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ship to him, which, he said, he had ever esteemed; and he could not more manifest the esteem he had of it and him, than by using that freedom again with him which he meant to do. Then he lamented his own condition; and that he had been preferred from the Common Pleas, where he knew both the business and the persons he had to deal with, to the other high office he now held; which obliged him to converse and transact with another sort of men, who were not known to him, and in affairs which he understood not, and had not one friend among them with whom he could confer upon any doubt which occurred to him.'-He spoke then of the unhappy state and condition of the king's business; how much he had been, and was stili, betrayed by persons who were about him; and with all possible indignation against the proceedings of the parliament; and said, 'They would never do this, if they were not resolved to do more: that he knew the king too well, and observed the carriage of particular men too much, and the whole current of public transactions these last five or six meuths, not to foresee that it could not be long before there would be a war between the king and the two houses, and of the importance, in that season, that the Great Seal should be with the king.' Then he fell into many expressions of his duty and affection to the king's person, as well as to his high degree; and, That no man should be more ready to perish with, and for, his majesty, than he would be: that the prospect he had of this necessity had made him carry himself towards that party with so much compliance, that he might be gracious with them, at least that they might have no distrust of him, which he knew many had endeavoured to infuse into them; and that there had been a consultation, within few days, whether, in regard that he might be sent for by the king, or that the Seal might be taken from him, it would not be best to appoint the Seal to be kept in some such secure place, as that there might be no danger of losing it; and that the keeper should always receive it for the execution of his office, they having no purpose to disoblige him. And the knowledge he had of this consultation, and fear he had of the execution of it, had been the reason why, in the late debate upon the Militia, he had given his vote in such a manner as he knew would make very ill impressions with the king, and many others who did not know him very well; but that, if he had not in that point submitted to their opinion, the Seal had been taken from him that night; whereas, by his compliance in that vote, which could only prejudice himself, and not the king, he had gotten so much into their confidence, that he should be able to preserve the Seal in his own hands till the king required it, and then he would be as ready to attend his majesty with it.'-Mr. Hyde was very well pleased with this discourse, and asked him, Whether he would give him leave, when there should be a fit occasion, to assure the king, that he would

perform this service when the king should require it?' He desired That he would do so, and pass his word for the performance of it, a soon as his majesty pleased; and so they parted. The king, being informed of what had passed at this interview, was at first very unwilling to rely upon the lord keeper's promises, but being at length satisfied of his good intentions towards him, resolved. That be would such a day of the week following, send for the Keeper and the Seal; and that it should be, as had been advised, upon a Sarır. day afternoon, as soon as the house of lors should rise, because then no notice, could be taken of it till Monday. Mr. Hyde, who hat continued to see the keeper frequently, and was confirmed in his confidence of his inter ty, went now to him; and finding him finn 15 his resolution, and of opinion, in regard of the high proceedings of the houses, that it show not be long deferred; he told him, That be might expect a messenger the next week, and that he should once more see him, when would tell him the day; and that he we then go himself away before him to York'Accordingly on the Saturday following, betwee 2 and 3 of the clock in the afternoon, Mr. E liot, a groom of the bedchamber to the prince came to the keeper, and found him alone the room where he used to sit; and deliver him a letter from the king, in his own ha wherein be required him, with many expre sions of kindness and esteem, to make has to him; and if his indisposition' (fer he **. often troubled with gravel and sharpness urine) would not suffer him to make s haste upon the journey as the occasion requires that he should deliver the Seal to the perse who gave him the letter; who, being a strong young man, would make such haste as was te cessary; and that he might make his journey by those degrees which his health quired.' The keeper was surprized with the messenger, whom he did not like; and rot when be found that he knew the contents the letter, which he hoped would not b been communicated to any man who shoel be sent. He answered him with much reserre a tion; and when the other, with bluntness, was no polite man) demanded the Seal of which he had not thought of putting out of t own hands, he answered him, would not deliver it into any hands but king's;' but presently recollecting himse and looking over his letter again, he quic considered, that it would be hazardous to ca the Seal himself such a journey; and tha by any pursuit of him, which he could not b suspect, he should be seized upon, the would be very unhappily disappointed of th Seal, which he had reason so much to depe upon; and that his misfortune would be why imputed to his own fault and infidelity; (which without doubt, he abhorred with his hear and the only way to prevent that mischief. to appear innocent under it, was to deliver !!! Seal to the person trusted by the king hinsch

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to receive it; and so, without telling him any thing of his own purpose, he delivered the Seal into his hands; who forthwith put himself on his horse, and, with wonderful expedition, presented the Great Seal into his majesty's own hands, who was infinitely pleased both with it and the messenger.* The lord keeper, that evening, pretended to be indisposed, and that he would take his rest early, and therefore ordered, that nobody should be admitted to speak with him; he then called serjeant Lee to him, who was the serjeant that waited upon the Seal, and in whom he had great confidence, and told him reely, That he was resolved, the next mornng, to go to the king, who had sent for him; that he knew well how much inalice he should contract by it from the parliament, which would use all the means they could to appreend him; and he himself knew not how he should perform the journey, therefore he put imself intirely into his hands; that he should cause his horses to be ready against the next morning, and only his own groom to attend them, and he to guide the best way; and that he would not impart it to any other person.' The honest serjeant was very glad of the relution, and cheerfully undertook all things for the journey; and so sending the horses out of town, the keeper put himself in his coach ery early the next morning; and as soon as they were out of the town, he and the serjeant, and one groom, took their horses, and made o great a journey that day, it being about the eginning of June, that, before the end of he third day, he kissed the king's band at York. He had purposely procured the house of peers to be adjourned to a later hour, in the norning for Monday, than it used to be. Sunday passed without any man's taking noice of the keeper's being absent; and many, who knew he was not at his house, thought he

* Mr. Rushworth adds this remarkable circumstance relating to the carrying off the Great Seal: "In Mr. Elliott's passage towards York, the Author of the Collections met him at Witham, a post stage between Grantham and Stamford, who, with a fall off his horse, had hurt his shoulder; and seeing the Author, his old acquaintance, demanded, What News? (thinking he had been sent after him by the parliament to recover the Great Seal) To which he replied to Mr. Elliott, (not imagining he had then with him the Great Seal) That he came from York; that the king was well; and that he was going with letters from the committee of parliament at York, to both houses, wherein some Answers from the king were inclosed to the parliament.' To which Mr. Elliot, replied, It was fit the author should make haste; and therefore,' said he, take my horses which are ready saddled,' fearing lest the Author should raise the country against him; so we parted at that time."

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By the Lords Journals it must have been the 22d of May.

had been gone to Cranford, to his country house, whither he frequently went on Satur day nights, and was early enough at the parliament on Monday mornings; and so the lords the more willingly consented to the later adjournments for those days."

The Lords appoint a Committee to consider of an Accommodation with the King.] The lord-keeper's unexpected conduct occasioned, as lord Clarendon adds, "so great a dejection in the house of lords, that, upon the news thereof, the earl of Northumberland, who had been of another temper, moved, That a Com→ mittee might be appointed, to consider how there might be an Accommodation between the king and his people, for the good, happiness and safety of both king and kingdom." A Committee was appointed accordingly; and, upon that occasion,

The E. of Bristol's Speech thereupon.] The earl of Bristol made the following speech: * "My lords; I have spoken so often upon the subject of Accommodation, with so little acceptance, and with so ill success, that it was in my intention not to have made any further essay in this kind; but my zeal to the peace and happiness of this kingdom, and my apprehensions of the near approach of unspeakable miseries and calamities, suffer me not to be master of mine own resolution.

Certainly this kingdom hath, at all times, many advantages over the other monarchies of Europe; as, of situation, of plenty, of rich commodities; of power both by sea and land; but more particularly at this time, when all our neighbouring states are, by their several interests, so involved in war, and with such equality of power that there is not much likeli hood of their mastering one another, nor of having their differences easily compounded; and thereby, we alone being admitted to trade to all places, wealth and plenty, which ever follow where trade flourisheth, are in a manner cast upon us.--I shall not trouble your lordships by putting you in mind of the great and noble undertakings of our ancestors; nor shall I pass higher than the times within mine own remembrance. Queen Elizabeth was a princess disadvantaged by her sex, by her age, and chiefly by her want of issue; yet if we shall consider the great effects wrought upon most of the states of Christendom by this nation, under her prudent government (the growth of the monarchy of Spain chiefly by her impeached; the United Provinces by her protected; the French in their greatest miseries relieved; most of the princes of Germany kept in high respect and reverence towards her and this kingdom; and the peace and tranquillity wherein this kingdom flourished, and which hath been continued down unto us by the peaceable government of king James, of blessed memory, and of his now majesty, until these late unhappy interruptions) we cannot

From the original edition, printed by I. Smith and A. Coe.

sons, which we have received from our ancestors, or which himself hath granted unto us; and as to what shall yet remain for the good and comfort of his subjects, he is waling to hearken to all our just and reasonable propositions; and for the establishing the true Pro

but judge this nation equally capable, with any other, of honour, happiness, and plenty. -Now if, instead of this happy coudition, in which we have been, and might be, upon a sober and impartial inquiry we shall find our-, selves to have been, for some few years last past, involved in so many troubles and dis-testant religion, he wooes us to it; and the tractions, and at the present to be reduced to, the very brink of miseries and calamities; it is high time for us to consider by what means we have been brought into them, and by what means it is most probable we may be brought out of them.This kingdom never enjoyed so universal a peace, neither hath it any visible enemy in the whole world, either infidel or Christian; our enemies are only of our own house, such as our own dissentions, jealousies, and distractions have raised up: and certainly where they are found, especially betwixt a king and his people, no other cause of the unhappiness and misery of a state need to be sought after; for civil discord is a plentiful source, from whence all miseries and mischiefs flow. The scripture telleth us of the strength of a little city united, and of the instability of a kingdom divided within itself: so that, upon a prudent enquiry, we may assign our own jealousies and discords for the chief cause of our past and present troubles, and of our future fears. It must be confessed, that, by the counsel and conduct of evil ministers, the subjects had cause to think their just liberties invaded; and from thence have our former distempers grown: for it is in the body politic of a monarchy, as in the natural body, the health whereof is defined to be, Partium corporis aqua temperies,' an equal temper of the parts: so likewise a state is well in health and well disposed, when sovereign power and common right are equally balanced, and kept in even temper, by just and equitable rules.-And truly, my lords, by the goodness of his majesty, and by the prudent endeavour of the parliament, this state is almost reduced to that equal and even temper; and our sickness is rather continued out of fancy and conceit, (I mean fears and jealousies) than out of any real distempers. I well remember, that, before the beginning of this parliament, some noble lords presented a Petition unto the king; and in that petition did set down all or most of the Grievances and distempers of the kingdom which then occurred to them. To these, as I conceive, the parliament have procured, from his majesty, such redresses as are to their good satisfaction. Many other things for the ease, security, and comfort of the subject, have been, by their great industry, found and propounded; and, by his majesty's goodness, condescended unto. And now we are come so near the happiness of being the most free and most settled nation in the Christian world, our dangers and miseries will grow, every day, greater and nearer, if not speedily prevented. The king, on his part, offereth to concur with us in the settling all the libeties and immunities, either for the property of our goods or liberty of our per

wisdom and industry of the parliament haih
now put it in a hopeful way. The rule of his
government, he professeth, shall be the laws of
the kingdom; and, for the comforting and se
curing of us, he offereth a much more large
and more general pardon than hath bee
granted by any of his predecessors. And truly,
my lords, this is all that ever was, or can be,
pretended unto by us. We, on the other si
make profession, That we intend to make la
majesty a glorious king; to endeavour to sup-
port his dignity; and to pay unto him that
duty and obedience, which, by our allegiance,
several oaths, and late Protestations, we owe
unto him, and to maintain all his just regalitas
and prerogatives; which I conceive to be a
much as his majesty will expect from us.-S
that, my lords, we being both, thus recipro
cally, agreed of that which in general wo
make both king and people happy, shall be
most unfortunate, if we shall not bring to
inclinations and endeavours so to propos
and settle particulars, as both king and peop
may know what will give them mutual sa-
faction; which certainly must be the first step
towards the settling of a right understand.ng
betwixt them. And in this I should not car
ceive any great difficulty, if it were once is
into a way of preparation. But the greatest
difficulty may seem to be, How that what
may be settled and agreed upon may be s
cured? This is commonly the last point
treaties betwixt princes, and of the greates
niceness; but much more betwixt a king at
his subjects, where that confidence and be
which should be betwixt them is once last
and, to speak clearly, I fear that this may ke
our case, and herein may consist the chictes
difficulty of accommodation? for it is much
easier to compose differences arising from re
son, yea, even from wrongs, than it is to satis
jealousies; which, arising out of diffidence a
distrust, grow and are varied upon every occ
sion.-But, my lords, if there be no endear
to allay and remove them, they will every da
increase and gather strength; nay, they ar
already grown to that height, and the mu
replies to those direct terms of opposition, 193
if we make not a present stop, it is to be fea e
will speedily pass further than verbal contes
tations. I observe, in some of his majesty's Al-
swers, a Civil War spoken of: I confess it is a
word of horror to me, who have been an est
witness of those inexpressible calamities tist
in a short time, the most plentiful and fl
rishing countries of Europe have been brough
into by an intestine war. I further observe,

That his majesty protesteth against the me ries that may ensue by a war, and that be clear of them.' It is true that a protestation

f that kind is no actual denouncing of war, dom.'-Certainly, my lords, this is wise and at it is the very next degree to it; ultima brotherly advice, and I doubt not but we are ali dmonitio, as the civilians term it, the last desirous to follow it. We must not then still dmonition: so that we are upon the very dwell upon generals, for generals produce norink of our miseries. It is better keeping thing; but we must put this business into a ut of them than getting out of them; and, in certain way, whereby particulars may be destate, the wisdom of prevention is infinitely scended unto; and the way that I shall offer, eyoud the wisdom of reinedies. If, for the with all humility, is, That there may be a ins of this nation, these misunderstandings select Committee of choice persons of both hould produce the least act of hostility, it is houses, who may, in the first place, truly state ot almost to be believed how impossible it and set down all things in difference betwixt ere to put any stay to our miseries: for a the king and the subject, with the most probail war admits of none of those conditions ble ways of reconciling them. Secondly, To f quarter, by which cruelty and blood are, descend unto the particulars which may be mongst other enemies, kept from extremities: expected by each from other, either in point of ay, if it should but so happen, which God of our supporting of him, or his relieving of us. is goodness avert, that, mutually, forces and And, lastly, How all these conditions, being rmies should be raised, jealousies and fears agreed upon, may be so secured as may stand could be so much increased thereby, that any with the honour of his majesty and the satisccommodation would be rendered full of faction of the subject.-When such a commiticulty and length; and the very charge of tee shall have drawn up the heads of the Propo maintaining them (whilst first a cessation of sitions, and the way of securing them, they rins, and then a general accommodation were may be presented unto the houses; and so n treating) would consume the wealth of the offered unto his majesty, by such a way as the ingdom. And of this we had lately a costly parliament shall judge most probable to proexample for in those unhappy times, betwixt duce an Accommodation. My lords, what I as and Scotland, after there was a stop made have yet said unto you, hath been chiefly to any further acts of hostility, and a desire of grounded upon the apprehensions and fears peace expressed on both sides; commissioners of our future dangers. I shall say something nominated, and all the articles propounded; of the unhappiness of our present state, which yet the keeping of the armies together for our certainly standeth in as much need of relief several securities, whilst the cessation at Rip- and remedy, as our fears do of prevention; for pon and the peace at London were in treating, although the king and people were fully united, cost this kingdom not much less than a million and that all men who now draw several ways, of pounds. And if two armies be once on foot should unanimously set their hand to the work, here in England, either a sudden encounter yet they would find it no easy task to restore must destroy one of them, or the keeping of this kingdom to a prosperous and comfortable them both on foot must destroy the kingdom. condition: if we take into our consideration --I hope, therefore, we shall make it our en- the deplorable state of Ireland, likely to drain deavour, by moderation and calmness, yet to this kingdom of men and treasure; if we conput a stay to our so near approaching miseries; sider the debts and necessity of the crown, and that we shall Learken to the wise advice of the engagements of the kingdom, and the great our brethren of Scotland, in their late Answer and unusual contributions of the people; to the king and parliament, (p. 1217); wherein which last, although they may not be so much they earnestly intreat us, That all means may to their discontent, for that they have been be forborne which may make the breach wider, legally raised, yet the burden hath not been and the wound deeper; and that no place be much eased. Let us likewise consider the disgiven to the evil spirit of division, which attractions (I may almost call them confusions) such times worketh incessantly, and resteth not; but the fairest, the most Christian, and compendious way may be taken by so wise a king and parliament, as may, against all malice and opposition, make his maj. and posterity more glorious, and his kingdoms more happy than ever. And, in another place they say, That since this parliament hath thought meet to draw the practice of the parliament of Scotland into example, in the point of their Declaration, they are confident that the affection of this parliament will lead them, also, to the practice of that kingdom in composing the unhappy differences betwixt his majesty and them; and (so far as may consist with their religion, liberties, and laws) in giving his maj. all satisfaction, especially in their tender care of his royal person, of his princely greatness and authority, and the prosperity of the king

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in point of religion; which, of all other distempers, are the most dangerous and destructive to the peace of a state.-Besides these public calamities, let every particular man consider the distracted and uncomfortable state of his own condition; for mine own part, I must ingeniously confess unto your lordships, that I cannot find out, under the different commands of the king and the parliament, any such course of caution and wariness, by which I can promise to myself security or safety. I could give your lordships many instances of the incon sistency and impossibility of obeying these commands; but I shall trouble you only with one or two. The Ordinance of parliament, now in so great agitation, commandeth all persons in authority to put it in execution, and all others to obey it according to the fundamental laws of the land: the king declareth

it to be contrary to the fundamental laws, against the liberty of the subject and rights of parliament; and commandeth all his subjects, of what degree soever, upon their allegiance, not to obey the said Ordinance, as they will answer the contrary at their perils.-So likewise, in point of the king's commanding the attendance of divers of us upon his person, whereunto we are obliged by several relations of our services and oaths: in case we comply not with his commands, we are liable to his displeasure, and the loss of those places of honour and trust which we hold under him: if we obey his commands without the leave of the parliament, which hath not been always granted, we are liable to the censure of parliament: and of both these we want not fresh examples; so that, certainly, this cannot but be acknowledged to be an unhappy and uncomfortable condition. I am sure I bring with me a ready and obedient heart, to pay unto the king all those duties of loyalty, allegiance, and obedience which I owe unto him and I shall never be wanting towards the parliament, to pay unto it all those due rights and that obedience which we all owe unto it; but, in contrary commands, a conformity of obedience to both is hardly to be lighted on. The reconciliation must be in the cominanders and the commands, and not in the obedience or the person that is to obey, and therefore, until it shall please God to bless us with a right understanding betwixt the king and parliament, and a conformity in their commands, neither the kingdom in public, nor particular men in private, can be reduced to a safe or comfortable condition. I have said thus much to give occasion to others to offer likewise their opinions; for if we shall sit still, and nothing tending to the stay of the unhappy misunderstanding betwixt the king and his people, be propounded, it is to be feared that our miseries will hasten so fast upon us, that the season and opportunity of applying remedies may be past. I have herein discharged my conscience suitable to that duty which I owe to the king my sovereign and master, and suitable to that zeal and affection which I shall ever pay to the happiness and prosperity of the kingdom; towards which I shall ever faithfully contribute my humble prayers and honest endeavours; and I shall no way doubt, whatsoever success this my proposition may have, it will be accompanied with the good wishes of your lordships, and of all peaceable and well-minded men.'

But we find no report entered in the Lords' Journals from the before-mentioned committee, notwithstanding this speech for an Accommodation.

tions of parliament from the committee, at see them circulated through their several d tricts. Likewise, That the said lord may &c. should publish in all market towns, that Trained Bands ought not to rise, or be es together, by any personal command of the but that, as affairs then stood, such comman were against law, tending to the great st ance and danger of the kingdom. Decian an amnesty to such as should not obey, a punishment to those that did, &c. Which t dinance was agreed to by the lords.

The Commons appoint Commissioners to sist sir J. Hotham at Hull, and consider of W to raise Money.] At the same time sir Strickland, Mr. Alured, Mr Wharton, sir Wi Airmyn, Mr. John Hotham, Mr. H. Darley, a Mr. Peregrine Pelham, all members of the of commons, were appointed commissioners go down to Hull, to be assistants to the g nor thereof, upon such orders and directe as they should receive from both houses. A sir Edw. Ayscough, sir John Wray, sir W Airmyn, Mr. Ilatcher, and Mr. Broxholm, sent into Lincolnshire, to preserve the peace that county.

For several days last past the commons b been busy in raising Money, and this ca committee of their house was appointed their vote, That the king, seduced by evil c sel, did intend to levy war upon his pe ment, to consider how a stock of Mon any other means, may be provided for th ter defence of his majesty's person, the pa ment, and the public peace of the king. against any such force.

This extraordinary diligence of the para ment seems to have been owing to the frequ desertions from that body; for, lord Clarend informs us, That the number of member both houses, that resorted to the York about this time, increased daily; particularly those of the lords: That L called all the peers to council, comma ing to them all such Declarations as he th fit to publish in Answer to those of the pat ment; and all Messages and whatever ese necessary to be done for the improvement his condition: and, having now the Great with him, issued such Proclamations as seasonable for the preservation of the pe

The King's Answer to the Parliament' claration of the 19th of May.] And published the following Answer to the liament's Declaration of the 19th of month:

"If we could be weary of taking any for the satisfaction of our people, and to ceive them of those specious mischievous Order of both Houses for dispersing their sious, which are daily instilled into the Votes, &c.] May 24. The commons sent up shake and corrupt their loyalty and aft an Ordinance, to which they desired the lords to us and our government; after so ful concurrence, for giving power to their com- ample Declaration of ourself and our intent mittee at York to command the lord mayor and so fair and satisfactory Answers to als and sheriffs of that city, and all sorts of matters as have been objected to us, bya head constables and petty constables under part present of both houses of parliament, them, to take all Orders, Votes and Declara-night well give over this labour of our p

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