The Deputation of Montague to the King from the Earl of Denbigh General of the English Forces.
DUring the cessation of Arms, the French Rebels who were in the English Fleet finding they had lost their courages, and despaired of forcing the pas∣sage, concluded themselves utterly lost without obtaining the Kings grace. To which purpose they beseeched the Earl of Dexbigh to employ his power with their King, in the behalf of his Master the Earl of Denbigh thought it reasonable, and upon deliberation had with the Officers of the Army what was fit to be done to pro∣cure them this satisfaction, they agreed to send Montague to his Majesty in the be∣half of the King their Master to endeavour the making their peace for them. M••••tague came to his Majesties quarter, and having audience, declared that he was sent from the King of Great Brittain his Master to begge a pardon for the Rochelois, that he would be pleased to promise them the liberty of their conscience, to forgive the Sieur de Soubize and the Comte de La Val, and to give quarter to those English which were in Rochel. The King answered them, that as for those of Rochel, they were his own subjects, and that the King of England need not in∣termeddle in their interest, and as for the English who were there in garrison, that they should receive the like usage as the French prisoners in England, yet his Ma∣jesty received him with a great deal of honour, shewed him the Forts of the Camp, the Batteries, the Bank, the Pallisadas and the range of Vessels which over-spread the Channel. The truth is it was not done so much to gratifie him, as that upon the relation of what he had seen, the rest of his party might be discouraged from making any further attempts. After he had been an eye-witnesse of those things, he returned to England to the King his Master to reduce him to some accommoda∣tion.