church-Government for which end the Commission of the Kirk was also to send their Commissioners to second them in it and no resistance could be made to this that was able to obstruct it They also moved that the King should be desired to call a Parliament in Scotland The Marquis and his Friends opposed this vigorously not that he was against a Parliament but judged the Motion unseasonable and thought the Time prefixed at the last Parliament for the next to wit after three years needed not be anticipated It was also put in their Instructions to their Commissioners to press the King to put all Papists from his Person The Marquis and his Friends also opposed this not upon the account of the thing it self but because it seemed to cast a Scandal upon the King as if his Religion were to be suspected But the Church-party was strongest in this Meeting of the Conservatours and so carried every thing in it The Safe-conducts being come they named their Commissioners the Chancellour being the chief of them and though Lanerick in the Kings Name excepted against the Lord Waristoun and produced the Kings Warrant for it yet they named him but were so wise as not to send him They were also so discreet that they appointed the Commissioners to go first to the King Things being thus determined Lanerick took the start of them but they were at Court before him he being detained by a Garrison of the Parliaments for some days In the end of February he came to Oxford Lanerick goes to Court and discovers the inclination of the Church-party where he gave the King an account of the present state of the Scotish Affairs and that it was the Advice of His Majesties truest Friends in Scotland that he should entertain the Commissioners with the best words he could give them but should not by any means suffer them to go to London since there were great grounds to fear they would engage too deep in the Quarrel if they went thither This Advice agreed so with the Kings Inclinations that it could meet no resistance in his thoughts When the Commissioners arrived they delivered their Message but the King repeated what was formerly told them That Scotland and England had different Laws and Interests and therefore it was to give the one Kingdom too great an advantage over the other to suffer them to come and be Vmpires in the present Differences They pressed their Desires as warmly as they could but all was in vain for the King would by no means suffer them to go to London and in particular he told the Earl of Lowdon what grounds He had to believe they designed to raise an Army for the Parliaments Quarrel and that some of his fellow-Commissioners would prove Incendiaries rather than Mediators But Lowdon with great Protestations denied that they designed to raise Arms and said to the King These were but the Misrepresentations with which the Marquis and his Brother abused His Majesty As for the Calling a Parliament the King said he saw no reason for it and therefore would not anticipate the Day that was already prefixed for it But to the Commissioners from the Assembly the King gave the following Answer which I set down in his own Words having it written all with His Majesties own Hand HIs Majesty commends the Zeal of the Petitioners for the advancement of the true Reformed Religion against Heresy Popery Sects Innovations and Profanity and always shall use His best and uttermost endeavours for Advancing the one and the utter Suppressing the rest For the Vnity in Kirk-Government His Majesty knows that the Government now established by the Laws hath so near a relation and intermixture with the Civil State which may be unknown to the Petitioners that till a composed digested Form be presented to him upon a free debate by Both Houses of Parliament whereby the Consent and Approbation of the whole Kingdom
against Vs and others have been seduced to whom We had formerly denied Imployment as appears by the examination of many Prisoners of whom We have taken Twenty and Thirty at a time of one Troop or Company of that Religion What Our Opinion is of that Religion Our frequent Solemn Protestations before Almighty God who knows Our Heart do manifest to the World And what Our Practice is in Religion is not unknown to Our good Subjects of that Our Native Kingdom And as We have omitted no way Our Conscience and Vnderstanding could suggest to be for the promoting and advancing the Protestant Religion so We have professed Our readiness in a full and peaceable Convention of Parliament to consent to whatsoever shall be proposed by Bill for the better Discovery and speedier Conviction of Recusants for the Education of the Children of Papists by Protestants in the Protestant Religion for the prevention of the Practices of Papists against the State and the due Execution of the Laws and true Levying of Penalties against them so We shall further embrace any just Christian Means to Suppress Popery in all Our Dominions of which Inclination and Resolution of Ours that Our Native Kingdom hath received good evidence For the other malicious and wicked Insinuations that Our Success here upon the Rebellious Armies raised to destroy Vs will have an influence upon Our Kingdom of Scotland and that We will endeavour to get loose from those wholsom Laws which have been enacted by Vs there We can say no more but Our good Subjects of that Kingdom well remember with what Deliberation Our Self being present at all the Debates We consented to these Acts and We do assure Our Subjects there and call God Almighty to witness of the uprightness and resolution of Our Heart in that point that We shall always use Our utmost Endeavours to defend and maintain the Rights and Liberties of that Our Natiâ—e Kingdom according to the Laws established there and shall no longer look for Obedience than We shall govern by the Laws And We hope that Our zeal and carriage only in Defence of the Laws and Government of this Kingdom and the subjecting Our Self to so great hazard and danger will be no argument that when the Work is done We would pass through the same Difficulties to alter and invade the Constitutions of that Our other Kingdom We find disadvantages enough to struggle with in the Defence of the most upright innocent just Cause of Taking up Arms and therefore if We wanted the Conscience we cannot the Discretion to tempt God in an unjust Quarrel The Laws of Our Kingdom shall be always Sacred to Vs We shall refuse no hazard to defend them but sure We shall run none to invade them And therefore We do conjure all Our good Subjects of that Our Native Kingdom by the long happy and uninterrupted Government of Vs and Our Royal Progenitors over them by the Memory of those many large and publick Blessings they enjoyed under Our dear Father by those ample Favours and Benefits they have received from Vs by their Own Solemn National Covenant and their Obligation of Friendship and Brotherhood with the Kingdom of England not to suffer themselves to be misled and corrupted in their Affections and Duty to Vs by the cunning Malice and Industry of those Incendiaries and their Adherents but to resist and look upon them as Persons who would involve them in their Guilt and sacrifice the Honour Fidelity and Allegiance of that Our Native Kingdom to their private Ends and Ambition And We require Our good Subjects tâ—ere to consider that the Persons who have contrived fomented and do still maintain these bloody Distractions and this unnatural Civil War what pretence so ever they make of their Care of the true Reformed Protestant Religion are in truth Brownists and Anabaptists and other Independent Sectaries and though they seem to desire an Vniformity of Church-Government with Our Kingdom of Scotland do no more intend and are so far from allowing the Church-Government by Law established there or indeed any Church-Government whatsoever as they are from consenting to the Episcopal and We cannot but expect a greater sense of Our Sufferings since the obligations We have laid on that Our Native Kingdom are used as arguments against Vs here and Our free consenting to some Acts of Grace and Favour there which were asked of Vs by reason of Our necessary residence from thence have encouraged ill-affected Persons to endeavour by Force to obtain the same here where We usually reside To conclude We cannot think that Our good Subjects there will so far hearken to the Treason and Malice of Our Enemies as to interrupt their own present Peace and Happiness and God so deal with Vs and Our posterity as We shall inviolably observe the Laws and Statutes of that Our Native Kingdom and the Protestations We have so often made for the Defence of the true Reformed Protestant Religion the Laws of the Land and the Iust Priviledges and Freedom of Parliaments With these Publick Orders His Majesty also sent the Marquis a Patent to be a Duke The King sends the Marquis a Patent to be Duke as a recompence of the great Services he was then doing and had formerly done him Scarce were these Lords come to Scotland when one Walden an Agent sent from the Two Houses to Scotland The Lords pursued as Incendiaries upon the pretence of the Treaty about Ireland gave in a Complaint to the Council against them on the account of a Letter that was intercepted signed by them all at Latham the Earl of Darby's House in Lancashire where they were as they came down in which they gave the Queen some Informations and Advices about the State of the Kings Affairs in that County This was charged on them as Incendiarism and Walden desired liberty to pursue them on that Head whereupon they first drew some Defences but because these would have been found more guilty of the alledged fault than the Letter it self they being made up of a Justification of the Kings Armes in England they answered this Complaint by a Petition wherein they declared they had never instigated the King into a Breach with his Two Houses and that there was nothing on earth they desired more earnestly than to see a happy Settlement betwixt them therefore they intreated that no Misrepresentations might be received or listened to against them The Church-party saw this would be a good way to be rid of the Trouble and Opposition they feared from these Lords and â—efore cherished Walden's Motion but they were told that they could not fix any Censure on that Matter without judging of the whole Business for if the Kings Quarrel was just those Lords acted as became faithful Subjects whatever might be in that none in England could challenge them for Serving him in it till themselves had declared against it which was not yet done The force of this Reasoning constrained them against their
Hearts to yield much more than the Authority of the Kings Commands who having got notice of it from the Earl of Lindsay wrote down to Scotland peremptorily commanding them to desist from any such pursute if it were begun requiring also his Advocate to appear for them in His Majesties Name if they were pursued The Earl of Lanerick wrote to the King what follows May it please Your Majesty I Shall here Humbly presume to let Your Majesty know that before any of Your Scotish Servants who lately parted with Your Majesty at Oxford Lanâ—rick 's account of Affairs to His Majesty could possibly come hither the Chancellour had made his Report to the Council and Conservatours of the Treaty and Mr. Henderson to the Commissioners of the General Assembly of their Employments to Your Majesty where Your Answers to their Desires were found not satisfactory and thereafter Your Majesties Council Commissioners for the Treaty and Common Burdens having joyned together for giving of Security for such Moneys as should be levyed for the Maintenance of Your Majesties Scotish Army in Ireland they thought fit without admitting of any delay until Your Majesties Pleasure were known to call a Convention of the Estates as their several Acts and Proclamations to that effect here inclosed will more particularly shew Your Majesty And for the present Your Majesties Servants who came lately hither having only met with three or four of those whom Your Majesty appointed them to consult with have thought fit to advise with some others of the same Affection and Forwardness to Your Majesties Service before they presume to give Your Majesty any Advice upon the present Occasions being matters of so great Weight and so highly concerning Your Majesties Service but they have taken the readiest and most speedy Course they can think upon for Meeting and Consulting with them and thereafter are immediately to return hither from whence they will with all diligence offer unto Your Majesty their humble Opinion In the mean time I have dispatched Your Majesties Letters to such Noblemen and Burroughs as Your Majesty was pleased to direct me shewing Your Resolution of preserving here what you have been pleased so Graciously to establish in Church and State not having been able to deliver Your Majesties Letter to Your Council who were dissolved before my coming and my Lord Chancellour is gone out of Town without whose Appointment there can be no extraordinary Meeting so that I believe Your Majesties Gracious Declaration to Your Scotish Subjects cannot be published before that time nor till then can I be able to give Your Majesty any further account of Your Affairs here though in the mean time I shall study to serve Your Majesty faithfully according to the Duty of Your Majesties Most humble and most faithful and most obedient Subject and Servant LANERICK Edinburgh 18th May. 1643. In the end of May there was a Meeting of about thirty Noblemen where these two Questions were proposed The Lords consult what to advise His Majesty First if it were fit for the Kings Service that the Convention should be suffered to hold Next if it held whether those who were well-affected to the Kings Service should fit in it There were three or four Days spent in debating upon these Heads some moved that since by the calling of this Convention the other Party had so far encroached upon the King they should presently break with them this Motion came chiefly from other Lords who would not come to that Meeting But it was answered that the King as he would not give Commissions for raising an Army in England till he knew the Parliament had first done it on their side so it was his positive Pleasure that his Party should not make the first Breach which the King judged so much for his Honour that no Consideration could move him to dispense with it yet these who made that Proposition were desired to lay down ways how it could be made effectual since it was Madness and not Courage to hazard the Ruine of the Kings Service and Friends without at least a likelyhood of being able to carry it through with some Success All things being examined it was concluded that the following Message should be sent to His Majesty which was set down in a Paper dated the 5th of Iune but because of the War in England they committed it verbally to a Trusty Bearer lest it had been intercepted A Convention was indicted by the Chancellour and such others of the Council as have signed His Majesties Letter thereabout with the Advice and Concurrence of the Committees for conserving the Treaty and Common Burdens to be kept at Edinburgh the 22th of June whereby it is conceived His Majesty suffers exceedingly in His Regal Authority in the Calling thereof without his Special Warrant A Proclamation for the Indicting thereof is likewise issued forth in His Majesties Name expressing a danger to Religion His Majesties Person and the Peace of this Kingdom from Papists in Arms in England which in that appears to be contrary to His late Declaration sent to Scotland Hereupon divers Noblemen and Gentlemen well-affected to His Majesties Service met at Edinburgh and after three or four days Debate considering the exigency of Time the present posture of Affairs and the disposition and inclination of the People of this Country did not conceive it fitting that His Majesty should absolutely discharge that Meeting which certainly would be kept notwithstanding of any Discharge from Him which would both bring His Authority in greater Contempt and lose more of the Affections of the People whereby the Power of His Majesties Servants would be lessened but rather that His Majesty should so far take notice of the Illegal Calling thereof and His Own Suffering thereby that the same remaining upon Record may be an evidence to Posterity that this Act of theirs can infer no such Precedent for the like in the future but afterwards His Majesty or His Successors may Legally question the same And that His Majesties Servants here may be better enabled and strengthened with the assistance of others of His Majesties faithful Subjects who truly and really intend nothing but the Security of Religion as it is here established and are altogether averse from and against the Raising of Arms or Bringing over the Scotish Army in Ireland whereby His Majesties Affairs or their own Peace may be disturbed they conceive it fit that His Majesty should permit this Convention to Treat and conclude upon such Particulars as may secure their Fears from any danger of Religion at home without interessing themselves in the Government of the Church of England And in respect that the Two Houses of Parliament have not sent Supplies for Entertaining the Scotish Army in Ireland whereby they may have some colour or ground for recalling them it is conceived necessary that this Convention should have a Power from His Majesty to advise and resolve upon all fair and Legal wayes for Entertaining the
Instrument of his producing it which was also refused so having taken witness of it he withdrew and none of these Lords would sit in the Convention any more After this some came to the Duke and asked his Advice if they should sit or not he suspected their Intentions were only to betray him and told them that his Practice declared his own Judgment which he wished the whole Convention had followed but for particular Advices he left it to themselves Others of their Friends were by them all thought necessary to sit still in the Convention to keep up delays in the approaching Treaty with the English but divers of their Friends being over-awed with the Power of the Church-party did forsake them Great Jealousies and Divisions in Scotland At the same time some of the Church-party who feared the Duke more than all that opposed them knowing the depth of his Designs and the smoothness of his Address took a strange Course to render him suspected to the Kings Party which was to let a Whisper fly out but so as they should not appear in it that he and they kept a Correspondence which was too easily believed by many who were already ill-affected to his Person and displeased with his Methods and the great forwardness of some for appearing in the Kings Service made them impatient of all Delays But the Duke sent divers Messages by Mr. Murray of the Bed-chamber who was at that time sent by His Majesty to Scotland to those of the Kings Friends who he saw were displeased with him to mediate a Reconciliation who dealt in it with all possible diligence but their Jealousies of the Duke were insuperable And a little after that in the end of Iuly some of them went to Court to represent to the King how ill His Affairs were managed by those He trusted them to and to offer their Serviâ—e if He would change his Tools and Methods The Duke upon this wrote to the King that he found himself betwixt two Tides of those who were perverse on the one hand and over-forward on the other yet he wished not only Life and Fortune but his Soul might perish if he left any thing unessayed and undone that was in his power for the Kings Service But all in which he could hope to prevail was Delays which to draw out longer than this Winter he could not promise And the Methods he used to draw out the Treaty by Delays were to set some on work to get Scotland to insist on their Demands for the rest of the Brotherly Assistance and for what was agreed to by the former years Treaty to be paid for the Army in Ireland before they engaged further all which amounted to a round Sum and he knew it would neither be soon nor easily advanced The time of the Assembly was also approaching wherefore they advised the King for his Advocates encouragement to Name him Commissioner for it The Convention did little at first only they begun a new Process against some alledged Incendiaries and named many Committees waiting still for the English Commissioners who were daily expected On the first of August came the Kings Advocat's Commission with his Instructions and a Letter to the Assembly His Instructions were First to assure the Assembly of the Kings constant adherence to the late Establishment and his willingness to encourage all good Motions He was to oppose all Treaty with England or Declarations about the Commotions there He was to oppose any new Commission of the Kirk He was to hinder any Censure to pass on those who had subscribed the Cross Petition On the second of August the Assembly sat down The General Assembly sitâ— but no curb could hold them so high was their Zeal and so void were they of respect of Persons that the opposition the Kings Commissioner gave them was little regarded for they went on at a great rate The Convention voted an hundred thousand Marks Sterling to be raised by a Loan this was a pretty Device to fine all that were not judged well-affected for they were appointed to lend Sums upon the Publick Faith which every one knew would turn to no Security for their Money On the ninth of August came the much-longed for Commissioners from England Commissioners come from England with a large Declaration from the Two Houses justifying all their Procedure and intreating the assistance of their Brethren in Scotland This was cheerfully welcomed by the Assembly and some did run so far back as to remember how Queen Elizabeth helped the Lords of the Congregation in the Scotish Reformation in opposition to the Queen Regent and therefore it was but Justice that they should now repay them with the like Assistance But that which generally prevailed to engage the greater part of the Nation in the War The Arguments that prevailed for entring in a League with them shall here be set down with that fulness and freedom that becomes a Historian The now Duke of Newcastle had raised a great Army in the North of England for the King upon which that Countrey was like to be for some time the seat of the War and though Berwick and Carlisle had no Garrisons in them according to the Treaty between both Kingdoms yet it was not to be doubted but either the one side or the other would see their advantage in putting Garrisons in these places upon which all in Scotland judged it necessary to raise some Forces otherwise the best Counties in Scotland which lye toward the South had been put under Contribution by those Garrisons and they had been all a prey to the prevailing Army yea and which side soever were either beaten or straitned it was not to be doubted but they would send in Parties to Scotland to bring Provisions and what else could be had therefore it was Concluded that a Force must be raised for the Security of Scotland This being laid down it was not uneasie to perswade all that it was better to carry in and maintain their Army in England than keep it in Scotland to be a vast Charge upon themselves And the Forces that were raised in the years 1639 and 40 had been very heavy on the chief Nobility and Gentry nor had the Brotherly Assistance which the Two Houses had Voted to be raised for their reimbursement come to their Supply the War of England intercepting it therefore they had generally a great mind to Quarter their Army in England Now this could not be done they keeping up the Neutrality they were then in therefore they must either joyn with the King or the Two Houses For joyning with the King many Arguments were used both from the Laws of Scotland that obliged all the Subjects to assist the King in his Wars and from the Covenant wherein they swore to assist Him in every cause in which His Majesties Honour was concerned There were also private assurances given not only to the leading Men but to the whole Nation of signal
marks of His Majesties Favour and Confidence in the disposal of all Offices and Places at Court that every third time they should be filled with Scotish men together with other particulars not needful to be mentioned But against all this it was objected that those who had the Ascendant in the Councils at Oxford were either Papists or men of Arbitrary Principles and the Clamours that always follow Generals and Armies where there is no certain Pay were carried to Scotland not without great additions against the Kings Forces to possess people with a deep alienation from them It was likewise said that since the King notwithstanding the Declining of his Affairs in England would not grant what was desired there about Episcopacy it might be from thence gathered what he would do if his Arms were successful and therefore all People were possessed with the jealousies of his subverting the whole Settlement with Scotland assoon as he had put the War in England to a happy Conclusion And though it was answered to this that the Kings putting things to hazard rather than sin against his Conscience was the greatest assurance possible that he would faithfully observe what He had granted to this Malicious people said that it would be easie to find distinctions to escape from all Engagements and if the putting down of Episcopacy was simply sinful according to the Kings Conscience then that alone would furnish Him with a very good reason to overturn all since no Men are bound to observe the promises they make when they are sinful upon the Matter And these Reasons did generally prevail with the Covenanters to refuse to joyn with the Kings Party in England therefore they concluded it necessary to Engage with the Two Houses both because the Cause was dear to them it being a pretence for Religion and Liberty It was also said often that they owed their Settlement partly to the backwardness of the Armies the King had raised against them in England and partly to the Council of the Peers who had advised the King to grant a Treaty and afterwards a full Settlement to them And that Paper which was sent down in the Year 1640 as the Engagement of 28 of the Peers of England for their Concurrence with the Scotish Army that year was shown to divers to engage them unto a Grateful return to those to whom it was pretended they were so highly obliged For though the Earl of Rothes and a few more were well satisfied about the Forgery of that Paper yet they thought that a Secret of too great Importance to be generally known therefore it was still kept up from the Body of that Nation And upon these Pretences and Inducements it was that it came to be generally agreed to to enter into a Confederacy with the Two Houses So Fatal did the Breach between the King and his People prove that even when it seemed to be well made up by a full Agreement there was still an after-game of Jealousies and Fears which did again widen it by a new Rupture which to these men seemed at this time unavoidable otherwise they found the ease of a Neutrality to be such that the Men of the greatest Interest in those Councils have often told the Writer they had never engaged again had it not been for those Jealousies with which they were possessed to a high degree There was a Committee of Nine appointed to Treat with the Commissioners the English pressed chiefly a Civil League and the Scots a Religious one but though the English yielded to this yet they were careful to leave a door open for Independency Thus the Treaty with the English Commissioners went on notwithstanding a Letter the King wrote to the Chancellour to be communicated to the Council requiring them not to Treat with them since they came without His Majesties Order but they who had leaped over all other matters could not stand at this And now came to light that which had been a hatching these many Months among the Iunto's which was the Solemn League and Covenant which follows The Solemn League and Covenant of the three Kingdoms WE Noblemen Barons Knights Gentlemen Citizens and Burgesses The Solemn League and Covenant Ministers of the Gospel and Commons of all sorts in the Kingdoms of Scotland England and Ireland by the Providence of God living under one King and being of one Reformed Religion having before our eyes the glory of GOD and the advancement of the Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ the Honour and Happiness of the Kings Majesty and His Posterity and the true publick Liberty Safety and Peace of the Kingdom wherein every ones private condition is included And calling to mind the treacherous and bloody Plots Conspiracies Attempts and Practices of the Enemies of GOD against the true Religion and Professors thereof in all places especially in these three Kingdoms ever since the Reformation of Religion and how much their Rage Power and Presumption are of late and at this time encreased and exercised whereof the deplorable estate of the Church and Kingdom of Ireland the distressed estate of the Church and Kingdom of England and the dangerous estate of the Church and Kingdom of Scotland are present and publick testimonies We have now at last after other means of Supplication Remonstrance Protestations and Sufferings for the preservation of our selves and our Religion from utter ruine and destruction according to the commendable practice of these Kingdoms in former times and the example of Gods People in other Nations after mature deliberation resolved and determined to enter into a mutual and Solemn League and Covenant Wherein we all subscribe and each one of us for himself with our hands lifted up to the most high GOD do Swear THat we shall sincerely really and constantly through the grace of GOD endeavour in our several Places and Callings the preservation of the Reformed Religion in the Church of Scotland in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government against our common Enemies the Reformation of Religion in the Kingdoms of England Ireland in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government according to the Word of GOD and the example of the best Reformed Churches And shall endeavour to bring the Churches of GOD in the three Kingdoms to the nearest conjunction and Vniformity in Religion Confession of Faith Form of Church-Government Directory for Worship and Catechising that we and our Posterity after us may as Brethren live in Faith and Love and the Lord may delight to dwell in the midst of us That we shall in like manner without respect of persons endeavour the extirpation of Popery Prelacy that is Church-Government by Arch-bishops Bishops their Chancellours and Commissaries Deans Deans and Chapters Arch-deacons and all other Ecclesiastical Officers depending on that Hierarchy Superstition Heresie Schism Prophaneness and whatsoever shall be found to be contrary to sound Doctrine and the Power of Godliness lest we partake in other mens sins and thereby be in danger to
he had a Commission for it under the Great Seal of England it being contrary to the Articles of the late Treaty of the two Kingdoms which was ratified in Parliament At this time the Treaty betwixt the Two Houses in England The Treaty betwixt Scotland and England is concluded and the Convention in Scotland was closed Against the 5th of October a hundred thousand pounds Sterling was to be paid in Scotland and against the Twentieth of that Month an Army of Twenty thousand Horse and Foot was to be on the Borders from Scotland who were to have thirty thousand pounds Sterling a Month for Pay only the hundred thousand pounds Sterling was to serve for the first three Months The General was to be chosen by the Scots the Army was to receive Orders from a Commitee of both Kingdoms no Peace should be treated or concluded without the Scots and the Publick Faith was given by the Convention of Estates in Scotland that their Army should return out of England when a Peace was concluded by both Kingdoms And so the Convention Adjourned till Ianuary having chosen a Committee of Estates to whom they gave full Power in all matters Civil and Military About the middle of September the fairest opportunity of all was lost for the Parliament of England apprehending the hazard of the loss of Berwick sent down some Ships by which Berwick seized on by the Parliament with the Concurrence of the Scots it was presently Garrisoned and the Committee of Estates issued out toward the middle of September Commissions for making of Levies â—hrough the Kingdom so that nothing kept them from Marching but that they heard not of Money from England The Kings Friends were now in the greatest perplexities imaginable they saw his Affairs in a ruining Condition and themselves able to do nothing but regrate it All September passed over ere they had a return from Oxford and since the hope of Berwick was irrecoverably lost nothing remained but Despair The Church-party became daily more resolute and the Kings-party became fainter At length in the beginning of October Mr. Mungo Murray came from Court but brought no present Relief only large hopes of Assistance to follow quickly He also brought Letters from the King both to the Council and the Conservatours of the Peace that to the Conservatours of the Peace follows CHARLES R. RIght Trusty and Right well-beloved Cousins and Councellours Right Trusty and well-beloved Councellours and Trusty and well-beloved The Kings Letters to the Conservatours of the Treaty We greet you well No Industry hitherto could have so far prevailed with Vs as to gain any belief that Our Scotish Subjects would countenance much less assist this bloody Rebellion in England yet We know not how to understand the Levying of Forces both Foot and Horse within Our Native Kingdom and their entring Our Town of Berwick in an hostile manner You are particularly trusted by Vs and Our Parliament and solemnly sworn to be faithful in the discharge of that Trust of seeing the Articles of the late Treaty observed which here is most grosly violated therefore We require you as you will be answerable to God to Vs and Our Parliament to take speedy and present Order for recalling and suppressing those Forces Our most malicious Enemies must bear Vs witness how religiously We have observed these Articles on Our part whereof if We had not been more tender than the advisers of the Breach have been of the Publick Faith it is obvious to any how easily We could have secured that Town from all Rebels We have likewise thought fit to take notice of the private Preparations in that Our Kingdom of Raising an Army by a new Authority to come into Our Kingdom of England under the pretence of securing themselves from a Popish and Prelatical Army falsly alledged to be upon the Borders such Forces as We have there being only for Protecting of Our distressed Subjects from the Incursion of Rebels from their Ships at Berwick and Holy-Island and for no other end Such then as shelter themselves under that Pretext will find from thence but a slender Warrant before God who knows the integrity of Our Heart and how inviolably We intend to preserve all that We have granted to that Kingdom so long as they suffer themselves to be capable of Our Protection and those Favours We do require you not only to oppose and suppress all such unwarrantable Levies but by your Publick Declaration to disabuse those Rebels in England who endeavour to engage you in their Rebellion and expect Assistance from you in all which We look for ready Obedience and expect a present account thereof We bid you heartily farewell Given at Our Court at Oxford the 26th day of September in the 19th Year of Our Reign 1643. The Letter to the Council follows CHARLES R. The Kings Letter to the Council RIght Trusty and Right well-beloved Cousins and Councellours and Trusty and well-beloved Councellours We greet you well Whereas Our desire of preserving Peace within Our Native Kingdom and preventing such Disputes which malicious Instruments might so heighten as to divide Vs and any of Our Scotish Subjects moved Vs by Our Letter of the tenth of June to dispense with the unwarrantable Calling together of the Nobility Commissioners of Shires and Burroughs at Edinburgh the twenty second of June 1643 and so far to give way to the Meeting as to allow them to take into Consideration the best ways of Maintaining Our Scotish Army in Ireland for Suppressing of that bloody Rebellion there since Our Two Houses of Parliament here had failed in the performance of the Treaty concluded upon betwixt the Two Nations for that effect and likewise for such other Particulars as Our said Letter doth more fully contain expecting they would have limited their Resolutions thereunto and paid an equal Gratitude of Duty and Obedience to Vs and Our Iust Commands as We have so lately and so many ways expressed Our Affection to that Our Kingdom in General and so many Members of that Meeting in their own particulars all which notwithstanding they have proceeded to Resolutions as unjustifiable as their Meeting and would engage Our Subjects to an Obedience of their Arbitrary Commands beyond the Power of any of the most Free and Lawful Conventions of the Estates Our Authority and Consent being so absolutely contemned that they have exâ—eeded the Bounds We have prescribed and proceeded to Conclusions of the highest nature without so much as acquainting Vs therewith Such high Indignities to Vs and Our Authority make Vs believe they have forgot they have a King and their Oaths in preserving Vs in Our Iust Power as their King but God will discover and punish such undutiful Thoughts how closely soever they be clouded with pretences of Safety to Religion and Liberty which they know will ever be dearer to Vs than Our Own Preservation Our good Subjects will likewise suffer with Vs by their heavy Taxes upon
most to conduce to Our Honour and the Good and Advancement of Our Service as you will answer for it to Vs at your peril and for your so doing these shall be your Warrant Given at Our Court at Oxford the 26th of September 1643. With these Publick Letters the King wrote to the Duke Hamilton HAving much to say and little time to write The Kings Letter to the Duke I have commanded this Trusty Bearer to supply the shortness of this Letter which though it be chiefly to give trust to what he shall say to you in my Name yet I cannot but assure you by my own Hand that no ill Offices have had the Power to lessen my Confidence in you or my Estimation of you for you shall find me Your most assured real constant Friend CHARLES R. Oxford 28th September 1643. The Lords whom the King trusted seeing no present help of Men The Kings Affairs in Scotland decline nor relief of Armes like to come from England were like men desperate and some moved desperate Propositions that according to what had been in some former cases practiced in Scotland there should be Orders given out requiring all to kill the chief Leaders of the Church-party where-ever they could find them setting Prices on their Heads and that with such Orders some of the Blanks should be filled up But the Duke opposed this strongly and said he would take it on him without an Instruction to assure them that he knew His Majesty would rather patiently suffer all things than consent to a Course so barbarous and unchristian As for the practices of some former ruder times these were to be no Precedents now Besides if this were done on the one side they might expect the same Orders would be presently issued out against them from the Comittee of Estates which would bring on an unheard-of Butchery and lay all their Throats open to their Servants whereupon it was laid aside only the Proposition with the Precedents is yet extant and they resolved to see what Force they could bring together under the pretence of their Attendants to the Countess of Roxburgh her Funeral which was to be in the beginning of November But there was some Difference about the Methods of carrying on their designs among these Lords and divers others who were called to their Consultations besides those who were particularly trusted by His Majesty Those whose Fortunes were broken were for brisker Courses and those whose Estates were intire and had the most followers thought it fitter to delay an open Breach as long as was possible This diversity of Opinion raised some Animosities and Jealousies among them so that they fell into a mutual distrust neither was Secrecy though not only enjoyned but sworn closely kept for all their Designs broke out and and yet some who were guilty of this were among the busiest to fasten it on the Duke But the Writer designs only an account of his Affairs without reflecting needlesly on others and therefore here he restrains his Pen. So quickly did their closest Secrets fly abroad that when the Duke was returning home from one of their Meetings a Covenanter Lord came from Edinburgh to meet him on his way and told him to a word all had past at their Meeting as that Lord informed the Writer On the 24th of October the Earl of Traquair went to Court A Message sent to Court by the Earl of Traquair whom the Lords that were trusted by the King had carried along with them in all their Counsels though his Name could not be in the Instructions by reason of the Act that was past against him at the former Parliament With him they sent the following Instructions containing the grounds and steps of their whole Procedure which is the fullest and clearest Dispatch was sent this year most of the other Messages being verbal and so will give great light to the rest It is desired it may be represented to His Majesty that now all He expected from our Affection and Industry here is performed this Summer being spent and he having received no other Prejudice from hence than what might rise from words which we did never pretend to prevent being no ways a Party in the Iudicatories To shew our readiness still to venture our Lives and Fortunes in His Majesties Service which we will make good not only by verbal Expressions but real Actions when we shall see the least probability of Success to His Affairs though to our Ruine To represent the Reasons that hitherto we have not been in Action which have been grounded First upon our Desire of Protracting time the chief thing we had Commission to study in which our Endeavours have not been fruitless Secondly that they not His Majesty should be the first Breakers both a pious just and popular Motive and thirdly our expectation of Supplies both of Men Arms Ammunition and Moneys which we were confident should have been provided for us and without which we never conceived our Strength to be considerable To represent that we would immediately draw our selves together into a Body being thereto authorized by His Majesty if we had the least hope of making it considerable and if we had any proportion of Arms or Ammunition a Place of surety for our Rendezvouz and of safety for a Retreat in case of a Misfortune having by divers Messages represented our Wants and pressed for Supplies with the securing of some Places now lost but still without Success without which many who would joyn with us in this Quarrel of serving His Majesty are unwilling to hazard and divers very considerable and most affectionate Noblemen and Gentlemen have declared that for that reason they cannot bring to that Meeting more than their Domestick Servants so that we justly fear we cannot draw together so considerable a Body as could resist much less offend our Enemies and likewise an impossibility for those and other Noblemen and Gentlemen being only so backed and lying at so great a distance one from another and from the Place which of necessity must be appointed for our Rendezvous to joyn with us And considering these necessities we cannot but be the more tender of going unto present Action seeing His Majesty hath so wisely commanded us to weigh the Consequences of angering before he be able to punish and the Prejudices which may thereby arise to His Service wherein we must proceed as we shall be answerable upon our Perils and therefore we dare not presume to advise the present Engaging of His Majesty by drawing our selves into a Body for many would oppose us seeing then we would be esteemed Rebels within this Kingdom that would be unwilling to go into England which probably cannot be done this Winter though we dare give no assurance thereof but do humbly advise that present Preparation be made for the worst and in discharge of our Consciences and Duties to His Majesty we cannot but represent our Fears of the great Disservices He may receive
Letter the Earl of Airly wrote him See p. 140. which he got after His Majesty called the two Regiments from the Fleet and about that time His Majesty commanded him to stop all Hostilities and give attendance on His Person See p. 123. He had likewise express Orders from His Majesty not to think of the North till some good were done in the South and it is most falsly alledged that when he was there See p. 117. he abandoned the Marquis of Huntley who was taken Prisoner before either he or his men were Shipped and the Orders he sent that Marquis were by His Majesties express Commands founded on very good reason that he should not make a Rupture till His Majesties Forces were drawn together and near the Borders lest as by the event did appear the Enemy should have overpowered him if he begun too soon and as the Defendant hath been informed that Business was ruined not by the Restraint these Orders gave but by the Treachery of some of the Defendant's Accusers who were then in Arms against him See p 135.137 and took that Marquis under Trust. And when the Viscount of Aboyn came to the Defendant with His Majesties Letters which were of a very old Date he was supplied to his hearts desire as himself professed His Majesty had before his coming called away two of the Regiments that were with the Defendant and he had Orders not to weaken the other so false is it that he had Orders to send Byron's Regiment to the North but he gave the Viscount of Aboyn some experienced Officers Arms Ammunition and Money And the Defendant hath been well informed that the Miscarriage of that Attempt did not flow from those he sent with that Lord but that being encountred by Souldiers commanded by some of the Defendant's Accusers his Lordship betook himself to his heels but the others whom the Defendant sent with him behaved themselves gallantly and laid all the blame of their bad success on that Lord. It is also false that Byron's Regiment was kept to die below Decks since from the time they went aboard till they were discharged there died not ten of their number so false is this Article in all its branches and assertions Charge That in all his demeanour he went about to advance the designs of that People against the King Article 5. as by secret encouraging them to persist in their obstinate Courses so by private discouraging of well-affected men to persevere in their Allegeance and in particular did advise some Noblemen who craved his Opinion how they should behave themselves in these Distractions to agree with the Country and go home and make their own Peace Like-as after the Pacification at Berwick continuing in his wonted strain of incensing in an underhand way the People against their King being demanded why he denuded himself of his former Commission his Answer was because he knew the King intended to keep nothing of that which at that time he had condescended unto otherwise he would not easily have parted with the Honour of that Service By which he did so wound the King in the Opinion of His Subjects of the sincerity of His Intentions That as no one thing did at that time breed more rubs and difficulties to His Majesties Service so is there nothing by which the People are more readily and easily stirred up to the present Rising in Arms than the Opinion they then and by his continual underhand working have since drunk in of the King's Intention to reverse in case he should prevail in England all the Acts and Favours he had condescended unto to His Subjects of Scotland Answer The Answer to the fifth Article To the fifth Article the Defendant says he ever studied by all the means that became a good Subject and Countryman to bring the Differences betwixt His Majesty and His Subjects to a happy Temper and he desires the Malice of his Accusers in forming this Article as all the rest be considered wherein base Discourses and Advices are fastned on him without naming the Persons to whom they were given and in this he cannot but commend his Accusers Prudence who have named no Person till they have tried upon whom they can so far prevail as to be guilty of the wickedness of owning such Lies The Defendant can prove the contrary by many in whose Preservation it is to be supposed he is more concerned than in any they can name with whom he used his utmost endeavours to perswade them to adhere closely to His Majesties Interests which prevailed on some though not on all nor did he advise any to agree with the Country till he knew His Majesty was resolved to end the Business in a Treaty in which case it could be no Crime to advise any to make their own Peace nor did he ever infuse into any Person a jealousie that His Majesty would void the happy Settlement of Scotland sure he is he said and did all was in his power to root these jealousies out of the Subjects minds which he can prove by innumerable Witnesses and Presumptions and no man durst say he heard any of the Discourses mentioned in the Article from the Defendant if he were in a capacity to call him to an account for it Nor did he desire to be free'd of his Commissionon the account that is falsly alledged in this Article but finding his continuing in that Place gave a Jealousie not only to the Country See p. 146. but to the Counsellours and Officers of State as if too great a Trust had been heaped on one Person and apprehending that the expence and greatness of that Character continuing long in one man would breed Envy and much retard his Majesties Service he desired a fitter Person might be put in that High Trust and that he might be suffered to continue about His Majesties Person who he supposes does remember well upon what grounds he desired to be free'd of that Great but Invidious Character thus this Article is also intirely false Charge That in the Petition to His Majesty for discharging the Annuity which was not so much pretended for that Article 6. as to be a pretext under which a firm Bond and Association might have been contracted amongst all Loyal Subjects for the Preservation of the Kings Person Honour and Authority and a strict Conjunction amongst themselves he could not be induced to put his hand to it until a Clause conceived in favours of His Majesty to the effect above-expressed as too great an eye-sore was dasht out and the same thus dashed being sent up to Court and the desire of the Petition most Graciously condescended unto by His Majesty and delivered unto the Earl of Lanerick chief Secretary the same was kept up to the great amazement of all those Noblemen and Gentlemen who had signed the same and total discouragement of others to appear in that or any such Course thereafter Answer To the sixth Article the
when the Convention sat the Defendant did often and no way ambiguously See p. 224. but very plainly declare he did not own their Authority nor would give obedience to any of their Acts that were beyond the Bounds prefixed in His Majesties Letter upon which he withdrew with divers of his Friends and did advise and prevail on many to follow his Example It is true some came and asked his Advice of whose Fidelity he had no reason to be assured judging not without grounds that they came to him on design to trepan him and therefore he told them that for his own part he was resolved not to acknowledg their Authority nor give obedience to their Commands by which they might easily judge what he would advise seeing his Practice It is also false that the Defendant procured from His Majesty an allowance to that Convention since the Letter His Majesty wrote was so far from allowing it that it particularly challenged the Illegality and Nullity of that Meeting See p. 232. and the Convention was so far from thinking themselves Authorised by it that they refused to stand to it or so much as to put it on Record It is also false that any such Offers as are vainly and without truth said to have been made to Mr. Murray were ever brought by him to the Defendant or others intrusted with him he was indeed imployed to deal with them to overcome their untoward Jealousies and ambitious Vanity but with no success as he reported and is ready to make good but they venting their implacable Hatred and ill-grounded Jealousies of His Majesties faithful Servants left the Kingdom in the Summer and possessed many with such Prejudices that they infinitely retarded His Majesties Service and divided the small Party that adhered to him yet His Majesty sustained no Prejudice from Scotland all that year which was the uttermost that ever the Defendant gave His Majesty any hope of But it is most basely false that the Defendant did bring the Convention of Estates to the wished period since he did all that was in his power to hinder its Sitting and to get it broken up assoon as it sat down It is also false that the Defendant was on the design of raising the Army in Scotland which he opposed by all the probable and honest ways were in his power and was ever ready upon the least appearances or hopes of Success to have hazarded his Life and Fortune to hinder it and therefore sent frequently to England for those Supplies without which their Attempt could signifie nothing but the exposing the Kings Party in Scotland to the scorn and malice of their Enemies But the necessity of His Majesties Affairs in England did so retard the Answers that opportunities were lost and the other Party had prevailed over all which forced the Defendant to fly out of that Kingdom Order being given for seizing on his Estate and taking and imprisoning his Person and yet Affairs there are not quite desperate but the Defendant had many very probable Propositions to have offered to His Majesty the Maintaining of whose Prosperity and Authority hath been the constant designofhis whole Life Charge That he hath endeavoured to set on foot a Title to the Crown of Scotland Article 8. having Treated with Forreign Princes touching his Claim thereunto and desired their Aid and Assistance to his Right protecting and maintaining such as wrote Treatises in his behalf and Claim to the Crown Besides all which particulars of his treacherous sowing of Sedition 'twixt His Majesty and His Subjects his undervaluing and reviling his own Sacred Person his fomenting all the unhappy Differences betwixt King and People his exciting of each against the other his pouring of oyl into the fire betwixt them both his direct Attempts upon the Crown and intentions to Vsurp his late Carriage doth give too evident a Character of his invincible Disloyalty as particularly his treacherous Carriage before in the time and at the late Convention his juggling in the business of the Counterpetition and that of the late pretended Bond which are so notorious Truths and so evidently to be instructed by all His Majesties good Subjects but more particularly by those with whom by His Majesties special Command he kept a seeming Correspondence Besides divers other circumstances whereby it may be clearly demonstrated that he is of the Party with them that have raised this Rebellion in Scotland namely that in the Instructions given by that Faction to the Earl of Lowthian in his late French Negotiation one of the particulars earnestly recommended to him was to desire of the Crown of France Restitution of the Dutchy of Chastleherault to him which in all probability they would never have done in his favour if they had taken him for an Enemy to their designs and purposes Last of all it is craved that in respect of his unexpected Arrival here there may be liberty to add and amplifie this Charge as occasion shall offer One particular omitted above is not amiss to be here inserted at what time the business of the Scotish Covenant was at the greatest height a distressed Gentleman of Scotland Sir John Ferguson desired the Loan of some Money from Sir John Hamilton of Broomhill whose Relation and Interest every way to the Duke are known to every one who knows them both who answered him in flat terms he would neither give nor lend him a penny except he and his Sons would bind themselves to go home and sign the Covenant upon which Condition he offered to lend him what he sought We do engage from our faithful respects to His Majesties Service without any consideration or interest else whatsoever to make good this Charge some of the weightiest points by several Witnesses and all the rest by some and strong Probabilities Answer The Answer to the eighth Article To the eighth Article the Defendant says here lies the Master-piece of his Enemies Malice and Calumny to charge him with a point treasonable in the highest degree without offering one circumstance to make the Truth of it appear probable and such publick things as the setting on foot a pretence to the Crown the Treating with Forreign Princes touching his Claim to it the Authorising and Protecting of any who wrote in defence of his Title must have been notour and known things and yet no particular is here named which clearly shews the Forgery of the whole on design to beget in His Majesty Jealousies of the Defendant who knows of no such Title to the Crown but acknowledges His Majestie 's and His Posteritie's whom he prays God to preserve their undoubted Right to the Crown And as the Defendant acknowledgeth the great Honour of his Relation to the Royal Blood so there is no more reason to Charge him on that account than to Charge any others who are more nearly related to His Majesty as are all the Noble branches of the Prince Elector Palatin's Family But as the Honour of
that he might make trial of all those large professions of Affection and Duty they had alwayes made This Design was communicated to the Earl of Lauderdale then at London but he as he informed the Writer studied to disswade His Majesty from it assuring him that he knew the Army and the Church-party whiâ—h then prevailed in Scotland would not be firm to him unless he yielded to their Demands about Religion but notwithstanding that upon some slender Assurances got from Mons. de Montrevil Agent from the French King His Majesty went to the Scotish Army the particulars whereof and of the subsequent as well as fore-going Publick Affairs not being the chief business of these Memoires little more is any-where toucht of them than what is necessary for making out the thread of the Dukes Concerns so as it may set them in their true light The Commissioners are sent to him from Scotland Assoon as this was known at Edinburgh the Committee of Estates which was then sitting sent the Earl of Lanerick and some others to wait on His Majesty with great expressions of their Duty and good Intentions protesting how dear the Preservation of His Sacred Person and His Just Power and Greatness should ever be to them wherefore they expected His Majesty would give full satisfaction to the Just Desires of His Subjects and as a preparation to this that He would recall any Commissions He had given against the Kingdom of Scotland But these Commissioners were ordered to do nothing that might raise Jealousies betwixt the Kingdoms and therefore were to Treat joyntly with such Commissioners as should be sent from the Two Houses And as they of Scotland sent their Commissioners with these Instructions yet extant so they emitted a Proclamation forbidding any to go out of the Kingdom without Publick Permission which was done to hinder those of the Kings Party from coming to him What Reception my Lord Lanerick had from His Majesty doth not appear to me but I find he was very quickly as well seated in the King's Affection and Confidence as ever On the 13th of May the Scotish Commissioners presented their first Paper which went not beyond general things containing a Welcome with an offer of their Service according to the Covenant But in their next Paper they pressed the King to send a Message to his Two Houses for a Happy Peace who press the King to settle matters not being satisfied with that Letter he had formerly written to the Speaker of the House of Peers since no grounds were laid down for a Pacification a Treaty being only in general terms desired Of all these Papers that passed the Originals do yet remain Next day the King called both for the chief Officers of the Army The King complains of the ill usage he met with and the Commissioners sent to him out of Scotland and in presence of Mons. de Montrevil did expostulate That whereas He had come to their Army upon the Assurances Mons. de Montrevil had given him that He should be safe in His Person Honour and Conscience the two last were not kept for he was pressed to settle Religion as they desired wherewith his Conscience was not satisfied next His Subjects had not free access to Him but Proclamations were issued out forbidding them to come to Him neither was the Ceremony due to Him as King suffered to be paid Him at His entry to Newcastle and lastly His Servants were not suffered to wait on Him And His Majesty attested Montrevil if those conditions were not made to Him who confidently affirmed it in all their presence and that he had the authentick Assurances in French The Commissioners retired to think of an answer but when they returned they desired His Majesty would put Montrevil to it to declare what those Assurances were and who gave them but this was not done Next they said they would not Treat with the King in his Presence nor admit of the interposition of any Foreign Agents betwixt them and their Native Prince And the Commissioners of the Army resolved that no suspected Person should be suffered to wait on the King with which His Majesty was highly displeased and for some days would not eat in publick but only in his Chamber But because there were many in the Army who would have engaged cordially for the King on any terms to lesâ—en the apprehension of this they got a Petition to be signed by almost all the Considerable Officers of the Army yet extant that His Majesty would settle Religion according to the Covenant and that He would enter into it Himself and authorize it by His Command On the 18th of May His Majesty wrote another Letter to the Two Houses desiring them to send Propositions for Peace and in order to that The King moves for a Treaty He again offered to put the Militia into their hands for 7 years as had been offered at Vxbridge He demanded also a Safe-conduct for sending Orders to stop all further Proceedings in Ireland since He was resolved to leave the management of that War wholly to the Two Houses He shewed His Letter to the Scotish Commissioners but because it contained no Offer about Religion they were not satisfied with it yet it was sent The next thing the Commissioners from Scotland moved was that His Majesty would recall the Commissions He had given out against the Scotish Nation for the clearing whereof somewhat must be resumed that passed in those years which I have run over so hastily In the beginning of the year 1644. the King gave a Commission to the Marquis of Montrose A short Account of Montrose's Affairs to see what could be done in Scotland by Force for diverting the Army that was then entring into England He had great hopes of making a strong Party in Scotland and doubted not but he should be able with the Assistance Antrim undertook to send him out of Ireland to give the Scotish Army work enough at home but his hopes failed him for all were so over-awed by the Power of the Covenanters that none would stir till about the end of the year Some came out of Ireland but far short of the number that was promised and with these and a few of the Scotish Nation he adventured to disturb the Covenanters the particular Narration of whose Enterprizes is not to be here prosecuted This was judged by all a bold and desperate Attempt for as his Force was small so they wanted Arms and every thing necessary Some of the Wisest of the Covenanters advised them not to engage with him in any Action except on terms full of advantage but to follow him up and down whither he went securing the Country from Spoil and Plunder for they judged that his Men being so unprovided as they understood they were would not hold out long in the Hills but be forced either to lay down their Arms or break out in Mutinies among themselves whereby they should have been starved with
to come and wait on Him And for the Militia the Scots had declared themselves satisfied with the Kings Concessions about it wherefore He desired they would stick to Him according to their Promises As for Religion He desired they would represent to those who were best-affected how dangerous it would be to insist too much on that at this time when the greatest hazard was from the Sectaries and that His Majesties consenting to a temporary Establishment of what they craved did put them in a fair way to their Desires And beside all this it was recommended to them to procure a delay of the Desire for an answer to the Propositions till the 16th of September When these Instructions were given them the King desired their promise first of Secrecy next of Fidelity in discharging what was intrusted to them for the second they undertook it but refused the first except the King also promised Secrecy His Majesty presently apprehended their Design was that the Duke and his Brother might understand nothing of their Imployment and finding it was a thing wherein neither of them was concerned He thought it unfit to disoblige Argyle by that Refusal since he was so able to serve him if he should be Cordial in it and He was secure of the two Brothers that if they mistook His Reservedness it would be easie for Him to clear Himself afterwards Yet this Secret was ill-kept among them for the Earl of Lauderdale had notice of it as he told the Author before they came to London but opposed much the seeking a Delay to a prefixed day since he knew that could not be granted without adding a dreadful Sanction of Deposing the King in case a favourable Answer came not against the day appointed and found it would be easier to procure a Delay by other Methods than by asking it The Duke and his Brother were much troubled with the Kings Reservedness in that Affair but assoon as they understood the ground of it they were satisfied But what success that Negotiation had or how it was managed doth not appear to me from any of the Duke's Papers In the beginning of August the Duke went to Scotland where his greatest Care was to see what could be done to get the Committee of Estates to be satisfied with the Kings Concessions The Duke deals with the Committee of Estates to get them to acquiesce in His Majesties Concessions representing to them how they did at once put England in the possession of the desired Church-Government and set the other out of the way which was a great stop to their full satisfaction He desired they would consider how inhumane and unchristian it was to force the Kings Conscience and how much it favoured of the Violence they had lately condemned in the Bishops It was visible that nothing but Conscience could be imagined to lye in the way of the Kings Accepting the Propositions and were His Majesty like many Princes to swallow down all things and belch them up at their Pleasure there would be less ado made but the Kings sticking at what He could not yield did abundantly secure them of His making good to them all that was promised On the other hand they were to consider that if they should now desert the King and bring their Army out of England it would make them odious through the whole World and the payment of the Arrears of their Army would pass under a far worse Character Besides England was divided and the Party that was most prevalent among them waâ— the Independent with the other Sectaries who would never carry on the Settlement of Religion and by their present carriage at London it appeared what Friendship they had for Scotland wherefore he moved earnestly that their Army should not be brought out of England till a firm Peace should be established according to the first Treaty Anno 1643. but was opposed by the Ministers This did shake many but some of the Leading Church-men were not satisfied with this and represented to their Party that all this was said smoothly to engage them to the Kings Quarrel which they were resolved never to do till the Covenant were taken by Him Neither were they well-satisfied with the Duke for his being instrumental in the Agreement with Montrose and his Party and it was preached to his face that all the Bloud that was lately shed would lye on them and their Posterity who for the pleasing of men had procured such Favour to the Enemies of God and of his Cause and People In the end of August they sent the Duke with the Earls of Crawford and Casilis and some others to deal with His Majesty for a speedy granting of the Propositions The Duke is sent to the King to obtain from him the granting the Propositions and to represent to him all the inconveniences that followed even upon a Delay much more upon a Denial The Duke had no willingness to the Employment misdoubting the Success and knowing his engaging avowedly in such a Message would be misrepresented but there was no avoiding of it for had he declined it he would have been suspected of being an ill Instrument and of Aversion from the thing which would have disabled him much from going on with the Kings Service They came to Newcastle in the beginning of September where they discharged themselves of their Commission to the full But the King answered them in the following Paper yet extant under His Majesties Hand My Lords I Shall begin by answering what you have now said for I assure you I had not thus long delayed My Answer The Kings Answer to their Desires but to weigh fully those Reasons and Arguments which you have laid before Me whereby to use the uttermost of My Endeavours to give you all poâ—sible Satisfaction for you having told Me nothing but what I have heard before the change of Answer could hardly be expected And now I do earnestly desire you to consider what it is that I desire which is To be heard which if a King should refuse to any of His Subjects He would for that be thought a Tyrant For this if I had but slight Reasons it were the less to be regarded but they are such upon which such a Peace as we all desire doth depend for albeit it is possible that if I should grant all you desire a Peace might be slubbered up yet it is impossible that it should be durable unless there should be a right Vnderstanding betwixt Me and My People which cannot be without granting of what I desire Yet I desire to be rightly understood for though many like to Esops Fable will call Ears Hornes yet let men say what they will I am far from giving you a Negative nay I Protest against it My only Desire being to be heard for I am confident that upon Debate I shall so satisfie them in some things as likewise I believe they may satisfie me in many things that we shall come to
Discontent Constructions which are not possible for him to make but obvious to malevolent humours That although you should not be suspected to be any ways accessory to disloyal Courses it will be said you are one of those who could have best hindred them That your Countrey and Friends may say you have deserted them in their greatest Exigences and that Differences may be reconciled betwixt His Majesty and His Subjects by the endeavours of others These Commands were both peremptory and obliging so that they could not fail of conquering all his Resistance and carrying his Obedience after them which were strengthened from the Letter he had at that same time from Her Majesty which follows Cousin THe account the King hath given me of your Aâ—fection for His Interest and those marks of it which from other hands have met me do so sensibly affect me that without any difficulty or scruple I do now entertain you with my Acknowledgments and Resentments of it before I have heard from you and I assure you of the satisfaction I shall ever have of the Continuance of it from you which I shall desire may be as intire and full as the Returns I shall study to make to you being resolved to lay hold on all occasiâ—ns by which I may discover my Friendship for you and to express the Esteem I have of your Friendship by all means that may depend on my cares which I shall imploy in giving you day by day new Proofs that I am and ever shall be Your affectionate Cousin and Friend HENRIETA MARIA R. St. Germanes 22th September Upon these Intreaties and Assurances he was made to change his purpose though he could not so easily part with his Melancholy thoughts which he expressed in this following Letter May it please Your Sacred Majesty THe Reasons You were pleased to offer to my Brother And writes to the King and Sir Robert Murray for diverting my Resolution of leaving Your Majesties Dominions at this time were I confess of strength enough to have fixed me in any place of the World where Your Majesties Service was concerned but now seeing Your Majesty hath honoured me so much as by Your Gracious Letter Your Self to shew me still Your dislike thereof how dare I dispute what Your Majesty thinks unfit and now Sir the Thoughts I formerly had of leaving as it were the World because I would not be a witness of what I feared Your Majesties Fall since as I conceive I could not be instrumental to Your Service or Preservation upon the Grounds Your Majesty went on shall be changed into a Resolution of being most miserable in Your Dominions if it shall not please God to deliver You out of those Difficulties Your Majesty is in for I take God to witness upon Your Happiness depends my greatest worldly Ioy how unfortunately soever I have of late been misunderstood And though I cannot promise my self so much good Fortune as to prove useful to Your Majesty yet I dare and do engage for a cheerful Willingness and perfect Fidelity in Your Majesties Service and trust that God in his Mercy will so direct Your Majesty as by timeously granting the now necessary and most pressing Demands of Your Kingdoms the great Evils will be prevented that threaten Your Sacred Self the Queens Majesty and Your Royal Posterity and likewise that of having any other Guard to attend Your Royal Person than such as shall be approved of by You or Your Majesties being necessitated to retire into Scotland vpon the return of the Scotish Army where I apprehend Your Majesties Entertainment will not answer Your Expectation nor prove at all advantagious to Your Service More I will not presume to say but shall really study in all things to serve Your Majesty and ever give such ready Obedience to Your Commands as becometh Your Majesties most faithful most loyal and most obedient Subject and Servant HAMILTON Kinneel 6th Octob. 1646. A day or two after His Majesty received this Letter He wrote the following Letter to my Lord Lanerick the Post-script whereof seems to relate to the Letter he had received from his Brother Lanerick BEfore now I had not matter to write to you and now I have so much that I shall say the less leaving this inclosed to speak for me But thus much I must assure you of that I have herein gone the utmost length as you call it to give all possible Satisfaction for upon my word one jot further cannot be gone by Your most assured real constant Friend CHARLES R. Newcastle 15th Octob. 1646. POSTSCRIPT Tell your Brother that it were a fault to him to trouble my Self in Complementing with him and indeed to either of you any ways to doubt but that you will make the best use you may of what I now send you for my Service The inclosed Paper is to be found among His Majesties printed Messages to the Two Houses and therefore it is not inserted here But the satisfaction the King had in the Dukes consenting to stay still in Scotland appears by the end of the next Letter he wrote to himself Hamilton THis is rather to perform my Promise to a Lady than that I believe it to be needful in respect of you for I know you naturally so much favour all my Friends and know so well the great Estimation I have of the Earl of Brainford beside what hath been told you concerning him by your Brother Lanerick by my Directions that I am certain without this you will favour his business what you can and since I am writing I must say that there is no particular Mans business wherein you can give me so much Contentment as this of which I need say no more but only that you will shew his Wife that my Recommendation to you of her Lords Affairs is real and hearty Nor can I end this without taking notice to you of the Contentment I had that my last Letter to you had the wished for operation for besides the obtaining my end which several ways is satisfactorily useful to Me I see that all men have not forsaken Reason or at least that I am sometimes in the Right as I am confident you will make appear the great Reason I have to be Your most assured real constant Friend CHARLES R. But to return to Publick Affairs the Duke at his coming to Scotland The Duke labours to engage Scotland for a Personal Treaty procured new Instructions to be sent to their Commissioners at London to press a Personal Treaty and that the King might be with Safety and Honour in England and that it might be declared that the Government of England should still continue according to the Fundamental Laws The chief business at Westminster was to be rid of their Brethren of Scotland wherefore they fell a-treating about the Removal of the Army and the Delivery of the Garrisons The Scots demanded five hundred thousand pounds Sterlâ—ng and of that Sum two hundred thousand pound
presently but four hundred thousand were Voted to them and only one hundred thousand presently and upon this they stood long The Two Houses having on the 24th of September Voted that the Kings Person should be demanded from the Scotish Army their Commissioners at London gave in long Papers against that The Scotish Commissioners at London complain of the Kings ill Usage and the harsh Votes of the Two Houses which were Printed and so need not be here inserted In them they shewed That the King being Soveraign of both Kingdoms was not to be disposed by the Parliament of one Kingdom That this was destructive to the Relation and Interest the Scotish Nation had in Him and contrary to the nature of Soveraignty and to the Covenant and Treaties of both Kingdoms by which it was agreed That His Majesties just Power and Greatness should not be diminished which by such a Demand of His Person was very signally done It was also agreed that all things in order to Peace to which the Disposal of the Kings Person did relate in a signal manner should be done by the Ioynt Councils of both Kingdoms After this in the Month of October begun the Treaty betwixt the Scotish Commissioners and the Committee appointed for that end by the Two Houses of Parliament Many Conferences are betwixt the Two Houses and them which was managed in the Painted Chamber in the presence of all the Members of the Two Houses The Scotish Commissioners who were the Earls of Lowdon and Lauderdale and the Lord Wariston declared in all their Papers and Speeches that they were not to Treat about His Majesties Person nor the Disposing of it but only about the Removal of the Army the Delivery of those Garrisons that their Army had in England and the Payment of Arrears due for their Armies both in England and Ireland and they continued to press that whereas the Two Houses had in all their former Declarations laid the blame of the Breach betwixt the King and them on His Majesties Withdrawing from His Parliament that therefore they would invite His Majesty to come with Honour Freedom and Safety to some of His Houses in or about London in which they still insisted to the last And so far were they from Treating about the Disposing of His Majesties Person that in the end of their Treaty when they had finally agreed on all things it was expresly declared in the first Article of the Treaty that pass'd under the Great Seal that nothing relating to the Kings Person was concluded on by it so that after that was ended the Scotish Parliament might have still preserved the King and brought him with their Army to Scotland But the Houses turned the Propositions to Bills The Houses press a speedy Answer to their Propositions and passed a Vote that new Commissionerâ— should be sent to the King with the concurrence of those of Scotland to press a satisfactory Answer with this Sanction that if it were not granted they should be forced to look to the Security of His Person And the English Army fell upon a most destructive Resolution of adjourning the Parliament neither were they over-awed by any thing so much as the fear of the Scotish Army The great point now debated in the Councils of Scotland was whether a final Settlement with the King should be the Condition of the Armies Retiring or not The Duke with all his Friends pressed this vigorously as that which was agreed on by their Covenant and Treaties But the Church-men still influenced all Counsels and finding the King irreconcileable to their Way were still full of their Jealousies of Him and it was said down-right that they ought not to meddle betwixt the King and the Parliament of England but leave Him and them to their own Counsels so strangely did their Language vary from what it was Anno 1643. At this time the King sent Mr. Murray of the Bed-Chamber to London Mr. Murray is sent by the King to London who carried another Message but it was so displeasing that it served only to put his Neck to a new hazard for the Kings Service and he durst scarce stir out of doors all the while he was there In the beginning of November a new Session of the Triennial Parliament of Scotland did hold The Parliament of Scotland meets but little was done for some Weeks save that there came to them a Remonstrance from the Assembly wherein in the first place Complaints were made of the Committee of Estates for their Agreement with Montrose and his Followers which was represented as a great Crime especially they being excommunicated Next they complained of His Majesties constant adherence to Prelacy and of the danger Religion was in by the Malignants for so was the Kings Party then called who were beginning to set up their Heads again wherefore they recommended to their Care both the Preservation of Religion and of the Treaties with England Upon this the Transaction of the Committee of Estates in the Agreement with Montrose was examined and it was put to the Vote Approve or Exoner them only the former was carried by twenty Votes but all the Pulpits thundered against it wherefore to stop the mouths of the Ministries it was enacted That in any Treaty that should be thereafter with those who were in Arms the Commission of the Kirk should be consulted about the Lawfulness of the Conditions For at this time both the Marquis of Huntley was in Arms in the North and Antrim was also come over to Kintyre in Iuly the former year and continued still there His Majesty sent Mr. Robert Lesley with Orders to my Lord Huntley for laying down of Arms with whom he wrote the following Letters to the two Brothers Hamilton A Trusty Messenger requires but a short Letter and brevity is the more convenient for Me who have much to do and but few helpers wherefore I shall say no more but hear and trust Robin Lesly for he is come from Your most assured real faithful constant Friend CHARLES R. Newcastle Nov. 12th 1646. Lanerick HEaring that Marquis Huntley expects My Commands for his laying down of Arms I have thought fit to send this Trusty Bearer Robin Lesly to him but thought it necessary to address him first to you that you in My Name might acquaint the Parliament with this My Intention which if they approve of he may go on accordingly if not there is no hurt done Yet howsoever I have expressed My Desire for the Peace of the Country but in case they shall permit Robin to obey My Commands then I expect that they give him Power to assure Huntley of the same Conditions that he might have had before All which I command you to represent to My Parliament in My Name leaving the particular expressions to you having only set down the sense Other things I have intrusted little Nobs to tell you too long for a Letter but of no small Consequence by which at
least you will find that according to My Professions I am Your most assured real constant Friend CHARLES R. His Majesty also expressed His Concerns for Traquair in the following Letter Lanerick ALbeit I am confident that you will further all My Friends Affairs yet I must not be so negligent in Traquair's behalf as not to name his business to you for admittance to his Place in Parliament of which I will say no more but you know his Sufferings for Me and this is particularly recommended to you by Your most assured real constant Friend CHARLES R. Newcastle 17th November 1646. POSTSCRIPT I account writing to you or your Brother all one They consult in Scotland how to dispose of their Armies But the main Business was what to do with their Armies that were in England The Kingdom was groaning under a heavy and unsupportable Burden for their Maintenance so disbanding was a very plausible Motion and all desired that only such Forces should be kept up as were necessary for the Preservation and Security of Scotland The Duke and his Brother regrated much that so many Gallant Men should be disbanded who might be very useful for the Kings Service therefore they opposed all these Propositions arguing that till a final Peace were settlâ—d in England they might look for no Security to Scotland And in their Letters to His Majesty they continued to represent the desperate estate of Affairs if he did not quickly satisfie them in the business of Religion and that the Money for the Pay of the Army was now coming in daily at London and would be quickly ready and after that was sent down they could not keep the Army any longer in England without a present Breach to which they found no inclinations in the Scotish Parliament as long as they were not satisfied in what was so earnestly desired But the King was firm to his first Resolution Master Lesley at his return to the King brought him such assurances of the Affection and Duty of both the Brothers that the next Dispatch carried the following Letters to them Hamilton I Remember yet so much Latine as an old Proverb comes to which is quod valde volumus id sacile credimus This I apply to Robin Lesley's report of your Carriage in My present Service concerning which I will only say that you shall not more certainly make good what he hath promised Me in your Name than I will to you what he hath said in Mine and even in something by way of speaking beyond My Power I doubt not but to make it good as concerning your French particular But I shall leave all things not only of this nature to this honest Bearers relation but likewise whatsoever else may concern the Service of Your most assured real faithful constant Friend CHARLES R. Newcastle 24th Nov. 1646. Lanerick I Have according to your Advice given a quick Return to this Trusty Bearer having instructed him fully in what I conceive necessary to My Affairs wherein in many things I have given him a Latitude to govern them according to your Directions wherefore I will say no more because if I should enter into Particulars I would not know how to end but that with Contentment I find daily more and more cause to be Your most assured real constant Friend CHARLES R. Newcastle 24th November 1646. POSTSCRIPT I recommend particularly the Earl of Morton's Affairs Matters were now ripening unto much Confusion and Mischief which made His Majesty think of a full Answer to the Propositions but before He sent it to London He communicated it to my Lord Lanerick in the following Letter Newcastle 4th Decemb. 1646. Lanerick The Kings Letter about His Answer to the Propositions ACcording to My Promise by little Nobs I send you here inclosed the Answer which I have resolved to send to London wherein you will find a Clause in favour of the Independents to wit the Forbearance I give to those who have Scruples of Conscience and indeed I did it purposely to make what I send relish the better with that kind of People But if My Native Subjects will so countenance this Answer that I may be sure they will stick to Me in what concerns My Temporal Power I will not only expunge that Clause but likewise make what Declarations I shall be desired against the Independents and that really without any reserve or equivocation yet know that no Perswasion or Threatning whatsoever shall make Me alter a tittle of any thing else in it nor that neither but upon these Assurances The end therefore why I send you this before it go to the English Parliament is to try before-hand how I can procure it to be countenanced by My Scotish Friends for which you are to use all possible industry not seeking a full Approbation but taking what you can get absolutely commanding you not to hazard it in a Publick Way unless you be sure that I shall receive no rub in it For this I conceive it were a wrong to you to use any Arguments to make you do your best but to tell you this is Coup de partie assuring you that I shall not judge you by the Event but by your Endeavours which I am confident will be according to your Professions and for Gods sake do not so much as expect much less linger after any other or further matter from Me whereby to serve Me in this great Business for upon the Faith of a Christian you shall have no more than what is now laid before you And know that I rather expect the worse than the better Event of things being resolved by the Grace of God and without the least repining at him to suffer any thing that Injury can put upon Me rather than sin against My Conscience of which upon My credit you see the furthest Extent in relation to the present Affairs I say no more but difficilia quae pulchra and so God bless your Endeavours Your most assured real constant Friend CHARLES R. POSTSCRIPT In order to that I have written and sent you herein I have commanded this Trusty Bearer Sir James Hamilton to tell you as many things as I can remember whom I desire you to return to Me or some other Trusty Messenger assoon as you may with what I am to expect from thence The inclosed Paper is marked on the back by the Kings Hand thus The Answer to the Propositions which I have resolved to send to London which I insert because it is not among His Majesties Printed Messages His Majesties Answer to the Propositions tendered to Him by the Commissioners from the Lords and Commons in the Parliament of England at Westminster and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland CHARLES R. AS it is His Majesties chief desire to make such a Return to the Propositions The Kings Answer to the Propositions as may speedily produce a blessed firm and lasting Peace in all His Dominions so He hath employed His uttermost endeavours
that particular Freedoms should be esteemed Publick Obligations yet if they think they have so great a catch of it so that Scotland will declare for Me I will stand to the least tittle of these Instructions nothing being omitted according to their plain Grammatical sense As for the Officers of State certainly My Advocate will clear that Mistaking for all the Alteration concerning them is only for the better Conformity of that Paper which he brought from London And for the Great Seal upon the perusal of all My Papers I have not wit enough to find from whence the ground of going less can be taken but for Religion I know not what to say except endeavouring to be civil be termed a going less if so that fault shall be soon helped And indeed I cannot but think it strange that rather than to comply any thing with My Conscience you will I speak not personally to you but to the Kingdom in general submit to the Wills of those who at least can never prove your Friends and that to the visible Prejudice I may say more both of you and Me though I express My endeavouring to content you by shewing you more than a probable way for attaining your Pretensions which you make altogether desperate by rejecting My Offer And truly I am confident not to be single to think your Exceptions strange for first civil Ingenuity uses not to be misliked then I rather expected Thanks for giving of some time to Presbyterial Government than to have the Limitation of it objected against Me especially since that without Me it cannot be established And is it unfit for Me to have what is granted to all Publick Ministers by the Law of Nations Yes I cry you mercy for Kings use to dispense not to be dispensed with And why will ye not have Twenty Divines of My Nomination to speak amongst your grave Assembly Is it that you misdoubt your Cause or that you will not have it disputed neither of these Reasons can I submit to a third I cannot find Lastly as for your Covenant when and not before I shall be satisfied in My Conscience that I may allow it I will but I see no way for that satisfaction unless by such a Conference as I have proposed Now for sad Consequences I know no Antidote so good as a clear Conscience which by the Grace of God I will preserve whatsoever else happen to Your most assured real constant Friend CHARLES R. Newcastle 14th December 1646. POSTSCRIPT I have so much work now that if you had ten Brethren what I have written is enough for them all A few days after this His Majesty sent His last Message to the Two Houses to be presented to the Scotish Parliament with which he wrote the following Letters to the two Brothers Hamilton I Thank you for the timeous advertisement you and your Brother have sent Me by this Bearer whom I have returned to you with some Queries which I desired a Friend of yours to write more at large to you than I have now time for to which and to this Bearer referring you I rest Your most assured real faithful constant Friend CHARLES R. Newcastle December 19th 1646. Lanerick SInce I saw by what Sir James Hamilton brought Me from you what Reception My intended Message to London was likely nay sure to have and since My Conscience will not permit Me a further Length I know not what I may do upon a full and free Debate at London I have sent another the Copy whereof is here inclosed which I expresly send you to acquaint the Scotish Parliament with what I have done and to desire their Assistance in it in which knowing that your Fidelity needs no spurs nor your Ability information what to say I will say no more but that I am Your most assured real constant Friend CHARLES R. Newcastle 19th Decemb. 1646. But as for the inclosed Message it being Printed among His Majesties Messages it is needless to insert it here And now came on the fatal Turn of matters in Scotland which shall be set down from a Letter of my Lord Lanerick's that follows but to whom the Writer knows not the Direction being lost SInce my last our Debates have been of so great Importance that I cannot conceal them Yesterday we spent two Hours in the grand Commitee the whole Parliament being present and indeed to good purpose for it was resolved that present Instructions should be sent to our Commissioners to press His Majesties coming to London with Honour Safety and Freedom and that we should declare our Resolutions to maintain Monarchical Government in His Majesties Person and Posterity and His Iust Title to the Crown of England But I confess this Day is the saddest I ever saw for after Resolutions were taken of sending to His Majesty it is carried that nothing but a Grant to the whole Propositions must be demanded and in case of a Refusal the former Certifications given to His Majesty put in execution of Securing the Kingdom and Settling a Government without Him and lest His Majesty should have hopes of engaging this Kingdom on easier terms or thinking to come to Scotland where though He should lose England He might exercise the Office of a King it is to be Declared that this Kingdom cannot lawfully engage themselves for His Majesties Preservation albeit He should be even Deposed in England He not taking the Covenant satisfying in Religion and giving a satisfactory Answer to the rest of the whole Propositions presented to Him in name of both Kingdoms Besides it is to be Declared that His Majesty will not be admitted to come to Scotland where though He were His Regal Function would be susâ—ended and even His Royal Pâ—rson at least be put under Restraint if not delivered up to the Parliament While we were on these Debates the inclosed Warning was presented to the Parliament by the Commission of the Kirk which though you may think possibly high yet really it is very moderate in regard of these Motions have been in Publick for now all Private Meeting is quit by us in relation to His Majesties Person which certainly will not only not be admitted to come into Scotland but a joynt Course will be taken by both Kingdoms for keeping him in Restraint in England And you may be confident that will certainly be carried in despight of those that will oppose it And to prepare us the better before we come to a Resolution we are to morrow to have a kind of Fast and hear two Sermons in the Morning according to our Custom at St. Andrews before the Executions and the rest of the Day is to be imployed in taking a Final Resolution which without all peradventure will be to send Commissioners to His Majesty to demand the whole Propositions for Religion will not satisfie and to settle both Kingdoms without His Majesties Regal Authority and imprison His Person in England for He will not be admitted to come to
the English Parliament at which Proposition the Duke and his Brother expressed their horrour with language so full both of Reason and Affection that nothing but violent and enraged Passion could have resisted it They said Would Scotland now quit a Possession of 1500 Years Date which was their Interest in their Soveraign and do it to those whose Enmity both against Him and them did now visibly appear Was this the effect of all their Protestations of Duty and Affection to His Majesty Was this their keeping of their Covâ—nant wherein they had sworn to defend the Kings Majesties Person and Authority Was this a suitable return to the Kings Goodness both in his consenting to all the Desires of that Kingdom An. 1641. and in His late trusting His Person to them what Censures would be past upon this through the whole World what a stain would it be to the whole Reformed Religion and in fine what Danger might be apprehended both to the Kings Person and to Scotland from the Party that was now prevalent in England But notwithstanding all this the Question was put in these words Whether they should leave His Majesty in England to the Two Houses there or not so softly did the prevailing Party present that infamous Business to the Vote of the Parliament The Dukes Vote was suitable to his Discourse and Temper being a Negative uttered with much grave and deep Sorrow but I shall set down Lanerick's in the formal terms wherein he expressed it As God shall have mercy upon my Soul at the Great Day I would chuse rather to have my Head struck off at the Market-cross of Edinburgh than give my consent to this Vote The Earl of Lindsay now Earl Crawford was President and so could not debate but as in the stating the Vote he expressed much honest Zeal so when it was carried in the Affirmative he dissented from it and to him those who had voted in the Negative did adhere But some of their Friends were accidentally absent others on design and some downright deserted them so that though there were divers who dissented yet they were far short of being able to ballance the Vote When all this was done Lanerick with a deep Groan said this was the blackest Saturday that ever Scotland saw alluding to a great Eclipse that was many years before on a Saturday from which it was still called the Black Saturday This being sent to the Commissioners at Newcastle did not at all shake His Majesty he being resolved not to yield to that no not at Holmby which He had refused at Newcastle The King is delivered and sent Prisoner to Holmby In the end of the Month the English Commissioners and Forces came down and the Arrears for the payment of the Army being delivered the Scotish Army withdrew and left the King in the hands of the English who presently sent him to Holmby And this is a free and faithful Relation of that great Transaction only in invidious Passages I have spared the Memories and Families of the unhappy Actors which is variously censured It was presently the matter of Discourse and Censure of Christendom and brought an Infamy on those who acted it which though an Indempnity could pardon yet no Oblivion was able to deface It was thought strange since the King had trusted himself to Scotland that they should have thus deserted Him What grounds Montrevil had for giving the King those Assurances did not appear and certain it is they were very slight ones and were only from single Persons but not from any Iunto or Judicatory But generous minds thought the Kings frank casting Himself into their hands was an Obligation beyond any Engagements they could have given And it was thought strange madness in those of Scotland to do it at that time since they saw the Independents prevailing whose Designs against the Kings Person and Monarchy had been faithfully discovered to them by some of their Commissioners at London and who were as little Friends to the Covenant and Presbytery as the King himself was so that considering their Power such a Strengthening of them brought Religion under a hazard of another nature than could have been apprehended upon their Accepting of the Kings Concessions But the Contradiction that this course had to the Covenant was so plain that none could avoid observing it for to make their King a Prisoner was an odd Comment upon their Defending of His Person and Authority and to do all that because he would not force his Conscience was judged a strange Practice from those who had so lately complained heavily against any appearance of Force upon Tender Consciences These were the Censures that generally passed on that Transaction the Kings stifness was also very much condemned and most men not understanding the strictness of a Tender Conscience thought it was Humour that swayed Him and judged that in the posture Affairs were then in He should have yielded to any thing how unreasonable soever rather than have so exposed Himself His Posterity and His Kingdoms to such visible hazards reckoning that no Form of Government that ever was deserved to be so firmly adhered to All persons looked for dismal effects from these Resolutions few thinking the Friendship betwixt Scotland and England would be lasting and all apprehended some strange Curse would overtake those who were active in this infamous Business Amidst these greater Reflections there were some who suspected the Duke had not acted in that Affair with that Candour and Zeal He expressed and this was chiefly founded on the base Votes of some of his Friends chiefly of one who had served him but was then a Lord. But as the tract of this Account hath cleared the whole Progress of his Negotiation so the visible affliction of his Mind which drew after it a great indisposition in his Body did abundantly refute these Calumnies And indeed that great Mind which did not succumb under the hardest Trials when it imployed its utmost strength was now reduced to the most pinching Straits and almost to desperate Resentments so that he repented his Stay in Scotland since he foresaw nothing but imminent Ruine to King and Country yet His Majesties opinion of his Zeal and Affection to His Service was at this time proof against all Whispers which appears by the following Letter Hamilton I Know it were needless to recommend this Bearer Will. Murray to you but that his Persecution at this instant for My sake is such that in a manner it even extorts these lines from Me to tell you that your hearty and real dealing to procure his waiting upon Me is a good occasion which I am confident you will not let slip to shew your constant zealous Affection to Your most assured real constant Friend CHARLES R. Newcastle 29th January 1647. Now it was that genuine Melancholy and Horrour dwelt in all the Dukes thoughts The Duke contrives how to turn Scotland to the Kings Service his Brother was too deeply prepossessed
with the like apprehensions to minister much Comfort to him only he pressed him not to give way to languishing Sorrow but to see what could be done for setting things right again and for infusing that sense of Shame and Horrour in all People for the late Action which might prepare them to a Noble Reparation of it by a generous Engaging in the Kings Quarrel And upon this much pains was taken to infuse Jealousies of the Independents in the minds of the Kirk-men though there were other violent persons as careful to refute them Most of this Year was spent in possessing all mens Minds with these Apprehensions so preparing them for what they designed to execute upon the first Opportunity The Duke and the Earls of Lauderdale and Lanerick were they who united most closely and cordially for the contriving and prosecuting of that Design The King was Prisoner at Holmby without any other Liberty save that of taking the air sometimes all his Servants were denied access to him and so cruel was the zeal of his Enemies that it reached to his Soul for they refused liberty for his Chaplains to wait on him a favour not denied to the worst of Malefactors but God was his Refuge who supported him in all his Sufferings and Solitudes The Two Houses wrote to the Committee of Estates in Scotland that they should take such a joynt Course with them as might tend most to bring things to a happy Peace But now the Jealousies betwixt the Parliament and the Army begun to grow visible and above board for the Presbyterian Party in the Parliament saw their Error too late Disorders rise in England most of them seemed to have intended the Kings Good only they were mistaken in Judging that the Parliament in which they were most numerous would never be disobeyed by the Army but being disappointed in this they ruined all their confidence in their Power in Parliament having been the cause why they let the Scotish Army go home for till they were gone the Independents crouched under them and trepanned them into Severities against the King and the Dismissing of the Scots who were no sooner gone but the Army acted what had been before projected but most industriously concealed from the Presbyterians Lauderdale is sent to England In April the Earl of Lauderdale was sent from Scotland to London to insist on the motion for a Settlement with the King and chiefly to hinder the adding of any new Propositions and he was also Instructed to deal for a permission to the Duke and the Earl of Dumfernline to go and serve the King in his Bedchamber But the Earl of Lauderdale found matters in great confusion at Westminster for the chief thing thought on was the Disbanding of the Army which was an unnecessary Burden to the Kingdom many grounds of Fear appearing that their Designs were to keep themselves up and govern the Nation by a Military and Arbitrary Power therefore such as were best-affected judged it necessary once to disband them before they engaged in a new Treaty with the King But for that private Proposition concerning the Duke and Dumfernline the Earl of Lauderdale seeing it would not take because there was not a Family yet settled about the King nor could it be expected that any from Scotland would be the first they would set about His Majesties Person did not present it and indeed the Duke's late Behaviour in opposing the Delivery of the King had forfeited his Credit with those of England then in Power But it is not my meaning to go on with a regular History of the irregular Transactions that past in England this Year I shall only say so much of them as will make appear what reason the Scots had for their Proceedings and to clear what may have relation to the Dukes Concerns In the middle of May the King sent a new Message to the Parliament of England in order to a Treaty but his Offers were the same upon the matter they had been at Newcastle and so not like to take and the Two Houses were then busied about Disbanding the Army They therefore ordered the Army to be disbanded and some of the Forces they kept up to be sent over to Ireland and all Satisfaction being offered The Army refuses obedience to the Parliament the time of their Disbanding was named But the Ring-leaders of the Army disposed them to mutiny against the Parliament upon pretence of want of Satisfaction in matter of Money and Reparation in point of Honour so the Army drew to a Body and erected a Court who were called the Agitators Mean-while Cromwel puts his Party in the House of Commons on the Recalling oâ— their Declarations against the Army and goes to the Army though his Commission was expired More Money was offered to the Army but nothing was accepted only divers of the Presbyterian Officers submitted and subscribed for Ireland whereupon they were by the prevailing part of the Army disbanded and takes the King from Holmby And the Army to make a sure game for their Party sent one Ioice a Taylor by Trade but now a Cornet by his Employment to Holmby who came at twelve a clock at night and forced the King to go with him against his will Upon which the Earl of Lauderdale emitted a Declaration in Name of the Scotish Nation against that Force put on the Kings Person contrary to all their Treaties and Declarations and demanded that His Majesties Person might be presently set at Liberty and brought with Honour Freedom and Safety to some of His Houses in or about London and after that he went to Newmarket to wait on the King who was there with the Army But the Army begun to abuse His Majesty into some Confidence in them And use Hiâ— civilly and used Him at another rate than had been done at Holmby They gave free access to all His Servants to come to Him they allowed His Chaplains to attend about Him and serve in their Office according to the Liturgy and permitted Him free Correspondence with the Queen and every body else and in their Discourses intimated their willingness to lay aside the Covenant and allow the Toleration of Episcopacy and the Liturgy all which though smoothly said was meant to cajole Him to his Ruine Assoon as His Majesty was at Liberty He wrote the following Letter to my Lord Lanerick Lanerick THe present condition of My Affairs is such He writes to Lanerick that I believe you and your Brother may do Me better Service at London than where you are therefore I desire that both or at least one of you would come up assoon as you could the rest I leave till meeting and so farewel Your most assured real constant Friend CHARLES R. Newmarket 22th Iune 1647. To this my Lord Lanerick wrote this Answer Sir YOur Majesties Letter of the 22th of June had been immediately obeyed Lanerick's Answer if our Stay here for some time had not
over-â—wed both Parliament and City they began to levy new Forces but assoon as they withdrew from London the Citizens of London came in great numbers to Westminster and petitioned to have their Militia settled again according to their former Votes which being granted the Parliament next day was at liberty and the Secluded Members returned About the end of Iuly the Earl of Lauderdale going to wait on His Majesty who was then at Wooburn was not only hindred access but by the Violence of the Souldiers carried away and say or complain what he would of the Violation of the Treaty with Scotland and the Law of Nations by that Affront put upon a Publick Minister of another Kingdom he could not prevail but was forced to be gone After this the King was Voted to come to London But the Army instead of Obedience came thither again and by the interposition of some treacherous People got the City surrendred to them whereupon they marched through it in Triumph with Lawrels in their Hats and came to Westminster bringing with them the two Speakers and some other Members of their Party who had run away from the Parliament pretending Fear though no appearance of it had been in the Proceedings of the Parliament Fairfax was declared Captain-General of all England Constable of the Tower of London and Commander of all the Garisons and then they fell to the Purging of the House And besides the forcing the eleven Members to flee seven of the Lords were also impeached and all Orders that past in the absence of the Speakers were repealed yet this was not carried but upon a fortnights Debate Divers of the City of London with the Mayor and some Aldermen were likewise charged and imprisoned and all this was upon a general Accusation of their designs to raise a new War Those in Scotland being advertised by their Commissioners of all that passed failed not to make good use of it This is resented in Scotland to stir up the Affection and Duty of all to appear for His Majesty which prevailed generally and even the Ministers begun both from their Pulpits and by their Remonstrances to complain of the Prevailings of the Sectarian Party and of the Force that was put on the Kings Person But the old language of the Covenant and Presbytery was still in their mouths yet all were pretty forward for a real Resentment of the late Disorders in England Only Mr. George Gillespie who was indeed of good parts but bold beyond all measure withstood these Inclinations and represented that the greatest Danger to Religion was to be feared from the King and the Malignant Party He was suspected of correspondence with the Sectaries which some Letters in my hand written in Cypher give good grounds to believe Certain it is that he proved a very ill instrument and marred that great Design by which all former Errors might have been corrected Thus as the Duke and his Friends designs began to appear there was a violent Party no less careful to withstand them Therefore it was not judged fitting the Duke should leave Scotland his Service in it being greater than any he could do in England besides his being a Peer in England made him more obnoxious to their fury than any other Scotchman could be But His Majesties Concessions about Religion pinched them much and the Liberty offered to Tender Consciences did very much disgust the Scotish Clergy for in Scotland a Toleration was little less odious than Episcopacy and nothing but Presbytery would satisfie them In the end of August they sent Mr. Lesley to His Majesty to represent the State of Affairs in Scotland according to the following Instructions The Duke sends a Message to the King YOu shall shew what Endeavours have been used to incense this Kingdom against the Proceedings of the Army under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax witness George Windram 's Relation the Declaration of the General Assembly and the Voice of the daily cryes from the Pulpit You shall represent what Industry was used to precipitate a present Engagement upon the grounds of the Covenant and for Settling Presbyterial Government in England who were the pressers and who were the opposers of it You shall shew what Pains were taken by the moderate Party here to procure the sending of Commissioners to His Majesty and the Parliament thereby to procrastinate and delay all Resolutions till their return or a report from them which will probably consume the rest of this Summer and for this Year prevent a new War except upon eminent advantage You are therefore to represent how necessary it is for preventing Prejudices from hence that a free Passage and all other Encouragements be given to those who are now to be employed if that shall be refused or the Law of Nations in their Persons violated a Breach betwixt the Kingdoms cannot be longer prevented You shall shew that if it had not been for His Majesties Commands to the Moderate Party here a Scotish Army had e're this time been in England which so long as His Majesty is well used they are hopeful to prevent but if His re-establishing be delayed a greater Army than ever Scotland raised will own His Quarrel You shall shew that the Instructions now given to our Commissioners who Treat with the Parliament are only Generals the chief whereof is That His Majesty be again invited to come to London with Honour Freedom and Safety the delay whereof is exceedingly ill taken here and nothing would give so general satisfaction to this Kingdom nor more stop the mouths of Incendiaries than that His Majesty were so at London You shall shew that the Message that was to be sent to His Majesty was only to represent to Him the constant Affection of this Kingdom their longings to see Him re-established in His Throne their Resolutions never to withdraw themselves from under His Government and their Desires to know immediately from Himself in what Condition He is since the Safety of this Kingdom so much depends upon the Safety of His Person You shall shew that the Disorders in the High-lands are now composed and our Army is to be scattered in several quarters through the whole Shires of the Kingdom With these Instructions My Lord Lanerick wrote what follows to His Majesty Sir SInce eminent Advantages for Your Majesties Service could not at this time be procured but at the old rate of satisfaction in Religion and the Covenant our Study hath been to prevent Prejudices and Disservices wherein our endeavours have not proved unsuccessful though â—ven in that we met with extraordinary Opposition The Particulars will be shewed to Your Majesty by the Bearer with the humble sense and advice upon the whole as it now stands in relation to this Kingdom of Your Majesties most humble most faithful most loyal and most obedient Subject and Servant LANERICK Edinburgh 23th August 1647. To which His Majesty answered Lanerick I Very much like and approve of Robin
to depend upon His Settlement on his Throne they fell upon their Treaty with the Parliament But the Army was beginning to take off their Mask and change their Stile for having now seated themselves in the Power they begun to contrive how to execute what they had always designed which was the Ruin of the King and the Subversion of Monarchy And a new Party among them called the Levellers did avowedly own Principles contrary to all Order and Government so that there was great ground to apprehend Danger to the Kings Person My Lords of Lowdon Lauderdale and Lanerick represented to the King that if He would give satisfaction in the point of Religion he was Master of Scotland on what terms as to other things He would demand but without that they feared their Design of serving Him should meet with great Opposition yet they resolved once to rescue Him out of the hands of the Army or to perish in the Attempt and offered to rescue Him from the Army A little after this His Majesty being to hunt at Nonsuch the Earls of Lauderdale and Lanerick came thither on pretence of waiting on His Majesty accompanied with 50 Horse which struck no small terrour in the little Guard that was about the King whereupon these Lords told His Majesty that they were come to rescue Him from His Captivity and they with all these they brought with them were resolved to die at His feet wherefore they intreated Him to make His Escape But the King told them He had engaged His Honour not to leave the Army without giving them Advertisement and till He freed Himself of that He would die rather than break His Faith But the Leading men of the Army were now weary of the Kings being with them and wished to have Him in some secure Place under a good Guard whereupon they made reports be brought to Him that the Levellers were designing against His Life The King therefore called again the Earls of Lauderdale and Lanerick to Him some days before His Escape and told them He had freed Himself of the Engagement He had given not to leave the Army The King advises with Lauderdale and Lanerick what to do He therefore desired their Advice what to do The Earl of Lauderdale said things being driven to such extremities it was not safe to give Advice but would His Majesty suggest any thing he would with all candour deliver his Opinion about it The King first spoke of His Going to Scotland the Earl of Lauderdale said that except He resolved to comply with their Desires about Religion He might expect no better Usage from the Church-party there than He had met with at Newcastle Next the King moved His Going to London the Earl of Lauderdale answered that formerly that had been a safe Course but now the City was so over-awed by the Army that he durst not advise His trusting His Person to them for the Tumults there were already great and would undoubtedly grow upon His coming The King asked if He came was He sure of the Scotish Commissioners that they would stick to Him in Name of the Scotish Nation the Earl of Lauderdale answered that all of them to a man should wait on Him and own His Service at all hazards but without Instructions from Scotland they could do nothing as Commissioners but only in their own Names as His Subjects and they had great reason to fear the Church-party in Scotland would not own Him nor order them to do it Next the King spoke of His going to Berwick whereupon the Earl of Lanerick who till then had stood silent begged of His Majesty that for Gods sake he would follow that Motion for if He left England the Army would pretend He was deserting His Kingdom and so depose Him but Berwick was a strong Place which at that time lay ungarrisoned the Country about it was generally well-affected and so He might easily get a good Garrison to go in with Him and by that means he was near Scotland for the encouragement of those who resolved to serve Him This was also backed by Lauderdale and the King seemed fully resolved on it so they left Him of this the Author had his Information from the Earl of Lauderdale A few days after this His Majesty went to the Isle of Wight The King goes to the Isle of Wight and on the 16th of November sent a Message to the Parliament which is Printed with the rest of the Messages declaring the reason of His Going to that Place and inviting them to a Treaty As for Religion he insisted on His Judgment about Episcopacy as a Government settled by the Apostles but was content it should be limited so that the â—ishops should act nothing in Ecclesiastical matters without their Presbyters whereby they should be no burden to Tender Consciences and that they should be obliged to reside and labour and preach in their Diocesses Besides He continued His Offer for the Settlement of Presbytery for Three Years till things were freely debated and considered adding a Liberty to all Tender Consciences except Popish Recusants As for the Militia He offered to yield it up to the Parliament during His whole Reign and in other Particulars insisted on His former Concessions and some days after that he wrote what follows to my Lord Lanerick Lanerick AS My coming hither will be variously scanned so I believe that My Message to the Two Houses will have divers Interpretations for neither of which I mean to make any Apology and wrâ—tes from thence to Lanerick for honest Actions at last will best interpret themselves only I must observe to you that what I have sent to London the end of it is to procure a Personal Treaty for which if I have striven to please all Interests with all possible equality without wronging My Conscience I hope no reasonable man will blame Me. Nor am I so unreasonable as to imagine that this My Message can totally content My Own Party but for the end of it a Personal Treaty I hope that all the reasonable men on all sides will concur with Me as I expect your Scotish Commissioners should do though I know you must dislike many Passages in it And yet I must tell you that in substance it differs very little from My Message of the 22th of May. This I thought necessary to write to you that you might assure your fellow-Commissioners that change of Place hath not altered My Mind from what it was when you last saw Me. So I rest Your most assured constant Friend CHARLES R. Carisbrook 19th November 1647. POSTSCRIPT This is a safe Messenger wherefore you or any other of My Friends may write to Me by him desiring much to hear from you To this Letter the three Commissioners from Scotland wrote joyntly this Answer May it please Your Majesty The Scotish Commissioners write to the King YOur Message left behind You at Hampton-Court gave great hopes that Your Majesty was
Lanerick Cousin YOu will perceive by this that you cannot make more haste in obliging Me A Letter from the Queen to Lanerick than I shall on My part in witnessing My Acknowledgements of it I ascribe a great deal of the good Inclinations your Commissioners do now express to the good Offices you do of which I intreat the Continuance The testimonies of Friendship which I receive from those of your Family surprize Me less than what I met with from other Hands and I promise My Self to see further effects of it And as I have all the esteem of you that you can expect so you owe Me the Iustice of believing that I shall give evidence of it upon every occasion that shall be offered to Me nor shall I rest satisfied with that but shall diligently search out every opportunity of expressing it Therefore I entreat you to believe that I am Cousin Your very good and very affectionate Friend and Cousin HENRIETA MARIA R. Towards the end of December the Earls of Lowdon Lauderdale and Lanerick The Scotish Commissioners go to His Majesty followed the English Commissioners to the Isle of Wight and after they had protested against the Bills they concluded their Treaty with His Majesty to engage for his Rescue and Re-establishment on his Throne and to bring in an Army into England assoon as it were possible for that effect An Agreement with the King to bring an Army for His Service The King on the other hand engaged to them for all the Assistance they could demand from the Queen or Prince or any other who would obey His Authority and that the Prince should come to Scotland assoon as they found it convenient to invite him and that His Majesty should grant all the Desires of Scotland which with a good Conscience he could grant And the Commissioners having advised and agreed with His Majesty both about the Methods of carrying on their Designs and the ways of keeping Correspondence with him they resolved to return home to Scotland and so they left His Majesty at Wight in the end of the Year But upon the Kings refusing to pass the Bills he was made close Prisoner and a Vote passed in both Houses against all further Addresses to him MEMOIRES OF THE LIFE and ACTIONS OF James Duke of Hamilton c. LIB VI. Of the Dukes Engagement for the Kings Preservation and what followed till His Death Anno 1648. An. 1648. THe former Book has given the Reader a just and full Representation of His Majesties Imprisonment and the Danger his Person was in of the Force put on the Two Houses by the Army and of the breach of former Treaties with the Scotish Nation and now it cannot but be imagined that such Illegal and Unjust Proceedings must have inflamed the Resentments of all good Subjects and more signally of such who had formerly been carried away in the crowd to act against the Kings Interests but now seeing how fatal the Breach between the King and his People was likely to prove to both were much concerned to correct all former Errours and expiate all past Faults by a vigorous appearance for the Kings Rescue out of his Imprisonment In order to this Design the Duke was not idle in Scotland The Dukes endeavours in Scotland but by all the Art and Diligence he was Master of did study to rouse up and work upon the Fidelity and Loyalty of that Nation representing that now an Occasion was in their Hands to witness to the World the sincerity of their Intentions for their King when he was under so base a Restraint and Designs were hatching against his Life Would they now look on and see the King murdered the Parliament of England over-awed the City of London oppressed the whole English Nation enslaved the Treaties with Scotland so unworthily violated the Covenant and Religion so neglected and swarms of Sectaries over-run all Now or never was the time for declaring themselves and if Duty did not move them yet the apprehension of their own Danger might provoke them to look to themselves for did they think to escape the fury of the Sectaries if they were so tame as to suffer them to prevail in England therefore all Laws Divine and Humane did oblige them to look to themselves and to those Enemies of theirs And there was good reason to hope for success since besides the Blessing of God which might be expected upon so just and Noble Enterprizes the People of England were groaning under this Usurpation and would be ready to assist them and they had reason to expect a welcome from the City of London and the better part of the Two Houses These things did prevail much on the most of the Nobility and Gentry Three Parties in Scotland But at this time Three Parties begun to appear in Scotland The one was of those who would hear of no Proposition for the Kings Delivery unless he first gave satisfaction in matters of Religion and this was made up of the Preachers and a few of the Nobility and the Western Counties Others were for a direct Owning of the Kings Quarrel without any restrictions and for taking all Persons who had been in Arms for the Kings Service within it The Earls of Traquair and Calendar were the chief of these and many Noblemen were of it who called themselves the Kings Party but their Power in the Country was not great The Duke was as much for that in his thoughts as any of them but saw it impossible to effectuate the Kings business at that rate and therefore judged it best to go on in so great a Design by degrees The present Strait was that he first looked to which was the Rescue of the Kings Person and he doubted not if they once got a good Army engaged upon that account though all were at first clogged with many severe Restrictions yet it would be easy afterwards to carry things that were not to be then spoken of and this way took with almost the whole Gentry of Scotland The Scotish Commissioners spent much of the month of Ianuary at London The Commissioners return to Scotland establishing a good Correspondence with the Kings Friends in England and they had Letters from St. Germans in France in which the Queen and Prince undertook to make good to them all that had been promised by the King in their Name And in the Commissions the Prince gave to Sir Marmaduke Langdale and others for Levying of Forces in the North of England he commanded them to receive their Orders from the Earls of Lauderdale and Lanerick and follow their Commands Thus having laid down the best Methods they could think of with their Friends in England they set out for Scotland about the end of Ianuary At their coming to Scotland they found a general dissatisfaction with the Kings Message in November about Religion And though all the Duke's Friends were ready to have hazarded their Lives for His
of a long Preamble and Eight Articles THe first was That before they went on to a War and find great opposition from the Ministers the Grounds and Causes of it might be well cleared Secondly that the alledged Breaches of the Covenant and Treaties might be condescended upon and Reparation of them first sought Thirdly that there might be no such Grounds of War as might break the Vnion of the two Kingdoms and disoblige the Presbyterians of England Fourthly that none of the disaffected or Malignant Party might be admitted to Trust but on the contrary that they should be opposed and suppressed Fifthly that the Kings late Concessions might be declared unsatisfactory Sixthly that they should engage not to restore His Majesty to the exercise of His Royal Power till He should by Oath bind Himself and His Successors to consent to Acts of Parliament for confirming the League and Covenant and settling Presbytery the Directory and the Confession of Faith Seventhly that none might be trusted but such as were of known Integrity and good affection to the Cause Eighthly that the Church might have the same Interest in carrying on this Engagement which they had in the Solemn League and Covenant These Demands run in so high a strain that those of the Church-Party judged either they would be rejected and so the Church would pretend somewhat for their breaking with the Parliament or if they were yielded to it would so alienate the Hearts of the King and all His Friends in England from them that they would hate them as much as they did the English Parliament or Army The Committee of Parliament found the Strait they were in and saw what an unhappy practice it had been to give the Church-men so great an interest in Civil Affairs Some were for brisker Courses and for clapping up in Prison all the more turbulent Ministers but the Duke apprehended great trouble from that fearing it should raise stirs among the people which might retard the design of the Kings Delivery upon which all his thoughts were bent The hazard of intercepting Letters made the Intercourse by them so slow that the Lords that corresponded with His Majesty had no Return from him before the beginning of April and then they got that which follows I Was as glad to see the constancy of your Resolutions as I was sorry to understand the great Opposition you find in Your Vndertakings The King writes to his Servants in Scotland But as for any Enlargement concerning Church-affairs I desire you not to expect it from Me for such expectations have been a great cause of this My present Condition which I assure you I am still resolved rather to suffer than to wrong My Conscience or Honour which I must do if I enlarge My Self any thing in those points But I take very well the freedom of your Advice because I see it flows from your Affection being also confident that you will cheerfully and resolutely go on according to your Engagements to Me who am Your most assured real constant Friend CHARLES R. 17th March 1648. And to this the Earls of Lauderdale and Lanerick wrote the following Answers SIR WE have received Your Majesties of the 17th of March Nothing but the cruel slowness of Proceedings here would have made us so long silent and that was occasioned by the great Opposition we have met with from the Ministers and the rigid Persons who strongly pretend Your Majesties not satisfying in matters of Religion and upon these grounds have gained upon many and obstructed any Engagement Yet we and those we have interest in are so sensible of our Duties our Honour and of Your Majesties sad Condition which goes nearer our Hearts than any earthly thing that although an Engagement upon the terms we parted on be impossible yet we shall either procure Scotland's Vndertaking for Your Majesties Person or perish let the hazard or opposition be what it can We can boldly say we have the Major Vote of the Parliament clear and if we were blest with Your Majesties Presence the work were done We dare not presume in this troublesom way to express the particulars of our Difficulties or Resolution but hope shortly to give a more satisfactory account having vowed to live and die Your Majesties most humble most faithful and most loyal Subjects and Servants LAVDERDALE LANERICK 22th March 1648. Lanerick also wrote what follows taken from an imperfect Copy under his hand SIR I Have been long silent and possibly should have been so a little longer had I not received Your Majesties of the 17th of the last Moneth but lest I be involved in other mens Guilt I must first speak and then perish or do my Duty Sir at our first returning to Scotland we met with a general Dissatisfaction with what you offered concerning Religion from the Ministers and their Party though all I have Interest in would have cheerfully hazarded their Lives for Your Majesties Preservation upon these or easier terms but after long Debate upon the Consequences of engaging in so great a Work not only without Vnanimity but with the Opposition of the Church and most of those who have been of greatest Eminence and Power during these late Troubles this moved us to a willingness for a very extraordinary Compliance with their Desires providing we might be assured of an Engagemennt But now when we have gone a greater length than even our Loyalty can allow us we find that nothing is intended by them but either a Conjunction with those that seek your Ruine or at least a dull and stupid Suffering and enduring of those destructive Resolutions to Religion and Government which are now designed by the Enemies of God and Your Majesty After this there was a new Committee of 24 chosen by the Parliament for a Conference with the 12 Commissioners of the Kirk who had many Meetings with them and gave them satisfaction to all their Demands so that all back-doors were shut and they were ashamed that they had asked no more wherefore being driven from all their Pretences they fled to the last starting-hole of Jealousie and said that their Designs were contrary to their Professions This was a tedious Affair and cost many Conferences In end great Offers were made to satisfie the Church-party but nothing did prevail whereupon the Committee drew up a large Declaration of all the Violations of the Covenant and Treaties made by the Two Houses together with an account of their own Intentions suitable to the Propositions made by the Ministers only they stood much upon the sixth Article that seemed most contrary to their Duty to their Sovereign and it took them up many days at length they yielded even to that but for this the Reader is referred to the Declaration printed with the Acts of that Parliament On the 25th of April the great Business was carried The Parliament vote an Engagement for the King of putting the Kingdom into a posture of Defenâ—e but the account of the
urge more out of my Duty to Him than kindness to our selves The next was of the 24th of April 1648. SInce my last to you I have received yours of the 18th and 22th of the last Moneth We have made an indifferent good progress in our Parliament here for we have stated all the Breaches of Covenant and Treaties we have resolved upon some Demands to be sent to the Houses of Parliament for Religion for His Majesty and for Disbanding of the present Army of Sectaries and we have pressed a Declaration containing the Grounds of our Resolutions In order to all these we likewise Voted the present putting of this Kingdom into a posture of War and this Week we are to nominate and make choice of all the Officers of our Army The Church doth still violently oppose us and threatens us with cross Declarations if not the extremity of Church-Censures Argyle and his Party maintain them in their Obstinacy or rather they do him in his Disloyalty but neither the fear of their Curses nor want of their Prayers can fright us from our Duty so soon as we are ready to act which possibly may be sooner than you imagine The next was of the 28th of April to His Majesty MY last to you was of the 13th of this Moneth by the Conveyance of Doctor Frazer Since that time we have perfected what was then designed for we have made choice of all the Officers of our Forces wherein we have been forced to spend much time and the next Week we intend to model our Army for England which we hope shall be upon the Borders against the 21th of the next Moneth which is the time limited for the Return of our Messenger from London who this day parts from hence with the three Demands to the Houses of Parliament wherof my last made mention and with a positive Command to stay only 15 days for his Answer We intend likewise in the beginning of the next Week to dispatch Sir William Fleming to the Queen and Prince to give them an account of our Proceedings and to know his Highness's Resolution concerning his coming hither and to desire the present sending of Arms and Ammunition to us whereof we are absolutely unprovided so that if the Queen or Prince of Orange to whom we beg Your Majesty would write do not supply us it will infinitely retard the Service We have passed a Declaration which is full of many rude Restrictions both in order to Your Majesty and Your faithful Servants But we are forced to them for the satisfaction of the Nice Consciences of the Clergy and their Proselytes whom we find still so inflexible that nothing can perswade them to a Conjunction with us in the Work on the contrary we meet with all imaginable Opposition from them yet as we have carried the Declaration and all that is yet done against their strongest Endeavours so we hope in despight of them to be Instruments in accomplishing the chief end it drives at which is Your Majesties Rest and Restauration Our next will certainly bring you the Knowledg of some Acting in order to that which we dare not hazard to this Cypher lest there may be more Copies of it than what we have with Your Majesty The slowness of their Motions in Scotland begun to give great Jealousies of their Proceedings every-where Jealousies of the Scotish Proceedings At Paris the Prince was much courted to go to Ireland but he resolved rather to go to Scotland and designed to go first to Holland Yet there were some about him who studied to give him ill Impressions of all that passed in Scotland grounding them on the old Calumnies that had been cast on the Duke and on the slowness of their Procedure at that time in Scotland together with the extraordinary Cajolery they gave the Church-party all which were made use of for alienating his Highness from that Resolution But he resolved to obey the Kings Commands and sent them new Assurances of that by Sir William Fleming and to oblige the Duke the more a Book being dedicated to his Highness containing some passages much to the Dukes dishonour he refused to accept of it and ordered it to be called in While things were thus preparing in Scotland His Majesty in the Isle of Wight was contriving an Escape being resolved if it succeeded to have come to Scotland but the means failed oftener than once which being discovered made his Prison the straiter He was also courted under hand with new Propositions from the Parliament of England but refused to enter into any Treaty without the Concurrence of the Scotish Nation Yet it troubled him much to hear no more of the progress of their Designs on which all his Hopes were then set for in that disorderly time it was not easy to transmit frequent and clear accounts of all that passed At length having understood from Scotland what advance was made in that Affair he was satisfied with the Fidelity of those he had imployed there At London there went various Constructions on the Scotish Actions The Commissioners of the Two Houses that were at Edinburgh wrote up that the Church-party would undoubtedly keep the Duke and his Party in play at least that Year and that the zeal of the Ministers would make the Levies go slowly on they either believing this themselves or at least designing that others should do so At this time there was a great Inclination all over England to shake off the Armies Arbitrary Yoke Great Disorders in England Stirs were rising in every place The Duke with his other Friends in Scotland dealt earnestly with their Correspondents in England to get all kept quiet till they were ready to march that so there might be an universal Rising at once which would have undoubtedly divided the Army that was against them into so many Fractions as might make way for their easier Overthrow This Design was zealously promoted by many who saw the great advantage it might produce but many were too jealous of the Scotish Designs and so did precipitate their own Ruin Others apprehended from their Declarations that the Bondage would be the same only the Masters changed if they prevailed and this made the Kings Party resolve rather to perish than receive any help from the Scots on these terms Their slowness made others despair of their Sincerity and the reports of the Power of the Church-party made all suspect their Strength so the untimely Rising in England was the Ruin of this Years Design for they rose only to be destroyed and to animate the Army with those many Victories they obtained over them And as these Defeats did much discourage the Scotish Army so it forced them to march into England before they were ready and e're they had looked well to the Security of Affairs behind them The first Rising was by Poyer in Wales to whom Langhorn came within a little and Commanded most of the Country At Westminster as they understood the state
raised Regiments of five or six Troops on their own expences And though it is not to be imagined that the publick Expence of so great a Design was not likewise great yet there was a sad want of Money which the Duke and his Brother did all they could to supply as far as their Credit could go and raised above two and twenty thousand pounds sterling for prosecuting of the Engagement and were on all publick occasions so liberal of their own Money as if some Bank had been put into their hands The Curses the Ministers thundred against all who joyned in this Engagement made the Souldiers very heartless being threatned with no less than Damnation This obliged the Lords to use Force in some places for carrying on their Levies and indeed the Ministers counter-acting the State was such that it is hard to judge whether their Boldness or the Parliaments Patience was most to be wondred at The Lords resolved to chastise them to purpose in due time but judged the present time improper for it and to carry on the Levies the better the Parliament adjourned for three weeks So the Lords went to the several places of their Interests leaving a Committee behind them at Edinburgh but before their Adjournment they wrote the following Letter to the Presbyteries The Parliaments Letter to the Presbyteries THe many Scandals that are tâ—rown on our Actions by the favourers of Sectaries and haters of the Person of our King and Monarchical Government invite us to this extraordinary Address to you conjuring you as you will answer the Great God whose Servants you are not to suffer your selves to be possest with unjust and undeserved Prejudices against us and our Proceedings who have since our late Meeting in Parliament preferred no earthly thing to Religion and the promoving all the ends of our Covenant and have constantly used all real Endeavours to have carried on these Duties to the satisfaction of the most tender Consciences and especially by our great Compliance with the many Desires from the Commissioners of the General Assembly we have proceeded to greater discoveries of our Resolutions in the ways and means of managing of this present Service than possibly in prudence we ought to have done having so near and active Enemies to oppose us neither can it with any Truth or Iustice in any sort be alledged that we have in the least measure wronged or violated the least Priviledges and Liberties of the Church or taken upon us the determination or decision of any matters of Faith or Church-discipline though we be unjustly charged with making an Antecedent Iudgment in matters of Religion under pretence whereof great Encroachments are made on our unquestioned Rights for what can be more Civil than to determine what Civil Duties we ought to pay to our King or what Civil Power he ought to be possessed of and if we meet with obstructions and opposition in carrying on these Duties are not we the only Iudges thereof is there any other Authority in this Kingdom but that of King and Parliament and what flows from them that can pretend any Authoritative Power in the choice of the Instruments and Managers of our Publick Resolutions is it a Subject for the Dispute of Church-Iudicatories whether His Majesty have a Negative Voice or not These things certainly cannot be pretended to by any Kirk-man without a great Vsurpation over the Civil Magistrate whereof we are confident the Church of Scotland or any Iudicatory thereof will never be guilty nor fall into the Episcopal disease of meddling in Civil Affairs and if any have already in these Particulars exceeded their bounds we expect the ensuing General Assembly will censure it accordingly and prevent the vilifying and contemning the Authority of Parliament by any of their Ministers either in or out of their Pulpits who shall offer to stir up the Subjects of this Kingdom to disobey or deny to give Civil Obedience to their Laws it being expresly prohibited by the 2 and 5 Acts of King James the sixth his eighth Parliament Anno 1584. That none of His Majesties Subjects under pain of Treason impugne the Authority of Parliament And therefore seeing the Cause is the same for which this Kingdom hath done and suffered so much and that we are resolved to proceed for the Preservation and Defence of Religion before all wordly Interest whatsoever and to carry on sincerely really and constantly the Covenant and all the Ends of it as you will find by our Declaration herewith sent to you we do confidently expect that as the Ministers of this Kingdom have hitherto been most active and exemplary in furthering the former Expeditions so now you will continue in the same Zeal to stir up the People by your Preaching and Prayers and all other ways in your Calling to a chearful Obedience to our Orders and Engageing in the business that you will not give so great advantage to the Enemies of Presbyterial Government and bring so great a Scandal on this Church as to oppose the Authority of Parliament or obstruct their Proceedings in their necessary Duties for the good of Religion Honour and Happiness of the King and his Royal Posterity and the true Peace of His Dominions Signed by Order of Parliament Alex. Gibsone Clerk Regist. Edinburgh May 11 1648. The Parliament having resolved to raise an Army for the Kings Relief The Parliament sends for the Scotish Army in Ireland found it expedient for encreasing the number and strength of their Forces to send to Ireland for a part of their Scotish Army there which as was told An. 1642 had been sent from Scotland thither by Commission from the King under the Great Seal and upon a Treaty and Establishment betwixt the two Nations for suppressing the Irish Rebellion and for perswading them to desert for so Noble an Undertaking their Interest in Ireland which was very considerable for there was above seven hundred and seventy thousand pound sterling of Arrear resting to them upon a stated Accompt fitted by Persons intrusted by the Parliament of England and Commissioners from them preceding the 16th of Iune 1647 besides a year more until Iune 1648 not at all reckoned they sent over three of their number two Knights Sir Iames Macdougal and Sir William Cocheran now Earl of Dundonald and Mr. Crawford Burgess of Linlithgow with Letters and Instructions to that purpose They were kindly received by such of the Officers as had chief Power there but most unwelcome to a contrary Party who had notice how averse the Kirk to which they were addicted had declared themselves from the Designs of that Parliament nevertheless it was quickly agreed to that about twelve hundred Horse and two thousand and one hundred Foot should be provided and regimented and transported to Scotland to be conducted by Sir George Monro in the quality of a Major-General and to be joyned with the Dukes Armie At Westminster they were in great Confusion fearing that the General
was at that time much influenced by the Dukes Enemies yet Bellandin got many promises made him of a large supply of Mony and Ammunition Upon these Expectations the Earl of Lanerick was against a speedy March into England but much pressed by others but this was opposed by the Earl of Lauderdale who pressed a present Dispatch They were called upon so earnestly from their Friends in England that to linger still was to lose the Kings Party there for now the Kentish men were broken and some of them had passed over unto Essex where many rose with them and carried Colchester and made a good Body both of Horse and Foot but were not able to hold out long against the Army yet they gave them divers foils But that of the greatest Importance was that most of the Navy had declared for the King and desired a Correspondence with Scotland and Willoughby who was made Vice-Admiral by the Prince was a great Friend to the Scotish Nation The Earl of Inchequin also with his Army in Ireland had declared against the Parliament and sent to Scotland a very kind Message for a good Understanding with that Parliament and finally a part of the English Army being much sollicited by the Church-party in Scotland who complained that they were now exposed by them to Ruin was coming North-ward under the Command of Lambert and Langdale had written to them that he could not be able to stand long before Lambert if he were not speedily relieved and that Carlisle also would be in great hazard neither was the hazard only the loss of Carlisle of which they made less account but the Army which was with Langdale whose Wives and Children were in Carlisle did threaten to leave him and Capitulate if that Place were not preserved Besides all this they at Westminster to temper the general Hatred against them had called back the Secluded Members of both Houses and were Levying new Forces and had Voted a Personal Treaty with the King at which time also one Osburn avouched that there were Designs against the Kings Person and that himself had been sollicited to assist in the poysoning him All these Considerations were pressing and could admit of no delays wherefore Lauderdale insisted for a present March and that the Dukes Carriage might shew it was the Kings Service and not a Faction he was designing nor Resentments against these who withstood him in Scotland for so did Lauderdale mistake Lanerick's advice for curbing of the Church-party and punishing their Leaders The Duke saw great reason on both sides and is resolved on and though his own Judgment went along with his Brothers Advice knowing well it was easie for him to have forced all Scotland very soon into a Compliance with their Design which being once done he could have marched into England upon greater advantages and with a far better Army yet he was content to be over-ruled believing that if they were prosperous in England upon which depended all their hopes it would be no great Work to Master any Opposition might be made in Scotland And thus did the unripened forwardness of those in England force the Duke on a fatal Precipitation of Counsels The resolution was taken and a General Rendezvous appointed to be at Annan near the Borders of England on the 4th of Iuly All this while my Lord Lanerick had not forgotten the Kings Commands about the Marquis of Huntley but the ill Opinion the Church-men had of them was such that to have proceeded roundly in that matter would have given greater grounds of Jealousie to that Party therefore the Iunto sent him word to the Castle of Edinburgh where he was then Prisoner that though at that time it was not fit to set him at liberty by an Order yet they were willing he should make his Escape and they offered their Assistance for conveying him safe away But he said he was brought thither by Order and he would not steal out as a Thief and from this fatal stiffness they could not get him removed yet they resolved to liberate him openly when they should be better able to avow their Actions The Opposition the Church-men made to the Raising of the Army An Insurrectâ—on at Mauchlin did still retard the Levies and discourage the Souldiers though the Officers were generally resolute Some Forces were sent West-ward under the Command of Sir Iames Turner to keep that Country quiet who found a little Authority vigorously managed did quickly tame some of the most unruly But at Mauchlin there was a great Gathering under the Colour of an Assembly to a Solemn Communion and many went thither Armed pretending hazard from the danger of that time Turner got notice that an Insurrection was designed there and advertised the Duke of it who ordered Turner not to stir till the Earls of Calander and Middleton should come to assist him who came to Pasely on the Saturndy before that Communion they drew out the Forces that lay there consisting of two Regiments of Foot and fourteen Troops of Horse and marched to Steuarton where the Earl of Glenâ—airn and others of the Nobility met them Some advised a March of the whole Forces others thought a few Troops were sufficient for dispersing that Multitude whereupon Middleton was commanded out with six Troops who found them near two thousand strong Horse and Foot but being ill-commanded they were soon disordered Middleton and Hurry gave the Charge and were briskly encountered so that they were made to retreat with the loss of some men and both Middleton and Hurry got slight Wounds but the Party that had given them this rude Shock having cleared a way for themselves made their Retreat The report of this Disorder was brought hot to Calender who leaving the Foot at Kilmarnock went with the eight Troops he had with him to assist Middleton but upon his appearing all run away The Horse were not pursued sixty Foot Souldiers were taken and five Officers and some Ministers who were all dismissed only the Officers were condemned to dye by a Council of War but were afterwards pardoned by Calander Some Forces were sent towards the Borders After this before a General Rendezvous was possible the Duke for animating those of Carlisle who began to be sore put to it sent Collonel Lockhart with some Regiments of Horse to lye at Annan and Collonel Turner with five or six Regiments of Foot to lye at Dumfrice hoping thereby to hinder Lambert from coming near Carlisle wherein his expectation did not fail him for no sooner came Lockhart to Annan but Lambert drew his Troops nearer and Sir Marmaduke Langdale got air a while for Provision both for his Men and Horses and against the day appointed the General came from Edinburgh to Annan with Calander Middleton and Baylie and several Regiments of Horse and Foot The Army enters England Turner also came to him from Dumfrice with the Regiments that lay there and some Ammunition and abundance of Meal
of Foot were totally routed and either killed taken or dispersed nor did we ever hear any more of Monro and the Irish Forces nor of the Rear-guard of Horse that was on the Moor so that we begun to look on our selves as broken being in a Country where we might look for nothing but Unfriendliness and Treachery Upon this sad Juncture the General called a Council of War of all the chief Officers in the Army there was one of two things to be done we were either to wait for the Cavalry or to march to them Divers Messages had been sent to Middleton to come up with the Horse yet he appeared not Calander pressed a Retreat and to him agreed almost all the Officers except Baylie and Turner who urged their staying till Middleton came up which might be expected in a few hours The General expressed much indifferency in that Particular and if they had stayed they could not have forced Cromwel to fight who knowing their wants would have let them alone till Hunger had forced them away So Calander's Authority prevailed for a March the greatest Prejudice thereof was that they could not carry their Ammunition with them for the Countrey People whose Horses carried it had fled away so that there was a necessity of leaving it behind them To have fired it would have discovered their March and so done them Mischief therefore it was appointed to be blown up by a Train which being neglected by him to whom it was trusted it fell into Cromwel's hands next day all the Souldiers could carry with them was only their Flasks full Our March was very sad the way being exceeding deep the Souldiers both wet hungry and weary and all looked on their business as more than half ruined The next morning we came to Wiggan and found almost the half of our Foot had fallen off by the way whom we saw no more But our Misfortunes grew on us Middleton's Gallantry for Middleton upon the advice he got had marched to the Bridge of Preston another way where he found the Enemies quiet our Fires burning and none by them but some Sutlers wherefore hearing we were gone to Wiggan he followed our tract and was hotly pursued all the way by the Enemies Horse with whom he skirmished all along till he came within a Mile of us and indeed he made that Retreat which was seven Miles long very gallantly and was well seconded both by Coll. Lockhart and Coll. Hurry the last getting a dangerous shot in his Head which occasioned his being taken Prisoner The Enemy lost several Men and among others one Collonel Thornly accounted one of their best Officers We meeting with our Cavalry drew up in Battalia in the Moor and some thought of Fighting but we found it impossible the Place not being large and environed with Inclosures which we could not have maintained long for want of Ammunition So we were resolved to march all night and designed for Warrington-Bridge where we hoped we might either maintain the Bridge or cut it and so have gone whither they pleased yet many of us apprehended we might be routed e're we got thither Marching all night we got a false Alarm which put us in no small Disorder and Turner and Lockhart labouring to recover us the one was wounded and the other was trodden down to the great danger of his Life yet no Enemy came in the Rear for they had taken up their Quarters for that night but next morning they pursued us yet we passed Warrington-Bridge Warrington-Bridge the Enemy being close in our Rear We maintained it some time against the Horse but were driven away from it when the Foot came up And here Calander and most of the Officers of the Cavalry pressed the General to March off and leave the Foot to Capitulate their Reasons were strong they had marched two nights both under an extraordinary Rain and in very deep way and were wet almost up to the middle and had scarce eat any meat all that while they had no Ammunition the Powder in their Flasks being all wet so that to study to preserve them was to attempt an impossibility and to lose all The Horses were also so weary with their long ill March that they were for no present Action but they getting off and turning either back to Scotland or joyning with those who were in Arms for the King in England might still prove useful for His Majesties Service Upon which the General was moved though with great reluctancy to leave the Foot and Baylie to Capitulate and in an account of this Business drawn by Baylie which the Writer has seen he sayes Calander ordered his Capitulating and Middleton advised it but says nothing of any Orders he had from the Duke for it Baylie upon this occasion lost some of the Patience he was usually Master of but having recovered himself as much as he could he sent Major Fleeming to Cromwel with Articles who not agreeing to those desired a Parly with Baylie himself and they met on the Bridge and agreed that the Infantry should lay down their Arms and both Officers and Souldiers be Prisoners of War to the Parliament Here Cromwel left Lambert with four Brigades of Horse to pursue our Cavalry and himself marched after Monro But I shall go through with the Tragedy of our Army before any further account be given of that March Our Cavalry rode divers miles towards Westchester with intention as was supposed to have gone to Wales but putting on another Resolution we stayed all night at Malpas in Shropshire And here it was debated whether we should go to Yorkshire or to Herefordshire where we had intelligence that Sir Henry Lingen had put himself in a considerable posture for the King but this being contradicted that very night vve resolved for Yorkshire designing to try if vve could clear a vvay for our selves to Scotland But next day many of the County Trained-Bands appeared against us vvho vvere soon dissipated by Middleton vvithout any bloud-shed and that day vve made a great March and lodged all night in the Fields next day vve marched betimes and at noon made a great halt at Stone in Staffordshire After this as vve vvere marching Middleton rode in the Rear for making it good against some Troops of the County-Militia but unfortunately his Horse fell under him and he vvas taken Prisoner Thus the remnant of our unfortunate Army sustained an irreparable loss by the taking of that brave Man The rest of that day vve marched to Vtoxater The Horse came to Vtoxater and the vveather being rainy vvindy and tempestuous vve came thither in great Disorder On the next day vve had not marched a mile when both Horses and Men being extremely weary many of the Officers and Troopers expressed an unwillingness to march further neither were we well-resolved whither to go that night and many surrounded the General in a Confusion next to a Mutiny desiring he would return to Vtoxater from
diffident of success or fearful that lawless Rebellion how strong soever should prosper That their Enemies joyning with Cromwel and his Army of Sectaries would make them the more hated and quickly discover that it was not Religion and Reformation they intended as they always gave out but that they sought the Government and Worldly ends whereupon many of both Nations would fall from them That the Kings Safety and the Preservation of their Friends then Prisoners in England depended much upon them and their Continuing in Arms That they were bound to continue in their Duty and wait for what Change God would bring about and that suppose good Conditions were granted what assurance could be given for the performance of them Those who opposed the Treaty were the Earl of Lanerick and most of the Irish Officers In end Lanerick was prevailed with to give way to it which he did not only then declare was against his Heart and done meerly to prevent a Rupture that had otherwise followed among themselves but he continued to his Death condemning it whatever seeming colours of reason might be given for it The Officers of the Army brought from Ireland seeing they would be infallibly ruined if they were deprived of the Authority of the Committee of Estates were likewise forced to give way to a Treaty so the following Articles were agreed on and sent to the Whiggamores WE being Servants to the State Articles offered for a Treaty and unwilling to engage in a Civil War do conceive our selves obliged to remit the ways of prosecuting of all Duties to Religion and to our King to the determination of Church and State and let them move in it as they will be answerable to God our Lives shall ever be ready to be exposed to all hazards for the good of both and if all duties for them and for our friends Release in England shall now be deserted let the blame before God and Men lye upon the obstructers of it And if no further use be made of our Service we do demand That Security be given to all who are or have been engaged in this Service for their Persons Honours and Estates whereby they may be free from all Dangers Prejudices and Censures whatsoever whether Ecclesiastical or Civil for their accession to the late Engagement or any thing done by them relating thereunto or to this present Service for our own Defence and this to be confirmed by Act of Parliament or the lawful Authority of the Kingdom That in regard of our extraordinary Charges and Loss one Months Pay be instantly delivered us for payment of the Irish Forces and that Boats and Ships be presently provided for their Transportation to Ireland and for preventing all Disorders upon their March through the West Country by free Quartering we do desire that a regular Course may be taken for their Entertainment during their abode which shall be no longer than Wind and Weather shall serve and Boats be provided to transport them That one Months Pay be provided for the Scotish Forces and that they be not disbanded until the Irish Forces be transported or that sufficient Pledges be delivered for performance of what is desired and that their Disbanding and Transportation be done by Authority of the Committee of Estates These reasonable Demands being performed we the Irish are ready instantly to march towards any part of the West-coast which shall be thought most fit for our Transportation into Ireland and we the Scots instantly to disband otherwise rather than expose our Lives and Fortunes to the mercy of any by the want of fitting Assurances for what is past or the loss of our Honours by deserting the Interest of those commanded by us or who joyn with us we are resolved to sacrifice our selves at the dearest rates we can and take God to witness how free we are of the Guilt and Consequences that may follow thereupon We have appointed our Commissioners to stay no longer than six a clock at night to morrow the 19th and that the Treaty shall then end and the Cessation to expire eight hours thereafter unless the Desires above-mentioned be fully granted Signed by the Warrant and at the Command of the Officers and others now in Arms by Authority of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Scotland IO. SPALDING Sterlin 18th September 1648. To these they had the following Answer returned them WE have considered the Desires of the Officers and Souldiers at Sterlin The Answer sent to these offers and do return this Answer That the Imputation of neglecting all Duties to Religion and to the King mentioned in the Preface to the Articles cannot be charged upon us who have never been wanting in the use of all lawful Means to prosecute the Ends of our Solemn League and Covenant but upon those who joined in the prosecution of the late unlawful Engagement against our Neighbour-Nation of England which hath been destructive to all those Ends. Touching the first Article we refer you to the Answer given in our former Papers and do here again declare that we shall not challenge any of your number for their Lives and Estates but shall endeavour to secure them so far as we can without approbation of their Actions or breach of the Covenant and Treaties And for that which concerns Exemption from Church-Censures we cannot meddle therein without breach of Covenant but must refer you to the Iudicatories of the Kirk to whom you may make your own Address and receive Answer Concerning the second and third Article we refer you to the Answer given by our Commissioners to the Commissioners on your side which was that we held it unreasonable that they should desire any thing from us or any other who adhere to us for satisfaction of their Officers and Souldiers because we will not involve our Selves in any thing which may import any accession to the late Engagement or may be the ground of a Quarrel to England against this Kingdom but if they had real inclinations to Peace they and their Adherents might without our accession thereunto take course amongst themselves for giving satisfaction to their Officers and Souldiers and therefore we did desire and do now again renew the same that all their Forces and the Forces of those who adhere unto them may be disbanded betwixt this and the 25th at furthest the 28th of this Month September and that none of them be found together after that time in Troops Companies or Regiments and we shall betwixt this and the said day disband all our Forces and none of them after that time shall be found in Troops Companies or Regiments for the punctual observance whereof on both sides mutual Pledges are to be given and further we cannot say in answer to these Articles If you shall not agree to the Desires made in our last Paper of the 16th of this Instant and not rest satisfied with these Answers but shall continue in Arms to the disturbance of the Peace of this Kingdom
and persist in the Causes in the which you are now engaged contrary to the Declaration of the General Assembly and their Commissioners We do hereby certifie you that all who have been Active in the late Engagement as well those in England as those in this Kingdom and all such as have or shall hereafter joyn with you are to be declared Enemies to both Kingdoms and that this Kingdom will be necessitated to concur with the Kingdom of England for punishing them accordingly as breakers of the Covenant and Treaties We leave it to you seriously to consider whether the Ways and Courses you are upon be really for the good of the King and this Kingdom or a safe way for the relief of your Friends that are Prisoners in England Signed By Warrant and Command of the Noblemen Officers and Gentlemen now in Armes for the Covenant THO. HENDERSON Edinb 20th Sept. 1648. After some dayes treating upon the Heads wherein they differed the Treaty was finished upon the 26th of September those at Sterlin yielding to the Propositions made by the Whiggamors And it was agreed that the Irish Army should be suffered to march to Ireland and should have free Passage thither that none should be questioned for what was past only that all who had been in the Engagement should lay down their Offices and places of Trust and not be permitted to sit in any Judicatory and that all Publick Matters should be referred to the Determination of the Parliament and the General Assembly It was very soon after the closing of the Treaty remarked how small regard was had to it for the Troops being once dissipated and those who were to go to Ireland being on their March thither there came News that the Garrisons of Carrick-Fergus Belfast and Culrain belonging to the Scotish Army in Ireland under the Command of Major-General Robert Monro were basely betrayed under Trust by his own Officers and Countrey-men into the hands of General Monk for the Parliament of England This being spread about the people of the West Countrey fell upon those who were returning to Ireland plundered abused and dispersed them in their way betwixt Glasgow and Air and after a few days a Proclamation was issued out at Edinbourgh commanding all persons who had been in the Army designed by the name of the unlawful Engagement to remove at least twelve Miles from Town under pain of Imprisonment Cromwell being on his way thither And thus ended the design of the Engagement gallantly undertaken and well contrived but unfortunately and fatally brought to nothing The Whiggamors having now possessed themselves of the Power their Leaders did constitute themselves into a Committee of Estates for hitherto they had acted in no Legal Character There were divers among them who were by Authority of Parliament commissionated to be of the Committee of Estates but with this express Provision that they should not be capable of Sitting there till they had owned the Resolutions and Declarations of the Parliament for divers of those who dissented were named to be of the Committee that so there might be a fair way for bringing them off from their Opposition But now all these without regarding that Provision pretended they were a Quorum of the Committee of Estates and that so they were warranted by Authority of Parliament to Act in that Supreme Authority They sent a Message to the King in their usual style and were very careful to give no Umbrage to the Parliament of England and so not only entertained Cromwell with all the expressions of Friendship and Confidence imaginable delivering Berwick and Carlisle to him but sent Commissioners with the following Instructions to the Two Houses YOu shall repair to London and deliver our Letter to the Honourable Houses of the Parliament of England Their Instructions to the Two Houses You shall excuse the long delay in sending to them and in the mean time let them know we hold Correspondence with the Commander in Chief of their Forces You shall give them a Narrative of our whole Proceedings according to the Declaration of the Kirk and our own particularly you shall acquaint them with our Proceedings in opposition to the late unlawful Engagement and what Industry was used on the other part for the Election of Malignants to be Members of Parliament and how unlawfully some were admitted to sit in Parliament and great numbers of Malignants were brought in from England to over-awe the honest Party and how many of the Army were corrupted And you shall further represent particularly the great Sufferings and Oppressions of honest men and that before they heard any thing of the Defeat of the Forces under Duke Hamilton in England they had resolved on the manner and time of their Rising in Arms here in this Kingdom against the Promoters and Abettors of that Engagement and their Adherents You shall also shew them the result of the Treaty betwixt us and those Armies about Sterlin and how useful their Forces have been to us by being at so near a distance You shall endeavour to take away all Mis-information or Mis-constructions of any of our former Proceedings and settle a good Vnderstanding betwixt them and the honest protesting Party in Scotland and you shall show them the continued evil Principles Malice and Designs of the Malignant Party in this Kingdom yet to trouble our Peace and interrupt theirs and as they call it not to live and outlive the not carrying on so pious and loyal an Engagement and that some of them are going to Holland with an intention as we are informed to bring over Forces if they can therefore we have caused deliver Berwick to be disposed of for the Good of both Kingdoms and given the like Warrant for Carlisle and that it is also surrendred or presently to surrender for the use foresaid So we agree during these Troubles until the Peace of this Kingdom be settled that the Honourable Houses may keep some Forces upon the Borders and sufficient Garrisons in them both upon a twofold assurance First that in case any new Troubles be raised in Scotland by the Malignants both they and the Forces about Newcastle have Directions from the Parliament to come unto Scotland to pursue the Common Enemy when they shall be desired by the Committee of Estates as it is now constituted of the Protesting Party in Scotland and Secondly that the Parliament shall remove all Garrisons out of those two Towns and from our Borders and put them in the Condition agreed on by the Treaties betwixt both Kingdoms whensoever the Troubles are at an end and the Peace of the Kingdoms settled You shall shew how desirous and willing we are to harken to any good Overture that may conduce to prevent any such-like Breaches again betwixt the Two Nations and that it may not be in the power of Malignants again either to seduce or to enforce upon the People the like Sin and Snare and for mutual Consultation we think it expedient
negarunt But I go on from this sad subject to the tragical Conclusion of the Duke's Life The News of that Murder sunk the Duke's thoughts into a deep Sorrow which he carried with him to his Grave he well saw his own Danger knowing that those who had broken all the bonds of Loyalty and Duty were not to tie themselves to the faith of a Capitulation or Articles though granted by a person impowered by them and therefore he designed an Escape from Windsor that night which was contrived by his faithful Servant Mr. Cole afterwards one of the Kings Quirries who during his imprisonment had liberty to go and return from London which he did very frequently bringing him an account of what passed And the Duke having gained his Keeper ordered Mr. Cole to send a trusty Servant with two Horses to Windsor which accordingly he did advertising the Duke not to come to the City till seven a Clock in the Morning and then Mr. Cole was to come to him near London and bring him to some secure House in the City whereupon at night about the time of shutting the Gates The Duke makes an Escape from Windsor the Duke made his Escape freely out of the Castle without suspicion and came to the Place appointed where his Servant and Horses waited for him But he fatally went from the Resolutions he had laid down with Mr. Cole and would needs go in the night to Southwark thinking to have got to Mr. Owen's House who was acquainted with the business not considering what had been told him of the Guards were about the City all the night so that there was no coming to it but in the day and all things concurring to hasten him to his Grave there was that night a Party of Horse and Foot in Southwark searching for Sir Lewis Dyves and another who had escaped the night before but is re-taken in Southwark Some of them meeting the Duke in the Streets about four in the morning where he had long knocked at a door took him and examined him he told them a very formal Story of himself and his business which at first satisfied them but they observed that as he took a pipe of Tobacco by them he burned several great Papers to fire it whereupon they searched him and found such Papers about him as discovered him It was not before the next morning that he was missed at Windsor for that night he made his Escape there came an Order from Cromwel to the Governour of Windsor to make him close Prisoner and put all his Servants from him who thereupon ordered the Captain of the Guard to go about it but he hearing the Duke was a-bed delayed it till next morning and then found he was gone It being discovered that Mr. Cole had ordered the Duk 's Escape many advised him to go out of the way but he resolved rather to die than to leave his Master at such a time and made a shift to come at him that same evening When the Duke saw him he lifted up his hands and said It was Gods will it should be thus That night Mr. Cole was also taken and Sir Hardress Waller examined him but drew nothing from him whereupon he was made close Prisoner yet when the Duke was brought to his Trial he procured his Liberty for the Averment of some particulars of his Plea The Duke being thus unfortunately retaken he was committed to Prison at St. Iames's and is kept in St. Iames's in the same Room where the Earl of Norwich the Lord Capel and Sir Iohn Owen were Prisoners and then all saw in what danger his Life was whereupon great endeavours were used and strong applications made in Scotland to the Marquis of Argyle who had then the chief Powâ—r there that the Committee of Estates would so far study his Preservation as to own that what he did was by the Authority of that Kingdom that so whatever other Punishment they would lay on him his Life might not go for it And it had been faithfully promised by all the Leaders of that Party at the Pacification at Sterlin either to save his Life or to make his Death a National Quarrel But the Marquis of Argyle would not interpose These who had the power in Scotland refuse to move for him and though the Dukes Daughter the present Dutchess of Hamilton left no means unessayed to prevail on him yet all was in vain for he pretended that since those in England had murdered their King notwithstanding their Commissioners protesting against it it was not to be expected their interposition in other things could be of any weight nor was it fit they should any more address to the Murderers of their Soveraign So all hopes of any Mediation that way failed and not only that but Lambert being prevailed on by the offer of a good Sum to claim the Duke as his Prisoner some Letters came from Scotland about it upon which Lambert was advised not to insist on that Demand This was vouched to the Writer from several hands who had it both from Lambert himself and some other considerable men in the Two Houses But now his Majesties Blood not having satisfied the Cruelty of the New Usurpers their next design was against those who had served him faithfully and therefore the Duke was brought to his Tryal and honoured to be the first of those who followed his Master in that Glorious Martyrdom The Usurpers ordained the pretended Court of Justice to proceed against him so in the 6th of February he was brought to a Tryal It will not be hard to perswade the Reader without further inquiry that those who embrued their hands in the Blood of their Soveraign thereby breaking loose from all Ties Sacred and Humane could not stand much at the effusion of meaner Blood no their Consciences were feared with their former Crime so that nothing could be so wicked but they were stout enough for attempting it yet they chose to varnish over their perfidious Cruelty with some Colours and Appearances of Justice but the Disguise was so thin that it served them to no other purpose but to add hypocrisie to their former Villany which will evidently appear from the following Tryal drawn partly from the Journal of the Court and partly from Notes of what passed taken by some Eye-witnesses Steel and Cook the Counsel for the People of England did exhibit on the 6th of February being Friday the following Charge That the Earl of Cambridge about the 19th of July last Traiterously invaded this Nation in a Hostile manner The Charge given against him and levied War to assist the King against the Kingdom and People of England and had committed Sundry Murders Outrages Rapines Wastes and Spoiles upon the said People and particularly about the 20th of August near Preston did make War joyn Battle and fight against the Forces of the Parliament and therein did murder and kill Collonel Thornley and others To this the
being a necessity of searching divers Records for Precedents which required a competent time as had been allowed in former cases but the Court refused to promise it only they said they would take it into their consideration The Counsel insisted and said plainly they declined the Imployment on those terms and would be forced to declare it Monday the 26th the other two Officers that had signed the Capitulation for the Duke and his Troops The ninth Appearance who had been sent for a great way off were examined who agreed with the former Witnesses in matters of Fact and also with Lilburn that by signing the Articles they only meant the Duke should be preserved from the Violence of the Souldiers and not from the Justice of the Parliament Then the Counsel began to Plead and all four spoke on the several Heads of the Plea Mr. Heron spoke cursorily and elegantly but not very materially Mr. Parsons a young man spoke boldly and to good purpose Mr. Chute the Civilian spoke learnedly and home and Mr. Hales since the much-renowned Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench elaborately and at length The Heads of their Arguments follow The Duke's Counsel at Law plead for him The Duke being as was granted a born Scotch-man his Tie of obligation and subjection to that Kingdom was indispensable and indissoluble so that his late Imployment could not be refused when laid on him by the Authority of that Kingdom no more than a Native of England living in it can disobey the Commands of this Parliament whereas any Subjection the Duke owed the Parliament of England was only acquired and dispensable That since no man can be a Subject of two Kingdoms whatever Tye lay on him to the Kingdom of England it was not to be put in Competition with what he owed Scotland it being a Maxim in Law that Major relatio trahit ad se minorem and that Ius Originis nemo mutare potest That there was an Allegeance due to the King and another to the Kingdom and no Treason could be without a Breach of Faith and Allegeance due to them against whom it was committed for these Kingdoms were two distinct Kingdoms and though the Allegeance due to the King was the same in both Kingdoms yet that due to the Kingdoms was distinct nor was the Actual administration of the Kingdoms in the Kings Person when the Duke got his Imployment therefore as his Allegeance to the Kingdom of Scotland was ancienter and stronger than any Tie that lay on him in England so what he did by their Order might well make him an Enemy to this Kingdom but could not infer Treason Yet all this of the Allegeance due to the Kingdom was founded on no Common or Statute Law as Mr. Hales himself confessed afterwards but he urged this well against those who asserted it it being the universally received Maxim at that time That whether he was a Post-natus or Ante-natus did not appear but though he were it did not vary the Case nor his obligation to the place of his Nativity and so though he were Post-natus or accounted a Denizen by his Fathers Naturalization his Offence could not be Treason but Hostility at most and by that supposed Hostility he could only lose his Priviledge of a Denizen but could not be made a Traitor there being no Precedent where ever any man was attainted of Treason for a hostile Invasion and it was questionable if this Offence could amount to that nor could any case be alledged where one born in another Independent Kingdome acting by a Commission from that Kingdom and residing there when he received his Commission and raising the Body of his Army in that Kingdom and coming into this in an Open Hostile manner was ever judged guilty of Treason Naturalization was intended to be a Benefit and not a Snare so that one might well lose it but was not to be punished for it And so when France and England were under one Soveraign divers of both Nations were naturalized in the other yet when Hostility broke out betwixt them many so naturalized fought on the side of their Native Kingdom for which none were put to death though divers were taken Prisoners And in Edward the third's time though he claimed France as his by Right yet when the Constable of France invaded England and was taken Prisoner he was not tried nor put to death but sent back to France as being a Native of that Kingdom And when David Bruce King of Scotland invaded this Kingdom and was taken Prisoner great endeavours were used to find a Legal ground for his Trial he being Earl of Huntington in England but this Plea was waved for it was found that it could not be done justly that being but a less degree of Honour though King Edward claimed a kind of Homage from the Crown of Scotland That if the Duke were on that account put to death it might prove of sad consequence in case there was War any more betwixt the Kingdoms since most of the present Generation were Post-nati and all would be so quickly and yet if the Lord Fairfax who was both a Post-natus and had his Honour in Scotland were commanded to lead an Army thither and being taken were put to death it would be thought hard measure For the Duke's Father's Naturalization it was true by the Statute of the 25 Ed. 3. provision was made that Children born without the Kingdom whose Parents were then in the King's Allegeance should be Denizens but the Duke was born before his Father's Naturalization which can never reach him none but the Issue after his Father's Naturalization being included within it and the word Haeres in the Act is only a word of Limitation and not of Creation nor did his making use of the assistance of some English Forces make him a Traytor It is true if an Englishman conduct a Foreign Army or if a Foreigner come of his own head or in a Rebellious way to assist an English Rebellion it will amount to Treason for the Act of such an Alien is denominated from the crime of those he assist here where he owed a local Obedience which was the Case of Shirley the Frenchman and of Lopez but if an Alien come with a Foreign Force though he make use of English Auxiliaries that only infers a Hostility but no Treason and was the case of the Lord Harris a Scotchman 15 Eliz. and of Perkin Warbeck both having English help and though Warbeck was put to death it was by no Civil Judicatory but only by the Will of Henry the 7th who erected a Court-Marshall for that purpose The present case was yet clearer where the Alien had Authority from his Native Kingdom and was commanded by them to make use of English help so that though Langdale's assisting the Duke did make himself a Traytor yet the Duke's accepting of it only infers an Act of Hostility And whereas it was objected that the Parliament had already by
their Act which constituted this Court for his Trial declared him a Traytor it was not to be disputed what the Parliament had Power to do but no Parliament had ever done the like before and the meaning of the Act must be that he should be tried whether guilty of Treason or not since if the Parliament have already declared him a Traytor further Trial was needless And it was clear the Parliament by their Act in Iuly last which declared all the Scots who entred England Enemies considered not the distinction of Post-nati nor judged that inferred Treason since most of them all were Post-nati That many of the Officers of that Army who had been taken Prisoners though clearly Post-nati were ransomed others banished others still in Prison why then should the imputation of Treason be fastned on the Duke when the rest were used only as Enemies And for the Articles they made it appear they were the Publick Faith of the Kingdom when given by persons publickly Authorized upon the observing of which inviolably depended the whole Intercourse of all Nations and their mutual Confidence which is founded on all States being bound by the Acts of their Publick Ministers That this was not a pure Rendition but a Paction concluded upon Deliberation wherein the Parliament lost nothing but on the contrary were Gainers That the Parliament had ratified this upon the matter by Voting a hundred thousand pound Sterling Fine to be the price of the Dukes Liberty That the secret sence the Treaters pretended was not to be considered since all Compacts are to be understood according to the clear meaning of the Words the universal sense of Mankind who look on Articles wherein Life is granted as a sufficient Security not only from the Souldiers but from the Civil Powers and that these Treaters when the Articles were agreed should have made known their secret meaning otherwise it was not to be regarded and it was a most dangerous Precedent to admit of collateral Averments of secret meanings against express words much more in a Case of Life and yet much more in Military Agreements wherein the Concernments of Armies and Nations were included and which concerned the Honour and Security of all Souldiers and for this divers Precedents were cited The Argument ended thus That as the Court consisted of Gentlemen Lawyers and of Martial men so the Plea consisting of three Branches was the more proper for their cognizance a part of it being drawn from the Law of England another part from the Civil Law and a Third part from the Martial Law and if the Plea in any of the three Branches was made good and they doubted not but it would be found so in them all the Court would be satisfied there was Reason Justice for preserving the Dukes life The Tenth Appearance The Court adjourned till Friday the second of March and the Duke being again brought to the Bar the Counsel for the People pleaded but so poorly that all who heard them were asham'd But they had one advantage that neither the Duke nor his Counsel were allowed to speak after them nor to discover their impertinent Allegations which made the Dukes Counsel obviate all they could imagine they might say though they said a great deal so far out of the way of Reason that none could have thought of it and yet it was so weak that it needed neither be obviated nor replied to Yet at the end of every Branch of their Pleading I shall add the Answers against them as they are set down in some Notes taken by the Dukes Counsel The Counsel for the People plead against the Duke They begun with Alienage and studied to make it appear that though he was a Scotchman born yet he was no Alien having enjoyed all the Priviledges an Englishman was capable of as being a Peer a Privy-Councellour possessing Lands and Inheritances and Marrying in England But Naturalization cannot be but by Act of Parliament and not by the Kings single Deed much less by those Priviledges of which any Stranger might participate Next they urged his Fathers Naturalization and since his Name was not in that Act as was in other Acts of Naturalization that proved him to be no Alien otherwise his Name had been put in From that it rather appeared he was an Alien since others found it necessary to insert their Childrens Names which his Father not doing proves the Son an Alien still They also urged his being Post-natus which must be held true since he brought no Evidence to the contrary and it being so his Tie of subjection was as great in England as in Scotland That Allegeance was only due to the King and not to the Kingdom That there was a King when he entred into England and that though he was secluded from the Government yet all Writs were issued in his Name so that this Expedition was a breach of the Allegeance he owed the King This was the oddest part of all their Plea since his Charge was that he assisted the King against the Kingdom and now they did plead he owed no Allegeance to the Kingdom but to the King whom they had so lately murdered the Dukes coming with his Army being only to relieve him from the Barbarous Vsage he had met with They also urged at large That an Englishman's Children in what place of the World soever they were born were Denizens of England and cited many Precedents But the Mis-application of them was gross and palpable those being of Persons who were Englishmen before their Children were born whereas the Duke's Father was naturalized after he was born so that he could not communicate that Priviledge to him which he did indeed transmit to his Children born after his Naturalization Next they pleaded that the Parliament of Scotland had no power to commissionate him to enter into England and that if some of them were there they ought likewise to suffer for it and it was fit he suffered for his Masters who employed him That it was pitty the King had not suffered sooner They also produced many Precedents of Strangers being condemned as guilty of Treason for Treasons committed in England as the Queen of Scots Lopez Perkin Warbeck the Lord Harris Shirley the Frenchman and the Spanish Ambassadour All this was obviated in the former Argument where distinction was made betwixt secret Practices and an open Invasion with a forreign Force They added That Scotland belonged to the Crown of England and so was to be look't on as some of the Counties of England But Scotland had no subjection to the Crown but only to the King of England whom they had murdered and so they had no Power to judge any Scotchman As for the Articles they pleaded it was not in the Power of the Army to absolve any from the Justice of the Parliament which being above them was not tied to their Articles and therefore though they confessed the words ought to have been less
very necessary for him to speak much his Voice was so weak and low that few of the crowd that looked on could hear him nor was he ever so much in love with speaking or with any thing he had to say that he took much delight in it yet since this was his Last he being by the Divine Providence of Almighty God brought justly to that End for his Sins he would speak a little to the Sheriff for his Voice could not reach others He was now to suffer as a Traytor to the Kingdom of England a Country which he had ever loved equally with his own not having intended either any general Prejudice to it or to any particular Person in it his late Actings were the Commands of his own Country which he could not disobey It is true it had pleased God so to dispose of the Army under his Command that it was ruined and he for being cloathed with a Commission to be General stood now ready to dye He would not repeat what he had pleaded for his own Defence God was just nor would he say any thing of his Sentence but that he did willingly submit to Gods Providence acknowledging that on many accounts he deserved Punishment in this Life as well as in the next for he confessed himself a great Sinner yet for his Comfort he knew there was a God in Heaven who was very merciful and that his Redeemer did sit at his right Hand and he was confident that he was mediating for him at that very instant being hopeful through his All sufficient Merits to be pardoned all his Sins and to be received into his Mercy trusting only to the Free Grace of God through Jesus Christ. He declared he had never been tainted in the Religion professed and established in the Land in which he had been bred from his Infancy it was not this nor that mode or fancy of Religion that was to be built on but one that was right and sure and came from God Here he observed some taking Notes and upon that said he had not expected that else he had digested what he had said into a better Method but desired that what he had said might not be published to his disadvantage since he had not intended to speak any thing when he came to that place Then he went on and said Many dreadful Aspersions had been cast on him as if his Intentions had not been such as he pretended but he thanked God he was unjustly blamed That for the King he had ever loved him both as he was his King and his Master with whom he had been bred many years and had been his domestick Servant and that there was nothing the Parliament of Scotland declared for the King that was not really intended by himself and as he hazarded his Life for him one way so he now was to lose it another and that his Design of leading in the Army to England was really that which was published in the Declaration in so far as concerned the King he was not then to speak of the rest of the Declaration which had many other particulars in it And for what he said of his Duty to the King there was no reason to suspect him of Flattery or any other end in saying it God having now so disposed of His Majesty but though he could gain nothing by it yet he owed the freeing himself of that Calumny to Truth by which all men shall gain for ever There had been many Discourses founded on a part of the Scotish Declaration which mentioned an Invitation to come to England upon which he had been much laboured for discovering the Inviters but he had and did still remit himself to the Declaration without any other Answer He was ever willing to serve this Nation in any thing was in his Power which was known to many worthy Persons in it and he would still have continued in those Resolutions had those in whose hands the Power was then thought fit to have preserved his Life But since he was to be thence-forth of no more use all he could do was to wish the Kingdom Happiness and Peace and to pray that his Blood might be the last should be shed and though perhaps he had some reluctancy within himself at his Suffering for this Fact yet he freely forgave all men and carried no rancour with him to the Grave but did submit to the Will of him who created Heaven and Earth and himself a poor sinful Creature then speaking before him He conceived it could contribute to no end for him to speak of State-business of the Government of the Kingdom or things of that nature his own Inclinations had been still for Peace he was never an ill Instrument betwixt the King and his People nor had he acted to the prejudice of the Parliament And as he had not meddled much in those Wars so he was never wanting in his Prayers to Almighty God for his King's Happiness and he earnestly prayed God to direct his Majesty that now Reigns that he might do what should tend to his Glory and the Peace and Happiness of the Kingdoms He said he was of the Established Religion which he had professed in his own Country where he was born and bred but for particular opinions he was not rigid he knew many godly men had scruples about divers things wherein he had never concerned himself nor did Difference of opinion which was never more than at that time move him his own was clear He prayed the Lord to forgive him his Sins as he freely forgave even those against whom he had the greatest grounds of Animosity remembring that Prayer Forgive us our Trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us And to this purpose he spoke if the Writers did him right in what was published in his Name but how true the printed Papers were the Writer is not able to judge for he has three printed Relations of it before him all varying somewhat one from another As he expressed himself thus he discovered a great composure by his Looks and manner of Expression and when he was desired to change the Posture he stood in since the Sun shined full in his Face he answered pleasantly No it would not burn it and he hoped to see a brighter Sun than that very speedily After the Duke had done speaking he called for the Executioner and desired to know how he should fit his Body for the Blow and told him his Servants would give him satisfaction Then he called to his Servants and commanded them to remember him kindly to divers of his Friends in England particularly to his Mother-in-law the Countess of Denbigh to whom he had ever payed a Filial respect and to the old Countess of Devonshire who as the lived to a great Age and to the Honour of her Nation so was on all occasions a constant and true Friend to him He bade tell her she would no more question his Loyalty which she had done
you is that which you must pay your King I know you need no Incitements to this Duty else I would insist longer upon it but I conceive it mine to recommend it to you as the Earthly thing which in the first place you ought to study Next unto that prefer your Duty to the preservation of the House of Hamilton to all things else in this World and make no difference in the testimonies of your kindness to it whether the Lord shall think fit to continue the memory of that House in your own or my dear Brothers Issue And I do conjure you if you have any respect to my desires not to suffer any difference or mistakes to arise betwixt you and them but remember him who prefer'd me to them and what consequently my Duty and yours is to his Next I recommend to you the care of the Education of our Children for the Lords sake study to get them acquainted with God in their young years and to imprint his fear in their tender hearts keep all light and idle company from them and labour to make them rich in Piety and Vertue Loyal to their King and dutiful to the House of Hamilton As I hope all my Friends and Kindred will be dutiful to you so I intreat you for my sake continue your respects and kindness to them Be careful to keep none but pious and discreet Servants in your Family that the Lord being served and worshipped in it according to his Will may delight to dwell in it and to bless every member of it And now Sweet Heart seeing you know that these divers years my Life hath been a burden to me receive my Removal as a Mercy from God with that moderation which he commandeth and the hope of a Ioyful meeting in our Resurrection perswadeth being confident that the Lord hath placed me in Eternal Happiness with himself in Heaven where he hath already laid up some pieces of my self little James and Diana The Lord who hath wounded you bind up your sores and pour the Balm of Gilead in your Heart even the Comforts of the Holy Spirit in the assurance of the Remission of your sins and peace with him in Iesus Christ that his Grace in you may shine to the World in a godly and vertuous Life which having finished in his fear you may hereafter enter with him into that Glory which I trust in the Mercies and Mediation of Iesus Christ my Redeemer I shall be shareing of when you shall be reading these last words and expressions from Dear Heart Your HAMILTON THe Dispositions which you made to me of your Lands in England I do here again return to you to be disposed upon by you as you shall think fit being confident that you will not wrong the House of Hamilton or your Children in the Disposal thereof The Conclusion I shall conclude this Work with these Papers which though some nice Palats may think not so fit for the Publick and better for private Closets than the World yet I could not be of that opinion for in an Age in which the sense of Piety and Religion is so much decayed I thought such testimonies to the Power of it were not to be suppressed by which it will appear that a high-spirited and Great Person who had tasted of all the Follies that bewitch the greatest part of men did in end in the vigour of his Years and Spirits abandon them with all the seriousness of a hearty and lively Repentance and found in God and true Religion such solid satisfaction and joy as did wholly overcome him and engage him into a course of strict Piety and of a holy Life I wish this may work some effect upon a loose and debauched Generation and if the World becomes either better or wiser through my pains I have gained my chief end and design in this Work THE END THE CONTENTS Lib. I. Of what happened from his Fathers Death till the Year 1638. Anno 1625. THe Marquis of Hamilton dies Pag. 1. His Son succeeds him ibid. His Father's Character ibid. King James dies p. 2. An. 1626. The Marquis goes into Scotland ibid. The King writes to him p. 3. and invites him to Court ibid. but he lives retired ibid. The Earl of Denbigh goes for him p. 4. An. 1628. He comes to Court ibid. His Preferments there ibid. The State of Germany ibid. An. 1629. The Q. of Bohemia writes to him p. 5. The K. of Sweden desires a League with the King ibid. Who appoints the Marquis to treat with him p. 6. The Marq. sends Coll. Hamilton ibid. and David Ramsay to the King of Sweden ibid. An. 1630. Articles signed by the K. of Sweden p. 7. The Prince of Wales is born p. 8. The Marq. made Knight of the Garter ib. Articles with the K. of Sweden signed by the Marq. p. 9. Ramsay deals with the Lord Reay p. 10. and Negotiates with the States of Holland ibid. Farensbach's Treachery ibid. The K. of Swed presses the Marq. to come to Germany ibid. And desires a League with the King p. 11. An. 1631. Reay accuses Ramsay ibid. And L. Ochiltree accuses the Marq. ib. The Marq. Innocence appears p. 12. L. Weston is his Enemy ibid. But the K. will receive no ill Impressions of him ibid. And makes him lye in his Bed-chamber that night p. 13. Ochiltreeis tried and punished for his false Accusation ibid. Reay and Ramsay desire to fight p. 14. The Kings Letter about that matter ib. The Marq. sails to Germany p. 15. And goes through the Soundt ibid. The King writes to him ibid. He lands in Germany with 6000 men which did the K. of Sweden great Service p. 16. The Marq. goes to the K. of Sweden ib. The K. of Sw. sends him to guard some Passes on the Oder ibid. The Plague breaks in upon his Army ib. He relieves Crossen p. 17. And takes Guben ibid. He is called to besiege Magdeburg ib. Sir H. Vane Ambassadour to the King of Sweden p. 18. The King's Letters to the Marq. ibid. The Marq. goes to the K. of Swed p. 19. Magdeburg is brought to a Parly ib. but is relieved by Papenheim p. 20. who draws out the Garrison and leaves it ibid. Two Letters of the King 's to the Marq. p. 20 21. An. 1632. The K. of Swed proposes unreasonable terms to the King p. 21. The Marq. Army comes to nothing ibid. The K. of Sw. will not give him a new Commission p. 22. The King writes to him about a new Imployment for him p. 23. The Treaty between the King and the K. of Sweden breaks up ibid. The passion of the K. of Swden p. 24. The Marq. returns to England upon the King's Commands ibid. The K. of Sweden's Death p. 25. An. 1633. The King is Crowned in Scotland ibid. The King assigns a Taxation to the Marq. for repaying the expence of his Army p. 26. Lib. 2. Of what passed when he was the Kings Commissioner in Scotland in
the Frith ibid. The Marq. puts his Souldiers aboard ibid. Some alterations in the Proclamation p. 122. The King orders the Marq. not to go to the North p. 123. The Marq. sails into the Frith p. 124. He sends the Kings Proclamation to Edinburgh ibid. The Covenanters write to him p. 125. To which he answers p. 126. Some come and treat with him p. 127. The Kings Advices to him ibid. A Proposition about the Ferries in Scotland p. 128. The Earl of Rothes writes sharply to the Marq. p. 129. The Marq. Answers him p. 130. The Marq. sends some proposals for a Treaty to the King p. 131. Which the K. is pleased with ibid. The state of the Covenanters Forces p. 132. The K. sends for two Regiments from the Marq. p. 133. A Conference between the Marq and some Covenanters ibid. The K. sends some Lords to the Marq. p. 135. And the Viscount of Aboyn p. 136. The K. is willing to enter on a Treaty p. 137. And is well satisfied with the Marq. ibid. Some on the Borders gained to the Kings Party p. 138. The K. Orders the Marq. to proceed to Hostilities ibid. Who sets about it ibid. But gets new Orders and goes to Court p. 139. A Treaty is begun p. 140. and concluded p. 141. The Kings Declaration ibid. The Articles of the Treaty p. 142. It is variously censured p. 143. And not like to take effect ibid. The Castles are delivered to the K. p. 144. The Marq. offers advice to the K. p. 145. The King thinks to send him again Commissioner ibid. But he gives many reasons against it p. 146. Traquair is made Commissioner p. 148. The K. writes for many Covenanters ibid. Some only come ibid. The Kings Order to the Marq. about them ibid. Montrose is gained by the King p. 149. Traquair's Instructions ibid. Lib. 3. Of what passed after he laid down his Commission till July 1642. THe Marq. retires from Publick Affairs p. 153. Traquair goes to Scotland ibid. The King writes to the Scotish Bishops p. 154. Their Declinatour of the Assembly p. 155. The Assembly sits and are very high p. 156. The King sends further directions to Traquair ibid. A new explanation of the Covenant p. 157. Traquair signs the Covenant p. 158. The King is much displeased with him ibid. Tâ—e Parliament sits p. 159. But is Prorogued ibid. The Covenanters send up their Complaint to the King p. 160. Whom Traquair incites to a War ibid. The Earl of Lowdon put in the Tower ibid. and the reason of it p. 161. A new War resolved on ibid. An. 1640. The Covenanters preparations p. 162. Lanerick is made Secretary of State ibid. Lindsay writes to the Marq. to prevent a War ibid. The Marq. answers him by the King's Orders p. 163. The Grounds of the Covenanters confidence p. 165. A short Parl. in England p. 166. The Privy Councellours lend money ibid. And so does the Marquis ibid. The Parl. in Scotland sits without any Commissioner from the King ibid. And send up their Acts to the K. p. 167. With which the King is much offended p. 168. A Memorial of Lowdon's p. 169. An Agreement between the Marq. and him in two Papers p. 170 171. He is set at Liberty ibid. Lanerick writes by him in the King's name to the Committee in Scotland ibid. Their Answer to that Letter p. 172. The Scots Complaints p. 173. They come into England ibid. The K. declares them Traitors ibid. They beat the Kings Forces at Newburn ibid. And pass Tine and take Newcastle p. 174. They write again to Lanerick ibid. And send a Petition to the K. p. 175. The K. answers it p. 176. They send another Letter p. 177. The K. appoints a Treaty p. 178. The Marq. presses a Pacification ibid. A breach between the Marq. and Montrose p. 179. The Treaty begins at Rippon p. 180. and is carried on at London ibid. The Kings Answer to the Remonstrance of the Two Houses ibid. An. 1641. The King yields to the demands of the Covenanters p. 181 The E. of Strafford writes to the Marq. p. 182 Many complain of the Marq. p. 183 The E. of Rothes dies p. 184. The Parl. proceeds against Incendiaries ibid. Montrose is put in Prison ibid. The K. goes to Scotland ibid. The Members of Parl. there subscribe the Covenant p. 185. The Marq. is vindicated by Act of Parl. from the Calumnies some did cast on him ibid. But the K. grows jealous of him ibid. An account of the Incident p. 186. He again recovers the Kings favour ib. The Rebellion in Ireland p. 187. The Marq. Friendships designed for the Kings Service ibid. The K. returns to London ibid. Some design to impeach the Marq. in England ibid. But that is prevented p. 188. An. 1642. The Scotish Commissioners stickle in England against Episcopacy ibid. The King is offended with them for it p. 189. And requires them to do so no more ibid. He writes about it to Lowdon and Argyle ibid. The Scotish Army is sent to Ireland p. 191. The Marquis's sickness p. 192. The Treaty between Scotland and England ibid. New Calumnies on the Marquis ibid. But he clears himself p. 193. The K. thinks of going to Ireland ibid. The Marq. waits on the King p. 194. And is sent by him to Scotland ibid. Lib. 4. Of the Duke's and his Brother the Earl of Lanerick's Negotiation in Scotland till their Imprisonment IN Scotland they favour the Two Houses p. 195. The Marq. sends the K. an account of it p. 196. An Assembly in Scotland ibid. They declare against Episcopacy ibid. Motions for a meeting of the Conservators of the Peace p. 197. The K. writes about Vniformity in Religion ibid. The Scots keep a Resident at London ibid. Mr. Murray's Letter about the Affairs of Scotland p. 198. Lanerick's Letter about Affairs in England p. 199. The Marq. studies to gain many to the King p. 200. The Kings Letter to the Conservators ibid. They incline to serve the K. p. 201. And to invite the Queen back ibid. But the K. did not approve of it p. 202. Yet is sensible of the Marq. fidelity ibid. The Earl of Louthian is sent to France ibid. An Extraordinary Letter of the Kings to the Marquis p. 203. The Marquis and Argyle at Enmity p. 204. Great debates in the Council ibid. The King has a great sense of the Marq. Services p. 205. An. 1643. Many Petitions come in to favour the Two Houses p. 206. The Cross Petition ibid. It is condemned by the Ministers p. 209. Commissioners are sent to Treat between the King and the Two Houses ibid. The King rejects their Mediation p. 210. And answers the desires of the Ministers ibid. A Petition against the Annuities p. 211. signed by many ibid. Montrose proposes to the Queen to begin a War in Scotland p. 212. The Marq. opposes it ibid. The Kings Answer about the Mediation of the Scotish Commissioners p. 213. They are called home p. 215. The Marq. writes
to the Queen about it ibid. They take leave and come home p. 216. The King sends his Friends to Scotland p. 217. The Queen writes to the Marq. ibid. They agree in Scotland to summon a Convention of Estates p. 218. And write to the King about it ibid. The Kings Instructions to the Marq. and others p. 219. The Kings Declaration about the War in England p. 221. The Marq. is made a Duke p. 224. Some of the Kings Party accused as Incendiaries ibid. Lanerick gives the King an account of Affairs p. 225. The Kings Friends consult what to do p. 226. And send a Message to the King ibid. The Duke writes of the great danger he saw things in to Mr. Jermin p. 227. And to the Queen p. 228. The Queens Answer p. 229. He writes again to Her ibid. The Kings Letter forbidding the Convention p. 230. He writes to Lanerick ibid. Another Letter by the Earl of Lindsay p. 231. The King's Letter to the Convention p. 232. Means used for the Kings Service p. 233. The Convention sits ibid. After much debate they vote themselves a free Convention ibid. The Duke leaves them p. 234. Great Iealousies and Divisions among the Kings Party ibid. The General Assembly sits p. 235. Commissioners come from England ibid. The Arguments that prevailed to make a League with them ibid. The Solemn League and Covenant p. 237. The Censures that passed upon it p. 239. The King and Queen write kindly to the Duke ibid. The Kings Letter to his good Subjects in Scotland p. 241. The Kings Friends send Propositions to the King p. 242. The heads of the Treaty between Scotland and England ibid. The Kings Letter to the Conservatours p. 243. His Letter to the Council p. 244. His Letter to Lanerick p. 245. His Letter about a Proclamation p. 246. His Letter to Lanerick about that ibid. He writes with great confidence to the Duke p. 247. The Kings Affairs in Scotland decline ibid. A Message sent up by Traquair p. 248. All are commanded to take the Covenant p. 249. The Duke's endeavours for the Kings Service ibid. A meeting of the Kings Friends p. 250. They part without doing any thing ibid. The Committee sends out severe Orders against such as took not the Covenant ib. The Duke ill-represented at Court ibid. He goes to Court p. 251. and is made Prisoner ibid. He sees the Charge given against him and Answers it p. 252. Charge against the Duke Article first p. 253. A General Answer ibid. Answer to the first Article p. 254. The second Article ibid. The Answer to it p. 255. The third Article ibid. The Answer to it p. 256. The fourth Article p. 257. The Answer to it p. 258. The fifth Article p. 260. The Answer to it ibid. The sixth Article p. 261. The Answer to it ibid. The seventh Article ibid. The Answer to it p. 264. The eighth Article p. 267. The Answer to it p. 268. Laner presses for a present Trial p. 269. But could not obtain it p. 270. He makes his Escape ibid. And draws a Party for the K. in Scotl. ib. The Duke is hardly used ibid. And continues a Prisoner p. 271. He is set at liberty p. 272. Lib. 5. Of the Dukes and his Brother's Imployments after his Enlargement till the Year 1648. THe Kings Affairs grow desperate p. 273. The Duke resolves to retire ibid. The K. goes to the Scotish Army p. 274. Commissioners are sent to him from Scotland ibid. They press him to settle matters ibid. The K. complains of ill usage ibid. The Army petition him about the Covenant p. 275. The King proposes a Treaty ibid. An Account of Montrose's Affairs ibid. The King recalls his Commission p. 277. The K. is much pressed to take the Covenant ibid. The King scruples ibid. His Conference with Mr. Henderson ib. Debates about the Propositions to the King p. 278. The Papers given in by the Scotish Commissioners about them ibid. The Propositions are agreed to p. 279. The heads of them ibid. The Duke is well received by the K. ibid. The K. employs him to preserve Montrose p. 280. He does it ibid. The King is much pressed to grant the Propositions p. 281. But resolves to adhere to his Conscience ibid. His first thoughts of the Propositions ibid. His denying them much resented p. 283. The Scotish Commissioners serve him ibid. The K. sends Argyle to London ibid. The Dukes endeavours in Scotl. p. 284. He is much opposed by the Ministers ib. The Duke and others sent to deal with the King for his granting the Propositions p. 285. The Kings Answer to them ibid. Another Paper of the Kings to the same purpose p. 286. The Duke resolves to go beyond Sea p. 288. The Independents cajole the King ibid. But Lauderdale disabuses him ibid. The Duke obtains the Kings leave to retire p. 289. The Kings Letter recalls that ibid. The Queen writes to him p. 291. The Dukes Letter to the King ibid. The Kings Letter to Lanerick p. 292. And to the Duke p. 293. The Scot. Commis serve the King at London ibid. Conferences between the Two Houses and them p. 294. A Parliament in Scotland ibid. Huntley is in Arms p. 295. The King writes about it ibid. And about Traquair p. 296. The Consultations in Scotland ibid. Two Letters of the Kings p. 297. The Kings Letter about the Propositions p. 298. His Answer to them p. 299. Lanerick's Letter to the King about it p. 302. The Kings Answer to him p. 303. Two other Letters of the Kings p. 305. An Account of the Resolutions in Scotland p. 306. Which the Duke and Lanerick oppose but in vain p. 307. Lanerick writes to the King p. 308. Resolutions taken about the Kings Person p. 309. The Scotish Commissioners leave London ibid. An. 1647. Commissioners sent to the King from Scotland p. 310. Who deliver to him the Votes of Parl. ibid. In Scotland they resolve to deliver up the King p. 311. The Duke and Lanerick oppose it much ibid. But in vain ibid. It is variously censured p. 312. The Kings Letter to the Duke p. 313. The Duke and Laner begin a new design for the King ibid. New Disorders in England p. 314. The Earl of Lauderdale is sent to London ibid. The Army revolts ibid. And take the K. from Holmby ibid. They use him civilly p. 315. The K. writes to Lanerick ibid. Lanerick's Answer ibid. Two Letters of the Kings to Lanerick p. 316. Lanerick's Answer p. 317. Another Letter of the Kings p. 318. The Army forces the Parliament ibid. Lauderdale is ill used by them p. 310. This is resented in Scotland ibid. But many are intractable ibid. Instructions sent by Mr. Lesley p. 320. The Kings Answer p. 321. The King is abused by the Army ibid. Lanerick's Letter about the delay of his coming to wait on the King ibid. The Kings Answer to it p. 322. The Scotish Commissioners come to the King p. 323. They intend to rescue him p. 324.
The King consults with them ibid. He goes to the Isle of Wight ibid. And writes to Lanerick p. 325. The Scotish Commissioners write to him p. 326. The Kings Answer to Lanerick ibid. The four Bills are passed p. 327. The Scotish Commissioners protest against them ibid. And write to the King about them ibid. The King is well-pleased with their Papers p. 328. They write again to him ibid. Another Letter to the King p. 329. The Kings Answer to them ibid. Designs against the Kings Person p. 330. Traquair is well with the King p. 331. The Scotish Commissioners advise the King p. 332. The King sends for them ibid. The Kings care of Huntley p. 333. The Queen writes to Lanerick p. 334. The Scotish Commissioners agree with the King ibid. The King is made Prisoner ibid. Lib. 6. Of the Duke's Engagement for the Kings Preservation and what followed to his Death THe Duke's endeavours in Scotland p. 335. Three Parties in Scotland p. 336. The Commissioners return ibid. The Church-men are jealous of them p. 337. The King writes to them ibid. Their Answer ibid. Lowdon forsakes them p. 338. The Duke is designed General ibid. The Parliament sits ibid. Commissioners from England ibid. The Remonstrance of the Ministers p. 339. The King writes to the Lords p. 340. Their Answers to him ibid. and p. 342. Satisfaction offered to the Ministers ib. Lanerick's Letters about their Affairs ibid. And about their Demands to the Two Houses ibid. And about the Declaration p. 343. And putting the Kingdom into a posture of War ibid. And the modelling their Army p. 344. The Prince resolves to come to Scotland ibid. The King designs an Escape ibid. Great disorders in England p. 345. Letters to the Queen and Prince p. 346. And to the King about the Officers of the Army ibid. The Ministers oppose the Engagement p. 348. The Parl. Letter to the Presbyteries ib. The Parl. sends for the Scotish Army in Ireland p. 349. The Confusions in England p. 350. A Fast at Westminster ibid. The Parl. of Scotl. adjourned p. 351. Some are against a present March ibid. A Letter of the Prince's ibid. Others press a speedy March p. 352. And it is resolved on p. 353. An Insurrection at Mauchlin ibid. Some Troops are sent to the Borders p. 354. The whole Army enters England ibid. The Chief Officers of it ibid. Calander's Character ibid. The Condition of the Army p. 355. An Account of their March ibid. Lambert retires ibid. A Letter from Langdale ibid. The Army marches into Lancashire p. 357. The Scotish Army comes out of Ireland ibid. The Cavalry leave the Foot p. 358. Preston-Fight ibid. Middleton's Gallantry p. 361. At Warrington-Bridge the Foot Capitulate ibid. The Horse come to Utoxater p. 362. A Munity ibid. They treat with Lambert p. 363. The Articles are signed p. 364. L. Gray of Groby comes up ib. The Duke is made Prisoner p. 365. And examined but discovers nothing ibid. The Engagement variously censured ib. Lauderdale was sent to bring the Prince to Scotland p. 366. The Prince intended to go ibid. But the loss of the Army stopt him p. 367. An Insurrection in Scotland ibid. Many in the Committee of Estates incline to submit to them ibid. But Lanerick opposed that long p. 368. An Account of the Irish Army ibid. They are called back to Scotland p. 369. And joyn with the Committee of Estates p. 370. And defeat Argyle at Sterlin p. 371. A Treaty is carried on ibid. Cromwel is invited to Scotland p. 372. Different opinions about the Treaty ib. Articles offered for a Treaty p. 373. The Answer sent to these Offers p. 374. The Treaty is concluded p. 375. But not at all kept ibid. Instructions sent to the Two Houses ibid. Lanerick goes out of Scotl. p. 377. His Letter to the Chancellour ibid. The Duke is brought to Windsor p. 379. Oft examined but in vain ibid. The King is murthered ibid. Majesty in Misery in a Copy of Verses written by the King p. 381. The Duke escapes out of Windsor p. 384. But is taken in Southwark ibid. And kept in St. James's ibid. Argyle refused to interceed for him p. 385. He is brought to his Trial ibid. The Inditement against him ibid. The Duke's Plea ibid. The second Appearance p. 386. The third Appearance ibid. The fourth Appearance ibid. The fifth Appearance Witnesses examined p. 387. The Duke pleaded the Articles given him p. 388. The sixth Appearance more Witnesses p. 389. The seventh Appearance more Evidence led ibid. The eighth Appearance the Duke pleads for himself at great length p. 390. The ninth Appearance his Counsel plead p. 392. The tenth Appearance the Counsel for the People plead against him p. 394. The eleventh Appearance Bradshaw's Speech p. 396. Sentence is given against him ibid. The Duke prepares for Death ibid. And writes to his Brother p. 397. And to his Children ibid. His Speech before his Death p. 398. He is led out to his Execution p. 400. And writes a note to his Brother ibid. New Offers of Life made upon base Conditions and rejected by him p. 401. D. Sibbald encourages him on the Scaffold ibid. The Duke's last Speech p. 402. And Prayer p. 404. His Death ibid. And Burial p. 405. His Character p. 406. His Birth and Parents ibid. His Person ibid. His Education ibid. His Marriage ibid. His Lady's Vertues p. 407. and Death ibid. His Religion ibid. His Abilities p. 409. His Loyalty ibid. His love to his Country p. 411. His Temperance ibid. His Ingenuity p. 412. His Good Nature p. 413. His Death much lamented p. 414. A Letter of the Queens p. 415. Another of the Kings ibid. Lib. 7. A Continuation of Affairs till Worcester-Fight THe Character of William Duke of Hamilton p. 417. His first Appearance at Court p. 418. He is made Secretary of State and Earl of Lanerick ibid. The Friendship between his Brother and him ibid. His Diligence in his Imployment p. 419. His Abilities ibid. His Religion ibid. His troubles prove happy to him p. 420. His care of his Brothers Daughters ibid. His Duty to the King p. 421. He was ill used by his Enemies p. 422. He advises the King to settle with Scotland ibid. The Treaty at Breda ibid. The Duke returns with the King p. 423. But is put from the King ibid. And lives in the Isle of Arran ibid. Cromwel enters Scotland p. 424. Dunbar-Fight ibid. The King is better used in Scotland ibid. The Church-party divided ibid. The Duke comes to the King p. 425. The King marches into England ibid. The Duke's Letter about their March p. 426. Lambert is beat from Warrington-Bridge p. 427. The K. comes to Worcester ibid. Cromwel follows â—im ibid. The King is in great straits p. 428. The Duke apprehends his own Death ibid. And prepares for it ibid. His Meditations before the Fight ibid. And Prayer p. 429. Worcester-Fight p. 430. The Duke's Regiment câ—arged gallantly ibid. The Duke 's great Valour ibid. He is wounded and taken p. 431. His wounds prove mortal ibid. His Letter to his Lady ibid. His Death p. 432. And Burial ibid. His last Will p. 433. A Leâ—ter with it to his Lady p. 434. The Conclusion p. 436. A Rational Method for proving the Truth of the Christian Religion as it is professed in the Church of England in Octavo The Royal Martyr and the Dutiful Subject in two Sermons Quarto both Written by Gilbert Burnet Author of Duke Hamilton 's Memoires and Printed for R. Royston Several Chirurgical Treatises by Rich. Wiseman Sergeant-Chirurgion to His Majesty Fol. New THE END