The memoires of the lives and actions of James and William, Dukes of Hamilton and Castleherald, &c. in which an account is given of the rise and progress of the civil wars of Scotland, with other great transactions both in England and Germany, from the year 1625, to the year 1652 : together with many letters, instructions, and other papers, written by King Charles the I : never before published : all drawn out of, or copied from the originals / by Gilbert Burnet ; in seven books.

Anno 1642.

* 1.1THe Tumults and Disorders about Whitehall and Westminster rose to that height, that the King withdrew to Windsor in the begin∣ning of the year. The Scotch Commissioners continued Treating about their engaging for Ireland,* 1.2 which the King pressed forward very ear∣nestly: but some of the Commissioners begun to tamper with those who were most opposite to the Court in the Two Houses, and in stead of Mo∣derating them, were instigating them to persist in their Demands about Religion, to get Episcopacy brought down, and Presbytery set up. To the first of these most assented, but few were cordial for the latter. In or∣der to this on the 15^th of Ianuary, the Scotish Commissioners seconded the Desires of the Two Houses with a Paper, which they presented to the King, on that Subject, and afterwards Printed it.

The King was highly displeased, that they were not satisfied with the Opposition they made him in Scotland,* 1.3 norwith the Concessions he had granted them there; but were now come to foment Troubles in Eng∣land. It was not long since they made loud Complaints against the designed Uniformity with England, and the Interest the Englishmen had in managing the Affai••s of the Scotish Kirk; and would they now

act that part which they had condemned in others? They could not alledge that against Episcopacy in England, which they pretended in Scotland, that it had never been fully nor clearly settled in it, or that the stream both of Clergy, and Laity, had run cross to it: the contrary of all that was clear in England, where Episcopacy was deeply rooted in their Law. And ever since the Reformation, for eighty years together, the Church of England had flourished under Episcopacy; so that it was the wonder and envy of the World, till of late that some Brownists, and other Sectaries, begun to disturb its quiet. They knew, he declared the Grounds on which he dispensed with Episcopacy in Scotland, were not from his own Judgement about it, but meerly to comply with their A version to it; but the case was very different in England. All this he said for giving them satisfaction, and it is the sum of what he repeat∣ed afterwards upon the like occasions. But in the end he told them, their Commission was not to mediate betwixt him and the Two Houses, and therefore on the 19^th of Ianuary, he signed the following Order to Lanerick.

CHARLES R.

WE have thought fit to require you to repair to the Commissioners from Our Parliament of Scotland, and let them know,* 2.1 that We expected before they should have interessed themselves, in any manner of way, betwixt Vs and Our Parliament of England, they would (according to Our Desire expressed to them by Our Letter of the 13^th of this Instant) have acquainted Vs with their Resolutions in private, and that for the time coming We are very confident (out of the respect due to Vs from them, and their earnest De∣sires to shun Mistakes and Disputes) they will no way engage themselves in these present Differences, without first they communicate their Intentions with Vs in private, whereby all Iealousies and Suspicions may be removed, and they better enabled to do Vs Service.

Given at Our Honor of Windsor, the 19^th. of Ianuary, 1641.

Directed, TO Our Right Trusty, and Right well-beloved Cousin and Councellor, the Earl of Lanerick, Our Secretary for Scotland.

After this the King sent Mr. Mungo Murray to Scotland, with Com∣plaints of the Commissioners, signified by the following Letter to the Chancellor.

Right Trusty and right well-beloved Cousin and Chancellor, We Greet you well.

AS it hath been alwaies Our care and Study to have a right Vnderstand∣ing betwixt Vs and Our Subjects of Scotland;* 3.1 so nothing can joy Vs more than to hear the effects thereof to be such, as that they in peace and quiet∣ness enjoy the benefit of Our Courts of Iustice; and that under Our Govern∣ment they reap the fruits of those sound and wholesome Laws, established in that Kingdom by Vs, and Our Predecessors, for their good and happiness.

We cannot but take kindly from you, your representing unto Vs the Mise∣ries and Afflictions, to which Our good Subjects of Ireland are reduced, through

the inhumane and unheard-of Cruelties of the Rebels there. We on Our part have left nothing undone, which We thought could express how sensible We are of their Sufferings: but the present Distractions of this Kingdom do both de∣lay the sending of those necessary A••sistances and Supplies, which they ought to expect from hence, and prolong the Treaty with Our Commissioners of Scot∣land; so that if some extraordinary Course be not taken for their present Sup∣ply, it is not like their Miseries will end sooner than their Days. The Consi∣deration whereof induceth Vs to require you to move Our Council, that these Forces, that are already on foot in Scotland, may be presently sent over thi∣ther, and We will oblige Our Selves to see them readily and punctually paid by this Parliament; which if they shall refuse to do, We will engage Our own Revenues, rather than delay so good and necessary a Work: to which purpose, We shall issue forth such Commissions, and give such Warrants under Our great Seal of England, as Our Council of Scotland shall think necessary for their Service, and grant all such their Desires for the advancement of this Work, as in reason can be demanded from Vs; and therefore do require you, with all possible diligence, to return Vs their Resolutions herein, which We are confi∣dent, will be such as will testifie their Respect to Vs, and Affection to their distressed Brethren in Ireland.

And now We are confident, We shall not need to remember you of those Du∣tiful expressions of Respect and Fidelity you made to Vs at Our late being in Scotland: for the same Affection which produced those expressions, will in∣duce you to make them good by your Actions. We remember well, you expres∣sed your readiness to hazard both Life and Fortune, for the maintenance of Our Temporal Power; and even in matters Ecclesiastick, though you wished Vniformity therein betwixt the two Nations, yet you would not interest your selves in these Differences, further than should be with Our knowledge and good liking. We wish Our Commissioners of Scotland had taken that Course, and not meddled, nor offered to mediate betwixt Vs and this Parliament, before they had first made their Intentions known unto Vs in private, ac••ording to Our express Desire; nor made their private Advice publickly known unto Both Houses, which is now in Print. We did conceive the Intention of the Com∣mission granted them by Vs in Parliament, was for finishing the remainder of the Treaty, for Se••tling of Trade and Commerce, and keeping a right Vn∣derstanding betwixt the two Nations, not betwixt Vs and Our Parliament here. It is true, they were to receive their particular Instructions from the Council, which We believe to have been limited to these Generals, which cer∣tainly never could have reached this Particular. But we shall pass by this, and remember it no more, so we may find Our Council hereafter give them no further Warrant, to meddle any more betwixt Vs and this Parliament, but in so far as We shall first know and approve of it; which truely We conceive to be the only Means to shun those Suspicions and Iealousies that might breed any interruption of that happy Vnderstanding that is now established, betwixt Vs and that Our Native Kingdom. Herein We exspect your best endea∣vors, as a real Testimony of your Affection to Our Service. We do likewise think fit, that a Double of all such Instructions, as have already been given, or shall hereafter be given▪ to the Commissioners, be sent Vs, which will ex∣ceedingly conduce to the shunning of unnecessary Mistakings. And in case there come any Dispute betwixt Vs and Our Parliament here, about the No∣mination of Officers and Councellors, We hope you will remember, upon what Grounds We were induced to yield in this particular to the desires of Our Subjects in Scotland, it being Our necessary absence from that Our Native

Country; and you in private did often promise, upon occasion, to declare that this Kingdom ought not to urge it, as a Precedent for the like to them, the Rea∣sons not being the same: therefore now you are to think upon the most conveni∣ent way to make good that Promise, and labour to prevent so great an Incon∣venience unto Vs, which We expect from you as one of the most acceptable Services can be done unto Vs.

POSTSCRIPT, With His Majesties own Hand.

I have commanded this My Servant Mungo Murray to tell you some things, which I think not fit to write; therefore desiring you to trust what he will say to you from Me, I will now only add, that your Affections rightly expressed to Me (at this time) will do Me an unspeakable Service, to the effecting of which I expect much from your particular Affection and Dexterity.

CHARLES R.

Windsor, 26^th January. 1642.

His Majesty also wrote to the same purpose to the Marquis of Argyle, and added the following Postscript with His own Hand.

I Cannot but thank you for your Letter I received by Kinnoul, it being the performance of a Promise you made at my last being in Scotland; not doubting but you will perform the rest with the same cheerfulness. And I assure you, this is a time wherein the kything of your Affection to Me▪ will do Me an unexpressible Service, as Mungo Murray will tell you more at large, whom I desire you to trust in what he shall tell you from Me.

CHARLES R.

Windsor, 26^th January. 1642.

His Majesty named the Officers of the Army that was to go over to the relief of the Protestants in Ireland, choosing them so, that they might be most acceptable to Scotland: and this he did both to gain the more upon them by his Confidence, as also to set those troublesom People out of the way; though this turned to the great prejudice of his Affairs in Scotland, as shall afterwards appear. But for this Advice, the Mar∣quis deserved no share of the Blame; for the King left him behind at London, to see what could be effectuated by Mediation with those of the Peers, whom he knew to love him; and it appears by the follow∣ing Note, that he continued in His Majesties Confidence.

Hamilton,

I Desire you to come hither to morrow, not only to end our last Discourse, but also upon other business of great Importance; and you shall find that I am

Your constant Friend, CHARLES R.

Windsor, 1^st February, 1642.

What that business was does not appear to the Writer.

When the King withdrew further from the Parliament, and went Northwards, the Marquis was kept at London by a great Sickness of some months continuance,* 5.1 the length of it being occasioned by his fre∣quent relapses into Fevers, and a lingering Recovery out of them; yet his ill-willers at Court represented the story of his Sickness, to be but feigned, that under that pretext he might desert the King when he needed his Service most. But he hearing of this was resolved to be carried sick as he was to the King, which the King knowing, comman∣ded him to stay till God gave him Strength to come, without prejudice to his Health.

In March the Treaty between the Parliament of England and Scot∣land was closed;* 5.2 and among other Articles one was cast in, That an Vniformity of Religion should be endeavoured betwixt the Kingdoms. But the King would do nothing that might seem to stop the Irish business, and therefore gave way to it, though he smelled the design of it abun∣dantly well. Besides, the words being conceived in general Terms, he would not oppose them; since he judged an Uniformity of Religion was to be endeavoured, as well as they did, but with this odds, that he thought the Standard of it should be taken from England. As soon as this went home, the Scotish Armies went over speedily in the beginning of April: And the Scotish Council wrote to His Majesty, and the Two Houses, that they designed to send the Marquis of Argyle over to Ire∣land, but first to send him and the Earl of Lowdon to London, to me∣diate betwixt the King and the Houses; with which His Majesty was pleased. But the Houses excused it in a fair way, pretending, that they judged Argyle's presence necessary in Scotland. Many wondred whence this Jealousie of him did flow; some thought it was because the King consented to it, and therefore they misdoubted him; others apprehen∣ded that their Jealousie was founded on the Friendship that was be∣twixt the Marquis and him; and that finding the Marquis so inflexi∣bly firm to the Kings Interest, and averse from theirs, they feared that Argyle's Friendships and his was founded on the same designs.

* 5.3At this tim•• some of the Marquis his Enemies represented to His Ma∣jesty, that he made Offers of the Militia to the Houses, with other things highly derogatory to His Majesties Authority; and that he pre∣tended a Warrant for those Offers was sent him by Mr. Murray of the Bed-Chamber. These were the bad offices some fiery spirits studied to do, to all who endeavoured the quenching of that Flame which was like

to devour Britain; but notice being given of this to the Marquis, he wrote Mr. Murray this Answer.

Worthy Friend,

IT is no new thing for me to find my self traduced to His Majesty, but I should wonder very much.* 6.1 if he give Credit to a Report grounded upon such Improbabilities: for if His Majesty would be pleased to call to mind, how oft he repeated to me that He would never condescend to the Parlia∣ments. Demands concerning the Militia, no not for an Hour in the way it was, I am sure He will not think that I could engage my self to the Parlia∣ment, that He would perform that which He never gave me Ground to be∣lieve my self.

And as for His return to London, I likewise affirm He never gave me cause to hope, let be to engage my self to the Parliament for it. I have had the Honour to be intrusted in divers Employments from Him, and He knows I never exceeded His Instructions: I hope He will not now think me so mad, or so great a Knave, as to do that which might bring Him any Inconveni∣ence: for why should I be an undertaker to the Parliament for either, having neither my Instructions, nor Directions from Him to mention to the Parlia∣ment, or any Member there. But these Reports proceed from such, who per∣haps (if the matter were looked into) have said what probably they will not make good, and so endeavour to make other men bear the Burthen. I am not sorry they have joyned you with me in this, since it cannot prove your disad∣vantage, the thing being so eminently false.

I see my Enemies malice will have no end, and when they want other grounds, Sickness is enough for them to take advantage of; but if they had been in the Condition that I have been in these three weeks, they would have been more charitable, and so I leave them.

The uncertainty of my Recovery hath made me write thus much to you, and truely not without trouble, that you may let His Majesty know my Innocency in these particulars, and that I still continue in a Condition not able to attend Him, which is a great grief to

Your faithful Friend and Servant, HAMILTON.

Whitehall, 7^th April 1642.

In the middle of April, the King signified to his Council in Scotland, his Design of going in Person against the Rebels in Ireland,* 6.2 which he purposed, both to put more vigour in the Army by his Presence; as also to refute those Calumnies were spread upon him, as if he inclined to Po∣pery, and had been accessory to the late Rebellion, with which dam∣nable Calumnies his Enemies were beginning to asperse him. But the Scotish Council, as well as the Two Houses,* 6.3 interceded earnestly with him against this Design, pretending the Hazard his Sacred Person would be in. Some judged that they were afraid, lest by such a real Argument the Calumnies were cast on His Majesty, and scattered among the Vulgar for carrying on their Designs, might be refuted; and some feared lest His Majesty, had he gone to the Army, might have gained too much upon their Hearts, whereby he might have been in a Condition to have over-awed the Two Houses.

In May the Scotish Council sent up the Lord Chancellor to offer a Media∣tion for a better Understanding betwixt the King and the Two Houses; but the King was much irritated,* 6.4 by the Affront he had lately received before Hull from Hotham. He likewise found the Chancellor insisting on Vni∣formity of Church-Government, therefore he ordered his return into Scotland; and gave him a full account of all had passed betwixt him and his Two Houses, requiring him to give a true representation of it to his Council there. In the end of the Month the Marquis had recovered so much Strength as to come and wait on the King at York, where he would gladly have prosecuted his former Counsels, for advancing a Settlement betwixt the King and his Two Houses: but he knew not how to advise the King to grant more than he had already yielded to, which (as the King said to him) was more than had been granted by all the Kings of En∣gland since the Conquest: adding, that though he had gone a great length in Concessions to them, they had not obliged him by one favou∣rable Vote, so that nothing remained for the Marquis but to lament the Kings Misfortune; yet he offered the uttermost of his Services to him, and subscribed for the pay of threescore Horse in the Kings Army. But he represented to His Majesty the Hazard of Scotland's concurring with the Two Houses; which the King might easily apprehend, both from the late carriage of their Commissioners, and from what he knew of their Temper, especially of the Ministers Zeal, and Power with the People. For his own part, he said, he was able to do the King small Service any where; but having neither Interest, friends, nor followers in England, he would be but a burden to His Majesty there: but if he could signi∣fie any thing, it was in Scotland, where he should use his utmost En∣deavours to divert them from assisting the Kings Enemies; for to expect Aid from them, was not to be thought upon. His Majesty judging this most expedient, sent him to Scotland, without any positive Instructi∣ons, recommending only to him his Service in General, of which he was so confident that he wrote the following Letter after him.

Hamilton,

* 7.1I Have no time to write Particulars, and to perswade you to serve me, I suppose that I have less need than time; therefore in a word, this is a Time to shew what you are, assuring you that at all times, I will shew that I am

Your most assured and constant Friend, CHARLES R.

Notes

• * 1.1

  An. 1642.
• * 1.2

  The S••ots Commission∣ers animate the Houses to press the change of the Laws about Church-Go∣vernment,
• * 1.3

  with which the King was highly displea∣fed.
• * 2.1

  The King for∣bids their do∣ing so any more,
• * 3.1

  and complains of them in his Letters to Scotland.
• * 5.1

  The King leaves the Par∣liament, and the Marquis stays at ••ondon being sick.
• * 5.2

  The Treaty with Scotland for the relief of Ireland is ended.
• * 5.3

  New Calum∣nies on the Marquis,
• * 6.1

  of which he clears himself.
• * 6.2

  The King thinks of go∣ing to Ireland▪
• * 6.3

  but that moti∣on is disliked by both Nations.
• * 6.4

  The Chancel∣lor of Scotland sent to mediate betwixt the King and the Two Houses,
• * 7.1

  and is sent by the King to Scotland.