write unto him: the king never gave the lord | disadvantageous engagements"-The lord C. C. directions for any further charge, but moving having thus made a true and clear Answer his maj. upon some solicitation of the e. of to the several Articles exhibited against him, Bristol, his maj. was pleased to answer, that he humbly leaveth the same to your lordships the earl was upon other ways and solicitations; grave consideration; reserving to himself, as by which the lord C. took himself to be dis-well all just advantages against any part of those charged of that business, and, perhaps, anArticles in the varieties and contradiction of Lot found answered the earl of Bristol so." the Charge; as also, the supply of any thing in these his humble Answers that may be defec tive in point of form; or which, by further instance, or doubtful interpretation, may require a clearer explanation."

the ef

the 5th A to do an at the duke:

be made t presence, NC estucony,

HOW OUT
ded the

ed or done in a out the k

rucle he sa were apponer

the earl of

ere the br of the co s of the ha ved to attest come express nittee, tog

"IX. To the Ninth Article he saith; He
knows not what passed from the earl of Bris-
tol to his maj. or from his maj. to him, by the
duke's hand; but for his majesty's letter, which
the lord Conway acknowledgeth passed through
his hands, there was nothing inserted but by
the king's directions; and the letter read, ap-if
proved, and signed by his maj.: for the latter
part of this Article, the lord C. refers himself
to his Answer to the 4th Article, where the
same charge is laid against him."

This Answer being read, it was ordered, That the earl of Bristol may reply thereunto he pleases.'-We shall not trouble the reader with the other proceedings in the earl of Bristol's Cause, as they were no way momentous; and since, in a few days time, a great blow from above rendered all these Trials abortive We shall, therefore, turn back to the Commons, and see what they were about, before the king thought proper to put an end to this parlia ment.

"X. To the Tenth Article he saith, That
the Treaty for marrying the king of Bohemia's
eldest son with the emperor's daughter, and
bringing him up in that court, was handled by
the lord Baltimore; and the lord Conway had The Duke of Bucks further Defence upon
never any part in that treaty, nor knew that the 7th Article.] June 9. The Commons dis-
his maj. gave consent to it, or advised it; but patched the chancellor of the dutchy to the
on the contrary, he ever understood that his lords, to desire a copy of the duke's Answer,
may, was against the breeding of the young that, upon consideration thereof, a Reply
prince in the emperor's court; and ever said, might be made by them, with as much speed
That he would take upon him the care of his as possible. The lords said, That they would
breeding: but the lord Baltimore giving an ac- take this Message into consideration with all
count of that treaty, by his letter to his maj. speed. Hereupon the d. of Buckingham stood
then at Newmarket, and there being then a up, and declared, "That for the better clearing
dispatch going for Spain, his maj. commanded of his honour and fidelity to the state, in that
the lord C. to send that dispatch from the lord part of his Charge which is objected against
Butimore, in the packet to the earl of Bristol, him by the 7th Article, he hath been an ear-
which is all the lord C. had to do in it; and nest and humble suitor to his maj. to give him
the lord Baltimore being a party in the treaty, leave in his procis, to unfold the whole truth
and a commissioner in forming the Charge and secret of that great action; and hath ob→
gainst the earl of Bristol, the earl may as well tained his majesty's gracious leave therein:
take exceptions against him and the rest of and accordingly doth intend to make such
the commissioners, as against the lord C. for open and clear proof thereof, that he nothing
part of the Charge: but the earl of Bris-doubteth, but the same, when it shall appear,
to is not charged for conforming himself to will not only clear him from blame, but be a
his maj. and his proceedings here, in that testimony of his care and faithfulness, in serv-

ion; and cour will witness ner of formats : and as to12 rd C. knows t cll knows tha of all the C 2 and is b of Bristol a verily believe wers had bee o reply,

end to the e

ad promised

ommissioners heard any e

that

d; and the coat; but further, for moving it, and carrying ing the state."

'n to the ki d pleasure ar d C. had eve d them; ba work in e lord C atter to pr knows of

am, to the ce or was ere there was

upposed ath

at in such a fashion in Spain, as sir W. Aston
ld him, He durst not consent to it for his
head': For the late letter from his maj. the lord
C. answereth, That he did nothing therein but
by direction from his maj. and by his majesty's
own words or pen."

The King's Letter to the Speaker to hasten the Supply. The same day a Letter from the King was delivered to the Speaker, the tenor whereof was as follows: "Trusty and wellbeloved, we greet you well;-Our house of commons cannot forget how often, and how carnestly, we have called upon them for the specding of that Aid which they intended us for

"XI. To the Eleventh Article he saith;
That he never sent any dispatches to the carl
of Bristol into Spain, without his majesty's direc-our great and weighty affairs, concerning the
tions, and first shewing them unto his maj. and safety and honour of us and our kingdoms:
receiving his approbation and warrant of them; and now the time being so far spent, that, un-
whose judgment would not have let dubious or less it be presently concluded, it can neither

rtaken, the ketentrapping directions pass him without reform-bring.us money nor credit by the time which

just Answer" ticle be sath any such ser ing the a

ice; but hat

That there ast 1st the safest wight acc

aton; and if the earl be charged with any themselves have fixed, which is the last of this thing more than the directions import, the dis-month; and being further deferred would be patches will clear that: but the lord Conway of little use, we being daily advertised from all conceives that the cause of the earl of Bristol's parts, of the great preparations of the enemy troubles proceeds, truly, from his own large ready to assail us: we hold it necessary, by promises on the behalf of Spain and the empc- these our letters, to give them our last and final ror, and the little grounds the effects shew he admonition, and to let them know, that we bad for drawing of his maj. into so deep and shall account all further delays and excuses to

be express denials. And therefore we will and require you to signify unto them, that we do expect that they forthwith bring in their bill of Subsidy, to be passed without delay or condition, so as it may fully pass the house by the end of the next week at the furthest: which if they do not, it will force us to take other resolutions. But let them know, if they finish this according to our desire that we are resolved to let then sit together for the dispatch of their other adairs so long as the season will permit; and, after their recess, to bring them together again the next winter. And, if by their denial or delay, any thing of ill consequence shall fall out either at home or abroad, we call God and man to witness that we have done our part to prevent it, by calling our people together to advise with us; by opening the weight of our occasions unto them, and by requiring their timely help and assistance in these actions wherein we stand engaged by their own counsels and we will and command you, that this letter be read publicly in the house." June 10. The copy of the duke's Answer was brought down to the commons, by Mr. baron Trevor and sir C. Cæsar; and they further signined, "That the duke had made a request to their lordships, which they, also, recommended to this house, that the commons would proceed, with all expedition, in their Reply to this Answer; that so they might go on with business of much higher concern."By the further proceedings on the Journals, the Commons seem to have fallen upon the consideration of the duke's Answer immediately; though nothing is particularly entered about it. At this time, also, they had prepared a Petition to the king concerning Popish Recusants; a business they had, from time to time, been upon, ever since the beginning of this session. And, having perfected their list, it was presented to his maj. along with their petition.

loyal subjects, the commons now assembled i
parliament, have been suitors for this access t
your royal throne. And out of their conside
ration of the nature, and of the weight an
importance of the business, they have though
the attendance of the whole house, with the
Speaker, not too solemn; and yet they hav
not thought fit barely to commit those words
which express their thoughts, to the trust
any man's speech; but are bold to presen
them in writing to your gracious hands, the
they may not vanish, but be more lasting that
the most powerful words of a more able speake
are like to be.-I have much to read, an
shall therefore, as little as I can, weary you
maj. with speeches. This parchment contain
two things, the one by way of Declaration, to
give your maj. an account and humble satisfac
tion of their clear and sincere endeavours and
intentions in your majesty's service; and the
other an humble Petition to your maj. for the
removal of that great person, the duke o
Buckingham, from access to your royal pre
sence.For the first, They beseech your mos
excellent maj. to believe, that no earthly thing
is so dear and precious to them, as that your
maj. should retain them in your grace and good
opinion; and it is grief to them, beyond my
expression, that any misinformation, or misin
terpretation, should at any time render their
words or proceedings offensive to your maj
It is not proper for any one to hear the echo o
a voice, that hears not the voice; and if echoes
be sometimes heard to double and redouble,
the echo of the echo is still fainter, and sounds
not louder.-I need not make the application :
words mi-reported, though by an echo, or but
an echo of an echo, at a third or fourth hand,
have oft a louder sound than the voice itself,
and may sound disloyalty, though the voice
had nothing undutiful or disloyal in it. Such
misinformations, they fear, have begot inter-
ruptions and diversions, which have delayed
the ripening and expediting of those great coun-
sels, which concern your majesty's important
service, and have enforced this declaration.—
I pass from that to the Petition, in which my
purpose is not to urge those reasons, which
your maj. may hear expressed in their own
words, in the language of the people. I am
only directed to offer to your great wisdom,
and deep judgment, that this Petition of theirs
is such, as may stand with your majesty's ho-
nour and justice to grant. Your maj. hath
been pleased to give many royal testimonies
and arguments to the world, how good and gra-
cious a master you are; and that, which the
queen of Sheba once said to the wisest king,
may without flattery be said to your maj.
Happy are those servants which stand conti-

The Commons' Answer to the King's Letter to their Speaker.] The next thing of note the commons went upon was to prepare a Declaration, by way of Answer to the King's Letter for Supply. This was read in the house and agreed to, June 14th, and ordered to be presented to his maj. by the Speaker, attended by the whole house. Accordingly, on the 15th of June, Mr. Maxwell, gentleman usher of the black rod, came down to the commons and acquainted them, "That the lords desired, them to come up to them, to hear a com| mission read for the Dissolution of this Parliament." Whereupon, Mr. Speaker, with the house, went up accordingly. We shall give the Speaker's oration to the king, on the delivery of the Declaration, as above mentioned, from Rushworth, since we have no other autho-nually before you.'-But the relations by which rity; viz.

"Most gracious and dread sovereign ;According to that liberty of access and liberty of speech, which your maj. and your royal progenitors have ever vouchsafed to your house of commons; your majesty's most humble and

your maj. stands in a gracious aspect towards your people, do far transcend and are more prevalent and binding, than any relation of a master towards a servant; and to hear and satisfy the just and necessary desires of your people, is more honourable than any expression

tended to have presented to the king; as also
another of a Declaration from his maj. contain-
ing his Reasons for the Dissolution of this and
the foregoing parliaments. They were as fol-
lows:
"THE KING'S DECI ARATION.

of grace to a servant. To be a master of a servant, is communicable to many of your subjects; to be king of a people, is regal, and incommunicable to subjects. Your maj. is truly stiled by that naine, which the greatest · emperors, though they borrowed names and titles from those countries which they gained "The king's most excellent maj. since his by conquest, most delighted in, pater patria. happy access to the imperial crown of this And the desires of children are preferred be- reali, having, by his royal authority, summonfore those of servants; for the servant abidethed and assembled two several parliaments; not in the house for ever; but the son abideth ever. The government of a king was truly termed by your royal father, A politic marriage between him and his people; and, I may safely say, There was never a better union between a married pair, than is between your maj. and your people."

the first whereof was in Aug. last, by adjournment held at Oxford, and there dissolved; and the other begun in Feb. last, and continued until the 15th of this present June, and then, to the unspeakable grief of himself, and, as he believeth, of all his good and well affected subjects, dissolved also: although he well knowThe Lords Petition to the King against dis-eth, that the calling, adjourning, prorogning, solving the Parliament.] When the lords had notice of the commission for dissolving this parliament, the house seemed to be much concerued at it; and, immediately, joined in an humble Remonstrance to the king to prevent it. The tenor whereof followeth:

"May it please your excellent majesty; We your faithful and loyal subjects, the peers of this kingdom, having received this morning a Message from your maj. intimating an intention to dissolve this parliament; remembering that we are your maj.'s hereditary great council of the kingdom, do conceive, that we cannot deserve your maj.'s gracious opinion expressed in this Message unto us, nor discharge our duty to God, your maj. and our country, if, after expression of our great and universal sorrow, we did not humbly offer our loyal and faithful advice to continue this parliament; by which those great and apparent dangers at home and abroad, signified unto us by your maj.'s command, may be prevented, and your maj. made happy in the duty and love of your people, which we hold the greatest safety and treasury of a king; for the effecting whereof, our humble and faithful endeavour shall never be wanting."

and dissolving of parliaments, being his great council of the kingdom, do peculiarly belong unto himself, by an undoubted prerogative, inseparably united to his imperial crown; of which, as of his other royal actions, he is not bound to give an account to any but to God only, whose immediate lieutenant and vicegerent he is in these realms and dominions, by the Divine Providence committed to his charge and government, yet forasmuch as, by the assistance of the Almighty, his purpose is so to order himself, and all his actions, especially in the great and public actions of state, concerning the weal of his kingdoms, as may justify himself, not only to his own conscience, and to his own people, but to the whole world, his maj. hath thought it fit and necessary, as the affairs now stand both at home and abroad, to make a true, plain, and clear Declaration of the causes which moved his maj. to assemble, and after enforced him to dissolve these parliaments; that so the mouth of malice itself may be stopped, and the doubts and fears of his own good subjects at home, and of his friends and allies abroad, may be satisfied, and the deserved blame of these so unhappy accidents may light upon the authors thereof.-When his maj. by the death of his dear and royal father, of ever-blessed memory, first came to the crown, he found himself engaged in a war with a potent enemy, not undertaken rashly, nor without just and honourable grounds, but enforced for the necessary defence of himself and his dominions, for the support of his friends and allies, for the redeeming of the antient honour of this nation, for the recovering of the patrimony of his dear sister, her consort, and their children, injuriously and under colour of treaties and friendship, taken from them, and for the maintenance of the true religion; and invited thereunto, and encouraged therein, by the humble advice of both houses of parl. and by their large promises and protestations to his late majesty, to give him full and real assistance in those enterprizes, which were of so great The King's Reasons for dissolving the Parlia- importance to this realin, and to the general ment.] Rushworth has left us a copy of a Re-peace and safety of all his friends and allies: monstrance, which, he says, the commons in- but when his maj. entered into a view of his VOL. II.

The King dissolves the Parliament.] This Petition was presented to the king by the earl of Manchester, lord president of the council, with the earls of Pembroke, Carlisle, and Holland; who besought his maj. to give audience to the Whole House of Peers' on this account: but the king answered, "That his resolution was to hear no motion for that purpose; but that he would dissolve the parliament.' Accordingly a commission, in the usual form, under the great seal, was sent to the house of lords, whereby an end was put to this parliament. Saunderson, in his life of Charles I. says, that the king's words to the lords, who came to intercede for a longer sitting, were, No, not a Minute!' And that on the very day the parliament was dissolved, the earl of Arundel was confined to his house, and the earl of Bristol committed to the Tower by the king's order.

sideration which was fit, the fearful visitation of the Plague in and about the cities of London and Westminster, (where the lords and the principal gentlemen of quality of his whol kingdom were, for the time of this their ser vice, lodged and abiding) did so much increase that his maj, without extreme peril to the live of his good subjects, which were dear unt him, could not continue the parliament an longer in that place. His maj. therefore, o the 11th day of July then following, adjourne the parliament from Westminster, until the 1s day of Aug. then following, at the city of Ox ford: and his maj. was so careful to accom modate his lords and commons there, that a he made choice of that place, being then the freest of all others from the danger of tha grievous sickness; so he there fitted the par liament men with all things convenient fo their entertainment: and his maj. himself, be

all ends upon his people, which the Searche of Hearts best knoweth, he little expected that any misconstruction of his actions would have been made as he there found. But when the parliament had been a while assembled and his majesty's affairs opened unto them. and a further Supply desired, as necessity re

treasure, he found how ill provided he was to
proceed effectually with so great an action,
unless he might be assured to receive such
supplies from his loving subjects, as might
enable him to manage the samc.-Hereupon
his maj. being willing to tread in the steps of
his royal progenitors, for the making of good
and wholesome laws for the better government
of his people, for the right understanding of
their true Grievances, and for the Supply of
Monies to be employed for those public ser-
vices, he did resolve to summon a parliament
with all the convenient speed he might; and
finding a former parliament already called in
the life of his father, he was desirous, for the
speedier dispatch of his weighty affairs, and
gaining of tine, to have continued the same,
without any alteration of the members thereof,
had he not been advised to the contrary by
his judges and counsel at law; for that it had
been subject to question in law, which he de-ing in his own heart sincere, and free from
sired to avoid but, as soon as possibly he
could, he summoned a new parliament; which
he did with much confidence and assurance of
the love of his people, that those (who had,
not long before, with some importunity, won
his father to break off his former Treaties with
Spain, and, to effect it, had used the mediation
of his now maj. being then prince, and a mem-quired; he found them so slow, and so full of
ber of the parl. and had promised in parlia- delays and diversions in their resolutions, that
ment their utmost assistance for the enabling before any thing could be determined, the
of his late majesty to undergo the war, which fearful contagion daily increased, and was dia-
they then foresaw might follow) would as- persed into all parts of this kingdom; and
suredly have performed it to his now maj.;came home even to their doors where they a
and would not have suffered him, in his first
enterprize of so great an expectation, to have
run the least hazard through their defaults.-
This parliament (after some adjournment, by
reason of his maj.'s unavoidable occasions in-
terposing) being assembled on the 18th day of
June, it is true, that his commons in parlia-
ment, taking into their due and serious cons-
deration the manifold occasions which, at his
first entry, did press his maj.; and his most
important affairs, which, both at home and
abroad, were then in action; did, with great
readiness and alacrity, as a pledge of their most
bonnden duty and thankfulness, and as the
first fruits of the most dutiful affections of his
loving and loyal subjects, devoted to his ser-
vice, present his maj. with the free and cloer-
ful gift of 2 entire Subsidies; which their gift,
and much more the freeness and heartiness ex-
pressed in the giving thereof, his maj. did
thankfully and lovingly accept: but when he
had more narrowly entered into the consider
ation of his great affairs, wherein he was em-
barked, and from which he could not, without
much dishonour and disadvantage, withdraw
his hand, he found that this sum of money was
much short of that which, of necessity, must be
presently expended, for the setting forward of
those great actions; which, by advice of his
council, he had undertaken, and were that
summer to be persued. This his maj. imparted
to his commons' house of parl.; but before the
same could receive that debate and due con-

sembled. His maj. therefore, rather preferred the safety of his people from that present and visible danger, than provided for that which was more remote, but no less dangerous to the state of this kingdom, and of the affairs of that part of Christendom, which then were, and yet are, in friendship and alliance with his ma And thereupon, his maj, not being then able to discern when it might please God to stay his Hand of Visitation, nor what place might be more secure than other, nor what time convenient for their reassembling, dissolved that parliament.-That parliament being now ended, his majesty did not therewith cast off his royal care of his great and important affairs; but, by the advice of his privy council and of his council of war, he continued his preparations, and former resolutions; and therein not only expended those monies, which, by the 2 Subsidies aforesaid, were given unto him for his own private use, whereof he had too much occasion as he found the state of his exchequer at his first entrance; but added much more of his own, as by his credit, and the credit of some of his servants, he was able to compass the same. At last, by much disadvantage, by the retarding of provisions, and uncertainty of the means, his navy was prepared and set to sea; and the designs unto which they were sent and specially directed, were so probable, and so well advised, that, had they not miscarried in the execution, his majesty is well assured they would have given

s dangerous who were the representative body of the stood, and yet stand, and at several times, whole kingdom; and that this great council of the realm, might proceed in those enterprizes, and be enabled thereunto, which concern the common good, safety, and honour both of lease God to prince and people; and accordingly, the 6th ends, ill-beseeming public persons trusted by what place of Feb. last, a new parl. was begun. At the their country, as then they were) not only r, nor what it first meeting his maj. did forbear to press them neglected, but wilfully refused to hearken to all

any thing which might have the least the gentle admonitions which his maj. could iament being appearance of his own interest; but recom- give them; and neither did nor would intend

at and import laws, which are the ordinary subject for a par- peers of this realm, and that in such a disorderf his privy cliament.-His maj. believing that they could ed manner, as being set at their own instance

not have suffered many days, much less many into a legal way, wherein the proofs on either weeks, to have passed by, before the appre- part would have ruled the cause, which his

se monies, hension and care of the common safety of this maj. allowed, they were not therewith content; were given kingdom, and the true religion professed and but, in their intemperate passions, and desires whereof be maintained therein, and of our friends and to seek for errors in another, fell into a id the state of allies who must prosper or suffer with us, would greater nce; but have led them to a due and timely consideration neglected to give just satisfaction to his maj. ants, he was those ends; which the lords of the higher house, his regality, but wholly forgot their engageist, by much by a committee of that house, did timely and ments to his maj. for the public defence of the s navy was to a conference concerning that Great Busi- tioned Letter to the Speaker, dated 9th of June,