Chapter Two

Extract

Untill this tyme, Monke continued his sollemne protestations that he would be true to the interest of the Comonwealth, against a King and Howse of Lords. Yet now finding the militia setled, and a Convention at Westminster (who called themselves a Parlament), and fit for his turne, he sends to those Lords who had continued with the Parlament till 1648, desiring them to take their places, that they might be a cheque to any exorbitancy that those who called themselves a Parlament might comit; which they doe, he engaging that no other should be permitted to sit with them; of which Mr. George Cooper, an honnest gentleman (though brother to Sir Anthony), had such an account given him that he looked upon them as the only ballance that the purchassers of publique lands had left them, and for the propounding of any tearmes to the King upon his coming in; for that seemed now to be concluded on. Yet to sweeten his returne of the King what might be, and to lull the Parlament party asleepe, most of the high cavaleers of the West signe a declaration, wherein they engage themselves to forget all that had bin done to them, and not to retaine any mallice against any who they conceived had injured them, and to endeavour that a generall act of indemnity should be passed, and that no blood should be shed for anythinge that was passed. And concurrent heereto, Charles Steward, being then at Breda, having quitted the Spanish territory, according to the advise given him by Monke, taking notice of that Convention at Westminster, sends a declaration; whereby, as he shewes his willingness to posess himselfe of England, Scotland and Ireland, so doth he promise his pardon to all those who should declare their acceptance thereof within forty dayes, except such as should be excepted by act of parliament, who he doubts not but will manifest their 753 sense of that crying sin, which had bin comitted…. the Protestant churches. He promises therein liberty to tender consciences…. they trouble not the peace of the nation; and that hee shall bee ready to consent to any act that shall bee presented to him for that effect; and that all gifts and purchasses of lands by souldiers, or others, shall bee determined as the Parliament shall thinke fit; and promiseth in conclusion to satisfy the arrears of the officers and souldiers of the army under Monke, and that hee will take them into his pay on the same tearmes as now they are. This declaration, which being dated the 14th of April was presented by Sir John Greenfell [to the?] two Hawses on the 27th day of April; who had ben som time before incognito at London, and had consulted with Monke and others about the return of the King, and had brought to Monke a commission from the King to command all his forces in the 3 kingdoms, and as an earnest of his confidence delivered him one of his Privy Seales to dispose of as hee should thinke fit; by which hee gave him authority to constitute a Secretary of State, for which imployment hee designed his countryman Mr. Maurice; which being presented by Sir John Greenvill to the pretended Howse of Comons, as also to that of the Howse of Lords, which was now full …. the Lords who were living that went to Oxford …. of …. those who were newly made, yea of [papists?] also …. Monke being so farr from hindring them, according to his promise, that (as I have heard) he invited them by letters to assemble in the usuall place at Westminster.