house would consent to the proposition made by the king, as it was contained in the message? Which would have been sure to have found a negative from all who thought the sum too great, or were not pleased that it should be given in recompence for Ship Money. We shall give the noble author's own words for the rest; observing that, when he mentions Mr. Hyde, it is himself he speaks of; who seems to have had a great sway, and to have been well heard, in the house, at that time. "When many called to have this question, Serjeant Glanville, the Speaker, (who sat by amongst the other members whilst the house was in a committee, and had rarely used to speak in such seasons) rose up, and, in a most pathetical speech, in which he excelled, endeavoured to persuade the house To comply with the king's desire, for the good of the nation, and to reconcile him to parliaments for ever; which this seasonable testimony of their affections would infallibly do.' He made it manifest to them how very inconsiderable a Sum 12 Subsidies amounted to, by telling them, That he had computed what he was to pay for those 12 Subsidies;' and when he named the sum, he being known to be possessed of a great estate, it seemed not worth any farther | deliberation. And, in the warmth of his discourse, which he plainly discerned made a wonderful impression upon the house, he let fall some sharp expressions against the imposition of Ship Money, and the judgment in the point; which he said, plainly, Was against law, if he understood what law was,' (who was known to be very learned) which expression, how necessary and artificial soever to reconcile the affections of the house to the matter in question, very much irreconciled him at court, and to those on whom he had the greatest dependence."-There was scarce ever a speech that more gathered up and united the inclinations of a popular counsel to the Speaker: and, if the question had been presently put, it was believed the number of the dissenters would not have appeared great: but, after a short silence, some men, who wished well to the main, expressed a dislike of the way: so that other men recovered new courage, and called again, with some earnestness, That the question, formerly proposed by Mr. Hambden, should be put;' which seemed to meet with a concurrence. Mr. Hyde then stood up, and desired, That question might not be put;' and said, 'It was a captious question, to which only one sort of men could clearly give their vote; which were they who were for a rejection of the king's Proposition, and no more resuming the debate upon that subject: but that they, who desired to give the king a Supply, as he believed most did, though not in such a proportion, nor, it may be, in that manner, could receive no satisfaction by that and therefore he proposed, to the end that every man might frankly give his Yea, or his No, that the question might be put, only, upon the giving the king a Supply; question; which being carried in the affirmative, another question might be upon the proportion and the manner; and if the first were carried in the negative, it would produce the same effect as the other question, proposed by Mr. Hambden, would do.' This method was received by some with great approbation, but opposed by others with more than ordinary passion, and diverted by other propositions; which, being seconded, took much time without pointing to any conclusion. In the end Serjeant Glanville said, That there had been a question proposed by his countryman that agreed very well with his sense; and moved, That the gentleman might be called upon to propose it again.' Mr. Hyde stated the case again as he had done, answered somewhat that had been said against it, and moved, That question might be put.' Whereupon for a long time there was nothing said, but a confused clamour and call, Mr. Hambden's Question,' Mr. Hyde's Question; the call appearing much stronger for the last than the foriner and it was generally believed that the question had been put and carried in the affirmative, though it was positively opposed by Herbert, the solicitor-general, for what reason no man could imagine, if Sir Henry Vane, the secretary, had not stood up and said, That as it had been always his custom to deal plainly and clearly with that house in all things, so he could not but now assure them, That the putting and carrying that question could be of no use; for that he was most sure, and had authority to tell them so, That if they should pass a vote for the giving the king a Supply, if it were not in the proportion and manner proposed in his majesty's Message, it would not be accepted by him; and therefore desired that question might be laid aside :' Which being again urged by the solicitor ral, upon the authority of what the other had declared; and the other privy-counsellors saying nothing, though they were much displeased with the secretary's averment, the business was no more pressed: but it being near five o'clock in the afternoon, and every body weary, it was willingly consented to, that the house should be adjourned till the next morning." gene "Both sir Henry Vane, and the solicitorgeneral, whose opinion was of more weight with the king than the others, had made a worse representation of the humour and affection of the house than it deserved; and undertook to know, that if they came together again, they would pass such a vote against Ship-Money as would blast that revenue and other branches of the receipt: which others believed they would not have had the confidence to have attempted; and very few, that they would have had the credit to have compassed. What followed in the next parliament, within less than a year, made it believed, That sir Henry Vane acted that part maliciously, and to bring al into confusion; he being known to have an implacable hatred against the earl o 1Strafford, Jieutenant of Ireland, whose destruction was fuse it; he was heartily sorry for what he had done; and declared, with great anger, That he had never given him such authority; and that he well knew the giving him any Supply would have been welcome to him; because the reputation of his subjects assisting him, in that conjuncture, was all that he looked for and considered.' That the king consulted the same day, whether he might, by his Proclamation, recall them to meet together again; but finding that impossible, he went upon trying all expedients for raising money without them: m which he had such wonderful success, that, in less than 3 weeks, by the voluntary Loan of the particular lords of the council, and of other private gentlemen about the city, there was no less than 300,000l. paid into the exchequer for his majesty's usc. A sum, adds our author, that sufficiently manifests the plenty of that time; and greater than most princes in Europe could have commanded at so short warning; and was an unanswerable argument, that the hearts of all his subjects were not then alienated from their duty to their king, or a just jealousy for bis honour." Principal Proceedings after the Dissolution] Before we enter upon the proceedings of the next parliament, it is necessary to be a little particular in the recital of those affairs, which happened after the Dissolution of the last. The day after it was dissolved, warrants were issued out from the council for searching the stedy and pockets of the lord Brooke, on a great sus the Scots. Sir Henry Bellasise and sir John Hotham, two Yorkshire baronets were also covened before the council; who, refusing to answer to questions, about matters done in parlia ment, were committed to the Fleet. Mr. Crew, another member also, and chairman to the committee on Religion, for refusing to deliver the Petitions and Complaints, inade to the committee, on those matters, was sent to the Tower. "There could not a greater damp have siezed upon the spirits of the whole nation, than this Dissolution caused; and men had much of the misery in view, which shortly after fell out, It could never be hoped that more sober and dispassionate men would ever meet together in that place, or fewer who brought ill purposes with them; nor could any man imagine what offence they had given, which put the king upon that resolution. But it was ob-picion that he held a correspondence with served, that, in the countenances of those who had most opposed all that was desired by his majesty, there was a marvellous serenity; nor could they conceal the joy of their hearts: for they knew enough of what was to come, to conclude that the king would be shortly compelled to call another parliament; and they were as sure, that so many, so unbiassed men, would never be elected again.-Within an hour after the dissolving, Mr. Hyde met Mr. Saint-John, who had naturally a great cloud in his face, and very seldom was known to smile; but then had a most chearful aspect; and, seeing the other melancholic, as in truth he was from his heart, asked hin, What troubled him? Who answered, That the same that troubled him, he believed troubled most good men; that in such a time of confusion, so wise a parliament, which alone could have found remedy for it, was so unseasonably dismissed.' The other answered with a little warmth, That all was well; and that it must be worse before it could be better; and that this parliament could never have done what was necessary to be done as indeed it would not, what he and his friends thought necessary." Lord Clarendon farther tells us, "That when the king had reflected on what he had done, and what was like to fall out; and was better informed of the temper and duty of this house of commons; and that they had voted a Supply, if sir Hen. Vane had not hindered it, by so positive an assertion, That the king would re Though the parliament was dissolved, yet the king ordered the Convocation to sit still; which occasioned a new dispute, in pamphlets; some arguing that both those assemblies were to end together: others to the contrary; for that the writ, for calling the Convocation, run for their continuance durante bene placito regis. And the sages of the law being consulted, they gave it, That the Convocation, called by the king's writ, was not to dissolve but by the king's writ, notwithstanding the dissolution of the parliament.' Some synodical affairs were done here; as the Imposition of a new Oath, to support Episcopacy and the present Church-Government; which they did, in opposition to the lay-elders in Scotland, who had framed a Covenant for the destruction of it. But this, and some other matters, must have been done in fear and trembling; for the king was forced to set a guard about Westminsterabbey, during their whole sitting. The abp. of Canterbury's palace was assaulted in the night, by above 500 apprentices; who, if he had not been provided for his defence, might have fallen a sacrifice to popular fury, without the form and ceremony of a trial. Whilst these tumults were in agitation, the king lost no time in raising another army, in order to suppress the invasion of the Scots; but either by cowardice or treachery, or both, they were beat at Newburn, on the banks of the river Tyne; which the Scots passing, made themselves masters of Newcastle and Durham, and all the country round them.-This last overthrow did not much diminish the king's forces, and he had still a very good army on foot; yet his affairs were very perplexed and intricate. Money was wanting; and, since the last parliament had resolved to grant none till the public Grievances were redressed, in consequence of which the king had been persuaded to dissolve them; his majesty was now again reduced to borrow money of the Spanish merchants, and others concerned in the bullion, then in the Tower, to the amount of 40,0001. But this being soon dissipated, his army only acting on the defensive, the king was now driven to the utmost distress. Petitions to the King to call another Parliament.] This unhappy situation of affairs produced two Petitions to the King, (the one from several Peers, and the other from the city of London) complaining of Grievances and recommending the Calling of a Parliament as the only way to redress them. The Petitions were presented to the king at York, and were in these words: To the King's Most Excellent Majesty: The humble Petition of your majesty's most loyal and obedient subjects, whose names are here under-written, in behalf of themselves and divers others: "Most gracious sovereign; The sense of that duty and service, which we owe unto your sacred majesty, and our earnest affection to the good and welfare of this your realm of England, have moved us, in all humility, to beseech your royal inaj. to give us leave to offer unto your most princely wisdom, the apprehension which we, and other your faithful subjects, have conceived of the great distempers and dangers now threatening the church, the state, and your royal person, and the fittest means by which they may be prevented.-The Evils and Dangers whereof your maj. may be pleased to take notice, are these; 1. That your sacred maj. is exposed to hazard and danger, in the present expedition against the Scots army; and, by the occasion of the war, your revenue is much wasted, your subjects burthened with coat and conduct money, billetting of soldiers, and other military charges; and divers rapines and disorders committed in several parts in this your realm, by the soldiers raised for that service; and your whole kingdom become full of fear and discontent. 2. The sundry Innovations, in matters of Religion; the oath and canons lately imposed upon the clergy, and other your majesty's subjects. 3. The great increase of Popery, and employing of popish recusants, and others ill-affected to the religion by law established, in places of power and trust; and especially commanding of men and arms, both in the field and divers counties in this realm; whereas, by the laws, they are not perimitted to have arms even in their own! houses. 4. The great mischief which may fall upon this kingdom, if the intentions, which have been credibly reported, of bringing in of Irish forces shall take effect. 5. The urging of Ship-Money, and prosecution of some sheriffs in the Star-Chamber for not levying of it. 6. The heavy charges of Merchandize, to the discouragement of trade; the multitude of Monopolies, and other patents, whereby the commodities and manufactures of the kingdom are much burthened, to the great and universal grievance of your people. 7. The great grief of your subjects, by the Intermission of Parlia ments, in the late and former dissolving of such as have been called; with the hopeful effects which, otherwise, they might have procured.For a Remedy whereof, and prevention of the danger that may ensue to your royal person, and to the whole state, we do, in all humility and faithfulness, beseech your most excellent maj, that you would be pleased to summon a parliament within some short and convenient time; whereby the cause of these, and other great Grievances, which your poor petitioners now lye under, may be taken away; and the authors and counsellors of them, may be there brought to such legal trial and condign punishand that the present war may be composed, by ment, as the nature of the offence does require; your majesty's wisdom, without bloodshed, in such manner as may conduce to the honour and safety of your majesty's person, the content of your people, and continuance of both. your kingdoms against the common enemy of the reformed religion. (Signed) BEDFORD, ESSEX, HERTFORD, WARWICK, BRISTOL, MULGRAVE, SAY and SEAL, HOWARD, BOLINGBROOKE, MANDEVILLE, BROOKE, PAGET." "To the King's most Excellent Majesty The humble Petition of your majesty's subjects the Citizens of London: "Most gracious sovereign; Being moved with the duty and obedience, which, by the laws, your petitioners owe unto your sacred majesty, they humbly present unto your princely and pious wisdom, the several pressing Grievances following, viz. 1. The pressing and unusual Impositions upon Merchandize imported and exported, and the urging and levying of Ship-Money; notwithstanding both which, merchants ships and goods have been taken and destroyed, both by Turkish, and other pirates. 2. The multitude of Monopolies, Patents, and Warrants; whereby trade in this city, and other parts of the kingdom, is much decayed. 3. The sundry Innovations in matters of Religion. 4. The Oath and Canons lately enjoined by the Convocation; whereby your petitioners are in danger to be deprived of their ministers. 5. The great concourse of manner, till we were pressed, by strength of papists, and their inhabitations in London, arms, to put such forces out of the way, as did and the suburbs, whereby they have more means without our deservings, and (as some of them and opportunity of plotting, and executing their at the point of death have confessed) against designs, against the religion established. 6. The their own consciences, opposed our peaceable seldom calling, and sudden dissolutions of Par- passage at Newburn upon Tyne; and have liaments, without redress of your subjects griev- brought their own blood upon their own heads, ances. 7. The Imprisonment of divers citizens against our purposes and desires, expressed by for nonpayment of Ship-Money, and Impositi- letters sent to them at Newcastle for preons; and the prosecution of many others in the venting of the like, or greater inconveniences, Star-chamber, for not conforming themselves to and that, without further opposition, we may commissioners in patents of Monopolies; where- come to your majesty's presence, for obtaining, by trade is restrained. 8. The great danger from your majesty's justice and goodness, full your sacred person is exposed unto in the pre- satisfaction to our just demands; we, your sent war, and the various fears that seized upon majesty's most humble and loyal subjects, do your petitioners, and their families, by reason persist in that most humble and submissive thereof; which grievances and fears have occa- way of petitioning which we have kept from sioned so great a stop and distraction in trade, the beginning; and from the which, no provothat your petitioners can neither buy, sell, re- cation of your majesty's enemies and ours, no ceive, or pay as formerly; and tends to the utter adversity we have hitherto sustained, no prosruin of the inhabitants of the city, the decay of perous success that can befal us, shall be able navigation and cloathing, and the manufactures to divert our minds; most humbly entreating, of this kingdom.-Your humble petitioners that your maj. would, in the depth of your conceiving, that the said Grievances are con- royal wisdom, consider at least our pressing trary to the laws of this kingdom; and finding, Grievances; provide for the repair of our by experience, that they are not redressed by wrongs and losses; and, with the advice of the the ordinary course of justice, do therefore, states of the kingdom of England, convented most humbly, beseech your most sacred inaj. by parliament, settle a firm and durable peace to cause a Parliament to be summoned with all against all invasions by sea and land; that we convenient speed; whereby they may be re-may, with chearfulness of heart, pay unto your heved in the premises. And your petitioners and loyal subjects shall ever pray, &c." These Petitions, we are told, were delivered to the king at York; but, before he received them, his majesty had issued out writs for summoning a great council of the peers to convene in that city, on the 24th of September following: therefore, for Answer to the Petition of the Lords, his majesty commanded them to offer what they had to propose for his honour and the safety of the kingdom, in that council. Petition from the Scots Commissioners, to the sume Purpose.] About this time also the Scots sent a Petition from their army to the king, but directed to the earl of Lanerk, secretary of state for Scotland; which was delivered to his majesty and answered by him, in the form following: "To the king's most excellent majesty : The humble Petition of your Commissioners of the late Parliament, and others of your majesty's most Loyal Subjects of the kingdom of Scotland : "Humbly showeth; That whereas through many sufferings in this time past, extreme necessity hath constrained us, for our reliefs, and obtaining our humble and just desires, to come into England; where, according to our intentions formerly delivered, we have, in all our convoy, lived upon our own means, victuals, and goods brought along with us; and neither troubling the peace of the kingdom of England, nor hurting any of your majesty's subjects, of whatsoever quality in their persons or goods; baving carried ourselves in a most peaceable maj. as our native king, all duty and obedience, that can be expected from loyal subjects, against the many and great evils which at this time threaten both kingdoms; whereat all your majesty's good, loyal, and loving subjects tremble to think, and which we unanimously beseech God Almighty to avert, that your majesty's throne may be established, in the midst of us, in religion and righteousness.Your majesty's Answer we humbly desire, aud carnestly wait for." According to the prayer of this Petition, the king sent an Answer as follows; At the Court of York, Sept. 5. 1640 His majesty hath seen and considered this within-written Petition, and is graciously pleas ed to return this Answer by me, That he finds it in such general terins, that till you express the particulars of your desires, his maj. can give no direct Answer thereunto: wherefore his maj. requireth, that you would set down the particulars of your demands with expedi tion; he having been always ready to redress the Grievances of his people. And for the more mature deliberation of the weighty affairs, his maj. hath already given out summons for the meeting of the peers of this kingdom in the city of York, the 24th day of this month, that, with the advice of the peers, you may receive such Answer to your Petition, as shall most tend to his honour, and the peace and welfare of his dominions. And, in the mean time, if peace be what you so much desire, as you pretend, he expects, and by this his maj. commands, That you advance no further with your army into these parts; which is the only ineans that is left, for the present, to preserve for the Scots Conn Newburn upon own blood upon the purposes and desires, majesty's presence, for jesty's justice and pos most humble and ing which we have er and from the shirt. najesty's encules and ave hitherto sustained) at can betals, sala inds; most hamdir PARL. HISTORY, 16 CHARLES I. 1640.—Meeting of the Peers at York: [590 you may give a sure judgment, I have ordered that your lordships shall be clearly and truly informed of the state of the whole business, and upon what reasons the advices that my privy-council unanimously gave me, were grounded. The second is, How my army shall be kept on foot and maintained, until the Sup plies of a parliament may be had. For so long as the Scots army remains in England, I think no man will counsel me to disband mine: for that would be an unspeakable loss to all this part of the kingdom, by subjecting them to the greedy appetite of the rebels, besides the unspeakable dishonour that would thereby fall upon this nation." peace between the two nations, and to bring these unhappy differences into a reformation; which none is more desirous of than his most sacred majesty. LANERK." A Meeting of the Peers at York.] Whilst things were in this untoward situation the great Assembly of Peers met at York. Lord Clarendon writes, That this assembly of the peers was a new invention, not before heard of; or so old, that it had not been practised, in England, for some hundreds of years. And that the grounds and intentions of this particular suminons was never known;" but adds, "That it probably was the result of troubled and afflicted thoughts, since no other way at so that time occurred."The king's whole army, A Treaty with the Scots at Ripon. Lord consisting of 12,000 foot and 3000 horse, was Clarendon tells us, That when the Scots Petitheu in York, or were quartered in the villagestion came to be read, which was one of the round it. Several more petitions, from diffe- first things the king ordered, it necessarily jent counties, were now also presented to the begat a Treaty. The Scots had always given' kung; all tending to advise him to call a parlia-the king, as good and as submissive words as but, as the only way to compose the difference can be imagined. And this Petition, full of between the two kingdoms. as much submission as a victory itself could suggest, as was urged by some lords, produced a treaty; and 16 of the English peers, then assembled, were appointed for it. These commissioners, to give no umbrage to the Scots, were chosen out of those lords, who were well affected to a Parliament, and no bitter enemies to the Covenanters. York was the place mentioned by the king for the Treaty, which the Scots would not consent to; giving for reason, That it was not a secure place for them, since their great enemy, the earl of Strafford, commanded there in chief, who had proclaimed them traitors in Ireland, before the king had done it in England, threatening to destroy their memory; against whom they had high matters of complaint: so Ripon was nominated by them, and agreed to by the king.-The treaty being opened, the great council of the peers continued still to meet; and took into consideration the king's second Proposition, concerning the keeping on foot and paying his forces; and being acquainted by the lord. Strafford, that it would take 200,000l. to sup would, in the de consider at least vide for the Y ; and, with the agr ngdom of England, core ettle a firm and dur ions by sea and had 甲 The King's Speech to the Peers. The time appointed by the king's writ for the grand Assembly of the Peers being come, a great number of them met at York; and, on the 24th of Sept. this Convention was opened in the Hall of the Deanery House, within the Close of the Cathedral; which was richly ornaniented with tapistry, &c. for that purpose.* The king's chair of state was placed upon the balf-pace of the stairs, at the upper end of the Hall; from whence his maj. delivered himself in the following speech to them: fulness of heart, pa ve king, all duty a >expected from on and great evis A oth kingdons; e ad, loyal, and long and which we ma mighty to avert, may be establishe ligion and right swer we homby d Praver of this Pel er as follows; of York, Sept seen and consder The "My lords; Upon sudden invasions, where the dangers are near and instant, it hath been the custom of my predecessors to assemble the Great Council of the peers, and, by their advice and assistance, to give a timely remedy to such erils, which could not admit a delay so long, as must of necessity be allowed for the assembling of the parliament. This being our condition at this time, and an army of rebels lodged within this kingdom, I thought it most it to conform myself to the practice of my prede * tion, and is graccessors in like cases: that, with your advice port them, it was resolved, That this sum swer by me, terins, that till wa our desires, s wer thereunto: and assistance, we might justly proceed to the that you would e our demands wil n always ready us people. And ation of the wee ly given out sums rers of this king day of this ma e peers, you m r Petition, as sta nd the peace and nd, in the mea so much dest, and by this be no further should be borrowed of the city of London, and a letter from the lords was prepared and sent accordingly. From the 24th of Sept. to the 18th of Oct. following, did the king and his great Council of Peers continue to sit as usual; the commissioners, from time to time, repairing to York, to acquaint them how they proceeded: but it all ended in nothing; for, as Whitlocke remarks, "Too many not only favouring, but joining with, and assisting the proceedings of the Scots Covenanters, the king was persuaded to remove the Treaty to London, and subject the country still to pay a contribution of 850/ a day, till all was concluded on. At which many wondered, and some inveighed against this Treaty, wishing the king would have put it rather to the issue of a battle; than to have given such terms to his subjects in rebellion; this indemont was Strafford and the |