After the treaty of Uxbridge, the prince was sent into the west*; constituted general of an association for petitioning or com perswaded, his power and interest, at that time, was greater to do good or hurt, than any man in the kingdom, or than any man of his rank hath had in any time: for his reputation of honesty was universal, and his affections seemed so publicly guided, that no corrupt or private ends could byass them.He was very temperate in diet, and a supream governour over all his passions and affections, and had thereby a great power over other mens. He was of an industry and vigilance not to be tired out, or wearied by the most laborious; and of parts not to be imposed upon, by the most subtle, or sharp; and of a personal courage equal to his best parts; so that he was an enemy not to be wished wherever he might have been made a friend; and as much to be apprehended where he was so, as any man could deserve to be." What a character this!-must not every one stand amazed that his lord-` ship should conclude (for his lordship it is, and not his editors, as has been groundlesly promulgated), "What has been said of Cinna, might be well applied to him; he had a head to contrive, and a tongue to perswade, and a hand to execute any mischief"." Few readers will submit to this decree from the chancellor of human nature; if indeed a man who paid no regard to truth in his writings, can have the least pretence to so honourable a character. 4 The prince was sent into the west.] "The king,' says Clarendon, "spoke to those he trusted most at that a Hist. of the Rebellion, p. 266. vol. III. 8vo. Oxon. 1712. pelling the parliament to a peace; and general of all the forces of England. On account of his youth a council was assigned time, with much more melancholy of his own condition, and the state of his affairs, than he had used to do. So that his majesty told them, "He found it absolutely necessary to pursue his former resolution of separating the prince his son from himself, that the enemy might not, upon any success, find them together; which, he said, would be ruin to them both; whereas, though he should fall into their hands whilst his son was at liberty, they would not dare to do him harm." He seemed to have very reasonable apprehensions, that upon the loss of a battle, he might become a prisoner; but he never imagined, that it would enter into their thoughts to take away his life; not that he believed they could be restrained from that impious act by any remorse of conscience, or that they had not wickedness enough to design and execute it : but he believed it against their interest; and would often, in discourse, say, of what moment the preservation of his life was to the rebels; and how much they were concerned to preserve it, in regard, that if he himself were dead, the parliament stood dissolved; so that there would be an end of their government: which though it were true in law, would have little shaken their power, of which they were too long possessed to part with it easily. This was a speculation of that nature, that nobody had reason to endeavour to change the king's opinion in that particular; and his majesty thought of nothing so much as hastning the prince's journey; and to that purpose, commanded those who were appointed to attend him to be ready him by his majesty. But nothing of consequence was done by council or army. The parliament forces, under Sir Thomas by a short day, resolving that his highness should make his journey directly to Bristol, and continue his residence there till some emergent alteration should make his remove from thence necessary.-There happened an accident at this time, that reconciled the mind of many to this journey of the prince into the west, and looked like a good omen that it would produce good effects; though it proved afterwards an occasion of much trouble and inconvenience. When the king returned through Somersetshire, after the defeat of the earl of Essex in Cornwall, there had been a petition delivered to him, in the names of the gentry, clergy, freeholders, and others his majesty's protestant subjects of the county of Somerset, in which they desired, that his majesty would give them leave to petition the parliament, that there might be a treaty for peace; and that they might have liberty to wait upon his majesty in person in his march; and that when they came to a nearer distance, they might then go before, and deliver their petition; and if they should not obtain their so just request, they would then assist his majesty to get that by the sword, which could be obtained no other way to that purpose they desired leave to put themselves in arms, to attend his majesty in his journey. The king gave them a gracious reception, and liberty to do all that they desired; believing it possible, that he might even from thence recruit his foot; which he most desired. But his majesty's speedy march left that design to be better weighed and digested. Upon the fame of the prince's being to visit Fairfax, were every where victorious, through their own bravery and conduct, the west, and to keep his court there, some gentlemen, of the best quality in the west, came to Oxford, as entrusted by the rest to acquaint his majesty, that they ⚫ had now formed the design, they had formerly presented to him, much better than it was; and that the four western counties, Dorset, Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall, had resolved to enter into an association, and to be joint petitioners to the parliament for peace; —and whosoever refused to join in the petition, should be looked upon as enemies to peace, and their country, and accordingly treated; so that this address could not but have great influence upon the parliament, being under the style of one and all; and could not but be look'd upon as such. They desired the king, that the prince might be made general of this association; in order to which, they would provide for his support according to his dignity; and, in the first place, take care for the raising a good guard of horse and foot, for the safety of his person.-Upon these reasons, the prince had two commissions granted to him; one to be general of the association; and another, to be general of all the king's forces in England."-This was only a matter of form: the youth and inexperience of the prince rendered it impossible for him to execute either of these commissions. The same writer, in another work, tells us, that on the day the prince began his journey towards the west, his majesty sent for him, the historian, "and repeated some things he had mentioned before. He told him there had been many things which had troubled him, * Hist. of the Rebellion, vol. IV. p. 601-604. as well as the rapine, cowardice, and dissensions of their adversaries.-His ma 5 with reference to his son's absence from him; for all which but one he had satisfied himself: the one was, the inconvenience which might arise from the weakness and folly of his governor [Berkshire]; against which he had provided as well as he could, by obliging the prince to follow the advice of his council in all things; which he was assured he would do; and he had given them as much authority as they could wish." The chief of this council were the chancellor of the exchequer, and the lord Colepepper. It was on the 4th of March, 1764, O. S. that the prince parted from his father, and began his journey for Bristol, from whence he removed to Barnstable, and afterwards into Cornwall. This was the last interview between them. 5 The parliament forces were every where victorious, through their own valour, as well as the rapine, &c. of their adversaries.] If lord Clarendon's account is any way to be relied on, there never was a more abandoned set of men than those who composed the several little armies the king had in the west. The Gorings and the Greenvilles are painted in as bad colours as the pretended rebels themselves; nor can any thing, almost, be added to their detestable forms. Of the first his lordship says, "he valued not his promises, professions, or friendships, according to any rules of honour, or integrity" and the latter is described by him as a monster of cruelty, villany, and impudence". Under such leaders, it is not to be wondered, that the a Life of Lord Clarendon, vol. I. p. 105. 8vo. Oxon. 1759, vol. IV. p. 555. See vol. IV. p. 534, 539. b Id. |