the prince, in particular, obtained very little reputation by assuming a command to which he was no way equal, and which

thus rightly understood by those, whose interest, as well as their duty, obligeth them to join with us in this good work; as we shall in the first place, look up to Heaven for a blessing from the Lord of Hosts on this good cause, so we shall desire, and expect, the ready and chearful assistance of the hearts and hands. of all his majesties good subjects, as opportunity, effectually, to appear with and for us, shall be offered to them. And that the usual cunning arts of their and our enemies may not abuse any of them with false suggestions or misinterpretations of our proceedings, we hereby, with that candour and sincerity which be comes a Christian and a prince, declare and publish to the whole world, that the true grounds, reasons and ends of this our engagement are these, and none other."

1. The honor of God's holy name, in defence of the true protestant religion, and his divine worship, against all opposers whatsoever; and particularly against the heresies, schisms, scandalous doctrines and practices declared against in his majesties agreement with the Scots commissioners, bearing date at Carisbrook Castle the 26th of December last; and the estabfishing church government as is therein mentioned, and accorded to by his majesty, as also the mutual performance of that agreement.

"2. The restoring of his majesty to his liberty and just rights; and in order thereunto, and for the settling of a happy peace, a speedy personal treaty with his majesty, with honor, freedom, and safety.

had but little effect. For every thing gave way to the power of the army, who, after having defeated their enemies, and purged

"3. The support and defence of the known laws of the kingdom.

"4. The maintenance of the freedom and just privileges of parliament.

"5. The defence of the liberty and property of the subject against all violence, rapine, and oppression; such as excise, contribution, free quarter, and all other illegal taxes.

"6. The obtaining such an act of oblivion and indemnity as may most firmly bind up the bond of

peace.

"7. The speedy disbanding of all armies, and particularly that under the command of the lord Fairfax.

"8. The defence of the honor of the English nation, and his majesties rights in the narrow seas; the protection and security of the trade of all his majesties loyal subjects; the support of the navy royal, and the encouragement of all the officers and mariners of the same, to whose exemplary courage, conduct, and good affections, we owe this present opportunity with them, thus to appear for peace.

"And now having thus fully and sincerely declared our intentions and resolutions, we earnestly invite, and (by the authority as well as interest in our person during his majesties restraint, as also deriv'd particularly and formally from him, under the great seal of England) do require and command, all his majesties loyal subjects heartily to join and associate themselves with us in this our undertaking; and, with force of VOL. IV.

D

the house of commons of the members who opposed their designs, seized the king, brought him up to London as a prisoner,

arms under us, as likewise by all other good means in their power, to oppose and resist all such persons and forces, as well by land as sea, as shall oppose us and this blessed peace. As likewise to be aiding and assisting to all such as are now in arms against those enemies of peace; and particularly to encourage, aid, and relieve, as friends and brethren, the Scots army, now on their march for his majesties rescue; of whose loyalty to his majesty, and good affections to the kingdom of England, we are fully satisfied. And we more especially exhort the city of London and the port-towns of England, upon whose actions the eyes of the whole kingdom are particularly fixed, by their good example, to encourage all the people of England inanfully to shake off the heavy yoke now imposed on them by force of arms, as on a conquered nation; and instead of that lawless power which now depriveth them of the security of their persons, and the property of their goods and estates, to vindicate the just rights of free-born subjects of England, in seeking their protection under the government of their undoubted sovereign lord our royal father, and the law of the land."

After this follows a most gracious offer of pardon to the officers and soldiers of Fairfax's army, and to the officers and seamen of Warwick's fleet, who should join with him; and an invitation to the people in general to associate themselves as one man against all opposers of peace, and thereby prevent a bloody war

Parliamentary History, vol. XVII. p. 342.

5

and, by the authority of the remainder of the house of commons, appointed a day for his trial, in order that he might un dergo a punishment, which, in the opinion

for generations to come. This declaration was very artful. It flattered the Scots: it soothed the English presbyterians: it caressed the citizens, and pointed out to them their own importance. But it had no effects. The army, seeing itself beset on all sides, and its destruction avowed, exerted itself with uncommon diligence, and overcame all their opposers. As to the fleet under prince Charles, except the prizes taken by it, it hurt his adversaries little. Faction, so fatal to weak bodies, entered into and rendered it of no significancy: for it left the Downs on the approach of the enemy, and went for Holland, where it no longer was an object of terror. It ought not to be omitted that, the above declaration being presented by the sheriffs of London to the Commons, and the citizens being. withdrawn, it was moved, that the house should declare him a rebel and a traitor. The motion miscarried, as they had then voted for a treaty of peace with the king. But, however, all were declared such who adhered to or assisted him in the present war. This was but poor encouragement. The house of peers was then applied to by him, in a letter dated from aboard the fleet in the Downs, Aug. 5, in the 24th year of the reign of the king our royal father. In this letter, among other things, he proposed "that an orderly moderate subsistence during the treaty between the king and the two houses, be agreed upon for all armies and

a Parliamentary History, vol. XVII. p. 384.

of his judges, he should deserve. This alarmed the prince; who, it is said, writ a letter to Fairfax' in his father's behalf, and offered their own terms to the parliament,

forces now on foot, and particularly for the Scots army, in such manner as may be with the least pressure on the northern counties. He then offers his mediation for obtaining from his majesty all such concessions and acts of grace as might conduce to peace, and concludes with desiring that some equal course might be suddenly settled for the support of himself and the navy with him." An answer was agreed on to this letter by the Lords, Aug. 19; in which, after thanking his highness for the offer of his mediation for peace, which they took as an argument of the affection he bore to his native country, they add," and we do conceive that nothing can more conduce to procure your highness an interest in the affections of all the people of England, than to steer all your motions in concurrence with those councils and resolutions that are taken in the parliament: which is, by the antient constitution of the government of this kingdom, the great council thereof." This was a sharp reprimand for encouraging the Scotch invasion, the English insurrections, and the naval revolt. For though the Lords and Commons, the majority of them, earnestly wished for peace, they chose not to have it imposed on them, and all their labours rendered totally vain and insignificant, and their own safety endangered; as it must have been, had the designs then on foot succeeded, which the prince openly encouraged.

9 The prince wrote a letter to Fairfax, &c.] It being Parliamentary History, vol, XVII. p. 407.