A just defence of the royal martyr, K. Charles I, from the many false and malicious aspersions in Ludlow's Memoirs and some other virulent libels of that kind.

CHAP. IV. Not any just Ground for Complaint of Grievances.

NEither had they better Authority for the several Grievances they made such a Noise about, hunting after them with all the Earnestness imaginable, re∣ceiving none so kindly as those who brought them Information of fresh Game, though generally it proved a Brake-bush instead of a Hare.

That Disparity printed in Sir Henry Wotton's Remains, between the Earl of Essex in Queen Elizabeth's time, and the Duke of Buckingham, was sometime af∣ter discovered to be the first Essay of a Younger, but much abler Pen; the Person who writ it, making as great a Figure during all the Troubles of Charles the I. and II. as any whatsoever, and upon the Restauration was advanc'd according to his great Merits and Sufferings. This In∣genious little Piece, to make good the Dis∣parity undertaken, observes how great an Advantage the Earl had from the Tem∣per of the Age, and easy Good Natur'd dis∣position

all People were then in:

'Twas, saith he, an ingenious uninquisitive Time, when all the Passions and Affections of the People were lapp'd up in such an in∣nocent and humble Obedience, that there was never the least Contestations, nor Capitulations, with the Queen, nor (though she frequently consulted with her Subjects) any further Reasons urg'd of her Actions, than her own Will.

When there were any Grievances, they but Reverendly convey'd them to her Notice, and left the Time, and Or∣der of the rest to her Princely Discreti∣on. Once they were more importunate, and formal in pursuing the Complaints of the Purveyors for Provision; which without doubt was a crying, and an hea∣vy Oppression: The Queen sent them Word, they all thought themselves wise enough to reform the Misdemeanors of their own Families, and whisht they had so good an Opinion of her, as to trust her with her Servants too. I do not find that the Secretary who delivered this Message received any Reproach or Check, or that they proceeded any fur∣ther in the Inquisition.

On the other side, that of the Duke of Buckingham's Fa∣vour with King Iames and Charles the I.

He tells us, was a busy, querulous, fro∣ward

Time; so much degenerated from the Purity of the former, that the Peo∣ple under pretences of Reformation, with some Petulant Discourses of Liber∣ty (which their great Impostors scat∣tered amongst them, like false Glasses to multiply their Fears) began Abditos Principis Sensus, & quid occultius parat exquirere, extended their enquiries e∣ven to the Chamber, and private Acti∣ons of the King himself; forgetting that Truth of the Poet, Nusquam libertas gratior extat, quam sub Rege pio. 'Twas strange to see how Men afflicted them∣selves to find out Calamities and Mis∣chiefs, whilst they borrowed the Name of some great Persons to scandalize the State they lived in. A general disorder throughout the whole Body of the Commonwealth; nay, the Vital Parts perishing, the Laws violated by the Judges, Religion prophan'd by the Pre∣lates, Heresies crept into the Church, and countenanced: All which they themselves must rectify, without being beholden to the King, or consulting the Clergy:

And give me leave to add, pro∣ving there was any Truth in those Allega∣tions they made such a Noise about.

Thus far that Great Man, who hints likewise at the most probable Causes which

might produce that Frenzy, this World of ours was then got into: As 1st. The heat of young Heads, who are ever more forward to reform others, than themselves. 2dly, The Disappointments some of longer standings met with in reference to their own Advance∣ment. But more especially in the 3d. place, The Revolution of Time, which had made them unconcern'd in the Loyal Fears that govern'd sixty Years since, and the Nation too happy in that Spirit, and Condition; Un∣less more sensible of it, and thankful for it: From which stupid Humour it was, that such as cry'd Fire most, with the same Breath blew the Coals, and would never give over till they had set all in a Flame.

One of these Grievous Cries was Tun∣nage and Poundage, about which we have already mention'd his Majesty's just Re∣sentments, but withall his too great Con∣descention, in hopes to give them Satis∣faction; So far beneath our self, to use his own Words, As we are confident never a∣ny of our Predecessors did the like; nor was the like ever required or expected from them. Notwithstanding which they continued their Proceedings, and as the King goes on, We endured long with much patience, both these and sundry other strange and ex∣orbitant Incroachments and Usurpations, such as were never before attempted in that House.

Roger Coke is also very hot upon this Scent, and gives a History thereof out of his Grandfather's Institutes, so far as to serve his turn; yet withall is forc'd to own, that they had been continued to all the Kings and Queens since Edward the 4th. so that passing an Act was only Matter of Form; for if Prescription, long continued Custom, be Common Law for the People, and make the best Tenures, why not for the Prince? Nay, 'tis farther apparent, that in most of those Reigns, there were several Alter∣ations, and Additions too, as Circumstances of Trade varied, or Reason of State re∣quired: Queen Elizabeth more especially took her Liberty therein at pleasure, with∣out Regret, or Complaint, from Merchant or Member; particularly the Venetians ha∣ving Tax'd a Charge upon our English Cloath; She, to be even with them, rais'd that upon Corinth's, which continued all her Life without dispute; and when a Pragmatical Fellow stood it out with King Iames, it was adjudg'd due by the Barons of the Exchequer. But the debate here was perfect Spite, and Contradicti∣on; otherwise no Man of Sense of Ho∣nour would have made a Breach between Prince and People, in refusing to confirm what his Predecessors had enjoy'd some hundred Years before.

Especially considering the Charge and Care the King was then at, above any of his Ancestors, in reference to Naval Pre∣parations, whereto the Customs were all along assign'd. I have seen an Account of the Navy Royal as it stood in Queen Elizabeth's Time, presented by Sir Wal∣ter Rawleigh, to Prince Henry; consisting of Twenty four Sail, the best of which did not reach one of our Fourth or Fifth Rates, as now built: 'Tis true, he tells him it might be advanc'd to what Num∣ber she pleas'd, by pressing Merchants Ships of equal or greater Force. And so it con∣tinued without any considerable Im∣provement all King Iames's Time, till the Earl of Nottingham, Lord Admiral, over∣grown with Age, importun'd the King for a Discharge, as he own'd both to Lords and Commons, wherein he was com∣ply'd with, and succeeded by the Duke of Buckingham, who apply'd himself there∣to with so much Diligence and Circum∣spection, as at the same time his neglect was so severely complain'd of in the House of Commons; we had an Hundred Sail in one Fleet gon against the Spaniard; with another Squadron join'd the Dutch to block up Dunkirk; and a third to guard the Channel; which was likewise conti∣nually improv'd, so far as the King's Purse

could reach, under the many Exigenties he then lay; and would the Parliament have perform'd their Parts might have then clear'd the Ocean of all Opposition whatsoever; which they were so far from, as to make an attempt of withdrawing the Customs, the only support he had to this great Defence and Undertaking: Yet notwithstanding their perverse Dispositi∣on, 'tis a Question whether we had not the Ballance upon our Neighbours more then, than now? and as able to maintain the Sovereignty of the Seas? Though it shall be acknowledg'd, our Strength at present may be five, perhaps ten times greater, with a proportionable Charge, and Oppo∣sition too, which is worst of all. In the mean while we may from hence perceive what a creditable Evidence Common-fame is; for as the Clamour then ran, which our several Sets of Pamphletteers, and Li∣bellers would have us still believe, one would have imagin'd we had not been able to fight a Fleet of Dutch Fisher-Bus∣ses, or that our Admiral knew or car'd whether there had been two such places as Chatham, or Portsmouth; such strong Prejudices can Men of ill design Fool the People into. Neither was the Conduct of other Affairs so much to be run down as their Pettishness did Suggest, when

amongst other things they would enquire how the Reputation and Interest of our Nation came to decline so much from what it was in Ages past; which if they had considered the Wise Man's Caution, they would have omitted for their own Reputation sake: Say not thou, what is the Cause, that the former Days were better than these? For thou dost not enquire wisely con∣cerning this. And I am confident every ordinary Reader will judge there was more Malice than Wisdom in the Matter before us, when told; their Charge was chiefly Level'd at those Storms which Dis∣sipated our Fleets, both upon the Spanish and Flemish Coasts: On the contrary could there be a more Sober or Christian An∣swer than what the King reply'd? That 'twas God's Pleasure to send stormy Weather, and his Will must be done: Though 'tis con∣fess'd they might have gon out at a more Seasonable time of the Year, had they furnish'd him with a seasonable Supply; but it became now their usual Practice, to charge him with their own Defects.

Yet notwithstanding that, and the Mis∣carriage at the Isle of Rhe, where never∣theless a great deal of English Bravery was shewn, (so little were they dege∣nerated from their Ancestors) the French were so much Allarm'd at our entring in∣to

a War, and Assisting the Rochellers, as they proffer'd the Duke of Rohan, and the Protestant Party, any Terms to join with them against the English; and it was their ill Conduct, and Positiveness, (not to excuse something of Treachery amongst them,) which made the first Attempts for their Relief, miscarry, as shall be made appear in due Time, and Place; as likewise how glad the French were of a Peace, on Ho∣nourable Terms on our Side, tho they knew too well the Perverseness of our great Senate. But to look back upon for∣mer Times, even those so happy Days of Queen Elizabeth, they were not attended with constant Success; the great Sir Francis Drake did not always answer Ex∣pectation in his Returns out of the West-Indies, and as great a Sea Captain as he, was Frozen to Death in Search of the North-East-Passage, with several such like Instances which might be given as to those Affairs. So likewise for Land-Ser∣vice, Leicester's Conduct in the Low Coun∣tries, was neither to his Mistresses, nor their Satisfaction; and that popular Fa∣vourite Essex miscarried most Scandalous∣ly in his Second Expedition against Spain; and how fatal his Irish Management was, is known to all. At some of these indeed the Queen was concern'd; but had any of

her Parliaments meddled therewith, they would have soon discovered how much she had of Henry the VIII's Spirit. Nei∣ther ought it to seem strange, if after that continued Peace God and King Iames had so long bless'd us withall, we should be somewhat at a Loss, entring afresh into War; since that we have gain'd more Experience, and paid sufficiently for our Learning, both in Blood and Treasure, and which is worse still, cannot give over when we would.

And whilst we are upon this Head of Grievances, there is a Commission to seve∣ral Lords of the Privy Counsel must by no means be past by: For though it was on∣ly in general Terms, To enter into Con∣sultation of all the best and speediest Ways and Means ye can, for raising of Monys for the most important Occasion aforesaid, which without extreamest hazard to us, our Do∣minions and People, and to our Friends and Allies, can admit of no long delay, &c. Yet Rushworth, and from him Roger Coke, and from them both the Defence, &c. will have it to raise Monys by way of Excise, in which Sense likewise this present Par∣liament would have it go, and made a Bussle accordingly, sending Sir Edward Coke to Harangue the Lords upon the same Subject; whose first and chief Exception

was, that 'twas ordered after their Sum∣mons, (a sufficient Proof there could be no ill Design by it) although it might like∣wise be considered, that the Parliament was not so free to grant the King Supplies, as he to Summons them; and further yet, that there were several Projects pro∣pounded to the King, which he would never rashly close with, but refer to the Consideration of his Counsel, (no mean In∣stance of his Prudence and Goodness too, above what we deserv'd) to recommend such as their Wisdoms and best Iudgments, should find to be most convenient in a Case of this inevitable Necessity: For those be the express Words in the Commission. And hereto agrees what the Lord Keeper report∣ed to the House of Lords: That their Lord∣ships had reason to be satisfied, with what was truly and rightly told them by the Lords of the Council, that this Commission was no more but a Warrant of Advice, which his Majesty knew to be agreeable to the Time, and the manifold Occasions then in Hand; but now having a Supply from the Loves of his People, he esteems the Commission use∣less; and therefore, though he knows no Cause why any Iealousies should have risen thereby, yet at their Desires, he is content it be can∣celled, and hath commanded me, &c.

Yet I know this Reply will not pass, tho upon his Majesty's Royal Word; un∣less we can take off that potent Allegati∣on of 30000 l. remitted over to Sir Wil∣liam Balfour, and Dalbeir in Holland, to raise a Thousand German Horse, to en∣force the Payment of this Excise, and aw the Parliament soon to be Assembled, as most of the Libellers expresly declare. That such a Sum was remitted to raise Horse is certainly true, but to be imploy'd here at home to the Ends aformention'd, as certainly false; to the making good whereof I must observe, that the Low-Countries were at that time not only the School but Shop of War, which furnish'd all the rest of Europe (even the Spaniards themselves, for a good Market) with Arms, Ammunition, and whatever else was requisite to that Bloody Trade: Nei∣ther was any thing more usual in Queen Elizabeth's Time, than to take such Eng∣lish Forces as had been exercis'd, and flesh'd in their Service, when upon any great Expedition against Spain or else∣where, and supply them with new rais'd Men to maintain their Garrisons: Ac∣cording to this Method the Lord Wim∣bleton was supply'd about two Years be∣fore in his Expedition against Spain: And these 1000 Horse were doubtless design'd

upon some Enterprise in defence of Rochel, or otherwise to Annoy the French; which upon new Councils, and perhaps a Pro∣spect of Peace, (for about that time it be∣gan to be secretly Agitated) was laid aside. To be sure had his Majesty de∣sign'd any thing of force upon this Nati∣on, he made choice of very improper In∣struments, in those two Commanders, who notwithstanding their great Obligations to the King, when the War brake out in 41. took Imployments under the Parlia∣ment (because they had most Mony I presume) and did them cursed Service. The Defence saith Dalbeir was a Papist to reflect upon the King, doubtless; with∣out considering what he did afterwards for his Parliament of 40. He was a Ger∣man and had serv'd under Count Mansfield, so that 'twas more likely he was Lutheran or Calvinist: But of what concern is that Man's Religion, who Acts without a Principle of Gratitude, or Common Ho∣nesty? And therefore to attend the Fate of this unworthy Person a little farther, when he had wrought Iourny-Work for the Parliament as long as the War lasted, he was laid aside; which regretting, as a Souldier of Fortune ought to do, en∣gag'd upon the King's Account, with the Duke of Bucks, Lord Holland, &c. in

that Design at Kingston, which miscarry∣ing, they were persued to St. Neots in Huntingtonshire, where some escap'd, some were taken; but Dalbeir was cut in pieces by his Brethren, the Parliamentarians, be∣cause he had been of their Side. If Bal∣four did not come to the same End 'twas pity; for he was a true Covenanting Scot, betray'd the King in the great Trust of the Tower committed to him, and from thenceforward sided with the Parliament. I had not been so Prolix in my Account of these two Men; but to shew, that had there been any such Design as an Ex∣cise and these German Horse to enforce the same, 'tis impossible but the two chief Commanders must have been privy there∣to, and would have consequently divulg'd it to their Patrons the Parliament, indear∣ing themselves more thereby, than all their other Bloody Services. I must beg leave to make this one Observation far∣ther, That it had been altogether as im∣possible for one Thousand Horse to en∣force a General Excise, as double the Num∣ber of the foremention'd Irish to Massa∣cre the whole Nation. Yet they had a more impertinent Maggot in 41, that there were Forces kept in Grots and Caves un∣der Ground, that should in the Night break out into the City, and cut all their

Throats: And what was more prodigious, and though ridiculous, yet saith my Author, had not a few Believers in London, That there were Designs by Gun-Powder to blow up the Thames, and choak them with the Wa∣ter in their Beds. May it not be here a ne∣cessary Quere, Whether the Invention, or Credulity be more Astonishing?

Notes

• Append. p. 7.
• Detect. p. 334.
• Coll. 208.
• Eccl. 7. 10.
• Coll. 615.
• Col. 628.