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without due confideration of the fafety of the army in my abfence), that your Highnefs would give me leave to attend you in perfon for fome fhort time, where I doubt not but by conference I fhall give your Highness abundant teftimony of my dutiful obedience to your Highnefs, and of my readiness and hearty defire to ferve you, and of the ways and means which might capacitate me thereunto. For to fay truth, it were a treasonable folly for me to undertake a fervice, which I beforehand knew I have not ftrength either of body or understanding to manage to your Highness's advantage. Befides, I defire to be inftructed from your Highnefs's own mouth by what principles I fhould fteer, left I fhould ignorantly do any thing which might juflly difpleafe; and indeed I do not diffemble, if I fay change of air and fome recefs is neceflary for my health, which is the more dear to me, because I feldom enjoy it twenty-four hours together. Thus I do faithfully fpread my caufe at your Highnefs's feet: if your Highnefs think not fit to hearken unto my petition, I fhall keep the army in due obedience, and deliver it to whomfoever your Highnefs fhall commit the charge thereof, and be truly thankful for that protection which you allow to the meanest of your Highness's fubjects, and publicly profefs entire love and tender affection to you, as my brother; allegiance and perfect fubjection and obedience to your Highnefs, as my rightful and undoubted fupreme magiftrate; and continually pray to God for your long life, and profperous and happy reign, &c.

LETTER LXXXVI, John Barwick to Charles II. I AM too fhort-fighted to write of ftate affairs, and yet, having this opportunity, I think it my duty to give your Majefty fome account of what I conceive the prefent condition of affairs are. About a week before Cromwell's death, he made his fon Richard generalino of all the forces both by fea and land; but it was not till the very day before he died, that he nominated him his fucceffor, and that fo flightly, that fome doubt whether he did it at all. It was juity expected by all men, that a matter of fuch weight fhould not be done without a formal in

ftrument, under hand and feal before the council, &c. but thofe that speak the highest of this fay, it was only verbal, before Thurloe and one of the commiffioners of the great feal; and those that duly ponder the proclamation, will have caufe to think the penner of it did not believe fo much. And though hitherto things pafs with fome fmoothness in the former channel, yet there is fome underhand muttering already upon this point of his fucceflion, which makes them dread the very name of a parliament, and yet they are upon the very point of being forced to call one for want of money. Their debts are great, and no other vifible way of raifing any competent fum. Whether this be the caufe, or his fo tamely parting with the generalfhip of England, at least to Fleetwood, or both, of young Cromwell's melancholy, I know not; but fure it is, most men fay he is fick; and yet thofe, that are likeft to know the difeafe, fay, it is chiefly to give way to his council to do what they please, which fome of them like well enough. There was fome confufion at Whitehall the night before Cromwell's death, though clofely conveyed. Some of the grandees, diftrufting the place, removed their trunks out of the houfe. leaft fix hours before his death, the fifthmonarchy men fent out their emiffaries poft into moft parts of England, having notice how defperate his condition was. They fpeak their minds freely already, and have fomething a-brewing in all likelihood. They have pitched upon Lambert for their general, and Harrifon is content with the next command under him. Ever fince old Cromwell had his eye upon the crown, he hath courted Lambert very much. One office he had was reftored, with 20col. arrears, and his eftate was promised to be doubled from 3000l. per annum to fix; and fill they carry fair with him, and have fent him mourning against the funeral. The want of money makes them fall fhort of their first deign of the funeral pageantry. At fr they propofed to themtelves the funeral of king James for their pattern, and intended to go beyond it; but fecond thoughts are wifer. If a parliament come, the fifth-monarchy men will cut them cat work both in the house and field. They hope Flewood will be no bitter enemy; and give out as if they

had

At

Sect. I.

had Monk's army fure on their fide, though not his perfon. If they have not learned the ***. of bragging, there may be fome caufe of fear, left they get the faddle, and ride us all; yet fome of them fay your Majefty will need no other fword but their own to make way to your throne, in cafe they clash in earneft; for the weaker party will efpoufe your Majesty's cafe, and that upon your own terms, rather than yield to the other. I wish they may be true prophets. And I humbly crave leave to add, that fome perfons here of good repute for wifdom and fidelity to your Majefty think this will be more feasible, if your own party be not too forward to engage on either fide; and feeing your Majesty having now no vifible force on foot, will make them more secure, and confequently the more likely to quarrel among themjelves. I befeech your Majefty pardon this boldness. I was never cut out for a ftatesman. If there be any thing in it of moment, your Majefty's wifdom may make use of it; if nothing, I hope your clemency will pardon it. That God would direct your Majesty's counfels, protect your person, and profper your defigns, is a part of the daily prayer of Your Majesty's chicare, but most loyal and faithful fervant.

But,

without license would have flown in their
face, when they petitioned for a due ob-
fervance of martial difcipline. If they
were called together, were they not allo
taught what to fay and do? If they were
called, was it with his Highness's privi-
ty? If they met without leave in fo
great a number, were they told their er-
ror? I fhall not meddle with the matter
of their petition, though fome things in
it do unhandfomely reflect, not only
upon his prefent, but his late Highness.
I wish with all my heart, you were com-
mander in chief of all the forces in the
three nations; but I had rather have it
done by his Highness's especial grace
and mere motion, than put upon you in
a tumultuary unfoldierly way.
dear brother, I muft tell you (and I can-
not do it without tears), I hear that dirt
was thrown upon his late Highnefs at that
great meeting. They were exhorted to
ftand up for that good old caufe, which
had long lain afleep, &c. I thought my
dear father had purfued it to the laft.
He died like a fervant of God, and
prayed for thofe that defired to trample
upon his duft, for they were alfo God's
people. O dear brother! let us not ren-
der evil for good; let us not make his me.
mory ftink, before he is under ground: let
us remember his laft legacy, and even for
his fake render his fucceffor confiderable,
and not make him vile, a thing of nought,
and a bye-word. O! whither do thefe
things tend! Surely God hath a con-
What a hurly-burly
troversy with us.
is there made! A 100 independent mi-
niters called together! A council, as
you call it, of 2 or 300 officers of a
judgment! Remember what has always
befällen impofing spirits. Will not the
loins of an impofing Independentor Ana-
baptif on at Leary as the loins of an im-
poing Prelate or Presbyter? And is it
2 cangerous error, that dominion is
founded in grace when it is held by the
church of Home, and a found indipe
when it is held by the Fife Mongray?
Dear brother, let us not fall in the fis
of other men, ki ve price of t
plaques. Let it be fo camel, te i
mder difer
the people of God, thoug
forms, T2, even thole waOT TOR
Comt w, my eight ste
ng and ori liberty, an zu ve
party mOT THE DOOR the neck té an-
Cher. It DOCE To Decome the mag frate
to defend in pre; be

The great formy Monday, Cromwell fupon a revelation they fay, told his phyficians, he should now Eve to perfect the work. At his death, he had no fin that troubled him, but only his want of faith. By faith, I prefame, he meant (as the divines of that party do) a full furance of remiñon of fins, and eternal falvation; and then it was no wonder he wanted it.

LETTER LXXXVII.
Heery Cromad u Firmal
Dear Brother,
I RECEIVED the account you give of
the petition of your chce, for wakh
I give you tanks, and epecially for
your caution, that I £uld be belleve
any thing consenting you, I d
heard you. Tarkette us-
vice; for I am sold frange tings and
pray give me leave to capolate with
you. How came tice a ir pop oficer
together? If they came of their own
heads, the being af from the charge

things you do tend to this end? Can thofe things be done, and the world not think his Highness a knave, or a fool, or oppreffed with mutinous fpirits? O dear brother, my fpirit is forely oppreffed with the confideration of the miferable ettate of the innocent people of thefe three poor nations! What have thefe sheep done, that their blood thould be the price of our luft and ambition? Let me beg of you to remember, how his late Highness loved you, how he honoured you with the highest truft in the world by leaving the fword in your hand, which muft defend or deftroy us; and his declaring his Highness his fucceffor fhews, that he left it there to preferve him and his reputation. O brother, ufe it to curb extravagant fpirits and bufy bodies; but let not the nations be governed by it. Let us take heed of arbitrary power. Let us be governed by the known laws of the land, and let all things be kept in their proper channels; and let the army be fo governed, that the world may never hear of them, unless there be occation to fight. And truly, brother, you muit pardon me, if I fay, God and man may require this duty at your hand, and lay all mifcarriages in the army, in point of difcipline, at your door. You fee I deal freely and plainly with you, as becomes your friend, and a good fubject. And the great God, in whofe prefence I fpeak this, he knows, that I do it not to reproach you, but out of my tender affection and faithfulness to you; and you may reit affured, that you fhall always find me your true friend, and loving

brother.

October 20, 1658.

LETTER LXXXVIII.

greater offenders, I did then prefume to infift upon that his mercy, nor could I believe (with fome) that my fo doing was difhonourable unto his Majefty. And your Lordship (being above making an interell by trampling upon the fallen, or by being bitter againft things that came to pafs by God's fecret providence) have moft nobly and chriftianly patronized me in it, even to fuccefs; and for this in a few words I give your Lordship my eternal thanks and prayers.

I might, perhaps, have better exprefied thefe my fentiments fome other way yet I have prefumed to do it thus by a letter, that there may remain a teftimony of infamy upon me, if ever I abufe the admirable mercy I have found, either by future difloyalty to his Majel ty, or ingratitude to your Lordship. And I with your Lordship would add one fayour more, which is to affure his most excellent Majelty, and his royal Highnefs (how hard or needlefs foever it be to believe me), that few can wish their royal perfons, family, or intereft, more profperity and establishment, than doth, may it pleafe your Lordthip, your Lordthip's most obedient, mot humble, and mott obliged fervant. April 9th, 1662.

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DISUSE of writing has made it uneafy

weaknefs of fight and hand makes it alto me, age makes it hard, and the moft impoffible. This may excufe me to every body, and particularly to you, who have not invited me much unto it, but rather have given me caufe to think that

Henry Cromwell to Lord Chancellor Cla- you were willing to fave me the labour of

rendon.

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writing, and yourfelf the trouble of reading my letters: for, after you had left me fick, folitary, and fad at Penshurst,

and that you had refolved to undertake the employment wherein you have lately been, you neither came to give me a farewel, nor did fo much as fend one to me, but only writ a wrangling letter or two concerning money, and Hofkins, and Sir Robert Honywood's horfe: and though both before and after your going out of England, you writ to divers other perfons; the first letter that I received from you, was dated, as I remember,

the

the 13th of September; the fecond in November, wherein you take notice of your mother's death; and if there were one more, that was all, until Mr. Sterry came, who made fuch hafte from Penfhurt, that coming very late at night, he would not stay to dine the next day, nor to give me time to write. It is true, that fince the change of affairs here, and of your condition there, your letters have been more frequent; and if I had not thought my filence better both for you and myself, I would have written more than once or twice unto you; but though for fome reafons I did forbear, I failed not to defire others to write unto you, and with their own, to convey the belt advice that my little intelligence and weak judgment could afford; particularly not to expect new authorities nor orders from hence, not to stay in any of the places of your negociation; not to come into England, much lefs to expect a fhip to be fent for you, or to think that an account was, or would be expected of you here, unless it were of matters very different from your tranfactions there: that it would be beft for you prefently to diveft yourself of the character of a public minifter; to difmifs all your train, and to retire into fome fafe place, not very near, nor very far from England, that you might hear from your friends fometimes. And for this I advifed Hamburgh, where I hear you are, by your man Powel, or by them that have received letters from you, with prefents of wine and fith, which I do not reproach nor envy. Your last letter to me had no date of time or place; but by another at the fame time to Sir John Temple, of the 28th of July, as I remember, fent by Mr. Miffonden, I guess that mine was of the fame date. By thofe that I have had, I perceive that you have been misadvertifed; for though I met with no effects nor marks of difpleafure, yet I find no fach tokens or fruits of favour, as may give me either power or credit for thofe undertakings and good offices, which perhaps you expect of me.

And now I am again upon the point of retiring to my poor habitation, having for myfelf no other defign than to país the fmall remainder of my days innocently and quietly; and, if it pleafe God, to be gathered in peace to my fathers. And concerning you, what to refolve in

myself, or what to advise you, truly I know not; for you must give me leave to remember, of how little weight my opinions and counfels have been with you, and how unkindly and unfriendly you have rejected thofe exhortations and admonitions, which in much affection and kindness I have given you upon many occafions, and in almost every thing, from the highest to the lowest, that hath concerned you; and this you may think fufficient to difcourage me from putting my advices into the like danger; yet fomewhat I will fay: and first, I think it unfit, and (perhaps) as yet unfafe for you to come into England; for I believe Powel hath told you that he heard, when he was here, that you were likely to be excepted out of the general act of pardon and oblivion: and though I know not what you have done or faid here or there, yet I have feveral ways heard, that there is as ill an opinion of you as of any, even of thofe that condemned the late King: and when I thought there was no other exception to you, than your being of the other party, I spoke to the general in your behalf; who told me, that very ill offices had been done you, but he would affift you as much as juftly he could; and I intended then also to speak to fomebody elfe; you may guess. whom I mean: but fince that, I have heard fuch things of you, that in the doubtfulness only of their being true, no man will open his mouth for you. I will tell you fome paffages, and you fhall do well to clear yourself of them. It is faid, that the University of Copenhagen brought their Album unto you, defiring you to write fomething therein, and that you did fcribere in albo these words:

Manus hæc inimica tyrannis, Enfe petit placida cum libertate quietem ; and put your name to it. This cannot chufe but be publicly known, if it be true. It is faid alfo, that a minister, who hath married a Lady Laurence here of Chelfea, but now dwelling at Copenhagen, being there in company with you, faid, I think you were none of the late King's judges, nor guilty of his death, meaning our King. Guilty! faid you; Do you call that guilt? Why, 'twas the jufteft and braveft action that ever was done in England, or any where elfe; with other words to the fame effect. It

is faid alfo, that you having heard of a defign to feize upon you, or to caufe you to be taken prifoner, you took notice of it to the King of Denmark himfelf, and faid, I hear there is a defign to feize upon me but who is it that hath that defign? Est-ce noftre bandit. By which you are understood to mean the King.

Befides this, it is reported, that you have been heard to fay many fcornful and contemptuous things of the King's perfon and family; which, unlets you can justify yourself, will hardly be forgiven or forgotten: for, fuch perfonal offences make deeper impreffions than public actions either of war or treaty. Here is a refident, as he calls himself, of the King of Denmark, whofe name (as I hear) is Pedcombe; he hath visited me, and offered his readinefs to give you any affiftance in his power or credit with the Ambaffador, Mr. Alfield, who was then expected, and is now arrived here, and

hath had his firft audience. I have not feen Mr. Pedcombe fince; but within a few days I will put him in mind of his profeflion of friendship to you, and try what he can or will do. Sir Robert Honeywood is alfo come hither; and, as I hear, the King is graciously pleafed to admit him to his prefence, which will be fomewhat the better for you, because then the exceptions againft your employment and negociation, wherein you were colleague, will be removed; and you will have no more to answer for, than your own particular behaviour. I believe Sir Robert Honeywood will be induftrious enough to procure fatisfaction to the merchants in the bufinefs of money, wherein he will have the affittance of Sir John Temple; to whom I refer you for that and fome other things.

I have little to fay to your complaints of your fifter Strayford's unequal returns to your affection and kindnefs, but that I am forry for it, and that you are well enough ferved, for beftowing fo much of your care where it was not due, and neglecting them to whom it was due, and I hope you will be wifer hereafter. She and her husband have not yet paid the thousand pounds, whereof you are to have your part by my gift; for fo I think you are to understand it, though your mother defired it; and if for the payment thereof, your being in Eng

land, or in fome place not far off, be neceffary, as fome pretend, for the fealing of fome writings, I think that, and other reafons, fufficient to perfuade you to stay a while where you are, that you may hear frequently from your friends, and they from you. I am wholly against your going into Italy as yet, till more may be known of your condition; which, for the prefent, is hard; and I confefs that I do not yet fee any more than this, that either you must live in exile, or very privately here; and (perhaps) not fafely; for though the bill of indemnity be lately paffed, yet if there be any particular and great difpleasure against you, as I fear there is, you may feel the effects thereof from the higher powers, and receive affronts from the inferior: therefore you were beft to ftay at Hamburgh; which, for a northern fituation, is a good place, and healthful. I will help you as much as I can in difcovering and informing you of what concerns you; though, as I began, fo I must end, with telling you, that writing is now grown troublefome to your affectionate, &c.

London, Aug. 30, 1660.

LETTER XC.

The Hon. Algernoon Sidney to his friends.
Sir,

I AM forry I cannot in all things con

form myfelf to the advices of my friends; if theirs had any joint concernment with mine, I would willingly fubmit my intereft to theirs; but when I alone am interested, and they only advife me to come over as foon as the act of indemnity is paffed, because they think it is beft for me, I cannot wholly lay afide my own judgment and choice. I confefs, we are naturally inclined to delight in our own country, and I have a particular love to mine; and I hope I have given fome teftimony of it. I think that being exiled from it is a great evil, and would redeem myfelf from it with the lofs of a great deal of my blood: bat when that country of mine, which

fed to be efteemed a paradife, is now like to be made a ftage of injury; the liberty which we hoped to establish oppreffed, all manner of profaneness, loofenefs, luxury, and lewdnefs fet up in its height; instead of piety, virtue, fo

briety,

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