The annals of King James and King Charles the First ... containing a faithful history and impartial account of the great affairs of state, and transactions of parliaments in England from the tenth of King James MDCXII to the eighteenth of King Charles MDCXLII : wherein several material passages relating to the late civil wars (omitted in former histories) are made known.

The Archbishop of Canterbury's Let∣ter to the King concerning the Plot, * 1.1 withthe King's Direction in the Mar∣gent, written with his own Hand.

May it please your Grace,

AS great as the secret is which comes here∣with, * 2.1 yet I choose rather to send it in this silent covert away, and I hope safe, than to come thither, and bring it my self. First, Be∣cause I am no way able to make haste enough with it. Secondly, Because should I come at this time and antedate the meeting Sept. 24. there would be more jealousie of the business, and more enquiry after it, especially, if I being once there, should return again before that day, as I must if this be followed, as is most fit.

The Danger it seems is imminent,

and laid by God knows whom, but to be executed by them which are very near about you (for the great ho∣nour which I have to be in danger with you, or for you, I pass not, so your Sacred Person and the State may be safe.) Now may it please your Majesty, This Information is either true, or there is some mistake in it: If it be true, the * 2.2 persons which make the Discovery will de∣serve thanks and reward; if there should be a∣ny mistake in it, your Majesty can lose nothing but a little silence.

The business (if it be) is extream foul; The discovery thus by God's Providence offered, seems fair. I do hereby humbly beg it upon my knees of your Majesty, that you will conceal * 2.3 this business from every Creature and his Name that sends this to me. And I send his Letters to me to your Majesty, that you may see his sence both of the Business and the Secresie. And such Instructions as you think fit to give him, I beseech you let them be in your own Hand for his Warrant without imparting them to any. And if your Majesty leave it to his discretion to follow it therein in the best way he can, that in your own Hand will be Instruction and War∣rant enough for him. And if you please to re∣turn it herewith presently to me, I will send an Express away with it presently.

In the mean time I have by this Express re∣turned * 2.4 him this Answer, That I think he shall do well to hold on the Treaty with these men with all care and secresie, and drive on to the Discovery so soon as the business is ripe for it, that he may assure himself and them, they shall not want reward, if they do the Service; That for my part he shall be sure of secresie, and that I am most confident your Majesty will not im∣part it to any. That he have a special eye to the Eighth and Ninth Proposition.

Sir, for God's sake and your own safety, se∣cresie in this business: And I beseech you send me back this Letter, and all that comes with it, speedily and secretly, and trust not your own Pockets with them, I shall not eat nor sleep in quiet till I receive them. And so soon as I have

them again, and your Majesties Warrant to proceed, no diligence shall be wanting in me to help on the Discovery.

This is the greatest Business that ever was put to me; And if I have herein proposed or done * 2.5 any thing ••miss, I most humbly crave your Ma∣jesties pardon. But I am willing to hope I have not herein erred in Judgment, and in Fidelity I never will.

These Letters came to me (saith the Arch∣bishop) on Thursday, Septemb. 10. at Night, and I sent these away according to the Date here∣of, being extreamly wearied with writing this Letter, copying out these other which come with this, and dispatching my Letters back to him that sent these, all in my own hand; once again secresie for God's sake, and your own: To his most blessed protection I commend your Majesty and all your Affairs, and am

The King's Hand and Date.

Your Majesties most humble and faithful Servant, William Cant.

* York 13th. Lambeth, Sept. 11. 1640.

† 2.6 As I had ended these, whether with the labour or indignation, or both, I fell into an extream faint sweat, I pray God keep me from a Feaver, of which three are down in my Family at Croyden.

These Letters came late to me, the Express being beaten back by the wind.

The Archbishops Indorsement with his own Hand,

Received from the King, Sept. 16. 1640. For your Sacred Majesty, Yours Apostyled, The King's an∣swer to the Plot against him, &c.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Arch∣bishops Letter to the King concern∣ing it.
• * 2.1

  I beseech your Ma∣jesty read these Let∣ters as they are endorsed, &c. 1, 2, 3, &c. Ye had reason so to do.
• * 2.2

  It is an un∣answera∣ble Di∣lemma.
• * 2.3

  I concur ••otally with you in opini∣on, assu∣ring you that no body doth or shall know of this business, and to shew my care to conceal it, I recei∣ved this but this Afternoon, and now I make this Dispatch before I sleep. Herewith I send his Warrant as you advise, which indeed I judge to be the better way.
• * 2.4

  I like your answer extream well, and do pro∣mise not to deceive your Con∣fidence, nor make you break your word. I have sent all back, I think these A∣postyles will be warrant e∣nough for you to proceed, especially when I expresly command you to do so.
• * 2.5

  In this I am as far from con∣demning your Judgment as suspect∣ing your fidelity C. R.
• † 2.6

  The Arch∣bishops Postcript.