King Charles II. his declaration to all his loving subjects of the kingdom of England. Dated from his Court at Breda in Holland, the 4/14 of April 1660. And read in Parliament, May, 1. 1660. Together with his Majesties letter of the same date, to his Excellence the Lord General Monck, to be communicated to the Lord President of the Council of State, and to the officers of the army under his command.

King Charles II. his declaration to all his loving subjects of the kingdom of England. Dated from his Court at Breda in Holland, the 4/14 of April 1660. And read in Parliament, May, 1. 1660. Together with his Majesties letter of the same date, to his Excellence the Lord General Monck, to be communicated to the Lord President of the Council of State, and to the officers of the army under his command.

Table of contents

[Figure] King CHARLES II. his DECLARATION To all His Loving SUBJECTS of the KINGDOM of ENGLAND. Dated from His Court at Breda in Holland, the 4/14 of April 1660. And read in PARLIAMENT, MAY, 1. 1660. Together with His MAJESTIES LETTER of the same Date, To his EXCELLENCE the LORD GENERAL MONCK, to be communicated to the Lord President of the COUNCIL of STATE, and to the Officers of the ARMY under his Command.

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C R

‘HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE’

King CHARLES II. his DECLARATION To all His Loving SUBJECTS of the KINGDOM of ENGLAND. Dated from His Court at Breda in Holland, the 4/14 of April 1660.
And read in PARLIAMENT, MAY, 1. 1660. Together with His MAJESTIES LETTER of the same Date, To his EXCELLENCE the LORD GENERAL MONCK, to be communicated to the Lord President of the COUNCIL of STATE, and to the Officers of the ARMY under his Command.

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CHARLES by the grace of GOD King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith,

To all our loving Subjects of what degrée or quality soever, gréeting.

If the general distraction and confusion which is spread over the whole Kingdom, doth not awaken all men to a desire and longing that these wounds which have so many years together been kept bleeding, may be bound up, all we can say will be to no purpose; However, after this long silence, we have thought it our duty, to declare how much we desire to contribute therunto: And that as we can never give over hope in good time to obtain the Possession of that Right which GOD and Nature hath made our due, So we do make it our daily suit to the Divine Providence, that He will in Compassion to Vs and our Subjects (after so long misery and sufferings) remit us and put us into a quiet and peaceable Possession of that Our Right, with as little blood and damage to Our people, as is possible; Nor do we desire more to enjoy what is Ours, than that all our Subjects may enjoy what by Law is theirs, by a full and entire Administration of Iustice throughout the Land, and by extending our mercy where it is wanting and deserved.

And to the end That the fear of punishment may not engage any conscious to themselves of what is past, to a perseverance in Guilt for the future, by opposing the quiet and happinesse of their Country, in the restoration both of King, Peers and People, to their just ancient and fundamental Rights: We do by these presents Declare, That we do grant a full and generall Pardon, which we are ready to pass under our great Seal of England, to all our Subjects of what degree or quality soever, who within fourty dayes after the publication hereof shall lay hold upon this our grace and favour, and shall by any publick Act declare their doing so; And that they return to the Loyalty and Obedience of good Subjects, excepting only such Persons as shall hereafter be excepted by Parliament, Those only excepted. Let our Subjects how faulty soever, relye upon the word of a King, solemnly given by this present Declaration, That no Crime what soever committed against us or our Royal Father before the publication of this, shall ever rise in judgment, or be brought in question against any of them, to the least indamagment, either in their Lives, Liberties or Estates, or (as far forth lies in our power) so much as to the prejudice of their Reputations, by any reproach or term of distinction from the rest of our best Subjects. We desiring and ordaining, that hence forward all Notes of discord, separation and difference of Parties, be utterly abolished among all our Subjects, whom we invite and conjure to a perfect Vnion among themselves under our Protection, for the resettlement of our just Rights and theirs in a free Parliament; By which upon the word of a King we will be advised.

And because the passion and uncharitablnesse of the times have produced several opinions in Religion, by which men are engaged in parties and animosities against each other, which when they shall hereafter unite in a freedom of conversation will be composed or better understood: We do declare a Liberty to Tender Consciences, and that no man shall be disquieted or called in question for differences of opinion in matters of Religion, which do not disturb the Peace of the Kingdom; And that we shall be ready to consent to such an Act of Parliament, as upon mature Deliberation shall be offered to us for the full granting that indulgence: And because in the continued distractions of so many years, and so many great Revolutions, many Grants and Purchases of Estates have béen made to and by many Officers and Soldiers, and others, who are now possessed of the same, and who may be liable to Actions at Law upon several Titles, We are likewise willing that all such differences, & all things relating to such Grants, Sales and Purchases shall be determined in Parliament, which can best provide for the just satisfaction of all men who are concerned.

And we, do further declare, That we will be ready to consent to any Act or Acts of Parliament to the purposes aforesaid, and for the full satisfaction of all Arrears due to the Officers and Souldiers of the Army, under the Command of General MONCK: And that they shall be received into our Service upon as good pay and conditions as they now enjoy.

Given under our sign Manuel and Privy signet at our Court at Breda this fourtéenth day of April, 1660. In the twelveth year of our Reign.

Received the first of May, 1660.

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CHARLES R.

TRusty and Wel-beloved, We greet you well:

It cannot be believed but that We have been, are, and ever must be, as Solicitous as we can, by all endeavours, to improve the Affections of our good Subjects at home, and to procure the Assistance of our Friends and Allyes abroad, for the Recovery of that Right, which by the Laws of GOD and Man, is unquestionable; and of which we have been so long dis-possessed by such force, and with those circumstances, as we do not desire to agravate by any sharp expressions, but rather wish, That the Memory of what is passed, may be buried to the World. That We have more endeavoured to prepare, and to improve the Affections of Our Subjects at home, for Our Restoration, then to procure assistance from abroad, to invade either of Our Kingdoms, is as manifest to the World: And We cannot give a better evidence that We are still of the same minde, then in this Conjuncture, when common reason must satisfie all men, that We cannot be without Assistance from abroad, We choose rather to send to you, who have it in your own power, to prevent that Ruine and Desolation which a War would bring upon the Nation, and to make the whole Kingdom owe the Peace, Happiness, Security and Glory it shall enjoy, to your vertue; and to acknowledge that your Armies have complyed with their obligations, for which they were first raised, for the preservation of the Protestant Religion, the Honour and Dignity of the King, the Priviledges of Parliament, the Liberty and Property of the Subject, and the Fundamental Laws of the Land; and that you have vindicated that Trust, which others most perfidiously abused and betrayed: How much we desire and resolve to contribute to those good Ends, will appear to you by Our enclosed DECLARATION, which We desire you to cause to be Published for the information and satisfaction of all good Subjects, who do not desire a further effusion of precious Christian Blood, but to have their Peace and Security founded upon that which can only support it; an Unity of Affections amongst our selves, an equal administration of Justice to Men, restoring Parliaments to a ful capacity of providing for all that is amiss, and the Laws of the Land to their due veneration. You have been your selves Witnesses of so many Revolutions, and have had so much experience, how far any power and authority that is onely assumed by passion and appetite, and not supported by Justice, is from providing for the Happinesse and Peace of the People, or from receiving any obedience from them without which no Government can provide for them, that you may very reasonably believe, that GOD hath not been well pleased with the Attempts that have been made, since He hath usually encreased the Confusion, by giving all the successe that hath been desired, and brought that to passe without effect, which the Designers have proposed, as the best means to settle and compose the Nation; And therefore We cannot but hope and believe, that you will concur with Us in the Remedy We have applyed, which, to humane understanding, is only proper for the Ills we all groan under; And that you will make your selves the blessed Instruments to bring this blessing of Peace and Reconciliation upon King and People, it being the usual method in[?] which Divine Providence delighteth it self, to use and sanctifie those very means which ill men design, for the satisfaction of private and particualr Ends and Ambition, and other wicked purposes, to wholsome and publick ends, and to establish that Good which is most contrary to the Designers; which is the greatest manifestation of Gods peculiar kindness to a Nation, that can be given in this world. How far we resolve to preserve your Interests, and reward your Services, we refer to our Declaration; and we hope God will inspire you to perform your duty to us, and to your native Country, whose happiness cannot be separated from each other.

Wee have entrusted our welbeloved Servant, Sir Iohn Greenvile, one of the Gentlemen of our Bed-chamber, to deliver this unto you, and to give us an Accompt of your Reception of it, and to desire you in our Name, that it may be published. And so We bid you farewell.

Given at our Court at Breda, this 4/14 of April, 1660. In the twelfth year of our Reign.

Received the first of May, 1660.

To our trusty and Welbeloved General MONCK, to be by him communicated to the President and Council of State, and to the Officers of the Armies under his Command.

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EDINBƲRGH, Re-printed by Christopher Higgins in Harts Close over against the Trone-Church, 1660.

Information about this book

Title statement

King Charles II. his declaration to all his loving subjects of the kingdom of England. Dated from his Court at Breda in Holland, the 4/14 of April 1660. And read in Parliament, May, 1. 1660. Together with his Majesties letter of the same date, to his Excellence the Lord General Monck, to be communicated to the Lord President of the Council of State, and to the officers of the army under his command.

Charles II, King of England, 1630-1685.

Edition statement

1660

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2009-03 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

B02052

ID [STC]

Wing C2985

ID [STC]

ESTC R171212

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

52612061

ID [OCLC]

ocm 52612061

ID [VID]

179346

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Early English books online.

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(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. B02052)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 179346)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English Books, 1641-1700 ; 2786:7)

Source

— King Charles II. his declaration to all his loving subjects of the kingdom of England. Dated from his Court at Breda in Holland, the 4/14 of April 1660. And read in Parliament, May, 1. 1660. Together with his Majesties letter of the same date, to his Excellence the Lord General Monck, to be communicated to the Lord President of the Council of State, and to the officers of the army under his command., Charles II, King of England, 1630-1685., Albemarle, George Monck, Duke of, 1608-1670..

Extent

1 sheet ([1] p.)

Re-printed by Christopher Higgins in Harts Close, over against the Trone-Church,. Edinburgh :: 1660.. (Caption title.) (Royal arms at head of text; initial letters.) (Includes two communications from Charles II in exile: the first, a general declaration to his subjects; the second, a letter to General George Monck.) (Text of declaration in black letter.) (Reproduction of the original in the National Library of Scotland.)

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