a happy conclusion of this treaty, which, with all cheerfulness, I do enibrace.

And to this wished end, yourselves have laid most excellent grounds; for what can I reasonably expect more than to treat with honour, freedom, and safety, upon such propositions as you have, or shall present unto me, and such as I shall make to you. But withall remember, that it is the definition, not names of things, which make them rightly known; and that without means to perform, no proposition can take effect. And truly my present condition is such that I can no more treat than a blind man judge of colours, or one run a race who hath both his feet fast tied together; wherefore, my first necessary demand is,

That you will recall all such votes and orders, by which people are frighted from coming, writing, or speaking freely to me.

Next, that such men of all professions, whom I shall send for, as of necessary use to me in this treaty, may be admitted to wait upon me. In a word, that I may be

in the same state of freedom I was in when I was last at

Hampton Court. And, indeed, less cannot in any reasonable measure make good those offers which you have made me by your votes; for how can I treat with honour, so long as people are terrified by votes and orders against coming to speak, or write to me? And am I honourably treated, so long as there is none about me (except a barber, who came now with the commissioners) that ever I named to wait upon me, or with freedom (until I may call such unto me, of whose services

I shall have to use in so great and difficult a work). And for safety (I speak not of my person, having no apprehension that way), how can I judge to make a safe and well-grounded peace, until I may know, without disguise, the true present state of all my dominions, and particularly of all those whose interests are necessarily concerned in the peace of these kingdoms, which leads me naturally to the last necessary demand I shall make for the bringing of this treaty to a happy end; which is,

That you alone, or you and I jointly, do invite the Scots to send some persons authorized by them to treat upon such propositions as they shall make; for certainly the public and necessary interest they have in this great settlement is so clearly plain to all the world, that I believe nobody will deny the necessity of their concurrence in this treaty, in order to a durable peace. Wherefore I will only say, that as I am king of both nations, so I will yield to none in either kingdom for being truly and zealously affected for the good and honour of both my resolution being never to be partial for either, to the prejudice of the other.

:

Now as to the place (because I conceive it to be rather a circumstantial than real part of this treaty, I shall not much insist upon it) I name Newport in this isle: yet the fervent zeal I have that a speedy end be put to these unhappy distractions doth force me earnestly to desire you to consider what a great loss of time it will be to treat so far from the body of my two houses, when every single debate (of which doubtless there will be many)

1 The Museum MS. reads I.

must be transmitted to Westminster before it be concluded. And really I think (though to some it may seem a paradox) that people's minds will be much more apt to settle, seeing me treat in or near London, than in this isle; because, so long as I am here, it will never be believed by many that I am really so free as before this treaty begin I expect to be; and so I leave and recommend this point to your serious, consideration. And thus I have not only fully accepted of the treaty, which you have proposed to me by your votes of the third of this month, but also given it all the furtherance that lies in me, by demanding the necessary means for the effectual performance thereof: all which are so necessarily implied by, though not particularly mentioned in your votes, as I can no ways doubt of your ready compliance with me herein. I have now no more to say, but to conjure you, by all that is dear to Christians, honest men, or good patriots, that ye will make all the expedition possible to begin this happy work, by hastening down your commissioners fully authorized and well instructed, and by enabling me (as I have showed you) to treat; praying the God of peace so to bless our endeavours, that all my dominions may speedily enjoy a safe and well-grounded peace.

Carisbrook Castle, 10th August, 1648.

CHARLES R.1

1 Endorsed in another hand, "Brought by the Earl of Middlesex, Sir

John Hippesley, and Mr. Bulkeley."

Charles I. to his Daughter.1

Dear daughter,

Newport, 14th October, 1648.

It is not want of affection that makes me write so seldom to you, but want of matter, such as I could wish; and indeed am loth to write to those I love when I am out of humour (as I have been these days by-past), lest my letters should trouble those I desire to please. But having this opportunity, I would not lose it; though at this time I have nothing to say, but God bless you! So I rest

Your loving father,

CHARLES R.

Give your brother my blessing with a kiss, and commend me kindly to my Lady Northumberland, by the same token.

Charles I. to the Prince of Wales.2

Newport, November 29, 1648.

Son, By what hath been said, you may see how long we have laboured in search of peace. Do not you be discouraged to tread those ways, to restore yourself to your right; but prefer the way of peace. Show the greatness of your mind, rather to conquer your enemies by pardoning than punishing. If you saw how unmanly and unchristianly this implacable disposition is in our evil willers, you would avoid that spirit. Censure us not, for having parted with too much of our own right; the

1 Sloane MS. 3299, art. 85.

2 Holmes's MS. Historical Collections.

price was great; the commodity was security to us, peace to our people. And we are confident another parliament would remember how useful a king's power is to a people's liberty.

Of how much have we divested ourself, that we and they might meet again in a due parliamentary way to agree the bounds for prince and people! And in this, give belief to our experience, never to affect more greatness or prerogative than what is really and intrinsically for the good of our subjects (not satisfaction of favourites).1 And, if you thus use it, you will never want means to be a father to all, and a bountiful prince to any you would be extraordinarily gracious to. You may perceive all men trust their treasure, where it returns them interest: and if princes, like the sea, receive and repay all the fresh streams and rivers trust them with, they will not grudge, but pride themselves, to make them up an ocean. These considerations may make you a great prince, as your father is now a low one; and your state may be so much the more established, as mine hath been shaken. For subjects have learnt (we dare say) that victories over their princes are but triumphs over themselves ; and so, will be more unwilling to hearken to changes hereafter.

The English nation are a sober people; however at present under some infatuation. We know not but this may be the last time we may speak to you or the world publicly. We are sensible into what hands we are

1 It was his undeserved favouritism to Buckingham that commenced his road to ruin.