His Majesties DECLARATION CONCERNING The Charge of the Army; And His Resolution to die like a Martyr, rather then to answer to any Impeachment or Articles, in relation to his Try all, by the Lawes of the Land, as an ordinary Subject.
And His Declaration and Proposals to the Governour of Winsor Castle concerning Major Gen. Brown, and his present restraint under the power of the Sword, with his Predictions thereupon, touching what shall befall the Army.
Also, the Declaration and Proposals of Col: Harrison to the King, and his Protestation, to oppose all persons whatsoever, that shall offer any private violence to His Majesties Royall Person. Dated from Windsor Castle, the 1 of January 1648.
Printed for C. Bradshaw, neer the Inner Temple, 1649.
His Majesties ANSWER Concerning the Charge of the ARMY AND His Resolution to dye like a Martyr, rather then to an swer to any Impeachment or Articles, in relation to his Tryall by the Lawes of the Land, as an ordinary Subject.
HIs Majesty hath had some discourse about the Remonstrance of the Army, in reference to the bringing of his person to a tryall, proposing severall Queries, how that could be, what way they could do it, or which way they could bring in any Charge against him: It [Page 2]was answered by a Member of the Army, That what if a Charge should be brought against him for his life, according to the manner of tryall of the Subjects by the Lawes of the Kingdom, what would he then do, in reference to an answer, for preservation of his Life, Crown, and Priviledge, the King replyed, That if any such Charge of Impeachment should be exhibited against him, either by Parliament or Army, he would not give any answer thereto, but declare against it, to be both Arbytrary and unlawfull; and that if they sought to depose and degrade him of his Titles and Honours, or to spill his Royall bloud, by separating his Soule and Body, he was resolved to sacrifice his life with patience, and to cast himself in the Armes and Bosome of his sweet Lord and Saviour, and only Redeemer; to the end, He may dye like a Martyr, in prosecution and defence of Religion and Country. So confident is the King in his wayes. But it is feared, that his great aversnesse to the peace of this kingdom will cause cause much trouble and distractions to befall his people.
His Majestie is in a very secure place in the Castle, and strong bolts and guards are for the night about the Chamber, but he will not admit any to lie, or remain in the chamber with him.
He saith, that he knowes there is a time for his redemption and that many of his enemies will moulter away, and fall before him; for, in his discourse, he often declares, that he is confident that both Scotland and Ireland will help him, and that the Army will divide among themselves, and be destroyed.
Col. Tomlinson hath the command of this Castle, and his Majesty is not suffered to stir out, onely walkes sometimes upon the Territs, he is debarred from the speech of many, [Page 3]and no suspicious persons are admitted to him: he presseth much for D. Hamond to be resident with him, and that Hee may have leave to communicate a Declaratory Message to Holland and France.
Yesterday his Majesty desired a conference with Colonel Tompson, which was assented to, and after some disputation touching the present matter of State, his Maj. declared and proposed severall questions touching Maj. Gen. Brown, and the rest of the impeached members, saying, That the said M. G. was a man worthy of honour and trust, and that he pittyed his case, as much as his owne, not doubting, but that few dayes would produce their liberty, notwithstanding their present sufferings for Religion and a good conscience: his Maj. is oftentimes exceeding high in his expressions, and very bitter against divers of the Army; but casts a favourable constfuction upon the Lord Generall, which is all at present, from
Yesterday 16 of the restrained members were sent for to the Gen. quarters, and told, that if they would promise to act nothing against the army, they might have their liberty: whereupon they desired, 1 To know if that was the Generals pleasure, 2 To know if they might not have their liberty without any engagement, and it was permitted them, their names are, Lord Weinman, Sir VValter Earl, Sir Robert Pye, Sir Samuel Luke, Sir Gilbert Gerrard, Sir Thomas Somes, and the rest. As for the fore-going Charge against the King, it is said, the army are resolved to try him very speedily, and that if he can acquit himself of the guilt thereof, that then Hee shall be re-invested, and restored to his just Rights and Dignities.
Westmin. 30. Decemb. 1648.
A Declaration concerning the King.
HIs Excellency the Lord Gen Fairfax, Lieut. Generall Crumwell, and the rest of the Councell of Officers, have seriously debated the Remonstrance and Proposals of the army, for the speedy setling of the peace of the Kingdome, and executing of impartiall Justice upon all Offenders whatsoever; and to that end, have drawn up a Charge against the King, which containeth these particulars, viz.
1 That Charles Steward hath acted contrary to his trust, in departing from the Parliament.
2 That the said Charles Steward hath forfeited his trust reposed in him by the people, by setting up his Standard, making a war against them, and thereby been occasion of much bloudshed and misery to the people whom hee was set over for good.
3 That the said Charles Steward hath been the chiefe Instrument of augmenting and promoting a second War, by granting Commissions to Incendiaries and Malignants, and inviting them thereunto.
4 That the said Charles Steward hath acted contrary to the Liberties of the Subject, and tending to the destruction of the fundamentall Laws and Liberties of this Kingdome; all which amounts to a forfeiture of the said trust reposed in him by the People at his Coronation, with much more to this effect.
The Councel of War (who now manage businesse, as in relation to him) have ordered the way of State and Majesty observed about him, as to persons and manner, viz. that nothing be done upon the knee, in reference to his tryall, who (as is said) will receive it at Windsor, about the 6. day of the next moneth. And it is said, that his Maj. upon the receipt hereof, declared, That though he could have no restauration [Page 5]to his rights, priviledges, and Crown, and had participated of far more trouble and misery in this world, than any of his (late) Predecesors yet he doubted not, but in the world to come, to receive an everlasting Crown of glory.
His Majesties Queries.
FIrst, That no Law can judge a King, or make him rightly to suffer death by any power. 2 That though Hee suffers under them by restraint, yet his Irish Subjects will come in their time and rescue Him. 3 That all men when they find that great decay of trade, which will be, if the Kingdome be not setled by him, they will rescue him. 4 That He knowes what an influence is from the people upon him; That, that if he be not restored, they will not be satisfied. 5 That the kingdome is generally well pleased with what he condescended to, as very great on his part, at the Treaty with the Parliament. 6 That the City of London are of great power both in purse and strength, and will oppose any that shall seek to destroy him. 7 That reliefe will come to him from severall parts of Christendome. 8 That his Sonne Prince Charles is able to raise a good strength in France and Holland.
Answer.
1 That there is not only example hereof in other parts, but in Scotland, yea, and England also, of the 35 last Kings, above twenty were imposed and deposed by power. 2 That nothing will ruine his Majesty more, than joyning with the Irish against his Protestant Subjects. 3 That there will be a sudden course taken for setling of trade, and inriching the kingdome. 4 That Law and Justice being executed, it will render great satisfaction to the people. 5 That the kingdom cannot be satisfied with Ormonds negotiation with the Rebels in Ireland. 6 That the City of London will bee new [Page 6]modelled, and begins to be framed to a pretty good order, and temper, since the putting of Malignants out of power and authority. 7 That forreign forces cannot daunt the spirits of the Souldiery of England. 8 That the French have troubles enough at home, by the present distractions in the City of Paris, and that the Prince wants money for facilitating his design in Holland.
The Declaration of Col. Harrison to the King.
1 That his trust was to be in God. 2 That his desire is, that God may have the glory of all. 3 That he hated all base and obscure undertakings. 4 That what would be done concerning his Majesty would be open, and to the eyes of the world. And protested that he himself would oppose any that should privately offer violence to his person. This gave his Majesty great satisfaction, who replyed, that if the Army acted beyond his thoughts and expectation, he would proclaime their fame throughout all Europe.