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.

MEMOIRES OF THE LIFE and ACTIONS OF James Duke of Hamilton, &c. (Book 1)

LIB. I. Of what happened from his Fathers Death till the Year 1638. (Book 1)

JAMES Marquis of Hamilton died at London in March, 1625.* 1.1 and was succeeded in his Ho∣nour and Fortune by his Eldest Son and Heir Iames, afterwards created Duke of Hamilton,* 1.2 whom his Father had brought with him to England some years before, and was then in the Eighteenth year of his Age, and sent to prosecute his Studies at Oxford; from whence he was cal∣led to see his Father die, and came in time to receive his last advices and blessings. Thus died that Great and Il∣lustrious Person in the flower and vigour of his Age, being then but 36 years old.

He was in great Esteem in both Kingdomes,* 1.3 equally dear to the Soveraign and the Subjects; and it was certain no person could have disputed with him the Kings Affection and Confidence, the Duke of Buckingham onely excepted. His serving as Commissioner for the King in the Parliament 1621. had much lessened his Interest in Scotland; for these five Articles of Perth, (where the Assembly of the Church that set∣tled them was held) commonly called the Five Articles, were general∣ly so odious, that his carrying the Settlement of these in Parliament drew much dislike from all that Party, which was then called Puritan: but his carriage in that Parliament, gained him as much trust and fa∣vour with the King as ever man had. The King created him Earl of Cambridge, a Title that was never conferred on any, but such as

were of the Royal Blood; he made him also Knight of the Garter, and Lord-Steward of the Houshold. King Iames was likewise glad to see his Friendship for my Lord Marquis and his Family like to prove Hereditary, by the kindness he saw growing up with the Prince for his Son; in whose youth there was an agreeable Sweetness, which gained an early room in the Princes Affections, and took so deep rooting there, that nothing was ever able to deface it: and as he had the Honour to be the Princes nearest Kinsman by the Royal Blood of Scotland, so he spent several of his younger and more innocent years in his company; and when the Prince was in Spain, he made one of that honourable Train that went to wait on his Highness.

But since the following Narration is to be filled with great and con∣siderable Transactions, wherein this Marquis was so eminently engaged, I shall dismiss such Particulars as were of less concernment, and there∣fore at one step shall leap over the whole tract of his Youth; neither shall I interrupt my Narration of Publick Matters with Accounts of his Personal and Domestick Affairs, which shall be referred to one place, in which, as I give his Character, such of those as are fit to be made publick shall be mentioned: neither will I here offer any further Account of his Father, but what shall be the matter of the whole fol∣lowing History, which is, that he was the Father of two such ex∣cellent Sons.

King Iames as he received the tidings of his Death with much grief,* 1.4 so he Prophetically apprehended, that as the Branches were now cut down the Root would quickly follow; for the Duke of Richmond died about the same time likewise. This Marquis his Death was follow∣ed with an universal regrate, and I sind divers of the English Nobi∣lity, in their Letters to his Son, expressing their Affection and Esteem for the Father, in terms beyond the cajolery of Civility or Comple∣ment. The loss of so great and such a tenderly affectionate Father, meet∣ing the sweet Disposition and dutiful Love of the Son, could not but prove very afflicting to him: but this private Grief was followed by a publick Calamity, brought upon these Kingdoms by the Death of King Iames, on whose Character I shall not adventure, since it is without the lines of my Work.

The Marquis sent down his Fathers Corps to Scotland,* 1.5 where it was nobly interred in the Burial-Place of that Family; but could not fol∣low it himself, being obliged to wait and assist at the Coronation of King Charles the first, which shortly followed, where he carried the Sword of State before the King; and he found the Crown had rather heightned than lessened the new Kings Affection for him. But with∣in a little he resolved to return to Scotland, to look to his own Affairs, which were in great disorder by his Fathers magnificent Nobleness, who notwithstanding his being Lord Steward, and the benefit of other Places he enjoyed, had far outrun himself at Court. But indeed his Son had too much of his own Temper, and was too Generous to be ve∣ry Frugal. During his absence from Court, his Majesties Affection for him appeared not only in his ready granting of every thing was moved for his advantage, but in the kind Letters which upon different occasions he wrote to him with his own Hand, (not to mention the many publick ones he got upon all occasions.) In one of them the King writes:

James,* 2.1

THE reason why your Business is not yet settled, is,* 2.2 that this long time I have attended the coming of him, your self thought fittest to be trusted in it, he is now on the way; and shall no soo∣ner be arrived but the direction shall be given, as I have already promised you. I doubt not but your want forced you to leave me, but mine shall not hinder me to help yours; and I am sure likewise, that as you see I do not forget your Turns, you will at this occasion of the late Commission I have sent down, shew your self forward in mine. So farewel.

Your constant loving Friend, CHARLES R.

New-Market, 4. March▪ 1627▪

In another he writes:

James,

HAving (as I hope) dispatched your Business,* 3.1 I must tell you, it was ill luck and not ill will that made it so long a∣doing, and likewise of the importunity of a House of Women for calling you hither: but it may be the company of some where you are, will make you give a negligent Ear to those that are here; yet I doubt not but when you know (as these lines do assure you) that you cannot come before you shall be welcome to your best Friends here, that your stay will not be long where you are. So referring you for other business to the Bearer your man, I rest,

Your loving constant Friend, CHARLES R.

The first day of the Year, 1628.

But the Marquis excused himself upon the great Encumbrances were on his fortune,* 3.2 which made it impossible for him to live at Court in the rank that became his quality; he seemed also at that time to be in love with a retired life, and spent much of his time in the Isle of Ar∣ran. It cannot be denied to be without example, to see a King entrea∣ting his Subject to accept of the Favours and Honours he designed for him, when he was with much humble modesty declining these Royal Offers. But as the King pressed his return to Court very earnestly, he was likewise solicited to it by a great many of chief rank there, and by none more warmly than by the Duke of Buckingham, with the greatest and heartiest offers of all the friendship and service he could do him: yet he continued in Scotland till the end of the year 1628. and all the while kept himself at a distance from publick Affairs, not

medling in any thing beyond his private concernment;* 3.3 but his sweet and obliging temper took exceedingly with all people.

In the end of the year 1628. his Father-in-law Earl Denbigh came down to press his return to Court,* 3.4 with a new and kind invitation from the King, expressed in the following Letter.

Hamilton,

I Have taken this occasion by Denbigh's going to affirm to you, under my own hand, the Message Traquair brought to you from me. I need say little more at this time, because according to your Letter I look that you should be quickly here, which again I as∣sure you will be well done. So referring you to your Father Denbigh, I rest,

Your assured constant Friend, CHARLES R.

Hampton-Court 25 Sept. 1628.

The Earl of Denbigh brought also with him from his Majesty the offer of the Master of the Horse his place,* 4.1 which was fallen by the murther of the Duke of Buckingham. This earnest and noble Message, brought and enforced by such a Bearer, could be no longer refused; therefore in the end of the year he went to Court, where he was presently made Master of the Horse, and Gentleman of the Kings Bed-chamber, and Privy Counsellour in both Kingdomes: and the King used him with so much tender kindness, that his carriage to him spoke more of the affection of a Friend than of the power of a Master; he called him always Iames, both when he spoke to him and of him,* 4.2 as an expression of his familiarity with him; and it was presently observed by all, that none had more of the Kings heart than he pos••essed. But as high favour with a Prince is ever attended with envy and jealousie;* 4.3 so he missed not his share of it, from those who were looking on him as the rising Favourite; though as he bore that Character worthily, he managed it prudently, for he neither studi∣ed to engross things to himself nor his kindred: he grew not inso∣lent upon favour, nor impatient of Competitours; neither did he obtrude himself upon the management of particular Affairs, but did rest satisfied with the Royal marks of his Masters favour, which upon all occasions were poured on him liberally.

The great Design which at this time possest the King wholly, was about the affairs of Germany,* 4.4 and the recovery of the Palatinat, with the rescue of his Sister and her Posterity, from the ruine which was not only hanging over them, but had already overwhelmed them.

I need not here resume the too-well-known occasions of these Troubles, nor tell how the Wars of Boheme first began, nor how the Prince Elector Palatine being chosen their King, did by accepting that Crown involve himself and all Germany in a tract of the most lasting and bloody Wars that have been heard of. The new-elect∣ed King was scarce well-settled on his Throne, when it was not only

shaken but overturned; and the Emperour,* 4.5 with the assistance of Spain and the Duke of Bavaria, who was thirsting after his Cousins Dignities and Dominions, was not content with the recovery of his own Dominions, but carried his conquering Eagles into the Palati∣nat; which not being able to resist so powerful an Invasion, was for∣ced under his obedience, and the Electoral Dignity was by the Em∣perour afterwards translated to the Duke of Bavaria. King Iames was very much displeased with his Son-in-law for engaging in the affair of Boheme, but could not be unconcerned when he saw the ruine of his Family following upon it; yet his inclinations to Peace overruled his other resentments, and his hopes to prevail by Treaties made him still delay entring into Action; for at that time the Treaty of the match with Spain was on foot, and the King was abused by the Spaniards, and made believe the Palatinat should be again restored: but his slowness in that missed not the severe censures of all Europe.

King Iames left his Crowns and Designs to his Son, who judged himself bound by all Ties divine and humane, to see to the recovery of the Palatinat, and the stopping of the Imperial success, which by a great Torrent of victories was become formidable, and burthensome to all the Princes of Germany; yet the opposition the King met in some Parliaments, which were dissolved soon after their meeting made his Designs go on slowly. But to ravel no further into matters without the lines of this Narration,

The Marquis was no sooner at Court, but the Queen of Bohemia recommended the care of her Affairs to him,* 4.6 as the person (being her nearest kinsman and best known to her) in whom of all that were about her Brother she confided most; and as during the King her Fathers life she had employed none so much as his Father, so she did entail that trust upon the Son: and indeed in all her Let∣ters to him (hundreds of which remain) she continued such expre∣ssions of genuine and ••rank kindness, as shew, she never thought she had misplaced her trust.

At this time the King of Sweden being provoked with a desire of glory,* 4.7 and led on by the aspirings of a great and generous mind, resolved to adventure on that which had been fatal to all who had attempted it, and to oppose the Emperours designs, declaring, his re∣solutions were to deliver Germany from the yoke of Tyranny, which was beginning to be twisted about their Necks; but fearing his own strength was not able to compass so great a design, much of his confidence was grounded on the assistance he expected from the King. Therefore as by his own Ambassadour the Lord Spence he solicited his aid, so he employed the King of Bohemia to interpose with his Majesty for his assistance in the prosecution of that great Affair; who pressed it with much earnestness by his Agent Curtius, representing, that now or never was the time that it should appear to the World, what effects he might look for from his Alliance: and the King was resolved in good earnest to advance that design, but judged it not fit for himself to own it in his own name at first, for some reasons of State; a chief one being, that his Ambassadour in Germany, Sir Robert Anstrother, was entertained at that time with some hopes of the re∣stauration of the Palatinat, though that was judged to be without any other intentions but to cajole the King, and so keep him from con∣curring

in the Swedish designs. His Majesty finding it not convenient to appear in it himself, resolved it should pass for the voluntary assi∣stance of his Subjects, to which he should only give way, and made choice of the Marquis for the person in whom he had the greatest confidence of his zealous pursuing his designs upon the Palatinat.* 4.8 Whether this motion came originally from the King or not, I do not see, or if it was the desire of the King or Queen of Bohemia, which seems more probable; for the Swedish Ambassadour did first move it, and pressed it with much earnestness: others suggest that it came from some of the Marquis his enemies, who envying and su∣specting his rising greatness, and seeing no possibility of lessening his interest in the Kings affection that was daily growing, judged this honourable Proposition would once set him a good way from the Court. There was too much of honour in this Proposition to be re∣jected by the Marquis, and his age being at that time pronest to a thirst of glory, he could not but be hearty in the undertaking, though the ruine of all, who had hitherto imbarked in that Design, gave but small encouragement to any who should engage in it; yet the great renown of the Swedish King, together with the fears into which all the Princes of Germany were now driven, which rendred them almost desperate, made the Attempt look more promising than formerly: but the Marquis his duty to his Master, and his affection to all his interests, chiefly those of his only Sister, made him with alacrity accept that Employment. One thing was certain, that which way soever the first Proposition of this was made, it came not from himself; for if the King had known or suspected it to have flow'd from him, it would have appeared afterwards when the Calum∣nies to be related were under examination, or when the Marquis was a prisoner: but no such thing ever dropt from his Majesty.

In the end of the year 1629. the Marquis according to the Kings Orders sent Colonel Hamilton,* 4.9 brother to the Earl of Hadington, to the King of Sweden with a general offer of his service, and his resolution to come in person with a considerable force, to joyn with him in his noble enterprize for the Liberty of Germany. This had a very kind recepti∣on from the King of Sweden, for at that time the valour of the Scots was so great, and that Kings value of them so high, that he welcom∣ed the Proposition with a sincere heartiness; and as he wrote a very kind Answer to the Marquis, (which with many others of his Letters is yet preserved;) so he sent him a Commission to be General of what Army he should raise for his assistance.

Upon this the Marquis sent one David Ramsay a Gentleman of the Privy Chamber,* 4.10 to agree the Conditions upon which he should em∣bark in the Swedish design. This Ramsay was one in whom he had no interest at all, neither can any account be given what he was, save that there is a Letter from the King of Bohemia in my hands, wherein he recommends him to the King as one who had served him faithfully in Germany; he therefore as being acquainted with the German language and affairs, and zealous for the King of Bohemia's service, was made choice of for this Negotiation: but for the Mar∣quis to have made this man, who could be no longer known to him than since he came last to Court, a Confident in so great and des∣perate a resolution, as was afterwards fastned on this Employment, it

had the same likelyhood which was in the rest of the Calumnies where∣with his Innocency was attacqued.* 4.11

Colonel Hamilton,* 4.12 who had stayed with the King of Sweden and Mr. Ramsay, agreed with that King on the following Conditions, which I set down, faithfully translated from the Original which is in Latine.

WE Gustavus Adolphus, by the Grace of God King of the Swedes,* 5.1 Goths, and Vandals, Great Prince of Finland, Duke of Esthone and Carel, and Lord of Ingria, &c. To all and sundry whom it concerns, make it known and certain, That whereas the Illustrious and Our sincerely beloved Lord James Marquis of Hamilton, Master of the Horse to the most Serene King of Great Britain, out of his zeal for the publick good; and for acquiring eternal fame, hath resolved to dedicate himself and the fortunes and forces of all he is concerned in, for restoring Our oppressed Friends in Germany, and for that end hath offered to Vs by the Illustrious and Our sincerely faithful Colonel, Alexander Hamilton, his fidelity and service, and that he will on his own expence gather a strength of six thousand men, and bring them over, as soon as may be, to any place We shall appoint, either against the Imperialists, or any other of Our Enemies, and maintain them on his own charge, and do Vs all faithful and vigorous service with them, till this great Affair be brought to a good issue, provided We shall authorize this his design with Our protection, and give him the underwritten Assistance; Therefore, there being nothing dearer to Vs, than to make all vigorous resistance to the common enemies of Liberty, and having in high estimation the brave under∣takings of generous men, We not onely would not reject, but have heartily em∣braced the nobleness of so good Resolutions: We have therefore admitted, like-as by the vigour of these presents We admit, the said Lord Marquis into Our service, Armies and Military Counsels, on the following Conditions.

First, when ever ••e shall signifie to Vs, that he is ready to bring over his Forces, We shall assign him a place for his landing, either to come and joyn with Our Armies, or to make an impression elsewhere, as We shall think fit.

Next, if We appoint him to land in any place from whence he shall not come streight to Vs, We shall for strengthening his Forces, send to the place We shall assign for his landing four thousand Foot out of Our Armies, whom We shall furnish with all necessaries, and maintain on Our charges a whole year.

Thirdly, because the said Marquis thinks two thousand Horse are necessary for his Foot, for whose levy and pay he promises all assistance; We shall there∣fore think of all ways and means for raising and maintaining these.

Fourthly, We not onely give the said Illustrious Marquis the absolute Com∣mand of this Army in our absence, but shall also joyn to him a Counsellour with whom he may consult in all things, that so his Deliberations be more expedite and clear.

Fifthly, wha••ever the Illustrious Lord Marquis shall take from the Enemy, the Lands and Territories shall belong to Vs, but the Revenues and all the Emo∣luments shall go to him, and to the relief of his Army: yet so as these Revenues 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be gathered decently and in order, without Depredations or Plunderings; since Our design is not to oppress those who have been already enough pressed, but rather to deliver them from the oppressions of others, as much as by the Divine assistance We can.

Sixthly, that the Marquis may more effectually perform what he hath brave∣ly resolved, and may sooner make those warlike Instruments of his own inventi∣on,

on which he relies much in his Expedition,* 5.2 We shall not onely with the first oc∣casion furnish him with a hundred Ship-pounds of crude Iron, but shall also as∣sign Hammers for working it according to his design; of which Instruments he hath promised to leave a Model with Vs, and We shall be careful that none of Our Servants shall make use of them before he hath first made trial of them himself.

Seventhly, W•• shall also furnish him with three hundred and seventy Ship-pounds of Iron-ball for his Guns, and two thousand and five hundred Pikes, and as many Musquets.

Eighthly, when-ever the Marquis shall advertise Vs of his needing Gunpow∣der, We shall assign him Bills of Exchange in Holland for buying seventy two Ship-pounds of Gunpowder.

Ninthly, if any other Kings or States shall concur with Vs, all they contri∣bute shall be at Our disposal; but if the Marquis his necessities require further assistance, We shall not abandon him, but faithfully assist him, as much as Our Affairs shall permit.

Tenthly, for all which the said Illustrious Lord Marquis with all his For∣ces hath promised Fidelity to Vs, and shall be bound to it as well as Our men, and these who receive Our Pay, are, for which both he and all his Captains shall be particularly engaged.

But because there is to be a Treaty betwixt Our Commissioners and the Im∣perialists at Dantzick, therefore if a Peace shall be there concluded, so that We shall not need the Service of the Marquis and his Army, he hath obliged himself to pay for the foresaid Materials at their entire value.

All which things being thus concluded, and to be firmly observed by Vs, We have subscribed these Articles with Our Hand, and commanded Our Royal Seal to be put to them.

At our Castle in Stockholm the last of May, Anno Dom. 1630.

Signed, Gustavus Adolphus.

[illustration]

Locus Sigilli.

These were signed by the King of Sweden at Stockholm the thirtieth of May, 1630. which was the day after the Prince of Wales his birth, (His Majesty who now reigns, whom God long preserve) at whose Christening the Marquis had the honour to represent the King of Bohe∣mia, who was one of his Godfathers,* 5.3 the King of France being the other, who was also represented by the Duke of Lenox; and at this time a Stall of the Order becoming vacant, His Majesty conferred on the Mar∣quis the most noble Order of the Garter,* 5.4 that he might go in this Expe∣dition with the more lustre.

But to these Articles I shall adde the return was sent by the Marquis, which though not done till the next year, yet is most properly inserted here, because of the relation it hath to the foregoing Paper. What fol∣lows is a Translation taken from an Authentical Sealed Duplicate of the Original in Latine.

WHereas there is a mutual Compact agreed betwixt the most Serene and Mighty King of Sweden and me, for joyning of our Forces;* 6.1 that the Articles be fully ratified, and lest any thing afterwards fall in which may put a stop in our Counsels, or give matter for sinistrous Glosses, I therefore subscribe for my part all the Articles, adding onely the following Explication to some of them.

To the first, if the most Serene King assign me a place for landing, I vow and promise by the grace of God to doe it, betwixt and the day of the next June.

To the second, if the most Serene King of Sweden send me the agreed num∣ber of Souldiers out of his Own Forces, at the place and time appointed, I un∣derstand that by furnishing them with all necessaries, a full and entire Pay without any deductions be laid down for a whole year, according to the esta∣blishment of His Majesty with his Own Officers.

Besides, if the most Serene King cannot allow of so great a diminution of His Forces, it will be necessary that He not only settle a Fond, for such a summe as may levy, arm, and pay▪ as many Souldiers, but there will be need of some more; for the odds will be vastly great betwixt His Majesty's trained Souldi∣ers, and a sudden Levy of raw Novices.

To the third, since the Article of the Horse is conceived in general terms, on both sides, nothing being certainly fixed on either, it will be expedient that Your Sacred Majesty declare Your mind in it plainly, how far You oblige Your self: and what shall be agreed for me, betwixt Your Majesty and these to whom this Affair is trusted by me, I bind my self to ratifie.

To the fifth, since the reasons of my Expedition to Germany are the same with Your Majesties, I have firmly resolved to help and relieve the oppressed Princes and States of Germany, with the ease of all these burdens with which they are now pressed, and therefore shall do every thing in order, and decently, as becomes most friendly Auxiliaries; and if any thing be taken by me from the common Enemy, I shall desire nothing more than that the right of it be en∣tirely and inviolably Your Majesties.

To the ninth, since I have devoted my whole fortune with all my interests for promoting this our Design, I promise that whatever any shall contribute for it, shall all be laid out for this War, which I shall with my whole Forces manage and carry on, till either it please God that You obtain a desired Peace, or that the Liberty of Germany, which is now oppressed, be restored.

To the tenth, since by this Article Your Majesty requires and expects Fide∣lity from me and my Army, I James Marquis of Hamilton, by these presents give my Faith for my self and them, and bind both my self and them; and for the Confirmation of this I do subscribe this Article with all the preceding, and put my Seal to it,

at Londonthe first of March, Anno Dom. 1631.

Signed, Hamilton

[illustration]

Locus Sigilli.

Ramsay had in Commission to deal with any Scotish or English Officers who served beyond Sea, to come and serve under the Marquis; and finding Mackay the Lord Reay in good reputation,* 6.2 he dealt with him to engage in his Service, who cordially undertook it, and some moneths after that wrote to the Marquis, (which Letter is preserved:) That though the King of Sweden had given him the Command of three Regi∣ments, and made him Captain of his Guards; yet he was so desirous to put life in his noble designs, that he would serve him, were it but to car∣ry a Pike in his Army: and thus Ramsay returned, and Colonel Hamil∣ton with him. Whereupon the Marquis went about the executing of his designs, and the levying of his men, but all was according to the Kings Orders and Instructions; yet His Majesty seemed onely a consent∣er to it. The Levies went on all this Winter, in which many were backward, because the King owned them so little. As for Money, the King advanced a good summe, though far short of what was necessary: but he gave the Marquis a Lease of the Customs of the Wines in Scot∣land for 16 years, upon which Security he and all his friends raised as much Money as the design required. Many of the Marquis his friends did in the beginning dissuade him from the undertaking, apprehending the hazards both of his person and fortune, which were visible from an attempt that was full of dubious success; but when they saw him en∣gaged in it, they did all very frankly concur, mortgaging their For∣tunes for raising such summes of Money as were necessary for the Expe∣dition.

Next Spring the Marquis sent Ramsay to Holland, to see what assist∣ance he might expect from the States,* 6.3 and in particular to deal with some British Officers who were then in their Service, to come and take employment in his Army. He likewise sent one Elphinston to the King of Sweden,* 6.4 to shew him, that he would be ready to land with his Army in Iune or Iuly, and to press that the Forces he was to have from the Swede might be ready to meet him where ever he were appointed to land his men: or if the King of Sweden could not spare so many men, that he would order the money for their Levy and Pay to be sent to Hamburg, or to any other Bank, that so the Marquis might levy them himself. Upon this the King of Sweden sent the Lord Reay first to Den∣mark, and then to Holland, for carrying on of those Levies; and com∣mitted the levying of 3000 Foot and 1000 Horse to Colonel Farens∣back,* 6.5 a Leeflander of good repute in the Wars; who had served the Em∣perour, but for I know not what crime had lost his favour, and under∣taken the Service of the Swede, and seemed to be going on with his Levy till the time was past, and then did basely run over to the Empe∣rour; shewing how great a Service he had done by his cousening the King of Sweden, since he hoped the failing of the Swedish Auxiliaries would keep the Marquis of Hamilton's Army from coming over that Summer.

King Gustavus was now in Germany, and by his frequent Letters pres∣sed the Marquis his dispatch,* 6.6 for he was then in great straits: the Prin∣ces of Germany begun to fear his success, and were not so forward in joyning with him as he expected; and by divers Letters, both from himself, and Camerarius his Ambassadour in Holland, and Salvius his Agent in Hamburg, it appears that the Princes of Germany took their measures

chiefly from the Kings resolutions. The King of Sweden also desired a League with the King, and that the King should send over ten thousand men, whom the King of Britain should maintain during the Wars,* 6.7 and that Army, with the other twelve thousand, should be under the Mar∣quis his Command as General: upon which the King of Sweden should oblige himself, never to make Peace with the Emperour till the Palati∣nat were restored. To this the King gave a good hearing, and promi∣sed to send over an Embassadour to finish the Agreement; and in the mean time the Marquis his dispatch was hasted forward with all dili∣gence. His Army was partly Scots, partly English, and they were to be transported in the Kings Ships; the Scotish Forces were to be shipped at Leith, and the English at Yarmouth, and Yarmouth-Road was to be their Rendezvous.

In the end of May both Reay and Ramsay came out of Holland to England. Ramsay got nothing done with the States, who would give no assistance to the Marquis, till the King formally engaged himself; yet he got some Officers to come over, and in particular that gallant English Gentleman, Sir Iacob Ashly, who had acquired much reputation in the Dutch Wars: but Ramsay drew much trouble on himself, for being a man of an intemperate tongue, he had talked loosly of the Court of England to the Lord Reay. At this time the Marquis was in Scotland, drawing the Souldiers together, and having made all ready there, he re∣turned to Court, having nothing more to doe but to kiss His Majesties Hand, and receive his last Commands: but there was then at Court the Lord Ochiltree,* 6.8 a man of a subtil spirit and good parts, had not those endowments of his mind been stain'd with some ill qualities. He had ac∣quired some interest in Court by the service he did the Earl of Niddis∣dale in the matter of the Kings Revocation and the Commission of Sur∣renders, (which to explain were too long a digression here, and need∣less to all who understand how the Rights of the Titles were at that time unsettled in Scotland.) His malice against the Marquis was here∣ditary, he being the Son of Captain Iames Stewart, who in King Iames his Minority, when the Hamiltons were groundlesly and in a mock-Parliament attainted, carried the Title of Earl of Arran; and possessed their Fortunes. Lord Reay (upon what irritation I know not) alledged to him, that Mr. Ramsay had told him, that the Marquises designs were not upon Germany but Britain, and that when this Army was once gather∣ed he purposed to pretend to the Crown of Scotland. This lye was so ill told, that it could take with none but those whose Judgments were blinded through malice: for as that Army was very small, and in no manner of capacity to prosecute such a design, so it was made up of Scots and English; and most of the Officers were persons of whom the Marquis had no acquaintance. Reay alledged likewise the testimony of one Mr. Cleazar Borthwick,* 6.9 to whom Mr. Meldrum should have com∣municated the same design: but this testimony turned to his shame, for that person, who was of known integrity, being brought from Germa∣ny, and examined upon what Meldrum had said to him, desired liberty to send his Deposition to the King sealed, since the particulars were not fit to be publickly heard; to which the King yielding, he sent it. The summe of it was, that Meldrum had never communicated any such de∣sign to him; that he had indeed spoken abominably of the King and Court, but all was in his own name; and that he brought no credence

with him from the Marquis, for his errand to the Swedish Court was onely to solicit the payment of some Arrears due to his Uncle, who had served that Crown; and he had no Employment from the Marquis, onely he got from him Letters of recommendation for the dispatch of his business, so that whatever he said was understood as his own sense, and not as a message from the Marquis.

Reay also alledged the testimony of Lieutenant Colonel Lindsay, for a great part of that he charged on Ramsay. This Lindsay indeed was a brave Gentleman, and Reay's Lieutenant Colonel, but was killed two or three moneths before Reay met with Ochiltree at London. He was in new Brandenburg, with other Swedish Officers, when Tilly took it in, and all Reay's Regiment was cut to pieces except a very few; which turned to his eternal disgrace, who in such a hot time of Action left his Command to come over to England and forge lyes: and after that Reay was in no esteem neither with Scots nor Swedes, and irrecoverably lost himself in the K. of Swedens opinion. But Reay kept himself from charging any thing on the Marquis, fixing all he said on Ramsay; which Cauti∣on was not observed by Ochiltree, who drew a representation of the Marquis his interest in Scotland, to shew what probabilities might be of such a design, and reckoned up all his Kindred and Allyes, by which he drew in most of the Nobility of Scotland, and so fastned suspicions on them all; a madness onely incident to those of Bedlam, to which his ma∣lice drove him though he was no fool.

With this account of Reay's and his own he went to the Lord Weston,* 6.10 then Treasurer of England, and personating great zeal for the safety of King and Kingdoms, revealed this alledged Treason to him; adding, that it was probable, all things being now ready to be put in execution, that the Marquis upon his return, to put things in the more fearful disorder, might (if admitted to wait in the Kings Bed-chamber) murder him. This was a Calumny than which Hell could not have forged a fouler; for Lord Ochiltree judged that this would have infallibly pro∣duced one of two effects, either raised such a Jealousie in the Kings thoughts as to have quite ruined the Marquis, since few Princes are proof against such whispers; or at least it would have stopt his voyage for a while, till he were tried, and the smallest delay in that would have scattered his Souldiers; so that this design failing, in which his Ho∣nour was now so far engaged, a stain should lie on him through all Europe. Lord Weston carried this Story to the King, whether provoked to it out of hatred to the Marquis, or moved from his zeal and duty to the King, shall not be determined; though the last was pretended by him, and in many of his Letters to the Marquis, when he was in Germa∣ny, he expressed much friendship for him.

* 6.11But His Majesty knew the Marquis too well, and understood all his motions, and the progress of this Affair too exactly, to give any credit to this Forgery: and indeed he rejected listening to it, in terms so full of affection for the Marquis, as discovered he was incapable of any Jea∣lousie, either of him, or any of his actions; neither would he hearken to those who onely desired that upon his return he might not be ad∣mitted to his Presence, at least not to lie in his Bed-chamber. Within a very little while the Marquis came to Court, utterly ignorant of the execrable designs of his Adversaries: His Majesty welcomed him with an air of kindness beyond what he ordinarily gave him, and drawing

him apart, immediately told him all that villainous story which had been whispered against him. The Confusion this raised in his thoughts was unspeakable,* 6.12 being amazed to find himself so horridly misrepresent∣ed, knowing his heart to be full of duty and affection to his Soveraign; he wondered how malice could be so impudent, as at a time when he was hazarding Life, Honour, Friends, and Fortune, for the Kings Ser∣vice, to fasten such a devillish gloss on his actions: but this surprize was overcome with a greater, when he saw His Majesty with an unheard-of, and truly Royal generosity, express his confidence in him in such ob∣liging terms, as scarce to allow him to speak in his own Justification; which seeming to insinuate, he thought he needed to be vindicated, the Marquis begged he might be presently tried, and offered himself to re∣straint till he were cleared. But His Majesty would not hear of that, on the contrary commanded him to lie in the Bed-chamber that night;* 6.13 and he expressed his confidence and kindness for him, in such a strain both of behaviour and discourse, that the Marquis frequently said, he looked on the kindness of that night, as that which obliged him more than all the other publick testimonies of the Kings favour and bounty he ever met with; fo•• His Majesty embraced him with such tender affection, that he had been a monster of ingratitude, if he had been ever capable of for∣getting it: and indeed the Marquis used to say, that never were his re∣sentments for any usage he afterwards met with so great, but the remem∣brance of that night stifled them quite; and it must be confessed to be a passage without example in History, since the days of the conquering King of Macedon. But the Marquis was not able to lie under such ter∣rible imputations, wherefore he pressed that Ochiltree might be put to it to prove what he had alledged: but all he offered against Ramsay was onely a presumption, which Ramsay denied and Reay affirmed; so that they were both put under Bail, and nothing appeared that did touch the Marquis: for, though Ramsay had been as guilty as the Lord Reay called him, that left no imputation on him, since none can be made answerable for those they imploy, unless it appear that they followed the Instructions given them. So the Marquis was dispatched to Germa∣ny. Lord Ochiltree had charged the Marquis with Treason,* 6.14 and failing so totally in his probation was sent down to Scotland to be tried, where he had a legal and free Trial for his false Charge, before the Ju∣stice-general, and such As••essors as were appointed to sit with him by the Privy Councel: and had the Marquis repaid him in his own coin, he could not have escaped capital punishment; but he was satisfied with his own Justification, and such a Censure put on the Calumniator, as might deter others from the like attempts; wherefore he was condemn∣ed to perpetual Imprisonment in Blackness Castle,* 6.15 and he continued there for twenty years. But that all this matter may be ended at once, ten years after this, when His Majesty was in Scotland in the year 1641, the Marquis was prevailed on, by the addresses Ochiltree made to him, to procure his liberty from the King; which he was to have done, but at that time one Captain Stewart, who had married his daughter, was amongst these who discovered the alledged Plot, commonly called the Incident, (whereof an account shall be given in its due place:) and this bound up the Marquis from interposing for Ochiltree's liberty, lest it should have been supposed that he had done it as a kindness to his Son-in-law for that discovery, which might have raised some Jealousies.

As for the Lord Reay and Mr. Ramsay,* 6.16 they continued the one po∣sitively affirming, the other as confidently denying what was alledged; but in the whole progress of the Trial the King expressed that concern∣ment in the Marquis, that he seemed earnest even to have Ramsay vin∣dicated. Ramsay carried himself very fiercely in the pursuit; at length both of them desired to be judged by the Martial Court, and that they might be permitted a Combat. Ramsay was the more eager in that, but though Reay did not decline it, yet he was not so forward as the other. It seems needless to give a relation of the particular procedure of this Affair, though another, to swell up his Volume with impertinent Stories,* 6.17 hath at length set down the Journal of the proceedings of the Martial Court, with no other design but to heap the more envy on the Marquis, which he usually doth with as much ignorance as malice. All the account to be added shall be in the words of one against whom there can be no exception: I shall therefore set down His Majesties Letter to the Marquis, upon the conclusion of this matter, which is taken from the Original.

James,

* 7.1SInce you went I have not written to you of Mackay's business, be∣cause I neither desire to prophesie nor write half news; but now seeing (by the grace of God) what shall be the end of it, I have thought fit to be the first advertiser of it to you. I doubt not but you have heard, that (after long seeking of proofs for clearing the business as much as could be, and formalities which could not be es∣chewed) the Combat was awarded, day set, weapons appointed: but having seen and considered all that can be said ••n either side, as likewise the Carriage of both the men, upon mature deliberation I have resolved not to suffer them to fight; because first, for Mackay, he hath failed so much in his circumstantial probations, especially c••n∣cerning Muschamp, upon whom he built as a chief witness, that no body now is any way satisfied with his accusations; then, for David Ramsay, though we cannot condemn him for that that is not, yet he hath so much and so often offended by his violent tongue, that we can no ways think him innocent, though not that way guilty whereof he is accused: wherefore I have commanded the Court shall be dismis∣sed, and Combat discharged, with a Declaration to this purpose, that though upon want of good proof the Combat was necessarily awarded, yet upon the whole matter I am fully satisfied, that there was no such Treason as Mackay had fancied; and for David Ramsay, though we must clear him of that Treason in particular, yet not so far in the general, but that he might give occasion enough by his tongue of great accusation if it had been rightly placed, as by his foolish pre∣sumptuous carriage did appear.

This is the substance, and so short, that it is rather a direction how to believe others than a Narration it self, one of my chief ends being that you may so know David Ramsay, that you may not have to doe with such a Pest as he is, suspecting he may seek to insinuate himself to you upon this occasion; wherefore I must desire you, as you love me, to have nothing to doe with him.

To conclude now, I dare say that you shall have no dishonour in this business, and for my self, I am not ashamed that herein I have shewed my self to be

Your faithful Friend and loving Cousin, CHARLES R.

London, May 8. 1632.

But to return to our Story; the King of Sweden appointed General Lesley, afterwards Earl of Levin, to wait on the Marquis at his landing, which he desired might be at Breme;* 7.2 and appointed his Agent to deal with the Archbishop of Breme about it, who was well satisfied, promi∣sing him all assistance: he was also put in hope of the Auxiliary Forces to be in readiness to meet him there; but seeing no other appearances besides words and promises, he did not think it safe to land his little Ar∣my in a Country so distant from the Swedish Camp, when the Enemy lay betwixt them, so that he might easily have been cut off before they could joyn; therefore he resolved to sail through the Sound,* 7.3 and land in Pomerania, where none lay betwixt him and the King of Sweden.

On the 16th of Iuly he set sail from Yarmouth-Road, which was the place appointed for Rendezvous, his Fleet being about 40 Ships: and on the 27th he came to Elsenor, where he went ashore to kiss the King of Denmark's hand, and to deliver the Kings Letters to him for a free passage, in case he took that course; from whence he dispatched Pen∣nington to His Majesty to receive further Orders, to which he had the following Answer.

James,

I Could not let Colonel Peebles go without telling you, that I have received your Letter of the 25th of July by Pennington. As for my resolutions concerning the Affairs of Germany, you shall know now very sh••rtly (by the grace of God.) I have resolved to dispatch Henry Vane within ten days at furthest, till which time I thought it not amiss (by these lines) to assure you, that I neither do nor shall forget you; and then you shall see, that I remember you with that care and kindness that you may truly expect from

Your loving Friend and Cousin, CHARLES R.

8 Sept. 1631.

On the 29th of Iuly he set sail again, and on the 31th came to the mouth of the Oder between Voll-Gast and the Isle of Vsedom, where the Swedes had first landed; so on the 2d and 3d of August he landed his Forces, which upon muster were found to be above 6000 able men.* 8.1 The next day they passed over from the Island to the Continent, and there he had a return from the King of Sweden, by the Messenger he had sent to give him notice of his safe arrival. That King welcom∣ed these tidings with much joy, and appointed him to go into Silesia for the reducing of that Country, promising that the Army he was engaged to give for his assistance should meet him on his way; and with this he sent him a Commission to be his General in Silesia.

* 8.2The same of this Army run through Germany, being represented to be about 20000 men, which struck a great terror into the whole Impe∣rial Party, so high was the same of the Scots valour: and it was con∣fessed through Germany, that the Marquis his coming at this time was a great occasion of the famous Victory obtained at Leipsick in the begin∣ning of the next moneth; for the fame of this made the Elector of Saxo∣ny agree presently with the Swedes, and encouraged the whole Prote∣stant Party, who now hoped to see the assistance of Britain prove more effectual than it had been formerly: it also obliged Tilly to leave about six or seven thousand more in his Garrisons than otherwise he would have done, which weakened him much at the next Battel. But the Country they landed in was totally wasted, both by the Imperial Army, which had been led through it the former year, and by the Swe∣dish Army that had lately passed it; so that they met nothing before them, but Vastation, Plague, and Famine.

A little after that the King of Sweden desired the Marquis to come to him,* 8.3 and receive Orders from himself; so he went, and found him on the other side the Elb at Werben. That King caressed him with the highest expressions of kindness, professing extraordinary obligations to him, and acknowledged what advantage the very name of his Army had already done him. The Marquis discovered in that noble Con∣querour an air of Majesty and Courage which could not be equalled, neither was his Prudence in Affairs inferiour to his Conduct of Armies: but those rare excellences were much soiled with unsupportable Pride and Ambition, which grew with his success to an intolerable degree. He pressed the Marquis to solicit his Master earnestly for a more vigo∣rous supply, both of men and money; and he excused his not sending the Forces he had promised to meet him, since his design was presently to give Tilly Battel, so that he could not weaken his Army; but he bade him levy what Germans he could, whose Pay the King of Sweden said he should advance; and so he sent him away to keep Custrin, Frankfurt and Lansberg, and other Passes on the Oder,* 8.4 for his retreat in case he were beaten.

Whereupon the Marquis marched with his Army from Stetin up to Frankfurt, but the Famine was so great in this wasted Country that it was scarce possible for them to subsist. The Plague was also at Frank∣furt, which broke in upon their Army so hotly,* 8.5 that in a few days it swept away above a third part of them, and came so near the Marquis himself, that one of his Pages died of it: yet so tender and so equally divided was his care of the Souldiers, that notwithstanding of all the straits they were in none of them mutined or complained of him. Af∣ter

the great Victory of Leipsick, which altered the whole state of Ger∣many▪ the King of Sweden ordered the Marquis to march up to Silesia, though 200 Horse and 300 Foot were all the Auxiliaries he sent him.

At this time the Marquis had notice from the Governour of Crossen,* 8.6 which was a good Town in the borders of Silesia in the Swedes hands, that they were besieged, and were so weak within that they could not hold out long; whereupon, that being a place of great importance, the Marquis sent Lesley with 500 men for their relief, who no sooner arri∣ved but the Enemy retired, though they had resolved to assault the Town that morning; and went away in such haste, that they left a great deal of their Baggage behind them, and some Cannon, which were ta∣ken by these of the Garrison. And a few days after that the Marquis had intelligence, that the Garrison of Guben (a Town in Silesia in the Emperours hands) was much weakened; 2500 Souldiers had lien in it, but 2000 were drawn out for recruiting the Imperial Army, and 500 onely remained, who as he heard kept but bad Guard; whereupon he sent Lesley with 600 men to surprize the place: but his intelligence proved false, for they kept good Watch, and had barred up two Ports; the third had two Draw-bridges and was well-guarded. But Lesley lay close in the Suburbs, expecting the letting down of the Bridge at next Sun-rising, for they within knew nothing of his being so near them; so next morning as the Bridge was let down▪ Lesley caused a few Horse to come for making the Port good till the Foot should advance. These of the Town got the Port shut on them, yet they kept the Bridge; but the Foot coming up, after half an hours sharp dispute upon the Bridge, they did with Hatchets cut a hole in the Port,* 8.7 at which a few of the more resolute entered, and opened it for the rest: a great many of the Enemies were killed, and about 250 Souldiers, with 4 Captains and some Under-officers, were taken prisoners, who took service under the Mar∣quis. The taking of this Frontier Town put much courage in his little Ar∣my, and from this he was setting forward to Glogow, the second Town of Silesia, with good hopes of carrying it: but as he was to march, he received Letters from the Swedish King, telling him, that by his Agreement with the Duke of Saxony, that Elector had undertaken to reduce Silesia; wherefore he appointed the Marquis to follow him into the lower Sa∣xony. The Marquis regrated extremely, that after he had marched so many days through a desert Country, and was now come to a plentiful one, where there were fair hopes of good success, he should be present∣ly called back into those barren and wasted Fields. But he began to find the King of Sweden was blown up with Success, and neglected those he had formerly caressed; and Silesia being united to the Crown of Bo∣hemia, he understood that the King of Sweden would never trust him in any. Country where the King of Bohemia had interest. He once thought of going forward at all adventures, but the King of Sweden had order∣ed his Garrisons in that Country to acknowledge him no more; so he was forced to return to Custrin, and there he got Orders to come and besiege Magdeburg.* 8.8

His Army was strangely diminished, for he was forced to leave a thou∣sand behind him with the Plague upon them, and about another thou∣sand were divided in Garrisons, and so he had but a thousand and five hundred of his own men, and about three thousand German Foot,

whom he had raised; whereupon with these, and a thousand Swedish Horse, he came and blocked up Magdeburg, which being the chief Town of the lower Saxony, had a great Garrison of about 3000 within it, commanded by one of the Counts of Mansfield. That great and flou∣rishing City had been besieged and taken by Tilly the same year, where the Inhabitants were cut down, and the City burnt all to ashes, except 80 or a 100 houses about the great Cathedral, by a cruelty which had not been practised by the Goths or Vandals; for neither Age nor Sex was spared, nor was there any cessation till all were butchered down: and here it was, that Tilly had brought together the whole plunder had been taken in all his Victories, so that it was full of riches, besides the great importance of the place. The Marquis could have no great hopes of carrying it, when they within were almost as strong as he was with∣out, for all that Bannier brought to his supply, made in the whole not 7000 Horse and Foot: there was no attempting of it by storm, for it could onely be carried by starving them, so that there were no blows gi∣ven, except in two little Skirmishes not worth the naming.

At this time the King sent over Sir Hen. Vane Ambassadour to the King of Sweden to enter in a League with him;* 8.9 who gave the Marquis ad∣vertisement of his landing from Hamburg, and that he was ordered to communicate all his Instructions to him, and to proceed in every thing according to his advice, in particular to espouse all his Concernments as the Kings own; and with this he sent him the following Letters from His Majesty.

James,

ACcording to my promise I have dispatched Henry Vane, whom I have commanded to impart unto you both his publick and pri∣vate Instructions; so that it will be a good excuse for my laziness in writing shortly to you, and a testimony to you, that your absence nei∣ther makes me alter nor forget you; for you may be assured, that my Trust of you is so well-grounded, that it lies not in the power of any body to alter me from being

Your loving Friend and Cousin, CHARLES R.

Hampton-Court 21 Sept. 1631.

POSTSCRIPT.

As you have begun, so I desire you may continue, in letting me hear from you as oft as you have occasion; the last I received from you was the 7th of August.

The other had followed the Ambassadour.

James,

JVst now I have received a Letter from you, dated the 22th of August from Stetin, half of which is in Cypher, but I am afraid I shall hardly read it; for there is so little distance betwixt the num∣bers, that it seems but one continued number from the beginning to the end of every line; so that I must desire you henceforward to di∣stinguish your numbers perfectly: as soon as I have decyphered this, you shall have an Answer of it from

Your loving Friend and Cousin, CHARLES R.

Hampton-Court, 23 Sept. 1631.

The Ambassadour desired him to name any place where he might come and speak with him, before he saw the King of Sweden, for he had no mind to begin his Treaty till he had spoke with him; and at the same time the King of Sweden desired him to come to his Camp for a few days, in order to the carrying on the Treaty, which he knew the British Ambassadour was coming to propose.

Whereupon he left his Army under the Command of Lesley and Ban∣nier, and went to the King of Sweden,* 10.1 whom he found at Frankford on the Main, much blown up with Success, so that he seemed to make less account of the Kings Friendship; yet he expressed a great desire to finish the Agreement, and when he appointed Gustavus Horn to negotiat with the Ambassadour, he ordained him to make the Marquis Vmpire of all their Differences, declaring, that he would stand to his Decision.

This, which is yet to be seen under his Hand and Signet, was an un∣usual Complement from that high-spirited King; but the Marquis thought not fit to put it to the Test, how much of it was meant for re∣ality. He pressed the King of Sweden for more Auxiliaries, but was sent back by him to his Army, loaded onely with hopes and fair words. So he came again to Magdeburg about the end of December,* 10.2 where he found that they within were much straitned, and (as another Historian acknowledgeth) had Bannier been as forward as the Marquis was, the Town might have been rendred. On Christmass-Eve they came to a Parley, and would have in few days rendred it: but on the second day of their Treaty they had notice that Papenheim was coming with an Army to their relief, whereupon the Treaty broke up,* 10.3 and Bannier would have been retiring. The Marquis pressed his stay, but he pro∣duced his Orders to command all the Dutch and Swedish Forces, and not to hazard an Engagement. This the Marquis looked on as a great breach of Agreement, that any should have Command in his Army but himself, but he must be patient; whereupon he retired to Saltsa, two leagues from the City, where he expected Duke Weimar with 5000 men, and resolved on his arrival to have given Papenheim battel: but Weimar came not, and Bannier drew his men yet further away to Kalbe, a league and a half off, and passed the River Sala, pressing the Marquis to pass with him, so afraid was he of Papenheim; but the Mar∣quis

sent Sir Iacob Ashley to view the Pass, who told him it was so good, that he might safely march away in a quarter of an hours warning, in spite of Papenheim and his Army, upon which he would not stir. Meanwhile Papenheim advanced with his Army,* 10.4 which he gave out to be ten or twelve thousand, though it was onely 4700 men; but, to make the fame of it greater, the Purveyors who went before him made provision for near thrice so many: his men were drawn out of Garri∣sons, and brought up in all haste; and if Bannier had not been stiff, it had been easie to have fought him, and the least foil given him had made Magdeburg their own. Papenheim getting to Magdeburg, and finding that it could not be kept,* 10.5 marched away with the Garrison, and every thing worth carrying with them; but when he came out of the Town, the Marquis and he fac'd one another in a Plain betwixt Kalbe and Saltsa, and the Marquis, though very much weaker than he, yet had a great mind to have engaged: but Bannier would not think of it, nei∣ther had Papenheim any mind to provoke them, and so he marched away: thus Duke Weimar's slowness, and Bannier's carefulness, lost them that occasion. After Papenheim was gone the Marquis entred Magde∣burg, where he found they had left about 40 peece of Cannon, and great store of Ammunition, with plenty of Corns: he staid there till the begin∣ning of February, that the King of Sweden ordered him to lie about Hal∣berstadt: but his Souldiers were ill-entertained, and those he had le∣vied in Germany were pressing for Pay, which should have been advan∣ced by the King of Sweden; therefore in the middle of February he went to that King, who received him with his former kindness: and by other Letters from His Majesty he found, he was still so happy as to re∣tain the room he had in his Heart, which appeared by the two following he found there from His Majesty.

James,

I Have received four Letters from you almost all together, (to wit, of the 23th of September, of the 8th and 14th of October, and of the 11th of November; this last being under Henry Vane's Co∣ver:) which makes me not let this Post go, without letting you know of the receipt of your Letters, having little other thing to write to you at this time; because I am taking two or three days to make a full Dispatch to you and Henry Vane, that you may know the uttermost of what you may expect from hence, assuring you that in all these Condi∣tions you shall still find me to be

Your loving Friend and Cousin, CHARLES R.

Whitehall, 16 Decemb. 1631.

James,

YOu know that I am lazie enough in writing, being willing to find excuses to write short Letters; therefore, though I confess that at this time I have matter sufficient to fill a long Letter, yet in earnest (having commanded Henry Vane to acquaint you fully with all my resolutions) it were needless to trouble my self with writing, or you with reading, a long Letter: therefore I will onely say, that you will find that I neither mean to forget, or break my Promises to you, and that you will not be unluckie if you have but as good fortune in all your actions, as is wished to you by

Your loving Friend and Cousin, CHARLES R.

Whitehall, 31 Decemb. 1631.

But there were great rubs in the Treaty with England: the main thing pressed by the Ambassadour was, that the King of Sweden should give the Marquis an Army,* 12.1 with which and the Forces and Moneys to be sent from England, he should fall in on the Palatinat. But the King of Sweden proposed unreasonable Conditions, demanding greater Assistance from the King of Bohemia than the whole Palatinat could have given in its most flourishing Condition, and some Cities of the Palatinat to be put into his hands till the Wars were ended; with many other hard Conditions, almost as severe as these which had been proposed by the Emperour: so that the Marquis did clearly perceive, Gustavus was beginning to reckon on all Germany as his Conquest, and that he was to give what Laws he pleased in it. Thus the Ambassa∣dour and he were in very ill terms, but he continued to use the Marquis with great civility; yet he still declined to give him a Commission to levy a new Army, neither would he pay him those Summes of Mo∣ney he had laid out in his Service; and his Chancellour said to him, they knew very well he had spent none of his own Money, having gotten 100000 l. from his Master. He answered, though that were true, he and his Master were to reckon, but that must not be set to their Ac∣compt.

In April the Marquis desired, that some order should be taken with the remainders of his Army till he got a new one, for their number at that time could onely have made him a Colonel, but not a General; so they were reduced into two Regiments,* 12.2 the one of English, and the other of Scots: the English were commanded by Colonel Bellandin, since made Lord Bellandin, and the Scots by Colonel Hamilton, and they were put in Duke Weimar's Army.

The Marquis sent over Sir Iacob Ashley to give the King accounts of what passed, who was quickly dispatched back with the following Letter.

James,

YOu did very well to acknowledge to the Chancellour of Swede his allegation concerning the 100000 l. that he supposed you had from me for His Masters Service, and so much as you did reply to him thereupon was good; but methinks you might have adde•• that, that would more plainly have shewed him his error, which is, That if his Master would not accompt to you for what I gave you, yet, if he will take notice of it that way, it were reason not onely that he sh••uld thank me for it, but also suffer me to put it on his accompt in part of that Assistance I am to give him; but if he will (as he ought) stand to his bargain with you, then he must leave you and me to reckon to∣gether, having n••thing to do to enquire particularly what passes be∣twixt us. I need write little more to you at this time, the trust and sufficiency of this Bearer making it needless, onely to recommend him to you as you did to me, and to tell you freely, that you had done bet∣ter in my mind if you had reserved to him the English Regiment, when your Army was reduced. This I write merely of my self, (on my word) for no body knows that I do this, and I never heard any blame you for it: and for Jacob Ashley himself, he is so far from cen∣suring of you, that you need wish to be no better than he calls you; and he solicits your business beyond the diligence and industry of a fee'd Lawyer. So referring my self for what else I have to say at this time to him, I rest,

Your constant loving Friend and Cousin, CHARLES R.

London, the last of April, 1632.

POSTSCRIPT.

I hope shortly you will be in a possibility to perform your promise con∣cerning Pictures and Statues at Muneken, therefore now in earnest do not forget it.

All this Summer the Marquis followed the King of Sweden in the qua∣lity of a Volunteer,* 13.1 of which he was sufficiently weary: but he found that King was so jealous of him, that he was not to expect any Trust near or in the Palatinat, where he desired most earnestly to be imploy∣ed, and that he did put him daily off; in which the King of Sweden's design was, that by his Impatience he might be quickned to carry on the Treaty with England on any terms. But no consideration of his own could make him betray his Masters Service, or drive on Propositions which he judged so dishonourable for him, as were those he offered about the Palatinat; wherefore he wrote to His Majesty to receive his positive Commands what to do. His Majesties Answer follows.

James,

I Have received three Letters from you by James Lesley, about the 25th of July, all which I assure you have given me very good sa∣tisfaction, as well for your right understanding of Affairs in general, as to give me a light how to direct yours in particular, which at this time is t••e onely subject of mine. One of two you must chuse, either to stay, or come away. For the first, it were very Honourable to doe (in the timis of Action) if you had an Employment, but neither ha∣ving, nor likely to have any hereafter, it were dulness, not patience, to stay any longer; yet it is fit to come off handsomly, neither shew∣ing impatience nor discontentment, if may be, although I think you have cause for both: therefore I have commanded Henry Vane to propose a new Employment f••r you, which though I think it will not take effect, yet it will shew, there is no way unsought for to find you out an Employment with the King of Sweden. It is, that you may be sent into the Palatinat, to assist the French with so many men as my Contribution will maintain; which if it may be done, they promise me to put the lower Palatinat in my hands. This though I do not hold as Gospel, yet, if this design might be put in practice, it might certainly prove useful to my Affairs: this being denied, (as I think it will) you have no more to doe but to seek a fair excuse to come home, which will be best, in my opinion, upon the conclusion of the Treaty between Sweden and Me; or if any rubs arise, that you might be sent to clear it with me. So that upon the whole matter my Iudgment is, that if you cannot serve me in the Palatinat, (as I have already said) the best way is, that you take the first civil ex∣cuse to come home to

Your loving Cousin and faithful Friend, CHARLES R.

Oatland, 1 Aug. 1632.

POSTSCRIPT.

David Ramsay will (as I imagine) meet with you before you come hither, which if he doe, I hope you will remember what I have said concerning him already.

But at this time Oxenstern demanded a League Offensive and Defen∣sive between the Crowns of Britain and Sweden, and that the making of Peace in Germany should be onely in the King of Swedens hands. This varying wholly from the former Treaty, wherein they had onely treated about the Affairs of Germany, and whereby no Peace could be

without the Kings consent, the Ambassadour and he broke up in very ill terms; and on the back of this, the Marquis pressing the King of Sweden to assign him a Country for levying a new Army,* 14.1 His Majesty answered him with a new delay: but he told that King, that he had been now fifteen moneths from his own Country, and though he had been at a vast expence he had received nothing in that Service, and that his Heart was too great to be a perpetual Volunteer, as he had been these divers moneths past; wherefore he pressed for a present Answer. The King of Sweden confessed he had reason to be weary, and he ac∣knowledged the great obligation he had to him, and that he would al∣ways look upon him as one of his best Friends; but said the blame of all the delays he met with fell on the English Ambassadour, on whom he fell a-railing with the greatest passion that the Marquis had ever seen him in;* 14.2 and in a huffing way pulled the Marquis his Hat out of his hand, and clapped it on his own head, and went stamping up and down the room in great rage. The Marquis shunned the Discourse, since as he could not condemn the Ambassadour, so he would not irritat the King of Sweden by an ill-timed Justification of him: but the chief rea∣son of his passion was, that many of the Princes of Germany were be∣ginning to talk, that their Deliverer was like to prove a greater Tyrant than the Emperour had ever been, and he suspected the Ambassadour was Caballing with them.

But the Marquis seeing nothing but delays, desired liberty to return to England, that he might levy a new Army, and remove any Misunder∣standings were betwixt his Master and the King of Sweden. This Pro∣position was so fair that it could not be refused; so on the 8th of Sep∣tember the King signed a Commission to him for bringing over a new Army,* 14.3 and gave him Instructions for ending the Treaty with the King: and a little after that he took leave of him, and was dismissed by the King of Sweden and all about him with very high expressions of Friend∣ship, that King telling him, that in whatsoever place of the World he were, he would ever look upon him as one of his own.

As he was returning home he received the following Letter from the King.

James,

I Wrote to you in my last to find a pretext to come home, but now I must tell you, it is not fit to stay any longer where you are; for the impossibility of your Employment there, and the necessity of your business here, requires your return; so that at this time I'le say no more but, Nil mihi rescribas, attamen ipse veni; for you shall be no sooner come than welcome to

Your faithful Friend and Cousin, CHARLES R.

Hampton-Court, 24 Sept. 1632.

And thus ended the Marquis his Expedition into Germany, wherein if he missed that Success which himself or others had expected, it was no

miscarriage nor neglect of his own; nor could it be said that he had failed in a jot of what he undertook, though almost in every particular the King of Sweden failed to him; neither was any thing so much the occasion of these neglects he met with in Germany, as the firm affection he bore his Masters Service: yet though this lessened his Confidence in him, yet it could not but increase his Esteem of him. 'Tis true, he did not survive this long, to give any expressions of it; for in No∣vember next at Lutzen was that great and conquering King brought to the end of his days,* 15.1 and so all his thoughts and grasping designs did perish with him; onely the Renown of his never-dying Fame sur∣vives.

But both Oxenstern and his other Counsellours in their Addresses to the English Court, during the Minority of their young Queen, did re∣commend all their Affairs to the Marquis, as to one of their own Nati∣on, with the highest expressions of Esteem and Friendship; and divers of the Electors and Princes of Germany were much taken with his Con∣verse, having seen him in the Swedish Camp, and continued their Friend∣ship with him both by Correspondence and Presents.

When he returned to Court,* 15.2 his reception with the King was as affectionate as his parting had been, and he continued about His Ma∣jesty in the highest Characters of Favour; but he kept himself much out of business, medling little in Scotish Affairs, except it had been to procure a particular kindness to his Friends, in which he was so sparing, that many were dissatisfied with him for it.

Next year the King went into Scotland, to receive the Crown of that his ancient and native Kingdom, and held a Parliament there;* 15.3 thither did the Marquis follow him, assisting at that Ceremony according to his Rank with much joy.* 15.4 But his Expedition to Germany had involved him and all his Friends in vast Debts; yet his Lease of the Customs of the Wines was a good Security, and fully able to free him of that bur∣den, and was ratified in that Parliament. But the Earl of Traquair, who was then Treasurer-Deputy, suggested to the King, that these Customs were the readiest and surest Moneys that the King had, and that the Treasury would signifie little without them: wherefore he moved that some other way might be fallen upon, for refunding the Expence the Marquis had been at for his Army in Germany, that so these Customs might return to the Treasury. All the Marquis his Friends having got a hint of Traquair's Proposition, pressed him to oppose it with all his Interest; since the Security he had was good, and well-settled on him by Law, and any new Project could be fallen on, would neither prove so sure, nor so speedy Payment. But Traquair's Proposition pleased the King well, and he moved it to the Marquis, who without either mur∣muring or reluctancy offered back his Lease of the Customs of the Wines, and submitted his whole pretension to the King.

But His Majesty was both just and generous, and so would not suf∣fer him to be ruined by those Burdens which had been contracted by his own Commands; wherefore a Taxation being laid on the Country by the Parliament for the Kings supply, together with another Imposition of two of the ten, which was then the Interest of Money, the Collect∣ing of these was put in the Marquis his hands till he should be paid all was due to him by His Majesty for the Expedition to Germany, and for some other great Summes His Majesty was owing, which he under∣took

took to pay; and for the rest he was to be accomptable to the Treasu∣ry, upon which he yielded up his Lease of the Customs of the Wines.

In the end of that year His Majesty sent down the Marquis to settle, with the several Shires and Burroughs of Scotland, both for the Taxati∣on and the Two of the ten: and though his Power in that was full, so that he might have acted singly; yet he would do nothing without the consent of the Lords of Exchequer and Session. He spent some moneths in these Agreements, and after he had settled with the greatest part, he returned to his attendance at Court, having devolved the management of his Fortune and private Affairs on his Friends: and thus his Fortune was in a few years recovered from the burdens it lay under.

A year after that he was sent down again to examine the Earl of Mor∣ton's Accompts, who was Treasurer, and then he gave a new Instance of his being against the ingrossing of Power; for though his Trust war∣ranted him to have acted singly, yet he carried along with him in all his procedure the whole Exchequer.

And this is all the medling that (for ought I find) he had in publick Affairs till the Year 1638.

Notes

• * 1.1

  An. 1625.
• * 1.2

  The Marquis succeeded his Father.
• * 1.3

  His Fathers Character▪
• * 1.4

  King Iames his Death.
• * 1.5

  The Marquis leaves the Court.
• * 2.1

  An. 1627.
• * 2.2

  The King writes to him▪
• * 3.1

  and invites him to Court▪
• * 3.2

  But he prefers a Country re∣tir'd life to the Court.
• * 3.3

  An. 1628.
• * 3.4

  Earl Denbigh comes for him:
• * 4.1

  He goes to Court, and is made Master of the Horse.
• * 4.2

  His usage at Court,
• * 4.3

  and behaviour there.
• * 4.4

  The Affairs of Germany.
• * 4.5

  An. 1629.
• * 4.6

  The Queen of Bohemia re∣commends the care of her Af∣fairs to the Marquis.
• * 4.7

  The King of Sweden invites the King to his assistance.
• * 4.8

  who appoints the Marquis to enter in Treaty with that King.
• * 4.9

  The Marquis sends Col. Ha∣milton to treat,
• * 4.10

  and after him David Ramsay.
• * 4.11

  An. 1627.
• * 4.12

  The Articles of the Treaty yet extant in Latine.
• * 5.1

  Articles signed by the King of Sweden.
• * 5.2

  An. 1630.
• * 5.3

  K. Charles 2d. is born, and baptized, the Marquis re∣presenting the King of Bohe∣mia, who was Godfather.
• * 5.4

  The Marquis is Knight of the Garter.
• * 6.1

  Articles sign∣ed by the Marquis.
• * 6.2

  Ramsay treats with the Lord Reay.
• * 6.3

  An. 1631.
• * 6.4

  Ramsay is sent over to the States, and Elphinston to the King of Sweden.
• * 6.5

  The King was betrayed by Farensback.
• * 6.6

  He pressed the Marquis to come in all haste,
• * 6.7

  and desires a League with the King.
• * 6.8

  Reay acccuseth Ramsay, and Ochiltree the Marquis.
• * 6.9

  Borthwick be∣ing a witness clears the Marquis.
• * 6.10

  Weston carries the Accusation to the King,
• * 6.11

  who gives it no good hear∣ing,
• * 6.12

  and opens the whole matter to the Mar∣quis;
• * 6.13

  and made him lie in the Bed-chamber that same night.
• * 6.14

  Ochiltree tried and sentenced for his Forge∣ries
• * 6.15

  to perpetual Imprisonment▪
• * 6.16

  Reay and Ram∣say desired a Combat.
• * 6.17

  Sandersons Life of King Charles.
• * 7.1

  His Majesties Letter about that Affair.
• * 7.2

  The Marquis sets sail, and intends for Breme,
• * 7.3

  but sails through th•• Sound▪
• * 8.1

  he lands in Germany with 6000,
• * 8.2

  in good time to the King of Sweden.
• * 8.3

  The Marquis goeth to the King of Swe∣den,
• * 8.4

  who sends him to keep some Passes,
• * 8.5

  where the Plague broke in on his Ar∣my.
• * 8.6

  He relieves Crossen,
• * 8.7

  and takes G••∣ben;
• * 8.8

  but is recalled to besiege Magdeburg.
• * 8.9

  Sir Henry Vane comes Ambas∣sadour to the King of Swe∣den.
• * 10.1

  The Marqui•• goes to the King of Swe∣den.
• * 10.2

  Magdeburg comes to a Parley;
• * 10.3

  An. 1632.
• * 10.4

  but is relieved by Papenheim,
• * 10.5

  who leaves it.
• * 12.1

  The King of Sweden pro∣poseth unmea∣surable terms to the King.
• * 12.2

  The Marquis's Army is redu∣ced to two Regiments.
• * 13.1

  The King of Sweden refu∣seth to give a new Commissi∣on.
• * 14.1

  The Treaty breaks up.
• * 14.2

  The King of Sweden in ••reat passion.
• * 14.3

  The Marquis returns to England.
• * 15.1

  The King of Sweden is killed.
• * 15.2

  The Marquis is well recei∣ved at Court▪
• * 15.3

  An. 1633.
• * 15.4

  He waits on the King to his Coronati∣on in Scotland▪