JOYFUL NEVVS OF THE KINGS MAJESTIES SAFE Arrivall in the ISLE of VVHEIGHT with Mr. John Ashburnham, and Sir John Barclay.
WITH His Majesties Propositions to Collonell Hamond the Governour: Confirmed by Letters from the Governour and others.
And two Messengers come to the Parliament about it.
Also Foure LETTERS: One of which His Majesty received from London, and three written by His Majesties own Hands: The first to Col: Whaley, the second to the Lord Mountague, and the third A Declaration to all His Majesties Subjects of both Kingdomes; Concerning his going away, with His Majesties desires to the Parliament, the Army, and the Kingdomes.
With a perfect Narrative of the manner of his Majesties going from Hampton Court, and the severall circumstances both before & after.
Imprimatur
London, Printed by Robert Ibbitson in Smithfield, 1647.
A Letter from Hampton-Court, of the manner of His Majesties departure.
YEsterday the Scotch Commissioners were with his Majesty, and Mr. Cheesly (newly come from Scotland with them) & had audience; Sir Edward Ford, Sir John Bartlet, Mr. John Ashburnham, and Mr. Denham, had lately passes to goe beyond the Seas: This day his Majesty was not so pleasant at dinner as usually, and spent most part of this day in writing in the Bed-chamber privately with himself only; About four a clocke at night, his Majesty called for lights, Mr. Maul. (then newly come from London carried in candles, a while after his Majesty called for snuffers: Some desired to speake with his Majesty, but his Majesty refused, desiring to be private; one of the Commissioners knocked againe, his Majesty said hee was busie, and desired to be private, and that he would nor sup that night: After supper one of them knocking, his Majesty answered not; then the Commissioners went in, and Collonel Whalley, and found his Majesties cloake there and foure letters lying on the table (the copies whereof I have sent your Lordship here inclosed) his Majesty being gone in his shooes and stockings, it was supposed he might be in the garden, downe the backe stares; but it seems his Majesty was gone through the garden and parke, and so away, some thinke for Scotland, others for London, some for Jersey: others (which is more probable) to the Isle of Whight: some Gentlemen passed this night over Kingston bridge, supposed to be his Majesty, with Sir Edward Ford, Sir John Bartlet, Mr. Ashburnham, and Mr. Denham. Messengers are sent out, and ports to be stopped. My Lord, in haste I conclude my selfe,
A Letter which His Majesty received from London, left upon the table in his Majesties Chamber.
IN discharge of my duty, I cannot omit to acquaint you that my brother was at a meeting last night with eight or nine Adjutators, who in debate of the obstacle which did most hinder the speedy effecting of their designes, did conclude, it was your Majesty, and so long as your Majesty doth live, you would be so, and therefore resolved for the good of the Kingdome to take your life away; and that to that account they were assured that Mr. Del and Mr. Peters (two of their creatures) would willingly beare them company, for they had often said to these Adjutators, your Majesty is but a dead dog: My prayers are for your Majesties safety, but do much fear, it cannot be whilst you are in those hands.
I wish with my soul your Majesty were at my house in Broadstreet, where I am confident I could keep you private till this storme were over, but beg you Majesties pardon, and shall not presume to offer it as advice; It is my constant zeale to your service, who am
His Majesties Letter to Collonel Whaley, Commander in chiefe of the Forces at Hampton-Court for His Majesties guard, left upon the table in his Majesties Chamber.
I Have been so civilly used by you, and Major Huntington, that I cannot but by this parting farewell, acknowledge it [Page 4]under my hand, as also to desire the continuance of your courtesie, by your protecting of my houshold and moveables of all sorts, which I leave behinde me in this house, that they be neither spoyled nor imbezelled; only there are three Pictures here which are not mine, that I desire you to restore, to wit, my wives Picture in blue, sitting in a chaire you must send to Mrs. Kirk; my eldest daughters picture copied by Belcam, to the Countesse of Anglesey; and my Lord Stanops picture to Cary Rawley; there is a fourth which I had almost forgot, it is the originall of my eldest daughter (it hangs in this chamber over the board next to the chimney) which you must send to my Lady Obigney. So being confident that you wish my preservation and restitution, I rest
I assure you that it was not the Letter you shewed me to day, that made me take this resolution, nor any advertisements of that kinde: but I confesse that I am loath to be made a close prisoner under pretence of securing my life; I had almost forgot to desire you to send the blacke grewe Bitch to the Duke of Richmond.
His Majesties Letter to the Lord Mountague, one of the Commissioners from the Parliament attending his Majesty at Hampton-Court, left in his Majesties Bed-chamber on the table.
FIrst, I doe hereby give you and the rest of your fellowes thanks for the civillities and good conversation that I have had from you. Next I command you to send this my Message (which you will finde upon this table) to the two Houses of Parliament, and likewise to give a copy of it to Col. Whaley, to be sent to the Generall, likewise I desire you to send all my saddle horses to my son the Duke of Yorke.
As for what concerns the resolution that I have taken, my declaratory Message sayes so much, that I refer you to it and so rest,
A Declaration by the Kings Majesty, left upon the Table in his Majesties Bed-chamber.
LIberty being that which in all times hath been, but especially now, is the common Theame, and desire of all men. Common reason shewes that Kings lesse then any should indure captivity, and yet I call God and the world to witnesse, with what patience I have indured a tedious restraint, which so long as I had any hopes that this sort of my sufferings might conduce to the Peace of my Kingdome, or the hindering of more effusion of blood; I did willingly undergoe: But now finding by too certaine proofes, that this my continued patience would not onely turne to my personall ruine, but likewise be of much more prejudice than furtherance to the publique good:
I thought I was bound, as well by naturall as politicall obligations to seek my safety; by retiring my selfe for some time from the publique view, both of my friends and enemies. And I appeale to all indifferent men, [Page 6]to judge if I have not just cause to free my selfe from the hands of those who change their principles with their condition; and who are not ashamed openly to intend the destruction of the Nobility, by taking away their negative voice, and with whom the levellers doctrin is rather countenanced then punished.
And as for their intentions to my person, their changing and putting more strict guards upō me, with the discharging most of all those servants of mine, who formerly they willingly admitted to wait upon me, doth sufficiently declare: Nor would I have this my retirement mis-interpreted, for I shall earnestly and incessantly endeavour the setling of a safe and well-grounded peace, where ever I am, or shall be; And that (as much as may be) without the effusion of more Christian blood, for which how many times have I desired, prest to be heard, and yet no eare given to me.
And can any reasonable men think that (according to the ordinary course of affaires) there can be a settled peace without it; or that God will blesse those who refuse to heare their owne King, surely not?
Nay I must further adde, That (besides what concerns my selfe) unlesse all other cheife interests have not only an hearing, [Page 7]but likewise just satisfaction given unto them, (to wit the Presbyterians, Independents; Army, those who have adhered to mee, even the Scots) I say there cannot (I speake not of miracles, it being of my opinion, a sinfull presumption, in such cases to expect or trust to them) be a safe or lasting peace.
Now as I cannot deny but that my personall security is the urgent cause of this my retirement, so I take God to witnesse that the publique peace is no lesse before mine eyes; And I can finde no better way to expresse this my profession (I know not what a wiser man may do) then by desiring, and urging that all cheif interests may be heard, to the end each may have just satisfaction, as for example, the Army: for the rest (though necessary yet I suppose are not difficult to content) ought (in my judgement) to enjoy the liberty of their Consciences, have an Act of Oblivion, or Indempnity (which should extend to all the rest of my Subjects;) And that all their Arreares should be speedily and duly payed, which I will undertake to doe, so I may bee heard, And that I be not hindred from using such lawfull and honest meanes, as I shall choose.
To conclude, let mee be heard with Freedome, honour, and safety, and I shall (instantly) break through this cloud of retirement, and shew my selfe really to be Pater Patriae.
For the Speaker of the Lords, protempore, to be communicated to the Lords and Commons in the Parliament of England at VVestminster, and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland: And to all my other Subjects of what degree or calling whatsoever.
THis morning Mr. John Ashburnham, came hither to Collonel Hammond, and (accidentally) met him going from the Castle to the Church: The Governour was much startled to see him there, and ask'd what he did there? he said to speake with him: The Governour ask'd if he was going over into France? hee said no: why then (said Collonel Hammond our Governour) what is it that makes you here? Mr. Ashburnham then said that the King was hard by, and desired him to goe to his Majesty, for the King (being in danger of his life, he said) was come thither to cast himselfe upon him for protection, untill the pleasure of both Houses of Parliament shall bee made knowne therein.
Collonel Hammond our Governour went to a little Village by the Sea, where his Majesty, and Mr. Ashburnham, and Sir John Bartlet had been that night, for they landed Friday night about eight a clock, and this night his Majesty, and they are returned; and his Majesty lyes at a private house neare the Castle: And to this effect, the Governour himselfe, hath written a letter to the Parliament. I rest,