by the carelessness of the Commanders or security of the Souldiers I am loath to judge this mighty Army then beleaguring Dublin was beat from before it by the besieged and utterly routed by the third part of it's Number This overthrow the repulse of Sir Robert Stuart and Col. Mervin from London-Derry by Sir Charles Coot and Cromwell's suddain landing in Ireland whose motion now there was no field Army either to attend or oppose made his Majesties affairs grow almost as desperate in Ireland as they were before in England But the Scots Kirk who had sold their King into the hands of the Independent English Army after they heard that they had condemned him to death repent them of their Wicednesse wash their hands from any guilt in his bloud Expostulate with the English sitting in Parliament about their so severe proceedings and protest against having any hand in his Murder and to make the world believe they had yet some touch of loyalty within them they had just after his death proclaimed Charles Prince of VVales eldest Son to the late murthered King Charles the first and his lawfull and undoubted Heir King of Great Britain France and Ireland and had immediately resolved in the Committee of Estates then sitting to send some sitting persons to treat with his Majestie about sundry Articles before his reception to the Crown but long Debates and demurrs there were in the businesse before they could resolve what and whom to send For some there were in this Grand Committee of Estates who fee'd or seduced by the Sectaries in England impeaded to the utmost of their power and endeavours all proceedings in the businesse so that once instead of debating what or whom they should send to his Majestie it came to be a debate whether they should send or no but at length a letter and propositions was by the prevailing part concluded on and Mr. Windram Laird of Libberton appointed to be the Messenger who on the 25. of September 1649. received his dispatches and some time after arrived before his Majestie at Iersey The chief of their desires was to this effect 1. That his Majesty would graciously be pleased himself to sign the solemn League and Covenant and that he would passe an Act in Parliament that every person in that Kingdome might take it 2. That he would passe divers Acts of the Parliament of Scotland which was concluded on the two last Sessions 1. For approving of their disclaiming Duke Hamilton's last return 2. For receiving severall Acts made by English for the Militia 3. That the Kings of Scotland may have no negative voice 3. That his Majestie would recall the late Commissions given to Montrosse 4. That he would put away all Papists from about him 5. That he would appoint some place about Holland to treat with their Commissioners An honour able Company of the most noble Lords in Scotland being to be appointed to attend his Majesty to whom likewise they would send a sufficient provision to maintain him a train suitable to his birth and deserved Greatnesse 6. That he would be graciously pleased to give a speedy answer to their desires These Propositions were very stifly debated Pro and Con some were so fierce that they would have his Majesty utterly reject the Scâ—â—s Propositions as dishonourable and disadvantageous to his affairs Others were of opinion that it would more conduce to the Kings Interest to accept of such Conditions as he could agree with the Scotch Commissioners which would be a readier way to attain the Crown then by Montrosses his designs who had lately received Commissions from the King to assault the North of Scotland with what force he could raise however the businesse was still demurred and delayed and no answer for a good while given to the Lord Libberton who earnestly prest it till such time as answer could come from Montrosse then in Holland and out of France touching their opinions concerning these Propositions concerning which Montrosse teturned answer to his Majesty desiring him to hear ken to the Scots Commissioners whilst they would propose and agree to any thing which might stand with his Majesties honour for the restoring him to his Rights and Dignities That for himself he should rather be content to endure banishment from his Highnesse sight and person then in the least prejudice his affairs Thus this faithfull and loyall servant courted Banishment as the late famous Earle of Strafford had done death for his Master 's good and service but too generous was he and had too great a sense of goodness and gratitude to grant his request but returned him this answer That he had so high a sense of his fidelity and loyalty all along and that he had performed so many signall services both for his father and himself that he could not in honour leave him and therefore desired him to presse him no farther The Queen Mother likewise earnestly presses her son to the acceptance of the Scotch Propositions for a Treaty as the onely and readiest way for the establishing of him in his Kingdomes These resolves of his Mother and the Marquess of Montrosse wrought strongly with his Majesty yet not withstanding they are as stoutly opposed by the Lord Cleveland Byron Gerard and others whose chief opposition proceeded from the alledged Treachery of the Scots to his father That they were Scots still and might practice the same upon him But the majority of voices carrying it for a Treaty it was resolved on yet in regard it would require some time to frame an answer Sir William Flemming was sent Agent to the Committee of Estates in Scotland till such time as the Laird Libberton could be dispatch't Short time after Mr. Windram returned into Scotland with a Letter instructions by word of mouth whereby he gave the Committee of Estates who having long expected were therefore more desirous to hear what he now brought an account how much he found his Majesty compliant to their Propositions viz. That as to what acted in the two last Sessions of Parliament he was content a General Act of Oblivion should be passed but could not approve it That neither those of Montrosses nor Duke Hamilton's party in his last engagement should bear Office in State without consent of Parliament That he had appointed Breda in Holland for the place of a solemn Treaty for the making of a full accommodation and agreement between him and his loving Subjects of Scotland The Contents of his Letter were as followeth For the Committee of Estates of Scotland CHARLES R. WE have received your Letters lately presented to us by Mr. Windram of Libberton and we accept graciously all the expressions of affection and fidelity therein contained towards us with your tender resentment of our present Condition and the just indignation which you professe to have against the execrable Murther of our Father And we believe that your intentions are full of Candor towards us as we are and alwayes really have been
under the Command of Huntley Atholl Seaforth c. who declared purely for the Kingly Authority disclaiming and disowning all power or order of the Kirk Parliament or Committee of Estates These having gotten together a considerable party it was supposed by the Committee of Estates that his Majesty was gon to them whereupon to quiet and allay them if possible an Act of Indemnity was passed by Parliament for what they had done but they sleighted it fell upon Sir Iohn Brown's Regiment slew and took prisoners many of his men Whereupon Lieu. General David Lesley was sent against but the whole businesse after the King's return to S. Iohnstonâ—s ended in a Treatie The third and greatest party were the Parliament and Committee of Estates Kirk who were equally for King and Kirk these were highly perplexed and discontented at the King's going away from S. Iohnston's and the more because they feared he was gon to the Atholmen many controversies and consultations were had about it some were so rigid as to propose that since he had diserted them they should look no more after him but let him take his own wayes Others were more mild and would yet have him understand their resentment for his leaving them nor wanted there some sticklers for his Majesty at length it was concluded that Major General Montgomery should speedily march after him and earnestly intreat him to return to S. Iohnston's Montgomery according to his order went and having had secret information that his Majesty was at the Lord Dedup's house in the North confines of Fife he first surrounds the house and then sends in a Messenger to acquaint the King with the earnest desires of the Committee of Estates that he would graciously be pleased to return with him to Saint Iohnston's but his Majesty at first absolutely refused as scorning to endure that slavery which they had subjected him to he was in the mean time earnestly solicited by Huntley and the Gordons to adhere solely to them which he so much seemed to incline to that he had almost made the breach implacable between that party and the Kirk but at length upon several propositions granted him he returned with Montgomery to S. Iohnston's The King being thus returned and Huntley's party come in by admitting those with him to bear publick Offices a general Meeting was resolved on to be held at Saint Iohnston's which should consist of King Lords Barons Burgesses and the Assembly of Ministers whereupon the Committee of the Kirk are summoned to meet but stand off alledging that Sterling was the more convenient place to meet in To which the States answered that they esteemed S. Iohnston's the fitter that if they would not meet they should consult for their own securities but at length they consent The grand Assembly meets and all parties seem now agreed Several Lords formerly in disfavour with the Kirk are received into Command in the Army or have liberty to sit in Parliament such as Hamilton Lauderdale Leith Bucheim Dedup and Crawford Major General Massey of the Englâ—sh was admitted to a Command in the Army Thus did their divisions begin to be Cemented which else must necessarily have hastened their Ruine About this time the King received the sad newes of the Death of the thrice Illustrious Prince of Orange Brother-in-law to his Majesty and who had demonstrated himself a true and faithfull friend to him in his necessities his Lady the Royal Princesse Mary was by him left great with Child and soon after his death delivered of a Posthume son And now on the first of Ianuary the day appointed by the grand Convention at S. Iohnston's the solemnity having been removed to Scone the usual place for the Coronation of the Kings of Scotland First his Majesty in a Princes Robe was conducted from his Bed-chamber by the Constable and Marshal to the Chamber of presence where he was by the Lord Angus Chamberlain placed in a chair under a cloth of Estate Then the Nobles and Commissioners of Barons and Burroughs entred the Room and having shown themselves to his Majesty the Chancellor spake to this effect Sir your good Subjects desire you may be crowned as righteous and lawfull heir of the Crown of this Kingdome that you would maintain the present professed Religion the National Covenant and Solemn League and Covenant That you would graciously be pleased to receive them under your protection to govern them according to law to defend them in their rights and priviledges by your Royal power they offering themselves in humble manner to your Majesty with their vowes to bestow land life and what else is in their power for the maintenance of Religion for the safety of your Majesties sacred person and maintenance of your Crown which they entreat your Majesty to accept and pray Almighty God that for many years you may enioy the same The King to this made Answer I do esteem the affections of my good people more then the Crowns of many kingdoms and shall be ready by Gods assistance to bestow my life in their defence wishing to live no longer then I may see Religion and the kingdom flourish in all happiness This ceremony performed the Nobles and Commissioners of Barons and Burroughs accompanied his Maiesty to the church of Scoone the spurres being carried before him by the Earl of Eglinton the sword by the Earl Rothes the sceptet by the Earls of Craford and Lindsay the Crown by the Marquess of Argyle â—mmediately before the Kings Maâ—esty who followed supported by the Constable and Marshal his train â—orn up by the Lords Montgomory Ereskine Newbottle and Machelene under a Canopy of crimson velvet supported by the Lords Drummond Garnegie Ramsey Iohnston Brechin and Yâ—ter which six were supported by six Noblemen's sons Thus they went to the Church which being fitted for the purpose the Honors were laid upon a Table provided for them and his Majesty ascâ—nded on a stage 24. foot square and seated himself in a chair to hear the sermon upon this stage there was another smaller stage erected wheron the Throne stood His Majesty being seated on the Chair a sermon was preached by Robert Douglas Moderator of the Commission of the General Assembly Sermon being ended the National Covenant of Scotland the solemn League and Covenant were distinctly read which done the Oath was ministred in these words I Charles King of great Britain France and Ireland do assure and declare by my solemn Oath in the presence of Almight God the searcher of all hearts my allowance and approbation of the National Covenant of the solemn League and Covenant and faithfully oblige my self to prosecute the ends thereof in my station and calling and that I for my self and successors shall consent and agree to all Acts of Parliament enjoyning the National Covenant and the solemne League and Covenant and fully establish Presbyterian Government the Directory of Worship Confession of Faith and Catechisms in the Kingdome of Scotland as they
it safer for his Person to depart from thence to his Sister at the Hague till the Royall affairs in England might gain a better posture which he did and there found a reception answerable to his birth Not long after the King his Royall Father being in danger to be inclosed in Oxford by Generall Fairfax who returning out of the West had designed to block it up took care for his safety and attended only by Mr. Ashburnham or as some say attending on him went privily out thence and threw himself upon the Scotch Army then at Newark who shortly after notwithstanding his confidence of them for a summe of money delivered him up most perfidiously and traiterously to his implacable Enemies the English Army These after many pretences of Treaties and seeming willingnesse to come to an accord with him on that black day the 30. of Ianuary 1648. most villanously and trayterously beyond the imagination of the World murder'd him Thus far is a short view of those hardships and afflictions undergone by this noble Prince during his fathers life and raign we will now proceed to those he hath since ran through which we may more properly particularly call his Own Among which the Chief and greatest and from whence all his other miseries flowed as from their spring head was the deprivation of his Kingdome and Royalties For that part of the Parliament of England which had usurped the whole power or more were not onely content to take away his Fathers life but by their Proclamation deprive him of all right in the Government of those three Kingdomes which they take upon themselves contrary both to the Word of God the Fundamental Lawes of the Nation and his own undoubted right by birth he being lineally descended from that Family which had successively governed England for above three hundred yeares He was at the time of his Fathers death at the Court of his Sister the Royall Princesse of Orange in the Hague in expectation to hear rather of the Conclusion of a Treaty then of his Murder to which effect he writ by the Lord Seymour the following Letter to him some short time before his Death For the King SIR HAving no means to come to the knowledge of your Majesties present Condition but such as I receive from the prints or which is as uncertain reports I have sent thts bearer Seymour to wait upon your Majesty and to bring mean account of it that I may withall assure your Majesty I doe not onely pray for your Majesty according to my duty but shall alwaies be ready to do all which shall be in my power to deserve that blessing which I now humbly beg of your Majesty upon Sir Your Majesties Most humble and most obedient Son and Servant CHARLES Hague Jan. 23. 1648. And here he staid till he heard the heart-breaking newes of his Fathers Murther when shortly after he took his Iourney to the Queen his mother in France hoping there to get aid but found none which might render him in a Capacitie to revenge his Father's Death or demand his own Right by force and in vain it was to think of any fair means to attain it Yet there wanted not some friends of his in England who willing to demonstrate how ready they were to adventure themselves for him and his right as far as their weak abilities would stretch caused under hand a Proclamation to be printed proclaiming him King of England Scotland France and Ireland and advising all his good Subjects to give all due Allegiance to him but the low condition of the Royallists then in England and the great strength and potency of the Parliaments Army made this Proclamation unvalid and those who at a fit opportunity would willingly have complied with it were forced to direct their Obedience to the contrary Goal But though England prov'd thus defective to his Interest not so much I dare say in Allegiance as power Yet Ireland is at his Devotion for the Marquess of Ormond and the Lord Inchequin having made a peace with the Quondam Rebels he is by joynt consent both of Papists and Protestants proclaimed King in most towns of that Nation Dublin and London Derry only excepted which were kept from their Allegiance the one by the Lieu. General Iones the other by Sir Charles Coot who jointly strove to justifie the Parliament of England's late ctions He being thus proclaimed there is solemnly invited to come over to them to which invitation his Mother earnestly adds her desires but the best of his friends and Counsellours as earnestly disswaded him upon reasons drawn both from prudence and Policy since in probability the design not succeeding it would utterly ruine his hopes with all the Protestant party then stedfast to him both in Scotland England or that if he would needs venture himself with this party they desired him at least to attend whether by any good event of theirs there might be any probability of successe 'T is supposed that this Council swaied with him more out of his real affection to the Protestant Religion then any other Politick reason Yet he immediately after took a journey to the Isle of Iersey which startled some as though he had intended to have proceeded thence for Ireland but that suspition proved unnecessary he was accompanied hither by his Brother the Duke of York who was lately come to him out of Holland and many other Nobles and Gentlemen the Islanders immediately upon his arrival most joyfully proclaimed him King and the Lord Iermyn Earl of Yarmouth was made Governour of that Island who constituted Sir George Carteret his Deputy Governour The King sends from hence his Royal Command to the Governour of Gernsey Island which was then wholly subjected Cornet Castle only excepted to the Parliaments force requiring him to surrender the said Island to him and that his good Subjects there might have liberty to return to their due obedience but his Command proved ineffectual Many affirm but how true I know not that the Reason of the Kings removal to this Island was out of design to surprize Dartmouth and some other places in the West by the Levellers help who having then made a defection from the Parliaments Army in England were say they to have joyned with the Royallists for the intents and purposes aforesaid but whether so or no I cannot affirm though I can certainly tell this that were it so it proved uneffectual for the Levellers were soon overpowered and quell'd Whilest King Charles was here expecting a Messenger from the States of Scotland came new's of the unfortunate overthrow of the Marquess of Ormond his Army by Lieu. General Iones before Dublin which caused a general sorrow among all his followers for there had been great hopes and expectations of that Army it amounting to no lesse then twenty two thousand men and was esteemed able not onely to have taken Dublin but likewise to have resisted Cromwell's then new comming Army in the field yet whether
Hay Col. Sibbalds two most accomplished persons though they had all the favour to be beheaded There was like wise one Captain Charters who being put in hopes of life by the perfidious Kirk upon his recantation made a long Speech upon the Scaffold acknowledging his Apostacy from the Covenant and desiring to be reconciled to the Kirk but had notwithstanding his head struck off This was the fatal and Tragical Event of his Majesties affairs in Scotland under Montrosse's Conduct let us now turn to see how the Treaty at Breda went on in the mean time But before I proceed any farther give me leave to speak a word or two concerning the Magnanimous Col. VVil Sibbalds who say some confessed himself guilty of the Murder of D. Dorislaus the English Agent at the Hague which I must ingeniously confesse I believe upon good grounds to be only a Calumnie and Scannal raised from the so far extended Malice of his Enemies for I can find nothing either in his Speech at death or in any Records of credit tending to such a Confession though much against any likelyhood of it nor can I imagine that any man could with so much resolution as he dyed with part from this World and have so great a load and blot upon Conscience But to proceed Great debates there were in the mean time between his Majesty and the Scotch Commissioners concerning the Treaty and great demurres there were upon it for besides the striving of some Lords who had a kind of a serious Antipathy to the Scots perfidiousnesse and endeavoured to perswade his Majesty not to trust them who had betrayed his Father The King himself stuck highly as he had reason about the business of Taking the Covenant For 1. There was no reason why he should be enforced to relinquish the Religion of his Fathers and whilest he permitted to his Subjects Liberty of Conscience it would be very inconsistent with their so earnestly pretended desires of a peace and agreement to deny him the same priviledge which he gave them 2. That Covenant tendred and so earnestly prest upon him by them was an Obligatory Covenant to bind the Subjects to him and not for him to swear to and therefore he judged it sufficiently satisfactory to passe an Act for the peoples taking it Whilest these demurres and delayes were in the Treaty the Scotch Commissioners give a visit to the Illustrious Prince of Orange whom they intreat to be a Mediator between them and their King His Majesty like wise withdraw's himself for some time from Breda to the Hague there to advise with his Aunt the Queen of Bohemia the Prince of Orange and other friends about what he were best to resolve on or determine But the Estates of Scotland though their proposed Conditions were already unreasonable yet resolve to adde more weight to the Scale the Earl of Carnwarth and Mr. Murrey are sent over to the Commissioners at Breda with new instructions and propositions as 1. That his Majesty should confirm all Acts done in some late Sessions of Parliament without any exception 2. That neither Montross nor any of his Adherents be admitted to come into the Kingdome of Scotland But notwithstanding the harshnesse of the Conditions the King is earnestly pressed to come to a full Conclusion with the Scots Though many Lords of the contrary faction pleaded for an utter rejectment of their propositions alledging to his Majesty That the Covenanters horrid perfidiousnesse to his Father might be a sufficient motive and inducement for him not to trust them That the more willing he was to condescend to their propositions the more impudent they were still in proposing things most unreasonable That should he accept of their Conditions they would so tye up his hands that he would be then but a King onely in Title which he was without them On the other side the Earl of Lauderdale the Lords Wilmot Piercy and others of his Majesties Council who stood for an accommodation with the Scots urged That his Majesties affairs both in Ireland under the Marquess of Montross and in the Navy under Prince Rupert were in so weak and tottering a Condition that no help could be expected from them That all the Princes in Europe were so imbroyled in warrs of their own that it was in vain to crave any foreign aid And that therefore there was no way left for his Majesty to regain his lost Rights and Kingdomes but by complying with his Subjects of Scotland and though it were upon such Conditions as would at first seem harsh those Curbs might in time possession once got be thrown off by degrees these reasons swayed with his Majesty and the Treaty went on with a clearer face then formerly But now there happens a strong demurre or as most supposed a businesse that would wholly break off the Treaty for the newes of Montrosse's ignominious death being come to Breda extremely incensed the whole Court and those who were against the Treaty bestirred themselves strongly still endeavouring to avert the King wholly from it by telling him That they had by thus Murdering his Lieutenant Demonstrated to the World what they would do to him if they had him in their power That it was an act of rashnesse and desperation to trust them or to have any more to do with such a perfidious generation That they only cunningly and subtilly endeavoured to entrap him that they might destroy him But not withstanding their heat his Majesty conceals his anger which doubtless could not but be great for the death and the so ignominious death of so good and loyal a Subject and Servant and that too in his quarrel and for obeying his just commands only he expresses his resentment of their so strange proceedings to the Committee of Estates by a Message sent by Mr. Murrey to this effect That it could not but grieve and perplex him to hear that whilst they pretended to conclude a peace they proceeded in the way of War and that whilst they treated of an Accord with him they shed the bloud of his best Subjects and that in such a manner that if true as reported they could not imagine but it must extremely incense him he therefore desired them to give him an account of their businesse To this they return Answer That their affections were still reall to him and that it rejoyced their very soules to hear that he would be willing to concurre with them in a peace and agreement That as for the Death of Montross They desired it might be no obstacle in the way for that they did nothing in it but with a reall intention to promote his interest Thus they endeavoured to excuse themselves but it was not their excuse nor their so many reiterated Protestations of fidelity but the necessity of the Kings affaires which drew him not long after to conclude the Treaty at Breda notwithstanding the violent opposers of it by condescending to most of their desires The conclusion of the
to encourage his souldiers whom he found both encreasing in their numbers and much reioiced at his presence The Parliament of Scotland which had adiourned to give time for his Majesties Coronation being met again there were strong endeavors of the Kings that several Lords of the Royal party should be admitted to their seats in Parliament but the Assemblies of the Kirk at Sterling and Aberdeen as strongly oppose it and shew themselves discontented both at this proposal likewise at the new Levies in regard they were there admitted to commands in the Army as they now desired to have place in Parliament yet notwithstanding these murmurings they were upon their reconciliation to the church and passing the Stool of Repentance re-admitted to their places in Parliament such were Duke Hamilton the Marquesse of Huntley the Earls of Calender Crawford and others But stil not only many of the Ministers notwithstanding there was a select Committee appointed to examine and punish such persons who any way confronted and murmured against any designs or acts of State raile against these proceedings but some of the Nobles too are discontented insomuch that the Earle of Sutherland utterly refused to concur with them and if he could possibly would have opposed them by force And indeed very many or most of the Presbyterians were discontented For the Royal party by the admission of those Lords and others was grown stronger then the Kirk's and now bore all the sway which made the proud Marquess of Argyle and other Covenantier Lords murmur at being afraid lest in time they should wholly be laid aside they having already seen one of their party begun with for the Earl of Louden who customarily had the Lord Chancellorship of the Kingdome was removed from his place the Lord Burleigh constituted Chancellor in his stead Yet on the Covenanters side there wanted not some Ministers such were Mr. Robert Douglass and Mr. David Dicks who endeavoured to beget a right understanding in both parties that these sparks of discontent might not at last burst out into a flame as 't was very much feared they would but rather that in this time of danger they might lay aside all animosities and unite together against the common Eenemy who else would be the ruine of them both And now his Majesty to keepe a correspondency abroad sends the Earl of Dumferling Ambassador to the States of Holland he had likewise at the same time several other Ambassadors or Agents abroad in the Courts of several Princes to require aid but never found more then what fair and sugared promises produced And about this time Sir Henry Hide being sent over to England from Constantinople whither he had bin sent as Ambassador from his Majesty to the Grand Signior by Sir Thomas Bendysh his means who was then Ambassador for the Republick of England but yet deem'd a person of more loyalty to his Prince then to have sent his Ambassador to be murder'd if he could have avoided it after somewhat a formal trial suffered death on a Scaffold before the Royal Exchange in London for having taken Commissions from his Soveraign And not long after him Captain Brown Bushel who though he had formerly been an enemy to his Maiesties father yet now suffer'd death upon the Tower-hill London for having done some signal services by sea for his present Majesty But to return to the Kings affairs in Scotland where the special businesses in hand were the compleating the levies to 15000. foot and 6000. horse which went on apace and the fortifying the towne of Sterling which his Majesty intended for the place of his chief residence to the hastening of the which his Majesty went often in Progress to view the Works and encourage the pioniers And time it was to hasten those Works for the English drew every day nigher nigher towards them having already taken the Fort of Blackness which lay between Sterling and Edenburgh which was nevertheless not accounted so great a loss as the surprizal of the Earle of Eglington and one of his sons by a party of English horse at Dumbarton for this Earl was a person of a great deal of power in that Nation and his taking very much obstructed the going forward of the Levies But Sterling being almost fortified sufficiently his Majesty removed his Court hither where whilest he was his Birth-day being the 29. of May was kept through Scotland with all such tokens of joy as are usual upon such occasions but the town of Dundee exceded all the rest for besides their equal expressions of Joy they presented his Maiesty with a rich Tent six pieces of Field Ordinance and set out a Regiment of horse towards his assistance at their own charge At Sterling likewise were the head-Quarters kept most of the Scotch Army Quartering about it whither Middleton's leavies from the North being come and amounting to about 8000. men it came to be a dispute whether these should be a distinct Army by themselves or be joined with Lesley's Southern Levies but at length it was thought most convenient to joyne them and his Majesty to prevent those animosities which might arise between Middleton and Lesley for the Generalship took upon himself the Command of the whole From hence his Majesty sent a messenger to the Parliament still sitting at S. Johnston's with these demands 1. That the Act about the Classis of malignants should be revoked and disannulled and that an Act pass for its repeal 2. That there might be no more any mention of the name of malignants amongst them 3. That Duke Hamilton the Earls of Seaforth and Callender c. might have as full command in the Army as any others The demands were strongly debated vro con in the Parliament the Marquess of Argile and others of the covenanted strain endeavouring by all means possible to oppose them yet at length though with much difficulty they were carried in the affirmative it being urged by the more moderate sort too that the granting of these would be the only way to take away all animosities between those parties which they intended to unite The Parliament having granted these things to his Maiesty and given large Commissions and Instructions for the compleating of the levies about the beginning of June dissolved leaving all things in relation to civil and intestine distempers in a calm and quiet all parties seeming to be pleased and their actions united towards the opposing of their common Enemy Cromwell Whilest these things were thus transacted in Scotland a great and terrible plot was discovered against the Juncto then ruling in England their government in assistance of his Majesty to his just Rights This design was chiefly laid by those Presbyterians who had been such dire Opponents of his Majesty's blessed father of happy yet unhappy memory viz. the greatest part Presbyterian Ministers who had most of them formerly belcht out such firebrands from their Pulpits as had set both Church and State in a combustion
desirous to settle a clear and right intelligence between us and our Subjects of our ancient Kingdome of Scotland which may be an assured foundation of their happinesse and peace for the time to come and an effectual means to root out all the seeds of animosity and divisions caused by these late troubles and also to unite the hearts and affections of our subjects one to another and of them all to us their King and lawfull Soveraign to the end that by their Obedience to our Royal and just Authority we may be put in a Condition to maintain them in peace and prosperity and to protect them in their Religion and Liberty as it appertains to us according to our charge and office of a King And as we have alwayes resolved to contribute whatever is to be done by us to obtain these good effects and for the just satisfaction of all our Subjects in this Kingdome We have now thought fit upon the Return of Mr. Windram to command and desire you to send unto us Commissioners sufficiently authorized to treat and agree with us both in Relation to the Interest and just satisfaction of our Subjects there as also concerning the aid and assistance which in all reason we may expect from them to bring and reduce the murtherers of our late most dear father of happy memory to condigne punishment and to recover our just rights in all our Kingdomes And we will that they attend us on the fifteenth of March at the Town of Breda where we intend to be in Order thereunto And in confidence of a Treaty as also to make known to you and all the World that we sincerely desire to be agreed VVe have resolved to addresse these unto you under the Name and Title of a Committee of Estates of our Kingdome of Scotland and will and expect that you use this grace no other wayes for any advantage to the prejudice of us or our affairs beyond what we have given this Qualification and Title for namely for the Treaty and in order to it Although we have considerations sufficient and very important to disswade and oblige us to do nothing in this kind antecedently at this time Also we hope the confidence which we declare to have in your clear and candid intentions towards us will furnish you with strong Arguments to form in your selves a mutual confidence in us which by the blessing of God Almighty by your just and prudent moderation and by that great desire we have to oblige all our Subjects of that Kingdome and by the means of the Treaty which we attend and hope for may be a good foundation of a full and happy peace and an assured security to this Nation for the time to come which we assure you is wished of us with passion and which we shall endeavour by all means in our power to effect This is the full of his Majesties Letter to the Committee of Estates in Scotland and much to this effect was there another writ by him to the Committee of the Kirk But this I the rather fully insert in regard of the many Calumnies cast upon it and by it upon his Majesty His enemies hereby taking occasion to carp upon him by pretending his inveterate desire of revenge which was so contrary to the last precepts given him by his dying father I think I need not answer his enemies objection they by those carps only condemning themselves of a self-guiltinesse but to the more sober sort of people I shall referre it and let them seriously consider whether the beginning progresse and end of the Letter demonstrate him not a man more addicted to peace and quietnesse then to revenge and destruction The principal Objection which his enemies have against him is that he desires the aid of his Scotch Subjects to bring the murderers of his Father to condigne punishment does this shew him a lover of Revenge or of Justice I would fain know which of his enemies or of his Fathers Murderers would not should I have done the same to any of their so near Relations have endeavoured to have brought me under the utmost censure of the Law But to proceed these letters are seriously debated both in the Committee of Estates and Kirk the first order its confideration to a select sub-Committee of their own consisting of nine Lords and others who present their opinions upon it to the grand Committee and these provide ready a state of the Case to be presented to the Parliament of Scotland which was shortly after to assemble But mean while a select number of the Kirk and State make up a Committee who by common consent were to consider what was to be done about sending Commissioners and Propositions to his Majesty these had strong and serious debates for the arrogant Kirkmen would not have his Majesty admitted into Scotland but upon Conditions which should make him wholly subservient to their commands but the State would have such tart conditions wholly waved and though their own were rough enough yet at length a mediation is concluded on between theirs and the Kirks And the Earle of Castles the Lord Lothian Burley and Libberton Sir Iohn Smith and Mr. Ieoffreys for the Estates Mr. Broady Lawson and Wood are appointed Commissioners for the Kirk These having received their Commissions and Instructions took their journey for Holland arrived at Breda some few daies before his Majesty got thither On the 16. March 1649. he also arrived there and on the 19. the Lord VVent worth Master of the Ceremonies conducted them to Audience being come before his Majesty who in a large Chamber purpose provided expected them The Lord Castles in behalf of the Estates and Mr. Lawson in behalf of the Kirk having made their Speeches declared the occasion of their coming and shewing their Commissions they delivered the ensuing Propositions in the behalf both of the Kirk and States of Scotland 1. That all those who had been excommunicated by the Church still continued so should be forbid accesse to Court 2. That all Acts of the Parliament of Scotland should be by him ratified and approved of That the solemn League and Covenant the Presbyterian Church-government The Directory Confession and Catechisme should be enjoyned in Scotland and the same used and practised in his family and an Oath to be taken by him that He would never oppose it or endeavour to alter it 3. That he would by solemn Oath and under his hand and seal declare and acknowledge his allowance of the solemn League Covenant and the National Covenant of Scotland 4. That he would consent and agree that all civil matters might be determined by subsequent Parliaments in Scotland and all Ecclesiastical matters by the General Kirk assembly as was formerly granted by his Royal father To these Propositions his Majesty demanded Whether this were fully and wholly all that the Committee of Estates and Kirk in Scotland had to desire or propound and whether these Commissioners
had power to remit or recede from any of these particulars and further what they had to propound concerning his affairs in England To which the Commissioners replied That they had acquainted him with their full power according to the instructions they had received from the Committees of Estates and Kirk in Scotland Upon which his Majesty made Answers That he would consider of their Propositions and doubted not but to return them such an Answer as might give his Kingdome of Scotland satisfaction and so dismissed them for the present But let us thus leave his Majesty and Council debating about the Scotch Commissioners propositions and discourse a little about his affairs under the conduct of the thrice noble and Illustrious Marquesse of Montross who having notwithstanding the opposition which Hamilton gave to the design obtained Commissioners from his Majesty to levy what force he could on that side the sea endeavoured to the utmost of his power to effect it but chiefly among the Princes of the German Empire where he found large and fair promises but very little real assistance onely the Duke of Holstein suppled him with four ships well arm'd and mann'd though these were likewise by some strange neglect delayed a long time at Amsterdam which much retarded the service Colonel Cochran likewise who had been sent Agent into Poland to the Scottish Merchants there for assistance of men and money having received a considerable quantity of money and good supply of corn disposed of the first to his own use sold the other and himself revolted from the service General King who was expected out of Sweden with a party of Horse came not all so many crosses there were in the beginning of the businesse as bad Omens to it's future ill successe But at length the Marquesse fearing least if the King should conclude with the Scots before he had attempted any thing his Commissions would be recalled fatally resolved to depart Scotland as he was so with four ships indifferently well armed but with not above six or seven hundred men and those most strangers besides a small Frigat of sixteen Guns and one thousand five hundred good Armes given him by the Queen of Sweden he set sail and this was all the strength he carried with him from Hamburgh to assault that potent Kingdome Two of these ships and those the biggest were sent before and directed to steer their course for the Orcades but these unfortunately met with a storm and were amongst those rocky Islands their men armes and ammunition cast away so that a third part of the force raised for this expedition was lost But notwithstanding these fatal disasters the sad presages of his ruine the noble Marquess proceeds and with the small number that was left him lands amongst the Islands where he gets together a pretty considerable number which had almost the face of an Army but was for the most part composed of raw and unskilfull fellows a party of these he sends out who without resistance enter the Isle of Orkney there being no Garrison there from thence he dispatches Commissions to Scotland and the Islands adjacent for the levying of Horse and Foot which because the inhabitants of those places to which they were sent could not resist obeyed and not long after the sending of those Commissions Montrosse himself with those forces he had and those Gentlemen resolved to engage in partaking of his fortune landed in Scotland at the point of Cathanes the very farthest land to the Northwest of that Kingdome The people here whom he expected to have joyned with him were so sensible of the miseries of the former war and now more terrified with the name of Foreigners deserted their dwellings and fled away some never stopping till they came to Edenburgh The Parliament of Scotland who were now assembled though they had former advice of the Marquesses designs yet could not tell the place of his landing but now alarm'd by the flying Countrey David Lesley is commanded with the body of the Army to march directly towards them for fear Montrosse should grow too numerous and Colonell Straughan whose valour the States highly approved is ordered with a party of select Horse to advance before to hinder the Marquesses levyes and if he saw opportunity to fight him Montrosse in the mean time to satisfie the World and because the people should not be startled at his invasion whilst the King was upon Treaty publishes a very patheticall Declaration declaring the justnesse of his cause and to clear himself from the aspersion of sinister ends and that his intention was onely against some particular persons who had against the Laws of the Kingdome raised and maintained a war against his Majesties father and did now by their wiles and subtile practices endeavour to destroy the son also and therefore exhorting all Subjects of that Nation to endeavour to free themselves from the tyranny of those who then by an usurped power ruled over them But notwithstanding this Declaration the Countrey came very slowly in Straughan in the mean time advances with all possible speed towards the Royal party whilest Montrosse had not for indeed he could not effect any thing Material besides the fortifying of Dunbath Castle but the Marquess hearing of the Enemies approach made his whole Forces march at a great rate to recover a passe yet neverthelesse before they could come at it the front of the Army discovered Straughan's forlorn hope who marching with hast upon the Marquesses Army found them both almost tired and out of breath and Order however a forlorn hope of 100. Foot are drawn out to meet them who giving them a resolute Charge forced them to no Orderly Retreat but being seconded by Straughan's whole body of Horse they again maintained their ground resolutely Charging upon the Marquesses main Body the Islanders immediately threw down their arms and cryed for quarter but the Holsteiners and Hamburgers made an Orderly retreat for the present into some bushes which having a short time defended they were at last enforced to yield This was a sad blow to his Majesties affairs in Scotland there being great hopes that had Montrosse succeeded and kept them in play both Kirk and State would have come to milder Conditions with him Yet the Marquess himself escaped for the present out of this Battel Though there were near two hundred slain and twelve hundred taken in the field for the Country coming in upon them few Escaped Amongst the Prisoners of Note there were taken Col. Hurry the Lord Frenderick Sir Francis Hay of Dalgettey Col. Hay of Noughton Col. Grey and several other Officers together with the Kings standard which contained this Emphatical Motto IVDGE AND REVENGE MY CAVSE O LORD and whereon was pourtrayed to the life the Effigies of his Majesties Father beheaded But long it was not ere this thrice Heroick Marquess fell into the hands of these his cruel Obdurate and inveterate enemies for though when he saw the battel at a
losse he had saved himself by escaping out of the Field and had afterwards to disguise himself changed his habit with a Highlander yet all could not prevail to his Escape for the whole Countrey was raised up in armes in search after him and a price set upon his head by the States but especially the Presbyterian Ministers exhorted the people to endeavour his attachment as a thing necessary to their Salvation At length the whole Countrey being up in armes about him and no way left for this distressed Marquess to escape he thought it better to throw himself upon the Lord Aston formerly a friend of his and now out in the search with some of his Tenants then fall into the hands of his more inveterate and implacable enemies But this Lord notwithstanding he had formerly been Montrosse's follower either out of fear or covetousness durst not conceal him but sent him with a strong Guard to David Lesley by whom he was directly sent to Edenburgh and shortly after brought to his Tryal before the Parliament of Scotland where all the while notwithstanding those many ignominious affronts and disgraces thrown upon him as his being in triumphant manner brought through Edenburgh bound in a Cart yet he carried himself with so much Magnanimity and Courage That those of his Enemies who did not pity him yet were almost ashamed of their villanies towards him The Parliament of Scotland upon the first newes of this Noble Marquess being made a prisoner met and resolved to passe a sentence upon him before either he was come up or had at all answered for himself though when they allowed him to speak somewhat for himself which he pronounced with gravity void of Passion yet he had as good have held his peace for the sentence being agreed upon it was pass't to this effect That he should be carried to the place from whence he came and from thence tomorrow being the 21. day of May 1650. be carried to the high Crosse in Edenburgh and be hanged upon a Gibbet thirty foot high and there hang for the space of three hours in the sight and view of all people with his History and Declaration hanging about his Neck after which he should be taken down beheaded and quartered his head to be placed upon the Talbooth or Prison house in Edenburgh and his leggs and arms over the gates of the Cities of Sterling Glascow S. Iohns town and Aberdeen And in case he repented by which means his sentence of Excommunication might be taken off by the Kirk the bulk of his body might be buried in Grayfriers if not to be buried in the Common burying place for thieves and robbers Thus far did their unparallel'd hatred and malice extend even to his dead Corps This Sentence being aggravated by the Chancellor in the utmost terms of horrour that his spleen could invent was yet mildly and unpassionately received by this Illustrious Marquess who answered nothing to it But That he took it for a greater honour to have his head stand on the prison gate for this quarrel then to have his picture in the Kings Bed-chamber And least his loyalty should be forgotten they had highly honoured him in designing lasting Monuments to four of the chiefest Cities to bear up his memorial to all posterity wishing he had flesh enough to have sent a piece to every city in Christendome to witness his loyalty to his King and Countrey The next day being the day appointed for his Execution richly habited in a scarlet cloak laced with gold but his Soul adorned with constant Loyalty the far richer Ornament of the two he marched along the street with so composed a Courage and Gravity that most of his Enemies either pityed or admired him being come to the place of Execution he was some time detained with many frivolous questions of that flea bitten Clergy being ready to mount up the ladder he said it was Iacob's ladder by which he should mount to Heaven His Speech to the people was short and that much to this effect That he was sorry if his end should be scandalous to any good Christian but that it often happened to the righteous according to the wayes of the wicked that they who knew him should not disesteem him for this ignominious death That he confessed it was the judgement of God upon him for his private sins but as for his condemners they were but instruments That they had perverted judgement and justice and oppressed the poor yet he desired God to forgive them for he heartily forgave them That what he did in that Kingdome he did it in obedience to the just commands of his Sovereign to assist him against those which rose up against him That it was not his fault that he lay under the censure of the Church since 't was only for doing his duty That for what was said of him that he should blame the King he said 't was most false for saies he the late King lived a Saint and died a Martyr That if ever he should wish his soul in any mans place it should be in his That for the King now living he was a Prince under whom any people might live most happily his commands were righteous his promises faithfull and his dealings just Finally that he commended his soul to God his service to his Prince his good will to his friends and his name and charity to all good people This was the summe of his Speech on the ladder which and some private prayers being finished he mounted up to the top of that prodigious Gibbet where his History and Declaration being tied about his neck and his hands bound by the Executioner he turned about and gave him some gold asking If they had any more dishonour as they conceived it to put upon him he was ready to accept it and then with a great deal of magnanimity bidding the Executioner turn him off when he should hold up his hands it was accordingly performed Thus nobly lived and thus ignominiously and yet nobly died the truest of friends the loyallest of Subjects the faithfullest of servants the best of Masters and the valiantest of Captains Iames Graham Marquesse of Montrosse Earl of Rincardin Lord of Groam and Baron of Montdieu whose death was not only lamented as a private but rather as a publick loss most of the Princes in Europe deploring the unfortunate fall of so Noble and Heroick a person For he was endowed with such winning graces that wherever he came he was both honoured and esteemed and where-ever he Comâ—â—nded both feared and loved His enemies Malice though he was dead kept still alive for after they had beheaded him and cut off his quarters they would not permit that Bulk of his body which remained to be buried in any other place then the Borough Moor But this noble Marquess suffered not alone for soon after Col. Hurrie notwithstanding he pleaded the benefit of Quarter young Spotswood of Daersie a most compleat Gentleman Sir Francis
Treaty was soon carried to Edenburgh where the Parliament being met it was yet by some of those who favoured the Sectarian party in England made a debate whether they should make any more addresses to the King So impudent were they even after the Treaty was concluded with him but there were found but thirty of these malevolent persons so to the major part of the Votes carrying it in the affirmative it was Resolved that another message should be sent unto him to invite him to make all possible speed to his Kingdome of Scotland protesting that they would venture lives and fortunes in assisting him to regain his Right and Kingdomes but they not onely debarre him from having those whom he chiefly favoured to wait upon him but likewise prohibit the Duke Hamilton the Earles of Lauderdale and Seaforth and many other persons of quality's return to Scotland and they nominate such persons as they thought fit out of their own gang to be officers of his houshold there The Iuncto then sitting and governing in England had certain intelligence all along of the proceeds of the Treaty between his Majestie and the Scots together with their Protestations to assist him in the recovery of his Rights in England by some who sat in the Parliament of Scotland betrayed their counsels and earnestly solicited the English to assault Scotland before they were themselves assaulted and invaded to which effect they prepare an Army without any just pretence which they give to Oliver Cromwell to command making him Generalissimo of all the Forces of that Commonwealth in the room of Sir Thomas Fairfax whose Commission was between taken away and laid down Some time before his Majestie's departure from Holland into Scotland news was brought of the unfortunate losse of all Prince Rupert's Fleet most of his ships being either taken sunk or burnt by General Blake Admiral to the English Navy so though the Treaty was concluded with Scotland his Majestie's affairs went every where else to wrack At length all things being in a readinesse his Majesty about the beginning of Iune 1650. took shipping at Scheveleng in Holland and after a tedious storm and narrow scape of some English Vessels which lay in wait for him arrived at Spey in the North of Scotland Some Lords are sent down to receive him to accompany him to Edenburgh where two stately houses are richly provided and furnish't to entertain him He was all along the Countrey entertained with the general joy of all the people several presents being given to him by the Towns as he came along Aberdeen presented him with 1500. l. but the Committee of Estates Kirk fearing that such diet would make too unweildy to their pleasures sent an injunction to severall places requiring them that whatever moneys they had to bestow they should bring it unto such Treasuries as should be appointed by them Thus they permit not the Subjects to shew their good will to their Sovereign nor him to receive it Nor were the States and Kirk as yet content with those hard conditions but they send him new Propositions to Dundee to sign which after some reluctancy he performed for indeed he could do no otherwise being now in their clutches The Parliament and Committee of Estates in Scotland had while they expected his Majestie's arrivall been consulting about the framing of an Army every fourth man in the Kingdome is ordered to be trained and sixteen thousand foot and six thousand horse to be raised for his Majestie's present service Of this Army the Earle of Leven is made General of the Foot and Holborne Major General David Lesley Lieutenant General of the Horse and Montgomery Major General the place of Generalissimo was reserved for the King though he never went into the field with his Army His Majesty being come to Edenburgh is received by the Parliament and Committee of Estates and Kirk with infinite complements and expressions of fidelity and affection and with great acclamations of joy from the people and on the 15. of Iuly is again solemnly proclaimed King at Edenburgh-Crosse but his coronation yet deferred by reason of the then troubles For the English Army notwithstanding the Scots had expostulaled them the unjustnesse of invading their Countrey was advanced upon the borders and at Muscleborough the Scots under Montgomery with a small party set upon the English Army but were worsted and so the two Armies moved at a distance one from the other till they came as far as Dunbar where the Scots had got a considerable advantage by reason of a passe and bragg'd they had got the English in a pound but whether by their own carelessenesse and oversecurity or the over reaching courage and valour of the English I cannot tell a total loss they had there the passe gain'd from them and themselves wholly routed and dispersed I am the shorter in relating the passages between these two Armies in regard that though the King was made Generalisssimo yet he had no influence upon the Army which might rather be called the States or Kirks then the Kings for though he was there present and bore the title of King yet they had the whole powes and made and revoked Laws and Orders The King was then with the States at Saint Iohnstones when the news of this losse and that of the Death of his Sister the Princesse Elizabeth arrived much about the same time and some have been bold to affirm that the latter grieved him more then the former in regard of the imperiousnesse which 't was probable the States of Scotland would have usurped had the successe answered their minds And sufficiently imperious were both they and the Kirk already notwithstanding the ill fortune of their affairs for so great was their insolency towards his Majesty in their earnestnesse to purge his house in extorting Declarations from him against his own party and proceedings and in usurping the whole government of affairs to themselves in placing guards of their own creatures upon his Person c. That his sacred Majesty no longer able to suffer such intolerable affronts and abuses went secretly away accompanied onely with four horse towards the North of Scotland where the Marquess of Huntley the Ealres of Seaforth and Atholl the Lords Ogilby and Newburgh with the Gourdons were ready to appear for him with a considerable party Scotland was not at this time only perplexed with a foreign enemy in her bowels but with civil distempers and divisions for in the West there was a party under the command of Straughan and Kerr who declared against the actions of the Committee of Estates for their too much hast and precipitation in the Treaty with the King for their receiving him before he had given any evidence of a real change That they believed his profession of the cause and Covenant was counterfeit therefore refused to submit to his power These men were purely for the Kirk against the King's Authority Another Party there was in the North