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SCOTTISH HISTORY SOCIETY
VOLUME XXX
MONTEREUL CORRESPONDENCE
VOLUME II
January 1899
THE DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE OF
JEAN DE MONTEREUL
AND THE BROTHERS DE BELLIEYRE
FRENCH AMBASSADORS
IN ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND
1645-48
Edited, with an English translation
Introduction and Notes, by
J. G. FOTHERINGHAM
IN TWO VOLUMES II
EDINBURGH
Printed at the University Press by T. and A. Constable for the Scottish History Society 1899
CXII. CXIII. CXIV.
cxv.
CXVI. CXVII. CXVIII. CXIX. CXX. CXXI. CXXII.
cxxin.
CXXIV.
cxxv.
CXXVI.
CXXVII.
CXXVIII.
CXXIX.
CXXX.
CXXXI.
CONTENTS
VOL. 11.
Montereul to Mazarin, Edinburgh, -^ Feb. l6V, Bellievre to Brienne. London, — Feb. ~l'
' ' 12 1646'
Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., i| Feb. 1647, Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., ^ Feb. ^1^'
' ' iS 1640,
Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., 5 March, 1647, . Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb.,^^j|^ l647, Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., ^^|^ 1647, Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., 7 March l647, .
Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., — March 1647,
' ' 12 '
Belh^vre to Brienne, Lond., 14 March l647, .
Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., ^ March l647,
Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., 21 March 1647, -
Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., — March i|^'
15 1046,
Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., ~ March 1647, Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., ^sMarch ^q^,j Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., 28 March l647, Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., f^^ l647, Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., 4 April l647, . Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., ^ April l647, Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., 11 April l647.
2
7 12 16, 20 27 33 35 3^ 43 49 54 58 63 69 74 80 86 92 98
VI
CXXXII. CXXXIII. CXXXIV.
cxxxv.
CXXXVI.
CXXXVII.
CXXXVIII.
CXXXIX.
CXL.
CXLI.
CXLII.
CXLIII.
CXLIV.
CXLV.
CXLVI.
CXLVII.
CXLVIII.
CXLIX.
CL.
CLI.
CLII.
CLIII.
CLIV.
CLV.
CLVI.
CLVII.
MONTEREUL CORRESl^ONDENCE
Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., ^^ April l647, Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., 15 April 1647, . Bellievre to Brienne, Lend., 18 April 1647, . Bellievre to Brienne, Lond.,— April 1647, . Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., 25 April l647, . Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., — April l647, Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., 'f^^ 1647, Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., 29 April l647, . Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., — May l647, Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., 6 May l647, Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., — May 1647, . Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., 20 May 1647, . Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., — May l647, Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., ^ May l647, . Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., ^ May l647, • Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., — June, 1647, Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., ^J^ l647, .
' '27 May '
Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., ^ June, l647, Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., 10 June 1647, . Belli6vre to Brienne, Lond., 10 June l647, . Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., ^ June l647, . Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., ^ June 1647, . Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., ^ June 1647, . Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., ^ June l647, Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., ^ June l647, . Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., ^p^ 1647, .
' ' I July '
PAGE
102
106
108
111
112 115
119
123 126 129 131 134 140 144 147 150 153 156 158 159 160 163 165 167 170 171
CONTENTS
Vll
CLVIII.
CLIX.
CLX.
CLXI.
CLXII.
CLXIII.
CLXIV.
CLXV.
CLXVI.
CLX VI I.
CLXVIII.
CLXIX.
CLXX.
CLXXI.
CLXXII.
CLXXIII.
CLXXIV.
CLXXV.
CLXXVI.
CLXXVII.
CLXXVIII.
CLXXIX.
CLXXX.
CLXXXI.
CLXXXII.
cLXXxni.
Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., ^^T^ l647,
■' '2 July '
Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., "^^ 1647, . Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., |Vt^' 1647, .
' '8 July '
Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., Hi-lHIl* i647,
' - 9 July '
Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., - July l647, . Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., ^ July 1647, . Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., -^ July 1647, P. Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., ^ July l647, Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., - July 1647, Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., -^ July l647, . Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., ^ July l647, . Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., - July l647, Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., ' V" ^ l647, .
' ' I Aug. •*
Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., —^ l647, Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., ^f- l647, .
'29 July
Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., — Aug. l647, Montereul to Mazarin, Edin., — Aug. l647, Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., -^ Aug. l647, Montereul to Mazarin, Edin., — Aug. l647, Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., — Aug. 1647, Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., — Aug. 1647, Montereul to Mazarin, Edin., — Aug. l647, P. Bellievre to Brienne, Lond. — Aug. 1647, Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., ^^^ l647, .
' '23 Aug.
Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., f^] l647, Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., -^-^ l647, .
' '30 Aug. ^
HAGE
174 177 179 181 184 185 188 191 193 196 198 201 204
207
210
212 216 221 224 227 229 232 235 236 239 243
Vlll
CLXXXIV.
CLXXXV.
CLXXXVI.
CLXXXVII.
CLXXXVIII.
CLXXXIX.
CXC.
CXCI.
CXCII.
CXCIII.
CXCIV.
cxcv.
CXCVI.
CXCVII.
CXCVIII.
CXCIX.
cc.
CCI.
ecu.
CCIII. CCIV.
ccv.
CCVI.
CCVII.
CCVIII.
CCIX.
MONTEREUL CORRESPONDENCE
Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., ^^^^ l647, Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., ^ Sept. l647, . Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., ~- Sept. l647, Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., ^ Sept. l647, Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., ^ Sept. l647, Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., ^ Sept. l647, . Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., ^^^- 1647, Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., ^ ^'^\ l647, .
' '23 sept. '
Bellievre to Mazarin, Lond., ^|^ 1647, . Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., ^l^\ l647, Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., f|^'- 1647,
Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., — Oct. 1647
4
Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., j- Oct. 1647,
Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., — Oct. 1647, .
Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., - Oct. l647, ' '22 '
Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., -^ Oct. l647, .
P. Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., ~ Oct. 1647, ' '18 '
Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., ^ Oct. 1647, ' '29 '
Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., ?^'- 1647. .
' •'5 Nov. '
Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., *-^ l647, .
' ' 25 Oct. '
P. BelUevre to Brienne, Lond., i^ 1647,
' '25 Oct. '
P. Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., 11 Nov. 1647
Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., - Nov. l647,
' '12 '
P. Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., 18 Nov. 1647, Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., -^ Nov. l647, P. Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., 28 Nov. 1647,
PAGE
247 249 253 256 260 262 264 267 269 271 273 276 280 283 286 289 290 294 298 301 303 306 311 316 321 325
CONTENTS
IX
ccx.
CCXI.
CCXII.
CCXIII.
CCXIV.
ccxv.
CCXVI.
CCXVII.
CCXVIII.
CCXIX.
ccxx.
CCXXI. CCXXII. CCXXIII. CCXXIV. CCXXV. CCXXVI. CCXXVII.
ccxxvm.
CCXXIX.
CCXXX.
CCXXXI.
CCXXXII.
CCXXX II I.
CCXXXIV.
ccxxxv.
• CCXXXVI.
p. Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., 2 Dec. 1 647, Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., 'j^' l647, P. Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., 9 Dec. l647, Montereul to Mazarin, Edin., 35^- 1647, .
' ' lo Dec. '
P. Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., 16 Dec. l647, Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., - Dec. l647, P. Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., 23 Dec. l647,
Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., -- Dec. 1647,
' '24 '
P. Bellievre to Brienne, Lond., 30 Dec. l647, Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., - Dec. l647, Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., ^^-^^ , -
' '7 Jan. 1648 '
Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., — Jan. 1648,
} '14 '
Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., - Jan. l648, Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., ^ Jan. 1648, Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., J^" l648, Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., - Feb. l648, Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., -| Feb. l648, Montereul to Brienne, Edinb., 15 Feb, l648, Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., '-^^ 1648,
' '4 March '
Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., ' March l648, Montereul to Brienne, Edinb., 8 March l648, Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb,, ^ March l648,
Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., ^ March l648,
24
Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., — March l648, Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., 5^^- 1648,
' '7 April '
Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., ^ April 1 648, Montereul to Brienne, Edinb., 11 April l648.
PAGE
327 330 333 337
341 346 349
Sb& 358 362 368 372 376 380 386 392
407 414 417 419 425 433 438 443 450
MONTEREUL CORRESPONDENCE
CCXXXVII.
CCXXXVIII.
CCXXXIX.
CCXL,
CCXLI.
CCXLII.
CCXLIII.
CCXLIV.
CCXLV.
CCXLVI.
CCXLVII.
CCXLVI II.
CCXLIX.
CCL.
CCLI.
CCLII.
CCLIII.
CCLIV.
CCLV.
CCLVI.
CCLVII.
Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb.j ^ April l648,
Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., "j^^ l6'48,
Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., — May l648,
Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., — May 1648,
Montereul to the Queen of England, Edinb. 3 May l648,
Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., ^ May l648, Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., ^ May l648, Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., ^^^ 1648,
' ' 2 June '
Montereul to Brienne, Edinb., ^ May l648, Montereul to Brienne, Edinb., ?^^ 1648,
' '5 June '
Montereul to Brienne, Edinb., — June l648, Montereul to Brienne, Edinb., — June 1648, Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., — June l648, Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., ^^-i^ 1648,
' '7 July '
Montereul to Mazarin, Edinb., - July l648, Montereul to Brienne, 27 July 1648, Montereul to Brienne, Edinb., 3 Aug. l648, Montereul to Brienne, 24 Aug. 1 648, Montereul to Mazarin, Lond., — Aug. l648, Montereul to Brienne, Lond., 31 Aug. 1648, Montereul to Brienne, Lond., 4 Sept. 1648,
APPENDIX
The Boisivon Correspondence, Edinb., 20 Nov, l643, 539-563 M. du Bosc to Mazarin, 21 Oct. 1644, . . . 564 Sir Robert Moray, 565 *
CONTENTS
XI
Letter from the Scottish Commissioners in London to
Montereul, - Oct. l645, 569
' 12 '
Memorandum from Montereul to the Scottish Com- missioners in London, ^ Oct. l645, . . 569
20
Paper in secret cipher sent by the Scottish Commis- sioners to Montereul, ^ Oct. l645, .... 571
Sir Robert Moray to the Scottish Commissioners,
3 Nov. 1645, 573
Sir Robert Moray to the Scottish Commissioners,
7 Dec. 1645, 574
Memorandum from Montereul, 22 Dec. l645, . . 575
Sir Robert Moray to M. du Bosc, 28 Dec. l645, . . 577
Mazarin to Montereul, 1 Dec. l645, .... 577
Sir Robert Moray to M. du Bosc, 17 May l646, . 580
Sir Robert Morav to M. du Bosc, ?^^ l646, . 582
' 7 June '
Mazarin to Sir Robert Moray, 21 June l646, . 582
Instructions given to the President de Bellievre on his
departure as Ambassador to England, June l646, . 583
Mazarin to Charles i., ...... 587
Sir Robert Moray to M. du Bosc, 29 Jan. 1647, . . 588
The Scottish Dove, 588-594
The King's proposed escape from Newcastle, . 594
The Lairds of Harthill and Gight, .... 595
Boisivon to the Council of State, .... 598
Argyle's Duel, b^
Names of those forming the large Parliamentary Com- mittee or Committee of Estates in Scotland, March 1647, 600
Bond granted by the Marquis of Douglas in order to obtain permission for his son, Lord George Douglas, created subsequently Earl of Dunbarton, to proceed to France, . . . .601
xii MONTEREUL CORRESPONDENCE
PAGE
Scottish Regiments in France, ..... 602
Declaration made by the Scottish Commissioners in London to the King of Great Britain on the subject of the Four Propositions sent to the said King in the Isle of Wight by the English Parliament . . 604
Index, . . . . . . . . , , 605
CHRONOLOGICAL NOTES
1647
Feb. 9. Montereul in Edinburgh.
„ 12. Bellievre returns to London. ^
„ l6. The King arrives at Holmby House. March Scheme of the English Parliament for the reduction
of the army, and the employment of the disbanded soldiers in Ireland. April 19. Lauderdale and Dunfermline arrive in London. May 12. The King's third answer to the Newcastle Proposi- tions. „ 20. The House of Lords votes that the King shall be
brought to Oatlands. „ 27. Votes of Parliament for the disbanding of the army. „ 31. Mutiny breaks out in the army. June 4. The King seized by the army. „ 1 5. The Declaration of the army. „ 17. Lauderdale given leave to visit the King. July 8-10. Conferences between Bellievre and the King.
„ 26. Riots in London, and attempt to coerce the Parlia- ment by the mob. „ 30. The Independents secede from Parliament, and join
the army. „ 31. Lauderdale prevented by the soldiers from seeing the King.
xiv MONTEREUL CORRESPONDENCE
Aug. 1. The Heads of the Proposals of the army published. „ 6. The army occupies London.
„ 13. Robert Leslie sent to the King by the Hamiltons. „ 24. The King brought to Hampton Court. Sept. 7. The Newcastle Propositions revised and offered again
to the King. „ 9- The King's fourth answer to the Propositions. „ 23. Parliament resolves to make a fresh application to the
King. Oct. l6. Bellievre takes leave of the King at Hampton Court,
and returns to France. „ 22. Lqudon, Lanark^ and Lauderdale visit the King at
Hampton Court. Nov. 5. The Scottish Commissioners demand that the King
shall be allowed to come to London to treat. „ 11. The King escapes from Hampton Court. „ 14. The King comes to Carisbrooke Castle. „ 15. The rendezvous at Ware. Restoration of discipline in
the army. Dec. 14. The English Parliament passes the Four Bills to be
offered to the King before a new treaty is begun. „ 24. The Four Bills presented to the King. „ 26. The Engagement between the King and the Scottish
Commissioners. „ 28. The King refuses the Four Bills.
1648
Jan. 17. The English Parliament votes that no further addresses shall be made to the King. „ 24. The Scottish Commissioners leave London. „ 29. The English Parliament sends Commissioners to Scot- land.
CHRONOLOGICAL NOTES xv
Mar. 2. Meeting of the Scottish Parliament.
„ 23. A royalist insurrection begun in Wales.
April 28. Berwick surprised by the royalists.
„ 29. Carlisle surprised by the royalists.
May 1. Sir William Fleming sent to France to invite the Prince of Wales to Scotland.
„ 27. Defection of the fleet in the Downs from the Parlia- ment and rising of the royalists in Kent.
June 1. Victory of Fairfax at Maidstone.
„ 1 1. Beginning of the siege of Colchester.
July 4. Montereul leaves Edinburgh.
„ 8. Hamilton enters England.
Aug. 5. Lauderdale sails to join the Prince of Wales.
„ 17. Cromwell defeats Hamilton at Preston.
„ 19- Surrender of Hamilton's infantry at Warrington.
„ 25. Hamilton surrenders at Uttoxeter.
„ 27. Capitulation of Colchester.
Sept. Montereul leaves England.
MONTEREUL CORRESPONDENCE
CXII MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimhourg, — Fevrier l647.
J' ARRIVE a Edimbourg, d''ou je ne puis encore rien ecrire de considerable a V. Em''^. Le Sieur Chev' Moray espere d'obtenir aujourd^huy une permission publique de faire passer en France des recrues pour son regiment.
Le second fils du Marquis de Huntley, apres avoir pris querelle contre son aine, s'est separe des interets de son pere, et a ecrit ici pour faire son accommodement ; ce qui pourra nuire beaucoup au roy de la G'' B"" non seulement parce qu^on le croit homme de grand cceur, quoique de peu de conduite, comme il a fait voir par cette action, et pour avoir change quatre fois de parti durant cette guerre, mais encore parce qu'il pourra decouvrir beaucoup de choses qui ne seront pas moins avantageuses a ce Parlement que prejudiciables au dit roy, ce qui fait croire a ceux a qui il reste encore ici de Taffec- tion pour le bien du roy, que quelques secours qu''on puisse envoyer aux Gordons et au Marquis d"" Antrim, ils se peuvent conserver difficilement par autre moyen que par le prompt retour du Marquis de Montrose en ces quartiers, quelque peu d'intelligence qu"'il y ait entre eux et le dit Marquis.
On me dit, avec beaucoup de secret, que le roy a fait quelque chose en faveur des Argyles touchant la charge de Grand Tresorier d'Ecosse, qui est entre les mains du Comte de Craw- ford, beau-frere au Due de Hamilton, qu''ofFense fort tous les amis du dit Due, mais je n"'en ay peu rien apprendre de plus particulier.
Un gentilhomme Ecossois, nomme Mungo Moray, fut surpris
VOL. II. A
2 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [FEB.
en recevant une lettre du dit roy le meme jour que je partis de Newcastle. II dit qu'elle s'adressoit a moi, ce que j'ay peine a croire parce que j'en avois re^u une du dit roi avant que venir ici. Si je Teusse s^eu avant que partir de New- castle, j'eusse peu demander qu'elle m'eut rendue, mais il m'a semble que toutes les instances que je pourrois faire de si loin, ne seroient pas de grand effet. J''en ay toutefois donne avis a M. de Bellievre, afin qu'il eut agreable de faire en cela ce qu^il jugeroit plus apropos. Ce gentilhomme dit encore qu'apres avoir ete arrete deux jours prisonnier a Newcastle, et avoir donne caution de se representer dans un mois a Londres, il a eu permission de venir ici, mais quMls Tont fait obliger par serment, qu'il s'empecheroit de me voir, de me parler, et de m'ecrire. Cependant, Mg', je ne puis deviner pour quelle raison il a fallu user de toutes ces precautions, puisque c''est une personne avec laquelle je n'ay aucune habi- tude et que je ne connais que pour ce que donnant a souper au Comte de Traquair et a quelques autres seigneurs d'Ecosse, il vint chez moi en compagnie de Tun d'eux. Cela pent faire voir combien il sera difficile de faire tenir des lettres au roy de la Gr. Br. ou d'en recevoir des siennes. Je ne laisse pas de chercher des moyens de le pouvoir faire surement, parce que j''apprehende que ceux qui s^ sont oiferts aient en dessein d'empecher le dit roy de prendre de bonnes voies pour cela, et peutetre encore pour pouvoir, quand ils le voudront, en faisant saiser ses chiffres, decouvrir ce qu'il a de plus secret.
[MoNTEREuii to Cardinal Mazarin. Edinburgh, -2 Feb. 1647.
I have reached Edinburgh whence I cannot yet send you anything of much importance. Sir Robert Moray hopes to obtain to-day a public permit to send to France the recruits for his regiment.
The second son ^ of the Marquis of Huntly, after having quarrelled with his elder brother, has given up his father's interests, and has written here in order to make his peace, this may much injure the cause of the King of Great Britain, not only because he is considered a very good- hearted man, though not well-conducted, as he has shown by this act, and from his having already changed sides four times during this war, but also because he will be able to disclose many things that will be no less advantageous to this Parliament than prejudicial to the king, which leads
^ Lord Lewis Gordon.
i647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 3
people here who remain well affected to the king's welfare, that whatever assistance one may send to the Gordons and to the Marquis .of Antrim ^ it will be difficult for them to hold out by other means save the prompt return of Montrose in those parts, whatever divergence of opinion there may be between them and the last-named Marquis.
I have told, very confidentially, that the king of Great Britain has done something in favour of the Argyles, regarding the office of Lord High Treasurer of Scotland which is in the hands of the Earl of Crawford,^ brother-in-law to the Duke of Hamilton, which has much offended all the friends of the duke, but I have not been able to learn any further details.
On the day I left Newcastle, a Scottish gentleman, named Mungo Moray, ^ was detected in receiving a letter from the king. He says it was addressed to me, which I can scarcely believe, as I had received one from the king on the previous day, which I sent to the queen before coming here. If I had known of it before leaving Newcastle, I should have demanded it to be given up to me, but I fear now, that I am so far away, all the entreaties I could make thereupon would have little effect. I have however given notice of it to M. de Bellievre so that he may act as he thinks fit in the matter. This gentleman says further that after having been kept under arrest for two days in Newcastle, and after having given security to appear in London in a month, he was allowed to come here ; but that he was made to promise on oath, neither to see me, to speak to me, nor to write to me. Meanwhile I cannot guess why it was found necessary to use all these precautions since it relates to a person with whom I have no acquaintance and whom I only know from having given a supper to the Earl of Traquair and some other Scottish nobles, and from his having called on me in company with one of them. The
^ The Earl of Antrim was advanced to the dignity of marquis by Charles i. in 1644.
* John, loth Lord Lindsay of Byres, created, in 1641, Earl of Crawford and Lindsay.
'^ Mungo Moray was a Gentleman of the Bedchamber whom the king often intrusted with private correspondence. Several of his letters from Saint Germains, during the year 1648, addressed to the Earl of Lanark, are included in the Hamilton Papers, published by the Camden Society in 1880. The following account of the above incident is to be found in Evelyn's Correspondence, vol. v. p. 54, note. ' In February 1646 [?] whilst the king was in the power of the English Commissioners at Newcastle, Mungo Moray, having obtained leave of absence, on pretence of visiting Scotland, was admitted to his Majesty's presence before witnesses for the purpose of kissing his hand. The Commissioners were however so suspicious and watchful, that they observed something put into his hand by the king, and having followed him, when he was out of the presence they searched him and found a letter in cipher directed to Montereul the French agent. The letter was immediately sent up to Parliament and Moray committed to prison, but admitted to bail after two days' imprisonment'
4 BELLlilVRE TO BRIENNE [FEB.
incident shows how difficult it will be for the king to send and to receive his letters. I am still in quest of some means to have it done with security, because I fear those who have oiFered to do so may have the design of preventing the king from taking the best course for it, and perhaps also in order to be able, when they may be so disposed, to get hold of his cipher and discover his most important secrets.]
CXIII
BELLIEVRE a BRIENNE
Londres, - Fevrier ~^'
' 12 1040
Monsieur, — Je suis reuenu de la ville ce soir aprez dix heures. J'ay employe toute la journee a veoir s'il y a quelque chose a faire suiuant les intentions de la Reyne d''Angleterre, non seulement ie ne voy point d'esperance d'obtenir ce qu"'elle demande, mais aussy ie trouue que ceux qui promettoient de seruir sont aujourd'huy bien refroidis. Ilz ne s''y engageoient qu^au cas que Ie Roy d'Ang"^® leur donnast moyen de Ie faire en arriuant a Humby et par les lettres que M. Germain escrit icy a tous ses correspondans ilz s^auent qu'il n'y a plus lieu d'esperer. Tous les jours les ennemis du Roy d'Angleterre trouuent des occasions de luy faire perdre credit dans Tesprit des peuples, et de leur persuader qu'il est Ie seule ennemy de la paix du Royaume. II fut leu auant hier dans Ie Parlement une lettre d'un de ceux qui est pres du Roy d'Ang*"®, frere d'*un des plus grandz ennemis qu''il ayt dans Ie Parlement, qui mande que Ie d. Roy luy a diet qu'il est resolu de ne rien faire pour donner la paix au Royaume, et qu"'il est certain qu'ayant patience six mois, touttes choses se brouilleront en sorte que ses affaires se feront sans qu'il s''en mele. L'on a faict voir ces jours passez un billet de la main du d. Roy escrit depuis deux mois a une personne de qualite qu'il a seruy, qu''il eust a se tenir prest auec ses amis, et qu'il trouueroit quMl y a encore bon nombre de gens de bien en Angleterre. Tout cela faict croire que Ie d. Roy ne veut point la paix qui est neantmoins Ie seul but de ceux qui s'offrent d^'entrer dans ses interestz. Cette opinion est encore fortiffiee par la preuention qu'ont les Anglois que la France estime qu"'il est de ses interestz de maintenir Ie desordre dans TAngleterre, dont ils s'imaginent auoir de nou-
i647] BELLl£VRE TO BRIENNE 5
uelles preuues par deux choses qui n'en font point, Tune par une lettre qu'ilz ont pris que ledict Roy enuoyoit au S"^ de Montereul le jour quMl fut mis entre leurs mains a New- castle, laquelle est icy et qu^ilz ne peuuent dechiffrer. Ilz la croyoient du d. Roy au d. S' Monstreuil. Je Tay veiie et autant que j'ay memoire des chiffres du Roy d'Ang'® je la juge estre de ceux dont il escrit en France a la Reyne d''Ang" ou a ses ministres. Uautre par une lettre du S' du Moulin, dont on me vient d'apporter la Coppie ; elle pent estre faulce, ie n'en ay point veu Toriginal. L''on m'a diet que Ton estoit au- jourd'huy au Parlem* en disposition de deputer pour me la venir montrer. Je ne scay pas ce qui en aura este resolu. Par la coppie que ie vous en enuoye, vous verres qu''elle n''est pas a la verite en termes aussy intelligibles qu''elles deburoit estre, principalement en un temps plein de jalousies, mais que Ton ne pent point dire auec raison qu''elle ayt relation a autre chose qu''au transport des troupes qu"'il leue en ce Pays-la, pour la seruice du Roy et non pas que cela descouure, comme Ton a voulu dire icy, un dessein qu'a la France de fauoriser les Irlandois au prejudice des interestz de TAng^. J'ay mis dans la lettre a Mons"" Germain ce que j"'aurois a vous escrire. Je vous en enuoie la copie. Je luy aurois mande volontiers que les ministres de la Reine d'Ang'^ font aujourd'huy comme ilz ont faict depuis six mois. Ilz improuuent et trouuent des inconuenientz a tout ce que Ton propose, et n'ont jamais propose aucune chose nettement. lis scauent bien que non seulement les difficultez qu'ilz font ne sont pas sans replique, mais aussy ne sont pas essentielles. II me semble qu'ilz ne se conduisent point comme ilz doiuent pour le bien du Roy d'Ang*"® ni a Tesgard de la France proportionnement aux obligations qu'ilz luy ont. — Je suis, monsieur, votre tres humble et tres obeissant seruiteur, Bellieure.
Coppie de la I.ettre escritte a M. Germain
J'aurots fort mal satisfaict a mes ordres, si auant que d'enuoyer a la Cour le message que vous auez veu, je n"'auois faict tout mon possible pour en adoucir les conditions, et les porter dans les termes que je scay estre les plus aduantageux
6 BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE [FEB.
et les plus agreables au Roy d'Ang". J'y ay employe tout ce que Tauctorite de ma charge et mon Industrie y ont peu contribuer. Mais pour ne pas perdre du temps qui esloignoit les bonnes volontez et aussy le pouuoir de ceux qui pre- tendoient seruir le Roy d'Ang'^, je fus oblige d'enuoyer promptement ce project de message affin que les lettres de la Reyne d'Ang'^ pussent estre rendues au Roy a temps pour Tobliger a le faire faire et a preuenir par des offres agreables a toute PAng""^ les rudes propositions qui luy pourront estre faictes par le parlem*, dont le refus donnera grand aduantage aux ennemis de sa M*®. J'ay conteste bien fortement sur touttes les choses qui sont portees dans vostre lettre et sur beaucoup d'autres qui auoient este proposees contraires aux interestz et aux intentions du Roy d'Ang'^^ Je n'auois pas creu qu'aucune chose peust estre plus utile que d'empescher qu''il demeurast prisonnier et d''engager en tout cas dans ces interestz les plus qualiffiees personnes des deux partis qui jusques icy luy ont faict la guerre. Je ne mande jamais a la Cour les raisons ny n'explique pas les particularitez des choses que fy escris, ainsy que je deurois faire, si vous ny estiez pas pour en donner Tinteliigence, et si je ne scauois pas que toutes ces choses vous sont exactement escrittes par des personnes que je cognois icy estre veritablement dans vos interestz. Et je le deuois moins faire encore il y a quinze jours, que i"'estois asseure par eux qu'ilz vous escriuoient amplement de cette affaire, que si quelqu''un oublia lors un des quatre principaux articles du message, il aura repare ce deffaute de memoire par Tordinaire suiuant. Beaucoup de ceux qui donnoient leurs parolles formelles de seruir le Roy d'Ang""®, s'il enuoyoit ce message arriuant a Humby, feront aujourd'huy difficulte d'y demeurer engagd aux conditions que j"'escriuis u la Cour il y a 15 jours. Quant aux clauses que vous desirez qui y soient adjoustees lorsque j'en ay parle cy-deuant, Ton m'a objecte que Wilmoray charge des responses du Roy d'Ang""^ ne les a pas ose presenter a cause des dittes clauses dans un temps auquel le Roy n'estoit pas prisonnier et ou le Parlement d'Ang'® auoit de si grands subiectz de jalousie qu''il n'a plus aujourd"'huy. Je n''obmettray rien de ce qui deppendra de moy pour porter les choses au point que vous desirez, mais j'ay grand subiect de craindre de n"'y pas reussir et que le temps qui pourroit estre
1647] BELLIEVRE TO BRIENNE 7
perdu dans cette attente ne donne lieu a ceux qui s'obligeoient de seruir la Reyne de se desgager de leurs parolles.
Au dos. — Auec la lettre de M. de Bellieure du 22^ feburier 1647, receu le 28*^ du d. mois.
[BELLii;vRE TO Brienne. Londoti, ^ Feb. 1647.
I RETCRNET) from the city this evening^ after ten o'clock. I have employed the entire day in trying to see if there be any thing to do according to the intentions of the Queen of England ; not only do I find no hope of obtaining what she asks, but 1 find also that those who had promising to serve are to-day much cooled down about it. They would only engage to do it were the King of England to give them the means of doing sOj on his arrival at Holmby, and by the letters that M. Jermyn ^ writes here to all his correspondents, they know that there is no longer reason to hope for it. Every day the enemies of the King of England find opportunities to make him lose credit in the minds of the people and to persuade them that he is the only enemy to the peace of the kingdom. The day before yesterday a letter was read in Parliament from one of those who are with the King of England, whose brother is one of the greatest enemies the king has in Parliament, which states that the king had told the writer that he was resolved to do nothing in order to give peace to the kingdom, and that he was certain that by taking patience for six months everything will be upset so that his affairs would arrange them- selves without his having any thing to do with them. A note written by the king has been shown here within the last few days, written within the last two months, to a person of rank who has served him, in which it is stated that he would have to hold himself ready with his friends, and that he would find that there were still a good number of honest people in England. All this gives reason to believe that the king does not wish peace, which is, however, the only object of those who offer to engage in his interests. This opinion is strengthened also by the preconceived opinion the English have that France considers it to be her interest to foster disorder in England, of which they imagine they have new proofs in two matters which are not proofs of it, — one, a letter they have taken which the king was sending to M. de Montereul, the day he was put into their hands at Newcastle, which is here and which they are unable to decipher.2 TTiey believe it to be from the king to M. de Montereul. I have seen it and so far as my memory serves me, for the ciphers of the King of England, I judge it to be one of those he writes to France to the Queen of England or to her ministers. The other is a letter from M. de Moulin, of which a copy has just been brought to me ; it may be a forgery, I have not seen the original.^ I am told that in Parliament to-day, members were disposed to send some one with it to show it to me. I do not know how the matter was settled. You will see by the copy I send
^ Lord St. Albans. 2 gee vol. ii. p. i.
3 See vol. i. p. 380, Letter xcv., Du Molin to le Tellier.
8 BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE [FEB.
to you that it is not in fact in very intelligible terms, as it ought to be, principally in a time like the present, when jealousies are rife, but one cannot say reasonably that it refers to anything else than the transport of troops which the writer is raising in Ireland, for the service of the king, and not that it discloses, as was declared here, a design on the part of France to favour the Irish, to the detriment of English interests. I have put into the letter to M. Jermyn what I should have written to you : I send you a copy of it. I might readily have stated to him that the ministers of the Queen of England act now as they have been doing for the last six months. They disapprove and find inconsistencies in all one proposes, and have never proposed anything distinctly themselves. They are not only well aware that the objections they raise can be replied to, but also that they are not essential. It seems to me that they do not act as they ought for the welfare of the King of England nor as concerns France, in proportion to the obligations they are under to her.
Copy of the Letter written to M. Jermyn.
I WOULD have badly complied with my orders, if, before sending to Court the message you have seen, I had not done all in my power to soften the conditions and to convey them in the most advantageous and agreeable terms to the King of England. I employed therein all that the authority of my office and my ingenuity could contribute towards it. But in order not to lose time, that diverted the goodwill and also the power of those who pretended to serve the King of England, I was obliged to send promptly this draft of a message, so that the letters of the Queen of England might be delivered to the king in time, in order to oblige him to have it executed and to anticipate by some agreeable offers to all England the hard proposals that will be made to him by the English Parliament, the refusal of which will give a great advantage to the •nemies of his Majesty. I contested very strongly all the matters con- tained in your letter, and many others that were proposed, contrary to the interests and to the intentions of the King of England. I did not think that anything could be more useful than to prevent him from remaining a prisoner, and in any case, than to engage in his interests the most notable persons of the two parties that till now have made war against him. In writing to Court I never state reasons nor explain details of matters, as I would do if you were not there to explain them, and if I did not know that all those matters are correctly reported to you by persons here whom I know to be truly in your interests. If I did less than I might have done a fortnight ago it was from my being assured by them, that they were writing to you amply of this affair, and so explicitly that had one of them then forgotten one of the four principal articles of the message he would have repaired the omission from memory and sent it by the following mail. Many of those who gave their formal promises to serve the King of England, if he had sent this message on arriving at Holmby, will object now to remain engaged to the conditions I sent to Court a fortnight ago.
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 9
As for the clauses you wish to be added therein, when I spoke about them previously, it was objected to me tliat Will. Moray when intrusted by the King- of England to deliver his replies did not dare to do so, on account of these same clauses and that at a time when the king was not u prisoner and when the Parliament of England had greater reasons of jealousy than it has to-day. I shall omit nothing so far as I am con- cerned to bring matters to the point you wish, but I have very great reason to fear not to succeed in it, and that the time that may be lost in thus waiting will cause those who were engaged to serve the queen to disengage themselves from their promises.]
CXIV
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimbourg, ^ Fevrier 1647.
J'etois en peine de representer a V. Em"^® les raisons qui m'avoient fait quiter le roy de la G"" B*" pour venir a Edim- bourg, quand celle qu''elle m'a fait riionneur de m^ecrire du 8 de ce mois m'a ete rendue, par laquelle j'ay veu que V. Em''® a approuve ce que j'ay fait, puisqu'il lui plait me commander de le faire. Elle vera par le double de celle que j*'ecris a M. le Tellier comme je n'ay pas perdu un moment depuis que je suis ici, pour travailler aux recrues qu"'elle m'ordonne de faire, et que j'ay essaye de reparer en quelque fa^on les longeurs qui sont arrivees, plustost par le cours des affaires que par mon manquement, ce qui me fait esperer qui V. Em''® aura la bonte de me pardonner une faute que n''a pas ete volontaire.
Pour ce qui regarde les interets du roy de la G"" B' quelque petite esperance que le Chev' Moray ait con^ue que les Ecos- sois pourroient ne pas insister sur le Covenant, j*'en doute, avee beaucoup de raison, et plus je cherche si cela se pent, et plus je le trouve impossible, si ce n'est que les Anglois vinssent a ne le plus demander, car, en ce cas j'ay sujet de croire que les Ecossois ne voudroient pas laisser accommodor leurs voisins sans eux, avec leur roy, parce que cet accommodement ne se pourrait faire qu"'a leur prejudice, et que quelques gens de bien qu'ils puissent estre, il ne voudroient pas se porter a faire une guerre a TAngleterre purement pour leur religion et leur cove- nant, puisqu'ils ont fait voir dans la suite de cette affaire, qu'ils
10 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [fee.
ne desirent pas prendre de querelle avec leurs freres pour quelque raison et en quelque maniere que ce puisse etre, de sorte que le pouvoir des Independants s''etant accru dans le Parlement d'Angleterre depuis qu'ils ont leur roy entre leurs mains, il y avoit sujet d'esperer qu^'ils y pourroient empecher qu'on n''establit en leur royaume le Presbyteriat, et qu'on ne forcat les Anglois a prendre le covenant, — Pune et Tautre de ces deux choses etant egalement contraire au repos de leur conscience, — et que les Ecossois se verroient ensuite obliges a y consentir, si la connaissance qu**ont les Independants que leur roy ne se portera plus jamais a etablir le Presbyteriat et a autoriser le covenant ne les portoil a s'unir avec les Ecossois pour demander Tun et Tautre, et a desirer de luy pour avoir lieu de le miner, ce que les Presbyteriens luy demandent pour Tetablir. Ces peuples cependant tesmoignent fort peu de satisfaction des choses que se sont passees qu"'ils croyent n''avoir pas este honor- ables a leur royaume, et leur mecontentement s''accroit encore par la crainte qu''ils ont qu*'elles ne leur soient pas meme utiles dorenavant, de sorte qu"'ils murmurent assez fort de Tarmee que le Parlement d'Ecosse veut maintenir, et plus encore des moyens dont on se sert pour la faire subsister, et de ce que Ton propose de remettre pour ce sujet les impositions qui etoient auparavant sur les entrees des choses que sont dans le com- merce, et de prendre sur les particuliers le quart des aiTerages de toutes les rentes, — ce qui passa Samedi dernier, — obliger les deputes de villes de faire une protestation contre ce Parlement, parce que comme presque toutes les terres sont aux seigneurs, les peuples ont aussy entre les mains presque tout Targent du royaume.
Les gens de guerre, qui ont ete licencies la semaine prece- dente, sont aussy fort mal satisfaits et temoignent beaucoup de ressentiment contre ceux qui composent la nouvelle armee, mais le meme sujet qui cause le mecontentement des uns et des autres les empeche de le faire eclater, n''y ayant point de lieu de croire que, quelque affection que les particuliers de ce royaume portent a leur roy, ou quelque haine qu'ils puissent avoir pour le present governement, ils osent entreprendre aucune chose tandis qu^^ils verront une armee dans leur pays, de sorte que le roy de la G"" B' ne se pent rien promettre d'ici
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 11
presentement pour la crainte de la dite armee, et difficilement encore quand elle sera debande, pour la douceur qu'ils trou- veront a la paix qu''ils se porterout difficilement a alterer.
Et pour ce que regarde les divisions qui peuvent etre entre les grands de ce royaume, il est bien difficile que le dit roy en puisse aujourd'huy profiter, parce que le parti qui sembloit appuyer les interets du dit roy est entierement abattu, et qu''encore qu'il semble qu''il y ait moins d'intelligence que de coutume entre les Hamiltons et les Argyles, et qu"'il paraisse que le Comte de Lanark a rompu absolument avee le dit Marquis, outre qu''il y a grand sujet de croire que toute cette haine est feinte, en sorte qu*" a present elle leur sert qu"* a peine pour abuser les plus simples et les plus aises a persuader ; il est encore trop vray que quand elle seroit veritable le dit roy en tiriroit fort peu d"'avantage, puisqu'^ils s''accorderont toujours ensemble pour le perdre et que leur haine n'eclatera pas que quand ils le croiront entierement mine.
Cependant, le bruit qui avoit couru que le second fils du Marquis de Huntley vouloit abandonner les interets de son pere, ne se confirme pas cette semaine, et il se pent faire que ce qui se public presentement, — que le Marquis d' Antrim offre de faire retirer Macdonnel d'Ecosse pourvu qu''on laisse jouir le dit Marquis de terres qu''il a en Irlande, — se trouvera faux dans quelques jours, tant toutes choses se font et se disent ici avec artifice, mais il y a toute sorte d"'apparence que le Marquis de Huntley se va perdre, s''il n''est secouru promptement, et qu*'encore qu'il le pourra estre avec peine si Montrose ne revient ici, ou Ton me dit qu"'il trouvera maintenant encore plus de suite qu"'il n''a fait auparavant.
Avec tout cela je ne laisse pas d"'essayer de decouvrir si Pinteret qu'ont les Ecossois que leur roy soit hors des mains des Independants, et les craintes qu''ils ont aujourd'huy les uns des autres, ne les pourroit pas porter a faire quelquechose pour luy, s''il vouloit aussy de sa part se relascher de quelque chose pour leur donner contentement, k quoy les extremites ou ce prince se trouue reduit pourroient peutetre le faire resoudre, (juelques resolutions quMl semble avoir prises au contraire.
Je croy avant que finir estre oblige de faire savoir a V. Em*^^ que le Due de Hamilton et le Marquis d'Argyle m''ont re^u
12 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [feb.
avec de tres grandes civilites, jusques a m'estre venu visiter Tun et Tautre, avant que je leur aie rendu visite/
[MoNTEREUL to CARDINAL Mazarin. Edinburgh, ^ Feb. 1647.
I was at a loss how to explain to you exactly my reasons for coining to Edinburgh, after having left the King of Great Britain, until I received your letter of the 8th of this month, wherein I see you approve of what I have done, since it is your pleasure to order me to do so. You will see from the copy of my letter to M. le Tellier, that I have not lost a moment since I have been here from busying myself about the recruits, which you wished me to attend to, and that I have tried, in some measure, to make up for lost time ; the delays that have occurred have been caused more by the course of events than by my fault, which leads me to hope you will pardon what was involuntary on my part.
As regards the interests of the King of Great Britain, whatever small hope Sir Robert Moray may have formed, that the Scots would not insist on the Covenant, I have great reason to doubt it, the more closely I look at it and inquire if it can be so, the more I find it impossible ; if it were only that the English might come round not to demand it, for in that case I have reason to believe the Scots would not leave their neighbours to come to terms with their king without them, because such arrange- ment could only be made to their detriment, and good folks though they be, they would not be led to make war on England purely for their religion and their Covenant, since they have shown, in the course of this affair, that they have no wish to quarrel with their brothers for any cause and in whatever manner it might be, so that the power of the Independents having increased in the English Parliament, since they have their king in their hands, there might be reason to hope that they would be able to prevent the establishment of Presbyterianism in their kingdom, and that the English might not be forced to take the Covenant, both the one and the other being contrary to their peace of conscience, and that the Scots would see themselves at length obliged to consent to it, if the knowledge the Independents have that their king will never more be induced to establish Presbyterianism, and to sanction the Covenant, might not lead them to unite with the Scots in order to demand both the one and the other and to wish for it in order to have an opportunity of ruining him, what the Presbyterians demand of him to re-establish him. People here, however, show very little satisfaction at what has recently happened ; they con sider it not to have been honourable for their kingdom, and their dissatisfaction is increased by the fear they have, that it will not even be useful to them in future, so that they grumble loudly about the army that the Scottish Parliament wishes to maintain, and still more of the means that is employed for its subsistence, of its being proposed to put on again the duties that existed formerly on imports, and a direct tax of a
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 13
fourth on the returns of all yearly rental/ which passed on Saturday last and obliged the borough members to enter a protest against this Parlia- ment, because, as all the lands are in the hands of the nobles, the people have in their hands almost all tlie money of the kingdom.
The soldiers who have been paid off during the past week are also dissatisfied and show much ill-will against those of the new army, but the same cause that produces their discontent prevents them one and all from giving vent to it, there being no reason to think that whatever affection private persons in this kingdom bear to their king or whatever hatred they may have to the present government they will dare to undertake anything so long as they see an army in the country, so that the king of Great Britain need expect nothing from here at present, on account of the dread of the army, and not easily even when it will be disbanded, for the comfort they will find in peace will not readily lead them to change it for anything else.
As regards the divisions there may be among the leading men of this kingdom, it is difficult for the king to derive any profit therefrom at present, because the party that seemed to support his interests is quite broken down and even though there appears to be not so good an under- standing as usual between the Hamiltons and the Argyles, and that the Earl of Lanark has even broken off absolutely his acquaintance with the Marquis, besides there being much reason to believe that all this hatred is feigned, since at present it scarcely serves to impose on the most credulous, it is yet too true that were it real the king would derive very little advantage from it, since they always manage to agree together to ruin him, and their mutual hatred will only break out when they consider they have entirely done so.
Meanwhile the rumour that the second son of the Marquis of Huntly wished to abandon the cause of his father has not been confirmed this week, and it may possibly turn out that what is now published, — that the Marquis of Antrim offers to recall Macdonald from Scotland, provided he be allowed to occupy the lands he has in Ireland, — will be found to be false in a few days, so much is done and related here merely to serve a purpose ; but it is very likely that the Marquis of Huntly is about lost if he be not promptly relieved, and that although this could only be done with difficulty if Montrose do not return I am told this latter would find at present still more followers here than he had previously.
^ What is stated of this last-named lax is not very explicit. It is referred to, however, again, in a subsequent letter. What is no doubt meant is, that the fourth of the old value, as determined by the early valuation known in Scotland as the old extent, should be the basis of this new impost. Until Cromwell's Parliament modified it in 1656, this old valuation regulated taxation, parliamentary voting and the entry of heirs to landed property. At the time in question a forty shilling land of old extent was considered equal in yearly value, or rental, to ;£'400 Scots, so that the fourth of the former sum, ten shillings Scots, would be the amount payable by the new tax on a rental of ;^400 Scots.
14 BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE [feb.
With all this I still try to discover if the interest the Scots have to see their king out of the hands of the Independents, and the fears they now have the one of the other could not lead them to do something for him, if he would also on his part give way a little to satisfy them, to which the extremity this prince now finds himself reduced might perhaps lead him to resolve, whatever resolution he may seem to have taken to the contrary.
I must mention before finishing my letter that the Duke of Hamilton and the Marquis of Argyle have treated me with great politeness, both of them having called upon me before I had time to visit them.]
cxv
BELLIEVRE A BRIENNE
Lmdres, ?| Feb. i^
' lo O
Monsieur, — Vous jugerez si les prefaces et les reserves que les ministres de la reyne d"'Angleterre estiment deuoir estre necessairem* adioustees au message que Ton jugeoit que le roy d"'Angleterre deuoit enuoyer icy, arriuant a Humby, luy sont de telle consideration qu'il doiue, pour essayer de les auoir, hazarder, — ou plustost perdre certainement, — tous les ad- uantages qu""!! se pouuoit promettre d''un prompt retour a Londres ou ez enuirons, engageant dedans ses interestz les plus qualiffiez et les plus authorisez du parlement et de toute TAngleterre. Et par la comparaison, qu'il vous plaira de faire, de ce que les ministres de la d. reyne ont conseille au dit roy de respondre au parlement, et de ceque le dit roy a offert par Wuilmoray, auec ce que Ton desiroit auiourd'huy quMl enuoyast, peut estre vous trouuerez que ce n'estoit point une mauuoise affaire pour le d. roy et que ce n'^estoit pas auoir perdu que d'auoir engage un parti considerable a son seruice pendant qu'il est en prison sur des conditions fort approchantes de celles qu'il a offert que Ton a rejette pendant qu'il estoit en liberte, et que le parlement auoit subject d'aprehender beaucoup de choses qui ne luy font plus maintenant de peine. J'ay marque de traictz de plumes trois ou quatre endroicts dans le cahier cy joinct qui vous feront cognoistre cette verite. Je faicts ce que je puis pour maintenir ceux qui ont cy deuant voulu seruir le dit roy. II est certain qu'il ne le feront pas maintenant le mesme auantage qu'ilz eussent eu, si le dit roy eust enuoye ce
i647] BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE 15
message arriuant a Humby — il eust en bien plus de grace et plus de force, et les Escossois n^eussent pas eu le temps de venir icy deffendre leur conuenant que leurs amis s'engagent d'abandonner auant que depouuoir auoir de leurs nouuelles. Ceux qui ont voulu seruir le dit roy disent qu'ilz essay eront encore de le faire pourueu qu'il leur en donne le moyen. lis pretendent auoir apris par deux lettres de Mr. Germain, dont beaucoup ont icy connoissance. Tune a une personne qui a tousiours este dans les interestz du roy d'Angleterre, Tautre a une des seurs du d. Mr. Germain que si ledit roy est asseure de n''estre point oblige d'aprouuer le conuenant il accordera, diet Tun, toutes les autres propositions, Tautre diet seullement les quatre choses que Ton luy a propose, et ainsy ils attend oient par Tordinaire dernier que Ton leur escriuit la mesme chose et se promettent que ce sera pour le prochain, estimant toutes fois que la cognoissance que chacun en a eu par ces lettres diminuera beaucoup de la force et de Taucthorite qu''eust eu ce qu'ilz auront a dire s'il n''auoit pas este sceu auparauant. Quand a moi si [je] sauois ce que pretend faire la reyne d'Ang'^j 'essay erois de la seruir dans ces intentions, puisque Ton juge a propos ([uMl en soit ainsi use. J'ay eu occasion d'enuoyer au dit roy d'Angleterre un tres petit billet, et rien de plus, par lequel je luv ai mande que ie ne voy rien a faire a Londres, qu'il n'en approche que Ton est d'aduis qu'il n''oste pas a ceux cjui sont pres de luy les esperances, qu'il puisse enuoyer quelque message au parlement et qu*'au premier jour il aura ladessus les aduis de la reyne dWug""®. II y a icy une requeste de la prouince de Norfolk qui a este presentee, une d'Essex qui se prepare con- forme a celle de cette ville, II y a eu depuis deux jours une esmotion au subiect de quelques . . . qui se leuent de Tordonnance du parlement ce pourroit estre quelque chose, si le roy d''Angle- terre estoit pres d'icy, en son absence ce n'est rien. II y a une declaration au parlement, dont on parlera au premier jour. Je ne la puis voir qu'elle n'aye este leuee audit parlement. L'on m'a diet qu'elle contient une protestation de voulloir maintenir la royaute en la personne du roy et de ses enfans a condition toutesfois qu"'ilz ne se marieront point sans le con- sentement du parlement, et Ton croit que la lettre dont ie me donne Thonneur de vous escrire il y a 15 jours a donne subject
16 BELLi:feVRE TO BRIENNE [FEB.
a cette derniere clause. Strakland, dont mon frere vous a escrit cy deuant, doit aller bientost en Hollande pour mesnager que les ambassadeurs que le parlement y veut enuoyer y puis- sent estre receuz ainsy qu'ilz en ont eu depuis peu de grandes esperances. Cependant les poursuittes que depuis deux mois les marchands de cette ville ont faictes du consentement du parle- ment pour faire nommer par le roy d'Angf^ un ambassadeur en Turquie peuuent faire juger qu''ilz n'estimoient pas lorsque cette aucthorite appartint. L'on sort du Parlement a 8 heures du soir ou Ton a resolu de licentier TArmee a la reserue de 5000 cheuaux que Ton dispersera dans toute TAngleterre. Les Independans qui la commandent ont faict ce qu'ilz ont peu pour Tempescher mais inutilement, les presbiteriens Tout em- porte de beaucoup de voix. L'on a apporte ce soir au Parle- ment une lettre du Roy de la G. B. Elle n''a pas este ouuerte, pour ce que la Chambre haute estoit leuee. Uon croit que ce n'est que pour demander un ministre qui face les prieres deuant le dit roy suiuant Fantien usage de Tesglise d'Angleterre. L''on n'estime pas qu''il obtienne ce qu'il demande, qu'il n''ait accorde ce qui le pent faire venir en cette ville ou ez enuirons. Les Commissionnaires du Parlement qui sont pres du d. Roy deman- dent a reuenir icy. L'on songe a y enuoyer en leur place M""^ de Nortumberland, hollis, vaine le Jeune et quelques autres de ceux qui sont les plus considerables dans les deux maisons. — Je suis, Monsieur, vostre tres humble et tres obeissant seruiteur,
Bellieure.
Judos — M. de Bellieure, du 28 Feburier 1647, I'ccu le vii Mars.
[M. BELLii:vRE to Bbienne. London, ^ Feb. 1G47.
You will judge whether or not the prefaces and the provisos that the Ministers of the Queen of England deem necessary to add to the message, which it is judged the King of England ought to send here, on arriving at Holmby, are of so much importance for him that he ought, in trying to obtain them, run the risk of losing — or more correctly lose certainly — all the advantages that might be expected from a prompt return to London or neighbourhood and the engaging in his interests those of the highest position and the greatest authority in Parliament and in all England. And if you would please to make the comparison of what the ministers of the Queen of England have advised the king to reply to Parliament, and of what the king offered by Will.
i647] BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE 17
Moray, with what it is wished he should send at present, you will find perhaps that it was not a bad affair for the king' and that it was not to have ruined him to have engaged a considerable party in his service while he is in prison, on conditions much similar to those he offered which were rejected while he was at liberty and while Parliament had reason to fear many things that give it no longer any trouble now. I have marked with my pen three or four places in the enclosed papers that will prove to you the truth of my statement. I do what I can in order to retain those who previously wished to serve the king. It is certain they will not now be able to secure the same advantage they might have done had the king sent his message on arriving at Holmby ; it would have had much more favour and more force and the Scots would not have had the time to come here and defend their Covenant, which their friends were thinking of abandoning before they were able to hear from them. Those who wished to serve the king say that they will still try to do so, provided he give them the means of doing it. They pretend to have learned through two letters from M. Jermyn, which many here have perused — one addressed to a person who has always been in the interest of the King of England ; the other to one of M. Jermyn's sisters — that if the king is assured of not being obliged to sanction the Covenant, he will grant, one letter says, all the other propositions, the other says only the four things that were proposed to him, so that they expected this same communication would have been made to them by the last mail, and they still hope it will be by the next ; they consider, however, that the know- ledge that each has had of it by these letters will much diminish the force and authority that might have been in what they have to say, if it had not been known beforehand. For my part, if I knew what the Queen of England pretends to do, T would try to serve her in her intentions, since it has been judged proper that the matter be so dealt with. I have had occasion to send to the King of England a very short note and nothing more, in which 1 informed him that I see nothing to do in London, that he had better only approach it as he may be advised by those near him, so as not to deprive them of any hope they may have ; that he might send some message to Parliament, and that on the first opportunity he will have the opinion of the Queen of England on this subject. There is a petition here that has been presented from the county of Norfolk ; another from Essex that is being prepared similar to that of this city. During the past two days there has been some emotion caused on account of some ' which arises from the ordinance of Parliament : it might
be something were the King of England near here, in his absence it is nothing. Parliament has made a declaration that will be spoken of on the first opportunity. I cannot see it before it has been issued by Parlia- ment. I have been told it contains a protestation of being willing to maintain royalty in the person of the king and his children, on condition
* Word omitted. VOL. II.
■
18 BELLIlfeVRE TO BRIENNE [march
however, that the latter will not marry without the consent of Parlia- ment, and it is believed that the letter I wrote to you a fortnight ago has given rise to this last clause. Strakland,^ of whom my brother wrote to you previously, is soon to go to Holland, in order to arrange that the Ambassadors Parliament wishes to send there may be received, of which they have recently had great hopes. However, the demands that the merchants of this city have been making with the consent of Parliament during two months that the King of England would appoint an Ambassa- dor to Turkey would lead one to judge they did not then consider this authority to belong to it. The sitting of Parliament is just over at eight o'clock in the evening, in which it was resolved to disband the army, with the exception of 5000 cavalry, that will be dispersed throughout England. The Independents, who command it, did what they could to prevent it, but in vain ; the Presbyterians carried it with a large majority. A letter from the King of Great Britain was brought to Parliament this evening ; it was not opened on account of the Upper House not being sitting. It is believed to be but to request that a clergyman may repeat the prayers before the king, according to the old usage of the English Church. It is not considered that he will obtain what he asks till he may have granted what may enable him to come into this town or neighbourhood. The Commissioners of Parliament who are with the king demand to come back here. It is thought of replacing them by Northumberland, Hollis,^ Vane the younger,^ and some others of the most important of both Houses.]
CXVI
BELLIEIVRE A BRIENNE
Londres, 5 Ma7s l647.
Monsieur, — Un gentilhomme qui sert icy le roy d'Ang" auec beaucoup d'affection et d'addresse m'a prie de despescher ce courrier en France pour faire sauoir et pour donner moien de mander a la reyne d'Angleterre et a monsieur Jermin ce qu'il scait d'une affaire de tres grande importance qu''il a descouuert depuis peu que Ton traicte icy depuis peu [*ic] d"'enleuer le Prince de Galles et de le conduire en cette ville. II pretend auoir certitude que Milhord ou Vuilemor icy et Franshuauur en France, pretend [u] secretaire du conseil de
^ Walter Strickland, member for Minehead, in the Long Parliament, and one of Cromwell's Council of State.
"^ Denzil Hollis, a Presbyterian, and a leader in Parliament.
' Sir Henry Vane, Junr., Member of Parliament and of committee of both kingdoms.
i647] BELLli:VRE TO BRIENNE 19
guerre du Prince, ont conduict cette affaire an point qu'au premier jour ilz estiment la pouuoir executer quoyque je ne juge pas que elle soit si fort auancee. J' ay creu qu'^elle ne pouuoit estre trop promptement donnee a la reyne d''Angleterre pour y pouruoir, sans esclat et auec toute la seurete possible. II est certain que beaucoup disent icy qu''il seroit a souhaitter que le prince de Galles y voulut venir, que cela rempescheroit d'espouser une Catholique romaine, quMl pourroit estre mediateur entre le roy et le parlement, que s^il n"'y reussissoit il seroit couronne roy, et ainsy conserueroit la royaute, qui autrement pourroit estre perdue, et pour luy et pour le roy son pere. Je ne vous escriray rien de cette affaire, me remettant aux particularitez qu''en faict scauoir a la reyne d'Ang'® celluy qui les scait mieux que moy. La confiance que prend le roy d'Ang""^ en ceux qui Taprochent luy faict grand tort ; ilz raandent icy, par une lettre qui est arriuee ce matin, que 11 n'a point dessein de procurer la paix a ce royaume, que certeines ment il songe a se sauuer, et adjoustent que le lieu ou il est est si peu propre a le garder, qu"'il le peut faire s'il corrompt un seul de ceux qui sont pres de lui, en sortc qu'il est a craindre que si les lettres publiques sont semblables, ceux qui le veullent perdre ne prennent ce pretexte pour le faire enfermer dans le chasteau de Vuaruic [Warwick], ou quelque autre place, ou il puisse estre plus en seurete et en prison fermee, ceux qui le voulloient seruir desesperent quasi de le pouuoir faire, et soit sa conduitte soit sa mauuaise fortune qui les descourage, il semble que ilz songeront a accomoder leurs affaires sans celles dudit roy, s"'ils ne recoiuent promptement des lettres de la reyne d'Ang'^, qui produisent pres du roy son mary les affectz qu'ilz en attendent. Sa Ire [lettre] au parlement, dont je vous escriuis au dernier jour, par laquelle il demande des chapelains pour estre pres de luy, entre lesquelz il nomme des euesques, beaucoup de personnes, et donne grand auantage a ceux qui prennent soing d''entreprendre au desauantage du d. roy toutes ses actions. Et le traicte qui fust offert Sabmedy au parlement de la part du marquis dormon pour luy mettre entre les mains tout ce que le dit marquis tient en Irlande, accepte hier matin par le parlement, oste au roy Tauantage qu'il pouuoit tirer et pour luy et pom* Flrlande, — accordant Particle qui la conceme
20 BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE [march
en la maniere qui'l eust peu contenter ses peuples. II a ainsy perdu beaucoup d'auantage qu'il eust peu mesnager s'il ne se fust pas flatte d'esperance que Ton luy donnoit et d'imaginations qui ne peuuent pas reussir. Quand il a peu se retirer auec un parti considerable dans les montagnes d'Escosse, il ne Ta pas faict, et sa sortie brouilloit lors TAngleterre et TEscosse et les factions qui les diuisent, qu''apparemment il en eust tire grand auantage, auiourdbuy dificilement peut-il faucer ses gardes, et il n'*y a plus de lieu dans ses estatz ou il puisse estre en seurete, que s'il en sort je crains qu'il ne luy soit bien difficile d'y rentrer. Je n''en diray pas d'aduantage sur ce subiect que ie ne s^ache les intentions de la reyne d'^Ang"'® ainsy que ie me suis donne Fhonneur de vous escrire au dernier iour, seulement adiousterays ie que si Ton laisse accorder les deux partis qui sont icy ou si Tun d''eux prenant sur Tautre les affaires seront en fort mauuais estat. Je m'y oposeray tousiours. — Je suis, Monsieur, Vostre tres humble et tres obeissant seruiteur,
Bellieure,
Au dos. — M. Ie p. de Bellieure du V® mars 164-7. R. Ie 10® au matin.
[Belli£:vbe to Brienne. London, 5th 3Iar. 1647.
A GENTIEMAN who serves here with much affection and skill the King of England has begged me to send this courier to France in order to make known and give means of informing the Queen of England and M. Jermyn what he knows of a matter of great importance which he has lately discovered to carry off the Prince of Wales and bring him to this town. He pretends to be certain that Milhord [.''] or Wilemor here and Franshudur [?] in France, a pretended secretary of the Prince's Council of War, have contrived this matter so far, that on the first opportunity they think of being able to execute it, although I do not believe it to be so far advanced. I have thought that it could not be too promptly brought to the knowledge of the Queen of England, in order to enable her to provide without any outcry all the security possible. It is certain that many here say that it would be desirable for the Prince of Wales to come here, that it would prevent him from marrying a Roman Catholic, that he could be mediator between the king and the Parliament, that if he did not succeed he would be crowned king, so that royalty would thus be preserved, which otherwise would be lost for him and for the king his father. I shall not write anything to you of this affair, but refer you for the details made known to the Queen of England by the person who knows them better than I do. The confidence the King of
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 21
England places in those who approach him does him great harm, "\\''ord is sent here by a letter, received this morning, that he has no intention of procuring the peace of the kingdom, that he certainly thinks of making his escape, and, it is added, that the place where he is, is so little suited for keeping him, that he can do so by bribing one of those who are near him. Thus it is to be feared that if the public letters are similar, those who wish to ruin him may take this pretext to shut him up in the Castle of Warwick, or in some other place where he may be in greater security and in a close prison. Those who would wish to serve him despair almost of being able to do so, and whether it be his conduct or his bad fortune that discourage them, it looks as if they will think of settling their affairs without those of the king, if they do not receive promptly letters from the Queen of England that may produce the effects they expect on the king her husband. His letter to Parliament, which I mentioned to you the other day, and in which he asks for chaplains to be near him, among whom he names some bishops and many other persons, affords a great advantage to those who seek to represent all his actions to his dis- advantage ; and the treaty that was offered on Saturday to Parliament, on the part of the Marquis of Ormond, in order to place in its hands all that the Marquis holds in Ireland, that was accepted yesterday morning by Parliament, takes away from the king the advantage he might have therein secured both for himself and for Ireland, by granting the article that concerns that country in the manner he might have been able to do by satisfying his people. He has thus lost a great advantage that he might have turned to account, were he not flattered by the hopes people gave him and by fanciful imaginings that cannot succeed. When he might have retired Mith a considerable party into the Scottish Highlands, he did not do so, though his departure would have placed England and Scotland and the factions therein existing at variance, which would apparently have secured him a great advantage ; now he can with difficulty break through his guards, and there is no place in his kingdoms where he can be in safety, and that if he leave I fear it will be very difficult for him to return to them again. I shall say no more on this subject until I know the intentions of the Queen of England, as I wrote to you the other day ; only I shall add, that if both the parties that are here are allowed to agree, or if one of them obtains the upperhand on the other, matters will be in a very bad state. I shall always oppose it.]
CXVII
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimbourg, ^S^^ l647. J''espere qifa la fin de la semaine prochaine, ou au com- mencement de la suivante, nous aurons pres de six cents
22 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [march
hommes embarques dans deux vaisseaux. J'avois apprehende que nous n'eussions besoin d^escorte, mais comme ils ont dix pieces de canon chacun, soit quMls aillent ensemble ou qu''ils se suivent, ils croyent qu''il n'y a point de fregate d'Ostende qui ose les attaquer, et ils n"'ont rien a apprehender d'autre part.
La crainte que j'ay qu*'un projet que j'ay fait depuis quelques jours ne reuississe pas m'empecheroit d'en donner avis a V. Em''®, s"'il n''etoit necessaire de le luy faire savoir, afin qu'elle ait agreable de donner les ordres necessaires au cas qu'il ait le succes que j'en espere.
Je diray done a V. Em*^® qu'ayant recontre ici quantite d''officiers du roy de la G"" Br. que j'avois connus a Newcastle, ou ils attendoient sMl y auroit quelque chose a faire pour le service du dit roy, j'ay creu que j'en rendrois un qui ne seroit pas disagreable a V. Em*'^ si je pouvois former un corps de tous ces gens, et les faire passer a Dunkerque; et comme je S9ais qu'on n'a pas tant de besoin en France de cavalerie, et que j"'ay trouve qu'il etoit difficile de porter tant de personnes d'honneur et de condition qui ont commande dans les armees du dit roy a servir comme simples fantassins dans celles de Sa Majeste, j"'ay ete oblige pour les y porter, de les asseurer qu'^ils recevroient un traitent different de celuy qui se fait aux ordinaires soldats. Je leur ay done promis qu''ils toucheroient le paye qui se donne aux gentilhommes appointes dans les regiments d''infanterie etrangere au cas que V. Em''^ Teut agreable, et qu'ils ne recevroient les ordres que des officiers generaux, car, — pour ce quMls ont demande, outre leur monte, de recevoir dix ecus en arrivant a Calais, deduction faite de ce que j'ay avance ici pour eux, — ce sont deux ecus moins que ce que demandent les sieurs Colonels d' Angus et Moray pour les levees de chaque hommes, outre Tavantage qu'il y a de payer plustost apres qu'auparavant.
Ce sont, Mg"", les choses que je leur ay promisses, pourvu que V. Em''^ Tagree, moyennant quoy ils se sont oblige's a moi de faire une compagnie qui sera de trois cents hommes avant la fin de Mars, dans laquelle ils ne recevront aucun soldat qui ne soit gentilhomme, et qui n'ait ete au moins enseigne; et j'ay soixante hommes presentement, dont le moindre a ete lieu-
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 23
tenant de cavalerie, et entre lesquels ceux qu'ils ont choisis pour capitaine lieutenant et enseigne ont ete colonels et ont commande des provinces toutes entieres durant cette guerre. Les trois sergents ont ete aussy lieutenant-colonels de cavalerie et les corporaux, majors,
Et parce que les officiers n"'ont pas voulu prendre plus de paye que leurs soldats, je leur ay promis que V. Em'^% qui estimeroit leur generosite, leur ferait du bien d'autre part, et je me suis laisse entendre a eux, que tant le capitaine et le lieutenant que Tenseigne pourroient avoir chacun au moins 500 ecus par an.
La principale raison que m"'a porte a faire ce projet est, qu'il y a beaucoup d'officiers dans Tarmee du roy de la G' B*" qui demeurent inutiles pour ne pouvoir ni avoir de charges, ni servir com me simples soldats, dont on pourroit tirer beaucoup de service si on leur donnoit moyen de prendre emploi, ainsy que Ton peut faire en les traitant un peu differement des autres, et en effet ceux qui sont ici ne dontent point qu''avant la fin de Mai leur corps ne soit de plus de cinq cents hommes, a quoy je vois aussy toute sorte d'apparence s"'ils sont traites tant soit peu bien en arrivant, ce qui se peut faire d''abord avec fort peu de depense, puisqu'ils sont peu et avec beaucoup d'utilite, puisque cela invitera tous leurs amis, et ceux qui se trouvent en meme condition qu"'eux a les venir trouver.
II nfa semble encore que V. Em*^® en donnant moyen a ces pauvres gens de subsister ne ferait pas seulement ime tres grande charite, mais encore une chose tres agreable au roy de la G*" B"" et tres utile au bien de ses affaires en lui conservant ensemble tant de personnes de la fidelite desquels il a eu jusqu a la fin de tres bonnes preuves.
Toute la difficulte que j"'ay maintenant est a trouver un moyen pour les faire partir d''ici sans bruit, de peur qu'on ne les arrete. Je me suis adresse pour cela au Chev' Fullerton, en qui j''ay tout sujet de me confier afin qu'ils passent parmy les recrues, et j'en feray part meme au sieur Chev"" Moray s''il est necessaire qu''en luy decouvrant mon secret je Toblige par honneur a le tenir cache.
Le dit sieur Colonel croit pouvoir lever encore dix com- pagnies, par dessus celles qu'il a nouuelles, pourvu qu''on luy
24 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [march
donne des commissions et de Targent pour cela, et m'a dit qu'il ne doutoit point qu'avant la fin de Mai il ne pent remettre son regiment au nombre des hommes que porte sa capitulation. Je supplie done V. Em*'^ de ne plus difFerer a me faire tenir de Targent pour les hommes qu'elle veut avoir par dessus les douze cents, et de me faire envoyer dix commissions pour le regiment du dit sieur Chev'" Moray. Le frere du nouveau General Lesley pent aussy faire un regiment si le Marquis de Huntley s''accommode, et son frere me promet qu'il trouvera moyen en ce cas de faire embarquer tous les hommes du Marquis de Huntley pour les faire passer en France, raais le Parlement refusant les permissions pour lever je ne vois pas qu'il puisse rien faire sans cela. II se pourroit faire aussy que le Parlement d'Angleterre voulant oter aux Ecossois toute la part qu'ils avoient en Taffaire d'lrlande et les obligeant a retirer leur armee du dit pays, ainsy qu'ils Tont resolu, il y auroit lieu de profiter des regiments Ecossois qui y sont presentement, a quoy il y aura toutefois de la difficulte, parce que quelque chose qui arrive, ils croyent toujours pouvoir avoir besoin de leurs hommes. Le Baron de Gray demande aussy a remettre sa compagnie, a quoy le licenciement presque de toute la cavalerie Ecossaise luy peut donner beaucoup de facilite. Je luy ay represente Tavantage qu'il auroit en le faisant, et comme il le pouvoit faire aisement et sans qu''il en coutast presque rien au roy, puis-qu'il trouveroit ici des hommes tout montes, et que je pouvois faire venir de Dunkerque des vaisseaux pour les passer ; il etoit presque demeure d'accord de cecy, quand quelqu''un dont il prend conseil, et qui m''a temoigne penser a cette place pour lui-meme, luy a fait changer de resolution. Le dit Baron de Gray en etant venu si avant avec moi que de se contenter qu'au lieu de Targent de la levee ses gens fussent asseures de toucher une monte avant la campagne, et ne Tayant pas laisse meme fort eloigne de se contenter seulement d'une demie monte ; je ne fais point de difficulte que nous ne puissions remettre cette campagnie, pourvu qu'on m'envoie ordre promptement pour cela, avec quelque peu d'argent, et qu'on puisse avoir des vaisseaux pour transporter les chevaux.
Cependant, quelques applications que j'apporte aux dites levees, je ne laisse pas de regarder en quelle maniere je puis
1 647] MONTEUEUL TO MAZARLN 25
ici servir le roy de la G'' B"^, et j'essaye de decouvrir si les sujets qu'oiit les Ecossois de desirer que le dit roy soit hors des mains des Independants et leur accorde leur Religion et leur covenant, et Tasseurance (ju'il leur a donnee qu'il ne feroit ni Tun ni Tautre tandis qu'il seroit j)risonnier, les pourroit porter avec les Presbytcriens d'Angleterre ii demander qu'il fut mis en liberte, mais je trouve qu'ils n'ecoutent pas du tout cette pro- position, quoique je racconipagne de toutes les choses que je croy pouvoir ser\"ir a la leur faire gouter, demeurant toujours fermes a vouloir qu"il conniience ])ar les satisfaire touchant la religion et le Covenant, apres cjuoy ils essayeront de porter les Anglois a moderer les autres choses, a peu pres en la maniere c[ue le dit roy leur avoit fait ])roposer par Will. Moray, — c'est a dire qu'ils le laisseront a la discretion du Parlement d'Angle- terre ; enfin je croy avoir reconnu que Tasseurance (ju'ils ont (jue les Independants ne le retabliront jamais, les fait moins apprehender de le voir entre les mains des dits Independants que de le voir en liberte, d'ou ils croyent ([u'il ne luy seroit pas impossible de se remettre,
Cependant les Ecossois cherchent maintenant par (|uels moyens ils ])euvent introduire quelqu'un aupres de leur roy, ])our con- tinuer a le porter a faire les choses (jui leur peuvent etre utile. LeComte de Dunfermline avoit resolu de presenter aujourd'huv un memoire a ce Parlement pour avoir })ermission d'aller exercer sa charge aupres de sa dite M., et pour obtenir des lettres an Parlement d'Angleterre afin de le luy faire agreer ; et le sieur Will, Moray est si asseure des bons offices (ju'il a rendus en la conduite qu'il a tenue dans la pretendue evasion du dit roy, que cjuelques jH'ocedures (|ui se soient faites contre luy ])our ce sujet, il ne doute qu'il n'ait permission de se rendre aupres du dit roy ; mais avant que Tun ou Tautre de ces deux soit au})res de luy, il sera bien difficile de luy pouvoir faire tenir des lettres, car il est tres visible presentement (jue ceux (jui s'etoient oflf'erts a les luy rendre ne Tavoient fait (jue pour Tempecher de prendre d'autres moyens qu'il eut peu trouver pour en rece^■oir. Le Comte de Lothian, qui sV'toit charge de ce commerce nVyant pas ete plustost a Holmby qu'il ecrit ici qu'on ne luy envoyast aucunes lettres pour le dit roy, et qu'il nV'toit pas possible que ce prince en put recevoir. Le Comte de Lanark me dit toute-
26 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [MARCH
fois encore hier, qu'il luy restait une voie pour cela. Le Comte de Dunfermline doit attendre a Londres un nomme Jackson qui partira aujourd''huy ou demain d'ici pour France, et qui luy fera scj-avoir les intentions de la reine de la Gr. Br. avant qu"'il en parte pour Holmby. J''ay trouve le dit Jackson fort mal satisfait du roy de la G' B' qui a refuse de le mettre aupres du Prince de Galles ; et je trouve fort confidents les Ecossois ; je seray toutefois bien aise qu"'ils se puisse rencontrer en luy un homme qui fut leur ami et qui soit demeure fidele a son maitre.
La nouvelle addition que le roy de la G*^ B"" a faite de quel- ques seigneurs au conseil des finances de ce royaume, et qui ote au Tresorier, beau-frere du Due de Hamilton, toute Tautorite qu'il avoit auparavant, fait ici beaucoup de bruit, mais quelque ressentiment qu^en temoigne le dit Due, et quelque interet qu''il puisse avoir a s''opposer a ce nouvel etablissement, comme le Marquis d''Argyle et ceux de son parti a le defendre, il y a tout sujet de croire qu''il ne produira ni aucun disordre dans ce royaume, ni aucun bien pour le dit roy, et qu"'il n*'aura servi qu'a off'enser le parti du Due de Hamilton sans obliger celui du Marquis d'Argyle, et a faire payer les Comtes de Traquair et de Dunfermline, Will. Moray et quelques autres, des dons qu"'ils se sont fait faire par sa dite M'^ quand elle est partie de Newcastle.
La nouvelle armee de ce royaume doit se rendre a Montrose au 20 de ce mois, style de France, ou est son lieu d"'assemblee, pour marcher de la vers le Marquis de Huntley.
Le Chev' David Lesley, avant que recevoir la generalat de cette armee, a fait quelques propositions qu"'il desire luy estre accordees, une desquelles est de pouvoir traiter d'un accom- modement avec le Marquis de Huntley ; il ne se trouve pas vray que son second fils se soit separe de ses interets, ni que le Marquis d*" Antrim ait off'ert de se retirer d'Ecosse et de en faire retirer Macdonald avec luy. On m''a assure qu'il etoit venu nouvelles d'Irlande que Preston, qui s''etoit accommode avec le Marquis d'Ormonde, s"'est separe de ses interets, et que le dit Marquis d''Ormonde a ete oblige d'envoyer encore vers le Parlement d'Angleterre pour s''accommoder avec luy. Je ne scay si cela est veritable, mais je scay que par les dernieres
i647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 27
lettres que le Marquis d'Ormonde ecrivoit au roy de la G' B' il luy mandoit que non seulement sa dite M** ne devoit attendre aucun secours d''Irlande, bien qu"*!! se fut accommode avec Preston, mais qu'il ne devoit pas esperer qu"'ils se peussent conserver eux-memes sans etre secourus promptement, — ce que se trouve conforme a ce qu"'on dit ici qu'ecrit Mons. du Moulin dans la lettre qui a ete interceptee, dont on fait en ces lieux assez de bruit.
Le sieur Col. Moray vient de me dire a present qu"'on pouvoit engager le Comte de Callendar au service de sa Majeste et luy faire entreprendre de passer un regiment en France. Les moyens qu''il m''a propose pour le porter a cela sont, de le faire d'abord Mareschal de Camp, a moins de quoy il ne pent pas servir apres avoir ete Lieutenant- General des armees d'Ecosse ; de luy donner le generalat des Ecossois en dedom- mageant Mr. de la Ferte, et de le faire capitaine de la com- pagnie de Gendarmes. II m'a demande ce que je trouvois de toutes ces propositions. Je luy ay dit que ce n"'etoit pas a moi a en juger, mais quMl me sembloit qu"'on devoit faire beaucoup pour engager le Comte de Callendar dans le service, et que le Comte de Callendar devoit sVngager pour quelque chose de moins que tout cela,
[MoNTEREUL to CARDINAL Mazarin. Edinburgh, j^^ 1647.
I HOPE by the eud of next week, or the beginning of that following, we shall have about six hundred men shipped on boax-d two vessels. 1 had feared that an escort might be necessary, but as each ship has ten guns, whether they sail together or follow each other, those in command of them think there is no frigate at Ostend that will venture to attack them, and there is no danger to apprehend from any other quarter,
I have had a scheme on hand for some days, but the fear I had of not being able to succeed in it prevented me from informing you of it, until now I am obliged to do so, in order that you may give the necessary orders if it be agreeable to you and if I have the success I expect.
I must inform you then that having met here a large number of officers of the King of Great Britain whom I had known at Newcastle, where they were waiting to see if there would be anything to do for the service of the king, I thought that I might do a service that would not be dis- agreeable to you if I could form a corps of all these people and pass them over to Dunkirk, and as I know that cavalry is not so much required in France, and finding it difficult to induce so many persons of honour and rank who had held commission in the Royal armies to engage simply as
28 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [march
foot soldiers in those of his Majesty, I was obliged, in order to induce them to do so, to assure them, they would receive different pay from that of ordinary soldiers. I have therefore promised to them, that they would receive the pay generally given to gentlemen appointed in the regiments of foreign infantry, if this were agreeable to you, and that they would only receive orders from general officers, for, considering they have asked besides their outfit to receive ten crowns on ai*riving at Calais, deduction being made of what I have advanced for them here, this is two crowns less on each man than the Colonels Angus and Moray demand for the levies, besides the advantage of having to pay rather after than in advance.
Such are the things I have promised to them provided you consent, in return for which they have engaged themselves to provide me with a company of at least three hundred men before the end of March, in which they will receive no soldier who is not of noble birth, and who has not at least held the grade of ensign. I have sixty men at present, of whom the lowest in grade has been lieutenant of cavalry, and those whom they have selected as captain, lieutenant and ensign have been colonels and commanded whole counties during the late war. The three sergeants were also formerly lieutenant-colonels of cavalry and the corporals, majors. And because these officers would not agree to take more pay than their soldiers, I have promised them that you would take their generosity into account and would make it up to them in another way, so that I have led them to understand that captain, lieutenant and ensign Avould have at least each live hundred crowns per annum.
The principal reason that induced me to carry out tliis plan is, that there are many officers in the army of the King of Great Britain who remain idle, not being allowed commissions or who are not even per- mitted to serve as privates, of whom one might obtain great service by giving them the means of finding employment, and in treating them somewhat differently from common soldiers, so that in fact those of them who are here do not doubt but that before the end of May their company will number more than five hundred men, of which I see every likelihood, if they be treated tolerably on their arrival, which may be done with very little expense at first since they are not numerous, and with much profit since that will induce all their friends and those who are in the same position as they to come in and rejoin them.
It seemed to me further, that your giving to those poor fellows the means of subsistence would not only be a very great charity, but also a very agreeable thing to the King of Great Britain and very useful for the good of his affairs, in keeping all those persons together of whose fidelity he had till the end very good proofs.
My great difficulty at present is how to find means of getting them away from hei*e without making an outcry, for fear of their being arrested. I have applied therein to Sir Fullerton, ^ in whom 1
^ Lieutenant-Colonel Fullerton of the Douglas regiment commanded by the Earl of Angus, in the French service. Father Blakhal mentions his having met him in his journeyings between France and Scotland. See his Narrative.
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARLN 29
have every confidence, so that lie may pass them among the recruits, and I shall even if necessary inform Sir Robert Moray of my secret and oblige him on his honour not to mention it.
Colonel Sir Robert Moray thinks of being able to raise ten companies yet, beyond those he has recently added, provided commissions be sent to him, and the money for that purpose, and he tells me he does not doubt but that before the end of May he may be able to bring up his regiment to the number of men specified in his articles of agreement. I beg you therefore not to defer longer in sending me the money for the men he wishes to have, over and above the twelve hundred, and to send me ten commissions for the regiment of Sir Robert !Moray. Tlie brother of the newly appointed General Leslie ' can also raise a regiment, if the Marquis of Huntley come to terms, and his brother promises me, in the same case, to find means of embarking all the men of the Marquis of Huntley in order to send them to France, but as Parliament refuses the permission to raise men, I do not see that he can do anything without that. It may happen also that the English Parliament, wishing to deprive the Scots of all the share they had in the affair of Ireland and obliging them to withdraw their army from that country, as they have decided upon doing, there would be reason to profit by the Scottish regiments that are there now, to which, however, there will always be some objection, because whatever happens they alwaj's believe they require all their men. Baron Gray wishes also to fill up the ranks of his company, which the disbanding of almost all the Scottish cavalry may give him much facility in doing. I pointed out to him the advantage there would be in doing so, and as he could do it easily, and without its costing almost anything to the king, since he would find men here quite equipped and I could get ships from Dunkirk to take them over ; we were almost agreed about this, when some one from whom he takes advice and who, it has been represented to me, thinks for him, in such matters, led him to change his mind. Baron Gray was so far advanced with me in making this arrangement as to be satisfied that instead of the money of the levy, his men might be assured of having an outfit before beginning the campaign and had almost contented himself with having only lialf an outfit. I have no doul)t but that we could fill up the ranks of this company, provided the order be promptly sent to me to have it done, with a little money ; and that one could have ships to carry the horses.
Yet, whatever attention I give to the levies, I still take heed how I may here serve the King of Great Britain, and I try to discover if the reasons the Scots have to wish their king out of the hands of the Independents, and that he grant them their religion and their Covenant, together with the assurance he has given them that he would do neither the one nor the other, so long as he would remain prisoner, would not induce them.
^ Robert Leslie is here meant, brother to General David Leslie.
30 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [march
together with the English Presbyterians, to demand that he be placed at liberty, but I find they will on no account listen to this proposal, and although I arranged it with other things, in such a manner as I thought would make it more acceptable to them, they would not hear of it ; they continue always firm in wishing him to begin by satisfying them regarding religion and the Covenant, after which they will try to induce the English to abate other matters, in the manner the king had proposed to them by Will. Moray : that is to say, they will leave him to the discretion of the English Parliament ; in short, I believe the assurance they have that the Independents will never re-establish him renders them less apprehensive of seeing him in their hands than they would be to see him at liberty, when they believe it might not be impossible for him to re-establish himself.
However, the Scots are now devising means of sending some one to be near their king, in order to continue to influence him, in the way they consider most useful for them. The Earl of Dunfermline had decided to send a memorial to this Parliament to-day, in order to have permission to attend to the duties of his oflftce with his Majesty, and to obtain letters for the English Parliament so as to have its approval thereto : and Will. Moray is so certain of his good services and of the manner he conducted himself in the king's pretended escape, that although some pursuit has been raised against him on that subject, he does not doubt of obtaining permission to go to the king ; but before either the one or the other of these two be with him, it will be very difficult for him to convey his letters and have them delivered, for it is very evident at present that those who had engaged to deliver them merely did so in order to prevent him from taking other means, which he might have found, to receive them. The Earl of Lothian, who undertook this interchange of letters, was no sooner at Holmby than he wrote here, that no letters be sent to him for the king, and that it was impossible for that prince to receive any. The Earl of Lanark told me, however, even yesterday, that there was still a means of accomplishing it. It appears that the Earl of Dunfermline is to meet in London a certain Jackson who is to leave here to-day or to-morrow for France, and who will inform him as to the inten- tions of the Queen of England before the earl leaves for Holmby. I have perceived that this Jackson was very dissatisfied with the king of Great Britain, who refused to place him with the Prince of Wales, and I consider the Scots much too confiding. I shall be glad to learn, however, that he will prove friendly to them and that he will remain faithful to his master.
The new addition which the King of Great Britain has made of some nobles to the Council of Finance of this kingdom, which deprives the Treasurer, brother-in-law to the Duke of Hamilton, of all the authority he formerly had, causes much talk here, but whatever resentment the duke may show and whatever interest he may have to set himself against this new establishment, as the Marquis of Argyle and his party have to defend it, there is every reason to believe that it will neither produce
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN SI
any disorder in this kingdom, nor any benefit for the king, and that it will only serve to offend the party of the Duke of Hamilton, without benefiting that of the Marquis of Argyle, and to cause the Earls of Traquair, Dunfermline, ^Vill. Moray and some others, to receive pay- ment of the gifts they caused his Majesty to confer on them, when he was leaving Newcastle.
The new army of this kingdom is to assemble at Montrose, on the 20th of this month, new style, which is its place of rendezvous, and thence to march against the Marquis of Huntley.
General Sir David Leslie before receiving the command of this army has stated some conditions which he wishes to be granted to him, one of which is to be able to come to an agreement with the Marquis of Huntley. It is found to be untrue that the second son of the Marquis has given up his interests, as also that the Marquis of Antrim had offered to withdraw from Scotland and to take Macdonald with him. I have been assured that news has reached here from Ireland that Preston,^ who had come to an agreement with the Marquis of Ormond, had abandon^ his interests, and that the Marquis had been obliged to send again to the English Parliament, in order to come to terms with it. I do not know whether this be true or not ; but I know that by the last letters that the Marquis of Ormond wrote to the King of Great Britain, he informed him that not only ought he not to expect any assistance from Ireland, although he had come to terms with Preston, but that he ought not to hope they would be able themselves to hold out unless they were promptly relieved, which is similar to what M. du Molin is said here to have written in the intercepted letter which has caused such an outcry in these parts.
Colonel Sir Robert Moray has just told me that tlie Earl of Callander might be induced to enter his Majesty's service, and that he would under- take to raise a regiment to take to France. The means the former proposed to me in order to induce the latter to do so are to make him at first Brigadier-General, without which he will not serve, after having been Lieutenant-General of the Scottish armies, to give him the generalship of the Scots in indemnifying M. de la Ferte,^ and also captain of the Horse of the King's Household ; and he asked me what I thought of all these proposals. I replied that it was not for me to judge, but that it seemed to me that while one ought to do much to engage the Earl of Callander in the service, he might be expected to do so for something less than all he had mentioned.]
^ Colonel, afterwards General, James Preston, Royalist officer in Ireland. - See Appendix, Note W, Scottish Regiments in France.
32 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [march
CXVIII MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimbourg, =i^^ 1647.
L''apprehension que j'' ay eux qu'on n''ait pas ete averti a Dunkerque de recevoir les gentilhommes Anglois que je viens de faire embarquer, m'a fait envoyer un de mes gens avec eux pour aller en suite avertir V. Em''® de leur debarquement et la supplier de leur faire donner de quoy subsister et se mettre en etat de servir. Le s"^ Colonel Forcer, capitaine de la dite com- pagnie, fait etat de luy aller baiser la main ; c'est une personne de merite et de tres grande consideration dans le Nord d*'Angleterre^ et qui etant suivi principalement par ceux de notre religion qui est la sienne, ne donnera un seul homme a la France qu'il ne Tote a TEspagne.
Je luy ay promis que je supplierois V. Em*'^ de luy vouloir faire donner de sa Majeste cinq cents ecus s'il executoit ce qu'il promettoit, et de vouloir faire la meme grace aux Colonels Morgant et Middleton. Pour le Colonel Morgant, c"'est une personne qui avoit au moins vingt milles de rente (comme divers de la compagnie en ont dix ou douze mille), qui a ete gouverneur du chateau de Douvres, et qui est encore plus con- siderable par son merite que par son bien ou par ses employs ; et le Colonel Middleton est fort peu different de ces deux premiers. II y a aussy parmy eux le Major Rowerson, qu'on me dit etre un des vaillants hommes qui soit en toute TAngleterre. lis portent avec eux par ecrit, ce que j'ay avance, tant pour leur embarquement que pour leur subsistance, de sorte qu''il sera aise de voir ce qu"'il leur faudra donner ; mais si V. Em*'^ avoit agreable de faire quelque chose de plus, outre que ce seroit une extreme charite, etant donne a des personnes d'honneur qui sont dans une etreme misere, et qui sont pour la plus grande partie de notre religion, cela serviroit encore pour rendre ce corps tres considerable et pour y faire venir du monde de toutes parts.
J''envoye a V. Em*'® la capitulation que j''ai faite ; j''ai bien peur que V. E. trouve que je me suis trop avance n"'ayant eu ni ordre ni argent pour cela, ou que je me sois mepris en quelque
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 33
chose n^ayant jamais fait de semblables traites, mais j'espere qu'elle me fera Thonneur ou d'approuver ce que j'ai fait, sMl est vrai que je me sois bien comporte, ou de me le pardonner si j'ai failli quand elle aura veu les motifs qui m'ont porte a le faire. II y a quelques articles davantage en la copie du traite qui m'est demeuree qu''en celle que j'ai donnee au sr. Colonel Forcer, parce que je n'ai pas juge necessaire que les dits articles fussent veus de tout le monde."*
[MoNTEREuii to Cardinal Mazarin. Edinburgh, -^j^^, 1647.
Fearing there might be no one at Dunkirk told to receive the English gentlemen whom I have just made to embark, I have sent one of my people with them in order, on their landing, to inform you of it immediately, so that you may furnish them with the means of subsist- ence and fit them for the service. Colonel Forcer, the captain of the company, may be received in audience at court ; he is a person of merit and very well considered in the North of England, and being followed chiefly by those of our religion, which is also his ; each man he brings to France will be one less for Spain.
I have promised to him that you would give him, from his Majesty, five hundred crowns, if he perform what he has promised, and bestow the same favour on Colonels Morgant and Middleton. As for the Colonel Morgant he is a person who had at least twenty thousand livres of yearly income, — several of the company have had ten or twelve thousand, — and who has been governor of Dover Castle, but he is more to be considered on account of his merit than from his property or his services. The Colonel Middleton is little diflferent from the two former. There is also among them a Major Rowerson, who is said to be one of the most valiant men in all England. They carry with them in writing an account of what I have advanced to them for their shipment and for their maintenance, so that it will be easy to see what more will be required to give them, but were it agreeable to you to do anything in addition, besides its being a well-deserved charity given to honourable persons who are in extreme want and who are for the most part of our religion, it would serve further to render the company very considerable and to bring persons to it from all parts.
I send to you the articles of agreement which I have drawn up. I am much afraid you may think I have gone too far from my having neither order nor money for the purpose, or that I have committed some error in the matter as I have never executed similar treaties, but I hope you will do me the honour of approving what I have done, if I have really done well, or of pardoning me if I have failed when you see the motives that induced me to do it. There are in the copy of the treaty that has been left with me a few more articles than in that which I gave to Colonel Forcer, because 1 did not consider it necessary that these articles should be seen by every person.]
VOL. II. C
34 BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE [march
CXIX
BELLlllVRE A BRIENNE
A Londres, le T Mars l647 Monsieur, — La lettre que m'escrit M. Germin, comme toutes celles que Ton a receu icy de luy par cet ordinaire, ne font point esperer que le roy d'Angleterre ne veuille accorder les quatre propositions qu'auec les prefaces et modiffications qu'il m**a mande par sa premiere despeche. Je ne comprens pas pourquoy il en parle autrement et dit qu'il ne demande autre chose, sinon que ceux qui'ont ofFert de seruir le roy Tobligent cy apres de le faire, quelque euenement qu*'ayent les choses. Cette condition luy fust offerte en mesme temps que la proposition fut faitte de enuoyer ce message, non pas peut estre aussi positiuement quMl le desireroit pour en auoir une preuue par escrit, mais en la meilleure forme qu'il scait quelle pouuoit estre faicte en la condition que sont les afFres [affaires] de ce pais. Cette afFectaon [affectation] auec laquelle on demande qu'il s'engage, luy faict craindre que ce non [ne] soit que pour le perdre, et tout au moins que ce soit a dessein de gaigner du temps, pendant lequel on pre- tend faire quelque chose, que Ton ne penetre pas bien nettement icy ; ces longueurs font perdre les occasions et le courage de ceux qui pouuoient seruir aux conditions qu'ilz proposoient. Vous jugez ce que perd le roy par le traicte du marquis dormond auec le parlement, il perdroit encore plus si ceux qui veullent sa ruine portoient la ville de Londres ainsy qu''ilz esperent faire a demander au parlement qu'un arreste y soit faict que leur Roy ne puisse approcher d''icy plus pres qu'il est, jusques a ce que il ait pris le conuenant et signe les propositions. Je feray tousiours le mieux qu''il me sera possible, mais il y a grand e aparence que Ton me laisse trauailler icy a une chose et que les ministres de la reyne d'Ang'® ont quelque autre dessein. Je prie Dieu que leurs mesures soient mieux prises qu'elles n'ont este par le passe. II n'y a point de petites affaires en un pais ou les resolutions despendent de quatre cent testes, qui n*'ont ny la volonte ny les lumieres necessaires pour decider bien promptement Tauthorite que TAng""^ croit auoir sur tout ce qui se faict en Irlande, et touttes les pretentions qu'elle a sur ce pais la porteront de la difficulte aux passeport des sieurs de la
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 35
Moinerie et Talon. Je trauailleray a les vaincre. — Je suis. Monsieur, Vostre tres humble et tres obeissant seruiteur,
Bellieuee.
[Bellievbe to Brienne. London, 7 March 1647. The letter M, Jermyn has written to me^ as also all those that have been received here from him by this mail, give no hope that the King of England will grant the four proposals other than with the prefaces and alterations of which he informed me in his first despatch. I do not understand why he speaks of it differently and says that he requires nothing else, save that those who have ofi"ered to serine the king oblige him hereafter to do so whatever may be the course of events. This condition was offered to him at the same time as the proposal was made to send this message, not perhaps so plainly as he would wish it to have a proof of it in writing, but in the best form that he knows it could be made, in the state of the affairs of this country. This affectation with which he is asked to engage himself leads him to fear that it may be but in order to ruin him, at least, in any case, that it may be for the purpose of gaining time, during which it is pretended to do something, which is not clearly understood here ; these delays throw away opportunities and waste the courage of those who would serve on the conditions they proposed. You may j udge of what the king loses by the treaty of the Marquis of Ormond with Parliament ; he will lose still more if those who wish his ruin are able to induce the City of London, as they hope, to ask Parliament to resolve that their king may not be able to come any nearer here, until he has taken the Covenant and signed the proposals. I shall always do the best I can, but there is a great probability that while I am allowed here to work at one matter, the ministers of the Queen of England have some other design in view ; I pray God their measures may be better selected than they have been in the past. These are no small affairs in a country where the resolutions depend on four hundred heads that have neither the will nor the knowledge necessary in order to direct very promptly the authority that England thinks she has over all that is going on in Ireland, and all the pretensions she has over that country will cause difficulties regarding the passports of MM. de la Moinerie and Talon. I shall try to overcome them.]
cxx
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimbours, ~ Mars l647.
C 12
Je me donnai Fhonneur d'ecrire a V. Em"^® par un lacquais que j'ai envoye pour accompagner soixante officiers de Tarmee du roi de la Gr, Br. que j'ai fait passer a Dunkerque. lis par-
36 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [march
tirent de cette rade Samedi dernier, et leur embarquement s"'est conduit auec tant de secret que quelque bruit qu'on eut fait ici de leur sejour, et quelque empeschement quMl sembloit que ce Parle- ment voulut mettre a leur depart, pour gratifier celui d'Angleterre, et pour satisfaire a la haine qu'il porte a tout ce qui a servi le dit roy, 11 ne se parle point seulement encore de leur sortie. Le sr. Col. Fullarton, a qui j'avois fait part de mon dessein, m'ayant donne cinquante hommes de son regiment pour couvrir leur em- barquement, et s"'etant conduit dans cette affaire avec beaucoup de fidelite et d'adresse. J*'ai envoye, par la meme voie, un double de la capitulation que j'ai faite avec les dits officiers, mais parce qu'ils peuvent ne pas arriver si promptement, et que j'ai veu, par la copie qui m'est demeuree, que le dit double n'est pas fort correct, j'en envoye encore un autre a V. Em^^
Nous ferons partir Vendredi ou Samedi un vaisseau d'ici, qui portera trois cents cinquante hommes, et qui sera suivi dans peu de jours d'un autre charge du meme nombre d'hommes, de sorte que ce seront deja huit cents hommes, et tant le Chev"" Moray que le Chev' Fullarton m'asseurent qu"'ils seront bientost suivis du reste des douze cents, mais comme il est plus aise de faire de nouvelles compagnies que de remplir les anciennes, et que cela se peut encore a moindre frais, les nouveaux officiers y mettant du leur plus volontiers que les anciens, j*'ai confirme le sieur Chev' Moray dans la resolution qu'il a prise, de donner deux com- pagnies par dessus les onze pour lesquelles il a des commissions, et luy ai dit que je ne croyois pas qu''il y eut danger d'en donner ; encore les avantages qu'a son regiment par dessus les autres, lui donnant moyen de faire ses hommes plus facile- ment qu'il ne se pourroit par tout autre moyen. Nous avons envoye un homme en Angleterre, pour avertir ce que les officiers que j''ai embarques y ont laisse d'amis de les aller trouver en diligence, et il y a tout sujet de croire que ce corps sera de quatre ou cinq cents hommes avant la fin de Mai, pourvu que ces premiers soient bien re9us.
Je prends aussy la hardiesse d'avertir V. Em*'® qu''il est tres imJ)ortant qu''on traite bien les hommes que nous envoyons pour les recreiies des deux regiments Ecossois, parce que si quelque soldat s'echappoit qui peut faire savoir ici qu'on les traite mal, on ne pouvoit trouver personne qui voulut passer en France les soldats de ce pays ayant fait une guerre tres douce
i647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 37
en Angleterre, et ayant quelque argent devant eux. Je suis oblige aussy, Mg', de vous avertir qu""!! ne vient point d'ordinaire qui n'apporte des plaintes a M. le Comte d"* Angus du mauvais traitement que re^oit son regiment, que lui paroit encore pire par le comparaison de celui que se fait au regiment de M. je Chev. Moray qui est dans la meme place, de sorte que je n'apprehende pas seulement que cela nuise aux recrelies qui se font ici, mais encore que les officiers abandonnent le regiment, ainsy qu"'ils le mandent a leur Colonel, et que le Chev' Moray m''a dit qu'ils veulent faire, plusieurs d'entre eux lui ayant offert de servir dans son regiment. Je supplie tres humblement V. Em'^^ dV vouloir faire reflexion, et en attendant qu'elle y ait apporte quelque remede d"'avoir agreable de me faire ecrire un petit mot que je puisse montrer au Comte d"" Angus, ce qui servira, non seulement a le faire travailler avec plus de courage a ses recreiies, mais a en donner encore a ses officiers.
Le sr. Chev"" Moray me parle souvent du Comte de Calender et a desire que j''en ecrivisse a V. Em'^^ De moi je croy qu"'il se consentera de moins que ce qu''il propose. II pourroit, sans doute, faire un bon regiment, et en obtenir meme la liberte du conseil qui sera etabli ici a la fin de ce Parlement, et je croy que M. de Bellievre donnera un tres bon temoinage du dit Comte qui est un de ceux de qui le roy de la Gr. Br. a moins de sujet de se plaindre. Je ne doute point aussy que le frere du Lieut. General Lesley ne puisse avoir mie bonne partie des gens du Marquis de Huntley, s''il s'accommode avec ce Parle- ment, mais je croy que V. Em'^^ aura bien plus agreable que le dit Marquis se maintienne s''il est possible, et qu''il conserve avec lui les restes du parti du dit roi, — ce qu''il peut faire bien difficilement s'il n"'est pas bientost assiste, — mais je croy que le meilleur secours qu'il pourroit avoir seroit de faire revenir ici ^Montrose, ou de donner moyen aij Marquis d"* Antrim et a Macdonald de faire une descente dans le pays, ce qui obligeroit ce Parlement a diviser la petite armee qu''il a sur pied, et qui ne seroit pas en ce cas assez forte pour resister en meme temps aux uns et aux autres. La France en tireroit encore quelque avantage, parce que cela pourroit donner lieu au M. d' Antrim d'occuper ici les mille hommes qu"'on me dit qu'il leve en Irlande pour TEspagne, et lesquels je S9ay que M™^ sa femme lui mandoit il y a quelque temps qu'il envoyast en diligence.
88 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [march
II se confirme que Preston a abandonne le Marquis d'Ormond, de sorte que le dit Marquis, a ce qui se dit, s''accommode avec le Parlement d"'Angleterre aux conditions qu'il lui voudra donner. Bien que le Chev' David Leslay commande la nouvelle armee il n"'a pas le titre de general, duquel le Comte de Leven n*'a pas desire se defaire comme Ton croyoit; il pense toujours pouvoir traiter d'un accommodement avec le Marquis de Huntley, et son frere m''a veu ce matin pour me dire que je ferois un service au roy de la Gr. Br. et au Marquis de Huntley tres consider- able, que de lui faire venir de la reine de la Gr. Br. une permis- sion de s''accommoder, etant au meme etat que les places qui sont reduites aux demieres extremities et qu'il vaut mieux rendre par composition que laisser perdre par force.
Au reste tout le peuple est ici tres mal satisfait, et TEcosse est un pays ou Ton me dit que ces mescontentements sont tres dangereux, et ceux qui ont plus de part dans les affaires me temoignent tant de crainte de Tavenir, et disent qu'^ils prevoient tant de desordres que si ce n'etoit que tout ce qui vient des Ecossois est plein de deguisement, j''aurois sujet de croire que les choses ne se conduiroient pas ici fort longtemps sans quelque revolution bien considerable, que je m'imagine qui peut arriver, mais seulement quand le roy ne sera plus en etat d"'en profiter.
Les instances que font ici les deputes du Parlement d'Angle- terre, que les Ecossois rendent Belfast en Irlande, ce qui les oblige necessairement a en retirer toute leur armee, — puisque c'est la place qui conserve tout ce quMls ont en ce royaume, — font croire quMl y aura quelque querelle entre les deux nations, mais encore que je ne sache pas la resolution que les Ecossois ont prise touchant cette proposition, j'ose dire qu'ils rendront plustost tout ce qu''ils ont en Irlande que de rompre avec le Parlement d'Angleterre.
Comme j'achevois cette lettre j'ai re^u celle dont il a pleu a V. Em'^^ m''honorer du 22 Fevrier, par laquelle comme il lui plait me faire connaitre combien il est utile peur le service de sa M*® de faire passer dMci en France autant d'hommes qu'il se pourra et que j'apprehende que le defaut de permission ne nous nuise, j'ai pense si Ton ne pourroit point afin de Tobtenir, faire decouvrir s'il y avoit moyen de porter le Due de Hamilton et
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 39
le Marquis d'Argyle a faire passer chacun un regiment de douze ou quinze cents homnies en France, a quoy deux con- siderations les pourroient obliger, — Fune de s''entretenir bien avec elle et d'adoucir les choses passees, — et Tautre de se procurer une pension, et ce qui leur pourroit venir de leurs appointements de Colonels. Je verray ce qui se pent faire, sans m^engager a quoy que ce soit.
Le Comte de Traquair ni''a dit que si Ton etoit encore asseure que le roy voulut approuver le Covenant, il vouloit perdre la vie s'il ne trouvoit moyen de le retablir, et s''il ne faisoit en sorte qu"'on se contenteroit pour tout le reste de ce quil avoit offert par Will Moray, et a desire meme que je Tecrivisse en France, mais il voudroit que Ton fut certain de la volonte de la reine de la Gr. Br. avant que les commissaires des deux Parlements fussent arrives a Holmby, — ce qui sera bien difficile, — et apres quoy il ne doute point que le dit roi soit mis encore en une prison plus etroite que celle ou il est presentement. Ce Parlement doit finir dans fort peu de jours; il est en peine de trouver les moyens pour faire subsister la nouvelle armee, et on ne croit pas que le quart des rentes que Ton prend, et les impositions sur les entrees y puissent sutfire. II ne reste plus au dit Parlement qu'a regler le different que le roi a fait naitre par Taddition qu'il a faite au conseil des finances, a choisir ceux qui doivent aller vers le roi, et ceux qui doivent estre du conseil qui demeurera ici jusqu'a un nouveau Parlement.
[MoNTEBEUL to CARDINAL Mazarin. Edinburgh, ^ March 1647.
I HAD the honour of writing to you by a lackey whom I sent to accompany sixty officers of the army of the King of Great Britain that I sent to Dunkirk. They left this roadstead on Saturday last, and their getting on board was conducted with so much secrecy that although some noise was made about their stay here, and Parliament seemed to wish to put some obstacle in the way of their leaving in order to gratify the English Parliament and to satisfy the hatred it has to all those who have served their king, no further mention is made of their departure. Colonel FuUarton, to whom I had communicated my design, gave me fifty men of his regiment to conceal their getting on board ship ; and thus managed the matter with much fidelity and tact. I sent by the same conveyance a copy of the articles of agreement that I have made with the officers, but because they may not arrive so soon, and as I have discovered
40 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [march
by the copy I have left that the one I sent is incorrect, I herewith send another.
We will despatch on Friday or Saturday a ship from here with three hundred and fifty men, which will be followed by another a few days later, conveying the same number of men, so that this will already make eight hundred men, and both Sir Robei*t Moray and Colonel FuUarton assure me that they will soon be followed by the remainder of the twelve hundred, but as it is easier to form new companies than to fill up the old ones, the new officers being more active about it than the older ones, I confirmed Sir Robert Moray in the resolution he has taken to add two companies, above the eleven for which he has commissions, and I have told him that I thought there would be no danger in doing so, as the advantages his regiment possesses over the others enables him thus to raise men more easily than by any other means. We have sent a man to England to give notice to the friends remaining there of the officers whom I have sent, to make haste to rejoin them, and there is every reason to believe that this corps will number four or five hundred men before the end of May, provided the first of them are well treated.
I venture also to remark that it is very requisite, the recruits we send for the two Scottish regiments be well treated, because if a soldier escape who may make it known here that they are badly treated, it would not be possible to find any one who would go to France ; the soldiers of this country having had a very easy time in England and having some money in hand. I am also obliged to inform you that there is not a mail that comes that does not bring complaints to the Earl of Angus of the bad treatment his regiment receives, which appears even worse to him when he compares it with what is received by the regiment of Sir Robert Moray that is in the same place, so that I not only fear this may harm the recruiting that is going on here, but even that the officers may quit the regiment, as they state to their colonel, and which Sir Robert tells me they wish to do, several among them having off"ered to serve in his regiment. I beg you to think of it, and in the meantime while preparing a remedy to please to send me a line that I could show to the Earl of Angus that will serve not only to encourage him about his recruits but that he may thereby stimulate his officers.
Sir Robert Moray often speaks to me about the Earl of Callander and wishes me to write to you about him. For my part I believe he would be contented with less than he proposes. He could no doubt raise a good regiment, and obtain for that purpose the permission from the Council that will be established here at the close of this Parliament, and I believe M. de Bellievre would give him a very good recommendation as being one of those of whom the King of Great Britain has less subject of complaint. I do not doubt also but that the brother of Lieut. -General Leslie may be able to have a good number of the Marquis of Huntly's people, if the Marquis come to terms with this Parliament, but I believe it would be more agreeable to you were he to hold out, if possible, so as to preserve with him what remains of the king's party, which he will find
i647j MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 41
it very difficult to do, if he do not soon receive assistance, but I believe the best manner to effect this would be to send Montrose here, or to give the Marquis of Antrim or Macdonald the means of making a raid into the country, which would oblige Parliament to divide the small army it has in the field, and which, in that case, would not be strong enough to resist both the one and the other. France would thereby also derive some advantage, for it would give the Marquis of Antrim an opportunity of occupying here the thousand men that he is raising in Ireland to send to Spain, that I know the Marchioness his wife said he was sending in haste.
It is confirmed that Preston has left the Marquis of Ormond, so that from what is stated, this latter has come to terms with the English Parliament on the conditions they were willing to give him. Although Sir David Leslie commands the new army, he has not the title of general, which the Earl of Leven would not give up, as it was believed ; he still thinks of being able to treat of an agreement with the Marquis of Huntly, and his brother called upon me this morning to tell me that I would render a very important service to the King of Great Britain and to the Marquis of Huntly were I to procure for the latter the Queen of Great Britain's permission to give his submission, he being in a situation similar to those fortresses that reduced to the last extremity it is better to give up by capitulation than allow to be taken by storm.
As for the rest, people here are all very dissatisfied, and I am told that Scotland is a country where such dissatisfaction is very dangerous, and those who have most part in the direction of public affairs show so great fear of the future, and say they foresee so great disorders. Were it not everything connected with Scotland is full of pretexts, I would have reason to believe that things would not go on much longer here, without some very important revolution, but which will only take place when the king will no longer be in a position to profit by it.
The demands the deputation from the English Parliament are making here for the Scots to deliver up Belfast in Ireland, which would oblige them necessarily to withdraw all their army from there, since it is the place that enables them to hold all they have in that kingdom, might make one think there will be some quarrel between the two nations, but •although I do not know what resolution the Scots have taken, regarding this proposal, I venture to say they will deliver up all they have in Ireland rather than break off with the English Parliament.
While I was finishing this letter I receive yours of the 22nd Feby., in which you inform me how necessary it is for the service of his Majesty to send off from here to France as many men as possible, and as I fear the want of permission may be hurtful to us, I have thought if it were not possible to obtain it, whether or not there might be a means of inducing the Duke of Hamilton and the Marquis of Argyle to send each a regiment of twelve or fifteen hundred men to France, which two con- siderations might oblige them to do : one, in order to keep up good relations with her and alleviate past matters ; and the other, to obtain a
42 BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE [march
pension and what might come to them through their commissions as colonels. I shall see what can be done, without engaging myself in any- way.
The Earl of Traquair has told me that if one were still assured the king would sanction the Covenant, he would willingly give his life, in trying to find some means of re-establishing him, and in endeavouring so to arrange that one would be satisfied as regards all the rest with what was offered by Will. Moray ; and he has wished me to write of it to France, but he would like to be certain of the intention of the Queen of Great Britain, before the Commissioners of the two Parliaments arrive at Holmby — which will be very difficult — and after which he has no doubt but that the king will be placed in a closer prison than that he occupies at present. This Parliament comes to an end in a day or two : it is at a loss how to find means for the subsistence of the new army, and it is not believed that the fourth of the rental ^ which has been taken, and the duties on importations will be able to suffice. There but remains for Parliament to settle the dispute, caused by the king having made the addition to the Council of Finance, and to select those who are to go to the king and those who will remain in office till the new Parliament be elected,]
CXXI
BELLll:VRE A BRIENNE
A Londres, ce 14' mars, l647.
MoxsiEUK, — L'occupation que j''ay aujourd''huy, pour finir, dans le comite de Tadmiraute, cette fascheuse affaire du trans- port en France, des leuees qui ont este faictes en Irlande, in'empeschent de uous importuner d''une longue lettre a peine se rencontrera[-t-]il icy une affaire plus difficile, quoyque tres rai- sonnable. J'espere qu''il sera ce soir resolu d'enuoyer un ordre aux vaisseaux qui sont aux costes d'lrlande, pour le seruice du parlement, de laisser passer et repasser les vaisseaux qui y sont enuoyez de France pour transporter des gens de guerre qui est en effect un passeport mais qui ne sera poinct entre nos mains. Cependant comme ce n'est pas encore une chose faicte et que ie n'en ay autre asseurance que la parolle des principaux du parlement et de ce Comite, je remets a la premiere occasion de vous en rendre compte.
Les affer^ [affaires] du roy d*"® [d''Angleterre] sont icy en bien mauuais estat, quoy que Ton ait pu faire. La ville de Londres prepare une petition pour faire que ledict roy soit presse
^ See note, vol. ii. p. 13.
i647] BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE 43
d^accorder toutes les propositions et d'aucthoriser le conuenant, et qu'il soit arreste que jusques a ce que cela soit, il n^ap- prochera pas de Londres plus qu'il est. II a este aussy ces jours passez parle du roy d''Ang" dans le parlement en termes fort fascheux, et Ton y a propose de changer les commissaires qui sont aupres de luy comme le traictant trop respectueusement et ainsy ne le gardant pas assez bien. L''on propose d''en enuoyer de plus seueres, qui pourroient bien auoir Tordre de le presser de signer les propositions ausquelles beaucoup parlent d''adiouster, Le Parlement enuoya hier demander icy aux com- missaires d'Escosse s'ilz ont pouuoir de se joindre a eux pour presser le roy d''Angleterre de signer les propositions. Ilz respondirent qu'ilz auroient ce pouuoir dans huict jours. II y a apparence que jusques a ce que les propositions soient enuoyees au d. Roy, ceux qui ont offert cy deuant de le seruir le pour- ront faire, sil enuoye icy le message en la fa^on quMlz Tout desire, que s'il Tenuoye auec les conditions que ses ministres en France y ont apposees, je voy que personne icy ne pretend estre engage de le seruir, estimant ny pouuoir reussir et que quiconque se declarera se perdra sans luy estre utille. Les correspondants des ministres de la reyne d''Angleterre leur escriuent si amplement par cet ordinaire et les pressent si fort de faire accorder promptement ce qui pent satisffaire icy que ie n'ay rien a y adiouster. — Je suis, Monsieur, Vostre tres humble et tres obeissant seruiteur, Bellieure.
Au dos — M. de Bellieure du 14 mars 1647, re9eu le 21.
[Beluevbe to Brienne. London, 14th March 1647.
The business that I have to finish to-day in the Committee of the Admiralty^ — that troublesome affair of conveying to France the levies that have been made in Ireland, — prevents me from troubling you with a long letter ; a more difficult affair is rarely met with, although very just. I hope it will be decided this evening to send an order to the ships in the service of Parliament on the coast of Ireland to allow the ships sent there from France to convey the soldiers to pass and repass, which is in fact a passport, but which will not be placed in our hands. However, as it is not a settled matter, and I have but the verbal assurance of the leaders of Parliament and of this Committee, I shall delay giving you an account of it until the first opportunity.
The affairs of the King of England are in a very bad state, notwith-
44. MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [march
standing all that could be done. The city of London is preparing a peti- tion, in order that the king be urged to grant all the proposals and to sanction the Covenant and that it be decided not to allow him to approach any nearer to London than he is at present until he has done so. The king has also been spoken of, within the last few days, in Parliament, in very regrettable terms, and it has been proposed to change the Commissioners who are with him on account of their treating him too respectfully, and thus not keeping him strictly enough. It is pro- posed to send others more severe who would very likely have the order to press him to sign the proposals to which many speak of adding some- thing. The Parliament sent yesterday to ask the Scottish Commissioners here if they had power to join with them in order to press the King of England to sign the proposals. They replied that they would have that power in eight days. There is some likelihood that until the proposals are sent to the king, those who offered previously to serve him will be able to do so, if he send here the message in the manner they wished, but that if he send it with the conditions that his ministers in France have put into it I perceive that no one here will pretend to be engaged to serve him, considering it to be impossible to succeed, and that whoever would so declare himself would be ruined without being of any use to him. ITie correspondents of the ministers of the Queen of England write to them so fully by this mail, and urge them so strongly to grant promptly what wiU give satisfaction here, that I have nothing to add to it]
CXXII
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimbourg, ^ Mars l647.
Je croy que ce m"'est assez de donner avis a V. Em''® de la reception de celle qu'elle ra'a fait Fhonneur de m'ecrire du 1® de ce mois, pour Tasseurer que je n'oublieray rien de toutes les choses que je croiray pouvoir contribuer, non seulement a faciliter mais encore a hater les levees qu'^elle m''a ordonne de faire, puisqu'elles sont si utiles au service de sa Maj*® et desirees avec tant de passion par V. Em*^®. Le vaisseau qui devoit partir Vendredi dernier de ce port, doit en sortir aujourd'huy, si le vent le lui permet. Tl porte trois cents cinquante hommes, et il sera bientost suivi d'un autre qui en portera au moins autant.
Je demeure toujours dans la pensee que j'ai eu auparavant que le plus prompt moyen que nous avons pour avoir des gens est de remettre le regiment du Chev*" Moray au nombre
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 45
d'hommes portes par sa capitulation, et celuy du Comte d'Angus de la meme sorte si on en a besoin de davantage. Je ne laisse pas pour cela de continuer a voir si je puis engager le Due de Hamilton et le Marquis d'Argyle a envoyer chacun douze ou quinze cents hommes en France. Le Lieut.-General David Leslay ra'a aussy promis qu'il feroit passer du nord d''Ecosse en France mille hommes pour son frere, sans avoir besoin pour cela d"'aucune permission. Je n"'ay pas encore sceu du Chev' Moray la resolution du Comte de Calendar, mais il m'a dit qu'il croyoit qu''il seroit aise de Fengager au service de sa Maj"* ; mais quand tout cela pourroit reussir ce ne pourroit estre que pour la fin de Juin ou le commencement du Juillet. Le Due de Hamilton ne m'a pas conseille de demander une permission publique, outre celle que nous avons pour les recriies, de peur que cela ne servit pour avertir ce Parlement qui les soufFre, de les empescher, — a quoy les porteroit aisement le peu d'hommes que Montrose et la peste ont laisse dans le pays, et le grand besoin que les Ecossois croyent toujours en devoir avoir, en quelque bon etat quMls pensent avoir mis leurs affaires. Au reste, Mgr., quoique j'evite autant que je puis de leur faire connaitre qu''on ait si grand besoin de leurs hommes, je n"'ay pas juge toutefois devoir faire entendre au Chev' Moray et au Comte d^ Angus qu^on se pourroit porter a reformer leur regiments, s'ils n'y envoyent des recriies, tant parce qu'en effet ils travaillent autant qu'ils peuvent a les faire, que pour ce que cela pourroit encore estre dangereux et ruiner plustost que contribuer aux intentions de V. Em'=^.
Ce Parlement a employe toute la semaine passee a dresser les instructions qui ont ete donnees aux officiers generaux de leur nouvelle armee auxquels ils ont refuse le pouvoir qu'ils demandoient de traiter d'accommodement avec le Marquis de Huntlev, son fils aine, et Alex"^ Macdonald, qu'ils ont exemptes de pardon (ce sont leurs termes) mais ils leur ont promis de recevoir a quartier tous les autres, entre lesquels ils ont com- pris le second fils du Marquis de Huntley qu'on dit qui s'est separe des interets de son pere. II se dit aussi qu''on lui a predit qu'il seroit Marquis de Huntley et qu'il a ete tout pret ces jours passes de tuer son frere aine pour contribuer de sa part, autant quil lui est possible, a Taccomplissement d'une
46 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [march
prophetie qui lui est avantageuse. Mais je n^'ay peu trouver que toutes ces choses fussent bien asseurees, et j'ay sujet de croire qu''elles se publient icy plustost parce qu"'on les desire que pour ce qu''elles soient veritables.
Cependant quelque chose que puisse faire le second fils du Marquis de Huntley pour gaigner les bonnes graces de ce Parlement, je m'imagine que ceux qui ont icy plus d'autorite ont deja fait partage des terres du dit Marquis de Huntley, et qu''encore que les hommes y soient heureux autant qu"'ils se trouvent estre perfides, il n^y a point de crime qui puisse pour luy estre le prix des bien de son pere. Cependant, encore que ce Parlement ait declare qu"'on ne donnera point de quartier a ces trois ; ceux qui regardent les choses plus particulierement disent que Tordre du Parlement porte seulement que les officiers generaux de leur armee ne pourront les recevoir a com- position, ce qui n"'empesche pas que le Parlement, ou le comite qui sera etably en Tabsence de ce Parlement, ne le puissent faire ; mais le dit Marquis ne se doit pas fier a cela, et sur cette esperance se mettre entre les mains de ses ennemis qui luy donneront peut-estre cette petite esperance pour Favoir entre leurs mains et le perdre plus absolument. Pour Alex"" Mac- donald on dit qu"'il a ecrit a quelques personnes du Pari* qu'il est pret de sortir d'Ecosse pourvu que Ton luy permettre de conduire les gens qu'il a en Espagne. J'ay pense s'il etoit apropos de demander qu'on ne le luy permet pas, mais j'ay juge plus apropos de n''en point faire de bruit, tant pour ce que s'en dit peut n'estre pas veritable, — comme en eff'et je ne croy pas qu'il le soit, — comme parce que les Ecossois ne luy permet- tront point et parce qu'ils ne voudront rien faire qui soit a son avantage et pour ce qu'ils croyent qu'il leur est utile de con- server le plus quMls peuvent d'hommes en leur pays ; de sorte que ce qu'ils ne feront pas par les motifs de la haine qu'ils portent a leurs ennemis et du bien qu''ils se veulent a eux- memes, ils ne le feront pas asseurement par la consideration qu''ils doivent a la France a laquelle ils ne peuvent desirer de bien tant qu''elle sera command ee par un Monarque, et qu'il y aura un Catholique. Pour ce qui est des mil hommes que le Marquis d"* An trim devoit conduire en Espagne j'ay veu lettres par lesquelles on ecrit qu'un vaisseau d'Espagne etoit arrive
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 47
pour en prendre une partie, et qn'il s"'etoit retoume sans en avoir emporte un seul.
On n''a point encore resolu en ce Pari* si la nouvelle addition qui a ete faite au conseil des finances auroit son effet, ou ne Tauroit pas, mais le Tresorier pretend toujours s**)^ opposer, comme ceux qui ont ete nommes par le roy de la G' B' s\ maintenir, ainsy que Ton croit qu''ils feront, les plus grands de ce royaume et les Hamiltons memes, ayant interet qu'on approuve les choses qui ont ete faites par leur roy, avant quMl soit parti de Newcastle. Cependant on remarque que plus les affaires du roy sont abbatues et plus la division qu'on croyoit plustost feinte que veritable entre le Due de Hamilton et le Marquis d"'Argyle s''augmente, de sorte qu''ils se trouvent dans le Pari* de contraire avis en toutes les choses qui ne regardent point la mine de leur roy, et qu'encore qu'ils se parlent et quMls mangent fort souvent ensemble, on voit qu''ils se regar- dent comme ceux qui peuvent seuls s"'entre detruire, et que le Marquis ni veut pas de maistre ni le Due de compagnon ; ainsy se dit il publiquement que le Due aspire a la monarchie, jusques la qu'un galant homme dit il y a quelque temps en fort bonne compagnie, que le roy de la Gr. Br. se pouvoit asseurer du dit Due, et qu'il ne souffriroit jamais que TEcosse demeurast sans roy, quand il le devroit estre luy-mesme. Et une personne de condition me dit il y a deux jours, avec une liberte qui me surprit, que la France etoit obligee autrefois de porter les interets de la maison d''Hamilton a la couronne d"'Ecosse, apres que ceux qui sont devant luy en seroient eclus, a quoy je ne repondis rien de peur de me meprendre.
Le Comte de Traquair me dit encore que si le roy accorde le Covenant et le presbyteriat avant que les propositions soient envoyees, les Ecossois feront que le Pari* d^Angleterre se con- tentera pour tout le reste de ce qu^il avoit offert par Will. Moray; mais il n''y a pas d'apparence que les Ecossois qui, lorsqu"'ils ont eu de si bonnes places en Angleterre et leur roy entre leurs mains, qui leiu* devoit estre encore une plus grande force que toutes leurs places, se sont soumis bassement a toutes les choses que les Anglois ont voulu d'eux, osent aujourd'huy entreprendre de les faire contenter de ce qu'ils n'auront pas agreable; outre que Ton doit prendre garde que les Presby-
48 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [march
teriens Anglois ayant desire le retablissement du dit roy, seulement pour abattre le parti des Independants, n'en ont plus que faire aujourd'huy que le dits Independants sont entierement ruines, ainsy qu"'on me Tasseure ; de sorte que retablissement du Presbyteriat et Tapprobation du covenant que eussent peu servir autrefois pour porter les Presbyteriens a demander le retablissement de leur roy, seroit pent estre inutile aupres d'eux maintenant qu'ils se croyent asseures sans cela de leurs fortunes.
Je suis oblige, Mong', de vous faire s9avoir que Will. Moray fait dessein d''aller en Hollande, comme pour passer de la plus commodement en France. II se pent faire quMl soit oblige de faire ce voyage pour les interets de sa maison, parce qu'on me dit qu il y a fait de grandes remises, mais ce que j'ay entendu de differents endroits de son voyage, — lequel il a essaye de me cacher, — me donne sujet de croire que les Ecossois Vy envoient pour decouvrir, si maintenant que la paix y est arretee avec TEspagne, il ne se fait point quelque armement contre ce pays, croyant qu'y envoy ant une personne qu'on pense estre dans les interets du roy de la Gr. Br., qui a beaucoup d'habitudes en ce pays, il apprendra le fonds des desseins que Ton y peut faire. V. Em''® jugera, sMl luy plait, auec son extreme prudence, s'il est apropos de donner part a la reine de la G"^ B"^ de ce soup^on que j'ay eu, afin d'en donner avis aux ministres qu'elle a en Hollande, mais il y a deux choses qui me confirment princi- palement en cette pensee, outre ce qu'on m'en a dit ; Tune qu'un nomme Person qui M' Asburnham a envoye de Hol- lande a Newcastle, et qui a eu de tres grandes communications avec le dit Will. Moray, peut luy avoir donne apprehension des secours qui pouvoient venir de Hollande, puisque ce mesme homme m'a dit que la paix se faisoit en Hollande principale- ment a dessein de secourir promptement le dit roy ; et Tautre qu'entre tous les artifices dont usent les Ecossois, ils n'ont point de plus ordinaires ny dont ils aient tire plus d'avantages que d'avoir des gens qui par la profession qu'ils font d'estre attaches aux interets de leur roy les avertissent de tous ses desseins, de quoy j'ose dire que le dit roy a re^u plus de pre- judice que de toute autre chose.
My Lord Dunfermline n'a pas eu encore permission d'aller
I
1647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 49
trouver le dit roy, de qui il m^asseure qu'll n'a eu aucune nou- velle, non plus que les sieurs Moray, depuis qu'ils sont partis de Newcastle.
On se hate de dresser les instructions que ce Pari* doit donner a ceux qui seront deputes vers le roy de la G*" B"^ pour luy presenter les propositions ; ils n''ont pas encore ete nommes, mais ils le seront au premier jour. Le vaisseau qui devoit partir aujourd'huy de ce port est en rade, et a deja une bonne partie des hommes qu'il doit passer en France : ce sont tous grands hommes et fort bien faits.
[MoxTERELL to ]Mazarin. Edinburgh, ^ March 1647 I BELIEVE it to be sufficient for me to notify to you the reception of your letter of the 1st inst. in order to assure you that I shall omit nothing that I think likely not only to facilitate but also to hasten the levies you have ordered me to make^ since they are so useful to the service of his Majesty and so eagerly wished for by your Eminence. The ship that was to leave on Friday last from this harbour is to leave to-day, if the wind be favourable. It carries three hundred and fifty men and it will soon be followed by another that will take at least as many.
I am always under the same impression as formerly, that the readiest means we have for procuring soldiers is to fill up the regiment of Sir Robert Moray to the full number of men stated in his letters of agreement and that of the Earl of Angus in like manner, if more be required. And for that purpose I still continue to see if I cannot engage the Duke of Hamilton and the Marquis of Argyle to send each twelve or fifteen hundred men to France. Lieut. -General David Leslie has also promised me that he would send over to France, from the north of Scotland, a thousand men, for his brother, without requiring any permission for it. I have not yet learned from Sir Robert Moray the decision of the Earl of Callander, but he told me he thought it would be easy to engage him in the service of his Majesty, yet although all these plans were to succeed they could only be accomplished towards the end of June or the begin- ning of July. The Duke of Hamilton has advised me not to ask for a public permission for recruiting, in addition to what we have, for fear that by doing so we would bring the matter too formally before Parlia- ment, that tolerates it at present, but which miglit easily be led to put a stop to it, because of the few men that Montrose and the plague have left in the country and the great need the Scots always imagine they have of men, in whatever good state they may have put their affairs. Although also I avoid as much as possible to let them know that their men are so much wanted, I have, however, not found it necessary to make Sir Robert Moray and the Earl of Angus understand that if they did not provide recruits it might be decided to disband their regiments, not only because in fact they do all they can to provide them, but also VOL. II. D
50 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [march
because it might be dangerous to tell them so, and might more likely ruin your intention than contribute to it.
This Parliament was engaged during all the last week in drawing up the instructions to be given to the general officers of their new army, to whom they have refused the power they asked to treat with the Marquis of Huntly, his eldest son and Alexander Macdonald, who are considered to be what is termed here, exempted from pardon, but they have been permitted to give quarter to all others, among whom they have included the second son of the Marquis of Huntly, who is said to be separated from the interests of his father. It is also said to have been predicted to him that he would be Marquis of Huntly, and that a few days ago he was about to kill his elder brother, to contribute his part, as far as possible for him, towards the fulfilment of a prophecy in his favour. But I have not been able to discover if these things are quite authentic ; I have reason to believe they are related here more because people wish them to be true than that they really are so. Yet whatever means the second son of the Marquis of Huntly may adopt in order to gain the good graces of this Parliament, I fancy those who have most authority here have already made a division of the lands of the Marquis of Huntly, and that although men are only happy here in so far as they happen to be treacherous, there is no crime he could commit that would be con- sidered as an equivalent for his father's property. And yet although Parliament has decided that no terms can be made with the three persons mentioned, those who look more closely into these matters say, the order of Parliament is only as relates to the general officers of their army, who ought not to make terms with them, which does not prevent Parliament or the Committee of Estates, which will be established in the absence of Parliament from doing so ; but the Marquis ought not to trust to that and hoping on it place himself in the hands of his enemies, who will perhaps hold out to him this small hope in order to get him into their power and ruin him more absolutely. As for Alexander Macdonald he is said to have written to some members of Parliament to say that he is ready to leave Scotland, provided he be allowed to go to Spain and to take his people with him. I asked myself if I ought to make the request that he be not allowed to do so, but I thought it better not to make any outcry, in as much as what is said may not be true, as in fact I scarcely think it is, as because the Scots will not permit him to do so, since they would not do anjrthing for his advantage, and on account of their belief that it is useful for them to preserve as many men as they can in their country, so that what they will not do by reason of the hatred they bear their enemies or from the benefits they desire for them- selves, they will assuredly not do in consideration of what they owe to France, to which they cannot wish any good so long as she is governed by a monarch and he a Catholic. As regards the thousand men the Marquis of Antrim was to send to Spain, I have seen letters in which it is stated that a ship from Spain had arrived in order to take a part of them, but that it had returned without having a single man.
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 51
Parliament has not yet decided whether or not the new addition that was made to the Council of Finance would take effect, but the Treasurer always pretends to oppose it and those who were named by the King of Great Britain to maintain their appointment ; it is thought that the leading men, the Hamiltons even, will agree to it, as they have an interest in approving of what was done by their king before leaving Newcastle, yet it is remarked that the more the king's affairs are depressed, the more the division, which was thought to be more pretended than real, between the Duke of Hamilton and the Marquis of Argyle increases, so that they are of opposite opinions in every thing but what concerns the ruin of their king ; and that although they speak to each other and dine very often together, it is seen they look npon themselves as the only persons who can mutually destroy each other, and that while the marquis will not brook having a master, the duke does not want a companion, thus it is publicly said the duke aspires to the throne, in so far that an honest man said lately in very good society, that the King of Great Britain could count upon the duke who would never allow Scotland to remain without a king even were he to be it himself. And a person of rank told me two days ago, with a liberty that surprised me, that France was under an obligation to support the claims of the house of Hamilton to the throne of Scotland after those who had a prior right had been excluded, to which I answered nothing, being afraid of making a mistake.
The Earl of Traquair tells me again, that if the king were to grant the Covenant and Presbyterianism before the proposals were sent, the Scots would make the English Parliament accept all other matters in the manner proposed by Will. Moray ; but there is little likelihood that the Scots, who, when they had so many good fortresses in England, and their king in their hands, that ought to have been more for them than all their fortresses, submitted basely^ to everything the English wished of them, will now venture to make the English remain satisfied with what will not be agreeable to them. Besides, one ought now to take care that the English Presbyterians, having desired the re-establishment of the king, only in order to overcome the party of the Independents, have now no longer need of it for that purpose, seeing the Independents, as I am assured, are entirely ruined ; so that the establishment of Presbyterianism and the sanction of the Covenant, that might have formerly served in order to induce the Presbyterians to demand the establishment of their king, would perhaps be of no avail with them now, that they believe they have secured their fortunes without it.
I am obliged to inform you that Will. Moray has the intention of going to Holland as if to pass from there more conveniently into France. It may be that he is obliged to make this journey on account of matters connected with his house ; I learn he is having large stables built, but from what I have heard from different quarters about his journey, which he has tried to hide from me, I have reason to believe the Scots are sending him to discover, if, now that peace is settled with Spain, there
52 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [march
may not be some warlike preparation going on, directed against this country, believing that in sending there a person in the interests of the King of Great Britain, who is much accustomed to that country they will learn fully the intentions that may be had there. You will judge with your extreme prudence how far it may be necessary to inform the Queen of Great Britain of this suspicion that I have had, in order to give notice of it to the ministers she has in Holland ; but there are two things that principally confirm me in this thought, besides what I have been told about it. One, that a certain person whom Mr. Ashburham sent from Holland to Newcastle, and who had much intercourse with Will. Moray, may have given him some apprehension of the assistance that might come from Holland, because this same person told me that peace was declared in Holland principally with the intention of assisting the king promptly ; and the other, which is one of the commonest devices the Scots employ and from which they have derived the greatest advan- tages, viz., to have people that, by the profession they make of being attached to the king's interests, inform them of all his plans, from which I venture to say the king has received more harm than from any other thing.
Lord Dunfermline has not yet received permission to go to the king, from whom he assures me he has had no intelligence, neither have the Morays, since they left Newcastle. The instructions this Parliament is to give to those who will be deputed to the king in order to present to him the proposals are being drawn up in haste, the persons have not yet been appointed, but they will be so on an early day. The ship that was to leave this harbour to-day is in the roadstead and part of the men are already on board ; they are all tall, very well-made men,]
CXXIII
BELLIEVRE A BRIENNE
A Londres, le 21 Mars l647. Monsieur, — Les affaires du roy d'Ang'® sont en plus mauuais [estat] qu'elles n'ont este. II est prisonnier dans Humby il n'en sort plus, et personne ne sort de chez luy sans un billet des commissaires qui font faire une garde fort exacte aux enuirons de la dicte maison. Outre les aduis que Ton en a icy je le scay par le retour de deux personnes que j'y auois enuoye pour essayer de faire rendre audit Roy des Lettres de la reyne d'Angleterre ce qu'ilz n'ont pu faire, J'en ai encore une dont je commence a estre . . . Ce traitement que recoit ce dit roy, quoy que tres rudde, ne nous est pas impreueu ; nous auons tousiours juge qu'il le receuroit tel et pire, s'il n'enuoyoit icy
1 647] BELLl£VRE TO BRIENNE 53
quelque chose qui peut engager un des partis a parler pour luy, II ne Ta pas voulu faire, au moins ceux en qui il se fie, luy ont desconseille. Ilz I'abandonnent et sont resoluz de le voir souffrir ; cella est aise a juger par leur conduitte et par les lettres que je re^ois de M. Germain. II trouuera bon que ie ne le croye pas, quant il mande que le roy d'*Ang''® ne peut estre porte a donner la response qui estoit desiree de luy. Je suis certain que si pendant que j'estois pres dudit roy a Neucastel je luy eusse conseille, je Taurois obtenu. Je ne le deuois pas faire lors, les affaires n'estoient pas en estat qu'il put proffiter d''un tel message, non plus qu'il fera cy-apres, s'il attend a Tenuoyer jusques a ce que les presbiteriens ayent restabli leur pouuoir en sorte qu^ilz ne croyent plus auoir besoing du nom dudit Roy pour se main- tenir, au lieu que s''il fust venu maintenant a Londres par le moyen des Presbiteriens, pendant que les Independans ont encore du credit, il y a grande apparence de croire que Ton luy eut veu promptement reprendre son aucthorite, ce qu''il n"'y a pas lieu d'esperer si les Independans sont destruicts, et si la prison, le mespris et tous les artifices de ses ennemis luy font perdre Taffection des peuples. Ne faisant rien il hazarde tout. S'il eust faict le peu que nous desirons de luy il se restabliroit ; les affaires se brouilloient icy en sorte que les siennes se faisoient, et que les nostres n''en eussent pas este plus mal, non seulement s'il ne s''aide, mais centre sa volonte il est dificile de le sauuer. Quand je suis parti de France quoy que ie ne jugeasse pas de la fin de cette affaire autrement que ie faicts auiourd'huy, je ne m'imaginois pas que les difficultez qui si rencontrent deussent proceder de la part du roy d'Angleterre. Je Tay neantmoins ainsy esprouue a Neucastel, et toutesfois depuis que ie suis a Londres, il faut que j'aduoue que sur les raisons que ie me suis donne Thonneur de vous escrire cy deuant, je me suis flatte de Fesperance de faire venir le roy d''Ang''® de le restablir en quel- que dignite, et d''auoir en suitte la permission de me retirer d''icy. J''ay encore le deplaisir de voir ces succez trauersez par le conseil de ceux qui par raison deuoient les luy [sic] deuoient contribuer a faire reussir les choses que je proposois, apres quoy j''estime que vous jugerez a propos de me faire auoir au premier jour, la permission de me retirer d'icy, dont je n'useray que lorsque j^auray perdu le peu d'esperance qui me reste d'en
64 BELLIEVRE TO BRIENNE [march
pouuoir sortir auec quelque satisfaction, telle neantmoins que Ton se peut promettre d'une affaire de la qualite de celle-cy et des personnes qui la conduisent qui certainement ne veullent rien par la voye de la negotiation ni qui paroisse [sic] ny qui paroisse estre par Tentremise de la France laquelle en toute maniere ilz veullent brouiller auec le parlement d'Angleterre. Cest une verite que je vois si constante quand ilz'ne me Tauroient pas descouuert, et que ie ne Taurois pas leu dans leur lettres au roy d'Angleterre, une infinite de choses et de circonstances que j'ay veu, despuis que je suis en ce royaume, m'empesclieroient asses d'en doutter. Le Courier me presse il faut finir. Je suis, Monsieur, vostre tres humble et tres obeissant seruiteur.
Bellieure.
Au dos — M. de Bellieure, du 21 Mars 1647, receu le 28.
[Bellievre to Brienne. London, 21st March 1647.
The affairs of the King of England are in the worst state they have yet been. He is a prisoner at Holmby, he no longer goes out, nor does any one leave the place without a ticket from the Commissioners who are going to keep a very strict guard in the neighbourhood of the house. In addition to the information one has here, I knew it from two persons I had sent there in order to try and deliver to the king the letters from the queen, but they had to return without being able to do it ; I still have one of them with which I begin to be . . . The treatment that the king receives, however hard it may seem, was not unforeseen by us ; we have always considered he would receive such and worse, if he do not send something here that can engage one of the parties to speak for him. He has not wished to do so, at least those in whom he trusts have dissuaded him from it. They abandon him, and have resolved to see him suffer ; it is easy to determine this by their conduct and from the letters I receive from M. Jermyn. He will not take it amiss that I do not believe him when he states that the King of England cannot be induced to give the reply that was wanted from him. I am certain that if, while I was with the king at Newcastle, I had advised him to do so, I would have obtained it. It was not necessary for me to do so then, affairs were not in such a state that he could derive any profit from such a message ; nor will he receive any benefit from it in future, if he delay sending it until the Presbyterians may have established their authority so that they may believe they can dispense with the name of king, in order to maintain themselves ; instead of which if he had now come to London by means of the Presbyterians, while the Independents have still some influence, it may very readily be believed that he would promptly have resumed his authority, which there is no reason to hope for if the
1647] BELLIlfeVRE TO BRIENNE 55
Independents are entirely defeated, and if the prison, the disdain and all the devices of his enemies make him lose the affection of his people. In doing nothing he risks everything. If he had done the little we wished of him, he would have re-established himself : matters were getting into disorder here and his affairs were profiting thereby, and ours would not have been worse if only he would help himself; it is very difficult to save him against his will. ^Vhen I left France, although I did not judge of the end of this matter differently from what I do now, I did not suppose that the difficulties to be met with would be caused on the part of the King of England, I nevertheless felt it to be so at Newcastle ; notwithstanding since my return to London, I must confess that on the grounds I formerly specified to you I flattered myself with the hope of bringing here the King of England and of re-establishing him with some dignity and of being able to obtain thereafter the permission to withdraw. I have again the dissatisfaction of seeing this success thwarted by the advice of those who ought in reason to have helped towards the success of what I pro- posed. After this I judge you will think proper to send me, on an early day, permission to retire from here, of which I shall not take advantage, until I shall have lost the little hope that I still have of being able to get out of the matter with some satisfaction, such however as one may expect from an affair of this nature and from the persons who conduct it, who certainly do not want anything by means of negotiation, nor what may appear to be obtained by the intervention of France, which they seek in every way to embroil with the English Parliament. This is a truth that I see so constantly, that even had they not disclosed it to me and had I not read it in their letters to the King of England, a multitude of things and circumstances that I have seen, since I have been in this country would not allow me to doubt of it. The courier is leaving, I must finish.]
CXXIV
BELLIEVRE a BRIENNE
A Londres, fe ^ Mars ^.
'is 6
Monsieur, — Je fus tellement presse au dernier iour par rheure du despart de Tordin''® [ordinaire] que ie ne pus vous escrire aincy que ie fits a S. E. que le Comite de TAdmiraute enuoyoit un ordre aux vaisseaux du Parlement qui sont a la coste dTrlande de laisser passer et repasser librem* [librement] les nostres qui'y doiuent aller querir les trouppes que nous y leuons. Le comte de Warwick qui preside a ce Comite m^en auoit asseure, ainsy que beaucoup d'autres de ceux qui le com- posent, faisant des excuses de ce qu'ilz ne pouuoient rien donner
56 BELLl£VllE TO BRIENNE [march
par escrit en cette occasion, pour ne pas ofFencer les Espagnolz, ausquelz depuis trois mois ils auroient reffuse de semblables permissions la chose estoit resolue dans le comite, le S' M"" vaine cy deuant secretaire d"'estat auoit insiste sur les difficultez qui y auoient este faictes, il s'est ensuitte opiniastre tellement contre cette affaire qu'apres en auoir faict dabord surceoir Texpedition, les aduis qu'il a diet auoir des desseings de la France contre cet estat, ausquel ceste affaire contribuoit beaucoup ; les lettres qu'il a monstre et les menaces qu'il a faict [sic^ enfin faict resondre quelle seroit communiquee aux deux maisons du Parlement qui est ce que j''auois essaye d''euiter, non seulement a cause de la longueur qui s''y rencontre en touttes les choses qui passent par la Chambre basse, mais aussy de crainte que cette affaire ni fust ruinee par la haine qu'ilz portent a la France beaucoup de ceux qui y ont du pouuoir, par la jalousie qu'ilz en ont tons par le credit que Targent des Espagnolz leur acquiert, par la con- noissance que j'ay que ceux qui auroient de Tinclination pour nous qui n''en ont point pour nos ennemis estiment que la politique les obligent a souhaitter des forces aux Espagnolz pour arrester le cours des progres de la France. L''affaire est done maintenant dans le Parlem* et Samedy il en fut parle en la Chambre des Seigneurs qui ne resolurent rien, mais enuoyerent me dire que Taffaire ne se pouuoit terminer a ma satisfaction si ie ne les asseurois que nos vaisseaux ne porteroient point de Marchandises de Contrebande, qu'ils ne receuroient autres personnes que des naturels Irlandois me faisant entendre qu'ils apposoient cet article pour empescher que Milord d"'Igby ne se seruit de cette occasion pour sortir d'lrlande, et que ces Irlandois ne seroient renuoyez en corps en ces trois Royaumes pour estre employez contre le Parlement, et me manderent encore qu'il faloit que nos nauires allants et venants fussent visittez par ceux qui commandent les leur. Je leur fis scauoir que dans Tincertitude ou ie suis si pour le transport de ces Irlandois nous nous seruons de nauires marchantz ou de vais- seaux de guerre je ne pouuois consentir a la visite, que j'estois certain qu'ils n'^auoient autre ordre que d'aller querir les leuees que nous faisons d'lrlandois naturels et qu"'ils ne seroient chargez d'aucune marchandise de contre bande. Quand a Tasseurance quails demandent que ces trouppes ne reuiendront pas contre ces
1647] BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE 57
Royaumes que ie croyois y auoir pleinement satisfaict parce que ie leur ay respondu cy deuant. II east este fort important que j"'eusse sceu si en effect il se faict un armement a S* Malo, tel que Ton publie icy, ou seulement si on y prepare des vaisseaux marchans pour transporter en France les leuees que Ton y faict. Les aduis des Marchans de cette ville portent que non seulement on y assemble des vaisseaux de guerre que Ton y faict venir de Dunkerque et des riuieres de Bretagne, mais aussy que Ton y frette tous les vaisseaux que Ton y pent auoir, mesme que Ton y a retenu par force deux hambourguois pour joindre a cette flotte. Ces aduis fortiffient les bruits qui sont icy que la France s''est engagee despuis peu a restablir Ie Roy de la G. B. et s"'il est besoing se declarer pour luy. Le S"" Ogier et tous les autres qui ont correspondance auec le Parlem* Tescriuent affirmativem*. Tous les Anglois qui viennent de France, tant pour les recreiies que soubz d'autres pretextes, affectent de le publier, ceux qui restent icy du party du Roy de la G. B. et Ton dit encore plus particulierement les Emissaires de Monsieur le Comte d'Emtrans Ie debitent comme chose constante, en sorte qu'il n^est pas aise de persuader le contraire. L''on dit qu"'un Winter Grand va en Irlande de la part de la Reyne de la G. B. et du Prince de Galles, que le comte de Craffort y va aussy et de la en Escosse le tout pour empescher la paix de ces Royaumes et pour nourir •d^esperances le Roy de la G. B. de creinte qu'il ne se porte a contenter le Parlement. Quelques uns disent que M"" de Montreul a faict passer en France des vaisseaux chargez d'officiers du Roy d'Ang""^ qui vont pour s"'enrolIer en France lesquelz doiuent cet este faire icy une descente. Quand ce qui en est vray sera publie je n'auray pas peu d'affaire a le deffendre. Les ennemis de la France et de TAngleterre se seruent de tant d'artifices pour donner de telles impressions que Ton ne doit pas trouuer estrange, si quelques uns de ceux qui n'ont pas une parfaitte connoissance des affaires se laissent porter a le croire par ce concours d'auis conformes, et de circonstances si pleines d'ap- parence. La chamber haulte a resolu ce matin d'enuoyer ordre de laisser passer pendant trois mois les trouppes qui auront este leueez en Irlande a la charge que les vaisseaux qui les doiuent porter souffriront la visite allants et reuenants, Cet ordre tel quMl est demeurera sans effect, iusques a ce qu'il ayt este con-
58 BELLli:VRE TO BRIENNE [march
firme par la chambre des Communes, et bien qu'il y ayt este porte ce matin auec toute la recommendation que les Seigneurs pouuoient faire pour en aduancer la deliberation il n'en a point este parle et Ton est presentem* leue, de sorte que i'ay creu qu'il estoit important de vous despescher ce courier de crainte que sur ce que i'ay mande la sepmaine passee a S. E. Ton ne fit partir ces vaisseaux destinez pour le transport de ces gens de guerre, entre lesquels, s'il se trouuoit des vaisseaux du Roy, ce qui s'est faict en la chambre haute, qui est le plus que Ton puisse attendre, les soubmettant a la visite, il se passeroit peut estre des choses qui pourroient brouiller la France auec TAngle- terre, Les nouuelles de France, qui doiuent venir demain, pourront encore trauerser cette deliberation, comme celles de Tautre sepmaine ont elude TefFect de ce qui auoit este arreste en TAdmiraute, en sorte que Ton ne peut prendre ses mesures sur ce qui s'est dit de cette affaire iusques a ce que la Chambre basse ayt pris sa resolution. Je suis. Monsieur, vostre tres humble et tres obeissant seruiteur. Bellieure.
Au dos — M. de Bellieure, du 25 Mars 1647, receu le 29 dud. mois.
[Bellievbe to Brienne. London, 2| March 1647.
I WAS so pressed for time the other day on the leaving of the mail, that I could not write to you as I did to his Eminence, that the Com- mittee of the Admiralty was to send an order to the ships of Parlia- ment that are on the coast of Ireland, to allow our ships to pass and repass freely, in order to transport the troops we are raising there. The Earl of Warwick,^ who presides over this committee, had assured me of this, as many of the other members had done, offering excuses because they were unable to give anything in writing on this occasion, in order not to offend the Spaniards, to whom similar permissions had been refused by decision of the Committee within the past three months ; Sir Henry Vane, former Secretary of State, having insisted on the objections that had been made against it, thereafter set himself so stubbornly to oppose the matter, that having in the first instance deferred the settlement of it, on account of the information he said he had of the intentions of France, in which this matter had a large part, after the letters he showed and the threats he made, it was at length decided that the matter be sub- mitted to both Houses of Parliament, which is what I had endeavoured to
^ Brother to Lord Holland, Admiral of the Parliamentary fleet. One of Cromwell's lords, whose grandson, Mr. Rich, married Frances Cromwell, the Protector's daughter.
1 647] BELLIEVRE TO BRIENNE 59
avoid, not only on account of the delay to be met with in everything that passes through the Lower House, but also from the fear I had that this measure be ruined there, on account of the hatred many of those in power bear to France, from the jealousy they all have of her, from the influence they have acquired by the money of the Spaniards, from the knowledge I have that those who are even better disposed towards us than towards our enemies consider that policy obliges them to wish well towards the Spanish forces in order to stop the progress of France. The matter is therefore before Parliament, and on Saturday it was discussed in the House of Lords, where nothing was decided, but merely a message sent to me stating that the matter could not be settled to my satisfaction unless I were to give the assurance that our ships would carry no contraband goods, that they would transport no others but native Irish, leaving me to understand that they would oppose the measure in order to prevent Lord Digby from taking advantage of this opportunity to leave Ireland and to prevent these Irish from being embodied and sent back here in these three kingdoms, to be employed against Parliament, and informed me further that it would be necessary for our ships in going and coming to be searched by the commanding officers of theirs. I informed them in reply that being uncertain whither we employed merchant ships or ships of war to convey these Irish, I could not agree to the right of search, that I was certain the ships had no other order than to fetch the levies of native Irish that we are making in Ireland, and that they would carry no contraband goods. As for the assurance they demanded that these troops would not be brought back here against these kingdoms, that I thought I had reassured them fully on that subject by what I had previously stated. It would have been very important for me to have learned if the warlike preparations that are carried on at St. Malo are such as published here or if it be only merchant ships that are being prepared there in order to transport to France the levies that have been made. The advices of the merchants of this city are to the effect that there are assembled there not only ships of war that have been brought from Dunkirk and the rivers in Brittany, but also that all the ships that can be obtained have been freighted, that even two Hamburg ships have been retained by force and joined to this fleet. These advices give consistency to the rumours cir- culating here, that France has lately engaged to re-establish the King of Great Britain and if it be necessary to declare for him. M. Ogier and all the others who correspond with this Parliament write of it affirmatively. AH the English that come from France, those engaged about the recruits or who come under other pretexts pretend to publish it, those who remain here of the party of the King of Great Britain, and it is said more specially the emissaries of the Marquis of Antrim, spread it about as certain, so that it is not easy to persuade people of the contrary. It is said that a certain Winter Grand [?] is going to Ireland on the part of the Queen of Great Britain and the Prince of Wales, that the Earl of Crawford ^ is going
' This refers probably to Ludovic, 14th Earl of Crawford of the older branch of this family, whose estates had been forfeited.
60 MONTEREUI. TO MAZARIN [march
there also and thence to Scotland, all in order to prevent the peace of these kingdoms and to sustain the hopes of the king of Great Britain, for fear that he may be induced to satisfy the Parliament. Some say that M. de Montereul has sent over to France shiploads of English officers who are going to enroll themselves in France, who are to make an invasion here this summer. \VTien what is really authentic in the affair is published I shall have no little trouble in defending it. The enemies of France and England employ so many devices in order to give such impressions, that it is nothing strange that some of those who have no minute acquaintance of affairs may be induced to believe them by this con- currence of information and of circumstances so full of probability. The Upper House decided this morning to send an order to allow the ships to pass during three months with the troops that will be raised in Ireland, upon condition that the ships that are to convey them undergo a search in going and in coming. This order, such as it is, will remain inoperative until it be confirmed by the House of Commons, and although it was brought there this morning, with every recommendation that the Lords could make in order to hasten the deliberation, it has not been mentioned and the sitting is over, so that I thought it so important as to require me to send to you this courier, fearing that on what I wrote to his Eminence last week, the ships destined for the transport of these soldiers might be despatched, and if there were among them any of the king's ships, what has been done in the Upper House, which is the most one has to expect, subjecting them to a search, events might happen that could cause a quarrel between France and England. The news from France that ought to arrive to-morrow will perhaps overturn this decision, as that of the former week had the effect of annulling what had been done at the Admiralty, so that one can take no steps on what is said about this affair until the Lower House has come to a decision.]
cxxv
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimbourg, Mars ^ l647.
Jay re^u celle que V. Em*^^ m^a fait Thonneur de m'^ecrire du 12 de ce mois avec une lettre de change done je feray toucher Targent a MM. le Comte d' Angus et le Chev' Moray ainsi qu'il me Ta ete ordonne. Le vent qui a ete contraire depuis huit jours pour aller en France, a arrete en cette rade le vaisseau qui doit porter les premieres recrues, et qui sans cela auroit este a Dun- kerque presentement. M. le Chev"" Moray m''asseure que le second partira dans peu de jours. Je luy ay fait voir ce que V. Em°® m''a fait Thonneur de m"'ecrire qui le regarde, afin que les
I
1647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 61
bontes que luy temoigne V. Em*'^ Fobligent a faire encore avec plus d'ardeur, ce a quoi il se porta deja avec assez d'affection.
V. Em*'® verra s'il lui plait par le double de celle que j'ecris a Mons. le Tellier ce qui peut toucher les recrues qui font ici mon principal soin et a quoi je puis asseurer V. Em*'® que je contribue de ma part tout ce qui m'est possible.
La proposition qui a ete faite au Parlement d'Angleterre d'envoyer promptement des deputes au roy de la G"^ B' pour Tobliger a accorder les choses que Ton desire de lui, et de les faire partir sans attendre Tarrivee de ceux d'Ecosse, a fort alarme ce Pari*, et Fa oblige d'^employer la plus grande partie da la semaine passee a deliberer du choix de ceux qui seroient envoyes dMcy et les instructions qu'on leur donneroit; mais apres un long debat, il a este enfin arrete que la meme deputa- tion ou le meme comite, qui etoit deja etably a Londres ser- veroit encore pour Holmby, et Ton m''asseure aussi que les ordres qu'ils ont, et que je n'ay pas encore veu, sont conformes aux declarations que ce Pari* a faites avant que le roy soit sorty de Newcastle. Cependant, bien que plusieurs de cette deputa- tion de Londres soient a Edimbourg, le seul Comte de Lauderdale en doit partir presentement pour aller trouver le roy de la G' B*^, et je croy que ce temperament a este trouve pour contenter les Hamiltons qui n"'ayant peu obtenir que ce comite qui est compose des creatures du Marquis d'Argyle seroit change, ont voulu au moins que celui qui leur est le moins suspect fut envoye.
Le Comte de Dunfermline a eu permission d'aller a Holmby servir le roy de la G"" B' en sa charge de gentilhomme de la Chambre. II aura des lettres de ce Pari* adressantes a celuy d'Angleterre pour le prier de Tagreer. Le Due de Hamilton a demande icy, et a obtenu la meme chose, plustost comme Ton croit pour ne pas montrer moins de passion dans le service du roy son maistre que le Comte de Dunfermline, que pour ce qu'il ait une veritable intention de faire ce voyage avant qu''il voie que les affaires du roy de la G' B"" se trouvent en meilleur etat. II se pourroit faire aussi que comme le Comte de Dun- fermline paroit estre plus du parti d'Argyle que de celuy de Hamilton, il veut estre anpres du roy de la G' B*" encore quil soit asseure qu'il ne se puisse rien faire a Tavantage de ce
62 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [march
prince de peur qu'il ne se passe quelque chose au prejudice de son parti.
Le Comte de Dunfermline m''a dit qu'il ne partiroit point cette semaine, non plus que le Comte de Lauderdale. Les deputes qui sont ici de la part du Pari* d'Angleterre continuent a presser la redition de Belfast, et ce Pari*, a ce qu'on m"'asseure, a resolu de le rendre, et avec cette place toutes les autres que les Ecossois tiennent en Irlande et qu'ils ne peuvent con- server sans celle-la, pourvu que leur armee qu"'ils ont en ce pays soit payee avant qu"'en sortir, de tout ce que lui peut estre du.
Le Pari* ne finira pas avant la semaine prochaine, et comme il doit donner pouvoir au Comite qui se tiendra apres qu'il se sera leve, de traiter auec les Princes et de faire ligue et entre- tenir amitie et correspon dance avec eux, j''ay pense qu'il ne seroit pas peutetre hors de propos quMls temoignassent en termes plus particuliers dans la commission qu'ils donneront, qu'ils desirent entretenier celle qu'ils ont, depuis une longue suite d'annees avec la France, puisque cela ne sera pas seule- ment un moyen pour faciliter les levees, en leur faissant voir qu'on desire d'eux qu'ils fassent les choses qui leur peuvent estre avantageuses, mais que cela pourra servir encore a les empecher de se jeter absolument entre les bras de TAngleterre, quand ils croiront que la France ne les abandonnera pas, et a faire que TAngleterre a Timitation de TEcosse recherche les bonnes graces de sa Maj*®. Cependant, Mg', j 'essay eray de me conduire en cecy avec beaucoup de reserve, m'estant avance au plus, a leur dire pourvu qu'ils fassent ce que la France desire d'eux presentement il y a apparence qu'ils se pourront conserver les bonnes graces de S. M**.
La nouvelle armee de ce Pari* qui devoit estre a cinq Mil hommes de pied et de 1500 chevaux, ne s'est trouve pas trouve de trois Mil hommes Mercredi dernier, au lieu d'assemble'e. Le Lieut. -General David Leslay a dit a quelques uns de ses amis avant que partir, que la defense du Pari* ne I'empecheroit pas de recevoir le Marquis de Huntley a composition. Mais je ne vois pas en quelle maniere il le pourroit faire, ny quel avantage en recevroit ce Marquis, puisque le meilleur traite- ment qu'il puisse attendre est d'avoir la liberte de sortir hors du royaume en abandonnant tous ses biens, au lieu qu'en se
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 63
retirant avec ses gens dans les montaignes et se joignant a Macdonald il peut esperer de recouvrir quelque jour ce qu"*!! est force d'abandonner presentement. On a trouue moyen de faire subsister pour neuf mois la nouvelle armee, mais ce n'a pas ete sans donner sujet a ces peuples de se plaindre. Will. Moray n'est pas encore parti, il parle toujours d''aller en France par Hollande. II y a quatre ou cinq petites fregates a Tembouchure de ce port, qui ont, a ce qui se dit, commission du Prince, mais j'apprehende qu''elles n'en aient encore du roy d'Espagne, cependant le capitaine du vaisseau qui porte les recreiies ne fait point de difficulte de partir.
Le Comte de Lanark, frere du Due de Hamilton, m''a fait dire par un de ses amis, qu'il seroit bien aise d''avoir quelque marque de dependance de la France, et que si on lui donnoit quelque pension il la prendroit quand elle ne seroit que de trois ou quatre mille livres, mais qu''il desireroit qu"'elle fut sensee comme celle du Due son frere.
[MoNTEREUL to CARDINAL Mazarin. Edinburgh, I? March 1647.
I HAVE received your letter of the 12th inst. with a bill of exchange, of which I shall pay the money to the Earl of Angus and Sir Robert Moray as you direct. A contrary wind has delayed in this harbour, during eight days, the ship that is conveying the recruits to France, had it not been so, it would have been at Dunkirk at present. Sir Robert Moray has assured me that the second will leave in a few days. I showed to him what you wrote concerning him, in order that your kindness for him might encourage him to act with still greater ardour, in the work in which he is already actuated by considerable zeal. You will see by the copy of the letter I have written to M. le Tellier what the levies may cost ; they are my principal care, and I can assure you that I shall do all in my power to make them efficient
The proposal made in the English Parliament to send immediately a deputation to the King of Great Britain to oblige him to grant what is required from him, and to do so without waiting the arrival of that from Scotland, has much alarmed this Parliament, and obliged it to employ the greater part of last week in deliberating on the choice of those who were to be sent from here and the instructions they would* give them ; but after a long debate it was at last decided that the same deputation or the same committee that was already settled in London would also serve to go to Holmby, and I am assured also that the orders they have received, and which I have not seen, are similar to the declarations which this Parliament made before the king left Newcastle. Yet although several
64 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [march
of this London deputation are in Edinburgh the Earl of Lauderdale is the only one that is to leave at present, in order to visit the King of Great Britain, and I believe this middle course has been adopted in order to satisfy the Hamiltons, who not being able to succeed in having this committee, composed of nominees of the Marquis of Argyle, changed, wished at least that the one the least mistrusted might be sent.
The Earl of Dunfermline has received permission to go to Holmby to serve the King of Great Britain in his office as gentleman of the bed- chamber. He will receive letters from this Parliament to that of England, to solicit his being received in that capacity. The Duke of Hamilton has asked here and obtained the same privilege, rather, as it is thought, not to show less zeal in the service of the king his master, than the Earl of Dunfermline, than on account of his having any real intention of undertaking this journey before he sees that the affairs of the king are in a better condition than at present. It may be also that as the Earl of Punfermline appears to belong rather to the Argyle than to the Hamilton party, the Duke also wishes to be near the king to have a certitude that nothing is done to the advantage of this prince, and from fear that anything be undertaken that may be detrimental to the interests of his party.
The Earl of Dunfermline has told me that he would not leave this week, neither will the Earl of Lauderdale. The Commission that is here from the English Parliament continue to insist that Belfast be given up and this Parliament, as I am assured, has resolved to give it up and with it all the other fortresses the Scots hold in Ireland and that they cannot retain without the former, provided their army in that country be paid all that is owing to it before leaving.
This Parliament will not come to an end before next week, and as it is about to give authority to the committee that, while it will be broken up, will remain in office, to treat with princes, enter into alliances and keep up friendly intercourse with them, I have thought that it would not be perhaps unsuitable for them to declare in special terms, in the commission they are to give, that they wish to maintain the one they have had during so long a succession of years with France, since this would not only be a means of facilitating the levies, in letting them see that what is wanted of them can only be to their own advantage ; but it will serve also to prevent them from throwing themselves absolutely into the arms of England, when they see that France will not give them up and will lead England in imitation of Scotland to seek the good graces of his Majesty. However, I shall try to behave in this with much reserve ; I have but gone so far as to tell them that, provided they do what France wishes of them at present, there is some likelihood that they may be able to retain the good graces of his Majesty.
The new army of this Parliament, that ought to number five thousand foot and fifteen hundred horse, did not number three thousand men, at its place of rendezvous on Wednesday last. Lieut. -General David Leslie said before leaving to some of his friends that the order of Parliament
i647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 65
would not prevent him from coming^ to an agreement with the Marquis of Huntly. But I do not see in what manner he would be able to do it, nor what advantage it would be for the Marquis, since the best terms he can expect is to have permission to leave the country abandoning all he has, instead of which, in withdrawing into the Highlands with his people and joining Macdonald, he may hope some day to regain what he is obliged to give up at present. Means have been found to secure the subsistence of the new army for nine months, but it has not been done without giving cause of complaint to the people. Will. Moray has not yet gone ; he still speaks of going to France by way of Holland. There are four or five small frigates at the entry to this harbour, which, I am told, have commissions from the Prince [of Wales], but I fear they have another from the King of Spain, yet the captain of the ship that conveyed the recruits did not make any objection about leaving.
The Earl of Lanark, brother of the Duke of Hamilton, has informed me by one of his friends that he should like to have some token of- connection with France, and that if any pension were given to him he would try to deserve it by his services, and would accept it were it only three or four thousand livres, but that he would wish it to be discreetly given, like that of the duke, his brother.]
CXXVI MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimbourg, fj^" 1647.
Le vent qui a ete fort bon depuis Vendredi dernier, que le vaisseau, qui etoit charge des recrlies du Comte d"" Angus et du Chev"^ Moray, est party de cette rade, me fait esperer qu'il sera presentement arrive a Dunkerque, et que V. Em*'^ aura nou- velles du debarquement de bien pres de 400 hommes qu'il porte, avant que cette lettre vous puisse estre rendue.
Je presse, autant que je puis, le partement du vaisseau qui doit le suivre, mais bien qu"'il doive sortir du port aujourd'huy ou demain, je ne vols pas qu"'il puisse avoir sa charge avant la semaine prochaine. Je me trouve un peu empeche par ce que le Comte d' Angus ne veut point me donner caution de Targent quMl recevra de moy dorenavant, sur ce qu'on luy a dit, qu'on n''en avoit point desire de son cadet pour toutes les recrelies quMl avoit faites, et qu''il croit qu'ayant beaucoup de bien, et ses affaires estant en fort bon ordre, on luy fait quelque sort dMnjure de luy demander caution, et on ne fait rien avec plus
VOL. II. E
66 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [april
de surete pour le service de S. M*®. Cependant, outre qu'il y a beaucoup de difference entre robligation d'un bon marchand et celle d''un riche seigneur, j''apprehende encore que le Chev"" Moray ne veuille demander la meme chose, avec lequel, quoi- qu'il soit personne de credit et qui a quelques biens, comme je croy, on pourroit bien ne pas trouver les memes seuretes. Mais, comme V. Em'^^ me commande de ne point perdre de temps, je me suis veu oblige de mettre entre les mains du dit Comte d' Angus deux mille ecus, dont 11 avoit affaire pre- sentement et afin qu"'on ne pent tirer en consequence ce que je faisois avec luy, je luy ay demande pour caution le Sieur Douglas, avocat, a Edimbourg, qui est de son nom et de sa maison, et qui depend absolument de luy, — ce qu''il n'a point fait de difficulte de m'accorder.
Au reste, le sieur Leslay, frere du Lieut. -General, avec qui je n'en ay rien encore conclu absolument, quoique je me sois assez avance, apres avoir re^u la capitulation de Hepburn de M. le Tellier, et avoir veu que V. Em*^*' approuvoit que je traitasse avec luy, — m'asseure qu''il a tons les officiers prets, et me promet six cents hommes avant la fin de Mai, et six cents hommes bientost apres, ce que son frere, le Lieut.-General, m'a aussy promis, c"'est ce que je trouve ici de plus asseure et de plus prompt, apres les recreiies des deux regiments, car je ne vols pas que le Comte de Callendar se presse beaucoup, ni aussy qu''on puisse engager le Due de Hamilton et le Marquis d'Argyle a penser a envoyer en France des regiments, tandis qu''ils ont d"'autres soins qui leur sont de plus importance que celuy-la.
Comme la derniere lettre de change que j''ay re9ue de M. de Bellievre de 24 mille livres estoit seulement pour estre acquittee a 20 jours de veue, j'ay offert au Chev' Moray de luy toucher presentement quatre mille ecus, que le S"" du Talmond, mar- chand, m'a tenir prets, depuis que je me suis donne Thonneur de Tecrire a V. Em''*', mais comme il a veu que j'avan(j;ois cette somme si volontiers, 11 a voulu faire quelque chose de plus que cela, et a envoye trois de ses capitaines vers le nord sans avoir desire toucher d'argent avant Techeance de la lettre.
Au reste, M. de Bellievre me donne avis que le Chev' Disch- ington ecrit aux deputes d'Ecosse qui sont a Londres que la
I
1647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 67
France regarde seulement le service du Roy de la G' B"" dans les levees qui se font ici, et que le Chev' Moray qui est d'in- telligence avec quelques autres seigneurs qui veulent retablir leur Roy, fait passer ces troupes en France pour les faire bien- tot revenir contre TEcosse.
Je ne me mettrai point en peine de representer a V. Em*^ comme cela n''est point du tout a apprehender du Chev' Moray, qui, selon ma creance, est fort eloigne de faire ce prejudice a son pays, mais seulment que c"'est une chose qui nous pourroit etre tres prejudiciable, que pourroit servir de pretexte a ces gens, qui voyent partir avec regret de leur Royaume les hommes dont ils croyent qu'ils auront encore besoin, pour nous em- pecher de continuer les levees. Je n'ai pas creu toutefois que je deusse faire beaucoup de bruit de ceci, et il m"'a semble qu'il valoit mieux le faire passer comme une vision du Chev' Disching- ton que comme quelque chose qui eut besoin d"'eclaircissement.
On croit que le Pari* finira demain, et peutetre meme des ce jour. On arreta Samedi dernier ceux qui devoient etre du Comite, ou le Conseil d'Etat, qui gouverne les affaires de ce Royaume en Tabsence du Pari*. Les Hamiltons temoignent etre fort satisfaits du choix qui a ete fait, et croyent que plus de la moitie des personnes qui composent le dit conseil est tres etroitement attachee a leurs interets, — ce que j''entendis dire Samedi dernier au Due de Hamilton et au Comte de Lanark avec tant de contentement et conter avec tant d"'ardeur a leurs amis les difficultes que s^ estoient rencon trees, que je ne croy plus tant comme auparavant que toutes choses se fassent de si grand concert entre eux et le Marquis d'Argyle. Je dirai a V. Em'^® cette seule particularite que le Comte de Traquair a ete un de ceux qui ont ete choisis sans aucune contradiction, ce que je croy qu''il sera bon de faire savoir a la reine de la Gr' B"" afin qu'elle voie, comme le roy son mari n"'a pas eu toutes les raisons du monde de le croire absolument attache a ses interets ainsi que S. M. me Ta temoigne diverses fois et encore quand je Tay quitte.
Le Due de Hamilton et le Comte de Dunfermline apres avoir eu permission d''aller servir le roy de la G' B*" ont obtenu aussi de ce Pari* des lettres de faveur pour celui d'Angleterre, afin d'en pouvoir obtenir aussi la permission ; mais le Marquis
68 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [april
d''Argyle et trois ou quatre de son parti se sont opposes k ce qu'on se servit dans celle qui estoit ecrite en faveur du Due des termes de constante affection aux interets de ce royaume, jusqu'a luy reprocher les choses qu'il avoit faites, ou temoigne de faire, au commencement de cette guerre pour le service de leur roy, avec assez d'aigreur, et toutefois sans aucun efFet, puis- que la lettre a ete donnee au dit Due en la maniere qu"'elle avoit ete premierement ecrite, et sans y changer aucune chose. Tout le monde a creu qu''on ne pouvoit plus d outer apres cela du peu d'intelligence qu'il y avoit entre les chefs de ces deux partis, mais il me semble qu'il y a peu d'apparence que le Marquis d'Argyle, qui est homme tres avise, eut voulu faire ces reproches sans necessite au Due de Hamilton, et sans en tirer aucun avantage, s'il ne Ten eut averti auparavant, outre que je trouve que tout ce qui a ete dit par le dit Marquis d'Argyle au Due de Hamilton, au lieu de luy faire quelque prejudice, s'accommode assez bien a ses interets et est conforme a sa fa9on d''agir, puisqu"'il s''en pent servir pour faire voir au roy de la Gr. Br. qu^il Ta servi et au Pari* d'Ecosse que quelque opposition qui luy ait ete faite par ses ennemis, cela n'a pas empeche qu''on ne soit demeure tres asseure de sa fidelite, aussy n"'ont ils pas laisse apres cela de manger ensemble et de se parler avec tons les temoignages apparents, non seule- ment de bonne intelligence, mais encore d'amitie. Plusieurs croyent toutefois que cela nWoit point du tout ete concerte, et que le Marquis d'Argyle croyoit Temporter a la pluralite des voix que la lettre seroit reformee, et que comme ils font serment de declarer dans le Pari* toutes les choses qui peuvent etre pour Futilite publique, sans que personne puisse s''en of- fenser, ils ne s"'etonnent point de ce que les uns peuvent dire au desavantage des autres. Mais ceux qui croyent juger mieux de Tavenement des choses trouvent que quelque intelligence que puissent avoir ensemble les chefs des deux partis, et quelque soin qu'ils puissent mettre a I'entretenir, il sera difficile que les amis des uns et des autres qui n'ont pas tant de moderation qu^'eux, et qui ont autant d'interet a les brouiller, qu'ils en peuvent avoir eux-memes, ne les obligent enfin a une rupture de laquelle seule il semble qu'il puisse arriver ici quelque chose de bon pour les interets du roy de la Gr. Br.
i647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 69
Tay veu lettres de Morton,^ qui commande Tarmee qu"'ont les Ecossois en Irlande par lesquelles il ecrit que les Catholiques Irlandais envoyent centre luy une armee de dix mille hommes dont quatre mille doivent passer presentement en Ecosse, et les six autres les suivre apres qu''ils auront ruine tout le pays. Cela seroit extremement bon pour le roy de la Gr. Br. sMl pourroit etre veritable, mais j''apprehende que cet Ecossois se forge des ennemis pour les defaire bien aisement, et qu'il donne ici cette crainte pour obtenir plus facilement les choses qu^il demande.
On vient de me donner avis qu''on a re^u presentement lettres du Lieut.-General David Leslay, par lesquelles il mande que le Marquis de Huntley a abandonne deux de ses maisons, et qu'afin de les sauver du feu plus aisement il en avoit fait em- porter jusqu''aux portes, il ecrit encore qu''il sVst retire dans les montagnes en un lieu nomme Ruthven en Bagenoth.^
[MoNTEREUL to CARDINAL Mazarin. Edinburgh, "l '^^"^' 1647.
The wind tliat has been very favourable since Friday last when the ship laden with the recruits of the Earl of Angus and Sir Robert !Moray left this roadstead leads me to hope that it will be at present at Dunkirk, and that you will have learned of the landing of almost 400 men that it carried^ before this letter can reach you.
I insist as much as I can on the departure of the next ship that ought to follow, but although it is to leave the harbour to-day or to- morrow, I do not see that it can have its cargo before next week. I have been a little delayed on account of the Earl of Angus not wishing to give me security for the money that he may receive from me in future, on account of his having been told that it had not been required fi-om his subordinate for all the recruits he had enlisted, and that he thought from his having much property and his aflfairs being in very good order, that it would be a sort of insult to ask him for security ; there being nothing done with greater security for the service of his jNIajesty. Yet although there is much diiference between the engagement of an honest merchant and that of a rich noble, 1 apprehend further that Sir Robert Moray may wish to ask the same thing, with whom, although he is a person of credit and has some property, one might not be able to find the same security. But as you order me to lose no time, I was obliged to place two thousand crowns in the hands of the Earl of Angus, which he required at present, and in order that no precedent might result from what I did with him,
^ Munro. 2 Badenoch.
70 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [april
I ask him to give me for security Mr. Douglas, advocate in Edinburgh, who is of his name and family, and who depends absolutely on him, to which he made no objection in giving it to me.
Among other matters Mr. Leslie, brother of the Lieut. -General, with whom I have not yet settled anything absolutely, although I have made considerable progress towards it, after having received the articles of agreement of Hepburn ^ from M. le Tellier, and having seen that you approved of my treating with him, assures me that he has all the officers ready, and promises me six hundred men before the end of May and six hundred soon after, which his brother the Lieut. -General has also pro- mised me. This is the readiest and the most certain of what I find here after the companies of recruits for the two regiments, for I do not see that the Earl of Callander is in any hurry to engage, nor that the Duke of Hamilton and the Marquis of Argyle can be induced to send regiments to France whilst they have other matters of more importance than that to attend to.
As the last bill of exchange I received from M. de Bellievre of £24,000 stg. was at twenty days sight, I offered Sir Robert Moray to pay him at present four thousand crowns, which M. du Talmon, mer- chant, has kept ready for me since I wrote to you about it ; but when Sir Robert saw that I was advancing that sum so willingly he wished to do something more than usual and so sent three of his captains towards the north, without wishing to receive the money before the bill of exchange falls due.
M. de Bellievre informs me that Sir Thomas Dischington is writing to the Scottish Commissioners in London that France is merely occupied with the service of the King of Great Britain in the levies that are going on here, and that Sir Robert Moray is acting in concert with some other nobles who wish to establish their king, and are sending these troops to France in order to bring them back soon against Scotland.
1 shall not take the trouble to point out to you that there is no reason whatever to fear anything of the kind on the part of Sir Robert Moray, who, in my opinion, is very far from wishing to bring harm to his country, but at the same time it is a rumour that may be very hurtful to us and serve as a pretext to those people, who see with regret men whom they believe they may require leaving their kingdom, in order to prevent us from continuing the levies. I did not think it necessary, however, to make a great outcry about it ; it seemed to me better to let it pass as a vision of Sir Thomas Dischington than as something requiring to be cleared up. It is thought that Parliament will be dissolved to-morrow or perhaps even from to-day. The Committee or Council of State ^ that directs the affairs of this kingdom in the absence of Parliament was selected on Saturday.
^ This regiment was originally called the Hepburn Regiment from its having been raised by Sir John Hepburn in 1633, when it numbered 2000 men. See^ Appendix, Note W., 'Scottish Regiments in France.'
2 Committee of Estates.
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 71
The Hamiltons seem to be very satisfied with the choice that has been made, and believe that more than half the persons that compose the Com- mittee are very closely attached to their interests ; this 1 heard stated on Saturday last to the Duke of Hamilton and to the Earl of Lanark with great satisfaction, while they in turn related to their friends with equal animation the obstacles that had been met with, so that I have less reason than formerly to believe that all matters are so carefully concerted between them and the Marquis of Argyle. I shall only state this one particular, that the Earl of Traquair was one of those who were selected unanimously, which I think it may be useful to the Queen of Great Britain to learn, so that she may see how the king her husband had not every reason in the world to believe him absolutely attached to his in- terests, as his Majesty several times expressed to me, and again when I was leaving him.
The Duke of Hamilton and the Earl of Dunfermline, after having per- mission to go and serve the King of Great Britain, have also obtained letters of favour from this Parliament to that of England, so as also to obtain the latter's permission also ; but the Marquis of Argyle and three or four of his party objected to the terms used in the letter written in favour of the duke and to the reference made therein to his constant aiFection for the interest of this kingdom, and went so far as to upbraid the duke with things he had done or expressed the wish to do, at the beginning of this war for the service of their king and this with con- siderable bitterness, but without any result, since the letter was given to the duke as it had been originally written and without anj-thing being therein changed. People all believe that there can no longer be any doubt after this of the little harmony existing between the leaders of these two parties ; but it seems to me very unlikely that the Marquis of Argyle, who is a very cautious man, should have wished to make these imputations without necessity against the Duke of Hamilton, and without deriving some advantage from so doing, if he had not informed him of his intention beforehand ; besides, I find that all that was said by the Marquis of Argyle to the Duke of Hamilton, instead of causing any detriment to the latter, suits his interests very well and is in keeping with his way of acting, since he can turn it to account in showing to the King of Great Britain that he has served him, that whatever opposition his enemies may raise against him in the Parliament of Scotland, it continues quite assured of his fidelity ; also this has not prevented them both since from dining together and conversing not only with every appearance of being on good terms but even of friendship. Several think, however, that it was not at all concerted between them, and that the Marquis of Argyle believed he could carry by a majority that the letter be changed, and that as they take oath to declare in Parliament everything that may be for the public benefit, without any one having reason to be offended, they are not surprised at what they may say against each other. But those who pretend to judge of coming events consider that whatever under- standing may exist between the leaders of the two parties, and however
72 BELLIEVRE TO BRIENNE [march
careful they may be to keep it up, it will be difficult for their respective friends, who have not so much moderation as they have, and who have a mutual interest to set them at variance, which they may not have them- selves, not to oblige them at length to break it off, from which alone it seems there is any good expected here for the King of Great Britain.
I have seen letters from Munro, who commands the army the Scots have in Ireland, in which he states that the Irish Catholics are sending against him an army of ten thousand men, of which four thousand are to be sent to Scotland at present, and the other six thousand are to follow, after they have ruined all the country. It would certainly be veiy good for the King of Great Britain were it possibly true, but 1 fear this Scot is forging enemies in order to defeat them more easily, and that he excites this fear here in order to obtain more readily what he demands.
I have just received notice that letters have been received at present from Lieut. -General David Leslie, in which he states that the Marquis of Huntly has abandoned two of his houses, and that so as to secure them more carefully against fire he had even carried away the doors ; he writes also that he has withdrawn into the Highlands in a place called Ruthven in Badenoch.]
CXXVII
BELLIEVRE a BRIENNE
Londres, 28 Mars 1647.
Monsieur, — Par ce que je me donne Thonneur de vous escrire il y a trois jours i'ay eu raison de vous mander que puisque TAffaire des passeports des Irlandois estoit portee au parle- ment il y auoit a craindre que Texpedition n'en fust pas bien prompte; la chambre des Seigneurs la presse autant qu*'elle peut, i"'y contriblie ce que ie doibs et il n"'y a encore rien de faict. La chambre des communes procede en cette rencontre auec sa circomspection et sa lenteur accoustumee. Tous nos amis ne doutent point qu'auec le temps nous n"'obtenions la liberte de faire passer ces Irlandois pourueu que ce soit sur des vaisseaux qui puissent souffrir la visite, et bien que Teffect de ce que Ton demande soit egalement elude par le temps, que par le reffus, la cognoissance que i'ay des affections et des interestz de la plus part de ceux des quelz cette affaire deppend ne me laisse pas lieu de m''en promettre aucunne chose considerable mesme auec le temps. Les lettres de France de Tordinaire dernier augmentent encore les soub^ons que Ton a icy. Celles d'Augier asseurent que les vaisseaux pour lesquelz nous de-
1 647] BELLIJeVRE TO BRIENNE 73
mandons des passeports sont chargez d'armes et de poudre pour rirlande. Cette affaire des passeports a consomme tout le temps que ie pouuois auoir pour escrire par cest ordinaire, ie n'ay rien de nouueau a vous mander. Ie vous ay cy deuant faict scauoir que Ja ville de Londres preparoit une requeste pour faire que le Roy de la Grande Bretagne fust presse de prendre le conuenant de donner satisfaction sur le surplus des propositions, et que iusques a ce qu"'il Fait faict qu'il n"'ap- proche point dMcy. Elle fust hier presentee ; Ton Timprime aujourd'huy. II est fascheux que la ville ayt pris telle resolu- tion, dont la suitte Tengage plus qu'elle ne pense dabord centre les interestz du d. Roy qui consideroit Taffection qu""!! se prometoit de cette ville comme un des plus puissantz moyen qui luy restent ; sans doute M"" de Warwic [et] son Conseil, qui sont en France en scauent quelqu"'un que je ne cognois pas, car ilz auroient agree celuy que Ton leur proposoit qui tiroit le roi d'Ang"^® de prison le restablissant et apparemraent brouilloit les deux grands partis qui sont icy, et les engageoit a la guerre, dans laquelle il eust pris la part qu"'il eust voulu. Les lettres que Ton a recu icy de la Reyne d'Ang** me confirment dans Topinion que j"'ay qu''ils ne veullent point finir cette affaire par la voye de la negociation et m''obligent a continuer la priere que ie vous fis il y a huict iours de m^enuoyer la permission de me retirer presentement d'icy, ny seruant pas ie crains dy nuire, et que mon sejour n*'augmente les soub^ons que Ton y prend des intentions de la France si sinceres qu''elles puissent estre. — Je suis, Monsieur, vostre tres humble et tres obeissant seruiteur, Bellieure.
Au dos. — M de Bellieure, du 28* Mars 1647, receu Ie 4* AuriL
[Sans titre] Je vous mandois au dernier jour que j"'estois en peine d"'une lettre quej'auois escrit au Roy d''Ang'® celuy que j''auois enuoye est de retour. II n"'a pu luy donner le[s] lettres dont Tauois charge, il me les a raportees et un billet que le d. Roy luy a enuoye qui en accompagnoit un qu'il escrit a la Reyne d"'Angleterre que je luy enuoye. Voici la coppie de ce qu'il m''escrit qui n"'est point en responce d"'aucune chose que je luy aye mande h. homby le six^ mars Quoyque jamais prisonnier
74 BELLl£VRE TO BRIENNE [march
fust garde plus seurement que moy, neantmoins j"'espere que j'auray le bonheur que vous receurez cecy, qui est principale- ment pour vous prier de m'escrire le plus souuent que vous pourrez, et par ce moyen de me faire scauoir des nouuelles de la Reyne d'Angleterre et tous les bons amis aussy. II fault que je vous die librement que je ne vois rien par le comporte- ment de ces Commissionnaires que ruine a ma personne, si je ne puis estre desliure hors de leurs mains, mais'surtout pour I'honneur de Dieu n''entreprenez pas de me faire quitter les resolutions que vous scauez que j''ay prises, car par la grace de Dieu je suis resolu plustost de perir que d'en estre par remise auec ma conscience et mon honneur, et en effect je croy que c''est la plus probable aussy bien que la meilleure voye pour restablir v'® [vostre] bien bon amy le Roy d'Ang""^. Enuoyez cette autre billet a la Reyne d'Ang'®.
Au dos. — Auec la lettre de M"^ de Bellieure du 28*^ mars l647, receu le 4 auril,
[Bellikvre to Brienxe. London, 28 March 1647.
In what I wrote to you three days ago I was right in stating, that seeing the affairs of passports for the Irish was referred to Parliament, it was to be feared that it would not be settled very speedily ; the House of Lords- insists on it as much as it can ; I have done what I had to do, and yet there has nothing been done. The House of Commons proceeds on this occasion with its wonted circumspection and dilatoriness. All our friends do not doubt but that with time we may procure the liberty to bring over these Irish, provided it be by ships that may allow of their being searched, and although the effect of what is wanted is equally eluded by the delay as it would be by a refusal, the knowledge I have of the likings and the interests of the most part of those on which this affair depends, does not give me great reason to hope that much will come out of it, even with time. The letters from France by last mail increase still more the suspicions that exist here. Those of Augier affirm that the ships for which we are asking passports are laden with arms and gunpowder for Ireland.
That affair of the passports has occupied all the time I might liave had to write by this mail, I have nothing now to inform you of. I told you previously that the City of London was preparing a petition, in order that the King of Great Britain be urged to take the Covenant and to give satisfaction on the other proposal, and that until he has done so he be not allowed to approach near here : it was presented yesterday and is being printed to-day. It is vexatious that the town has taken such a decision, the consequence of which will engage it more than it was at first intended against the interests of the king, who looked upon the affection
i647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 76
he was promisiug himself from this town as one of the most powerful means that remained to him ; no doubt Mr. Warwick ^ and his Council, who are in France, know some means that 1 do not know, for they have accepted the one that was proposed to them that they might get the King of England out of prison and re-establish him, and apparently em- broil the two large parties that are here and engage them in a war, in which he would have taken the side he might have wished. The letters that have been received here from the Queen of England confirm me in my opinion that they do not wish to terminate this affair by means of negotiation, and oblige me to continue the entreaty I made to you eight days ago, to send me the permission to withdraw from here at present ; not being in any way serviceable, I fear, to do harm, and that my stay but increases the suspicions people are taking here of the intentions of France, however sincere these may be.
[The following paper is an enclosure in the above letter] : I informed you lately that I was anxious about a letter I had written to the King of England ; the person I had sent has returned. He was unable to deliver to him the letters with which he was entrusted, but has brought them back to me and a note which the king sent to him, together with one he has written to the Queen of England, which I send to her. The following is a copy of what he writes to me, which is not a reply to anything I had sent him : — ' Holmby, 6th Mars. Although prisoner was never more strictly guarded than I am, nevertheless I hope to have the good fortune that you will receive this, which is principally in order to beg you to write to me as often as you can, and by this means let me have news of the Queen of England and all the good friends also. I must tell you plainly that I see nothing but ruin to my person, through the behaviour of these Commissioners, if I cannot be delivered out of their hands ; but above all, for the honour of God, do not undertake to make me give up the resolutions you know I have taken, for by the grace of God, I am resolved rather to perish than to be induced to act against my conscience and my honour, and, in fact, I believe this to be the most probable and the best means for re-establish- ing your very good friend, the King of England. Send this other note to the Queen of England.']
CXXVIII MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimhours, ^^—r^, l647.
ft' 9 Avril
Le Vaisseau qui devoit partir pour la France au comntrence- ment de cette semaine est maintenant hors de ce port et a
^ Sir Philip Warwick, secretary to Charles I., who wrote Memoirs of the Reigit of King Charles /.
76 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [april
presque toute sa charge; il portera bien pres de trois cents hommes et fera voile au premier beau temps.
J'envoye a V. Em''^ un double de la lettre par laquelle je rends compte a M. le Tellier de ce qui se passe dans les levees.
Le Parlement s'acheva Samedi dernier. II fut question de savoir si Ton aura un nouveau Pari* la premiere fois, ou seule- ment une nouvelle seance (ainsy qu'ils Tappellent) de celuy-ci ; mais il passa presque tout d'une voix que ce seroit un nouveau Pari* ; deux different considerations ayant porte les Hamiltons et les Argyles dans un meme sentiment, puisque ceux-ci Font voulu pour oter au Tresorier, qui est du parti de Hamilton Tavantage de presider qu''il auroit eu si le meme Pari* avoit continue, et les Hamiltons parce qu"'ils croyent qu*'ils auront plus grand nombre de chevaliers et de bourgeois de leur faction dans un nouveau Pari* qu'^ils n''ont eu en celui-ci. Le nouveau Pari* ne se doit assembler avant le premier de Mars prochain. Le Comite qui a ete etabli se tint hier pour la premiere fois.
Le difFerend qui estoit survenu entre le Comte de Dunferm- line et celui de Glencairn — le premier du parti d'Argyle et le second de celui de Hamilton, est accommode. Voicy quel en a ete le sujet, — au moins si je Fay assez bien compris. Les fiefs qui appartenoient a TEglise ont ete donnes autrefois aux seigneurs, avec les terres des Ecclesiastiques par le feu roy Jacques ; celuy d'a present venant a la couronne et craignant, avec beaucoup de raison, la trop grande autorite des seigneurs, revoqua le don que son pere en avoit fait, et reunit tous ces fiefs a la couronne, a la reserve de ceux qui appartenoient aux Dues de Lennox et de Hamilton, ainsi que Fon m'a dit, et a fait depuis ce temps cette meme grace au Comte de Dunfermline et a quelques autres.
Les seigneurs ont demande en ce Pari* que le roy de la G"" B"" ne gouvernant pas, ces droits de fiefs leurs fussent rendus, et pArticuIierement ceux qui estoient attaches aux terres des Eveques que le Roi de la G' B"" se retint il y a quelques annees, quand il se vit oblige de destribuer les biens des dits Eveques, mais le peuple et les gentilhommes qui ont de ces terres qui relevoient de FEglise, et qui recoivent de plus grandes remises de leur roi et de ses ministres dans les
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 77
mutations qu"'ils n''en peuvent attendre des seigneurs parti- culiers se sont opposes a cette proposition, de sorte que Taffaire ayant ete donnee pour examiner aux Comtes de Glen- caim, de Lanark et de Lauderdale, cet expedient avoit ete trouve par eux, que les fiefs qui avoient ete donnes par le roy de la Gr' B"^ aux seigneurs leur demeureroient, pour\'u que le don que le roy leur en avoit fait eut ete confirme par le Pari*, de sorte que le Comte de Dunfermline qui n'a point fait con- firmer le sien, le perdre par ce moyen, ne se peut empecher de dire au Comte de Glencairn, qui faisoit le rapport, qu^'il estoit traite par luy bien rudement, et de luy reprocher en suite qu''il s''estoit trouve attache aux interets du roy de la G' B' durant que luy, Comte de Dunfermline, avoit tres fidelement servi le Pari*, et enfin de venir de ces paroles assez piquants jusqu'^aux menaces et jusqu'^a sortir tous deux en meme temps. Cependant leur querelle fut accordee sur Theure meme par le Pari*, et leurs interets remis aux juges ordinaires. Je n''aurois pas mande cecy a V. Em** si je n'avois creu que cela purroit servir a luy faire voir que ces peuples n'ont pas perdu tout a fait le memoire de leur roy, et que quelque art et quelque moderation que ces Messieurs apportent en la conduite de leurs affaires, il sera bien difficile quMl n''arrive entre eux quelque desordre, outre qu'il m'a semble que la reine de la G"^ B"" n"'auroit pas peutetre disagreable d'etre informee parti- culierement de cecy.
II v a eu encore quelque demesle les demiers jours que ce Pari* s''est tenu, touchant la nouvelle addition que le roy de la G' B' avoit faite au conseil des finances et qui avoit si fort offense le Tresorier et les Hamiltons, mais quelque chose qu'ait peu proposer le Marquis d''Argyle pour faire passer ce nouvel ordre du roy de la G"" B', — jusques a demander, comme Ton m''a dit, que les finances fussent gouvemees par un Comite du Pari*, — il ne Fa pas peu obtenir, et Ton n''a pas juge qu'il se doit rien changer dans Tetablissement qui estoit auparavant au dit conseil des finances, de sorte que le roy de la G' B"" n'a rien fait en ceci qu"'irriter le parti des Hamiltons sans en tirer aucun avantage, ni ceux qu'il a desire obliger.
Mais ou je trouve que le Marquis d''Argyle a temoigne plus de bassesse c''est en la demande qu"'il a faite au Pari* des
78 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [APRIL
arrerages de sa pension, afin de contraindre le Tresorier a la luy payer sans luy en avoir d'obligation. II representa done au Pari* les services qu'il avoit rendus a ce royaume et exagera en termes bas les pertes qu'il avoit faites et la misere ou il se trouvoit reduit, jusques a dire, — ainsy que Ton me Ta asseure, — qu'il n'avoit pas du pain pour sa femme et pour ses enfants, et demanda que sa pension fut payee sur les premiers deniers qui se trouveroient entre les mains du Tresorier.
Le Comte de Lanark se leva aussitost et dit qu'il trouvoit etrange qu'il demandast une chose contraire aux ordonnances du Pari* qui vouloient que les pensions des officiers de la couronne d'Ecosse fussent payees les premieres et en suite celles des serviteurs du roy. Le Chancelier prit la parole au mesme temps et dit que la demande qui faisoit le Marquis d'Argyle estoit si favorable, et appuyee de tant de raison, qu'afin qu''il la pent obtenir plus facilement il consentoit de n'etre paye qu'apres luy de sa pension, ce qu'il ne doutoit point que les autres ne voulussent faire aussy bien que luy. Mais le Comte de Lanark luy dit qu''il luy pardonneroit bien s"'il n''estoit pas resolu de Timiter, et que ne se nommant pas Campbell mais Hamilton, il ne croyoit pas y estre oblige. Le Marquis d''Argyle qui vit que les choses ne se conduisoient pas tant a son avantage comme il s''estoit imagine s*'oublia de telle sorte qu''il se porta jusques a dire que ce traitement qu"'il avoit si peu attendu, le feroit resoudre a demander un passeport pour se retirer hors du royaume. Cependant tout cela n'eut autre eflPet si non, qu'au lieu d'un expres commandement qu'il vouloit que le ParP fit au Tresorier de luy payer sa pension, le dit Pari* le pria seulement de prendre en consideration les interets du dit Marquis. II se pent faire qu'on m'^ait reprente ces choses avec un peu plus d'aigreur qu'elles n'en ont eu, mais les principales choses estant veritables, il semble qu'il y ait sujet de croire que les Hamiltons et les Argyles ne vivent pas en une si parfaite intelligence comme Ton s''estoit imagine, et que quand ils ne seront plus unis par Tinteret qu'ils ont, les uns et les autres, a la ruine du roy de la G' B' il ne sera pas necessaire de travailler beaucoup pour les diviser.
Cependant, comme Tinteret du Marquis d'Argyle est d'en- tretenir les affaires en la maniere ou elles sont presentement,
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 79
et celuy du Due de Hamilton de les changer, je fais ce que je puis pour m'insinuer dans Tamitie de ce dernier, comme celui qui pent non seulement causer plustost des desordres en ce pays dont le roy de la G"" B"" pourra profiter, mais encore qui tachera d'y maintenir la monarchie, ce qui estant un moyen pour diviser TAngleterre et TEcosse, est aussy une chose qui pent contribuer aux interets de la France.
Je joins a cette lettre la liste de ceux qui ont ete nommes pour la Comite, a la reserve de quatre bourgeois, dont je n'*ai peu avoir les noms. Quelque asseurance que temoignent les Hamiltons d'y estre les plus forts, les Argyles disent quMls n''ont a la verite que huit seigneurs contre douze, et que les gentilhommes sont partages egalement, mais qu'ils ont aussy quinze bourgeois contre cinq, et sans les extraordinaires, tant de la noblesse que des gentilshommes et des bourgeois qui dependent de leur parti, a la reserve d'un ou deux. Mais pour moi je trouve qu''il est bien difficile en Ecosse de s"'asseurer ainsy de la fidelite des hommes, et de dire precisement a qui sont ceux qui ne sont qu"'a leur interet. Le Marquis d*'Argyle, a ce qu'on m''a dit, travaille a fair venir ici le Due de Lennox, et le Chev' Moray m'en a parle comme s''il devoit estre bientost ici, et qu'il y dut former un parti capable de resister a celui des Argyles et des Hamiltons en meme temps.
J''eeris a M. de Bellievre, comme la Comtesse de Lanark, qui va en France et qui doit voir le roy de la G"" B' en passant, m"'a ofFert de faire toutes les choses qui pourroient contribuer a son service jusques a me dire qu'elle me le feroit voir avec elle si j"'avois quelque chose a luy dire que je ne peusse fier a une lettre, ou a quelque autre ; elle m''a dit aussy qu''elle trouvera un chemin pour le commerce des lettres du dit roy, et de la reine sa femme, et qu'elle le fera savoir a M. de Bellievre en passant a Londres.
II est venu nouvelles que Straboughy, Wardross et Lesmore, trois maisons du Marquis de Huntley ont ete prises par assaut. David Leslay va assieger Bog. On ne sait pas bien ou est le dit Marquis de Huntley, mais le bruit est que Macdonald luy envoye quelque seeours et qu'il essayera de continuer la guerre dans les Montagues, a quoi les trois milles Irlandais qu'^on tient pour asseure qui passent ici, et qui seront suivis, a ce qui se dit, de plus grand nombre, luy peuvent beaucoup aider.
80 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [april
Les fregates qui sont sur cette cote, avec commission du Prince de Galles, ne laissent entrer ici aucun vaisseau et font chaque jour quelque prise ; ce qui n'aide pas a rendre ces peuples plus satisfaits du present governement.
Le Comte de Dunfermline me vint voir hier pour me donner avis qu'il partira d'ici Lundi prochain pour Londres, ou il ne croit pas demeurer plus de trois ou quatre jours, durant lesquels il ne doute point qu'il n'obtienne la permission de se rendre aupres du roy de la G' B"". Je vois qu'il est envoye par le Marquis d'Argyle pour porter le dit roy a accorder la religion et le covenant par la crainte quMl luy doit faire quMl sera empoisonne ou assassine dans peu de jours, ce qu^'il me dit com me une chose constante. II m^'a dit encore quMls savent que le Prince de Galles a desir de retourner en Angleterre, a quoi Percy essaye de le porter ; Goring le pere y travaille aussy de son cote, il m''a dit que cela estant, la perte du roy est inevitable, et je ne doute point qu'il ne dit la meme chose au dit roy pour augmenter ses apprehensions.
[MoNTEBEUL to CARDINAL Mazarni. Edinburgh, -^ ^J^,^ 1649.
The ship that was to have left for France at the beginning of the week is now out of the harbour, and has almost all its cargo on board, it will convey almost three hundred men, and will sail with the first fine weather.
I send to you a copy of the letter, in which I give an account of the levies to M, le Tellier.
This Parliament came to an end on Saturday last. It was previously discussed whether there should be a meeting of the new Parliament to begin the next session, or be an additional sitting, as they call it, of the present one to inagurate the incoming one ; but it was decided almost unanimously that they would have the new Parliament. Two difl^erent considerations led both the Hamiltons and the Argyles to adopt this same opinion, seeing the latter wished to deprive the treasurer, who is of the Hamilton party, of the privilege of presiding, which he would have had if the same Parliament had been continued, and the Hamiltons because they believe they will have a larger number of knights and burgesses of their faction in a new Parliament than they have in the present one. The new Parliament will not meet before the first of March next. The Committee that has been appointed met yesterday for the first time.
The dispute that had arisen between the Earl of Dunfermline and the Earl of Glencairn,! the first of the Argyle party, and the second of that of
* William Cunninghame, 9th Earl of Glencairn, member of Privy Council, to Charles I., made Justice-General 1646, was very zealous in the king's service. He became Chancellor of Scotland in 1661.
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 81
Hamiltou, has been arranged. Tlie cause of it was, — at least if I have well understood the matter, — the feus that were held from the Church were g:iven formerly to the nobles, with the Church lands, by the late King James ; the present king, on coming to the throne, fearing with much reason the too great power of the nobles, revoked the gift his father had made of them, and re-united all those feus to the crown, with the exception of those belonging to the Dukes of Lennox and of Hamilton, as I have been told, and he has since that time conferred the same favour on the Earl of Dunfermline and some others.
The nobles demanded in this Parliament that, seeing the king no longer governs, these feu-duties should be restored to them, and especially those held from the bishop lands, which the king retained some years ago, when he saw himself obliged to apportion the bishop lands, but the people and the gentry, who hold some of these lands that formerly depended on the Church, and who receive larger reductions from their king and from his ministers through these changes of holding than they could expect from single nobles, set themselves against that proposal, so that the matter having been submitted, in order to be examined, to the Earls of Glencairn, Lanark, and Lauderdale, this expedient was found by them that the feu- duties that had been given by the king to the nobles should remain to them provided that the gift the king had made of them had been confirmed by Parliament, so that the Earl of Dunfermline, who had not had his thus confirmed, on losing it by this means, could not help saying to the Earl of Glencairn, who drew up the report, that he had been very hardly treated by him, and then to reproach him with being attached to the interests of the king, while he the Earl of Dunfermline had served very faithfully the Parliament, and at length from these pretty sharp words they came to threats, and both left together. However, their quarrel was made up at once by Parliament, and their interests referred to the ordinary judges.^ I would not have mentioned this to you if I had not thought it would show that these people have not lost altogether the recollection of their king, and whatever tact and moderation they employ in the management
^ The following extract from Gordon's Monasticoii, p. 407, will throw some light on this matter : ' In 1637, Charles, second Earl of Dunfermline, obtained a charter under the Great Seal from Charles I. for himself, and as lord of the Lordship of Dunfermline, conferring upon him the offices of Bailiary and Justiciary of the Lordship and Regality of Dunfermline on both sides of the Water of Forth, with all its rights and privileges (excepting these belonging to the Bailiary of Musselburgh), which was ratified by the Scottish Parliament in 1641. In this latter year he also obtained a Crown lease, afterwards ratified by Act of Parlia- ment in 1663, for three nineteen years, commencing in 1639, of the feu-duties and teinds of the whole Lordship and Regality of Dunfermline, with the special exception of the Lordship and Regality of Musselburgh, whereby from this date he collected at once the whole payments due by the vassals of the lordship, having a right to the feu-duties pertaining to the office of bailie, as the holder of the office, and to the surplus as lessee of the Crown. '
VOL. II. F
82 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [april
of their affairs, it will be surprising if some disorder does not take place among them, besides, it seemed to me that perhaps it might not be dis- agreeable to the Queen of Great Britain to be fully informed of it.
There was another wrangle during the last few days of Parliament regarding the new addition which the king had made to the Board of Finance, and which had so greatly offended the Treasurer and the Hamiltons, but although the Marquis of Argyle did all he could in order to have this new order accepted, going so far as to demand, as I was told, that the finances be controlled by a Parliamentary Committee, he was unable to obtain it ; it was not judged necessary to change anything con- nected with the Board of Finance, so that the king has gained nothing by this but to irritate the Hamiltons, without securing any advantage to himself or those whom he sought to oblige. But, where I thought the Marquis of Argyle showed most meanness, was in the demand he made to Parliament for payment of the arrears of his pension, in order to oblige the Treasurer, who was under no obligation to pay him, to do so. He represented, therefore, to Parliament the services he had rendered to the kingdom and exaggerated in servile terms the losses he had sustained, representing the misery to which he was reduced, stating, as I am assured, that he had no bread for his wife and children, and demanding that his pension be paid out of the first funds at the disposal of the Treasurer.
The Earl of Lanark rose immediately and said that he found it strange that he should ask for a thing that was contrary to the rules of Parlia- ment, which determined that the officials of the crown of Scotland should receive their pensions first and those depending on the king afterwards. The Chancellor next rose, and said that the demand made by the Marquis of Argyle was so favourable and so well-founded in reason, that in order to enable him to obtain it more easily, he would consent to receive his pension after him, and he did not doubt but that others would do the same. But the Earl of Lanark replied that he would have to pardon him if he did not decide to follow his example, and that not being named Campbell but Hamilton he did not think he was obliged to do so. The Marquis of Argyle seeing matters were not turning to his advantage, as he had supposed they would, forgot himself so far as to say that this treatment, which he had so little expected, would cause him to decide on asking a passport in order to leave the kingdom. However all this led to no further result than that instead of an express order which the Marquis wished to obtain from Parliament for the Treasurer to pay him his pension, Parliament merely begged the latter to take into considera^ tion the interests of the Marquis. It is possible that the incident may have been represented to me with a little more ill-humour than it really had, but the principal circumstances being exact it would seem there was reason to believe the Hamiltons and the Argyles do not live together in such perfect harmony has had been supposed, and that when they will be no longer united by a common interest in the ruin of their king, one will not have much difficulty in separating them.
Yet, as the interest of the Marquis of Argyle is to keep matters as they
1 647] :\IONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 83
are at present, and that of the Duke of Hamilton to change them, I do what I can to insinuate myself into favour with this last, as the person who may not only be more likely to cause disorders in this country of which the King of Great Britain will be able to profit, but who will also endeavour to maintain the monarchy, which being a means of dividing England and Scotland, is also a matter that may contribute to the interests of France.
I add to this letter the list of those who have been appointed on the Committee, with the exception of three burgesses whose names I have not learned. 1 Although the Hamiltons assert they are the strongest; the Argyles say they have indeed only eight lords to the others' twelve and that the gentry are equally divided, but that they have fifteen burgesses to five of the Hamiltons, not including the supernumeraries which lords, gentry, and burgesses all depend on their party excepting one or two. For my part I find it very difficult in Scotland to assure one's-self thus of the fidelity of men and to say precisely to whom those are who are only for themselves. The Marquis of Argyle is, I am told, trying to bring here the Duke of Lennox,^ and Sir Robert Moray speaks as if the latter would be here soon, and that he is to form a party capable of resisting the parties of Argyle and Hamilton combined.
I write to M. de Bellievre to say that the Countess of Lanark,^ who is going to France, and who is to see the King of Great Britain in passing, has oflTered to do everything that can help in his service, she even suggested that I might go and see the king with her if I had anything to say to him that I could not trust to a letter or to any second person, and promised to find a way for sending the letters of the king and queen which she will communicate to M. de Bellievre in passing through London.
News has come that Strathbogie, Wardross, and Lismore, three houses of the Marquis of Huntly, have been taken by storm. David Leslie is going to lay siege to Bog. It is not known exactly where the Marquis is, but it is rumoured that Macdonald is sending him assistance and that he will try to continue the war in the Highlands, towards which the three thousand Irish that it is confidently asserted are passing through here, and that are to be followed, as it is said, by a larger number, will greatly help. The frigates that are on this coast with commission from the Prince of ^Vales do not allow any ships to enter here and capture a prize every day, which does not render people here more satisfied with the present government.
The Earl of Dunfermline called upon me yesterday to tell me that he was to leave here on Monday next for London, where he does not expect to remain more than three or four days, during which he does not doubt
^ See Appendix, Note U.
2 This duke passed much of his life abroad, and died 1655. ' The Countess of Lanark was Lady Elizabeth Maxwell, daughter of James, Earl of Dirleton.
84 BELLIlfcVRE TO BRIENNE [april
but that he will obtain permission to go to the king. I remark that he is sent by the Marquis of Argyle in order to induce the king to grant the religion and the Covenant, through the fear he is to cause him of his being poisoned or assassinated in a few days, which he tells me is a constant dread. He tells me also that they know the Prince of Wales wishes to return to England, to which Percy ^ is trying to persuade him ; the elder Goring is also active in advising him to do so, hence, he says this happen- ing, the loss of the king is inevitable, and I do not doubt but that he will tell the same thing to the king in order to increase his apprehensions.]
CXXIX
BELLIEVRE a BRIENNE
Londres, 4 Avril 1647. Monsieur, — Les difficultez, que je pourrois quasi dire Tlm- possibilite, qui se rencontrent en Taffaire du passeport des Irlandois, me font cognoistre, que non seulement quelques uns des plus considerables de Tun et de Tautre party qui est icy en auctorite, ne pouuant pas entreprendre de faire reussir une affaire, mais aussy tous ensemble, si un entreprend de la trauerser, et qu'en Testat que sont les choses, ce que nous demanderons, et mesme ce que nous offririons, sera egalement refuse de Parlement d'Angleterre, auquel n'est pas possible de persuader que ce n'est pas a nous d''empescher la Reyne d''Angle- terre et le Prince de Galles de suiure les Conseils qu'ilz jugent deuoir prendre, pour le bien de leurs affaires, et aussy peu de leur faire croire que nous trauaillons a pacifier icy les choses et les porter a un accommodement ; la creance en laquelle on est icy que nos interestz sont de les tenir diuisez les confirme a cette opinion et les assistances que la maison royalle d'Angle- terre re9oit de la France, qui luy donnent moyen de subsister, sans se porter aux choses que desire le Parlement, les irrite fort contre nous ; la retraicte que Ton donne aux ports de France aux vaisseaux qui tiennent la mer, sur les commissions du Prince de Galles, leur faict chercher occasion de s"'en vanger sur les Fran9ois, ce qu'ilz pretendent faire au premier jour, donnant des lettres de marque a leur marchands, qui disent n'auoir pu obtenir en France la justice des tortz qui leur y ont este faictz. Je scay que les principaux du Parlement sont
^ Of the Queen of Great Britain's household at Saint Germains.
i647] BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE 85
d'aduis que Ton accorde les represailles, et que les plus moderes desirent seulement que Ton publie auparauant une declaration qui face cognoistre les raisons qu'ilz ont de se porter a ces extremitez ; les inte'restz de ceux qui ont icy du credit, Tad- dresse des pensionnaires d'Espagne et les jalousies continuelles de la France que Ton donne a ces peuples pour les tenir alarmez, font, que quelque cognoissance que Ton ayt de ce qui se passe, il n''est pas possible de se promettre d'empescher Texecution d''un tel desseing. La Chambre des Communes a faict cognoistre dans la derniere deliberation qu''elle a faict des passeportz de nos Irlandois, que nous ne deuions rien attendre du Parlement qui fust a nostre aduantage, — disposition qu''eut la Chambre haute de nous satisfaire, dont les chefs des deux partis ont, en cette occasion, sollicite les Communs, comme si ce n'eust este leur affaire propre, sans quoy ils m'auroient desja enuoye un reffus precis ce qu''ils n''ont pas resolu, sur la cognoissance quMls ont que la Chambre haulte n'y auroit pas voulu concourir et quant a la fin ils pourroient estre induits a nous donner ce que nous demandons, ce ne pent estre qu''auec tant de temps que leur concession apparemment nous demeureroit inutile ; ie ne cesseray pas d^ trauailler que vous ne me Tordonnier. le ne scay en quel estat est Tarmement que Ton dit icy qui se faict a S' Malo : ie n"'ay sceu aucunne chose de cette affaire que par les ordres que vous m'auez enuoye d''en parler, 9a este un fort mauuais conseil a ceux qui ont faict courir 1^ bruict que la France veut secourir le Roy d'Ang""^, cet esclat oste le moyen de le faire puissemment et porte le parlement a rechercher Talliance d"'Espagne, qui depuis longtemps tesmoigne desirer cette conionction et ceux qui pretendent establir icy une republique n'attendent pour parler publiquement de cette affaire, sinon que le traicte d'Espagne auec les estatz de hol- lande soit conclu, pour ensuitte entrer en confederation. La consideration de cette affaire imaginee auec les estatz ni Testime particuliere quMls font de la personne de leur Ambas- sadeur qu'ils croyent estre dans leurs sentimens et dans leur interest n''ont peu encore les porter a luy accorder la permis- sion d"'aller suyuant ses ordres donner part au Roy de la Grand Bretagne de la nouuelle de la mort du prince d'Orange, quoyque la Chambre des Seigneurs y ait consenti et qu''il
86 BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE [april
sollicite cette affaire il y a desia assez longtemps ; ils ne luy ont pas refuse formellement raais ne luy accordant pas luy font indirectement entendre que leur Roy est a present priue de touttes les fonctions Royalles que si les propositions qui doiuent luy estre pressenties sont par luy refFusees, et qu'en suitte il soit mis dans le Chasteau de Warwik, et peut estre depose ainsy que Ton pourroit entreprendre de faire puisque Ton croit que la ville de Londres y consentera apres le refus des proposi- tions, le ne voids pas comment je puisse demeurer icy que si j'en partois dans ce temps la ou immediatement apres cela tesmoigneroit un ressentiment qui pourroit apres porter les choses a des termes qu'il peut estre a propos d'euiter, qui est une des Raisons qui me faict demander la permission de me retirer presentement d'icy. Le Roy de la Grande Bretagne est en sante. Personne autre que les commissionnaires n''ap- proche de luy, il les faict iouer auec luy a la boule, II n^est pas de plus mauuaise humeur qu'a Tordinaire, ne tesmoigne point estre afflige, et dit quMl est resolu de ne rien faire tant qu""!! ne sera point en liberte et de souffrir tous les traittements qui luy seront faicts si fascheux qu'ilz puissent estre.
L'on a si peu considere Taduis qui a este donne d'icy du desseing que Ton a d'y faire venir le P. de Galles, que j'ay faict ce que j'ay peu pour me persuader que cet aduis n'estoit pas bon, plus tost que de mMmaginer que les ministres de la Reyne d'Ang'® se trompent ou qu'ils veillent [veuilentj tromper V. E. Cest neantmoins Tune de ces deux choses qui est veritable. II part encores demain d"'icy des gens qui vont pour haster et fauoriser ce desseing ce que je reconnois par la conference que j'ay auec les correspondans de la Reyne d'Ang'^ me faict appre- hender qu''ils n'ayent part en cette entreprise. Ce que je ne pourois pas conceuoir si en leur conduitte je n'auois remarque quMls ont tousiours pris les conseilz qu'ilz deuoient euiter et qui se sont trouue les plus dommageables au Roy d'Ang'®. — Je suis, Monsieur, Vostre tres humble et tres obeissant seruiteur, • Bellieure.
[Belu^vre to Bhienne. London, 4 April 1647. The difficulties— I might almost say the impossibility — to be met with in the affair of the passports for the Irish lead me to see that not only some of the most important persons of both parties in authority here
1 647] BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE 87
caunot undertake to ensure the success of a measure, nor even both parties conjointly, if it be opposed, and that in the present state of affairs, what we may demand and even offer will be equally refused by the English Parliament, which it is impossible to persuade that it is not for us to prevent the Queen of England and the Prince of AVales from following the advice they consider they ought to take, for the success of their affairs, and as little possible is it to make them believe we are engaged here in quieting matters and bringing them to an agreement ; the belief here existing, that our interests are to keep them divided and unsettled, confirming them in that opinion, and the assistance that the Royal family of England receives in France, that gives it the means of subsisting without its engaging to do what this Parliament wishes, irritates them very much against us ; the shelter given in the French harboui-s to the ships that keep the sea with commissions from the Prince of ^^'^ales make them look for an opportunity of avenging themselves on the French, which they propose to do on the first opportunity, by giving letters of marque to their traders, who say they have not been able to obtain justice in France for the wrongs that have been done them there. I know that the principal members of Parliament are in favour of granting reprisals, and that the more moderate wish only that a declaration be published previously that may make known the reasons that have led to their taking that extreme measure, — the interests of influential people here, the dexterity of those of them who are pensioned by Spain, and the continual jealousies of France that are excited among them in order to keep them alarmed, so operate, that, whatever knowledge may be had of what is going on, it is impossible to count on preventing such an intention from being carried out. The House of Commons made known in its last discussion of the passports for our Irish, that we ought to expect nothing to our advantage from it, in spite of the disposition the Upper House might have to satisfy us, the leaders of both parties of which have on this occasion solicited the Commons, as if it had been their own business, without which they would have already sent me a definite refusal, beiuj^ only deterred from doing so from the knowledge tliey have that the Upper House would not have concurred in it, and that in the end they wouid be obliged to give what we ask, but it may be after such a delay that the apparent concession would be useless to us ; I shall continue to work at it until you order me not to do so. I do not know the state of the military preparations that are going on at St. Malo ; I never knew any- thing about the matter beyond the orders you sent me to speak about it, which was a very bad advice to those who have circulated the rumour that France wishes to give assistance to the King of England, this outcry renders it impossible to contradict it effectively, and leads Parliament to seek an alliance with Spain, that has long shown a desire for such union, and those who pretend to establish a republic here are only waiting in order to speak openly about this affair until the treaty between Spain and the States of Holland be concluded, so as afterwards to enter into the con- federation. Neither the consideration of this fancied affair with the
88 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [APRIL
States, nor the special esteem they have for the person of their am- bassador, whom they believe shares their opinions and supports their interests, have yet been able to induce them to grant him permission to go, according to his orders, to communicate to the King of Great Britain, the news of the death of the Prince of Orange, although the House of Lords has consented to it, and a considerable time has elapsed since he made the request ; they have not given him a formal refusal, but fail to grant it and lead him indirectly to understand that their king is at present deprived of all regal functions, and that if the proposals that are about to be presented to him be refused by him that he may afterwards be put into Warwick Castle and perhaps deposed ; this they will probably undertake to do, as it is thought the City of London will consent to it after the refusal of the proposals. I do not see how I can remain here ; if I were to leave when this may have taken place, or immediately after, it would show a resentment that might afterwards bring matters to a point that it is perhaps desirable to avoid, which is one of the reasons that leads me to ask permission to withdraw from here at present. The King of Great Britain is in good health ; no one approaches him but the Commissioners. He invites them to play at bowls with him, and is not in worse humour than usual ; he does not seem at all distressed, and says he is resolved to do nothing until he is at liberty, and to support all the treatment inflicted upon him, however unpleasant it may be.
So little attention has been paid to the information sent from here of the design of bringing here the Prince of Wales, that I did what I could to persuade myself that this information was not exact, rather than to suppose that the ministers of the Queen of England were mistaken, or that they wished to deceive you. However, one or other of these alter- natives is true ; several people still propose to leave here to-morrow in order to encourage this design, and hasten its execution. From what I discovered in my conversation with the correspondents of the Queen of England, I fear they have a hand in this undertaking. It would be difficult for me to conceive such a thing, had I not remarked that they have always taken the advices they ought to have avoided, and that have been found most detrimental to the King of England.]
cxxx
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edemhourg, ^ Avril l647.
CoMME i'ay a peine eu le temps de dechiftrer celle que
y. Em^« m'a fait rhonneur de m'ecrire du 31 du mois passe,
je remettray par le premier ordinaire a y repondre, et
Tasseureray cependant que jVxecuteray exactement toutes les
1647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 89
choses qu'il luy plait me commander, soit toucliant les levees ou ces personnes de condition qui desirent prendre emploi en France, ou les affaires du roy de la G"" B"", — avancant les premieres autant quMl me sera possible, entretenant les seconds dans leurs bonnes dispositions sans engager sa M^*^ a aucune chose, et m'abstenant des dernieres jusques a ce que j"'en aie re^u ordre de V. Em'^®. Cependant, je joins a celle-ci le double de ce que j'ecris a M. le Tellier, afin que si V. Em'^® Fagree €lle puisse voir plus particulierement ce qui se fait pour les levees.
Le difFerend qui avoit ete entre le Tresorier, qui est du parti de Hamilton, et le Marquis d'Argyle et le chancelier, pour la pension des deux derniers, a ete si promptement accommode qu"'on doute aujourd'huy avec raison s'il etoit feint ou veritable, car le premier jour que le conseil des finances a tenu, le Tresorier y a propose que les pensions du Marquis d"'Argyle et du Chancelier fussent payees avant toutes les autres.
Les Commissionaires Anglois qui sont ici, pressent toujours pour avoir Belfast, et sur ce que les Ecossois ont represente que cette place etoit necessaire pour le seurete de leur armee, €t qu''ils ont offert de la retirer de toute Tisle, pourvu qu"'ils leur voulussent payer ce qui leur est du, le Pari* d''Angleterre leur a ofFert seulement ce qui leur etoit necessaire pour le retour de leurs gens, avec asseurance du reste sur la foi publique du royaume, sans limiter, a ce qu'on me dit, le terme du pay- ment. Cependant, quoique cette reponse n'ait nullement satisfait ici, et que le Marquis d'Argyle m'ait dit qu'il leur etoit du pres de huit cent mille livres sterling pour les affaires d'lrlande, quMls desiraient avoir, les Ecossois sont tellement assujettis aux volontes du Pari* d'Angleterre et se croyent si peu en etat d'entreprendre de leur resister, qu'il y a beaucoup d'appar- ence qu'ils ne leur rendront pas seulment Belfast et tous ce qu'ils tiennent en Irlande en la maniere qu'ils le voudront, mais que j'ay encore sujet de croire qu'ils ne leur refuseraient pas le chateau d'Edimbourg, si le Pari* d'Angleterre trouvoit apropos de le demander a celuy d'Ecosse.
Le sieur Chev"" Moray m'avertit il y a pres de quinze jours, <iue ce Pari* etoit fort alarme des fregates qui courent cette
90 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [APRIL
cote depuis quelque temps avec commission du Prince de Galles, et me pressa d'ecrire a la Cour qu'on trouvast moyen de faire aupres de la reine de la G' B' que les commissions fussent changees et qu'on ne les donnast que contre les Anglois. J'avoue, Mg', que je n'en ay pas averti V. Em*'® parce que je n"'ay pas veu que les Ecossois eussent merite ni de la France, ni de leur reine par leur dernieres actions un si favorable traitement, et que j'ay creu que cette difference qui se feroit entre les Anglois et les Ecossois pourroit irriter, avec beau- coup de sujet, TAngleterre, de sorte que cette demand e me sembloit injuste ; je la trouvois encore de tres dangereuse execution. Le Marquis d'Argyle m'est venu dire depuis presque la meme chose, mais en termes qui donnoient un peu plus de couleur a leurs plaintes et a leur demandes, que les fregates qui leur font la guerre se retiroient dans Dunkerque qui etoit au roy, et avoient commission de leur prince qui etoit en France, de sorte que S. M. pouvoit employer ses officiers aupres du dit prince, pour faire revoquer les dites commissions et envoyer ses commandements a Dunkerque pour empecher que les dites fregates n*'y fussent revues, — qu'il me disoit cecy de lui-mesme et qu'il me Tauroit dit de la part du Comite si j'avois presente quelque lettre du roy mon maistre au Pari* ou au Comite, ou si j'en voulois presenter ce quMl me temoignoit qu'il eut desire que j'eusse fait, et que cependant ils avoient donne ordre au Comte de Lauderdale, qui partoit pour Londres, de representer a M. de Bellievre les disordre& que cela pouvoit causer, et de supplier sa M** de vouloir faire ce qui seroit necessaire aupres de la reine de la G' B'' pour les arreter. Je luy ay fait reponse que je ne doutois point que M. de Bellievre n'ecrivit a la Cour tout ce qui pourroit con- tribuer pour leur faire donner contentement, et qu'on ne fit aussy par dela, tout ce qui seroit possible pour les obliger, mais que je luy donnois avis qu'il seroit apropos a de donner charge a M. de Lauderdale de voir aussi Tambassadeur d'Espagne, puisqu'on savoit par la relation de tous ceux qui ont etc pris par les dites fregates, qu'elles ont quitte Dunkerque depuis qu'elle a ete conquise par S. M'"' et se sont retirees en Irlande, qu'elles sont toutes pleines d'Espagnol naturels et de Flamands et qu'il faut qu'elles ayent commission
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 91
du Roi d'Espagne puisqu'elles ont pris diverses barques Fran^aises ainsi que je luy pouvois faire dire par plusieurs matelots fran^ais qui avoient ete laisses sur cette cote, et qui estoient encore a Edimbourg ; qu'au reste les choses qui in'estoient dites de sa part m''estoient de telle consideration qu''elles le seroient peu davantage si je les apprenois par une deputation de leur Comite, et que je ne manquerois pas d''en ecrire a la Cour, puisqu'll me temoignoit le desirer, et que cela pouvoit contribuer pour entretenir la bonne correspond- ance entre les deux royaumes. Je ne luy parlai point de rendre de lettre de sa M'^, et j'espere que V. Em*^^ ne le trouvera pas mauvais, parce que celle que j'ay est principalemeut pour voir ce qui se peut faire pour retablir Tancienne alliance, et pour avoir des hommes, et qu''il ne seroit ni honnete ni possible meme a S. M** de leur donner aujourd'huy contentement touchant le premier, et que nous ne pouvous esperer de recevoir d"'eux davantage que ce que nous avons eu deja sur le second ; outre qu'ils eussent ete bien aise durant le petit differend quMls ont avec le Pari* d'Angleterre touchant leur armee qui est en Irlande de faire voir quMls sont recherche par S. M**^ et de s*'en servir pour se mettre mieux avec TAngleterre, et pour luy donner de plus gran des jalousies de la France. Cependant, Mg'', comme ils peuvent trouver mauvais que je ne leur aye rendu aucune lettre depuis que je suis icy, je croy que cette occasion meme peut donner lieu de les satisfaire, sans qu''ils en puissent tirer beaucoup d'avantage si Ton m'envoye une lettre de cachet pour leur rendre qui leur fasse connaitre seulement que S. M** tachera de leur faire donner satisfaction touchant les plaintes qu'ils ont faites de ces fregates et qui me donne ordre de m'informer plus particulierement de ce qui peut etre de leur desir sur ce sujet, et sur toutes les choses qui peuvent contribuer a entretenir une bonne amitie et une parfaite correspon dance entre les deux royaumes. Le Marquis d'Argyle m''a temoigne ensuite que TAngleterre et TEcosse s"'uniroient si etroitement qu'elles ne formeroient plus qu'un royaume comme elles ne faisoient qu'une isle, et que leurs peuples n'avoient plus qu'une religion, — qu'ayant dit diverses choses qui tendoient a cela en la derniere harangue qu'il avoit faite au Pari'' d'Angleterre, plusieurs Anglois Tetoient venus trouver
92 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [april
pour Ten remercier et pour s'offrir de contribuer a cela. II m'a dit encore que le dessein des Anglois n'etoit pas de recevoir pour roi aucun de la race royale, et que le Comte de Northum- berland luy en avoit dit cette raison, qu'ils ne vouloient pas, si de nouveaux troubles se formoient dans le royaume que leur cause, qui est maintenant celle du public devint celle d'un particulier, et qu'il parut qu'ils combattissent plustot pour changer de maitre que pour conserver leur liberte. II semble aussy par ce qu'il m'a dit que ce qui regarde Tlrlande ne se doive pas terminer a Edimbourg mais a Londres, et qu'^ils ne doivent rien arreter du particulier de cette affaire qu'apres les Commissionaires qui viennent de leur armee seront arrives ici.
II doit partir a la fin de cette semaine pour aller trouver David Leslay, que le presse de venir en Farmee, a ce qu''on m*a dit, et qui ne fait pas etat de poursuivre le Marquis de Huntley dans les montagnes jusqu'a ce qu"'il soit arrive, Le dit Marquis a porte ce Comite a desirer le Comte de Seaforth (qui a beaucoup d'autorite sur ceux qui habitent les montagnes) qu'il veuille entreprendre aussi ce voyage, et quoiqu'ils fussent en assez mauvaise intelligence, le Marquis d'Argyle n''a pas laisser de luy donner a diner, et a bien voulu se charger de Taller trouver, pour luy representer les desirs du Comite. Je ne scay pas a quoi le Comte de Seaforth s'est resolu, et moins encore s'il demeure constant dans la resolu- tion qu''il aura prise, mais ce que Ton tient pour asseure est la prise de Bog et toutes les autres places que le Marquis de Huntley a dans la plaine ; son second fils a enfin envoye vers David Leslay et doit s'etre venu rendre a luy presentement. On ne sait point en quelle part est maintenant le Marquis son pere et son aine. On croyoit qu' Alexandre Macdonald le devoit joindre. Ce Comite ne se doit tenir qu'au quatrieme du mois prochain. Le Comte de Lauderdale est enfin parti pour aller a Londres et de la a Holmby.
[MoNTEREUL to CARDINAL Mazarin. Edinburgh, j^ April 1647.
As I have scarcely had time to decipher your letter of the 31st ult., I
shall delay replying to it until next mail, yet I may assure you that
I shall carry out exactly what you have ordered me regarding the levies,
or as to persons of rank who wish to take service in France, or the affairs
1647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 93
of the King- of Great Britain, advancing the first as much as I can, con- firming the second in their good intentions, without engaging His Majesty in any way, and abstaining from the last until I may receive your orders. Yet I join to this letter the copy of one I have written to M. le Tellier, in order to let you see in detail what is being done for the levies.
The dispute between the Treasurer, who is of the Hamilton party, and the Marquis of Argyle, with the Chancellor, regarding the annuities of the two last, has been so promptly arranged, that doubts are now expressed, not unreasonably, as to whether it was real or pretended, for at the first meeting of the Board of Exchequer, the Treasurer proposed that the annuities of the Marquis of Argyle and the Chancellor be paid before those of the others.
The English commissioners, who are here, still insist on having Belfast, and on what the Scots have represented that this fortified town was necessary for the security of their army, and having ofi'ered to with- draw entirely from the island, provided they would pay them what was due to them, the English Parliament has only offered to them what was wanted in order to bring back their troops, with security for the rest on the public credit of the kingdom, without stating, as I have been told, any term of payment. Yet, although this reply is considered very un- satisfactory here, and that the Marquis of Argyle has told me that there were almost eight hundred thousand pounds stg. owing to them for the affairs in Ireland, which they wished to procure, the Scots are so accustomed to submit to the will of the English Parliament, and believe themselves incapable of undertaking any resistance to it, that there is much likelihood they will not only deliver up Belfast and all they hold in Ireland, but I have even reason to believe they would not refuse them the Castle of Edinburgh if the English Parliament thought it proper to demand it from that of Scotland.
Sir Robert Moray informed me about a fortnight ago that this Parlia- ment was much alarmed because of the frigates that infest the coast for some time with commissions from the Prince of Wales, and urged me to write to court that means be found to induce the Queen of Great Britain to have the commissions changed, and that they be given only against the English. I confess that I did not inform you of it, because I did not see that the Scots have deserved such favourable treatment either from France or from their queen by their recent acts, and that I believed this difference being made between them and the English would with much reason irritate the latter, so that the demand seemed to me unjust, and I also found it would be very difficult to carry it out. The Marquis of Argyle has called upon me since to tell me almost the same thing, but in terms that give a little more pretence to their complaints and to their demands, that the frigates that make war on them take shelter in Dunkirk, that belongs to the king,^ and they had the commission of their prince who
^ Dunkirk was taken by the French from the Spaniards, towards the end of the preceding year, 1646.
94 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [april
was in France, so that his Majesty could by means of his officers who are with the prince have the commissions revoked and send his orders to Dunkirk to prevent the frigates from being received there,— that he stated this to me on his own account, and that he would have done so on the part of the Committee of Estates, if I had presented any letter from the king my master to Parliament or to the Committee, or even now if I would present it, which he showed me he wished I had done, — that they had, however, given order to the Earl of Lauderdale, who was leaving for London, to represent to M. de BeUievre, the disorders this might cause, and to beg his Majesty to take whatever steps may be necessary to induce the Queen of Great Britain to put a stop to it. I told him in reply that I had no doubt but that M. de Bellievre would write to court all that could in any way contribute in obtaining satisfaction for them, and that also on the other side all would be done that was possible in order to oblige them ; but that I gave him notice it would be necessary to em- power Lord Lauderdale to see also the Spanish Ambassadoi*, since it was known from what had been related by all those who have been taken prisoners by the frigates in question, that they have abandoned Dunkirk since it had been acquired by his Majesty and have taken refuge in Ireland, that they are full of Spaniards and Flemings, and that they must have a commission from the King of Spain, since they have captured several French barques, as I could have attested by numerous French sailors that had been landed by them on this coast, and who were still in Edinburgh ; that the matters he had told me, on his own part, had such a high claim to my notice, that it could not be much greater had they been communicated to me by a deputation from their committee and that I would not fail to write of them to court, since he expressed the wish for it and I hoped it would contribute to maintain good intercourse between the two kingdoms. I did not speak to him of delivering his Majesty's letter; and I hope you will find I have acted rightly, because the letter I have is chiefly in order to see what may be done in order to establish the old alliance, and in order to procure men, and that it would be neither honest nor even possible for his Majesty to satisfy them regarding the first, and as for the second we cannot expect to receive more from them than we have already had, besides that in the small difference they have with the English Parliaments concerning their army in Ireland they would have been glad to let it be seen that they are in request by his Majesty so as to turn the matter to account in order the better to ingratiate themselves with England and to increase this latter's jealousy of France. Yet as they may consider it unseemly that I have not delivered to them any letter since I have been here, I believe the pre- sent occasion might even serve to satisfy them without their being able to derive much benefit from it, were you to send me a letter under his Majesty's seal to deliver to them, simply to let them know that his Majesty will endeavour to give them satisfaction concerning the com- plaints they have made of these frigates, and that order be given me to inquire more closely what their wish may be on this subject, and on all
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 95
matters that may tend to maintain good friendship and perfect inter- course between the two kingdoms. Tlie Marquis of Argyle further told me that England and Scotland would unite so closely as to form but one kingdom^ as they were one island, and that their peoples had no longer but one religion ; that having said several things tending towards this in the last harangue he delivered in the English Parliament, several Englishmen had called upon him to thank him to offer to help in bring- ing it about. He told me also that the English had no intention of accept- ing as king any member of the Royal Family, for which the Earl of North- umberland had given him this reason, that in the event of new troubles arising in the kingdom, they did not wish their cause, which is now that of the public, might become that of a private individual, so as to make it seem they were contending rather for a change of master than for their liberty. It appears also from what he told me that what concerns Ireland is not to be settled in Edinburgh but in Loudon, and that none of the details of the matter are to be decided until the commissioners that are expected from their army have arrived here.
The marquis is to leave at the end of this week to join David Leslie, who insists on his coming to the army, as I am told, and who has given up the pursuit of the Marquis of Huntly in the Highlands, until he reaches him. The marquis has prevailed on the committee to invite the Earl of Seaforth,^ who has much influence over the Highlanders, to undertake this journey also, and although they were rather on bad terms, the Marquis of Argyle has yet had him to dinner and engaged to go and find him himself in order to represent to him the wishes of the committee. I do not know how the Earl of Seaforth has decided, and still less if he will carry out the resolution he may have taken, but what one seems assured of is the capture of Bog ^ and all the other places that the Marquis of Huntly has in the Lowlands ; his second son has at length sent some one to David Leslie and must at present have surrendered. Tlie where- abouts of the marquis, his father and of his elder brother is not known at present. It was thought that Alexander Macdonald intended to join him. The committee is only to meet on the fourth of next month. The Earl of Lauderdale has at length left to go to London and thence to Holmby.]
^ George Mackenzie, 2nd Earl of Seaforth, was considered to be attached to the Royal Family, yet for a time was influenced against the king. He died in 1658.
2 • David Leslie has taken Strathbogie, Bog of Gight, Lismore, and Ward- house, two of them by storm, and the two other upon quarter. There were i6o prisoners taken in Strathbogie.' — Rushwood, part iv. vol. i. p. 449.
' David Leslie has taken Authenden Castle, which was surrendered upon summons. Colonel Lewis Gordon and the men, 30 in number, at mercy.' — Ibid. p. 455.
96 BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE [april
CXXXI
BELLIEVRE A BRIENNE
Londres, 11 Auril 164-7. Monsieur, — J'ay receu le 5^ de ce mois la lettre du 31** passe, dont il vous a pleu m'honorer. Si les raisons pouuoient quelque chose sur ceux de la chambre des comrauns, les passe- ports pour rirlande n''auroient pas re^eu les difficultez qui les ont arreste, et qui les arrestent encore. Nous auons affaire a quatre centz personnes, pour la plus part preuenus centre nous, et qui ont defFence de voir les ministres estrangers, encore que ce que ie leur fais dire perd beaucoup de sa force, dans la bouche de tout autre qui ne peut auoir la mesme affection que moy ny pareil interest que j''ay a les persuader. Les seigneurs en font leur aff^® propre. Ilz ont grande honte que Ton cognoisse qu'ilz n'ont pas le credit de faire reiissir une affaire, qu'ilz ont entrepris,et qu'ilz aduouent estre tres raisonnable. lis m''assurent que, directement ou indirectement, ilz m''en feront auoir raison et si le Parlement se fust aujourdhuy leue de bonne heure, ilz eussent tenu un comite ou ilz esperoient accommoder Taffaire ; enfin tous les jours ils trouuent quelque excuse nouuelle de ce qu'elle n'est point faitte. Ilz pretendent auiourdhuy qu'elle est plus difRcille qu'elle n'estoit cy deuant, par Taduis que Ton a eu icy qu'un vaisseau que le parlement enuoyoit en Irlande, charge de draps pour habiller dix ou douze mil soldats, a este pris par une Fregatte de France, et conduict a S* Malo, et quoy que ceux qui cognoissent les affaires scachent bien que celle cy ne peut estre ainsy que Ton le conte, tels bruits pro- duisent de fort mauuais effects dans les esprits de ce peuple. A la premiere nouuelle quMlz en ont eu ils ont propose de m"'en enuoyer faire des plaintes, ce qu'ils n''ont pas execute, et Ton me vient de donner aduis qu'ils deliberent presentement dans la chambre des communes s'ils en doiuent escrire au Roy. J'enuoye pour essayer de parler au Speker de la Chambre des pairs, affin qu'il empesche que cette expedition ne soit enuoye par cet ordinaire. Je ne scay si Ton pourra parler ^ luy, si elle n'est signee que d''un Speaker, ie crois que vous ne la receures pas, ce sont les deux maisons qui composent le parlement, et ce qui n'est faict que par une n'est past mesme
1647] BELLlfeVRE TO BRIENNE 97
considere en Angleterre. II seroit aussy raisonnable que ces plaintes fussent portees a la Cour par moy que par le S' Ogier, mais sans doutte ceux qui proposent cette voye craignent, que si Ton m'en parle, ie destrompe ceux qu'ils veulent entretenir en leur erreur. II faut necessairement pouruoir a ce que ces vaisseaux du Roy de la Grande Bretaigne ou du prince de Galles ne facent aucune chose qui nous puisse commettre auec le Parlement. Beaucoup d'eux cherchent une rupture auec la France comme necessaire a leur union et a empescher le Roy d'Espagne de rechercher la paix. Je vous supplie que i'aye au plus tost une information fort exacte de ce qui se sera passe en la prise de ce vaisseau, que Ton dit conduit a S* Malo, et une lettre du Roy a ce subiect que ie puisse montrer ; il sera bon aussy de bien instruire Ogier de cette affaire et le prier de n'^escrire icy en cette rencontre, et en touttes autres, aucune chose qui puisse alterer la bonne intelligence qui doibt estre entre ces deux couronnes. Si le Roy d''Ang''® auoit faict ce que nous vous auons mande, il y a plus de deux mois, que nous jugions estre pour son seruice, ses affaires seroient en meilleur estat, qu'elles ne sont, et nous ne craindrions rien de cette grande flotte que TAngleterre met cette annee sur mer. Par les lettres que les ministres de la Reyne d''Ang'"® escriuent icy, Ton juge qu'ilz veullent maintenant accorder ces quatre pro- positions que nous leur demandions lors. Cest encore le mieux qu'ils puissent faire, mais c'est neantmoins auec une si grande disproportion de Taduantage que le Roy d"'Ang''® pouuoit tirer, que ceux qui en cognoissoient parfaittement les affaires de ce pays jugent, que Ton a perdu la plus seure conjoncture pour tirer le d. roy du miserable estat ou il est. Je maintiens toujours les affaires au mieux qu'il m'est possible, et j"'ay faict que Ton mande encore aujourdhuy que la Reyne d''Ang'"® et ses ministres, que si le Roy d'An""® enuoye les choses qui leur ont este portees par Monsieur TAbbe de Bullion, ceux qui ie nommois lors, s'obligeront, ainsy qu'ils faisoient en ce temps la, de faire retenir le d. roy en dignite et pouuoir ; mais Testat des affaires des Independans presbiteriens et de la ville de Londres n''est pas tel qu'il estoit lors, en sorte que Ton ne doit attendre auiourd'huy que d\i hazard, les aduantages qui estoient comme certains s'il eust faict il y a deux mois ce que Ton desiroit de
VOL. II. G
98 BELLI^VRE TO BRIENNE [april
luy, — Je suis, Monsieur, Vostre tres humble et tres obeissant seruiteur, Bellieure.
Au dos. — M. de Bellieure, du IF Auril l647, re9u le l6«.
[BELuiivRE to Brienne. London, 11 April 1647. I RECEIVED on the 5th your letter of the 31st ult. If arguments could have any weight with those of the House of Commons the passports for Ireland would not have met with the objections that have stopped and still stop them. We have to do with four hundred persons, for the most part pre- judiced against us and who are prohibited from seeing foreign ministers, so that what I say to them by means of another person loses much of its force when repeated by any one not having the matter so much at heart as I have nor having an equal interest to persuade them. The Lords have taken the matter up through emulation, as if it had been their own ; they are much ashamed to let it be known that they have not the influence to command success in a matter they have undertaken and which they admit to be reasonable. They assure me that directly or indirectly they will enable me to get the better of them, and if Parliament had not risen a little earlier than usual to-day, they would have held a committee in which they hoped to arrange the matter ; in short, each day they find some new excuse for its not being done. They pretend to-day that it is more difficult than it was previously, because of the information received here that a ship which the Parliament was sending to Ireland, laden with cloth for the uniforms of ten or twelve thousand soldiers, has been captured by a French frigate and taken to St. Malo, and although those who are acquainted with such affairs know well that this cannot have taken place as it is related, such rumours produce the worst possible effect on the public mind. On the an-ival of the news they proposed at first to send me to complain of it, which they have not done, and I have just learned that they are at present deliberating in the House of Commons if they ought to write to the king. I am sending some one to try and speak with the Speaker of the House of Peers so that he may prevent it from being done and sent by this mail. I do not know if it will be possible to speak with him ; if it only be signed by one speaker, I believe you will not receive it, the Parliament being composed of the two Houses, what is done but by one of them is of no account in England. It would be as reasonable that these complaints were taken to Court by me as by M. Ogier, but no doubt those who propose this means fear that if I am spoken to about it, I may undeceive those whom they wish to maintain in their error. Means must necessarily be taken to provide against those ships of Great Britain or the Prince of W'ales doing anything that may involve us with the Parliament ; many of the members desire a rupture with France as necessary to their union and in order to prevent the King of .Spain from making peace. I pray you to let me have immediately exact information as to what took place in the capture of this ship which is said to have been taken to St. Malo, and also a letter from the king on
1647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 99
this subject that I can show ; it will be necessary also to give precise in- structions to Ogier on this affair, and to beg him not to write here in this circumstance, nor in any other, what may impair the good understanding that ought to exist between these two kingdoms. If the King of England had done what we informed you of two months ago, that we judged neces- sary for his service, his affairs would be in a better state than they are now and we would have nothing to fear from this great fleet that England is putting to sea this year. By letters received here from the ministers of the Queen of England it is judged that they wish now to grant these four proposals that we asked from them then. It is still the best they can do, but it is nevertheless with such a great disproportion of the advantage that the King of England might have been able to derive then, that those best acquainted with the affairs of this country judge that the surest con- juncture for delivering the king from the miserable state in which he is has been lost. I still keep matters together as well as I can, and I have so arranged as to have had notice to-day that if the Queen of England and her ministers with the King of England send the proposals which were brought to them by I'Abbe de Bullion, those whom I then named will con- sider themselves obliged, as they did at that time, to cause the king to be retained in dignity and power ; but the state of affairs of the Indepen- dents, Presbyterians, and of the City of London is not now what it then was, so that one must wait to-day till chance favours them to obtain the advantages that were, so to speak, certain, if he had done two months ago what was wished of him. ]
CXXXII
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimhourg, — Avril l647.
J* AY re^u par le retour de celuy que j'avois depeche en France les lettres dont il a pleu a V. Em*^® m"'honorer du 5 et du 12 de ce mois, sur le sujet desquelles je prendray la hardiesse de luy dire qu"'il ne se trouvera que j aye jamais fait aucun office aupres de qui que ce soit pour accorder, ou a Alexandre Mac- donald, qui commande le reste des forces du roy, ou le Marquis de Huntley avec ce Pari* ; car pour ce qui est du premier, personne ne m''a jamais parle de ses interets, et je n'ay point eu lieu d"'en parler a personne qu"'autant quMl etoit necessaire pour en apprendre des nouvelles et pour savoir en quel endroit et en quelle condition il se trouvoit, sans avoir jamais passe plus avant; et pour ce qui regarde le Marquis de Huntley, le seul Robert Leslay m'*a entretenu de ses affaires et m'a dit
100 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [april
sur ce sujet ce que je me suis donne Thonneur de mander a V. Em*® il y a quelque temps, si non que m'ayant presse d'ecrire au dit Marquis que il s'accommodast, comme une chose qui luy pouvoit etre fort utile, je n'ay pas seulement refuse de le faire mais meme d'en dire icy le premier mot, luy faisant connaitre que je ne pouvois m'entremettre des affaires d"'autruy sans en avoir ordre. Cecy, Mg', est fort eloigne d'avoir travaille a Faccommodement de ces deux personnes, et V. Em"® pent voir par la que la mauvaise volonte de ceux qui m'ont voulu mettre mal aupres de la reine de la G' B' est accom- pagnee de fort peu de jugement de m''avoir attaque par un endroit ou je leur ay donne sur moi si peu de prise. Cepen- dant, Mg'', c''est avec im extreme deplaisir que j"'apprends que la dit reine se porte a donner creance aux choses que luy sont dites de cette nature, et je laisse a V. Em®® a juger par mes autres actions, si elle ne fait pas quelque sorte d'injure au grand zele et a Textreme fidelite avec lesquelles j'ay toujours essaye de servir le roy son mari, en croyant trop facilement des choses si fort eloignees de toute sorte de verite. Au reste, Mg', bien que toutes les maisons du Marquis de Huntley ayent ete prises, on m'asseure qu'il ne pense point a sortir du royaume, mais a se venger de ce Pari* et du Lieut. -Gen, David Leslay, qui apres avoir promis de sauver la vie a tous ceux qui se sont trouves dans le dernier chateau que s'est rendu a luy, — et je croy que c"'est Lismore, — et s'etre exprime en ces termes quMl ne tireroit aucune goute de sang de toute la garnison, n'a pas laisse de faire pendre trente cinq au quarante Irlandais qui s'y sont trouves.
On ne sait point en quel lieu est presentement le Marquis de Huntley, si non qu'il est dans les montagnes et qu'il tache de joindre Macdonald, — ce que David Leslay essaye aussy d'empecher.
Le Marquis d'Argyle est parti d'ici vendredi dernier. II se dit que le Comte de Seaforth doit le suivre et qu'ils s'uniront pour passer dans les montagnes. JTavois oublie de mander a V. Em®® qu'on n'attend plus le Due de Richmond quelque desir que sembloit avoir le Marquis d'Argyle de le voir ici.
J'ay montre au Marquis ^ d'Angus ce qu'il a pleu a V. Em®®
* Comte.
i647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 101
me mander en faveur de son regiment, et sans une petite indisposition qui lui est survenue aujourd'huy, 11 en auroit rendu de tres humbles remerciements a V. Em^® qui luy a accorde tout ce qu"'il avoit resolu de luy demander pour Tavenir. II a appris aussy avec une extreme satisfaction la bonte que V. Em'=® a eue d'envoyer dix mil livres de son propre argent a ses officiers, et il va travailler maintenant de bonne sorte aux recreues, mais il dit que les dix mil livres divises en tant de personnes suffiront bien pour les retirer de leur plus grande necessite et pour les acquitter d''une partie de ce qu''ils doivent, mais non pas pour les mettre en etat de servir par dela durant cette campagne, ou de venir icy travailler a leurs recreues, de sorte qu'il supplie V. Em'^^ qu''ils puissent recevoir une partie des arrerages de leur pension, et je croy qu'ils se contenteront des vingt trois mil livres qu''on leur avoit promis par annee.
Les vents qui depuis quinze jours ont ete fort violents et tout a fait contraire arrestent encore en cette rade le vaisseau qui porte pres de trois cens hommes pour le Chev' Moray. Le Comte d' Angus a envoye ce soir un des siens a Aberdeen pom' faire embarquer six vingts hommes qu''il a tout prets en ce lieu pour passer en France, et le Chev"" Moray me dit que cinq de ses capitaines ont deja leve proche de la, un nombre de gens considerable, sans les prisonniers de guerre que Ton a accordes pour les recreues de deux regiments, qui les augmen- teront de fort peu, parce qu''on arreste prisonniers ceux qui ont quelque chose et qu"'on pend presque tous les autres.
Au reste, Mg', je n"'ay rien promis aux officiers Anglois, que ce que j"'ay mis dans les articles que nous avons signes, et je ne leur ai rien fait esperer de plus que ce qui je me suis donne rhonneur d'ecrire a V, Em*'® qui doit deprendre absolument de sa volonte, leur ayant particulierement oste toutte esperance d''estre montes.
II est arrive assez a propos que j''ay differe de donner au Chev' Moray les commissions qui m''ont ete envoyees pour son regiment, sur ce qu''il a pleu a M. le Tellier me mander que c'estoit au lieu des dix qu^^il avoit apportees et qui avoient ete perdues, et que je suis asseure qu''il les a toutes, il m'a done semble qu'il seroit plus doux de ne point donner les dites
LIBRARY
lOJ MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [APRIL
commissions que de les oster quand elles auroient este donnees pour reduire le regiment a vingt compagnies. Je le laisse done travailler de la mesme sorte qu'auparavant, sans m'en expliquer davantage ainsy que M. le Tellier m'a mande que je le dois faire.
J'entretiendray toujours ceux qui proposent de lever des troupes, mais sans m'engager avec eux en aucune sorte. Le Comte de Callendar a trouve bon que nous attendissions quand Farmee dlrlande se debanderoit, pour parler des avantages quMl pourroit trouver en France, et des services qu'il proposeroit d'y rendre, n'y ayant point aussy bien d'apparence de pouvoir lever un nombre considerable d'hommes avant cela, et etant impossible d'en obtenir la permission de ce Parlement. Le sieur Robert Leslay continue toujours de me proposer de faire son regiment, mais je me suis plustost un peu retire qu'avance avec luy suivant ce qui m''a ete ordonne. Je me suis toutefois toujours maintenu en etat de pouvoir rompre ou conclure notre traite, selon que je recevray ordre de le faire. Ma lettre est deja si longue que je croy que V. Em"® me pardonnera si je remets a repondre a ce qu"'elle m"'a fait Thonneur de me mander sur le sujet du Comte de Lanark, frere du Due de Hamilton.
[MoNTEREUL to CARDINAL Mazarin. Edinburgh, ^ April 1647.
I HAVE received by the returu of the person I despatched to France, your letters of the 5th and 12th inst., on which subject I shall venture to say to you that I have never made any offer to any person whatever in order to induce them to come to terms with this Parliament, neither to Alexander Macdonald, who commands the remainder of the king's forces, nor to the Marquis of Huntly ; for, as regards the first, no one has ever spoken to me of his interests, and I have never had occasion to speak of them to any one further than it was necessary in order to obtain news of him and to know in what place or condition he was, without ever having gone further into the matter : and for what concerns the Marquis of Huntly, Robert Leslie is the only person who has mentioned his affairs to me, and who told me what I mentioned to you some time ago, if not that having urged me to write to the marquis that he should come to terms as a thing that might be very useful for liim, I not only refused to do so, but also to make the slightest mention of it here, leading him to understand that I could not mix myself up in other people's affairs without having order to do so. This is very different from having applied myself to bring these two persons to an agreement, which may enable you to see
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 103
that the ill-will of those who have wished to set the Queen of Great Britain against me is accompanied with very little judgment from having attacked me without there being any reason for it. Yet, it is with extreme regret that I learn that this queen is disposed to give credit to such matters as are told her of this nature, and I leave you to judge from my other actions if she does not in some offer an insult to the great zeal and the extreme fidelity with which I have always tried to serve the king, her husband, in believing too readily things so far removed from all sort of reality. As to other matters, although the houses of the Marquis of Huntly have been captured, I am assured he does not think of leaving the kingdom, but of avenging himself on this Parliament and on Lieut. -General David Leslie, who, after having promised to save the lives of all those who were in the last castle that surrendered to him (I believe Lismore) having said he would not take a drop of blood from any of the garrison, did not hesitate to hang thirty-five or forty Irish that were found there.
It is not known where the Marquis is at present, if not that he is in the Highlands and that he is trying to join Macdonald, which David Leslie is trying to prevent.
The Marquis of Argyle left here on Friday last. It is said that the Earl of Seaforth is to follow him, and that they will meet and pass into the Highlands together. I had omitted to inform you that the Duke of Rich- mond is no longer expected here notwithstanding the wish the Marquis of Argyle appeared to have to see him here.
I showed the Earl of Angus what you informed me of in favour of his regiment, and but for a slight indisposition he has to-day he would have returned you his very humble thanks for having granted to him all he had decided to ask from you for the future. He learned also with much satis- faction the kindness you have had in sending ten thousand livres out of your own purse to his officers, and he is going to set to work in the right manner in getting recruits, but he says that the ten thousand licres divided among so many persons, while it will suffice quite to relieve them from their most urgent wants, and enable them to pay a part of their debts, will not render them capable of serving yonder during this campaign, or of coming here to engage in recruiting, so that he begs you to enable them to receive the arrears of their pay, and I believe they would be satisfied with twenty-three thousand livres, which was promised to them two years ago, and which is the half of what it was agreed to give them yearly.
Tlie wind, which during the last fortnight has been very violent and quite contrary, still delays in this roadstead the ship that carries almost three hundred men for Sir Robert Moray. The Earl of Angus has sent this evening one of his people to Aberdeen to embark a hundred and twenty men that he has quite ready in that place to pass over to France, and Sir Robert Moray tells me that five of his captains have already raised near there a considerable number, without the prisoners of war that have been granted for recruits to the two regiments, which increases them but very little, because they only take as prisoners those who have anything, but hang all the others.
104 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [april
Further, I have promised nothing to the English officers beyond what I put into the articles we have signed, and I have led them to hope for nothing but what I wrote to you of, which ought to depend absolutely on your will, having told them particularly not to hope in being mounted.
It has happened very a propos that I delayed giving to Sir Robert Moray the commissions that were sent to me for his regiment, which M. le Tellier informed me had been sent to replace ten that had been given to him, but that had been lost, and as I am certain that he has them all, it therefore seemed to me it would be more amiable not to give the ten commissions than to withdraw them after they had been given, so as to reduce the regiment to twenty companies. I leave him then to work on as formerly without entering into any explanation as M. le Tellier bade
me to do.
I shall always keep up communications with those who propose to raise troops, without entering into any sort of engagements with them. The Earl of Callander would like us to wait until the army in Ireland be dis- banded, in order to treat of the advantages he might find in France and the services he would propose to undertake there, as there was not much likelihood of being able to raise any considerable number of men before that and it being impossible to obtain the permission of Parliament for it. Mr. Robert Leslie still continues to propose to me to form 'a regiment, but I have rather drawn /back than advanced in the matter with him, according to what I have been' ordered. I am, however, still in a position either to break off or conclude our treaty as I may be told to do. My letter is already so long that I delay my reply to your inquiry concerning the Earl of Lanark, brother of the Duke of Hamilton.
CXXXIII
BELLIJEVRE a BRIENNE
Londres, Avril 15, 1647.
Monsieur, — Nous n"'auons point encore les passeports que
nous demandons pour Tlrlande. Je me suis donne Thonneur
de vous escrire ce que Ten pensois dabord, que cette affaire a
este portee dans le parlement, ie ne change pas d'aduis, cepen-
dant les Seigneurs disent tousjours que auec le temps ilz les
feront auoir. L'on faict bien du bruict icy de ce vaisseau charge
d'habits conduit a S* Malo. Ogier aura ordre de le demander.
Les instructions qui furent dressees Jeudy par la Chambre
basse pour luy enuoyer sur ce subiect, estoient en termes si
fiers et si haults qu'elles furent par le Speaker de la Chambre
des Seigneurs corrigees. lis pretendent que si ce vaisseau est
pris par des Fran9ois qu'il ne pent estre garde. Aussy peu s'il
Test en vertu des Commissions du prince de Galles, qui n'a
i647] BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE 105
point droit d'en donner pendant la vie du Roy son pere, et ainsy ce qui auroit este faict sur telles commissions ne peut pas estre authorise par la France; que s'il est pris sur des patentes que le Roy de la Grand Bretagne a austres fois expediees Ton ne le peut aussy estimer estre de bonne prise puisque le dit Roy a solemnellement reuocque telles commissions Teste dernier peu apres estre arriue dans Tarmee des Escossois. S"'il estoit pris sur des commissions du Roy d'Ang""®, et qu''il fut juge a propos de le rendre au Parlement peut-estre que vous estimeriez qu''il seroit bien de faire entendre a Ogier que la France et la Reyne d'Ang'® sont d'aduis qu'il soit rendu, mais qu'il a este pris en vertu des ordres du Roy d'Ang""®, qu'il est raisonnable qu''il luy soit demande et que Ton ne doute pas qu''il ne Taccorde, et en effect il faudroit escrire au d. Roy qu'il Taccordast; leur interest present les pourroit porter a faire a leur Roy cet acte de recognoissance, et le Roy Taccordant donneroit subiect a ceux qui ont bonne intention de le seruir, et si vous faittes cognoistre a Ogier, et que vous me donniez lieu de faire cognoistre par de9a, que ce vaisseau sera rendu, par Taduis et sur les instances de la France, il y a apparence que cela seruira a guerir les mauuaises opinions que Ton a icy de nos intentions pour la paix d'Ang'^ et en suitte a faciliter les passeports et les leuees que Ton auroit a faire en ces quartiers. Par ce que j''apprends icy et ce que je juge par la conduitte de ceux qui ont le plus de confiance auec M' Germain et par le peu de nouuelles que j'ay des intentions de la Reyne d'Ang'®, je voy que se resoluant d''accepter quoyque bien tard les offres que nous luy auons faictes, et si voulant seruir au mieux qu''il se pourra maintenant du party que nous luy auons consenie et quasi acquis auec peine, elle le pretendroit faire sans tesmoigner en auoir obligation a la France. Je scay que ses ministres ne sont pas satisfaicts de la liberte auec laquelle je vous ay escrit, ce que je jugeois de leur conduitte, mais cela ne doibt empescher qu''ilz ne vous donnent la part qu'ilz doiuent et que je ne sois aussy informe de ce a quoy ilz se resoluent et de la forme en laquelle ilz pretendent conduire leurs affaires. — Je suis, Monsieur, Vostre tres humble et tres obeissant seruiteur, Bellieure.
Au dos — M. de Bellieure, du 15"^ Auril l647, receu le 19 du d. mois.
106 BELLlfeVRE TO BRIENNE [APRIL
[BELLiiivBE to Bbienne. LoiidoTi, 15 April 1647.
We have not yet got the passports we are demanding for Ireland. I wrote to you what I thought of this matter at first, when it was brought into Parliament, I have not changed my opinion about it ; however, the Lords still say that with time they will obtain them. A great outcry is being made here about the ship laden with uniforms brought into St. Alalo ; Ogier will receive orders to demand it. The instructions that were drawn up on Thursday by the Lower House to send to him on this subject were so proud and haughty that they were toned down by the Speaker of the House of Lords. They pretend that if this ship be taken by the French it cannot be kept, as little can it be so in virtue of the commissions of the Prince of Wales, who has no right to grant any during the life of the king, his father, and therefore what might have been done on such commissions cannot be authorised by France ; that if it be captured on the letters-patent which the King of Great Britain formerly issued it cannot be considered a prize since the king formally revoked such commissions last summer shortly after he arrived in the Scottish army. If it were taken on the commissions of the King of England and that it be judged proper to deliver it up to Parliament, perhaps you wonld consider it useful to explain to Ogier that France and the Queen of Eng- land are of opinion that the ship be given up, but that having been taken in virtue of the orders of the King of England, it is but reasonable that it be demanded from him, and that no doubt it will be granted, and, in fact, it would be necessary to write to the king tliat he may grant it ; their pre- sent interest might induce them to pay to their king this act of gratitude, and the king in granting it would open the door to those who have good intentions of serving him, and if you inform Ogier that this ship will be given up in accordance with the opinion and in the interests of France, and authorise me to declare it here to be so, it is likely that this will tend to cure the bad opinions that are held here of our intentions for the peace of England, and thereafter facilitate the passports and the levies that one may have to raise in these parts. From what I learn and from what I am able to judge by the conduct of those most in confidence with M. Jermyn, and because of the little news I receive of the intentions of the Queen of Great Britain, I see that she is deciding on accepting, although very late, the offers we made to her, and wishing to make now the best use possible of the party we have preserved for her, and, so to speak, formed with trouble : she would pretend to do this without testifying any obligation to France for it. I am aware that her ministers are dissatisfied with the liberty I took in writing to you what I thought of their conduct, but that ought not to prevent them from giving to you the part they ought to do, neither does their dissatisfaction prevent me from being informed of what they resolve and the manner in which they propose to conduct their affair.]
i647] BELLIl^VRE TO BRIENNE 107
CXXXIV
BELLIEVRE a BRIENNE
Londres, 18 Avril l647.
Monsieur, — Je receus hier par le courrier de Montereul les lettres du douze dont il vous a pleu de m'honorer. le sou- haitterois auoir a y respondre autres choses que celles que ie me suis donne Thonneur de vous escrire cy deuant, mais ce qui se passe tous les jours concemant les interestz du Roy d'Ang""® et raccomplissement, ou au moins racheminement, de ee que nous auons tousjours apprehende qui luy arriuera. Les pres- biteriens disposent de la ville de Londres ont tout pouvoir sur les Escossois, ont accommode a leur mode les affaires d'Irlande, et croyent auoir finy celles de Tarraee, en sorte qu'ilz se declarent quasi qu''ilz n''ont plus besoing de Roy, et les plus moderes d'entre eux ne se resoudroient a le souffrir qu'a des conditions plus rudes que par le passe. Les Independans sont desunis, la pluspart manque de cceur, et ceux d''entre eux qui pourroient entreprendre quelque chose de grand a Taduan- tage du Roy d''Ang'® en sont retenus par Fopinion qu'ilz ont que Ton ne se pent fier au d. Roy, qui ne garde point de secret, et qui n^'a point eu de Constance dans toutes les resolutions importantes qu'il sembloit auoir pris jusques icy pres des uns et des autres. Je fais ce que je puis pour son seruice. Je ne vous diray point que j'espere auoir demain le passeport pour les Irlandais, mais bien que Ton me promet de faire encore effort pour me le faire obtenir, peut estre que de Targent que j''ay faict offrir a queiques uns de la Chambre des Communs qui nous ont este les plus contraires, au cas qu'ilz me le facent auoir, apportera quelque facilite a cette affaire. Je ne trouue pas qu"'il soit plus aise d''obtenir un passeport pour enuoyer un de mes gens dans les lieuxs [sic] qui sont occupez par ceux qu''ils appellent les rebelles d'lrlande que d'auoir le premier que nous auons demande, il n''est pas imaginable auec quelle obstination la Chambre des Communs arreste cette affaire. Puisque dans la creance que je puis esloigneret mesme en quelque fa^on diminuer les maux qui menacent le Roy d'Ang""®, vous voulez que ie demeure icy, i"'ay peu de subiect d''esperer que dans un establissement nouueau qui suiuira la restitution ou la perte
108 BELLIEVRE TO BRIENNE [april
du Roy d'Ang""^ vous trouuez bon que ie m'en retourne, en sorte que ie ne voy point qu'en aucun de ces trois cas auxquels les affaires peuuent estre, ie puisse obtenir mon conge, je m'efforceray tousiours de bien seruir et de faire cognoistre que ie scay obeir. J'esperois que les interestz publics me feroient rappeler et pour ce ie n'ay rien dit des miens, pour lesquels ie vous supplie de faire que ie puisse auoir la permission de m'absenter d'icy pendant quinze jours dont j'en puisse passer huict a Paris pour donner quelque ordre a mes affaires qui souffrent beaucoup de ma longue absence. Si j'ay la permission de faire ce petit voyage, non seulement Ie seruice du Roy n''en souffrira rien, mais je me persuade qu'il sera utile au bien des affaires de sa M*^ et de celles du Roy d'Ang""®. Certainement il seruira a me faire souft'rir auec moins de dommage Ie sejour qui me sera ordonne de faire icy. Despuis la prise du vaisseau charge des habits que Ie parlement enuoyoit en Irlande il n''y a point eu des plaintes des fregattes du prince. Les ministres de la Reyne de la Grand Bretagne mandent icy qu''ils en ont faict reuocquer les commissions. Le parlement a auiourdhuy ordonne aux comtes de Warwick et de Manchester ensemble a quatre de la maison des Communs de me venir prier de faire office en France pour faire que ce vaisseau charge d''habits qu'ils disent auoir este conduit a St. Malo leur soit restitue. Je me suis donne Thonneur de vous escrire cy deuant que s''il est possible qu"'il le soit ; cela euitera de grandes plaintes. Ie suis encor de ce mesme aduis, et pour cela ie ne puis pas respondre d'empescher que les lettres de represailles, dont on parle depuis quelque temps, ne soient enfin accordees, Je scay bien ce quy pent nuire, mais il est impossible de dire ce quy pent seruir. Je fais ce que ie puis pour esluder Testat de la mauuaise humeur de ces gens. Icy j''ay faict que celuy qui est charge de traduire la plainte des marchans pour me la communiquer, ne s'en presse pas fort ; je continueray a faire ce que ie pourray pour esloigner la fin d'une affaire qui ne nous pent estre aduantageuse. — Je suis, Monsieur, Vostre tres humble et tres obeissant seruiteur, Bellieure.
[BELLii:vRE to Brienne. London, 18 April 1647. I RECEIVED by Montereul's courier your letters of the 12th inst. I should wish to have something to say in reply to them different
1 647] BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE 109
from what I have already written to you of what takes place each day concerning the interests of the King of England and the completion — or at least the progress — of what we have always feared would happen to him. The Presbyterians, who are masters of the City of London and all-powerful with the Scots, have arranged the affairs of Ireland in their own fashion, and they believe also they have settled that of the army, so that they declare in a manner that they no longer require a king, and the most moderate among them would not agree to tolerate him, save on conditions harder than those of the past. The Independents are divided, most of them are heartless, and those of them who might undertake to do some- thing important for the advantage of the King of England are restrained from it by the opinion they have that one cannot trust the king, who does not keep secrets and has not shown firmness in all the important resolutions he appears till now to have taken with one or the other of the parties. I do what I can for his service. I shall not say to you that I hope to have the passports for the Irish to-morrow, but although I have received a promise that another attempt will be made to obtain it for me perhaps the money that I have offered to some members of the House who have been most opposed to it, in the event of their enabling us to have it, will facilitate the matter. I do not find that it is easier to obtain a passport to send one of my people in the places occupied by those they call Irish rebels, than to have the first passport that we asked for : one cannot imagine the obstinacy with which the House of Commons stops this affair. Since you wish me to remain here, in the belief that I am able to drive away and even in some measure lessen the evils that threaten the King of England, I have little reason to hope that in a new order of things that will follow either on the restoration or the loss of the king you will approve of my return, so that in none of these three turns affairs may take shall I be able to procure leave of absence. I shall always make a point of doing my duty and of showing that I know how to obey. I was hoping that the public interest would cause my recall, and on that account I have not mentioned mine, for which I beg you to allow me a fortnight's leave of absence, eight days of which I shall pass in Paris in order to put some order in my affairs that are much neglected owing to my long absence. Had I your permission to make this short journey the service of the king would not only in no way suffer thereby, but I am per- suaded that it would be useful to the affairs of his Majesty and to those of the King of England : it would certainly serve to enable me to sustain with less injury the stay I shall be ordered to make here. Since the capture of the ship laden with uniforms, which Parliament was sending to Ireland, there has been no other complaint of the frigates of the prince. The ministers of the Queen of Great Britain write here to say they have revoked the commissions. Parliament has ordered to-day that the Earls of Warwick and Manchester with four members of the Commons wait upon me to beg me in virtue of my office to have this ship laden with uniforms, which they say has been taken to St. Malo, restored to them. I have already written to you that this should be done, were it possible ;
110 BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE [april
it will obviate great complaints. I am still of this opinion and for that very reason, that I cannot engage to prevent the letters of reprisals that have been spoken of for some time from being at last granted, I do what I can in order to elude the state of bad humour of those people. I know well what may harm, but it is impossible to say what may help. I have caused the person who has been entrusted here with the translation of the complaint of the merchants, in order to deliver it to me, not to be in a great hurry with it ; I shall continue to do what I can to defer the con- clusion of an affair that cannot be satisfactory for us.]
cxxxv
BELLIEVRE A BRIENNE
A Londres le ^ Auril l647.
Monsieur, — Si la visite que me viennent de rendre les contes de Warwik et de Manchester et autres deputez du Parlement ne rn'obligeoit a vous escrire, je me serois aujourd'huy dispense ne s''etant rien passe de considerable depuis Tordinaire dernier. La Traduction que ie vous enuoye de ce que ces M*'® m''ont laisse par escrit est la relation de ce qu''ils m'ont dit. Je ne leur ay peu respondre qu"'en termes generaux dont ils ont tesmoigne estre bien satisfaits. — Je suis, Monsieur, vostre tres humble et tres obeissant seruiteur, Bellieure.
Au dos — M. de Bellieure, du 22® Auril l647, receu le 29 du d. mois.
* Par le commandement des deux maions [sic pour maisons] du Parlement Nous addressons a vostre Ex^® touchant un subiect particulier, depuis peu arriue, et qui regard les in- terestz du Parlement. II y a cinq sepmaines enuiron que par leur commande* un petit vaisseau fut charge d"'armes, de munitions, et d'habits a dessein de Tenuoyer en Irlande, pour suppleer aux forces qu''ils y ont, et estre employees a la suppression des Rebelles de ce pais la ; mais faisant voille pour cet effet a este pris par un homme de guerre de Tisle de Jersy, et mene a S* Malo, selon qu'en est informe le Parlement. Ce que nous desirons la-dessus par le commande* des deux Maisons du Parlement est que selon la justice et ceste bonne amitie qui se conserue entre les deux couronnes ce vaisseau et ce dont il est charge soit promptement rendu, et ceux qui Tout pris con- damnez selon la justice. Nous auons donne ordre a Augier,
i647] BELLli:VRE TO BRIENNE 111
agent du Parlement a Paris, de receuoir le diet vaisseau et sa charge et le remettre en Met conformement au premier dessein, la saison requerant toute diligence. Et comme V.E. a souuent exprime les Royales intentions de son diet Maistre pour toute bonne correspondence, ainsy nous ne doutons pas qu'une exemplaire justice ne soit faite de ce particulier, et que telles personnes comme celles qui ont pris le susdict vaisseau estant Pirates ne soyent pas soufferts d'esquiper des vaisseaux dans les Ports de Sa Ma*^ tres chrestienne et les mettre en mer pour Texecution de leurs iniustes desseins, beaucoup moins que Ton retire dans ses Ports les nauires dont ils se saisissent en mer.
Au dos — Auec la lettre de M. de Bellieure du 22 Auril l647 j receu le 29® du d. mois.
[Belli^vre to Brienne. London, ^ April 1647.
Had not the visit of the Earls of Warwick and Manchester and other members of Parliament obliged me to write to you, I should have dis- pensed with doing so to-day, nothing of importance having taken place since the departure of the last mail. The translation I send to you of what these gentlemen left with me in writing is the statement of what they told me. I was only able to reply to them in general terms witli which they seemed to be very satisfied.
' By Command of both Houses of Parliament : We apply to your Excellency concerning a special matter happened lately and which concerns the interests of the Parliament. About five weeks ago a small ship was freighted with arms, munitions, and uniforms for the purpose of sending it to Ireland in order to supply the forces they have there and to be employed in suppressing the rebels of that country ; but on its course for that destination it was taken by a ship-of-war of the island of Jersey and taken to St. Malo, as Parliament has been informed. What we desire on this subject, by command of both Houses of Parliament, is, that according to justice and that good friendship which is retained between the two kingdoms, this ship and her cargo be promptly restored, and those who took it punished in accordance with justice. We have given orders to Augier, agent of Parliament in Paris, to receive the said ship and her cargo and to send it to sea again conformably to the first inten- tion, the season requiring haste to be made. Your Eminence has often expressed the regal intentions of your master to maintain good inter- course, so that we do not doubt but that justice will be done in this particular case, and that such persons as those who took this ship, being pirates, be prevented from fitting out ships in the harbours of his Most Christian Majesty in order to send them to sea for the execution of their unjust designs, much less that they be allowed to bring into his harbours the ships they have captured at sea.']
in BELLl£VRE TO BRIENNE [april
CXXXVI
bellie:vre i brienne
Londres, 25 Aunl l647. Monsieur, — L'on me donne aduis que le Colonel Sandys a este areste a Grauesines — auec trente deux hommes qu'il embarquoit pour envoyer a Calais. Cela m'oblige de sortir pour essayer d'apporter quelque ordre a cette affaire auant qu'elle face un esclat qui preiudicieroit a ces leuees et a toutes celles que nous pretendons faire icy, et sans attendre les lettres de France, vous escrire que les affaires sont au mesme estat que ie me suis donne Thonneur de vous mander par mes precedentes et que depuis huict jours beaucoup des principaux du Parlement sont hors de la ville. II n''a rien este fait icy de considerable sinon qu'hier il fut arreste qu'aussy tost que les commissaires d'Ecosse seroient arriuez les mesmes propositions qui furent enuoyees Teste passe au Roy de la G. B. a Newcastle luy seroient encore presentees sans y adiouster ou diminuer en aucune facon et que Ton donneroit au Commissionnaires que sont a Humby des instructions toutes pareilles a celles qu''auoient M"^ de Pembrok, Suffolk et autres qui en estoit lors chargez. — Je suis, Monsieur, Vostre tres humble et tres obeissant serui- teur, Bellieure.
[BELLifevRE to Brienne. London, 25 April 1647.
I HAVE received notice that Colonel Sandys has been arrested at Graves- end with thirty-two men he was embarking to send to Calais. This obliges me to proceed so as to try and put some order into this affair before it may cause an outcry that would injure these levies and all we pretend to do here ; and, without waiting for letters from France, to write to you that matters are in the same state I stated to you in my last letters, and that during the last eight days many members of Parliament are out of town. Nothing important has been done here, if not that yesterday it was decided that as soon as the Scottish Commissioners had arrived the same proposals that were sent to the King of Great Britain at Newcastle should be again sent to him without anything being added or retrenched in any way, and that instructions be given to the Commissioners that are at Holmby quite similar to those then possessed by Lords Pembroke, Suffolk, and others who were then entrusted with them.]
i647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 113
CXXXVII
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimhourg, — Avril 1647.
L'epreuve que j''ay faite de la fa9on d'agir des Ecossois en general, et ce que je me suis donne Thonneur d'ecrire autrefois a V, Era''® de la conduite particuliere du Due de Hamilton et du Comte de Lanark son frere m"'avoit rendu plus reserve a lay faire savoir ce que j'eusse creu pouvoir estre fait touchant la pension que ce dernier m'a fait dire par un de ses amis qu'il tiendroit a honneurde recevoir de S. M., mais puisque V. Em*'® me commande de luy mander mes sentiments sur ce sujet je luy diray qu''encore qu''on ne se puisse promettre que le Due de Hamilton agisse dans les choses importantes que regarderont ou Tavantage de la France ou le service du roy de la G"" B"", qu''autant que les unes et les autres pourront avancer ses interets, ou au moins n*'y point apporter de prejudice; je croy toutefois que soit que le Due de Hamilton demeure en Tetat ou 11 se trouve, soit qu'il accomplisse ce qu'on croit estre de ses desseins, et qu'^il s'empare de Tautorite souveraine, il ne sera point desavantageux a la France qu'il ait toujours le plus qu'il se pourra d'attachement a la France et de dependance de sa M**, a quoy le Comte de Lanark son frere, qui est outre cela son ami et son confident, pent contribuer plus que personne, et a quoy il sera aisement porte par les bienfaits de Sa M** ; que le Comte de Lanark est encore tres considerable de luy mesme, non seulement par son courage et son eloquence, mais encore par le charge qu'il a de secretaire de ce royaume. Que je ne vols pas que Thonneur que luy fera Sa M**, — qui pourra estre desire de plusieurs, — puisse etre en vie de personne, puisque je ne connois icy qui que ce soit qui puisse le meriter plustost que luy, de sorte que cette grace ne sera pas de la nature des autres avec lesquelles les princes ne peuvent gaigner une personne qu'il n''en perdent plusieurs, puisque par le bien qu*'on fera au dit Comte on obligera les deux freres, et avec eux tout leur parti, et on fera apparemment que ceux de Tautre, qui sont, la plus grande partie, miserables et interesses, tascheront de se mettre sous la protection de la France afin
VOL. II, H
114 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [april
d'en recevoir un jour de semblables gratifications. J'ajouteray que le Comte de Lanark n'ayant point ete du nombre de ceux qui ont porte le Chev' Moray a faire a la France les promesses qui ont ete si mal gardees, il semble qu'elle a plus d'excuse si elle luy fait quelque bien. Cependant, je ne laisseray pas d'avertir V. Em*'® qu'on ne se pent asseurer de ces deux freres que de bonne sorte, et de luy dire que cette pension, dont la France pourra tirer quelque utilite, ne semble pas necessaire pour les attacher a elle, puisque quelque chose qui arrive d'eux, si leur roy perd la couronne ils auront besoin de la protection de Sa M^.
Au reste, Mg', bien que je me sois assez justifie par ma derniere, sur ce qu'avoit ete dit de moy touchant Taccommode- ment de ceux de son parti, pour lequel il ne se trouvera pas que j'aye avance seulement une parole, je supplie toutefois V. Em*=® de considerer en quel etat je suis icy ; si toutes les choses de cette nature qui sont dites a cette princesse font la mesme impression sur son esprit, puisque ses ennemis ont interet de luy donner des defiances des personnes qu'ils luy croyent les plus asseurees, et que la conduite que V. Em*'® m'a ordonne de tenir en ce lieu donne assez de fondement a ces gens pour me calomnier aupres d'elle, — car il n''est pas peu difficile de dire des choses qui soient en mesme temps agreable au Pari* d'Ecosse et a la Cour de cette princesse.
Cependant elle a tout sujet de croire que rien ne pent con- tribuer davantage au retablissement du roy son mari que le peu de monstre que fera la France d"'y vouloir travailler presentement, et je croy que si je suis blamable de quelque chose aupres d'elle, c'est de ne pouvoir quelquefois me moderer de telle sorte que je ne fasse trop paraitre le zele que je conserve pour ses interets.
Ce que je me suis donne Thonneur d'ecrire a V. Em^® que toutes les maisons que le Marquis de Huntley avoit dans la plaine, ont ete prises, c'est depuis confirme, a la reserve de Kenmore qui est dans un lac, et qu'on ne laissera pas pour cela d'attaquer presentement. Le Comte de Lanark m'a dit qu'il re9ut hier lettres de David Leslay par lesquelles il luy mande qu'il a pris Ruthven en Bagenoth, qui est une des principales places que le Marquis de Huntley eut dans les
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 115
montagnes; que le dit Marquis s^est retire avee cinquante chevaux au plus, et autant de gens de pied ; la plus grande partie de ses amis Tayant quite, et qu''avec ce petit nombre il pense ou se joindre a Alexandre Macdonald ou passer dans ce que les montagnes d'Ecosse ont de plus afFreux et moins accessible qu'on nom Strathmore, — ce qu'on croit qu'on pourra luy empecher difficilement.
On mande de TOuest de TEcosse qu''un vaisseau Hollandais, que portoit des munitions au Marquis d"'Antrim, ayant ete oblige par le mauvais temps de relacher aux lies de Lewis, qui sont celles des occidentales qu''approchent le plus des Orcades, il y a ete bien re9u, contre Tattente de son capitaine, par les gens du Comte de Seaforth, et a eu permission de continuer son voyage aussitost que le beau temps le luy a permis. J'envoye a V. Em'^^ la copie d'une lettre que le Marquis de Huntley ecrit a Robert Leslay, comme je croy, — car il ne me Ta pas voulu avouer, — par laquelle V. Em''® pent voir quelles sont les resolutions du dit Marquis.
Le sieur Will. Moray ne parle plus de partir d'ici. La nouvelle du Comite qui a ete choisi par le Pari* d''Angleterre pour deliberer sur Tenvoy des propositions au roy de la Gr' B' a tellement surpris les Ecossois que j'ay tout sujet de recon- naitre qu''ils n'agissent pas de grand concert, et qu'a Londres on se soucie peu d'Edimbourg. V. Em"® pourra voir par le double de la lettre de M. le Tellier, que je prends la hardiesse de luy envoyer, ce qui se passe sur le sujet des levees. M. le Comte d' Angus lui ecrit par cet ordinaire pour la remercier des bontes qu'elle a cues pour son regiment.
[MoNTEREUL tO CARDINAL MaZARIN. LoudOTl, -^ April 1647.
My experience of the way Scotsmen in general have of acting, and what I have already written to you of the particular conduct of the Duke of Hamilton and that of his brother, the Duke of Lanark, have made me more reserved in informing you of what I thought could be done regard- ing the annuity that this last told me, through one of his friends, he would like to receive from his Majesty, but since you order me to give you my opinion on the subject, I shall say that although in important matters that may concern the interests of France or the service of the King of Great Britain one cannot reckon on the Duke of Hamilton acting other- wise in either case than as it may promote his own interests, or at least do not harm them. I believe, however, that whether the Duke of Hamil-
116 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [april
ton remain in his actual position, or whether he may carry out what is believed to be his design and seize on the sovereign power, it will not be disadvantageous to France that he be always as closely as possible attached to it and be dependent on his Majesty, in view of which the Earl of Lanark, his brother, who is also his friend and confidant can contribute more than any one else and towards which he may be easily led by the favours of his Majesty ; besides which the Earl of Lanark is a very important person himself, not only from his courage and his eloquence, but also from the office he holds of Secretary of State of this kingdom. That I do not see how any honour that his Majesty confer on him could be envied by any one, since I know no one here, whoever it may be, that can merit it better than he, so that this favour will not be like others with which princes can only secure one person in losing several, since the good one will do to the earl will oblige both brothers, and with them all their party, and the result will probably be that those of the opposite party, who are for the most part wretched and mercenary, will try to place themselves under the patronage of France in order to receive some day similar bounties. I shall add that the Earl of Lanark not having been one of those who induced Sir Robert Moray to make the promises to France that have been so badly kept, it seems that you have more excuse in conferring a benefit on him. Yet I shall warn you notwithstanding, that one cannot be certain of these two brothers but in a certain manner, and tell you that this annuity from which France will be able to derive some profit does not appear necessary in order to attach them to her, since whatever may happen with them if their king lose his crown they will require the patronage of his Majesty.
Further, although in my last letter I amply vindicated myself on what had been said of me to the Queen of Great Britain, regarding the agree- ment of those of her party, it will not be found that I offered a single word on the subject. I beg you, however, to consider how I am situated here, if all the things of this nature that are told to this princess make the same impression on her mind, since her enemies have an interest in rendering her distrustful of the persons they consider the most trusty to her, and the conduct you have ordered me to observe in this place give ample ground to those people to calumniate me to her, for it is very diffi- cult to say things that may be at once agreeable to the Scottish Parlia- ment and to the court of that princess. Yet she has every reason to believe that nothing can contribute more to the restoration of the king her husband than the great reserve of France in wishing to engage in effecting it at present, and I believe that if I am indeed in any way to blame towards her, it is in not being able to moderate myself enough and in rendering too evident the zeal I have for her interests.
What I wrote to you of the capture of all the houses of the Marquis of Huntly in the Lowlands has since been confirmed, with the exception of Kenmore, which is situated on a lake, but which it is not proposed to avoid attacking at present on that account. The Earl of Lanark has told me that from letters received yesterday from David Leslie, he has learned
i647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 117
that Rutliven in Badenoch, one of the principal places of the marquis in the Highlands, has been taken, and that the marquis has escaped with about fifty mounted men at the most and as many on foot, the quarter part of his friends having left him, and that he thinks with this small number either to join Alexander Macdonald or to penetrate into the wildest and least inaccessible part of the Scottish Highlands called Strathnaver, which it is thought it will be difficult to prevent him from doing.
It is reported from the west of Scotland that a Dutch ship carrying ammunition to the Marquis of Antrim, having been obliged by bad weather to take shelter in the Lewis islands, the captain, contrary to what he expected, was well received by the Earl of Seaforth's people, and obtained permission to continue his voyage as soon as the weather permits. I enclose the copy of a letter which the Marquis of Huntly writes to Robert Leslie — at least I believe it to have been addressed to him, though he will not admit it — you will see thereby what the marquis proposes to do.
Will. Mofay no longer speaks of leaving here. The news that the committee having been formed by the English Parliament to deliberate on the proposals to be sent to the king has taken the Scots so much by surprise, that I have every reason to believe that there is little concerted between them, and that London does not pay much attention to Edin- burgh. You may see by the copy of the letter of M. le Tellier, that I venture to enclose, what is being done in the matter of the levies. The Earl of Angus is writing to you by this mail to thank you for the kind- ness you have had for his regiment.]
CXXXVIII
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimbourg, ^2^^ 1647.
°' 7 Mat
Je rends un compte si exact a M. le Tellier de toutes les choses qui peuvent regarder les levees, que j''ai creu que je ne pouvois mieux informer V. Em*^^ de Tetat ou elles se trouvent qu'en joignant a cette depesche un double de la lettre que je lui ecris.
Le sieur Robert Leslay arriva hier de Tarmee de ce Pari*. II m^a asseure que cette forte place sur un lac que le Lieut.- Gen. son frere avoit attaquee, avoit ete prise par lui avec fort peu de resistance; qu"*!! avoit avec lui le second flls du Marquis de Huntley a qui il ne croit pas que ce Parlement permettre de demeurer davantage dans le pays, quoiqu'il ait prefere les interets de ce Parlement a ceux de son pere. Le sieur Leslay
118 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [may
m'a dit encore que toutes les places du Marquis de Huntley sans aucune exception avoient ete prises ; que son frere ayant laisse de bonnes garnisons dans les principales, et quelques gens de guerre dans le pays, sous la conduite de Middleton marchoit avec quatre regiments d'infanterie et peu de cavalerie vers Kintyre et les autres terres du Marquis d'Argyle qu' Alex- andre Macdonald tient presentement ; qu'il doit estre a S* Johnstown Lundi prochain, et que le Marquis de Huntley s*'est retire dans le lieu le plus sauvage des montagnes, avec fort peu de personnes, ayant luy-meme prie ses amis de se separer de luy pour un peu de temps, et les ayant asseure qu'ils le reverroient bientost en etat de les assister.
II se dit que Macdonald a refuse de se joindre au dit Marquis et qu'il a public qu'il ne pretend point faire la guerre, ni pour maintenir Pautorite du roy de la G' B"", ni pour miner celle du Pari* d'Ecosse, mais pour recouvrir ses biens et pour se venger de ses ennemis. II se dit encore que le pere du dit Macdonald a voulu faire soulever les Isles Occidentales d'Ecosse, mais qu'elles ont refuse de le faire et Tout oblige de se retirer.
II a passe icy, depuis quelques jours, un officier de Tarmee d'Ecosse qui est en Irlande, neveu de Munro qui la commande, et depute des officiers de la dite armee vers le Pari* d'Angle- terre, pour savoir si ou leur fera toucher ou non, ce qu'ils pretendent qui leur est deu, afin qu'ils remettent leurs garni- sons entre les mains du Pari* s'ils en recoivent satisfaction, ou qu'en tout cas ils puissent faire ce qu'ils croyront leur devoir estre plus avantageux. Ou m'a dit que celuy qui a ete choisi pour porter cette parole est une personne fort violente et peu agreable aux deux Parl*^ desquels il semble que cette armee ne soit satisfaite que de bonne sorte.
Ce ne seroit pas seulement un grand bien pour les Catholiques d'Irlande si cette armee, quoique petite, se pouvoit joindre a la leur, mais encore pour le roi de la G"^ B*", quelque peu d'asseurance qu'il .puisse avoir de la fidelite des Irlandois, puis qu'il en tireroit au moins ce service, qu'ils donneroient par ce moyen plus longtemps de I'occupation a ses ennemis; mais c'est une chose que Ton peut plustost desirer que croire faite, et dont le malheur du roy de la G' B"^ pourroit seul empescher I'accomplissement.
i647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 119
Au reste, Mg', comme il m^arrive bien peu souvent de parler a V. Em''® de mes interests, j''espere qu'elle aura la bonte de me pardonner la hardiesse que je prends de Ten importuner presentement. M. de Bellievre eut agreable en partant de Newcastle de me promettre qu''il representeroit a V. Em*^® (aupres de laquelle il croioit se rendre bientost) le besoing que j"'avois de faire un voyage en Prance et le sujet qui m"'obligeoit dY aller, mais comme mon dit S' de Bellievre est reste en Angleterre et que j''ay eu ordre de me rendre icy pour y travailler aux levees, il n'a peu en parler a V. Em*'® ^t je n''ay pas ose luy en escrire durant que j"'ay creu que mon sejour icy pouvoit etre utile au service qui m'avoit ete ordonne.
Mais maintenant que les levees sont en bon etat, que j'ay essaye de remedier aux choses qui pouvoient y apporter du retardement, et que j"'auray veu embarquer la plus grande partie des hommes qui doivent passer en France avant que je puisse recevoir les ordres de V. Em®®, je prends la hardiesse de la supplier tres humblement de me vouloir accorder cette permission seulement pour autant de jours quMl luy plaira, durant lesquels je laisseray icy une personne bien soigneuse et en qui je me confie entierement.
J'espere, IMg"", que j'obtiendray cette grace encore plus facilement de la bonte de V. Em®® quand elle considerera que le voyage que je la supplie de me permettre de faire hastera plustost icy les levees qu''il y apportera du retardement, puis- que M. le Comte d' Angus et le Chev' Moray auront interest de faire voir durant mon absence que la presse que je leur ay faite n'est pas ce qui a avance davantage le service de sa Maj*^.
Outre que je pourray faire a V. Em®® quelques ouvertures qui peuvent contribuer en mesme temps au bien des affaires du roy de la G"" B"^ et au service de sa Maj** lesquelles je pourrois faire a la verite par lettres, mais avec bien plus de temps et bien moins de commodite que quand je seray sur les lieux.
[MoxTEREUL to CARDiNAii Mazarix. Edinburgh, '^ ^yaj> 3647.
I GIVE so minute account to M. le Tellier of everything relating to tlie levies, that I thought I could not do better, in order to inform you of
120 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [may
what is being done therein than to send you, added to this despatch, a copy of the letter I write to him.
Mr. Robert Leslie arrived yesterday from the army of this Parliament. He assured me that the fortress on a lake, which the Lieut.-General, his brother, had attacked, had been taken by him, after very little resistance, — that his brother had with him the second son of the Marquis of Huntly, whom he thinks Parliament will not allow to remain longer in the country, although he had preferred the interests of this Parliament to those of his father. Mr. Leslie told me also that all the fortified places belonging to the Marquis of Huntly, without exception, had been taken, that his brother, having left good garrisons in the principal ones, and some troops in the district, under the command of Middleton,^ was marching with four regiments of infantry and a small number of cavalry towards Kintyre and the other lands of the Marquis of Argyle that Alexander Macdonald holds at present, that he is to be at St. Johnstown (Perth) on Monday next, and that the Marquis of Huntly has retreated into the wildest part of the Highlands, with very few persons, he having begged his friends to leave him for a time, and assuring them they would soon see him again in a position to help them.
It is said that Macdonald has refused to join the marquis, having declared that he does not pretend to make war, either to support the authority of the King of Great Britain, or to overturn that of the Scottish Parliament, but in order to recover his own and avenge himself on his enemies. It is also said that Macdonald's father wished to cause an armed rising in the Western Isles of Scotland, but people refused to do so and obliged him to go away.
There passed through here a few days ago, an officer of the Scottish army in Ireland, nephew of Munro,^ who commands it, who is sent by the officers of that army to the English Parliament, in order to learn if they are to receive or not what they consider is owing to them, so that they may deliver up their garrisons into the hands of Parliament, if they
' John Middleton, a distinguished soldier, eldest son of John Middleton, of Caldhame, Kincardineshire, was first with the Parliament, then became Royalist general, and was created Earl of Middleton by Charles li. after the Restoration.
' General Robert Munro was appointed by Charles i., in 1641, Major- General of the Scottish forces in Ireland. His nephew. Major George Munro, had served with his uncle in the Swedish service under Gustavus Adolphus. He was subsequently with the army of the Duke of Hamilton that invaded England in 1648, but escaped being taken prisoner, although Parliament, says Rushworth, ordered him to be imprisoned in the Tower. He was in the rising of the Earl of Glencairn in the Highlands, 1653, and is said to have accompanied General Middleton there, whom Charles II. sent to direct the movement. He had a bad temper, and was very quarrel- some : having insulted the Highlanders and fought a duel with the Earl of Glencairn, the rising came to nothing. After the Restoration he was knighted by Charles 11., and made lieut-general, and subsequently commander-in-chief of the forces in Scotland.
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 121
receive compensation for them, or that in any case they may be able to do what they consider best for their own advantage. 1 have been told that the person who has been selected in order to take this message is very violent and little agreeable to either Parliament, from which it appears that this army is not too well satisfied.
It would not only be a good thing for the Catholics in Ireland, if it were possible for this army, though small, to be joined to theirs, but also for the King of Great Britain, for however little confidence he may have in the Irish, he would at least thereby derive the advantage of prolonging the work undertaken by his enemies, but this is a thing rather to be wished for than considered practical, and the king's ill-luck is sufficient to defeat its realisation.
As I have rarely had to speak to you of my private interests, I hope you will pardon me if I do so now. M. de Bellievre, on leaving New- castle, was good enough to promise me that he would represent to you — ^judging then that he would be with you soon thereafter — the necessity I have to make a journey to France and the reason which obliges me to go there, but as M. de Bellievre has remained in England, and as I have had orders to come here to attend to the levies, he has not been able to mention the matter to you, and I have not ventured to write to him about it, while I thought that my stay here could be useful in the service that had been given me. But now that the levies are in a good condition, that I have tried to remedy matters that might therein cause delay, and that I shall have seen the most part of the men shipped before I can receive your orders, I venture to beg you very humbly to grant me this permission, for as many days as you please, during which I shall leave a careful person here, in whom I can absolutely trust.
I hope to obtain this favour all the more readily from your kindness, if you will take into consideration that the journey I ask leave to undertake will hasten rather than delay the levies, since the Earl of Angus and Sir Robert Moray will be induced to show during my absence that the haste I obliged them to make was not what most advanced the interests of his Majesty.
Besides, I shall be able to make some proposals to you that might con- tribute at the same time to the benefit of the affairs of the King of Great Britain, and to the service of his Majesty, which, no doubt, I might do by letter, but by taking a great deal more time and much less convenience than if I were on the spot.
CXXXIX
BELLIEVRE a BRIENNE
iMJidres, 29 Avril l647. Monsieur, — Pasques plus reculees de huict iours en ce pays que par le style nouueau retiennent encore a la campagne beaucoup des principaux du parlement, en sorte que il y aura
122 BELLli:VRE TO BRIENNE [april
peu de choses a faire icy cette sepmaine non plus que la passee. II estoit grand besoing au dernier jour d'apporter quelque ordre a TaiFaire qui est arriuee au colonel Sendis, ses hommes furent arrestez dans le vaisseau ou ils sont encore, et luy conduit en cette ville par ordre du comite d'Irlande, sur une plainte portee a ce comite que le dit Colonnel desbauchoit du seruice du Parlement ceux que Ton destinoit pour enuoyer en Irlande, et si nous ne nous fussions meslez de cette affaire elle eust este portee vendredy au Parlement, ce qui eust cause un grand desordre en nos leuees. J''ay faict que demain Ton tiendra ce mesme comite dans lequel nos amis essayeront d'assoupir TafFaire ; le Speker nous nuit au lieu de nous seruir. II est Independant, et c"'est des presbiteriens seulz que nous pouuons estre aydez en cette rencontre, il n'^oze parler de cette affaire tant il craint de s^ brouiller. Cest cette circonspection et le peu d''estime que Ton faict de luy qui Font conserue dans cette place. Je veux croire que nous nWrons plus de plaintes des prises faittes par les fregattes de Jerzay; fen ay re^eu despuis trois iours d'un vaisseau nomme le pelerin pris a la veiie de Boulogne, quy y a este conduit, dont la charge est de plus de cent milles liures, appartenant a des marchants de cette ville, qui en font grand bruit. Je les ay destournez de s'addresser a TAdmiraute, sur ce que ie leur ay promis qu'il leur sera faict justice, et leur ay donne des lettres pour Boulogne, en effect si Taffaire est ainsy qu'ils la disent, nous ne la pouuons soustenir, et ie ne puis empescher veu le nombre et le credit des interesses qu''il n'en soit parle en TAdmiraute si il n'y est promptement pourueu. Cest la troisiesme prise conduitte a Boulogne dont on me faict plainte despuis quinze jours. J''ay donne des lettres aux interessez, pour esuiter que ces affaires n''ayent este portees dans le parlement. Les nouuelles sont arriuees auiourd'huy que le comte de Warwik commance a faire separer Tarmee, et que desia quattre Regiments com- plets de plus de mil hommes chascun, se sont obligez d'aller en Irlande. Ce qu''estant faict, je ne scay pas sur quoy le Roy d'Ang*"® fondra ses esperances doresnauant. — Je suis, Monsieur, Vostre tres humble et tres obeissant seruiteur,
Bellieure. Au dos — M. de Bellieure, du 29 Auril 1647, receu le 7^ May.
i647] BELLli:VRE TO BRIENNE 123
[Beixievre to Brienne. London, 29 April 1647. Easter being eight days later in this country than it is according to the new style, many of the principal members of Parliament still remain absent in the country, so that there will be as little to do here this week as there was during the last. It was very urgent the other day to put some order into what has happened to Colonel Sendis. His men were arrested in the ship, where they still are, and he was conducted to this town by order of the Irish committee, on a complaint made to this com- mittee that this colonel was enticing away from the service of Parliament those that were destined to be sent to Ireland, and if we had not taken some steps in the matter it would have been brought before Parliament on Friday, which would have caused a great disorder to our levies. I have arranged that a meeting of the same committee will be held to-morrow, in which our friends will try to hush up the affair. The Speaker does us more harm than good. He is an Independent, and it is the Presbyterians alone that can help us in this circumstance : he does not dare to speak of it, he is so afraid of blundering about it. It is this prudence and the little esteem in which he is held that have kept him in his place. I do hope we will have no more complaints about prizes taken by the Jersey frigates. I have received one within the last three days of a ship named the Pilgrim, taken in view of Boulogne, that was brought in there, of which the cargo is worth more than a hundred thousand pounds, belonging to the merchants of the city, who are making a great outcry about it. I have dissuaded them from applying to the Admiralty, having promised that justice would be done to them, and I have given them letters for Boulogne ; in fact, if the matter is as they say we cannot support it, and I cannot, in view of the number and influence of those interested in it, prevent it being spoken of in the Admiralty, if it be not promptly arranged. This is the third prize brought into Boulogne, of which complaint has been made here within the last fortnight. I have given letters to the persons interested in order to prevent these matters being brought into Parliament. The news has come to-day that the Earl of Warwick is beginning to divide the army, and that four full regiments of more than a thousand men each have already been obliged to go to Ireland. This being so, I do not know ou what the King of England will place his hopes in future.
CXL
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimbourg, ± Mai l647.
L'armee d'Ecosse apres avoir pris toutes les places du Marquis de Huntley, a employe toute cette semaine en sa marche vers Toccident de ce Royauine pour y attaquer Alex-
124 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [may
andre Macdonald qui a apparement, bien qu'il se trouve abandonne (comme il se dit) de la plus grande partie de ceux qui ont quelque pouvoir dans les Isles, et qui avoient temoigne jusqu'ici beaucoup de zele pour le service de leur roy, ne se rendra pas a si bon compte que ce Marquis.
II a deja commence par bruler tous les lieux par ou sont obliges de passer ceux qui viennent presentement Tattaquer. II se dit aussy qu'il a fait mourir autant de Campbells, — c'est a dire du nom du Marquis d'Argyle, — qu'il a appris que David Leslay a fait pendre d'lrlandois, dans les places qu'il a prises, non seulement parce que ce Marquis est son plus grand ennemi, mais encore parce qu'il croit qu'il a eu plus de part a cette cruaute que personne, ce que pourroit etre veri- table, puisqu'on m'asseure que David Leslay avoit resolu de sauver un de ce pays qui s''etoit trouve seul dans la derniere place qu"'il a prise, — ayant attendu a faire paraitre sa clemence, quand il n'a pas eu beaucoup de matiere pour exercer sa cruaute, — mais que le Marquis d"'Argyle Pen a empesche et a voulu le faire mourir.
Le grand Comite de ce Royaume se doit assembler aujourd"'huy pour la premiere fois, mais il y a peu d'apparence qu"'il s"'y resoude aucune chose considerable que Ton n'ait nouvelles de la reponse que le roy de la G' B' aura faite aux Propositions qui luy doivent estre envoyees, et encore Ton ne croit pas qu'ils se puissent porter a regler leurs affaires si promptement. La reddition de Belfast et le retour de Tarmee d'Ecosse qui est en Irlande doivent se terminer a Londres et non pas icy, parce qu'ils y ont envoye leurs ordres pour cet effet, mais principalement parce qu'il faudra qu'ils executent ceux qu'ils recevront du Pari*' d'Angleterre.
Le Marquis d'Argyle arriva hier en cette ville, je ne Tay pas encore veu, mais le troisieme fils du Marquis de Huntley, qu'il a conduit icy et qui paroit tres avise pour son age, m'a dit qu''il est vray que son pere s''est retire avec peu de suite dans les montagnes, mais que son frere aine Lord Bouin^ est alle trouver Macdonald avec pres de mille hommes, entre lesquels il y a fort peu de personnes de condition, parce qu'il a desire
^ Aboyne.
1647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 125
que tous ceux qui avoient quelque chose a perdre se retirassent chez eux.
Le Chev' Moray m'a temoigne que les seigneurs de ce pays auroient agreable que je les veisse dans le Comite, et non pas separement, comme j''ay fait. Je luy ay repondu que je ne voyois pas que j^'eusse aucune chose a leur dire presentement qui peut desirer une audience publique, et je luy ay propose en suite qu'ils me promissent de faire passer en France un ou deux de leurs regiments et que je prendrais ce sujet pour leur demander audience quand je serois bien asseure d''eux qu'ils me les accorderoient ; mais il ne m'a point fait de reponse sur cette proposition. Je luy ay demande en suite, moins serieuse- ment, s'ils avoient besoin de quelque demonstration semblable de la part de la France, afin d'aider a terminer plus avan- tageusement pour eux, les differends que leur restent avec le Pari* d'Angleterre ; car en effet j'ay beaucoup de sujet de croire que les Ecossois sont bien aises de pouvoir faire voir aux Anglois que la France les recherche et les considere, dans le temps qu'ils apprehendent d'estre maltraites par le Pari* d'Angleterre, touchant la reddition des places et le retour de Tarmee qu'ils ont en Irlande, afin non seulement qu'ils se tirent par ce moyen du malheur qu'ils apprehendent, mais qu'ils vendent encore, s'il est possible, a leurs voisins les temoignages d'affection et de bienveillance qu'ils recevront de sa M'*, et qu'ils se rendent par la plus considerables aux Anglois, et les portent a s'unir a eux plus etroitement, de sorte que je ne prendray aucune audience publique de ces M. M. jusques a ce que j'en ay re^u ordre bien expres de V. Em"^^, et je me contenteray de voir celuy qui preside a leur comite et les plus considerables d'entre eux pour leur faire scavoir les choses que je leur pourrois dire, si je les voyois tous ensemble. Je prendray encore la hardiesse de supplier V. Em*=® d'aj outer une grace a celle que je luy demandois par le precedent ordinaire, touchant la permission d'aller faire un voyage en France, — c^est, Mg', que vous avez agi'eable de me permettre de ne pas recevoir le present que ce Pari* me pourroit faire, ce que j'ay creu estre oblige de vous demander parce que j'ay eu avis qu'on pensoit a me donner quelque chose quand je partirois d'icy, non pas a dessein de m'obliger, mais enfin que
126 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [may
ceux qui pourront aller en France de la part de ce Pari* recoivent avec usure ce qui pourra m'estre donne. II ny a point lieu de craindre que ces M. M. puissent s'offenser du refus que je feray de leur present, tant parce que ce n'est pas le plus grand deplaisir qu''on leur puisse faire que de rien prendre d^'eux, que pour ce que je n'en prendray conge que pour aller faire un voyage en France, en cas que vous avez agreable de m'en faire donner la permission de laquelle je n''userai toutefois que lorsque j^aurai veu les levees avancees de telle sorte que mon sejour ici n''y pourra plus rien contribuer.
[MoNTEREUL to CARDINAL Mazarin. Edinburgh, ^ May 1647.
The Scottisli army, after having taken all the places of the Marquis of Huntly, has spent all this week on its march towards the west of this kingdom, in order to attack there Alexander Macdonald, who although he has, it is said, been abandoned by most of those having authority in the islands, and who till now had shown much zeal in the service of their king, will not surrender so easily as this mai*quis.
He has already begun by burning all the places through which those who are coming at present to attack him are obliged to pass. He has also said that he has killed as many Campbells, that is to say, those of the name of the Marquis of Argyle, as he has been informed David Leslie had hanged of Irishmen, in the places he had recently taken, not only because this marquis is his greatest enemy, but also because he believes that he has had more hand in this cruelty than any other person, which may very likely be true, since I am assured that David Leslie had resolved to save a native of this country, who was found alone in the last place he took, — having it appears waited to show his clemency until there was very little occasion left for exercising his cruelty, — but the Marquis of Argyle prevented him from doing so and wished the man to be put to death.
The Committee of Estates of this kingdom meets for the first time to- day, but there is little likelihood that anything of importance will be decided upon until they have news of the reply the King of Great Britain will have given to the proposals that are to be sent to him, and also it is not believed it will be possible for them to settle their aifairs so readily. The delivering up of Belfast and the return of the Scottish army that is in Ireland is to be settled in London and not here, because they have given orders there for that purpose, but principally because they require to execute the orders they will receive from the English Parliament.
The Marquis of Argyle arrived in town yesterday. I have not yet seen him, but the third son ^ of the Marquis of Huntly, whom he has brought
' Lord Lewis Gordon, who is here called the third son of the marquis, was in
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 127
here and who seems very discreet for his age, told me it was true that his father had retired with very few followers into the Highlands, but that his elder brother, Lord Aboyne, has gone to join Macdonald with about a thousand men, among whom there are very few persons of position, because he wished all those who had anything to lose to go to their homes.
Sir Robert Moray has notified to me that the nobles of this country would have liked to see me at their committee meeting, instead of my seeing them separately, as I do. I told him in reply that I did not think I had anything to say to them at present that required a public audience ; and I afterwards proposed to him that were they to promise to send over to France two of their regiments I would take that as an opportunity of requesting an audience from them, when I would be quite sure of their granting it to me, but he made no reply to this proposal. I asked him then, less seriously, if they required any such demonstration on the part of France to enable them to settle their remaining differences more satis- factorily with the English Parliament ; for, in fact, I have much reason to believe that the Scots are very glad to be able to show to the English that they are sought after and respected by France, and at this time when they apprehend being badly treated by the English Parliament concerning the delivering up of the places they hold in Ireland and the return of their army from there, so that by this means they may not only escape the misfortune they dread, but that they may also, if it were possible, sell to their neighbours this testimony of affection and good will they may receive from his Majesty, so as to render themselves thereby more important in the English estimate, and induce the latter to unite with them more closely, so that I shall not accept any public audience of these gentlemen until I receive a very express order from you to do so, but remain satisfied in seeing the one who presides over their committee and the most important among them, in order to inform them of what I might tell them were I to see them all together.
I shall also venture to demand a favour in addition to the one I asked from you by the last mail concerning leave to make a journey to France. This is to be allowed to decline any present this Parliament may offer to me, which I find myself obliged to ask from you, because I have had notice that it was thought to give me something on my leaving here, not in order to oblige me, but so that those who will be able to come to France on the part of this Parliament may receive in return, with usury, what they may have given me. There is no reason to fear their being offended by this refusal of their present, both because it is not the greatest offence one can pay them not to accept anything from them, and also because I am merely taking leave for to make a journey to
a previous letter termed the second. He was the third by order of birth, but the second surviving son, his eldest brother George having been killed at the battle of Alford when fighting with Montrose, July 1643. Lord Aboyne the next died in France, it was said of grief on hearing of the king's death.
128 BELLl£VRE TO BRIENNE [MAY
France in the event of having your permission of which I shall only- take advantage when I see the levies so advanced that my stay can do nothing more towards them.]
CXLI BELLI^VRE 1 BRIENNE
Londres, 6 Mai l647. Monsieur, — Depuis les dernieres lettres que ie me suis donne rhonneur de vous escrire, ie n''en ay point receu de la Cour, et 11 ne s*'est pas icy passe aucune chose de consideration. Les Independants ont faict agir les anciens officiers de Tarmee, en sorte qu^elle n''est pas encore absolument licentiee, mais les presbiteriens ne doubtent pas de Ie pouuoir faire dans peu, soit par ce qu'ils feront demain resoudre dans Ie parlement sur ce subject ou ilz s"'attendent de malmener les Independans soit qu'ilz se trouuent obligez de donner a cette armee tout Targent qu'elle demande auant que de se separer ou de sortir de TAngleterre; ils en trouueront pour cet effect et la ville de Londre, quelque difficulte qu'elle semble y apporter, leur faict entendre soubz main qu''en cette occasion elle ne leur en laissa pas manquer en quelque estat que soient les choses. Si Ie Roy d'Ang""® trouuoit moyen de faire que Ton souffrist qu'il vint a Londres ou ez enuirons il y a lieu de croire qu"'il pourroit encore apporter quelque ordre en ses affaires. II me presse fort de luy donner conseil de ce qu'il doibt faire comme aussy de luy escrire ce qu'^il doibt attendre de la garentie que Ton luy mande en France luy deuoir estre icy donnee, ce que j''ay creu deuoir esuiter ne voulant pas dans rincertitude des euenementz si les choses ne luy succedoient pas qu'il peut dire, et encores moins prouuer par ma main ou par mon chiffre, Tauoir faict par mon aduis non plus que luy mander aucune chose de cette garentie, qui seroit en quelque fa^on luy en donner une en mon nom, joinct que j'estime que quoy que je luy puisse mander il n'enuoyera pas autre chose que ce qu^'il est resolu de faire, encore que je ne luy conseille rien, au moins je Ie juge ainsy, parceque j'apprens de ceux qui ont communication auec luy, tant des differents partys qui soient icy que de ceux qui ont tousjours este du sien. Les commissaires d'Escosse qui sont en cette
1647] BELLlfiVKE TO BRIENNE 129
ville depuis quatre jours tesmoignent auoir des instructions fort seueres contre le d. Roy. Je croy neantmoins auoir penetre qu''ilz ont ordre secret de se laisser conduire par les chefs des presbiteriens, en sorte que si ilz satisfont encore des quatre propositions que je vous ay enuoyees, les Escossois s''en contenteront aussy. Quoyque nous disions et fassions Ton n"'a pas pour cela meilleure opinion de nous que par le passe. Le Roy d'Angl'^ y contribue par les discours qu"*il tient a Humby pour justiffier, a ce quMl pretend, sa conduitte passee, par lesquelz il faut entendre quMl ne s''est engage auec les Escossois, ni a tout ce qu"'il a faict en suitte, que par les conseilz et sur Fasseurance que la France luy a donnees, et une lettre interceptee sur une fregatte, enuoyee d"'Irlande pour aller en France, ne seruira point a leuer ces soub^ons. L'on escrit a celuy qui y fait les affaires des confederes qu"'ilz sont deuisez depuis que le Marquis d"'Ormont s''est accommode, que les Anglois sont forts, et que Tlrlande est absolument ruynee si la France ne faict promptement la diuision dont il a este parle par leurs precedentes despesches. Ces bruits mettent icy le monde en si mauuaise hunieur qu'il ne nous est pas possible d''obtenir aucune des choses que nous pouuons pretendre. — Je suis. Monsieur, Vostre tres humble et tres obeissant seruiteur, Belliedre.
Au dos — M. de Bellieure du 6 May l647, receu le 10® du d. mois.
[Bellievre to Brienne. London, 6 May 1647.
I HAVE not received any letters from court since I last wrote to you and nothing of importance has taken place here. The Independents have been influencing the old officers of the army, so that it is not yet absolutely disbanded, but the Presbyterians do not doubt of being able to accomplish it shortly, either through what they will decide upon to-morrow in Parlia- ment, on this subject, when they expect to abuse the Independents, or that they will deem themselves obliged to give to this army all the money it demands, before the soldiers will break up or leave England ; they will find money for this purpose. Whatever objection the City of London may appear to make, it leads them to understand indirectly, that on this occa- sion, it would not see them at a loss in whatever state matters may be. If the King of England found means of arranging so as to be allowed to come to London, or the neighbourhood, there is reason to believe that he might still be able to bring his affairs somewhat into order. He urges me strongly to advise him what he ought to do and also to write to him
VOL. II. I
180 BELLI^VRE TO BRIENNE [may
what he ought to expect of the guarantee that he is informed from France ought to be given to him here, which I thought right to avoid doing, not wishing in the uncertainty of events, if things do not succeed with him, he may be able to say, and even prove by my signature or from my cipher, that he had done on it my advice. Neither do I tell him any- thing about this guarantee, which would be in some measure to give him one in my name, in addition to which I consider that although I were to inform him he will not send anything else than what he had decided on doing although I give him no advice, at least I judge it to be so, because I learn it is so from those who are in correspondence with him, of both of the diflPerent parties that are here and from those who have always been of his party. The Scottish Commissioners who arrived here four days ago pro- fess to have very hard instructions concerning the king. I believe, how- ever, from what I have found out that they have a secret order to be guided by the leaders of the Presbyterians, so that if they are still satisfied with the four proposals that I sent you, the Scots will be satisfied also. What- ever we say and do one has not better opinion of us than in the past. The King of England contributes to this by the speeches he makes at Holmby in order to justify, as he pretends, his past conduct, in which he makes it understood that he only engaged himself with the Scots, and in all he afterwards did by the advice and on the assurance France gave him, and a letter intercepted on a frigate sent from Ireland to France will not help to remove their suspicions. Some one writes to the person who manages the aifairs of the Confederates there, that since the agreement of the Marquis of Ormond they are divided, that the English are strong, and that Ireland is absolutely ruined if France do not carry out speedily the decision of which mention was made in previous letters. These rumours put every one here in such bad humour that it is impossible for us to obtain any of the things we claim.]
CXLII
BELLI^VRE 1 BRIENNE
2 Londres, le ^ Mai 1647. Monsieur, — Le licenciement de I'armee, que les uns pre- tendent faire et les autres empescher, est la seule affaire dont on parle maintenant et iusques a ce qu'elle soit terminee il n'y a pas d apparence que Ton porte au Roy de la G. B. les propositions que Ton se pressoit il y a quelques jours de luy enuoyer. En I'estat que sont les choses Tun et Tautre des partis du parlement redoute que la responce que feroit le d. Roy donnast quelque aduantage a son ennemi. L'incerti- tude en laquelle sont icy les affaires donne lieu aux gens de guerre d'esperer qu'il y pourroit naistre quelque nouuelle
1 647] BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE 131
brouillerie qui leur donneroit de Temploi, et cette opinion, qu'ilz ont fondee plus sur leur desir que sur quelque raison solide, fait que nos leuees sont difficiles a aduancer. La longue visitte que m'a fait cette apres disnee le General Pointz, qui s"'en retourne demain dans les 8 comtes du Nort ou il com- mande, a consomme le temps que ie destinois a me donner rhonneur de vous escrire. Faittes moy celuy de me croire, Monsieur, Vostre tres humble et tres obeissant seruiteur,
Bellieure. Au dos — M. de Bellieure du 13 May l647, recu le 18.
[BeujIivbe to Bbienne. London, ^ May 1647.
The disbanding of the army, which the one party pretends to do and the other to prevent, is the only affair spoken of now, and until it be settled there is no likelihood that the proposals will be sent to the king which eight days ago they were hurrying to send to him. In the actual state of affairs both the one and other party in Parliament fear that the king's reply might give some advantage to their opponents. The uncertitude in which things are give soldiers reason to hope that some new quarrel may break out, that would bring them occupation, and this opinion, which they have founded more on their wish than on any solid reason, makes it difficult to proceed with our levies. A long visit I have had from General Pointz this afternoon has taken up all the time I had reserved to write to you. His command extends over the eight northern counties, where he will return to-morrow.]
CXLIII BELLlfeVRE A BRIENNE
A Londres, le 20' Mai l647 Monsieur, — Je croyois me donner Thonneur de vous escrire jeudy dernier, mais i"'en fus detourne par Taduis que i"'eus qu'un courrier arriuoit qui portoit nouuelles que les vaisseaux du parle- ment en auoient pris et conduict aux dunes quatre (vaisseux) de guerre de Suede. Je venois de lire une lettre du S' Chanut de Stocklom \sic\ le 20 du mois passe qui mandoit qu''il enuoyoit en France quatre nauires quMl y auoit achettes pour le seruice de Sa Ma*^. L'lmagination que Tens que ces quattre vaisseaux prins par les Anglois pouuoient estre les nostres, fit que, sans tesmoigner en estre en peine, j"'enuoye pour apprendre ce qui s'en pourroit scauoir. Uon parla au courrier et a
BELLl£VRE TO BRIENNE [MAY
quelques ofRciers de TAdmiraute, qui confirmerent la nouuelle, et qu'ilz auoient este pris assez pres de la rade de Boulongue. Je me resolus d'employer mes amis a faire que des le soir mesme, sur ce subiect, ce que Ton pourroit du comite de Tadmiraute chez le comte Warwic, qui en est le chef, pour pourueoir a cette affaire et Tassoupir dans ce cas au comite, au cas qu'elle nous concemast, de crainte qu'elle ne fust le lende- main portee au parlement, ou il n'y a point de prudence de conduitte, ni de credit qui puisse respondre que sur une telle chose il n'y pust estre pris des resolutions extrauagantes et desraisonnables. Par la lecture de la despesche de celuy qui commande aux Dunes Ton apprit que ces quattre vaisseaux suedois venant du Sud, auoient este rencontres par le Riesre Admiral [rear-admiral] de la flotte d''Angleterre entre Portland et risle de Wicht ou, ayant reffuse de baisser le pauillon, I'Anglois les y voulut forcer, apres quelques coups de canon tires de part et d'autre le timon de TAnglois estant rompu, les quattre suedois continuerent leur routte; cependant une fre- gatte partie au commencement de ce combat, en auoit donne aduis aux Dunes, d'ou le vice-admiral, s''estant mis a la mer, rencontra les quattre vaisseaux suedois, mouillez a la veue de Boulongue, lesquels, soit a cause de la pluye, ou pour quelque autre consideration, auoient oste leurs pauillons, il leur fit entendre qu'il auoit S9eu ce qui s'estoit passe entre eux et son Riere Admiral, et qu"'il venoit pour conduire en Angleterre le vaisseau quy auoit faict le reffus de luy rendre le respect qui luy est deub dans ses mers, et en effet emmena aux Dunes le vice-admiral de ces suedois, quy fust suyui volontairement par les trois autres. Je croy qu'il sera demain resolu de les renuoyer tous quatre, auec une lettre a la Reyne de Suede portant quelque plainte mais fort legere, et ensuitte des complimentz au subject de cette rencontre, dont ie ne vous aurois pas escrit si au long, que ie fais, si ie n'auois juge vous deuoir informer de ce qui s"'est passe depuis quelque temps entre TAng'* et la Suede. Peu apres que le Roy d'Ang"* fut dans Tarmee des Escossois, le Parlem* s'aduisa de faire reponce a une lettre qu'il auoit receue il y auoit sept ou huict mois de la part du Royaume de Suede, par laquelle il faisoit au dit parlement de grandes offres d'amitie et
i647] BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE 133
de bonne correspondance, et donhoit a un Escossois quy est encore icy la qualite de son resident pres du dit parlem*. L'on disoit lors que cest enuoy auoit este promeu par le chancelier de Suede, qui vouloit par la faire cognoistre au Roy d'Ang"^® le ressentiment qu*'il auoit de la mauuaise reception faicte a son filz; peut-estre aussy que les regens de Suede songeoient a continuer leur regence. Cette lettre demeura huict mois sans reponce, aprez ce temps il luy en fust faict une en Anglois mise entre les mains de ce Resident de Suede, lequel apres Tauoir gardee quelques iours, sans auoir eu occa- sion de Tenuoyer, la mit entre les mains du colonnel Anglois qui auoit serui le parlement, qui alloit en Suede pour se faire payer les arrerages d''ime pension que luy donnoit la couronne de Suede. Beaucoup creurent, mais il n'est pas vray, qu'il auoit tiltre d"'enuoye du parlement; il est de retour despuis quatre jours auec une responce en Suedois. II dit auoir recogneu que les Suedois sont peu satisfaictz du temps que le Parlement a este a leur faire responce, il parle mesme a SL's amis comme si la Reyne auoit peu d''estime et de bonne volonte pour le Parlement. Je vous rends ce comte de la disposition en laquelle j''apprens que sont les affaires, affinque vous puissiez faire f[aire] prez de la Reyne de Suede les offices qui seront conuenables de Taffront qu'ont receu les vaisseaux, qui pourroit produire quelque bon effect, en sorte que s''il ne donnoit des affaires'" a ce Parlement au moins luy feroit perdre ce qu'il veut auoir de la couronne de Suede auec laquelle les Independans pretendent s'unir estroitement par le mariage il y a si longtemps de la Reyne auec le Prince Palatin ainsy que les Escossois et Presbiteriens veullent marier auec le Prince de Galles. Si cependant la d. Reyne se marie a un autre, elle fera cesser tons ces bruits. .Toubliois de vous dire que Ton ne scait point encore au vray d''ou venoient les dits vaisseaux de Suede, les lettres de Tadmiraute n'en portent rien, Ton a escrit aux Dunes pour en estre informe ; seulement scait-on qu''ilz viennent de la grande mer, et qu'ilz retoumoient en Suede. II y a des lettres des Marchands qui disent qu'ils venoient de I'Amerique, d'autres qu'ils nous ont serui dans la Mediterranee, Ton scaura demain ce qui en est. Le Sieur de Montereul m'escrit qu'il vous demande la permission de faire
134 BELLi:fcVRE TO BRIENNE [may
un voyage en France, et me prie de vous assurer que son absence n'apportera aucun preiudice aux affaires. S'il auoit sceu combien mal me reussissent telles propositions il auroit pris sans doute un autre mediateur. Cependant ie m'acquitte maintenant par escrit, de ce que partant de Newcastle ie croyois deuoir faire plustost en personne, de vous informer que Tengagement qu'il a des longtemps pres de la personne de Monseigneur Ie prince de Comty Toblige de se trouuer a Paris au moins de Jeuillet que Ton dit que sa Maison doibt estre faitte. Je croy satisfaire a tout ce qu'il attend de moy quand ie vous fais cognoistre quel est son interest, auquel vous aurez la bonte de vouloir faire qu'il soit effectiuement pourueu et pour cet effect vous choisirez la forme que vous jugerez estre plus conuenable au bien des affaires qui luy sont commises. J'enuoye ce courrier pour receuoir les ordres de ce que ie doibs faire au subiect des leuees, dont nous manquerons icy moins que d'argent si la face des affaires ne change. — Je suis, Monsieur, Vostre tres humble et tres obeissant seruiteur,
Bellieuue.
Au dos — M. de Bellieure, du 20^ May 1647, receu Ie 22« du d. mois a Amiens.
[Belli^ivbe to Bkienne. London, 20 May 1647.
I THOUGHT of writing to you on Thursday last, but I was prevented by a notice I had that a courier was coming with news that the Parliamentary ships of war had captured and taken into the Downs four Swedish war ships. I had just read a letter from Mr. Chynut of Stockholm, of the 20th ult., in which it was stated that he was sending to France four ships that he had bought for the sei-vice of his Majesty. The idea I had that these four ships, taken by the English, might be ours led me, with- out showing I was in trouble about it, to send and learn what might be known of the matter. The courier and some officers of the Admiralty that confirmed the news said the ships had been taken near the Boulogne roadstead. I resolved to set my friends to work that same evening to do what one could in the matter with the Committee of the Admiralty, at the Earl of Warwick's, who is the head to look to in this matter and to hush it up in the committee, if the case concerned us, for fear that it might be taken to Parliament on the following day where there is no prudence of conduct, nor influence to assure one that on such a subject tliey might not have adopted some unreasonable and extravagant resolu- tion. On reading the despatch of the person who commands in the Downs, one learns that these four ships coming from the south had been met by the Rear-Admiral of the English fleet, between Portland and the
1647] BELLlfiVKE TO BRIENNE 135
Isle of Wight, and having refused to lower their flag, the Englishman wished to force them to do so ; after some shots had been exchanged, the Englishman's helm being broken, the four Swedish ships continued on their way ; however a frigate that had left at the beginning of this fight had given notice of it in the Downs, whence the Vice-Admiral having put to sea fell in with the Swedish ships anchored in sight of Boulogne, which either on account of the rain or from some other cause had lowered their flags, he made them understand that he knew what had taken place between them and his Rear-Admiral, and that he had come to bring to England the ship that had refused to pay the respect that was due to him in his own waters, and in fact took to the Downs the Vice-Admiral of these Swedes who was followed voluntarily by the others. I believe it will be resolved to-morrow to send back all the four ships, with a letter to the Queen of Sweden conveying some slight complaint and afterwards some compliments on the subject of this meeting, of which I would not have written at such length, had I not judged it necessary to inform you of what has been going on for some time between England and Sweden. Shortly after the King of England was in the Scottish army the Parlia- ment thought of sending a reply to a letter it had received seven or eight months previously on the part of the kingdom of Sweden, by which it made great ofi"ers of friendship and good intercourse and gave to a Scots- man who is still here the title of its resident with the Parliament. It was said at that time that this mission had been encouraged by the Chancellor of Sweden, who sought by that means to let the King of England know the resentment he had of the bad reception given to his son ; perhaps also the regents of Sweden think of continuing their regency. This letter remained eight months without receiving any reply, when one Mas written in English and placed in the hands of this Swedish resident, who after having kept it several days, without having an opportunity of send- ing it, put it into the hands of an English colonel who had served the Parliament, who was going to Sweden in order to receive payment of the arrears of a pension given him by the Swedish Government; many believe — what is not exact — that he had the title of envoy from Parliament : he has returned four days ago with an answer in Swedish. He says, he remarked that the Swedes were little satisfied at the time the Parliament had taken to reply to their letter, he mentions even to his friends as though the queen had little esteem or good will for the Parliament. I place this account at your disposal wherein I show the state of afi'airs, so that you may be able to convey to the queen the courtesies that may be appropriate on the affront her ships have received, which may produce some good effect, so that if it provide business for Parliament it would at least make them lose what they seek from the Swedish Government with which the Independents pretend to ally them- selves closely by the marriage so long contemplated of the queen with the Prince Palatine, as the Scots and the Presbyterians wisli her to be man-ied to the Prince of Wales. Were the queen, however, to get married to another person, she would put a stop to all those rumours.
136 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [may
I forgot to state to you that it is not yet known exactly from where the Swedish ships came; the letters of the Admiralty do not indicate anything of it and the authorities in the Downs, who have heen written to for this particular information, know only that they came from the high seas and that they were returning to Sweden. The merchants have letters that state they were returning from America; others say they have been serving us in the Mediterranean : we shall know more about it to-morrow, M. de Montereul writes to me that he is asking your per- mission to make a journey to France, and begs me to assure you that his absence will cause no detriment to business ; had he but known how ill such proposals succeed with me, he would doubtless have selected another mediator. However, I but perform now in writing what I had promised to him on leaving Newcastle, and which I had thought to be able to do before now in person, that the engagement he has long had in the household of the Prince of Conty obliges him to be in Paris in the mouth of July, when it is said the prince is to set up house. I believe I shall have complied with all he expects from me when I have informed you what his interest is, which you will have the kindness to assure effectively, and for that purpose you will chose the form you will judge most suitable for the interest of the affairs that have been committed to him. I send this courier in order to receive your orders as to what I ought to do on the subject of the levies, which will be more in demand with us than money if the state of affairs do not change.]
CXLIV
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimhourg, || Mai l647.
Par la derniere lettre que j''ay re9u de M. de Bellievre il luy a plu me donner avis d'un bruit qui court en Angleterre que les Espagnols s''asseurent de tirer des hommes d'ici pour leur service ; qu''il en a parle aux commissaires d'Ecosse qui sont a Londres, qui Tout asseure que le seul Alexandre Mac- donald avoit eu cette pensee, et que je dois agir aupres de ce Pari* pour empescher qu'il obtienne la liberte de Texecuter. Je m'etois donne Thonneur de mander a V. Em*'® que ce bruit avoit ete ici il y a deja quelques mois, mais que j'avois juge apropos de ne m'en mettre point en peine, tant parce que je ne croyois pas que ce Pari*, qui avoit declare de ne point vouloir traiter avec lui, voulut aujourd'huy lui accorder cette permission, comme pour ce que si ces MM. avoient a le faire ce seroit plustost asseurement parce que cela pourroit con-
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 137
tribuer au bien de leurs affaires, que pour ce qu**!! se trouveroit conforme au desir et aux interests de la France. Mais, comme 11 a plu a M. de Bellievre me mander quMl estoit a propos de m"'asseurer que cette permission ne seroit point donner au dit Macdonald, et quMl m"'a semble que cela pourroit mesme plustost contribuer que nuire au service du roi de la G' B' en obligeant un de ses serviteurs de demeurer en ce pays et d"'y maintenir son parti, j'ay juge a propos allant voir Mons. d'Argyle de le mettre sur cette affaire, et de Tavertir qu'il se disoit que le Pari* d'Ecosse vouloit faire quelque accord avec le dit Macdonald et luy permettre de se retirer hors de Tlsle avec ses hommes, sur quoi le Marquis d'Argyle s'est un peu importe, contre sa coutume, et m''a dit que toute la capitula- tion qu'ils feroient avec lui seroit de savoir s"'ils le feroient plus court ou plus long qu"'il n'estoit, en avisant s'il estoit plus a propos de le decapiter ou de le pendre, et qu"'ils lui osteroient bien le moyen de sortir du pays et d'en emmener des hommes. Je luy ay repondu que Ton asseuroit toutefois, non seulement qu'il tiroit ses gens hors d''Ecosse, mais qu*'il les menoit en Espagne, et qu'il avoit traite avec les Espagnols pour ce sujet. A quoi il m''a fait reponse qu"'il m"'avoit averti il y avoit longtemps (ainsy qu'il est veritable) que le dit Mac- donald avoit eu cette pensee, et qu^un vaisseau estoit venu d"'Espagne pour cette effet, en ce temps-la, qui s''en estoit retoume vide, et quMl m'asseuroit maintenant, non seulement qu'il n'auroit jamais la liberte du Pari* de transporter une seule personne, mais qu''on trouveroit bientost les moyens de Ten empescher.
Je luy ay demande en suite si je pouvois ecrire a V. Em*'® sur la parole qu'il me donnoit, de laquelle je m'asseurois autant que de tout le Pari* ensemble, — en quoi je ne me suis point eloigne de la verite, puisque j''ay sujet de les croire tous de la mesme sorte, — le dit Marquis m'a prie de le faire et de me reposer sur ce qu'il me promettoit, de sorte, Mg', que je n'ay point juge necessaire d'en parler da vantage et d'avoir obligation au Comite de ce que ces MM. sont assez portes a faire d'eux mesmes et qu'ils n'executeroient pas quelque chose qu''ils n''eussent promis s'ils avoient trouve plus avantageux pour eux de ne le pas faire.
1S8 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [may
Cependant, Mg% durant que je me mettois en peine pour empescher que les Espagnols eussent des hommes d'ici, j'ay trouve que Ton assayoit d'arrester les levees qui se font pour le service de S. M*^, et que le Marquis d'Argyle qui craint d'avoir besoin de plus de gens qu'il ne croyoit pour chasser Macdonald de ses terres, ou qui apprehende une invasion, ou qui desire peutestre encore de gratifier TEspagne, ou qui a quelque autre raison que je n^ay peu bien decouvrir, j'ay trouve, dis-je que ce Marquis avant de quitter le Lieut.-Gen. David Leslay pour venir ici, luy a fait ecrire une lettre a ce Comite par laquelle il se plaint, ainsy qu'on me dit, que les capitaines du Chev' Moray qui levoient dans le Nord, ont debauche de ses soldats, et demande qu''on fasse cesse ces levees, de sorte que tout ce que le Comte d'Angus et moi avons peu faire (car le Chev' Moray est a la campagne depuis quinze jours) est, qu"'on peut au moins continuer les dits levees jusqu'au premier Juin, qui est le 11 selon le style de France.
Et comme le Comite doit s'assembler en ce temps, je ne desespere pas, particulierement si Macdonald se retire, que nous ne puissions faire rompre tout a fait cet ordre, ou faire accorder un plus longtemps pour les dites levees. Je desirerois au moins que ce peu de temps qui nous a ete donne servit pour obliger les capitaines de travailler plus diligemment qu'ils n'ont fait jusques icy.
Au reste, Mg', le Marquis d'Argyle a essaye de me persuader qu'il avoit fort contribue a nous faire obtenir encore ces vingt jours pour nous levees et j'ay creu que je devois le remercier du mal qu''il nous avoit fait pour Tempescher de nous faire pis, car en efFet, j'ay tout sujet de croire quMl est cause de ce desordre, et la presse que m''a faite M. le Chev'' Moray d'ecrire a M. le Tellier pour luy faire toucher douze mil livres, apres m'avoir promis qu'il se contenteroit de les avoir quand on auroit nouvelle de Tembarquement des hommes, m'a fait douter qu'il avoit des lors eu quelque vent de cette affaire, tant j'ay sujet de me defier icy de tout le monde. J'ay creu devoir arrester entre les mains du marchand Targent qui y etoit reste parce qu'il m''a semble qu'il seroit plus aise d'em- pescher que M" le Comte d' Angus et le Chev' Moray le touchassent que de le leur faire rendre quand ils Tauroient
1647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 139
eu, ce que j*'ay essaye de faire toutefois sans qu'ils le trouvassent mauvais, ou qu'ils s''en puissent servir comme d'un pretexte pour ne pas travailler aux levees. Et comme je ne puis croire que de bonne sorte aux relations qui me viennent de ce qui se passe dans le Nord touchant les dites levees, j'ay resolu d'envoyer ou d''aller moy mesme faire un tour a Aber- deen afin d'estre temoin de ce qui s'y fait, et d'y ayder de ma part autant qu"'il me sera possible. Je donne avis de cecy a M. le Tellier et le supplie au cas qu*'il n'ait point encore delivre les douze mil livres au marchand de M. le Chev' Moray de vouloir surscoir jusques a ce que Ton ait veu qu''il puisse satis- faire a ses obligations et faire passer davantage d'hommes en France que pour les sommes que je luy ay fait toucher.
Comme j"'achevois cette lettre le Marquis d''Argyle m"'a fait entendre, en me disant adieu, que My Lord Lewis, son neveu et le second fils du Marquis de Huntley, demandoit permission de sortir du royaume et de mener mille hommes avec luy, et qu'on auoit remis a luy et au Lieut.-Gen. David Leslay a luy accorder cette permission, — qu"'il n'avoit pas beaucoup de desir de servir la France, mais il m'a fait connaitre qu'il essayeroit de Ty porter, si Ton vouloit luy faire de bonnes conditions. Je luy ay dit que je trouvois en cela deux choses etranges, — Tune qu'un Ecossois, et le fils du Marquis de Huntley qui etoit attache au service du roy, cherchast autre part de Temploi qu'au service de S. M'^ ; et Tautre que dans le temps qu'on arreste les recreiies qui se font pour conserver deux vieux regiments qui servent en France, on donne permission pour en faire passer d''autres autre part. II m''a fait reponse que les interests de son neveu estoient assez separes de ceux du Marquis son pere, et que les hommes qu"*!! veut mener hors du pays sont tous ennemis du Pari*, et que ne voudroient pas prendre parti, ni sous le Comte d' Angus ni sous le Chev"" Moray. II se peut faire que cecy ait ete une des raisons qui ont fait arrester les levees, et que le Marquis d''Argyle a voulu voir s''il pourroit par ce moyen obliger la France a donner de Targent a son neveu.
Le vaisseau qui est parti d''icy avec trois cents hommes a ete force par le mauvais temps de demeurer a la rade de Newcastle. J'espere toutefois qu''il sera en France presentement.
140 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [may
[MoNTEREUL to Cakdinal Mazabin. Edinburgh, ^ May 1647.
In the last letter I received from M. de Bellievre he told me of a rumour current in England that the Spaniards expected to obtain men from here for their service, — that he has spoken about it to the Scottish Commissioners, who are in London, who have assured him that the only person who had thought of such a thing was Alexander Macdonald, and that I ought to influence this Parliament so as to prevent his having liberty to do it. I have already informed you that this rumour existed here, some months ago even, but that I had not judged necessary to take the trouble to do so, both because I did not think this Parliament that had declared it would no longer treat with Macdonald, would now grant him this permission, as also from the reason that if these gentle- men had to do it, the permission would assuredly be because it might advance their own interests rather than from its being in any way in compliance with the wish and the interests of France, But as M, de Bellievre intimated that it was proper for me to be assured this permission would not be given to Macdonald, and as it appeared to me the withhold- ing of the permission might even more contribute to the service of the King of Great Britain than be hurtful to it, as thereby causing one of his followers to remain in this country and maintain his party, I judged a propos in calling on the Marquis of Argyleto bring this matter before him, and to intimate to him that it was being said that the Scottish Parliament wanted to make some agreement with Macdonald, and to permit him to leave the island with his men. On which the Marquis of Argyle, different from his wont, somewhat lost his temper in replying to me that the only capitulation they would make with him would be as to whether they would make him shorter or longer than he was, that is to say, by consulting whether it were better to behead him or to have him hung, and that they would effectively deprive him of the means of leaving the country and of taking men with him. I answered him that it was, however, asserted not only that he would take his people out of Scotland, but that he would take them to Spain, and that he had a treaty with the Spaniards to that effect. In answer to which he reminded me that he had informed me long ago — as is quite true — that Macdonald had had this intention, and that a ship had come from Spain for that purpose at that time which returned empty, and he assured me now that not only would he never have the liberty from Parliament to transport a single person, but means would very soon be found to prevent him from doing it.
I asked him afterwards if I could write to you on the promise that he gave me, in which I placed as much reliance as in that of all the Parlia- ment together, — in which I was not far from the truth, since I have reason to believe them all of the same sort. Tlie marquis begged me to do so and to rely on what he promised me, so that I have not judged it necessary to speak more of it, or to be obliged to the committee for what these gentlemen are quite disposed to do for themselves and that they would not execute anything they might have promised had they found it more advantageous for them not to do so.
i647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 141
Yet while I was taking the trouble of preventing the Spaniards from having men from here, I find it has been tried to stop the levies that are being made for the service of his Majesty, and that the Marquis of Argyle who fears that he may require more men than he thought to drive Macdonald ofi" his lands, or who fears an invasion, or who wishes perhaps to gratify Spain, or who has some other reason that I not been able to discover, — I have found, I repeat, that this marquis before leaving Lieut.- General David Leslie in order to come here made the latter write a letter to the committee, in which he complains, as I am told, that Sir Robert Moray's captains in the North have enticed away his soldiers, and demands that a stop be put to the levies, so that all the Earl of Angus and I have been able to obtain — for Sir Robert Moray has been at the country for a fortnight — is that one can at least continue the levies in question until the first June or the eleventh according to the style of France.
And as the committee is to meet about that time I do not despair, particularly if Macdonald goes away, that we may be able to annul this order altogether or obtain a longer time for the levies. I should like at least that this short time that has been given us may serve to oblige the captains to work more actively than they have done up till now.
The Marquis of Argyle has further tried to persuade me that he has contributed greatly to procure for us those twenty days for our levies, and I believed I ought to thank him for the evil he had done us, in order to prevent him from doing worse, for, in fact, I have every reason to believe him to be the cause of this disorder and the urgency with which Sir Robert Moray made me write to M. le Tellier in order that he might have twelve thousand pounds, after he had promised me that he would be satisfied on receiving that amount when news was received of the men being shipped, has made me doubt that even then he had some indication of this afi'air, so much reason have I to distrust every one here. I have thought right to arrest the money in the hands of the merchant because it seemed to me it would be easier to prevent the Earl of Angus and Sir Robert Moray from obtaining the money than to make them return it when they have had it, which I try to do, however, without their dis- approving of it, or that it may be able to serve them as a pretext in order not to work at the levies. And as 1 can but just believe the accounts that reach me from the North regarding the levies, I have decided to send or to go myself to Aberdeen, in order to see what is being done and to help in it as far as I can. I give notice of this to M. le Tellier and beg him in the event of his not having yet delivered the twelve thousand pounds to the merchant of Sir Robert Moray, to delay doing so until one may see he is able to fulfil his obligations and that he can send more men to France beyond those I have paid him for.
"VVTiile I was finishing this letter the Marquis of Argyle in saying good- bye led me to understand that Lord Lewis, his nephew, the second son of the Marquis of Huntly, was asking permission to leave the country and to take a thousand men with him, and that it had been referred to him and to Lieut. -General David Leslie to grant him this permission ; that his
142 BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE [may
nephew had not much wish to serve in France, but he made me under- stand he might try and induce him to do so, if good terms were offered to him. I told him I found two things in his recital very strange : one that a Scotsman and the son of the Marquis of Huntly who was attached to the service of the king ^ wished to obtain employment anywhere but in the service of his Majesty ; and the other that while recruiting, which was required to preserve two old regiments that were serving in France, had been stopped, permission is given to take the men away somewhere else. He replied that the interests of his nephew were quite distinct from those of the marquis, his father, and that the men he wished to take out of the country were all enemies of the Parliament, and who would not enlist either under the Earl of Angus or Sir Robert Moray. This may possibly be one of the reasons why the levies have been stopped, and that the Marquis of Argyle wished to see if he could by this means oblige France to give some money to his nephew.
The ship that left here with three hundrad men about three weeks ago has been obliged by stress of weather to remain at Newcastle. I hope, however, it will be in France at present.]
CXLV
BELLIIEVRE A BRIENNE
A Londres, le ^ Mai 1647.
Monsieur, — L'armee doit auiourd'huy rendre response aux Commiss"^ du Parlement touchant le licenciement que Ton en pretend faire, et iusques a ce que Ton le scache il n''est pas aise de iuger quelle face prendront icy les affaires. II arriua Samedy matin une lettre du Roy de la G. B. au Parlement, et pourceque les Maisons ne s'assemblent pas les Samedis ni les Lundis Ton ne scaura que demain ce qu'elle contient. J'en viens de receuoir une du d. Roy, par laquelle il me mande que c'est une responce aux quatre propositions prin- cipalles desquelles Ton luy parle depuis quatre mois, la plus approchante qu'il a peu de ce que Ton a desire de luy. Le malheur qui Taccompagne sans relasche, luy faict enuoyer dans un temps auquel les Presbiteriens apparemment n''ozent, ni ne peuuent se de'clarer pour luy, et faict qu'il s'engage par la contre les Independantz et par consequent contre ceux qui ont du credit dans Tarmee, auec les Principaux desquelz je com- men9ois a mettre des affaires en fort bon estat, et comme
* i.e. the King of France.
1 647] BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE 143
il enuoye cette lettre sans la participation de ceux des deux partis, qui ont quelque communiquation auec luy, ilz s''en tiennent tous deux offensez, et se persuadent chacun que cet enuoy se faict a la suscitation de celuy qui leur est oppose. Je ie feray valloir autant qu'il me sera possible. J'apprehendc qu''il luy face plus de mal que de bien. Je vous enuoye la traduction d'un papier qui m''a este donne par le comte de Warwick et le cheualier Erie qui contient encore des plaintes de vaisseaux Anglois conduits a Bologne et a Dunkerque par des Fregattes qui se disent au Prince de Galles. J'estime qu'il sera juge tres-important de faire qu''en cette occasion les In- teressez recoiuent plus de satisfaction que ceux qui sont de retour de Bologne disent y auoir eu, ensuitte des ordres que ie les auois asseure qui y seroient enuoyez pour leur faire faire justice. Le Parlement est plus particulierement interesse en ces deux vaisseaux nommez dans ce dernier papier qu'aux autres qui ont cy deuant este menez en France, contre les intentions de laquelle les soub^ons augmentent tous les jours, et a un tel poinct qu'il est a craindre que ceux qui trauaillent a maintenir auec nous les aiP^^ [affaires] dans ces termes de douceur et de respect ne perdent la volonte et le credit de le faire a Taduenir, si par des realitez ils ne voyent confirmer les termes genereux et ciuilz dont j'essaye de les entretenir depuis que ie suis icy, ou certeinement nous sommes en mauuaise condition. Nos bonnes intentions sont mal expliquees, et les actions des Espaignolz,quoiqu''en effect deffkuorables aux Anglois produisent a leur esgard plus tost de bons que de manuals effects. Un de leurs vaisseaux marchans conduit a Ostende par une des fregattes du Prince de Galles y a este vendu, dont les luteressez n'ont eu aucune raison, quoy qu'ilz ayent porte a TArchiduc des lettres de ce Parlement, qui le prioit de leur en faire faire justice, sur le reffus de laquelle lorsqu'ilz se sont pretendus pouruoir icy le S' Vaine, qui est le seul de la maison des Communs qui ayt cognoissance des affkires estrangeres, a diet qu"'il ne trouuoit point estrange que TArchiduc n'ait point considere la recommandation du Parlement, qui a manque de luy enuoyer faire des compliments a son arriuee en Flandres, qui est une ciuilite qui se prattique en pareilles occasions entre des Estats amis, et pour ce, qu'il j ugeoit a propos de luy
144 BELLli:VRE TO BRIENNE [may
enuoyer le cheualier Pither Killegray, Courrier ordinaire des deux Maisons, pour, sous pretexte de Taffaire de ces Marchans, lui faire en effect les compliments de la part de ce Parlement qui luy deuoient auoir este faicts il y a desja quelque temps. Cette proposition fut extremement bien receiie, et la chose pourroit bien estre au premier jour resoliie de cette sorte si les autres affaires qui tiennent maintenant les espritz occupez leur laissent le temps de songer a celle cy. Je m'y opposeray auec toute Faddresse qui me sera possible, mais certainement il faut beaucoup de bonheur pour y reussir. Les marchandz pressent cette affaire auec chaleur, les amis d'Espagne et de Goring y contribuent tout ce qu'ilz peuuent, et la plus part du reste de TAngleterre, ennuyeuse de la France, la fera indubitablement conclure si on s''apper9oit que je I'apprehend quoyque ce soit beaucoup rabattre de leur orgueil d'enuoyer faire des compliments de la part de ce Royaume a un gouuer- neur des Pays-Bas, de quelque qualite qu"'il puisse estre, qui ne luy en a point encore fait. Le vaisseau d'habits pour les soldats d'lrlande, conduit a Jersay par les fregattes du Prince de Galles, a fait prendre au Parlement la resolution de se rendre maistre des forteresses de cet isle. Pour cet effect huict grands vaisseaux sont commandez, quantite des petites barques et douze cens hommes, pour mettre pied a terre lesquelz auec les habitans que Ton estime fort affectionnez au Parlement pourront dans peu de temps faire reussir ce dessein. — Je suis. Monsieur, Vostre tres humble et tres obeissant seruiteur,
Bellieure. Au dos — M, de Bellieure, du 27® May 1647, receu le 30 du d. mois k Amiens.
[Bellievbe to Brienne. London, ~ May 1647. The army is to reply to-day to the Commissioners of Parliament, concerning the disbanding it is pretended to effect, and until the reply is known it is not easy to judge what turn matters may take here. A letter was received on Saturday morning from the King of Great Britain to Parliament, but, because of the Houses not meeting on Satur- days or Mondays, what it contains will only be known to-morrow. I have just received one from the king, in which he informs me that it is a reply to the four principal proposals which he has been spoken to about during the last four months, and that it is the nearest he can grant to what is demanded of him. The mischance that follows him always, without inter-
i647] BELLI]feVRE TO BRIEXNE 145
mission, has made him to send it at a time in which the Preshyterians evidently dare not and cannot declare themselves for him, so that he thereby commits himself against the Independents and consequently against those who have influence in the army, with the most important of whom I Mas beginning to have matters arranged in a very good condi- tion, and as he sends this letter without the participation of those of both parties who were in communication with him, they both consider them- selves offended by it and each persuades itself that this reply is made on the suggestion of the one opposed to it. I shall try and turn it to the best possible account, but I fear that it will do him more harm than good. I send to you the translation of a paper which has been given to me by the Earl of ^V^arwick and Sir AValter Earle ^ which contains more complaints of English ships brought into Boulogne and Dunkirk by the frigates that are said to belong to the Prince of AV'ales. I consider it will be judged very important that the persons interested receive on this occasion more satisfaction than those who have returned from Boulogne say they have had there from the orders I had assured them would be sent there in order to enable them to obtain justice. The Parliament is more particularly interested in these two ships named in this last paper than in the others that have previously been brought to France, against the intention of which country suspicion is increasing each day, and to such a degree that it is to be feared those who are engaged with us in trying to maintain matters in terms of harmony and respect may lose the will and the credit of doing so in future, if from the events that actually take place they see no confirmation of these generous and civil terms with which I try to en- gage them since I have been here, where we are certainly in a bad way : our good intentions are badly interpreted and the actions of the Spaniards although unfavourable to the English produce, as far as they are con- cerned, rather favourable than bad effects. One of their merchant ships captured and taken to Ostend by one of the frigates of the Prince of Wales has been sold there and the persons interested have obtained nothing al- though the matter had been brought under the notice of the Grand Duke by the letters of this Parliament that begged him to grant them justice, on which being refused Sir Henry Vane, who is the only member of the House of Commons who has any knowledge of foreign affairs, said he was not surprised that the Grand Duke had not considered the recommen- dation of this Parliament, that had failed to compliment him on his arrival in Flanders, which is a customary civility on similar occasions between friendly states, for which reason he judged it a propos to send to him Sir Peter Killigrew, the usual messenger of both Houses of Parliament under pretext of this affair of the merchants' in order to pay him the compliments on the part of this Parliament that ought to have been done some considerable time ago. This proposal was extremely well received
^ Sir Walter Earle, M.P. for Weymouth, was one of the Commissioners sent to the king at Newcastle.
VOL. II. K
146 BELLI]fcVRE TO BRIENNE [MAY
and the matter may be resolved upon in this manner on an early day, if the other matters that now keep their minds occupied leave them the time to think of this one. I shall oppose it with all the dexterity I can com- mand, but it will certainly require much good luck for me to succeed in it. The merchants urge the matter eagerly ; the friends of Spain and Goring contribute all they can to it ; and the most part of the rest of Eng- land, disaffected with France, will unquestionably decide on it if it be per- ceived that I apprehend it ; although it is certainly a great fall for their pride to send to pay compliments on the part of this kingdom to a governor of the Netherlands of whatever rank he may be, who has yet done nothing for them.
The ship with clothes for the Irish soldiers that was brought to Jersey by the frigates of the Prince of Wales has caused Parliament to resolve to take possession of the fortresses of that island. Eight large war-ships, a number of small ships, with twelve hundred men, are under orders for that purpose, to make a landing on the island ; the inhabitants of which being considered very well disposed towards Parliament, may in a short time lead to the success of this design.]
CXLVI
BELLIlfeVRE A BRIENNE
A Londres, le ^^ May 1647.
Monsieur, — Les affaires sont maintenant en la plus grande comotion qu'elles ayent encor este icy. Les presbiteriens ne doutent pas qu'elles ne succedent a leur aduantage ; les Inde- pendans pour Tempescher tesmoignent estre resoluz d'hazarder de se perdre, et auec eux toute TAngleterre. L"'armee com- mence a se faire entendre qu''elle ne pretend estre conduitte que par son interest, sans voulloir s''attacher a celuy d'aucun des deux partis, Tanimosite desquelz esclatte a un tel poinct dans cette villa que Ton ne redoutte de voir dans peu de jours un des- ordre bien grand. La lettre que le Roy de la G. B. escrit au Parlement rencontre les affaires en cet estat, sur laquelle les Seigneurs viennent de resoudre que ledict Roy seroit prie de venir d Othlans, qui est une de ses maisons a 12 milles de cette ville. La Chambre des Communs n'en a pas encore opine ; je croy qu'elle le pourra faire aussy tost qu'elle aura finy la deliberation sur laquelle elle est maintenant. Je n'en pourray point escrire ce soir parce que ie me dois trouuer a vuit [huit heures] a la leuee de la Chambre pour aduiser auec quelques personnes affectionnes au Roy d'Angleterre ce qui est a faire
1 647] BELLI^VRE TO BRIENNE 147
et ce qu"*!! luy faut mander par le comte de donfermelin, qui le va demain trouuer par la permission du Parlement. Cet embaras dans lequel se trouuent icy les affaires est cause quMl ne s"'en faict aucune, et que ie n''ay rien a vous mander par cet ordinaire en response de la lettre du 24 de ce mois. Les creintes, les esperances, enfin les imaginations que chacun se forme tiennent touttes choses en suspens. Elles ont fait mesme sursoir Tenuoy de cette flotte destinee pour Jerzay quoyque par les derniers aduis que Ton a icy receu de France on confirme ceux que Ton y a cy deuant donne que Ton y prepare aux costes de Normandie assez proche de ces iles de Jerzay et Gemzay un secours considerable pour Tlrlande. — Je suis, Mon- sieur, Vostre tres humble et tres obeissant seruiteur,
Bellieure. Au dos — M. de Bellieure, du 30 May l647, receu le 3 Juin.
[Bellievre to Brienne. London, ^ May 1647.
Matters are now in the greatest commotion they have yet been here ; the Presbyterians do not doubt but they will succeed to their advantage ; the Independents in order to prevent them seem resolved to run the risk of ruining themselves and with them aU England. The army begins to make it understood that it pretends only to be guided by its own interests without wishing to attach itself to either of the two parties. The animosity •caused thereupon in this town has reached such a pitch that grave dis- orders are expected in a few days. The letter the King of Great Britain wrote to Parliament arrives at a time when matters are in this state. The Lords have just decided that the king should be invited to come to Oat- lands, which is one of his houses, twelve miles distant from this town. The House of Commons has not yet discussed the matter ; I believe they will do so immediately after they have finished their present subject of ■discussion. I shall not be able to write to you this evening, because I must be at eight o'clock at the House of Commons when the sitting is over, in order to consult with some persons well disposed towards the King of England as to what is to be done, and what it is necessary to in- form him of, by the Earl of Dunfermline, who is going to him to-morrow, by the permission of this Parliament. The encumbered state of aflFairs here results in there being nothing done and that I have nothing to inform you of by this mail in reply to yours of the 27th inst. The fears, the hopes and the fancies that each person forms holds everything in suspense. They have even delayed the departure of this fleet destined for Jersey, although by last accounts received here from France the news formerly given has been confirmed — that an important expedition in aid of Ireland is being prepared on the coasts of Normandy, quite near these islands of Jersey and Guernsey.]
148 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [JUNE
CXLVII MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimbourg, ^ Juin 1647.
Je me donnay Thonneur d'ecrire a V. Em'=® il y a trois jours par le S' Rederford, major du regiment de M. le Chev' Moray, qu'apres fait partir d' Aberdeen un vaisseau charge de plus de trois cents hommes, j'en avois trouve icy en arrivant un autre tout prest de sortir de ce port avec deux cents cinquante hommes. II a fait voile depuis avec un aussi bon vent qu'on le puisse desirer, et j'ay tout sujet de croire qu'il n'est pas main- tenant loin de Calais. Nous avons encore un autre vaisseau qui doit partir avec cent cinquante hommes a la fin de cette semaine, de sorte que tout cela ensemble fera un nombre assez considerable.
Ce peu de diligence, qui est audessous de ce que nous aurions du faire ; mais au dessus de ce que j 'avois espere, est un effet de Tordre qu'a passe ce comite pour arrester les levees, bien eloigne de Tintention de ceux qui Pont fait donner.
Je desire seulement, Mg', que cette defense, qui a fait haster presentement les levees, ne les arreste pas dorenavant, et j'ay mesme quelque sujet de Tesperer, puisque Macdonald a ete entierement defait et qu''apparemment on conservera bien peu de troupes sur pied dans ce Royaume.
Je ne suis pas toutefois encore bien certain si cette defense tiendra ou si elle sera ostee, et le grand desir que le Comte d' Angus m''a temoigne avoir de retirer aujourd'huy tout ce qui luy reste entre les mains du marchand, contre la promise qu''il m'avoit faite de n'y toucher que quand il en auroit besoin m'a fait craindre que ces defenses ne tenssent et quMl ne cherchast a avoir ces deniers quand il a moins de lieu de les employer, de sorte que j'ay mesme pense si je les devois faire arrester par Pauthorite des loix, voyant que mes prieres et ses promesses ne servoient de rien pour Tempescher de les toucher. Mais apres m'estre informe des voyes que j''avois a tenir pour cela j'ay trouve que le dit sieur Comte d' Angus etoit luy mesme du nombre de ceux qui me devoient donner cat ordre, de sorte que voyant qu'il auroit retire son argent
1647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 149
avant que je puisse obtenir la permission de le faire arrester, j''ay creu que je ne le devois pas irriter inutilement, et quMI etoit a propos que je permisse de bonne grace une chose que je ne pouvois pas empescher, et qui luy auroit donne sujet de rejeter sur moy les longueurs qui pourroient arrever cy apres dans les levees. Je me suis done contente de la parole quMl m'a donne de nouveau qu^il ne prendroit de cet argent qu''autant qu''il en auroit de besoin pour donner a ses capitaines, bien que les promesses verbales ne soient pas des contracts qui obligent fort en ce pays.
Les lettres qui arriverent ici Samedi au soir de Tarmee de ce Pari* portent qu"* Alexandre Macdonald ay ant creu que David Leslay etoit encore assez empesche contre les Gordons, lors qu"'ils etoient proche de luy, ne s'est pas mis en peine de garder Tentree de la peninsule de Kintyre, dans laquelle il s'est retire, de sorte que David Leslay etoit entre plus de huit mille hommes dans cette province, avec toute sa cavalerie sans avoir rencontre un seul ennemi ; qull avoit envoye quarante chevaux pour en apprendre des nouvelles, et qui ce parti ayant ren- contre aupres de Crommonel trois cents hommes de Macdonald, tant en cavalerie qu'en infanterie, et ayant re^u ordre de David Leslay de les charger, ces quarante hommes avoient pousse les gens de Macdonald si vivement qu''apres en avoir tue quatre vingt ils avoient oblige les autres de se retirer en desordre vers le gros de leur armee, laquelle ils avoient rempli de tant de confusion et de crainte que la mesme nuit deux chefs des tribus de Neil et d'Alester (car c''est ainsy qu''ils appellent les families puisantes) envoyerent vers David Leslay pour luy offrir d'abandonner Macdonald, avec toute leur suite, s''ils etoient asseures de leurs vies et de la conservation de leur bien, ce que le Marquis d'Argyle ne leur a pas promis seulement, mais de leur donner les terres qu''ils tiennent de luy pour une plus longue suite d'annees qu'ils ne les avoient auparavant, s"'ils vouloient attaquer les Irlandois et luy donner Macdonald vif ou mort, — ce qu'ils ont promis, de sorte qu''ils ont tue presque tons les Irlandois, mais que Macdonald, qui en avoit eu avis, s"'etoit sauve en la petite isle de Gyga, — quelques autres ecrivent de Kaitray, — avec trois personnes seulement, et de la avoit passe en celle d'Yla, ou il a fortifie une place. II
150 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [JUNE
y a toutefois quelques barques qui Tont suivi, mais qui ne luy ont pas porte aucun nombre d'hommes considerable; ni qui luy puisse servir pour se defendre contre Tarmee de ce Pari*.
Ou asseure que le Marquis de Huntley n'est plus a Locliaber ; son second fils que je croyois qui pourroit traiter avec TEspagne pour un regiment qu'il a eu permission de lever, seulement de ceux qui ont suivi le parti de leur roy, fut arreste prisonnier un jour avant que j'arrivasse a Aberdeen, pour avoir entretenu quelque commerce avec ceux du parti du roy de la G' B"", contre ce qui etoit porte par sa capitulation, et Middleton me dit que Lord Lewis etoit bien loin de faire sortir promptement des hommes d'Ecosse puisqu'il doutoit qu'il fut luy mesme en etat de sortir bientost de prison.
[MoNTEREUL to CARDINAL Mazarin. Edinburgh, ^ June 1647.
I WROTE to you three days ago, by Major Rutherford of the regiment of Sir Robert Moray, that after having despatched from Aberdeen a ship convejdng more than three hundred men, I had found another one on arriving here quite ready to leave this harbour with two hundred and fifty men. It has since left with as good a wind as could be wished, and I have every reason to believe that it is now not far from Calais. We have still another that is to leave at the end of this week with a hundred and fifty men, so that all those together will make a somewhat considerable number.
This little diligence which is less than we ought to have had, but more than I had hoped for, is the result of the order, that has been confirmed by the committee, to stop the levies, much contrary to the intention of those who gave it.
I only desire that this prohibition, that has hastened the levies at pre- sent, may not put a stop to them in the future, and I have even some reason to hope so, since Macdonald has been entirely defeated, and that apparently there will be very few troops raised in this kingdom.
I am not, however, yet quite sure whether this prohibition will hold good or whether it will be withdrawn, and the great desire the Earl of Angus showed me he had to draw out to-day all the money that remained to him in the hands of the merchant, contrary to the promise he had made to me only to touch it when he required it, has led me to fear that it might hold, and that he only sought to have these moneys when he has less need of employing them, so that I have even thought of having them arrested by authority, seeing that my requests and his promises served no purpose in preventing him from having the money. But after inquiry as to the course I had to take for this I found that the Earl of Angus was himself one of the number of those who ought to give me this order, so that seeing he might have drawn out his money before I was able to procure
1647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 151
the permission to arrest it I thought I need not irritate him to no purpose, and that it was more advisable for me to allow with good grace a thing that I was unable to prevent, and which would have given him cause to blame me for any delays that might happen afterwards in the levies. I therefore remained satisfied with his promise, which he gave me again, that he would only take that money in so far as he might require it to give to his captains, although verbal promises are not binding contracts in this country.
The letters that arrived here on Saturday evening from the army of this Parliament state that Alexander Macdonald, having believed that David Leslie was yet somewhat prevented by the Gordons, whereas they were near him, and hence not having taken the trouble to guard the entry of the peninsula of Kintyre in which he had withdrawn, so that David Leslie having conveyed more than eight thousand men into this district, with all his cavalry without having met a single enemy, and having despatched forty mounted men to reconnoitre, this party met near Crommonel three hundred of Macdonald's men, both cavalry and infantry, and having received order from David Leslie to charge them, those forty men fell upon the former so vigorously that after having killed eighty of them they had obliged the remainder to retire in disorder towards the main body of their army, in which they caused so much confusion and fear that the same night two chiefs of the clans, Macneil and Macalister — for this is how they call the powerful families — sent to David Leslie making offer to him to abandon Macdonald, with all their followers, if they were assured of their lives and of their property, which the Marquis of Argyle not only promised them, but also offered to give them the lands they hold from him for a longer period of years than they had them previously, if they would attack the Irish and give him Macdonald dead or alive, which they promised to do, so that they have killed almost all the Irish ; but Macdonald who had notice of it had fled to the little island of Gyga, others say Kaitry, with three persons only and from there they passed to Isla where he has fortified a place. Some boats were, however, seen to follow, but which could not have carried any great number of men that could serve him or defend themselves against the army of this Parliament.^
^ The following is Sir James Turner's account of what he saw on this expedi- tion. ' From Invereray,' he says, ' we marched to Kintyre, which is a peninsula. Both before and at the entry to it there were such advantages of ground, that our foot, for mountains and marshes, could never have been drawn up one hundred in a body, nor our horses above three abreast ; which if Sir Alaster had prepossest with three thousand or twelve hundred have foot, which he had with him, I think he might have routed us, at least we should not have entered Kintyre but by a miracle. But he was ordered for destruction, for by a speedy march we made ourselves masters of the difficult passes and got into a plain country, when he no sooner saw our horse advance but with little or no fighting he withdrew. From Kintyre he went to Isla, leaving his old father, comtnonly
152 BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE [JUNE
It is affirmed that the Marquis of Huntly is no longer in Lochaber, his second son, whom I thought might be able to treat with Spain for a regiment, which he has only had permission to raise, of those who have served the king's party, was arrested the day before I arrived at Aberdeen for having communicated with those of the royalist party, contrary to the terms of his surrender, and Middleton told me that Lord Lewis was very far from being able to lead men out of Scotland since he much doubted his being able to get soon out of prison.]
CXLVIII
BELLIEVRE a BRIENNE
A Londres, le ^^^ylS*?.
Monsieur, — Les affaires du Roy d'Angleterre, dont quelques uns qui se disent seruiteurs deliberoient lundy dernier a Nou- suth [?] a treize milles de cette ville, ou il estoit besoing que ie me trouuasse, et ce qui estoit a faire au suject d"'un vaisseau de Hambourg charge d'Irlandois conduit par ceux du Parlement en risle de Wigth \sic\ m''empescherent de me pouuoir rendre icy auant le partement de Fordinnaire. Le Parlement ne sVst assis depuis que Mardy et les affaires de Tarmee tinrent la Chambre des Communs tellement occuppee qu'elle ne se leua qu''a neuf heures du soir, en sorte que ceux qui sont du commite de Tadmiraute ny peurent aller trouuer les Seigneurs qui les y attendirent une grande partie de Tapres midy pour auiser a cette affaire, qui estoit la senile qui les faisoit assembler extraordinairement. Le diet Commite a este remis a ce jour dans lequel j'essaye de faire ordonner que ce vaisseau soit relasche, sans qu'il en donne part aux deux maisons, ou il se rencontreroit beaucoup de difficulte et sans doute de la longueur capable de faire perir ces Irlandois. J'ay faict escrire par un Marchant que Ton les assistast de ce qui leur seroit necessaire,
called Coll Kettoch, with nearly two hundred men in a castle called Dunneveg.' — Memoirs, p. 45.
Dublin, June gth, 1647. — ' All, or most of the force, late in Scotland with Colketto, are for certain landed in Ulster. They came in fifteen vessels, which they ran upon the sands near Cundrum, in the isle of Lecall. . , . They are said to be 800 in number. Their party was defeated and 400 foot who were taken prisoners were hung, which terrified the rest.' — Rushworth, part iv. vol. i. p. 561.
i647] BELLli:VRE TO BRIENNE 153
et j''enuoyeray un de mes gens pour y pouruoir pour peu que Ton difFere a nous les rendre. L''armee n'obeit point encore aux ordres du Parlement touchant son licentiement. Cette affaire ne rend pas seulement nos leuees difficilles, mais aussy faict sursoir de signer par le Speaker les passeports aux officiers de France et d'Espagne qui ont la licence du commite destine pour cet effect. La Chambre des Communs n'a point delibere sur le Message du Roy de la G. B. ny sur le vot[e] de celle des Seigneurs pour le faire venir a Othlans; elle est si mal disposee que ce que Ton a peu faire jusques icy a este d''esuiter d'en parler, pourceque ceux qui ont le plus d"'intention de seruir le d. Roy n'ozent le tesmoigner en Testat que sont icy touttes choses. L'autorite qu'ont les Marchans dans le parlement Ta force de consentir a Tenuoy de Killegray vers TArchiduc les personnes de ceruelle ont honte de cette resolution en ont retarde autant qu'ilz ont peu Pexecution, mais ilz ne croyent pas qu'il soit possible de la faire changer. — Je suis, Monsieur, Vostre tres humble et tres obeissant seruiteur,
Bei.lieure.
Au dos — M. de Bellieure, du 6^ Juin l647, receu le 11® a Amiens.
[BEMiifevBE to Bbienne. Lovdon, ^ ^"J" 1647.
I WAS prevented from being back here in time, before the leaving of the last mail, the King of England's affairs having obliged me to attend a meeting of those who call themselves his followers at twelve
miles from'this town, and also from what I have to do about the Hamburg ship laden with Irish that the Parliament ships have brought to the Isle of Wight. Parliament has only been sitting once since on Tuesday, and the army affairs occupy the House of Commons so closely that its sittings are protracted till nine o'clock in the evening, hence those of the Admiralty Committee are unable to meet the Lords, who waited at the Admiralty for them during a great part of the afternoon in order to consult about this affair, for which alone they had called this extrsr- ordinary meeting. The committee meeting has been put off till to-day, in which I am trying to obtain an order that the ship be given up, with- out the matter being communicated to both Houses, otherwise it would be attended with much difficulty and doubtless a delay, during which all the Irish would perish. I have had a letter written to a merchant in order that they may be aided with what they may require, and I shall send one of my people to provide for them in the event of their delay- ing to give them up to us. The army does not yet obey the orders of Parliament regarding its disbanding. This matter not only renders our
154 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [JUNE
levies difficult, but also prevents the Speaker from signing the passports to the officers of France and Spain who have the licence of the committee for that purpose. The House of Commons has not discussed the message of the King of Great Britain nor the vote of the Lords to invite him to Oatlands ; it is so badly disposed, that all one has been able to do till now has been to avoid speaking about it, on account of those who have the most intention to serve the king, not daring to show it in the present state of things. The influence the merchants have in Parliament has forced it to consent to sending Killegray to the Grand Duke. Persons with brains are ashamed of this decision and have delayed as long as possible its being carried out; but they believe it to be impossible to change it.]
CXLIX MONTEREUL av CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edhnhourg, — Juin l647.
BiEN que par les deux lettres dont V. Em'^® m'a voulu honorer du 24 et du 26 du mois passe, elle se plaigne auec toute sorte de sujet des longuers qui ont ete apportees aux levees qui se font icy, je scay toutefois qu'elle ne m''imputeroit point du tout ce retardement si elle pouvoit voir de quelle sorte je m^employe pour les haster, ce que j"'espere que V. Em*^® aura peu reconnoistre presentement, puisque le vaisseau que j"'ay fait partir d' Aberdeen et celuy qui est parti d'icy a mon retour, ayant eu un vent tres favorable doivent estre arrives a Calais il y a longtemps.
Celuy qui les devoit suivre avec cent cinquante hommes seulement ne partira qu'a la fin de cette semaine et sera suivi de bien pres d'un autre avec pareil nombre. M. le Chev"" Moray m'asseure encore que David Leslay donne deux cents hommes a deux capitaines qu'il luy a envoyes et quMls les auront prets a embarquer dans fort peu de jours.
Je ne vois pas que M. le Comte d' Angus avance tant et je ne manque pas de luy representer les choses qui peuvent le faire haster davantage — I'interest qu'il a en la conservation de son regiment et le desavantage que ce luy sera qu'un simple gentilhomme ait envoye en France le double des gens qu'il a fait partir. Cependant deux choses prejudicieront bien fort dorenavant aux levees, le peu d'hommes qui restent en Ecosse,
i647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 155
et la maladie qui y augmente chaque jour; car pour ce qui est de la defense de continuer les levees, le Comte de Lanark a fait a ma priere tout ce que le Chev'' Moray deseroit de luy afin que cet ordre ne nous peut nuire ainsy que je Tecris bien particulierement a M. le Comte de Brienne en luy rendant compte de ce qui regarde la pension que Sa Maj** veut donner au dit Comte de Lanark et qui a deja produit ce bon effet, si je puis m^'asseurer aux paroles qu"'il m''a donnees, et qu''il a confirmees depuis au dit S' Chev' Moray.
Mais comme j'ay veu qu"'on a icy de jour en jour plus diffi- cilement des hommes, et que j'ay reconnu que ce Parlement ne cherche rien tant qu'a estre defait de ceux qui ont suivy le party de leur Roy, ce que le Marquis d'Argyle a plus de sujet de desirer que personne, j'ay prie M. le Chev"^ Moray, qui peut beaucoup aupres de luy, de voir s"'il pourroit engager le dit Marquis a luy donner sept ou huit cents de ceux de ses sujets qui ont pris party avec Macdonald, et bien qu'il recoive par ce moyen deux avantages tres considerables, — de se defaire de ceux dont il ne se peut jamais asseurer, et de les mettre entre les mains d'une personne comme M. le Chev' Moray qui ne les portera pas a retourner pour renouveller la guerre dans son pays, — ^je me suis encore servy d''un motif qui peut plus sur luy que ces deux autres, en luy offrant s"'il envoye ces hommes presentement, d'ecrire a V. Em*=® que je luy ay promis les cinq cents Jacobus qui sont demeures entre les mains du S' Inglis, du reste de ce qui avoit este destine pour les recreiies du regi- ment du feu Comte d'lrvin son frere, qu"'il m'a temoigne autrefois desirer toucher pour pareille somme qu'il pretend d'estre deue par Sa Maj'^ au dit Comte d'lrvin pour le reste de ses appointements.
J'espere que V. Em*^^ me pardonnera de m'estre tant avance puisque cela ne Toblige a rien faire de plus que ce qu'elle trouvera a propos et que cet argent ne seroit pas peut-estre mal employe au cas qu'il voulut faire passer en France un nombre d'hommes considerable.
La nouvelle de la defaite de Macdonald se confirme a la reserve des Irlandois qu''on avoit fait mourir, et qui ont suivy leur chef en Tisle d'Yla, d'ou quelques uns croyent qu'encore que le dit Macdonald ne puisse pas faire grand mal a ce
166 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [june
Royaume, il peut toujours rincommoder et obliger ce Parle- ment a entretenir quelques troupes pour luy opposer.
Au reste, Mg"", V. Em*=« peut mieux connaistre que je lie puis exprimer les ressentiments que je suis oblige de conserver toute ma vie des extremes boutes quMle a eues de faire parler a Madame la Princesse de mes interests et avec quel soin je dois m*'employer pour executer ses commandements dans un lieu ou elle a voulu que je servisse maintenant sans inquietude.
Cependant, Mg"", ma pensee etoit de me rendre premierement aupres de V. Em''^ pour scavoir d'elle en quelle maniere il lu}' plaisoit que je desposasse d'une personne qui luy est acquise par tant de bienfaits, et qui dans le grand nombre de ses creatures a plus d'obligation qu''aucun autre de se soumettre absolument a ses volontes et d''estre, etc., etc.
[MoNTEBEUL to Cabdinal Mazarin. Edinburgh, ^ June 1647.
Although in your letters of the 24th and 26th ult. you complain with every reason of the delays caused in the levies that are being made here, I know, however, that you would not impute any part whatever of that delay to me if you could see the manner in which I act in order to hasten them, which I hope you will have been able to perceive at present, since the ships I despatched from Aberdeen and the one that left here on my return, having had a very favourable wind, ought to have arrived at Calais long ago.
The one that is to follow them with a hundred and fifty men only will but leave at the end of this week, and will be followed very closely by another with a similar number. Sir Robert Moray still assures me that David Leslie is giving two hundred men to two of his captains that he has sent to him, and that they will be ready for shipment in a very few days.
I do not see that the Earl of Angus gets on so fast, and I do not omit to point out to him things that may cause him to make more haste, — the interests he has in keeping up his regiment and the prejudice it will cause him, that a simple gentleman may have sent to France twice as many men as he has done. However, two things will very much harm the levies in future, the few men that remain in Scotland and the plague that is increasing here each day. For as to the prohibition to continue the levies, the Earl of Lanark has granted on my request all that Sir Robert Moray desired of him, so that this order cannot injure us, as I have written very particularly to the Count de Brienne in giving him an account of what concerns the annuity that his Majesty wishes to give to the Earl of Lanark and which has already produced this good result, if I can be sure of the promise he has given me and which he has since con- firmed to Sir Robert Moray.
But as I see from day to day that one obtains men here with greater
i647] BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE 157
difficulty, and that I perceive this Parliament seeks nothing better than to get rid of those who have served the king's party, which the Marquis of Argyle has more reason to wish for than any one, I have begged Sir Robert Moray to try and engage the marquis to give him seven or eight hundred of those of his vassals who have taken part with Macdonald ; and although he may secure by this means two very important advantages, viz., get rid of those on whom he can never count and deliver them to a person like Sir Robert Moray who will not induce them to return here to renew the war in his country, I have also had recourse to another motive which may have more influence on him than the two others, in offering him, if he send these men at present, to write to you stating that I had promised to him the five hundred Jacobus that have remained in the hands of Mr. Inglis, the remainder of what was destined for the recruiting of the regiment of the late Earl of Irvine his brother, which he previously expressed the wish to have for an equal sum that he pre- tends was owing to the Earl of Irvine for his pay by his Majesty.
I hope you will pardon me if I have gone too far, since it will not engage you to do anything but what you judge proper, and that this money would not be perhaps badly laid out in the event of its being required to send any important number of men to France.
The news of Macdonald's defeat is confirmed ; but the slaughter of the Irish is contradicted. They have accompanied their chief to the island of Isla, where people think he cannot do much harm to this kingdom further than obliging Parliament to maintain some troops in order to oppose him.
You can better imagine than I can express my feeling of gratitude, which I shall retain during all my life, for the extreme kindness you have had in bringing my interests under the notice of the Princess, and the care I ought to have in carrying out her commands in a place where she wished me to serve now without being disturbed.]
CL
BELLIEVRE k BRIENNE
Londres, 10 Juin 1647. Monsieur, — II n''y a point icy d'affaires faciles principalement celles qui concernent la France. Pour faire relascher ce vais- seau charge d'armes, il a este besoing que nos amis Tayent entrepris avec vigueur et conduict avec beaucoup d'adresse. Le comite ne Fa pu faire sans en parler au Parlement, d'ou il n'y a pas eu peu de peine de la tirer pour la remettre dans Tadmiraute en laquelle nous auons obtenu que ce vaisseau non seulement seroit relasche, mais aussy qu'il seroit mis en seurete dans le haure de Dieppe ou de Bologne par la fregatte d' Angle-
158 BELLlfeVRE TO BRIENNE [JUNE
terre qui Ta destourne de sa routte, et qui luy a fait perdre Tescorte qu'il auoit. Ainsy les trois fregattes d'ostende qui Tattendant croisent la mer aux environs de Fisle d'Wigt [sic] le verront passer sans oser rien entreprendre. II ny a encore rien de fait en Taffaire du Roy de la G. B., ny en celle du licenciement de Tarmee, en laquelle six Commissaires du Parlement vont aujourd'huy pour luy faire executter les ordres des deux maisons. — Je suis, Monsieur, vostre tres humble et tres obeissant seruiteur, Belli eure.
Au dos — M. de Bellieure, du 10« Juin 1647, receu le 13 du d* mois k Amiens.
[Bellievre to Brienne, London, 10 June 1647.
All affairs are difficult here, and principally those that concern France. In order to obtain the release of the ship laden with arms, our friends required, in undertaking it, great energy and good management with much tact. The Committee not being able to grant it, without men- tioning the matter to Parliament, much trouble was caused there in having it withdrawn and submitted again to the Admiralty, in which we have succeeded in obtaining that the ship should not only be given up, but also that it be convoyed in safety into le Havre, Dieppe or Boulogne by the English frigate that turned it off its route, so as to have made it lose the escort it had. Thus the three frigates from Ostend that are cruis- ing in the neighbourhood of the Isle of Wight will see it passing without venturing to do anything against it. There is still nothing done in the matter of the King of Great Britain, nor in that of the disbanding of the army, to which six commissioners from Parliament are to go to-day, to execute the orders of both Houses.]
CLI
BELLIEVRE a BRIENNE
A Londres, le 10 Juin l647.
Monsieur, — Depuis auoir ferme mes lettres il en est arriue une de Tarmee au Parlement. II n'est pas assis aujourd'huy. EUe ne sera leiie [lue] que demain. Le courrier qui la porte et les lettres des particuliers disent qu'elle donne aduis que Tarmee ne veut pas se separer. Nous scaurons dans 24 heures quelles conditions elle demande, et peu apres on pourra juger quelle suitte aura cette affaire. — Je suis, Monsieur, Vostre tres humble et tres obeissant seruiteur, Bellieure.
Au dos—U. de Bellieure, du 10« Juin l647, receu le 13 du d. mois k Amiens.
1 647] BELLIEVRE TO BRIENNE 169
[Bellievke to Brienne. London, 10 June 1647.
Since closing my letters, one has been sent from the army to the Parliament which is not sitting to-day, — it will only be read to-morrow. The messenger who brought it and private letters state that it gives notice that the army will not break up. We shall know in twenty-four hours what conditions it demands, and be able shortly after to judge what will be the result of this affair.}
CLII
BELLIEVRE a BRIENNE.
A Londres, le — Juin l647.
Monsieur, — Suiuant Tancien usage d'Angleterre, depuis dix jours nous deliberons sans rien conclure cherchant les moyens d'empescher que le Roy d''Ang'"^ tombe entre les mains de Tarmee puis qu'il n'a point d''asseurance qu''elle veuille faire aucune chose a son aduantage d''une douzaine de propositions dont la moins bonne eust mieux vallu que de ne rien faire. II n"'a pas este possible d'obliger ceux du parlement qui estoient dans ce desseing a en executer aucuns et ce pendant nous apprenons par un homme qui vient d'arriuer de la part des Commis- sionnaires qui sont a Humby a la verite sans auoir de leurs lettres que la maison est investie par un party destache de Tarmee, qui demande le diet Roy, et quoy que celuy qui le garde tesmoigne ne le vouloir pas remettre entre leurs mains sans en auoir Tordre du Parlement il est a croire quMl Taura rendu s'il est vray qu'il soit presse n'^estant pas en estat de resister aux forces qui enuironnent cette maison qui n'a ny fossez ny murailles qui la ferment. J'estime le Roy et la Royaute perdue en Angleterre si les presbiteriens manquent de cceur en cette rencontre, et que leslndependants ne trouuent point d''oppositions a ce quilz voudront faire ou faire f® par leur armee, mais si nous pouuons maintenir les presbiteriens en sorte que les Independants ne puissent establir leurs affaires sans se seruir du nom de Fauctorite et mesme des seruiteurs du d. Roy il se pent faire qu'il n'est pas encore perdu et qu'il se rencontrera quelque conjoncture dans laquelle ses affaires se pourront auancement accommoder. Ce qui est merueilleuse- ment a craindre pour luy est que les deux partis s'accordent a
160 BELLl£VRE TO BRIENNE [JUNE
quoy il semble que beaucoup d'eux ayent trop de disposition. La prudence des plus puissantz leur faiet rechercher les autres dont il y a quantite qui par differentes considerations peuuent estre portez a prendre cet accommodement. Ceux d'entre les Independantz qui me parloient cy deuant comme ayant desseing de faire quelque chose pour le seruice du Roy d'AngP® ou ne m"'en parlent plus ou changent de langage en sorte quMl est a craindre que leur prosperite ne leur fassent [sic] reprendre leurs anciennes maximes destructiues de toutte royaute, des- quelles ilz tesmoignent se vouloir destacher ces mois passez, lors qu'ils estoient eu moins bonne fortune et je continueray a faire ce que j'estimeray pouuoir contribuer au bien general des affaires. Depuis le Courrier arriue de Hornby, dont ie vous ay escrit cy dessus, il en est arriue un autre, aussy sans lettres des commissionnaires, qui dit que les mil cheuaux que Ton dit qu'ilz viennent de la part de Tarmee pour se saisir de la personne du Roy sont a un mil de Hornby et quMls ne Tauoient point encore demande lorsqu'il en est party. — Je suis. Monsieur, vostre tres humble et tres obeissant seruiteur,
Bellieure.
Au dos. — M. de Bellieure, du 13 Juin l647 a Londres, receu le 16® 4 Amiens.
[Belu^ivbb to Bbienne. London, ^ June 1647. During the last ten days we have been deliberating, according to old established usage in England, without coming to any conclusion, on a dozen of proposals, of which the least satisfactory would have been better than doing nothing at all, trying to devise means for preventing the King of England from falling into the hands of the army, seeing there is no certainty that it will do anything for him. It was impossible to oblige those of the Parliament who had this intention to execute any of the plans proposed, and while it remained undecided we learned from a man who has just arrived on the part of the Commissioners who are at Humby, without indeed having letters from them, that the house was invested by a party detached from the army who demanded the king, and although the person in charge stated that he would not deliver him into their hands, without having an order from Parliament, it is to be believed that he has given him up, as he was forced to do, being unable to resist the force that surrounded his house, which has neither moat nor walls to protect it. I consider the king and the monarchy lost in England if the Presby- terians fail to act generously in the present circumstance and if the
i647] BELLIJ^VRE TO BRIENNE 161
Independents find no opposition in what they will want to do or to have done by their army ; but if we can maintain the Presbyterians, so that the Independents are unable to establish their affairs without employing the name of the authority and even making use of the king's followers, it may be that he is not yet lost and that some circumstances will happen in which his affairs will be able in some way to be arranged. What is most to be feared for him is that the two parties come to agreement, towards which many of them seem to have too much disposition. Tlie prudence of the most powerful leads them to seek the support of the others, of whom there are a number that from different considerations could be led to agree to this arrangement. Those among the Independ- ents who spoke to me previously, of having the intention of doing some- thing for the service of the King of England, either no longer speak to me about it or change their language, so that it is to be feared that their prosperity may cause them to revert to their old maxims destructive of all monarchy, which they seemed to wish to give up during these few months past, when they were in less good fortune. I shall continue to do what I can in contributing to the general good of affairs.
Since the arrival of the messenger from Holmby, above mentioned, another has arrived, also without letters from the Commissioners, who says that the thousand horse that it was said had come on the part of the army, to secure the person of the king, are at a mile's distance from Holmby, and that they had not yet demanded him when he left]
CLIII BELLlfeVRE A BRIENNE
A Londres, le — Juin l647.
' 7
Monsieur, — Le Roy de la G. B. et les Commissionnaires du Parlem* qui estoient pres de luy furent enleuez de Hornby vendredy dernier et conduits en la maison d''un gentilhomme pres de Cambrige par mil ou douse cens cheuaux de Tarmee commendez par un cornette que le General a escrit au Parle- ment n''auoir point eu d'ordre de ce faire et dont neantmoins on Texcuse sur ce qu'il dit Tauoir fait pour empescher I'execu- tion d'un dessein forme de faire venir le diet Roy a Londre sans la participation du Parlement. Les particularitez de ce qui s'est passe en cette affaire vous seront dittes par le Comte de Domfermelin, Escossois, gentilhomme de la chambre du lict, qui va trouuer la Reyne de la G. B. de la part du Roy son mary. II a pris icy des instructions des Escossois et des presbiteriens anglois pour disposer la reyne d'Angleterre
VOL. II. L
162 BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE [JUNE
a faire aller le P. de Galles en escosse pour, auec toutes les forces du royaume, venir en Angleterre se joindre aux presbi- teriens que les principaux asseurent se deuoir tous declarer pour les Interestz du dit Roy. Je n'estime pas que les pro- messes que Ton faict en cette rencontre a la reyne d' Angleterre la puissent porter a se dessaiser aisement d'un gage si precieux que luy est le P. de Galles, mais comme elle cognoit sans doute que le moien d'empescher que les presbiteriens ne s''accordent auec les Independans qui seroit la ruine du roy d' Angleterre, et de donner les esperances aux presbiteriens qui leur soutiennent le courage et les engagent a s'opposer aux Independans et a leur armee elle ne manquera pas de leur dire toutes les choses qui les pourront commettre les uns contre les autres, et mesme leur faire esperer que les escossois, estant entrez en Angleterre, joincts aux forces des presbiteriens, elle fera que le Prince de Galles yra se mettre a leur teste. II luy est tres important et il ne Test pas peu a la France de maintenir la diuision entre ces deux partis. Les escossois nous seruent de tout leur pouuoir. lis cognoissent bien qu'il fault qu'ilz renoncent a toutes les pretentions qu'ilz ont en Angleterre si le parti des Independans preuault, c'est pas comme cy-deuant, nous auions a les combattre quant il nous a fallu empescher la desunion du parti Independant qui eust establi Taucthorite du presbiterien a un si hault point qu''il n'eust plus considere son Roy. II se pent dire en ce lieu que contribuant ce que nous pouuons a la paix d'Ang"^^, ie ne voy pas que Ton nous en scache le gre que nous nous en deurions promettre. Non seullement les parlementaires mais aussy tout le parti royal est fort mal intentionne pour la France, tous les serviteurs du Roy et de la Reyne de la Grande Bretagne s'en declarent, et [il] n'y a pas un d'eux ni de leurs amis qui ne prenne le parti d'Espagne en sorte qu'il n'y auroit pas grand inconuenient quant la paix de ce royaume ne seroit pas faicte auant la nostre, et que la reyne d'Angleterre donnast cependant Fordre qu'elle peut pour faire changer ces sentiments. Les diuisions qui sont dans Tarmee empeschent de pouuoir juger quel chemin prendront les affaires. Je ne vous mande point les particularitez de ce qui se passe dans le Parlement ny dans le Commun conseil de la Ville. II vous importe peu d'estre informe des contestations
i647] BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE 163
qu'il y a pour laisser le Roy de la G. B. ou il est, le remener a Hornby, ou le conduire a Nieumarquet, ou bien a Hollans. II est besoing que ie vous escriue que domferrailin tesmoigne auoir beaucoup de passion pour le roy d''Angleterre, et mesme il estoit du complot de Tenleuer de Hombi, cependant il est fort dans les interestz de TEscosse, et despend absolument de marquis darguil, qui est un des subiects de ceste isle qui a faict le plus de mal a son Roy. — Je suis, Monsieur, vostre tres humble et tres obeissant seruiteur, Bellieure.
An dos — M. de Bellieure, du 17 Juin 1647, receu le 20.
[BEiiijfevBB to Bbienne. LondoTi, j June 1647-
The King of Great Britain and the Commissioners who were with him were taken away from Holmby on Friday last, and conducted to the house of a gentleman near Cambridge by a thousand or twelve hundred horse of the army, commanded by a cornet whose general has written to Parliament to say he had no order to do it ; yet he is excused on what he says of having done it in order to prevent the execution of a plan formed to bring the king to London without the participation of Parliament. Tlie details of what took place in this affair will be related to you by the Earl of Dunfermline, a Scotsman, Gentleman of the Bed-chamber, who is going to the Queen of Great Britain on the part of the king her husband. He has taken instructions here from the Scots and the English Presby- terians, so as to dispose the Queen of England to send the Prince of Wales into Scotland in order to come with all the forces of that kingdom into England and join the Presbyterians, the principal of whom affirm they ought all to declare for the interests of their king. I do not suppose that promises made in this circumstance to the Queen of England could induce her easily to give up a gage so precious for her as the Prince of Wales, but as she no doubt knows that the means of preventing the Presbyterians from agreeing with the Independents — which would be the ruin of the King of England — and of giving hopes to the Presby- terians that may sustain their courage and engage them to oppose the Independents and their army, she will not fail to tell them all the things that will be able to set them against each other and even lead them to hope that the Scots entering into England and joining the forces of the Presbj^terians, she will consent to the Prince of AV'ales going to put him- self at their head. It is very important for her, and it is of no small importance to France, to maintain the division between these two parties. The Scots help us as much as they can : they know well that they will be obliged to give up all the pretensions they have in England if the Inde- pendent party gain the advantage. It is not now as formerly, when we had to fight them, when it was necessary for us to prevent disunion in the Independent party, which would have secured the authority of the
164 BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE [JUNE
Presbyterians in such a high degree that they would no longer have con- sidered their king. It may be said hereupon that in contributing what we can to the peace of England, I do not see that they seem so obliged to us, as we might have reason to expect. Not only the parliamentarians but also all the royalist party is very badly disposed towards France. All the followers of the King and Queen of Great Britain side with them in this, and there is not one of them or of their friends who would not prefer to take part with Spain, so that no great harm would be done were the peace of this kingdom not made before ours : the Queen of England might, however, give order so as to change these sentiments.
The divisions that exist in the army prevent one from being able to judge of what turn affairs will take. I do not mention to you the details of what is passing in the Parliament, nor in the common council of the city. It concerns you little to know the contestations that are made in order to leave the King of Great Britain where he is, to conduct him to Holmby, or to take him to Newmarket or perhaps to Oatlands. It is necessary for me to state that Dunfermline manifests a strong affection for the King of Great Britain, he was even in the plot to remove him away from Holmby, yet he is strongly in the interest of Scotland and depends absolutely on the Marquis of Argyle, who is the one of the subjects of this island that has done most harm to his king.
CLIV
BELLIlfeVRE k BRIENNE
A Londres, le — Juin l647.
Monsieur, — Les imprimes qui ont este publiez cette sepmaine contiennent au vray touttes les nouuelles qui peuuent estre escrittes d'icy. L'ou ne peut encore juger quelles resolutions prendra le Parlement. L'armee est a 20 milles de cette ville, ou Ton croit qu"'elle n'aduancera pas que le canon et Tequipage d'artillerie qu''elle a enuoye querir a Oxfort ne Tait joint. Elle espouuante tellement les bourgeois de Londres et beaucoup de Presbyteriens du Parlement, qu'il est a craindre qu'elle fasse que les deux partis s^'accordent sans le Roy d'Angleterre a quoy ceux qui ont entrepris de le ruiner continuent a y trauailler de tout leur pouuoir. Le diet Roy est demeure a Nieumarket apres auoir reffuse d''aller a Londres auec Tarmee, peut estre eust il mieuxjifaict d'en user autrement. Je ne me suis pas ingere de luy donner conseil en cette rencontre. Les affaires changent icy trop promptement de fasse : telle chose qui luy eust este aduantageuse s'il Teust faicte il y a deux jours le
1647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 165
pourroit ruyner s'il la faisait aujourd'huy. Je continue a porter icy las affaires autant que je puis et que je trouue utile au bien du roy d'Angleterre. . . . — Je suis, Monsieur, Vostre, etc., etc. Bellieure.
Au dos. — M. de Bellieure, du 24® Juin 1647, 4 Londres, receue le SO** a Amyens,
[BEiiUivRE to Brienne. LofidoTi, ^ June 1647.
The public prints that have been published this week contain truly all the news that can be sent from here. One cannot yet judge what resolu- tions Parliament will take. The army is at twenty miles' distance from this town, and it is believed it will not advance until it has been joined with the cannon and the artillery equipment that have been sent for from Oxford. It so alarms many of the citizens of London and of the Presbyterians of Parliament, that it is to be feared it may make the two parties agree without the King of England, towards which those who have engaged to ruin him continue to use all the efforts in their power. The king remained at Newmarket after having refused to go to London with the army, — perhaps he might have done well in acting differently. I did not inter- t fere to give him any advice in this circumstance. Affairs change front too
r promptly here : a certain thing that might be profitable for him if he
had done it two days ago might ruin him if he did it to-day.
I continue to influence matters here as much as I can, and do what I find useful for the welfare of the King of Great Britain. . . .^
CLV
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimhourg, - Juin l647.
La defaite de Macdonald et la prison du Lord Lewis, fils du Marquis de Huntley m'avoient oste tout sujet de crainte que I'Espagne peut tirer des forces de ce Royaume; et les pro- messes du Comte de Lanark ra'avoient donne toute sorte de bonne esperance que Tordre qui avoit este fait pour arrester les levees ne nous apporteroit aucun prejudice, quand la revolution qui est arrivee en Angleterre a renouvelle mes apprehensions, car quelque suite que puisse avoir pour les Anglois un evenement si considerable, j'ay tout sujet de craindre que cela n'opporte de nouvelles difficultes aux levees
Eight lines of the letter that follow remain undeciphered.
166 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [JUNE
qui ne se faisoient deja que trop lentement, puisque les Ecossois ne desirent rien tant que de pouvoir faire entrer de nouvelles forces en Angleterre, car soit qu'ils y envoyent une armee, ou qu'ils se servant de ce pretexte pour maintenir et pour fortifier la leur, que ces peuples desirent fort de voir licencie'e, il y a grande apparence quMls empescheront nos levees pour pouvoir faire plus facilement celles dont ils croyent avoir besoin, mais quand mesme ils ne donneroient point de nouvel ordre pour les arrester, et qu'ils permettroient que celuy qu^'ils ont deja fait demeurast sans execution, nous aurons toujours beaucoup de peine a lever des hommes dorenavant, puisque I'esperance que Ton donne aux soldats de pouvoir retourner en Angleterre ou ils ont trouve la guerre accompagnee de beau- coup d'utilite et de douceur, les erapeschera de s'engager au service de Sa Majeste.
Au reste, Mg', j'ay fait s9avoir a V. Em'^^ et a M. le Tellier les raisons pour lesquelles j'ay ete oblige depuis mon retour d' Aberdeen de laisser toucher a M. le Comte d'Angus Targent qu'avant que partir j'^avois fait arrester de son consentement entre les mains de son marchand, dont la principale a ete que je ne le pouvois empescher de le toucher, et qu'ainsy cela Teut offense, sans que le service de Sa Majeste en eut re^u aucun avantage, et m^eut rendu en quelque fa^on responsable de ses longueurs en luy donnant lieu de se plaindre que Tarrest que j"'aurois fait des deniers Tauroit empesche d'accomplir sa pro- messe et de satisfaire a son obligation, outre que je voyois que quelque ordre qui ont ete donne pour arrester les dites levees, on ne laissoit pas de les continuer, bien qu'assez lentement.
Cependant, Mg', comme ces considerations m"'ont porte a ne pas insister que cet argent demeurast entre les mains du marchand, deux autres m'ont empesche de me mettre si tost en devoir de les retirer de celles de M. le Comte d'' Angus, et d'executer avec precipitation les ordres qu'il a pleu a V. Em*'^ me donner sur ce sujet. L'une que cela arresteroit tout court les levees; et Tautre que je n'ay point encore receu du Com- missaire le nombre precis des hommes qui ont passe, outre que j'ay creu que V. Em''® m'ayant envoye cet ordre sur celuy qui avoit este donne au Comite pour arrester les levees, qui ne nous a pas jusques icy empesche de les continuer et avant que
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 167
V. Em*'^ eut veu arriver deux vaisseaux qui sont partis il y a longtemps, et qui portent en France quelque 600 hommes j^ay creu que je ne devois rien faire jusques a ce que j'eusse veu ce qui se faisoit icy et que j''eusse aussy re9ue de V. Em*^® nouvel ordre touchant ce que je dois faire.
Le vaisseau qui devoit partir il y a huit jours n'est party que cette nuit. II porte encore quelque cent cinquante bons hommes, comme sont ceux qui ont este erabarques dans les deux demiers vaisseaux. Je verray si dans cette conjoncture je pourray tirer quelque profit de la lettre de cachet qui m'a este envoyee.
Le fort qui restoit encore a prendre a Kintyre s"'est rendu a David Leslay, et on me dit que la capitulation que ceux de dedans ont faite, a ete si religeusement observee, que de huit cents qui s'y sont trouves, y compris les femmes et les enfants, quatre cents ont ete massacres, contre la parole qui avoit ete donnee qu''on leur conserveroit a tous la vie. La consideration du service de S. M** Ta sauvee a cent hommes que le Marquis d'Argyle et David Leslay ont donnes a un capitaine de M. le Chev"" Moray. Le Baron de Sance, de la maison de Macdonald, qui commandoit dans la place a ete pendu, et comme la potence se trouva trop courte, en sorte que ses pieds touchoient a terra, il fut tue a coups de mousquet.
L'alarme qu''a cause ici ce qui vient d'arriver en Angleterre se peut difficilement exprimer. On a rappele tous ceux qui etoient a la campagne pour assister a un grand conseil qui se doit tenir aujourd'huy, et qui doit continuer jusqu"'a ce que les affaires soient etablies. Le Marquis d'Argyle et David Leslay ont ete aussi mandes. Le Comte de Lothian qui avoit ete envoye de Newcastle a Holmby par les Ecossois, avec le roy de la G"" B"", est arrive ici en poste, pour apporter les nouvelles de cet accident. On ne croit pas qu''il se prenne ici aucune resolution bien importante jusqu'a ce qu'on ait plus de lumiere de ce qui se passe en Angleterre. On croit que David Leslay ne quittera pas Parmee avec laquelle il fait etat de poursuivre Macdonald dans Tisle d'Yla, ou il s'est retire.
[MoNTEREUL to CARDINAL MAZARiN. Edinburgh, ^ June 1647. The defeat of Macdonald and the imprisonment of Lord Lewis, son of the Marquis of Huntly, had removed from me every reason to fear that
168 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [JUNE
Spain may obtain forces from this kingdom, and the promises of the Earl of Lanark had given me good reason to hope that the order to stop our recruiting might be got over, when the revolution that has happened in England has renewed my apprehensions. For whatever result such an important event may produce for the English, I have every reason to fear that it will bring new difficulties in the way of the levies, which were progressing already but too slowly, since the Scots wish nothing better than to enter with new forces into England ; for whether they send an army there, or make use of what has happened as a pretext for maintaining and strengthening their army, which the people wish them to disband, there is great likelihood that they will prevent our levies, so as to facili- tate those they believe they require for themselves ; but even were they not to give any new order to stop them, and permit the one they have already made to remain inoperative, we will always have much difficulty in raising men in future, since the hope it gives the soldiers of return- ing to England, where they have found war attended with much profit and ease, will prevent them from engaging in the service of his Majesty.
I have further informed you and M. le Tellier of the reasons for which I have been obliged, since my return from Aberdeen, to allow the Earl of Angus to receive the money that before leaving 1 had, with his con- sent, arrested in the hand of his merchant ; the principal reason being that I could not prevent him from receiving it, and that it would thus have oflfended him without any advantage arising therefrom for his Majesty's service and would have rendered me in some measure respon- sible for his delays in giving him cause to complain that the arrest I had put on the money had prevented him from doing what he had promised and fulfilling his obligation, besides I saw that although order had been given to stop the levies, they would be allowed to continue however slowly it might be.
Yet as these considerations led me not to insist on this money remain- ing in the hands of the merchant, two others prevented me from putting immediately into execution the orders you have given me on this subject to recover it from the Earl of Angus. One that it would at once put a stop to the levies, and the other that I have not yet received from the Commissioner the precise number of men that have passed. Besides I believed that you had sent me this order on that which had been given to the committee to stop the levies, which till the present time has not prevented us from continuing, them, and before you had seen the arrival of the two ships that left long ago, and that convey to France some six hundred men, so that I thought it better to do nothing before seeing what was about to happen here, and also until I had received a new order from you as to what I ought to do.
The ship that was to leave eight days ago has only left during this night. It carries also about a hundred and fifty good men, similar to those that have been sent by the two last ships. I shall see if at this conjuncture 1 can turn to any profitable account the letter under the king's seal that has been sent to me.
i647] BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE 169
The fort in Kintyre that still held out has been given up to David Leslie, and it is said the terms of the capitulation made by those who defended it have been so religiously kept that of eight hundred persons who were in itj including women and children, four hundred have been massacred, in spite of a promise given that all their lives would be spared. The consideration of his Majesty's service saved a hundred men that the Marquis of Argyle and David Leslie gave to one of Sir Robert Moray's captains. Baron Sance of the clan Macdonald who commanded the fortress was hanged, and as the gibbet was found to be too short so that his feet touched the ground, he was subsequently shot.
It is difficult to express the alarm caused here by recent events in Eng- land. All who were at the country have been summoned to attend a large council that is to be held to-day, and which is to continue per- manently until matters are settled. The Marquis of Argyle and David Leslie have also been summoned. The Earl of Lothian, who had been sent from Newcastle to Holmby by the Scots with the King of Great Britain, has arrived, travelling post to bring the news of this accident. It is not thought any important decision will be come to until one has more information of what is passing in England. It is believed that David Leslie will not leave the army with which he purposes to pursue Macdonald to the island of Isla where he has gone.]
CLVI BELLIEVRE 1 BRIENNE
A Londres, le ~ Juin 1647.
Monsieur, — Ceux qui trauaillent a raccommodement des deux partis contre le Roy d'Angleterre esperent maintenant ([u'ilz y reussiront, puisquMlz out jusques icy empesche la ville de Londres de s'opposer aux desseins de rarmee, de laquelle seule ilz apprehendoient et les hommes et Targent. Un message que le d. Roy a trouue moyen de faire aujourdhuy a la milice de cette ville, et en suitte aux deux maisons du parlement pour les conuier de ne pas soufFrir qu'il soit plus longtemps Prisonnier, pourroit bien donner du cceur a ces bourgeois, principalement s'ils se sentoient appuyez par la declaraon contre Tarmee en faueur du diet Roy, des Provinces voisines de cette ville, ainsy qui font a ce que portent les lettres, qui arriuent presentement quelques comtes du Sud et du West de cette isle. Nous trauaillons tousiours a nos fins. Le comte de Ladredel part cette nuit pour aller trouuer le Roy d'Angle- terre. Les gazettes portent Tordre des Maisons de faire
170 BELLliVRE TO BRIENNE [JUNE
venir a Richemont le Roy de la G. B., ensemble les declara- tions et pretentions de Tarmee. — Je suis, Monsieur, vostre, etc., etc., Bellieure.
Au dos. — M. de Bellieure, du 27® Juin l647, a Londres, receiie le 30® k Amyens.
[BELLiifcvRE to Brienne. Londoii, - June 1647.
Those who are engaged in trying to bring the two parties to an agree- ment against the King of England hope now that they will succeed in it since they have up to the present time prevented the City of London, which alone they feared because of its men and money, from opposing the designs of the army. A message which the king has found means to send to-day to the militia of this town and afterwards to the two Houses of Parliament, to invite them not to allow him to remain longer prisoner, might perhaps give courage to those citizens principally if they feel them- selves supported by the declaration against the army and in favour of the king from the counties adjoining this town, and some others that have been produced in the south and west of this island according to the letters received. We are still at work in carrying out our purpose. The Earl of Lauderdale leaves to-night to rejoin the King of England. . . .^ The Gazettes publish the order of the Houses to bring the King of Great Britain to Richmond, together with the declarations and pretensions of the army.]
CLVII
BELLIEVRE 1 BRIENNE
A Londres, le ^j^jf l647. Monsieur, — Celuy qui fait icy les affaires de milor digbi m'est venu trouuer de la part de son maistre et du marquis dormon pour me prier de contribuer mes offices a leur faire auoir prompte response a ce que le Sieur Talon vous aura propose de leur part. S'il y a quelque chose a leur faire sauoir, cet homme diet qu"'il a des voyes seures pour le faire au plustost. Je ne vous faits point de relation de ce qui se fait tant de la part du Roy d'Angleterre que de celle du parlement et de la ville pour faire qu'il approche d'icy, non plus que des responses equiuoques que Farmee faict sur ce subiect aussy peu de ce qui se passe chaque jour pour porter les choses a Pac- comodement ou pour les en destourner. Seulement vous diray-je
* Nine lines remain here undeciphered.
i647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 171
que 'fay tousiours grand subiect de craindre, Tunion presente des deux partis, que si nous pouuons empescher qu''elle se fasse auant que le diet roy soit a Richemont ou a Hamptoncour, ou Ton croit, auec asses d'apparence, qu'il pourra estre auant la fin de cette sepmaine, il se pourroit tenter encores de nouuelles voyes pour paruenir a nos fins. Les Independans qui croyent scauoir les affaires, tiennent pour constant que les presbiteriens ont un traicte auec la reyne d'Angleterre, en suitte duquel elle et le Prince de Galles doiuent sortir de France au premier jour. S'il s''est traitte par dela quelque chose de tel, vous le scaurez sans doutte, et me ferez Thonneur de me le faire scauoir. — Je suis, Monsieur, vostre, etc.,
Bellieure.
Au dos — M. de Bellieure, du premier Juillet 1647, receu le 4^
[BfiLLifevRE to Brienne. Loudon, " ^""^ 1647.
Lord Digby's agent has called upon me on the part of his master and the Marquis of Ormond to beg me to help tliem in obtaining a prompt reply to what M. Talon will have proposed to you on their part. ITiis man says that if there were anything to communicate to them he has a sure and a prompt means of doing it. I do not relate to you what is going on here as well on the part of the King of England as on that of the Parliament and the city, in order to bring the king nearer here, neither do I refer to the equivocal replies that the army makes on this subject, nor make much mention of what takes place here each day in order to bring matters to an an agreement, or on the contrary to prevent it. I shall merely tell you that I have still great reason to fear the present union of the two parties, which if we can prevent its being accomplished before the king reaches Richmond or Hampton Court, where it is thought with some likelihood he will be before the end of this week, we might still attempt some new means in order to attain our ends. The Independents, who think they know the state of affairs, consider it certain that the Presbyterians have a treaty with the Queen of England, in terms of which she and the Prince of Wales are to leave France on an early day. If anything of this nature is being treated of with you I shall doubtless be informed of it.]
CLVIII MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimbourg, 5gL 1647.
Il se ren contra si peu de personnes au grand Comite qui se tint Mardi dernier, et ceux qui y assistoient trouverent qu'ils
172 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [JULY
avoient si peu de lumiere de ce qui se passoit en Angleterre, qu'ils remirent jusqu'a ce jour a prendre leurs resolutions sur des affaires de tres grande importance pour ce royaume. lis sont actuellement assembles, et la principale chose qu'ils ont a resoudre est s'ils doivent envoyer une nouvelle armee en Angleterre; ce qu'ils jugent a propos de faire pour diverses considerations, dont les principales sont, qu'ils se sont trouves assez bien du premier voyage qu'ils ont fait, et qu'ils esperent par cette assistance qu'ils offriront aux Presbyteriens, les porter a s'opposer courageusement aux Independants, et faire naistre par ce moyen une nouvelle guerre chez leurs voisins, de laquelle ils esperent de tirer deux avantages considerables, I'un de desunir les Anglois, qui n'ayant plus rien a faire dans leur pays pourroient chercher de I'occupation chez les Ecossois auxquels ils ne peuvent vouloir beaucoup de bien, soit qu'ils agissent par les mouvements de cette inimitie mortelle qui a ete entre eux depuis tant d'arme'es, ou qu'ils considerent les raisons qu'ils ont de les hair depuis le temps mesme qu'ils ont fait avec eux une plus etroite amitie ; I'autre est d'empescher les Independants de s'emparer de I'autorite, ce qui arriveroit sans doute si les affaires se terminoient par un accommodement, qui ne se pent faire aujourd'huy que les Presbyteriens ne se sousmettent aux volontes de I'armee qui est Independante, apres quoy les Ecossois voyent la mine de leur religion in- evitable, et encore accompagnee de celle de leurs fortunes qu'ils consideront beaucoup davantage qu'ils ne font leur religion. Cependant, comme les Ecossois desirent toujours faire leurs affaires avec seurete, et qu'ils ont peur que durant qu'ils leverent en Ecosse pour les Presbyteriens ces derniers s'accordent en Angleterre avec les Independants, en sorte qu'ils auront montre leur mauvaise volonte sans en tirer aucun avantage, et irrite ceux qui auroient pouvoir de leur nuire.
II y a quelque sujet de croire qu'ils ne resoudront pas avec tant de precipitation de lever cette nouvelle armee, ce que je croy encore plus asseurement par I'envoy que fait le Due de Hamilton du sieur Robert Leslay vers le roy de la G' B', pour apprendre I'etat ou il se trouve presentement (car en effet il semble qu'ils n'en aient rien ici de bien asseure), et pour savoir s'il desire qu'on envoie une armee en Angleterre, et lui faire
i647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 173
connaistre comme il en pourroit tirer du service. Le dit Robert Leslay est parti cette nuit, et m'est venu dire de la part du Comte de Lanark une heure avant que monter a cheval ce que je me viens de donner Fhonneur d'escrire a V. Em*'^ II n"'est pas bien aise de juger si les Hamiltons veulent en efFet gagner du temps par la, et voir s*'ils pourront empescher qu'on ne leve sitost ici des nouvelles forces, qui etant commandees par ceux de la faction d'Argyle seroient toujours moins en leur disposition qu''en celle de leurs ennemis; ou si comme le Due de Hamilton est d'intellegence avec le Marquis d'Argyle dans toutes les choses ou il s"'agit de la mine du roy de la G' B' ils veulent persuadet ensemble a ce prince que cette armee qu'ils desirent mettre sur pied pour empescher son retablissement, agira seulement pour le bien de ses affaires, cherchant d'asseurer de toutes parts et de se conserver, en quelque maniere que les choses se peusseut changer. Mais, soit que le Due de Hamilton ait envie de retarder autant qu'il pourra la levee de ces nouvelles forces, ou de faire seulement que le dit roy se consente d'une chose qui est si prejudiciable a ses interests, cela empeschera beaucoup de tirer dorenavant les hommes d'ici pour aller en France. Cependant, quelques apparence qu'il y eut qu'on commenceroit par arrester les levees qui se font pour le service de S. M*^, M' le Comte de Lanark me vient de promettre que non seulement il empeschera que cette proposition vienne de la part de ses amis, mais qu'il dira encore ce que je jugeray a propos dans le Comite pour faire qu'elles continuent s'il arrive que quelqu^un de la faction d'Argyle propose de les faire cesser, et je dois le voir demain pour ce sujet.
Le dit Sieur Comte de Lanark s'*est un peu plus haste que je n'eusse desire sur celui de la lettre de Sa M*^ qu'il a pleu a V. Em*=® me faire envoyer, puisque j'eusse bien voulu avant que la rendre, recevoir les ordres de V. Em*'® touchant ma conduite depuis ce changement qui est arrive en Angleterre. Je tascheray toutefois a gaigner temps jusqu'a Tarrivee du premier ordinaire par lequel j'espere de recevoir les commandements de V. Em"®.
Au reste, Mg', j'ay appris de fort bonne part que Macdonald s'est retire de Tisle d'Yla, mais pour passer dans les montagnes d'Ecosse et s'aboucher avec le Marquis d'Huntley, et non
174 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [JULY
pas pour se retirer en Irlande, comme on avoit creu ; que Maclean, qui est de tres grande autorite parmi les siens, au lieu de Tavoir quitte, ainsy qu'il avoit este escrit, est en Baghinoth, avec sept ou huit cents hommes et que ce Pari* apprehende, avec beaucoup ne raison, que les nouvelles d'Angleterre ne remettent bientost le parti du roy de la G'' B' dans le Nord de ce royaume, ou il a este plustost dissipe que detruit. David Leslay cependant fait embarquer deux com- pagnies de Cavalerie et une bonne partie de son infanterie pour attaquer Tisle d'Yla ; mais la plus forte machine, dont il doit battre la place que Macdonald y a fait fortifier, est un autre Macdonald, cousin -ger main du Marquis d"' Antrim, qu"'il conduit avec luy, qui est une personne de merite et fort aimee de tous ceux de son nom, et qu'il fait etat de pendre devant le fort, sMl ne luy est rendu a la premiere sommation. Ce gentilhomme, a ce que m'a este dit deja, a este force d''escrire une lettre a celui qui commande dans ce fort pour luy donner avis qu"'il ne peut sauver sa vie sMl ne rend la place, mais il n''a pas voulu ny le prier ny luy donner mesme conseil de le faire.
[MoNTEREUL to CARDINAL Mazabin. Edinburgh, " y"]" 1647.
Theke were so few persons at the meeting of the Committee of Estates that was held on Tuesday last, and those who did attend found they had so little knowledge of what was passing in England, that they deferred until to-day to take their resolutions on matters of very great importance for this kingdom. The committee is sitting at present, and the principal matter they have to decide is if they ought to send a new army to England, which they judge proper to do on several grounds, of which the principal are that they found themselves tolerably well on the first journey they made there, and that they hope by this assistance they offer to the Pres- byterians to induce them to oppose courageously the Independents, to stir up by this means a new war among their neighbours, from which they hope to derive two important advantages : one, to divide the English, who having nothing to do in their own country, might seek employment among the Scots, to whom they do not wish much good, whether they act under the impulses of that mortal enmity that has existed between them during so many years, or consider the reasons they have to hate tliem since they have made a closer acquaintance with them ; the other is to prevent the Independents from seizing the authority, which would doubt- less happen were matters to finish by an agreement, which can only be come to at present by the Presbyterians submitting to the will of the army which is Independent, after which the Scots look upon the ruin of
i647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 175
their religion as inevitable, attended also by that of their fortunes, which they consider much more important than their religion. Yet as the Scots always like to be certain in what they do, they are afraid that while they effect a rising in Scotland in favour of the Presbjrterians these latter may agree in England with the Independents, so that they will have shown their ill-will, without deriving any advantage from it; and irritated those who will have the power to harm them.
There is some reason to believe that they will not decide with so much haste to raise this new army, which I believe to be still more certain by the despatch of Robert Leslie whom the Duke of Hamilton is sending to the King of Great Britain to learn from him how he is situated at present — for, in fact, it seems as if they know nothing hei*e with any certitude — and in order to know if he wish a new army to be sent to England and to let him know how he might derive assistance from it. Robert Leslie left to-night, and he came to tell me on the part of the Earl of Lanark, an hour before getting on horseback, what I have just written to you. It is not easy to judge whether the Hamiltons wish, in fact, to gain time yonder, or to see if they couid not prevent new forces from being raised here so soon, which, being commanded by the Argyle-factiou, would be always less at their disposal than at that of their enemies ; or whether if, the Duke of Hamilton being always in harmony with the Marquis of Argyle in everything that concerns the ruin of the King of Great Britain, they may not wish together to persuade this prince that this army which they seek to raise in order to prevent his re-establishment will only act for the good of his affairs, seeking thus to be assured on all hands and to provide for their own safety in whatever manner things may turn.
But whether it be that the Duke of Hamilton is inclined to put off as long as he can the raising of these new forces, or that he is only acting in order to satisfy the king on a matter that is so prejudicial to his interests, it will much prevent getting men from here in future to send to France. Yet whatever likelihood there was that they would begin by stopping the levies that are being made for the service of his Majesty, the Earl of Lanark has just promised me that he will not only prevent such a pro- posal from being brought forward on the part of his friends, but also that he will state what I judge proper in the Committee, in order that they be continued if any one of the Argyle faction propose to stop them, and I am to see him to-morrrow on this subject.
The Earl of Lanark has been more prompt than I could have wished on the subject of his Majesty's letter which you were to send to me, seeing I should have liked very much before delivering it to receive your orders regarding the conduct I ought to observe since this change that has taken place in England. I shall try, however, to gain time until the arrival of the next mail, by which I hope to receive your orders.
I have learned from a very reliable source that Macdonald has left the island of Isla to penetrate into the Scottish Highlands and have an interview with the Marquis of Huntly and not to retire to Ireland as was believed ; that Maclean, who is a very great authority among his own people,
176 BELLIEVRE TO BRIENNE [JULY
instead of having left him, as it had been reported, is in Badenoch with seven or eight hundred men, so that Parliament fears, with reason, that the news from England may soon revive the king's party in the north of this kingdom, where it was rather dispersed than destroyed. David Leslie, however, is embarking two companies of cavalry and a large portion of his infantry iA order to attack the island of Isla ; but the most powerful engine with which he is to beat down the fortress which Macdonald has raised there, is another Macdonald, cousin-german to the Marquis of Antrim, whom he is taking with him, who is a person of merit and much liked by all those of his name, and whom he intends to hang before the fortress if it be not surrendered at the first summons. This gentleman has, I am told, already been obliged to write a letter to the person who commands the fort, in order to inform him that he (the writer) would lose his life if he did not surrender, but that he would neither beg him nor advise him to do so.]
CLIX BELLI^VRE 1 BRIENNE
A Londres, le fji^j^'^Q^l- Monsieur, — Nous auons juge que le Roy d'Ang'® estant a Londres ou ez enuirons, nous pourrions remettre les affaires en quelque balance, et auec le temps les porter au point que nous deuons souhaitter pour cet effect auec beaucoup de patience et d'adresse. L'on auoit fait en sorte que les deux maisons ordonnassent que le d. Roy seroit prie de venir a Richemont si Tarmee Ty conduisoit ; nous auons ce que nous pretendons que si elle eust refuse d'obeir aux ordres du Parlement, Tarmee que commande au Nort le general Pointz, assistee des leuees que Ton tient prestes dans les prouinces aussy bien que dans cette ville marchoit contre celle de ferfax, laquelle sest heureuse- ment pour elle demeslee de ce mauuaise pas sur une declaration qu"'elle a enuoye ce matin au Parlement. II a este cet apres midi resolu en la chambre des Seigneurs ce qui sera encore aujourd'^huy confirme dans celle des Communs, qui sans s'ar- rester a ce qui auoit este ordonne au dernier jour le d. Roy n'aduanceroit point vers cette ville cependant sur ces premiers ordres, et sur une lettre que le d. Roy recent auant hier des deux Maisons, qui le prioient de venir a Richemont, il aura aujourd'huy marche, et Ton croit qu'il est a Roesthon, a trente mille d'icy, ou s'il ne re9oit une lettre pour le prier de retoumer
i647] BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE 177
sur quoy Ton delibere presentement, au moins les commissaires qui sont pres de luy et les troupes qui le conduisent receuront icy Tordre auant le leuer du d. Roy pour le ramener a Nieu- marquet. Ce qui s"'est faict aujourd'huy en cette affaire renuerse beaucoup de choses sur lesquelles nous trauaillons depuis longtemps. Les seigneurs ont faict cognoistre leur faiblesse ou plus tost leur abbatement par une infinite de circonstances, dont le recit ne vous pourroit estre qu'^ennuyeux. II est a craindre que Tarraee et ses amis prenant tout le pouuoir, le d. Roy et le Royaume demeurent a leur discretion. Je continueray a faire ce que deppendra de moy pour preuenir beaucoup de mauuais rencontres, et n"'obmettray rien de ce que je pourray faire pour y remedier. Le Roy d*'Ang'® me mande qu'il a appris que Endimion Porter, un de ses valets de chambre, est arreste a Dunquerque. II me prie d"'en escrire pour obtenir sa liberte. II s^asseure qu'il ne s''est point mesle d''affaires contre le seruice de la France. Je croy quMl en escrit a la Reyne d'Ang*^^ dans une longue lettre que j'enuoye au S' du Rose pour luy faire tenir. II arriue presentement une lettre de Tarmee a la maison des Communs qui Tintimide a un tel point que les Principaux des ennemis de la d. armee pourroient bien se retirer des cette nuict et ne se pas tenir en seurete dans ce Royaume. — Je suis, Monsieur, vostre, etc.,
Bellieure.
[Bellievbe to Bbienne. London, ^\Z'^y 1647.
We have judged that if the King of England were in London or in the neighbourhood, we might be able to restore matters into some sort of equilibrium, and in time with much patience and tact bring them to the point that we should wish for that purpose. It had been arranged that the two Houses should issue a decree begging the king to come to Rich- mond, if the army conducted him there. We learn from what is reported that had it refused to obey the orders of Parliament, the army, commanded by General Pointz in the North, aided by the levies that were kept ready in the provinces, as well as those in this town, were to have marched against that of Fairfax, which has luckily for itself got out of the diffi- culty by a declaration that it sent to Parliament this morning. It was decided this afternoon in the House of Lords and will be also confirmed to-day in that of the Commons, that without paying heed to what was ordered the other day, the king should, notwithstanding these first orders, not advance towards this town, and that if he had already set
VOL. IT. M
178 BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE [JULY
out on the previous order in terms of a letter he received from both Houses the day before yesterday begging him to come to Richmond- he is believed to be at Royston, thirty miles from here— at which place if he do not receive a letter begging him to return, which is now under discussion, the Commissioners who are with him and the troops who are conducting him will, at least, receive the order before the hour of the king's getting up, to conduct him to Newmarket. What has been done to-day in this matter overturns many things on which we have been labouring for a long time. The Lords have shown their weakness, or rather their dejection, by an infinity of circumstances, the recital of which would only weary you. It is to be feared that the army and its friends in taking all the power, both the king and the kingdom remain at their discretion. I shall continue to do what depends on me in order to prevent many bad encounters, and I shall omit nothing I can do in order to remedy them. The King of England informs me of his having learned that one of his valets de chambre, Endymion Porter, has been arrested at Dunkirk. He begs me to write so as to obtain his liberty. He is certain that his valet has not been mixed up in any matter contrary to the service of France. I believe he has written of it to the Queen of England in a long letter that I send to M. du Bosc to have it delivered to her. A letter has just arrived from the army to the House of Commons, which intimidates it to such a degree that the principal enemies of the army may very well withdraw from to-night and no longer consider themselves in safety in this kingdom.]
CLX
BELLIEVRE A BRIENNE
A Londres, le 'gffl/ 1^47.
Monsieur, — Par ce que je me donnay Phonneur de vous escrire au dernier jour, je vous fis cognoistre le mauuais estat auquel se trouuent icy les affaires et Tespouaante que donnoit aux principaux des presbiteriens une lettre qui arrivoit de Tarmee. EUe a faict qu'ilz se sont retires du Parlement, et ainsy que les Independantz et rarmee, dont les Interestz sont unis jusques a present, sont tout puissantz dans ce Royaume. Le Roy d''Ang- leterre, dont je receus hier des nouuelles, cognoist bien a quel point cela luy est prejudiciable, mais il est difficile d'y apporter des remedes aussy promptement qu'il seroit necessaire. Ceux qui peuuent venir par le moyen des Escossois sont un peu lentz, et ont encore este trauersez par les hp-miltons, lesquelz, outre Tinclination qu'ilz ont de faire une infidelite a qui que ce
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 179
soit, et principalement a leur Roy et a leur pays, ont encore cette faible imagination de pouuoir paruenir a la Royaute d''Escosse si leur Roy estoit declare incapable de demeurer en Angleterre, a quoy ilz ne pourroient pretendre si le d. Roy n''estoit restably. Quant a moi, je tente touttes les voyes que je puis pour porter les choses au point que desire le d. Roy. — Je suis, Monsieur, vostre, etc., Bellieure.
Au dos — M. de Bellieure, du 8 Juillet 1647, receu le 12^ du d. mois a Amiens.
[Bellievre to Brienne. London, 'ly","' 1647.
From what I wrote to you the other day I informed you of the bad state in which matters are here, and the terror caused to the principal Presby- terians by a letter that had come from the army. It has resulted in their withdrawal from Parliament, and thus the Independents and the army, whose interests are united at present, are all-powerful in this kingdom. The King of England, from whom I had news yesterday, knows well to what extent this is prejudicial to him, but it is difficult to procure remedies as promptly as it would be necessary. Those that might be had by means of the Scots are somewhat slow, and have also been thwarted by the Hamiltous, who besides their disposition to commit a treason against some one, and princijjally against their king and their country, have also the weak fancy of being able to attain to the Crown of Scot- land, if their king were declared incapable of remaining in England to which they would not pretend were the king restored. For my part 1 try by every means I can to bring things round to the point the king would wish.]
CLXI
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimbourg, 'Y/Zl;t 1^*7.
Le dernier ordinaire m'a rendu celles que V. Em''® m'a fait rhonneur de m'ecrire du 15 et du 22 du mois passe, qui estoient seulement sur le sujet des levees. Elle aura peu voir par celle que j'ecrivis il y a huit jours a M. le Tellier, de laquelle j'ai pris la hardiesse de lui envoyer une copie, les raisons pour lesquelles je n'avois pas presse M. le Comte d' Angus de rendre ce qu'il avoit receu d'argent par dessus le nombre d'hommes qu'il a en voyes, et j'espere que V. Em*^® me fera Thonneur de Tapprouver puisqu"'elle me commande de faire continuer les levees que j'aurois peu retarder si j'en avoie use autrement.
180 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [JULY
Mais, Monseigneur, comme M. le Chevalier Moray a presque fait les douze cents hommes pour lesquels il a receu de Targent, et qu'il m'a dit qu'il pourroit faire quelque chose de plus si je luy en faisois toucher davantage, j'ay propose a M. le Comte d' Angus de luy vouloir remettre entre les mains deux ou trois mil ecus des six derniers qu'il a receus et sur lesquels il n'a pas leve un seul homme, ce que j'ay fait d'autant plus volontiers qu'il m'a semble que le sieur Comte d'Angus feroit plus aise- ment trois cents hommes que six cents, mais je n'ay peu le porter a m'accorder une chose si juste et si raisonable, bien que je luy aye represente le double prejudice qu'il faisoit en la refusant, au service de la Maj'*, puisque non seulement il n'avoit pas fait le nombre d"'hommes qu'il avoit promis, mais qu'il ostoit encore a un autre les moyens de le faire.
Cependant, Mg', je doute fort que bien que ces six mil ecus fussent divises entre le dit S' Comte et le S' Chev' Moray il leur fut possible d'avoir fait ce petit nombre bien promptement, car bien que les Presbyteriens Anglois n'ayent ni demande ici du secours, ni remercie mesme le Comte de Lauderdale de celui qu'il s'est haste d''offrir a Londres, qu'il soit difficile aux Ecossois de lever des hommes en leur royaume sans Targent des Anglais, et encore plus difficile de les faire passer en Angleterre avec quelque succes apres les ordres que le General Fairfax a donne aux provinces voisines d'Ecosse d''avoir Toeil sur ce qui se fait ici, on ne laisse pas de croire que les Ministres qui sont assembles aujourd'huy demanderont qu'on leve de nouvelles forces dans ce royaume, ce qu"'on s'imagine que les personnes plus sages et plus moderees auront assez de peine d'empescher, et ce qui rendra sans doute les levees plus lentes, ainsi que je me suis donne I'honneur de Tecrire auparavant a V. Em'^^
Le Comite ne fit pas davantage Mardi dernier qu'il avoit fait huit jours auparavant. On y considera encore Toffre du Comte de Lauderdale au Pari* d'Angleterre au nom de celui d'Ecosse et Ton trouve, comme la premiere fois, qu'il eut peu ne se pas tant haster, comme il avoit fait, et qu''il avoit pris luy seul autant d'autorite que tout ce Pari* ensemble en pouvoit avoir. On escrivit aussi aux deputes qui sont a Londres de depescher ici k toutes les occasions, et Ton remit a Jeudi pro-
i647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 181
chain a resoudre si on leverait de nouvelles forces ^n ce royaume parce que Ton crut qu'on pourroit estre asseure avant ce temps de ce qui se passeroit en Angleterre, et qu''on prendroit de meilleurs mesures apres cela touchant ce qui se doit faire ici, mais on doute encore qu'on y doive prendre une resolution derniere. Ou croit que Tinterest qu"'a le Marquis d'Argyle a la poursuite des gens de Macdonald ne luy permettra pas d'assister a ce Comite, et que celui qu"'a le Due de Hamilton de ne point s'entremettre d''affairs qui peuvent estre douteuses, le fera demeurer encore pour quelque temps a la Campagne. Ce Due a envoye le sieur Robert Car [Kerr] au roy de la G' B' deux jours apres le sieur Robert Leslay, plustost pour sea voir Tetat ou il est que pour luy donner les moyens de se mettre en un meilleur, car quelque bruit qu'il fasse courir parmy ceux qui sont attaches aux interests de leur roy, et quoiqu"'il se dise qu'il veut se declarer pour son service, je n''y vois jusqu'ici aucune apparence, et cela me fait craindre que le danger qui menace le dit Due et le Marquis d''Argyle avec luy, les ait encore remis, et les oblige de continuer une feinte qui a este si prejudiciable au dit roy et qui toute vieille et toute decriee qu'elle est, ne laisse pas encore d"'abuser beaucoup de personnes. Cependant, Mg*", j'ose dire a V. Em'=® que si le Due de Hamilton publie parmy les serviteurs du dit roy qu'il se veut declarer pour luy quand il sera temps, pour les empescher de le faire, il se met en peine avec bien peu de sujet, puisque je n'en vois point ici qu'en ayent le pouvoir, et bien peu mesme qui en ayent la volonte, et je croy que tout le bien que les Ecossois peuvent faire au dit roy est de ne se pas entremettre de ses affaires, et que ce prince ne court pas de plus grand danger que quand il laisse approcher de luy un Ecossois.
[MoNTEBEUL to CARDINAL Mazarin. Edinburgh, jy^' 1647.
The last mail brought me your letters of the 15th and 22nd ult., that were only on the subject of the levies. You will have been able to see by the one I wrote eight days ago to M. le Tellier, of which I sent you a copy, the reasons that had led me not to press the Earl of Angus to return the money he had received over and above the number of men he has sent, and I hope you will approve what I have done, since you order me to continue the levies which I would have delayed had I acted diflFerently.
But as Sir Robert Moray has almost raised the twelve hundred men
182 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [JULY
for which he received the money, and as he tells me that he would do something more if he received more money, I proposed to the Earl of Angus to deliver to Sir Robert two or three thousand crowns of the six last that he has received and on which he has not raised a single man, which I did all the more readily that it seemed to me that the Earl of Angus would raise three hundred men more easily than six hundred, but 1 was unable to induce him to grant me a matter so just and reasonable, although I pointed out to him the double harm he was doing to his Majesty's service by his refusal, he having not only failed to raise the number of men he had promised, but also deprived another of the means of doing so.
Yet, 1 doubt much that even if these six thousand crowns were divided between the Earl and Sir Robert Moray it would be possible to have this small number of men very promptly, for although the English Presbyterians have neither asked for any assistance here, nor even thanked the Earl of Lauderdale for what he was in haste to offer" to them in London, it will be difficult for the Scots to raise men in their kingdom, without the money of the English, and still more difficult to get them passed successfully into England, after the orders that General Fairfax has given to the countries on the Scottish border to have their attention directed to what goes on here, yet it is believed the clergy, that are to meet to-day, will demand that new forces be raised in this kingdom, which it is fancied wiser and more moderate persons will have considerable trouble to pre- vent, and which will doubtless render the levies more backward, as I have previously informed you.
The Committee did nothing more on Tuesday last than it had done eight days previously. The oflfer made by the Earl of Lauderdale to the English Parliament, in the name of that of Scotland, was considered, as on the first occasion it was mentioned, to have been done in too great haste, and it was thought that in making it he had taken as much authority on himself as all the Parliament together might possess. The Scottish Commissioners in London were told to send special messengers with information here on every occasion that called for it ; and the question of raising new forces in this kingdom was postponed till Thurs- day next, because they believed that by that time they would be assured of what is passing in England, after which the best measures would be taken regarding what ought to be done hei-e, but it is still doubted that they will then take a final resolution. It is thought that the interest the Marquis of Argyle has in the pursuit of Macdonald's people will pre- vent his attendance at the Committee, and the interest the Duke of Hamilton has not to mix himself up in matters that may be doubtful will cause him to remain yet for some time at the country. The duke sent Mr. Robert Car [Kerr] to the King of Great Britain, two days after the departure of Robert Leslie, to learn rather in what condition the king was than to propose any means of bettering it ; for whatever rumours circulate here, among those attached to their king, and although it is said the duke wishes to declare for the king's service, up till the present time I see no appearance of it, and this makes me to fear that the danger
i647] BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE 18S
which threatens both the duke, and the Marquis of Argyle, may have again united them and oblige them to keep up a sham disagreement, that has been so hurtful to the king, and which, worn out and decried as it is, still continues to impose on many persons.
Yet I venture to say that if the Duke of Hamilton says among the king's followers that he wishes to declare for him, at the proper time, in order to prevent them from doing so, he takes trouble for very little purpose, since I see no one here who has the power and very few even who have the will to do so, and 1 believe all the good the Scots can do for their king is not to meddle with his affairs, and that this prince runs no greater danger than when he allows a Scotsman to approach him. ]
CLXII BELLIEVRE A BRIENNE
A Londres, le ~ Juillet 1647.
' II
Monsieur, — Je croy que je vous pourray faire scauoir lundy s'il y a quelque chose de vray en ce que Ton vous a dit de Moet et de Rotze. Ce sont deux signalez yuroignes a qui personne de bon sens ne voudroit confier quelque affaire que ce pent estre. Les marchandz suedois qui auoient faict donner la qualite du Resident au dit Moet luy ont faict reuoquer. II y a trois mois qu'il a receu les ordres de s''en retourner quMl n''execute pas sous pretexte quMl ne peut faire assembler un commite pour prendre son conge, et en effect, pour tirer tousjours des marchandz les appointements qu*'ilz luy ont promis tant qu'il demeurera icy. Rotze a de tout temps tesmoigne auoir une grande inclination pour TEspagne, mais il n'a point encore eu le pouuoir de la seruir. La cognoissance que j'ay de ces personnes m'asseure quasy qu'il n'y aura rien de considerable fait par leur Ministere, et si j"'auois sceu par qui vous aues eu Taduis que vous me donnez peutestre desmes- lerois-ie quelque fourbe qui autrement pourra demeurer in- connue. Les affaires de ce pays sont au mesme estat que ie me suis donne Thonneur de vous escrire par mes precedentes. L'armee et le Parlement sont unis, quoy qu'ilz veuillent faire croire le contraire. L'on trauaille autant qu'il se peut a les desunir en effect et a former un parti qui puisse porter les Interetz du . . .
Le Roy de la G. B. doit coucher ce soir a Windzors. — Je suis. Monsieur, vostre, etc., Bellieure.
Ati dos — M. de Bellieure, du 11 Juillet l647, receu le 15.
184 BELLli:VRE TO BRIENNE [JULY
[Bellievbe to Bbienne. London, ^ July 1647.
I BELIEVE I shall be able to let you know on Monday if there be any- thing true in what you have been told about Moet and Rotze. They are both notorious drunkards, to whom no sensible person would intrust any affair whatever. The Swedish merchants who had given the title of Resident to Moet have revoked it. He received three months ago orders to return home, but he has not executed them, under pretext that he cannot have a committee meeting convened in order to get his discharge, and he in fact continues to draw the salary the merchants had promised him so long as he remained here. Rotze has always manifested a strong inclination for Spain, but he has never yet had the power to serve that country. The knowledge I have of these persons assures me, so to speak, that nothing important will be done by their means, and if I knew from whom you had received the information perhaps I should be able to discover a knave who will otherwise remain unknown. The affairs of this country are in the same condition which I described to you in my former letters. The army and the Parliament are united, although they wish to make people believe the contrary. One is still engaged in trying as much as possible to separate them in fact, and to form a party that can represent the interests of the . . .
The King of Great Britain is to sleep at Windsor to-night.]
CLXIII
BELLIlfeVRE A BRIENNE
A Lojidres, le f- Juillet l647. Monsieur, — L'irresolution du Roy d'Ang*"^ et de ceux qui trauaillent icy en ses affaires me faict juger apropos de Taller trouuer, pour aprez Tauoir entretenu et les Principaux de Tarmee, prendre les resolutions de la conduitte que j''auray a tenir icy a present a Fesgard de ce qui sera a faire [tant] pour le d. Roy que pour les interestz de la France. Je feray ce voyage aussy tost qu'il me sera possible. L'on trauaille a mettre les anciennes propositions en estat de les renuoyer au dit Roy. Moet, par Tentremise de Rotze, a veu TAmbas- sadeur d'Espagne, et luy a propose de destacher les Suedois de Talliance de France pour les unir auec TEspagne. KAm- bassadeur a loue son dessein, mais a trouue fort estrange qu'une proposion de cette importance n'ait eii pour fonde- ment que la pensee que celuy qui la fait a d'en communiquer au chancelier de Suede lorsqu'il y sera retourne. Si Taduis
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 185
a este donne par une personne que ie m^imagine, et qui est grand camarade de Moet et de Rotze, il n^est pas impossible quMl leur ayt fait faire cette proposition pour auoir lieu de se rendre considerable en la descouurant. Et de quelque fa^on que soit TafFaire, elle ne pent estre de consideration entre les mains de Moet ni de Cardenas, amb' d"'Espagne. — Je suis, Monsieur, vostre, etc., Bellieure.
Au dos — M. de Bellieure, du 15^ Juillet 1647, receu le 19* du d. mois k Amiens.
[Beijjevre to Brienne. London, ^ July 1647.
The irresolution of the King of England and of those who are engaged here in his affairs has led me to decide on going to see him, in order that after having conversed with him and with the leaders of the army, I may decide on the course of conduct I shall have to maintain here at present, both as regards what there will be to do for the king and for the interests of France. I shall make this journey as soon as possible. The old proposals are being put into shape so that they may be sent to the king. Moet, through the agency of Rotze, saw the Spanish ambassador and proposed to him to detach the Swedes from their alliance with France so as to unite them with Spain. The ambassador praised his design, but found it strange that a proposal of such import- ance had no other foundation than the thought of the person who made it of communicating it to the Chancellor of Sweden when he might be hack there. If the notice has been given by a person whom I imagine and who is a great comrade of Moet and of Rotze, it is not impossible that he may have had this proposal made to them to have an order to have an opportunity of making himself important by disclosing it. And, how- ever it may be, the matter is not worth consideration in the hands of Moet or of Cardenas, the Spanish ambassador.]
CLXIV
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimbourg, ^ Juillet l647.
L'assemblee de TEglise se tint ici Mardi f-|^<, dans laquelle, ainsy qu'on Tavoit preveu, les Ministres arresterent de faire une remonstrance au Comite du danger ou se trouvoit en ce royaume, non seuleraent la religion, mais encore le gouverne- ment civil, par ce qui venoit d''arriver en Angleterre, et de prier ceux qui composent le Comite de ne se contenter pas de prendre une affaire de cette importance en leur consideration.
186 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [JULY
mais encore de se vouloir servir promptement des expedient les plus propres, pour tirer, tant TEtat que la religion, du danger qui les menacoient. lis arresterent en suite que cette remonstrance seroit lue dans leurs eglises, afin d'insinuer aux peuples par ce moyen Tobligation qu'ils avoient de contribuer a une chose oii I'interest de leur religion se trouvoit joint a celui de leurs fortunes.
Cette remonstrance fut presentee le Jeudi suivant au Comite, et comme ceux du parti d'Argyle tascherent de faire prendre quelque resolution sur les ajEFaires, et de faire arrester qu'on se mettroit au moins en posture de se defendre, les Hamiltons representerent quMls ne voyoient point, ou que les Presbyteriens Anglois les invitassent a prendre les armes, ou que leur roy leur demandast du secours, ou que le Pari* d'Angleterre, qui avoit plus d 'interest qu'eux en cette affaire se met en etat de s'opposer aux intentions de Tarmee ; et quMl sembloit qu''on pent difficilement prendre de bonnes resolutions sur des affaires dont on ne connaissoit pas encore les suites. Ceux du parti d'Argyle desirerent encore deux choses ; Tune, que ceux du Comite qui s"'etoient rendus a Edimbourg n''en puissent partir jusqu''a ce qu'ils eussent este pleinement informes des affaires ; et Tautre que la remonstrance des Ministres fut imprimee et lue le Dimanche suivant dans les eglises, mais ils ne peurent emporter ni Tun ni Tautre. On arresta seulement, que ceux qui etoient ici ne s'en eloigneroient pas, de telle sorte qu'ils ne s'y puissent rendre quatre jours apres qu'on leur auroit ordonne d'y retourner.
Si Ton pouvoit etablir quelque fondement sur les paroles, et mesrae sur les actions des Hamiltons, ce procede, et ce que m'a dit le Due, que j'ay visite depuis son arrivee, me donneroit sujet de croire que comme il voit que Ton ne pent lever ici de nouvelles forces qui ne soient commandees par des personnes dependantes du Marquis d'Argyle, il a resolu de s'y opposer et n'a propose de scavoir ce qui se passe en Angleterre, et d'ap- prendre les intentions du roy de la G' B' sur le sujet de cette levee avant que la faire, que pour retarder, autant qu'il pourroit, I'execution d'une chose qu'il n'eut pas eu peutestre d'abord le pouvoir d'empescher s'il s'y fut oppose ouvertement.
II se pourroit faire encore, que comme le Marquis d'Argyle se
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 187
maintient, et ici et en Angleterre, par la faction Presbyterienne, le Due de Hamilton essayeroit de s'attacher a eelle des Inde- pendants, et qu'il ne voudroit pas seulement les obliger en empeschants les levees que Ton propose de faire contre eux, mais encore prendre son temps pour perdre, s''il estoit possible, le Marquis d'Argyle en laissant detruire la religion et ruiner les Ministres qui le maintiennent et tascher en suite de s'emparer seul de toute Tautorite. Je ne scay si les affaires de son maistre s''en porteroient mieux pour cela, et ce qui etabliroit en Ecosse le Due de Hamilton aideroit a y retablir le roy de la G"" B"", mais ce que je puis dire asseurement est, que tous les amis du Marquis d'Argyle se trouvent extremement abattus, et que je ne m'etois pas tout a fait trompe quand je me suis donne rhonneur d'ecrire a V. Em^® qu''ils taschoient de faire venir le Prince de Galles en ce royaume, ce que le Chev"" Moray m''a propose aujourdhuy tres serieusement comme la seule chose qui pourroit remettre presentement leurs affaires, avec Tassis- tance de deniers qu'ils pourroient recevoir de la France, dont il m'a dit qu'il me vouloit parler plus a loisir. J'eusse bien voulu que ce besoin que croit avoir le Marquis d''Argyle de la France pour le maintenir, Teut porte a faire quelque chose a Pa vantage du service de S. M*^ dans les levees, et qu'il eut voulu envoy er cinq ou six cents de ses sujets, ainsy que le Chev"" Moray et moy luy avions propose pour son propre bien, mais outre qu'il en a fait pendre encore un grand nombre depuis quelques jours, il a ecrit au dit Chev' quMl ne luy etoit pas possible de faire ce que nous avions desire de luy.
J'ay difJ'ere jusqu'a present de rendre la lettre de cachet qail avoit pleu a V. Em*^® me faire envoyer parce que je croyois recevoir par cet ordinaire quelque nouvel ordre touchant ma conduite, sur ce qui vient d'arriver en Angleterre, mais comme il y a deja quinze jours que le Chancelier d'Ecosse et M' le Comte de Lanark ont este ordonnes par le Conseil d'Etat pour la recevoir, j'apprehende que je ne puisse pas encore longtemps deferer a la rendre.
Je ne feray pas, toutefois, de difficulte da la leur delivrer dorenavant, si j'en suis encore presse, parce que ni les termes dans lesquels elle est escrite, ni la maniere dans laquelle je la rends, ni la subscription mesme que j'ay mise, ne font pas
188 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [JULY
qu'elle puisse estre d'aucune consequence, puisqu'elle ne dit rien de particulier, — que je ne la rends qu'a deux deputes, — et qu'elle s'adresse au Conseil d'Etat du roy de la G"" B'. En quoy je suis oblige de me louer des offices du Comte de Lanark qui n'a pas seulement mesnage tout ceci fort adroitement pour moi, mais qui m'a encore donne moyen de gagner tout ce temps sans estre oblige de la rendre.
Cependant, Mg*', jusqu'a ce que j'ay ordre de parler sur le sujet des affaires presentes, je ne leur en diray quoi que se soit, etant bien aise de suivre leur exemple en la seule chose ou je croy les pouvoir imiter honnestement, cependant je me suis contente de leur entendre regretter continuellement la faute quMls ont faite en rendant leur roy aux Anglois, sans la leur avoir reprochee. Je leur ay dit seulement que quelque etroit attachement qu'ils eussent essaye d^'avoir avec TAngleterre, sans se soucier que fort peu de la France, ils avoient eu lieu de reconnaistre que les anciens amis etoient toujours les meilleurs.
Le sieur Robert Carre [Kerr], un de ceux que le Due de Hamilton avoit envoye au roy de la G' B*", est de retour, mais je ne Pay peu voir encore.
[MoNTEREUL to CARDINAL Mazarin. Edinburgh, ^ July 1647.
The General Assembly of the church was held here on Tuesday, ??~~, in which, as had been foreseen, the clergy decided to make a remonstrance to the committee concerning the danger in which not only religion but civil government were placed in this kingdom, through what has just taken place in England, and to beg those forming the committee not to remain satisfied with merely taking a matter of this importance into their consideration, but to have prompt recourse to the most appropriate means for protecting both the state and religion from the dangers that threaten them. They decided afterwards that this remonstrance should be read in all their churches so as thus to insinuate among the people the obligation that rested on them to contribute towards a matter wherein the interest of their religion was joined to that of their fortunes.
This remonstrance was presented to the committee the following Thursday, and as those of the Argyle party tried to bring forward some resolution on the affairs and to decide that they should at least take up a position of self-defence, the Hamiltons pointed out that they did not see either that the English Presbyterians invited them to take arms, or that their king asked assistance from them, or that the English Parlia-
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 189
meutj that had more interest than they in this affair, was taking a position to oppose the intentions of the army, and that it seemed difficult to take good resolutions on matters of which they did not yet know the results. Those of the Argyle party proposed also two things : one, that those of the committee who had come to Edinburgh should not be allowed to leave it until they were fully informed of the affairs, and the other that the remonstrance of the clergy be printed and read the Sunday following in the churches ; but they were unable to carry either motion, it was merely decided that those of the committee who were here should not go away to a greater distance than thai they might be able to return, if required, on four days' notice.
If it were possible to place any reliance on the words and even on the action of the Hamiltons, this proceeding, together with what the duke, whom I have visited since his return, told me, would give me reason to believe that as he sees one cannot raise new forces here, but such as would be commanded by persons depending on the Marquis of Argyle he has decided to oppose it, and that he has proposed to learn what was passing in England, and to know the intentions of the King of Great Britain on the subject of this rising before doing it, in order to delay as much as he could the carrying out of a matter which he might not perhaps ha\e had the power to prevent had he opposed it more openly.
It may also be that as the Marquis of Argyle maintains himself both here and in England by the help of the Presbyterian faction, the Duke of Hamilton may try to attach himself to that of the Independents, and that he should like not only to oblige them by preventing the levies that it is proposed to make to oppose to them, but also to take his time in order if possible to ruin the Marquis of Argyle by allowing religion to be destroyed and the clergy ruined who support him, so as to try after- wards and seize upon the only authority for himself. I do not know if the affairs of his master would profit much thereby, and if what would aid in establishing the Duke of Hamilton in Scotland would aid in establish- ing there the King of Great Britain ; but what I can say assuredly is that all the friends of the Marquis of Argyle are extremely discouraged, and that I was not altogether mistaken when I wrote to you that they were trying to bring the Prince of Wales into this kingdom, which Sir Robert Moray proposed to me quite seriously to-day, as the only thing that could settle their affairs at present with the help of the money they might be able to obtain from France, of which he said he wished to speak to me more at leisure. I should have much wished this want, which the Marquis of Argyle believes he has of France, in order to support him, had induced him to do something for the benefit of his Majesty's service in the levies, and that he had wished to send five or six hundred of his vassals as Sir Robert Moray and I had proposed to him for his own interest, but although he has caused a great number of them to be hanged within the last few days, he has written to Sir Robert that it was not possible for him to do what we had wished of him.
I have delayed till now to deliver the letter with the king's signet
190 P. BELLIjfeVRE TO BRIENNE [JULY
which you sent to me, because I expected by this mail some new order concerning my conduct in connection with what has just happened in England, but as it is already a fortnight since the Chancellor of Scotland and the Earl of Lanark were appointed by the Council of State to receive it, I fear I cannot delay it much longer. I shall not, however, raise any objection about delivering it in future, if I be again urged to do so, because neither the terms in which it is written, nor the manner in which I present it, nor the address even that I have put on it, can render it of any importance, since it states nothing particular, that I but present it to two persons deputed to receive it and that it is addressed to the Council of State of the King of Great Britain. In this I am obliged to commend the good offices of the Earl of Lanark who has managed all this matter very dexterously for me, and has also made me gain all this time without my being obliged to deliver it.
Yet, until I have order to speak on the subject of present affairs, I shall tell them nothing whatever, being very glad to follow their example, in the only matter in which I believe I can in honesty imitate them, yet I am satisfied in hearing continually their expressions of regret, for the error they made in delivering their king to the English, without my having reproached them with it. I have only told them that what- ever close intimacy that they may have tried to cultivate with England, without being much concerned about France, they have had reason to learn that old friends were always the best.
Mr. Robert Car [Kerr], one of those whom the Duke of Hamilton had sent to the King of Great Britain, has returned, but I have not yet been able to see him.]
CLXV P. BELLIEVRE a BRIENNE
A Londres, le ^ Juilliet l647. Monsieur, — Aincy que par ses dernieres, Monsieur Tam- bassadeur vous auoit mande deuoir faire, il partit hier pour aller vers le Roy de la G. B., ou ie luy ay enuoye celles que vous auez pris la peine de luy escrire. Apparemm* il faudra qu'il remette a y respondre au prochain ord''^ par lequel il vous pourra aussy informer de ce qui ce sera passe en son voyage. L'apprehension que i'ay qu'en Testat auquel sont a pre'sent les affaires de ce pays vous ne fussiez en peine de n'auoir point de ses nouuelles m'a faict prendre la liberie de vous en rendre la raison. — Vostre tres humble et tres obeissant seruiteur,
P. DE BeLLIEURE.
Audos—M.de Bellieure, du 18 Juillet 1647 a Londres, receu le 24« du d. mois k Amyens.
1647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 191
[P. Bellievbe to Bbienne. London, ^ July 1647.
As the ambassador intimated to you in his lastj he left here yesterday to go to the King of Great Britain, where I sent to him the letters you have taken the trouble to write for him. It will be necessary evidently for him to delay to reply until the next mail, by which he will also be able to inform you of what will have taken place on his journey. The fear I had lest, in the present state of affairs in this country, you might be anxious at not hearing from him made me take the liberty of giving you the reason of it]
CLXVI
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimhours, — Juillet l647.
Les affaires de ce royaume semblent estre encore au mesme etat ou elles estoient quand je me suis donne Thonneur d'ecrire a V. Em''^ il y 3- huit jours. Les amis du Marquis d"'Argyle et les ministres pressent toujours pour faire lever une nouvelle armee, et le Due de Hamilton continue aussi a ne pas desirer que cela se fasse si promptement, ce que j''ay sujet de croire, non seulement par les choses que le Comte de Lanark son frere et ses amis m''ont dites depuis quelques jours, et parce qu'ils disent de la mesme sorte a tout le monde, mais parce qu"'ils font dire au sieur Robert Car, — qui est un de ceux qu"'ils avoient envoye vers le roy de la Gr' B"", et qui publie que ce prince temoigne n''estre pas mal satisfait des Independants, — qu*'il est libre dans Tarmee, et qu'il ne desire en aucune sorte que Ton leve icy des forces pour les faire passer en Angleterre ; ce qui deconcerte assez les ministres et leur oste le premier pretexte dont ils se pensoient servir, pour faire lever de nou- velles forces, puisqu'il est vrai qu'ils avoient Tasseurance de presser les peuples a prendre les armes pour aller mettre en liberte celuy qu'ils ont tenu si longtemps prisonnier, et quMls n'ont delivre que pour le livrer a ses ennemis. A ussy, Mg', comme les ministres ont veu que ce pretexte leur manquoit, ils ont essaye dans leurs derniers presches de persuader a ces peuples qu''ils estoient obliges par leur covenant d'etablir la religion Presbyterienne aussy bien en Angleterre que dans ce
192 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [JULY
royaume, et qu'ils y devoient entrer en armes pour ce sujet, encore qu'ils n"'y fussent pas appeles.
Le Chev' Moray m'a remis encore sur le sujet de la venue du Prince de Galles en Ecosse. II m'a dit qu'il avoit demande au Due de Hamilton s'il ne trouvoit pas que le presence de ce prince mettroit les affaires du roy son pere et celles de ce royaume en meilleur etat qu'elles n'estoient, unissant toute TEcosse contre les Independants ; et que le Due de Hamilton luy avoit temoigne, non seulement qu'il estoit de ce sentiment, mais qu'il seroit encore tout prest de le suivre en Angleterre sMl y vouloit conduire une armee pour le retablissement du roy son pere ; qu'il avoit essaye en suite de le porter a vouloir agir de concert avec le Marquis d'Argyle aupres du roy de la G' B"", afin qu'il trouvast bon que le prince son fils vint icy, mais qu'il luy avoit repondu que c'estoit une chose de laquelle il ne se meleroit en aucune sorte.
Cependant, le Chev' Moray persiste toujours a croire qu'ils doivent essayer par toute sorte de moyens de faire venir leur prince en ce royaume, bien que V. Em°® juge assez le peu d'apparence qu''il y auroit de donner le fils a ceux qui ont si mal traite le pere. Je n''ay pas creu, toutefois, devoir luy teraoigner les sentiments que j''avois sur une si etrange pro- position afin de le porter a s''en ouvrir a moi davantage, quand on sera icy plus asseure de Tetat ou se trouve le roy de la G' B"", et d"'empescher, sMl est possible, que ses amis ne cherchent d"'autres voies pour executer un si pernicieux dessein. Ce que ceux de la faction du Marquis d'Argyle desirent principale- ment est de tirer une declaration du roi de la G^ B' contre le proc^de des Independants, afin qu'ils ayent un pretexte pour leur faire la guerre, et un moyen pour empescher que ce prince puisse s"'accommoder avec eux. lis avoient presse le roy de la G' B' de demander le Chancelier de ce royaume et Will. Moray, comme des personnes tres capables d'insinuer ce mau- vais conseil, mais ils n"'ont ose, ni Tun ni Tautre, entreprendre ce voyage, quoique le roy les ait invites a le faire ainsy quMls Tauoient desire.
L'indisposition du Comte de Lanark, qui I'a oblige de garder la chambre la semaine passee, a fait que je n'ay point este presse de rendre la lettre de S. M**, et pourra bien, comme je
i647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 19S
Tespere, me donner moyen d'attendre encore Tordinaire prochain avant que la donner.
Le pere d''Alexandre Macdonald, qui commandoit dans le principal fort de I'isle d'Yla, en estant sorti fort mal a propos, pour boire avec le Lieut.-Colonel Menzies, David Leslay envoya dire a ce Menzies, que quelque chose qu'il eut promis au pere de Macdonald, il ne fit pas etat de revenir dans son armee, s'il ne Temmenoit, — ce qu''il fit au mesme temps. Le fort s''est rendu trois jours apres. On a accorde de bonnes conditions a tons ceux qui estoient dedans, a la reserve d''un frere de Mac- donald et d'un autre frere bastard qui ont este fait prisonniers. On ne croit pas toutefois qu"'on se haste de faire mourir ni le pere ni les enfants, on juge qu''on les reservera, ou pour les echanger avec ces deux gentilshommes qui avoient este envoyes par le Marquis d'Argyle a Macdonald, et qui ce dernier a conduit en Irlande avec luy, ou pour avoir toujours de quoy Tempescher de retourner dans les terres de ce Marquis avec les forces qu"'il est alle demander en Irlande, et qu'il se fait fort d''obtenir.
[MoNTEREUL to CARDINAL Mazarin. Edinburgh, ^ July 1647.
The affairs of this kingdom seem to be in about the same state as when I last wrote to you eight days ago. The friends of the Marquis of Argyle and the clergy continue to insist on raising a new army, and the Duke of Hamilton continues also not to wish it to be done so promptly, which I have reason to believe not only from what the Earl of Lanark his brother and his friends have told me during the last few days, because they make the same statements to every one, but because they make Mr. Robert Kerr — who is one of those they sent to the King of Great Britain — declare that this prince seems not to be ill-satisfied with the Independents, that he is at liberty in the army, and that he has no wish whatever that an army be raised here to pass into England. This has considerably disconcerted the clergy and deprived them of the only pretext they thought to make use of for raising new forces, since it is true they had the hardihood to urge the people to take arms in order to set at liberty him whom they had held so long prisoner and whom they only liberated in order to deliver him up to his enemies. The clergy having thus seen that this pretext had failed them have endeavoured in their recent preachings to persuade these people that they were obliged by their Covenant to establish the Presby- terian form of religion, as well in England as in this kingdom, and that they ought to enter it in arms for that purpose, although they might not be called there.
VOL. II. N
194 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [JULY
Sir Robert Moray has again brought up to me the subject of the coming of the Prince of Wales to Scotland. He told me he had asked the Duke of Hamilton if he did not think that the presence of this prince would put the affairs of the king his father and those of this kingdom in a better state than they were, by uniting all Scotland against the Independents, and that the Duke of Hamilton had stated to him that he was not only of that opinion, but that he would be also quite ready to follow him into England if he wished to lead an army there for the restoration of the king his father : that he had tried afterwards to induce him to act in concert with the Marquis of Argyle in influencing the King of Great Britain that he might agree to his son coming here, but the duke replied that he would on no account take any part in that.
However, Sir Robert Moray always persists in thinking that they ought to try by every possible means to bring the prince into this kingdom, although you may judge of the little advantage likely to accrue from giving the son to those who have so ill-treated the father. I did not think it wise, however, to express to them my sentiments on such a strange proposal, so as to induce them to disclose more of their plans to me, when the present state of the King of Great Britain is known with greater certitude, and so as to prevent, if possible, his friends from devising other means in order to carry out such a pernicious design. What the Argyle faction principally wish is to obtain a declaration from the King of Great Britain, against the proceedings of the Independents, so that they may have a pretext for making war upon them and a means of pre- venting him from being able to come to terms with them. They have pressed the King of Great Britain to invite the Chancellor of this kingdom and Will. Moray to visit him, as they consider them to be persons very capable of insinuating this bad advice to the king, but neither of them has ventured to undertake the journey, although the king invited them as they had wished.
The indisposition of the Earl of Lanark, who has been confined to his room during the past week, has enabled me still to delay the delivery of his Majesty's letter, and I hope will give me the means of further waiting until the arrival of the next mail before giving it.
The father of Alexander Macdonald, who commanded in the principal fort in Isla, having left his quarters very incautiously to drink with Lieut. - Colonel Menzies, David Leslie sent to tell Menzies that in spite of any promise he may have made to Macdonald's father, unless he brought him with him to the army, he ought no longer to consider himself as belonging to it, which Menzies immediately did. The fort surrendered three days after ; good terms were given to all those therein, with the exception of Macdonald's brother and another bastard brother, who are held prisoners. It is not thought, however, that they nor the father will be put to death. It is supposed they will be reserved, either in order to be exchanged for the two gentlemen whom the Marquis of Argyle had sent to Macdonald, and whom Macdonald has taken to Ireland with him, or kept as hostages to prevent the return of Macdonald into the lands of the marquis with the
1647] BELLI]fcVRE TO BRIENNE 195
forces he has gone to procure in Ireland, and which he is likely to obtain. 1]
CLXVII
BELLIIEVRE a BRIENNE
A Londres, le ^ Juillet l647.
Monsieur, — tTay trouue le roy d"'Angleterre si ennuye de Testat ou il est que si Tarmee s'accorde avec le Parlement, a quoy je vois beaucoup de disposition, il est a craindre qu'il n'accepte la paix a des conditions que ie crois que Ton projette, non seullement honteuses mais aussy ruineuses pour luy et sa posterite. S'il auoit souffert que les presbiteriens et les Escossois se fussent vigoreusement opposez a ses desseins, il seroit aujourd'huy considere, et le pourroit encore estre cy apres, au cas quMl ne se presse pas de conclure, et que la reyne d'Angleterre leur veuille donner du coeur et remedier par les moyens qu''elle croit au mal qu''on[t] faict en Escosse, les deffences que le dit Roy y a faict de s''armer. J'ay tousiours diet, et je ne change point encore d'aduis, quMl est mine si Taucthorite d''un des partis n'y est point balancee par Tautre. Les presbiteriens ne veullent point de roy qui ait aucun pouuoir, et les Independans haissent mesme le nom, mais s'ilz sont necessitez d"'en auoir, ilz le receuroient a beaucoup meilleures conditions que ne feront les presbiteriens, et sous leur gouuernement ecclesiastique les roys plus facillement reprendroient leur aucthorite qu''ilz ne pourroient faire dans le presbitaire. Je continueray a faire ce que je pourray pour porter les affaires a ce point, si vous ne m'ordonnes point d'en user autrement. La haste auec laquelle ie vous escriuis lundy dernier, tant ie me trouue presse de visittes et d'affaires a mon retour d'aupres le Roy de la G. B., me fit obmettre de vous faire scauoir que le d. Roy me fit des pleintes en termes verit- ablement les plus ciuils qu"'il peust de ce que Ogier auoit este receu en France comme agent du Parlement, et qu"'il auoit veu
^ In Turner's Memoirs, p. 48, it is stated : ' But before we were masters of Dunneveg, the old man, Coll, came foolishly out of the house where he was governor, on some parole or other, to speak with his old friend, the Captain of Dunstaffnage Castle, was surprised and made prisoner, not without some stain to the Lieut. -General's honour.'
196 BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE [JULY
une coppie imprimee d'un arrest du conseil qui luy donnoit cette qualite, a quoy je luy dis que je croyois luy pouuoir respondre qu'Ogier n^auoit point este receu en cette qualite, et que pour ce qui estoit de celle qu'il auoit pris dans un arrest, si le dit Roy scauoit que comme telles choses ne donnent point de droit a ceux qui n'en ont point d'ailleurs, Ton n'a pas coustume d'y prendre garde, il n'en seroit point scandalise. Cependant s'il vous plaist d'en faire dire un mot a la Reyne de la G. B., elle tesmoigneroit au Roy son mary que Ton a soing de le satisfFaire en tout. — Je suis, Monsieur, V. etc., etc. Bellieure.
Au dos — M. de Bellieure, du 25^ Juillet l647, receue le 28 k Abbeville.
[BELLii;vRE to Brienne. London, ^ July 1647.
I FOUND the King of England so annoyed at the state in which he is, that if the army agree with the Parliament, of which I see many symptoms, it is to be feared that he may accept peace on the terms pro- posed, which I believe to be not only shameful, but also ruinous for him- self and for his posterity. If he had but tolerated the Presbyterians and the Scots when they so vigorously opposed his designs, he would have been looked up to at present, and he may be so still afterwards, if he do not hasten to come to terms, and were the Queen of England pleased to encourage the former, and remedy, by any means she may believe effective, the evil done in Scotland by prohibiting that country from raising an army. I have always said, and my opinion is still unchanged, that he is ruined if the authority of one of the parties be not coun- terbalanced by that of the other. The Presbyterians do not wish a king who may have any power, and the Independents hate the word, but if they be obliged to have one they would accept him on much better terms than the Presbyterians would, and under their church government kings would find it easier to regain their authority than they would do with Presbyterianism. I shall continue to do what I can in order to bring matters to that point unless you order me to act differently. On writing to you on Monday last I was in such haste, having been delayed by visitors and by business on my return from seeing the King of Great Britain, that I omitted to inform you that the king complained to me in the most civil terms possible, that Ogier had been received in France as agent of Parlia- ment, and that he had seen a printed copy of a decree of council that gave him this title, on which I told him that I believed I could affirm that Ogier had not been received in that capacity, and as for his having seen it in a decree, if the king knew that such mention gives no right to those who do not possess it otherwise, as one is not accustomed to pay attention
1647] BELLli:VRE TO BRIENNE 197
to it, he would not be so scandalised. Yet if it may please you to mention it to the Queen of Great Britain she will express to the king her husband that care will be taken to satisfy him in everything,]
CLXVIII BELLIEVRE a BRIENNE
A Londres, le ^ Juillet l647.
Monsieur, — Je persiste dans ropinion en laquelle je suis il y a longtemps, ainsy que cy deuant je vous ay faict scauoir, que le Roy d'Ang*^^ est ruine si les deux partis s''unissent ou si Tun preuault a un tel point que Tautre demeure accable. Celuy des Independans a pris toutte Tauetorite dans le parle- ment, tout le pouuoir dans la ville de Londres, et surtout les forces du Royaume ; les presbiteriens sont sans ressource si les escossois ne les assistent, et le d. Roy eust este mal conseille de faire aucune 'declaration en faueur des presbiteriens, qui Tengageast contre les Independans. II a faict a mon sens une faute qui sera difficilement reparee d^'auoir enuoye aux escossois des deffences de s'arraer, entre Tune et Tautre de ces extremitez il y auoit beaucoup de choses a faire. II faut maintenant soustenir les presbiteriens auec le mesme soing que Ton a faict par le passe les Independans. II est certain, et le d. Roy TaduoiJe, que si cela n"'auoit pas este faict, et ou aux occasions il ni eust pas este pourueu auec dilligence, Taffaire seroit finie, et il seroit ruine, si en cette rencontre la Reyne d'Ang*"'^ ne nous ayde a maintenir les chefs du parti presbi- terien, il est a craindre qu'ilz sortent de ce royaume, et que le rest s''accommode auec les Independans. Elle confie icy ses affaires a des gens qui ne les cognoissent point. Elles ont change trois fois de main depuis trois mois, et les nouueaux negociateurs se trouuent fort estonnez de rencontrer les affaires en tout autre estat qu'ilz ne se les sont figurees estans a Paris. Ceux qui les cognoissent bien, et qui Pont bien seruie, sont si desgoutez par un tel procede que je voy qu'ilz les abandonnent; les uns soubz pre- texte de leur sante se retirent a la campagne, et les autres songent a la retourner trouuer. Elle menage ainsy ses affaires a sa mode et ne me donne point de ses nouuelles. Je fais a la mienne le mieux quMl m"'est possible ; elles courent grande fortune par la
198 BELLi:feVRE TO BRIENNE [JULY
conduitte que je voy que Ton y tient. J'essaye que la mienne soit celle que Ton ne me puisse rien imputer quelque euenement qu'elles puissent auoir. J'euite aujourd'huy de me trouuer dans un conseil ou il sera conclu d'enuoyer cette nuit vers le Roy d'Ang""® de la part de beaucoup de ses seruiteurs pour le conuier de s'eschaper de Tarmee et de venir en cette ville. Ce conseil peut reussir, mais pour ce qu'il est fort perilleux, je n'y veux point auoir de part pour cette mesme raison. Je croy que le d. Roy ne le receura pas. — Je suis, Monsieur, vostre, etc.
Bellieure.
[BELLiirvBE to Bbienne. London, ^ July 1647.
I PERSIST in my opinion which I have long had, as I previously told you, that the King of England is ruined if the two parties unite, or if the one prevail to such a point that the other remain crushed. That of the In- dependents has taken all the authority in the Parliament, all the power in the City of London, and especially all the forces of the kingdom, the Presbyterians are without resource if the Scots do not help them, and the king would have been badly advised to make any declaration in favour of the Presbyterians, which engaged him against the Independents. He made a mistake in my opinion, that will be difficult to remedy, in prohibiting the Scots from arming ; between both of these extreme measures there were many things that might have been done. One must now support the Presbyterians with the same care that one had during the past for the Independents. It is certain, and the king admits it, that if this had not been done, and on occasions had it not been provided for diligently, the matter would be at an end and he would be ruined ; if in this circumstance the Queen of England does not help us to maintain the leaders of the Presbyterian party, it is to be feared they will leave this kingdom and the remainder will come to terms with the Independents. She intrusts her affairs here to people who do not know them ; they have changed hands three times in three months, and the new negotiators are astonished at finding the affairs in quite a different state from what they being in Paris had supposed. Those who know them well and who have served her well are so disgusted at such a proceeding, that I see they are abandoning them, some under pretext of their health retire to the country and others think of returning to find her ; she manages her affairs thus in her own way, and does not give me any of her news. I conduct mine the best way I can ; they run much risk in the way that things are going on at present. I try that in my affairs notliing may be imputed to me whatever event may happen. I avoided attending a meeting to-day where it will be decided to send a message this night to the King of England on the part of many of his followers to invite him to escape from the
i647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 199
army and come to this town. This counsel may succeed, but by reason of its being very perilous I did not wish to take part in it. I believe the king will not accept it.]
CLXIX
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimbourg, -^ Juillet l647.
J'ay receu celle que V. Em^® ra'a fait Fhonneur de m'ecrire du 13 de ce mois, dans laquelle elle se plaint, avec beaucoup de sujet, du peu d'hommes que nous avons fait passer en France jusques a present; cependant s''il luy plaist de considerer que la permission que nous avons obtenu d'abord n''estoit que pour 400 hommes, que la peste a apporte beaucoup de difficulte aux levees, et que les ordres de ce Pari' ont este depuis tout pres de les faire cesser entierement (si nous n'eussions trouve moyen d'en arrester Texecution), enfin, que Tesperance de retourner en Angleterre empesche maintenant tous les gens qui cherchent employ d'en vouloir prendre avec nous, j"'espere que V. Em'^® aura la bonte de nous pardonner les longueurs qui sont survenus, et qu''il n'a pas este possible d'eviter, et qu^elle trouvera que ce n'est pas avoir peu fait que d'avoir tire bien pres de deux mil hommes de ce pays, car en comptant 120 hommes du regiment d' Angus, qui vont partir presente- ment, cent prisonniers que M. le Chev"" Moray a achetes et encore plus de six vingt hommes qvCil m'asseure qu'il peut faire partir, la semaine prochaine, nous n'aurons pas envoye en France moins de ce nombre, sans le peu que Ton peut encore esperer d''avoir avant la fin de cette campagne.
Je me suis donne Thonneur d'ecrire a V. Em*'^ les raisons pour lesquelles je n"'ay pas juge a propos de presser M. le Comte d"" Angus de rendre Targent qu''il a touche par dessus le nombre d''hommes qu'il a fournis, elle les aura comme je crois approuvees, et en efFet, Mg', cela ne se pouvoit faire sans arrester huit ou neuf capitaines qui travaillent presentement pour son regiment, et sans ruiner tout a fait les recrues qui se font deja trop lentenant.
Aussy ne doutais-je point que V. Em°^ m'a commande de retirer cet argent sur ce que j'avois ecrit que j'aprehendois
200 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [JULY
qu'on ne fit executer les ordres qui avoient este donnes d'arrester nos levees, mais comme les offices du Comte de Lanark joints aux propres interests de ceux qui ont icy la principale part au gouvernement des affaires de ce royaume les ont empesche de passer a Texecution de ce qu'ils auoient resolu avec si peu de raison, et je ne desespere pas que de quelque cote que se portent leurs affaires, qu''ils ne vous continuent sous main la mesme liberte, par la crainte qu'ils ont d'offenser V. Em''® s'ils en usoient d'autre sorte. Je m'imagine aussy qu"'elle ne veut pas que je retire le dit argent des mains de M. le Comte d'Angus, qui m'asseure tous les jours qu'encore qu'il ne fasse pas si tost les 1200 hommes qu'il s'est oblige de lever, il les fera sans doute avec le temps.
Pour M. le Chev' Moray quand il aura envoye 200 hommes qu'il m'asseure qu'il a icy tout prests, il aura fait passer plus de 100 hommes par dessus le nombre pour lequel il a receu de Targent.
Quelque promesse qu''il me fasse de n'envoyer pas seulement pour cette campagne les 400 hommes pour lesquels il a deja fait les avances, mais encore 300 autres qu'il commence a faire lever, je crois toujours quMl fera plus asseurement tous ces hommes si Ton se contente de luy faire toucher Targent qui luy a ete promis pour les lever a mesure quMls arriveront en France, puisque son propre interest le portera lors a se haster de les envoyer, outre qu^en recevant Targent des levees par avance, il pourroit mesme pour son propre interest ne les pas achever, pendant que sur seize cens hommes qu''il leve il en pourroit faire deux cens moins, sans qu'on y trouvast a redire par un abus qu''il m''a dit qui n''estoit pas seulement permis, mais qui estoit encore tres ordinaire.
Cependant, comme je crois, selon la resolution que vous avez prise, qu'il est expedient pour le service que cet argent ne soit point donne par avance, je ne puis m"'empescher aussy de repre- senter a V. Em''® qu'il est bien raisonnable que M. le Chevalier Moray le re9oive aussy tost que ses troupes seront arrivees, — c'est dont je prends la hardiesse de supplier tres humblement V. Em®% parce que c'est une chose tres juste, et parce que je me suis engage envers M. le Chev' Moray et son marchand de le faire payer au mesme temps qu'elles seront debarquees.
1647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 201
Au reste, j'ose dire a V. Em''® qu"* a la reserve d''une douzaine de jeunes hommes un peu foibles qui passerent dans le second vaisseau, il est difficile de recontrer des hommes mieux faits, plus robustes et peut estre meilleurs soldats que ceux qui sent partis d'Ecosse cette annee.
Le Marquis d'Huntley a ete trahi par un nomme Donald Guharrig, autrement Durk, — qui veut dire couteau en Ecosse, — parce qu''estant encore enfant il tua un homme d'un grand couteau que les Ecossois sont accoutume de porter. Le dit Marquis a eu vingt cinq ou vingt six des siens tues, et huit ou dix prisonniers, fort peu se sont sauves avec luy. On n"'avoit eu cette nouvelles que par des lettres ecrites a des particuliers, mais on m"'a dit qu'hier un des officiers du General Middleton en apporta la confirmation.
Le sieur Liberton, envoye par les deputes d^Ecosse qui sont a Londres, qui estoit attendu icy depuis longtemps, y est arrive depuis deux jours. II doit representer aujourd'huy au Comite Fetat ou il a laisse les choses en Angleterre, et Ton m"'a dit que ce qu'il doit dire tend principalement a faire voir que les affaires de leur roy, et les leurs, — qu"'ils considerent sans doute davantage, — estoient en fort mauvais etat. Je crois mesme qu''un des plus fort arguments dont il doit se servir pour le persuader sera ce que M. de Bellievre en a dit au Comte de Lauderdale, de la part du dit roy. On m'a dit toutefois qu"'il ne dira pas cecy publiquement, et se contentra de le faire scavoir aux principales personnes de cet Etat. II semble qu'on se dispose to uj ours de plus en plus a lever ici de nouvelles forces. La publication de la declaration des ministres a este remise jusqu'au temps de leur Assemblee Generale qui doit estre au f^ Aout prochain.'
[MoNTEREUL to CARDINAL Mazarin. Edinburgh, ^ Jufy 1647.
I have received your letter of the 13th inst., in which you complain with much reason of the small number of men we have sent to France up to the present time, yet if you will please to consider that the permission we at first obtained was but for four hundred men, that the plague has caused much difficulty in the levies, and that the orders of this Parliament since would have stopped them almost altogether, if we had not found means to stay their being carried out, that in short the hope of returning to England now prevents all the people who are in quest of employment.
202 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [JULY
from eng-aging with us, so that I hope you will have the kindness to pardon us for the delays that have happened, and which it has not been possible to avoid, and that you will find that it is no small matter to have drawn almost two thousand men from this country, for counting a hundred and twenty men of the Angus Regiment, that are leaving at present, a hundred prisoners that Sir Robert Moray has brought, and also more than a hundred and twenty men that he assures me he can send oiF next week, we shall not have sent less than that number to France without counting the few we may still hope to have before the end of this campaign.
I have stated to you the reasons for which I did not judge proper to press the Earl of Angus to refund the money he had received above the number of men he has supplied, which I believe yon have approved, and in fact it could not have been accomplished without stopping eight or nine captains who are at work at present for his regiment and ruining altogether the recruiting that goes on already too slowly.
Thus I did not doubt but that you ordered me to withdraw the money on what I had written, that I was afraid that the orders were given to stop our levies might be executed, but as the good offices of the Earl of Lanark, joined to the best interests of those who have the chief share of government in this kingdom, have prevented the execution of what they had decided upon with so little reason, I do not despair that, however their aiFairs may turn, they will continue to us the same liberty underhand from the fear they have of offending you if they acted differently. I presume also you do not wish me to withdraw the money in question from the hands of the Earl of Angus, who assures me daily that if he do not raise quite so soon the twelve hundred men that he has engaged to do, he will doubtless do so in time.
As regards Sir Robert Moray, when he will have sent two hundred men that he assures me he has here quite ready, he will have sent more than a hundred men above the number for which he has been paid. Although he promises me not only to send during this campaign the four hundred men for whom he has already paid something in advance, but also three hundred others that he has begun to raise, I believe in any case he will find all his men with more certainty if it were agreed that he received the money promised to him for raising them, according as they arrive in France, since his own interest would oblige him then to make haste in sending them, besides that in receiving the money of the levies in advance, he might for his own interest not complete the number, thus on sixteen hundred men that he agrees to raise he might make two hundred less without any objection being raised to it from an abuse that he tells me is not only allowed but is very common.
Yet, as I believe from the resolution we have taken, that it is expedi- ent for the service that this money may not be paid in advance, I cannot help also pointing out to you that it is very reasonable that Sir Robert Moray received it immediately his troops arrive, and I beg you to agree to it, both because it is very just and because I have engaged with Sir
i647] BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE 203
Robert Moray and his irierchant that they be paid at the time the troops are landed.
I venture to say that with the exception of a dozen young men some- what weak, who go by the second ship, it is difficult to meet men better made, more robust and perhaps better soldiers, than those that have left Scotland this year.
The Marquis of Huntly has been betrayed by a certain Donald Guharrig, alias Durk — word which signifies a dagger in Scotland — and which name was given to him because, being but a child, he killed a man with a large dagger, such as the Scots are accustomed to wear. The marquis has had twenty-five or twenty-six of his people killed and eight or ten of them taken prisoners, very few were saved with him. This news has only been received by private persons ; but I was told yesterday that one of General Middleton's officere had brought the confirmation of it.
Mr. Liberton, who is deputed by the Scottish'Commissioners in London and who has been long expected here, arrived two days ago. He is to represent to the Committee to-day the state in which he left matters in England, and I learn what he has to say tends principally to show that their king's affairs and their own, which they no doubt consider more important, are in a very bad state. I believe even that one of the strongest arguments he is to bring forward to convince them of it will be what M. de Bellievre said of it to the Earl of Lauderdale, on the part of the king. I have been told, however, that he will not state this publicly, but will content himself by making it known to the principal persons of this kingdom. It seems they are always disposed here more and more to raise new forces. The publication of the declaration of the clergy has been put off till the time of their General Assembly that is to meet on the j| August next. ]
CLXX BELLIEVRE a BRIENNE
A Londres, le '-^*-, 1647.
' 22 Juliet
MoxsiEUU, — Par les nouuelles que j'eus auant hier du Roy d"'Ang'^®, et par celles que j'en ay encore receu aujourd'huy, il commence a s'apperceuoir de ce dont nous Taduertissions. II y a bien longtemps que les Independantz establissent leur pouuoir, not! seulement mesprisant le sien, mais aussy s'efforent de le ruiner absolument. Si plustost il eust re- cognu cette verite plus aysement il y auroit pourueu qu'il ne pourra faire cy apres par le retour du comte de Ladredel, commissionnaire d'Escosse, qui le doibt aujourd'huy veoir, nous scaurons demain comment il aura receu les ofFres qu''il a ordre de luy faire de la part du d. Royaume.
204 BELLli:VRE TO BRIENNE [AUG.
Apres les soings que vous aues pris de faire que les Anglois fussent satisfaits en toutes les choses dont ils ont fait cy- deuant des pleintes, je voudrois bien n^estre pas oblige de vous en enuoyer encore. J'estime neantmoins que vous aimeres mieux les receuoir que Taduis des lettres de Marque que ce Marchand Anglois nomme Thomas Wapple sollicite icy chaudement, et que peut-estre il auroit obtenu si je n'auois areste Taffaire dans le commite, et fait entendre que Tintention du Roy estant que la justice fut exactement rendue, j''estois certain que Ton la luy feroit s''il la demandoit en France. Vous verrez quelle est TafFaire par la traduction du Memoire qui m''en a este enuoye de la part du comite ; par Tautre que le Parlement m'a aussy enuoye, dont on m"'a dit que le S*" Ogier aura eli coppie par Tord*^^ procedant. II demande un petit vaisseau de guerre con- duit a S* Malo, dont on fait icy beaucoup de bruit. Vous me ferez scauoir ce que j'auray a en dire, et s''il n"'y auoit une bonne response a faire, et que je la sceusse quelques jours auant le S"" Ogier je la ferois icy valloir autant qu''il se pourroit. Je perds cet aduantage si les aduis m^en viennent comme par le passe par le mesme ord**® que les lettres d'Ogier, qui sont leiies dans le Parlement auant que les miennes soient deschiffrees. — Je suis, Monsieur, vostre, etc. Bellieure.
Au dos — M. de Bellieure, du p'" Aoust 1647, receu le 5^ du d. mois a Dieppe.
[Bellievre to Brienne. London, l^y^j, 1647.
From the news I had from the King of England the day before yester- day, and from what I have had again to-day, he begins to perceive that of which we have been warning him. The Independents have been estab- lishing their power for a very long time, not only in contempt of his authority, but also in doing their utmost to ruin him absolutely. Had he recognised this truth sooner and with greater facility, he would have taken precautions against it, which he will be only able to do now on the return to him of the Earl of Lauderdale the Scottish Commissioner, who is to see him to-day : we will know to-morrow how he may receive the offers this latter is ordered to make to him on the part of that kingdom.
After the care we have taken to satisfy the English in all matters of which they had to complain formerly, I should have wished not to be obliged to send to you any more complaints. I consider, however, that you will prefer to receive them than to receive notice of the letters of marque that the English merchant Thomas Wapple is soliciting eagerly here, and which perhaps he would have obtained had I not stopped the
i647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 205
matter in the committee meeting and made it understood that the king's intention being to have strict justice done, I was certain it would be obtained were it demanded in France. You will see what the affair is by the translation of the Memorial that has been sent to me concerning it on the part of the Committee ; by the other Memorial which Parliament has also sent to me, of which I am told Mr. Ogier received a copy by the preceding mail, a demand is made for a small ship of war that has been taken into St. Malo about which much noise has been made here. You will let me know what I shall have to say about it if there might not be a favourable reply to make, and that I may know it some days before Mr. Ogier. I shall turn it to as good account as he can do. I shall lose this advantage, if the notice of it be sent, as during the past, by the same mail as the letters of Ogier that are read in Parliament before mine are deciphered.]
CLXXI
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edirrtbourgri^ 164>7.
Celui qui avoit este envoye ici par les deputes d''Ecosse qui sont a Londres, avec lettres de creance, fut oui dans le Comite qui se tint Mardi dernier, ou il essaya de faire entendre que leur religion et leur roy estoient egalement ruines en Angleterre, et que les Independants qui y sont aujourd'huy les maistres ni desirent ni Tetablissement ni de Tun ni Tautre, — ce quMl a exagere de telle sorte qu'il a mesme offense ceux qui sont plus passionnes contre le parti Independant, et que le Chaneelier, a ce qu"'on m'a dit, a este oblige de retiter des mains du secretaire du Comite le papier qu'il avoit donne, afin qu'il ne peut estre veu de personne.
On ne prit aucune resolution dans cette assemblee, et on y arresta seulement que tous ceux qui composent le grand Comite de ce royaume se rendroient en cette ville le — de ce mois, pour deliberer sur ce que devoit se faire.
Cependant les ministres continuent a porter les peuples a prendre les armes, et a contribuer aux frais d''une guerre qu'ils sont obliges de faire pour conserver leur religion, et ceux qui la professent chez leurs voisins, et Ton nomme deja ceux qui doivent commander cette armee qui n"'est pas encore faite, de sorte que tout le monde tient ici pour asseure que les Ecossois vont entrer une seconde fois en Angleterre.
206 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [AUG.
Mais quoiqu'il y ait assez d'apparence que Ton se portera ici a lever de nouvelles forces, et que Ton commence mesme a croire que le Due de Hamilton ne s'oppose a cette resolution que comme il a de contume de faire aux choses qu'il n''a pas dessein d'empescher, et que je me souvienne encore que le Marquis d'Argyle et ceux de son parti m'ont toujours fait entendre qu'il ne pouvoient etre en seurete en Ecosse que leur religion ne fut absolument etablie en Angleterre; quand je considere toutefois la faiblesse de ce royaume et de quelle sorte les Ecossois Ton reconnue, lorsqu''ils ont rendu laschement leur roy, en un temps ou ils eussent peu se fortifier en Angleterre d'un parti plus considerable que celui qu'ils y peuvent avoir aujourd'huy, je ne puis croire qu'ils se hastent d'y porter la guerre.
Je pense done qu'ils ne veulent pas lever de nouvelles forces pour les envoyer d'abord en Angleterre, — ce qu'ils pourroient faire toutefois s'ils y voyoient les Presbyteriens en posture de les aider, — mais seulement pour se mettre en etat de se defendre, et pour faire que les Independants leur accordent de meilleures conditions quand ils les verront en etat de leur resister ; car 11 y a peu d'apparence que la necessite de leurs affaires les porte a se relascher de cette maxime qu'ils ont eue jusqu'a ici, que de Petablissement de leur Presbyteriat en Angleterre dependoit celui de leur fortune et de leur nouveau gouvernement ; et qu'ils ne trouvent qu'il est plus a propos pour eux de retarder, autant qu'il leur sera possible, le malheur qu'ils croyent que cette difference de religion leur doit apporter, que de I'attirer sur eux sans necessite, si ce n'est que le regret que conserve le Marquis d'Argyle de perdre les quatre cents cinquante mille livres que les Presbyteriens Anglois lui devoient donner, et le desir qu'il pent avoir de se venger de ceux que I'empeschent de recevoir une somme si considerable ne lui per- mettre pas de faire toutes les reflexions necessaire sur une entreprise de cette importance ; ou que Dieu qui aveugle ceux qu'il veut perdre, les force de courir ainsy a leur ruine.
De ceci, Mg', pourra juger que bien que les Ecossois levent une noueville armee, — ce que n'est pas mesme encore bien resolu, — ils se porteront difficilement a faire la guerre a I'Angleterre, si ce n'est qu'ils se laissent gouverner par leur
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 207
passion, ou qu^'ils voient que les Presby teriens y puissent former pour eux un parti considerable, de sorte que ni la declaration de leur roy contre les Independants, de laquelle ils le pressent extremement, et sans quoy ils me disent qu''ils ne feront rien pour ses interests, ni les assistances d''argent que la France leur pourroit promettre, et dont ils me parlent assez souvent, ne pourroient contribuer que fort peu de choses pour les engager a cette entreprise, et que tout ce que la France et leur roy pourroient faire ne serviroient peut estre qu'a achever de ruiner ce prince ; a faire naitre des jalousies entre les Anglois et sa M*^, et a donner lieu aux Ecossois, qui deviendroient par ce moyen plus considerables, de faire un accommodement advan- tageux avec les Independants.
On fait icy assez de bruit de deux lettres qui ont este trouvees avec les hardes du Marquis d"'Huntley, — Yune de le reine de la G' B' et Tautre de M. le Prince de Galles, — je ne les ay pas encore veues, bien que Ton m''ait promis de me les montrer, mais on me dit qu'elles sont escrites seulement pour obliger ce Marquis de ne poiut abandonner le royaume, et de demeurer to uj ours arme.
Dimanche dernier il y eut un jeusne solemnel par toute I'Ecosse. L"'Assemblee generale des ministres de ce royaume doit coramencer le — de ce mois. On doute encore si le Marquis d'Argyle assistera au Comite qui se doit tenir le jour suivant, quoique ses amis le pressent fort de venir, et qu''il semble qu'il n"'y ait plus rien a faire ou il est.
[MoNTEREUL to Cardinal Mazarin. Edinburgh, 'l ^"'^ 1647.
The delegate from the Scottish Commissioners in London, who has heen sent here with credentials, was heard in the committee meeting held on Tuesday last, where he tried to make it understood that their religion and their king were equally ruined in England, and that the Independents who are now the masters wish neither the establishment of the one nor the other, which he exaggerated in such a manner as even to oflFend those who are most embittered against the Independents, and the Chancellor, as I am informed, had to take out of the hands of the secretary to the committee, the paper he had given, so that no one might see it. No decision was come to at this meeting, it was merely resolved that all those composing the Committee of Estates of this kingdom should assemble in this town on the ~- inst. in order to de- liberate on what ought to be done.
The clergy, however, continue to urge the people to take arms and to
208 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [AUG.
contribute to the expense of a war they are obliged to undertake ia order to preserve their religion, and those who profess it among their neighbours, and those who are to command this army, that has not yet been formed, have already been appointed, so that every person here looks upon it as certain that the Scots are going to enter England a second time. But although there is considerable likelihood that they will be led here to raise new forces, and people even begin to think that the Duke of Hamilton but opposes this resolution as he is accustomed to do in things he has no wish to prevent, and I remember also that the Marquis of Argyle and those of his party have always led me to understand that they could not be in security in Scotland until their religion was absolutely established in England ; when I consider, however, the weak- ness of this kingdom and the manner in which the Scots avowed it when they shamefully delivered up their king at a time when they might have been able to strengthen themselves in England by the support of a more important party than that they will be able to have at present, I cannot believe they will be in haste to carry war there.
I think, therefore, that they will not raise new forces in order at first to send them to England, — which they might do, however, if they saw the Presbyterians there in a position to help them, — but only in order to put themselves in a state of defence, and that the Independents may grant them better conditions when they see them in a position to resist them ; for there is little likelihood that the urgency of their affairs lead them to give up this maxim, which they have held till now, that on the establishment of their Presbyterianism in England depends their fortune and their new government, and they may find it more suitable for them to delay as long as possible the misfortune they believe this difference of religion is to bring them, than to bring it on themselves, without necessity, if it be not that the regret the Marquis of Argyle may retain in losing the four hundred and fifty thousand livres^ that the English Presbyterians were to give him, and the wish he may have to avenge himself on those who have prevented him from receiving so important a sum may incapacitate him from maturely reflecting on an undertaking of this importance, for so God thus blinds those he wishes to destroy, by obliging them to rush on to their ruin.
From this you will be able to judge that although the Scots may raise a new army, which is not yet even quite decided upon, they will not be easily led to make war on England, unless they allow themselves to be ruled by their passion, or that they see the Presbyterians may be able to form for them there an important party ; so that neither the declaration of their king against the Independents, on which they press him much, and without which they say they will do nothing for his interests, neither the assistance in money that France might promise them and of which they speak to me somewhat often, could contribute much in order to engage them in this undertaking and all that France and their king could do would but serve perhaps to complete
^ The French Itvre was about loj pence in value.
1647] BELLI]feVRE TO BRIENNE 209
the ruin of this prince and to foster jealousies between the English and his Majesty and give occasion to the Scots to become more important, and thereby make a profitable agreement with the Independents.
Much talk has been caused here by two letters found among the effects of the Marquis of Huntly, one from the Queen of Great Britain and the other from the Prince of ^Vales ; I have not yet seen them, although it has been promised to show them to me, but, I am told, they are written only in order to oblige the marquis not to abandon the kingdom, and to remain always in arms.
There was a solemn fast held on Sunday last throughout all Scotland. The General Assembly of the clergy of this kingdom will he held on the - of this month. It is doubtful if the Marquis of Argyle will be present at the meeting of committee that is to be held the day following, although his friends press him strongly to come, and it appears there is nothing more to be done where he is.]
CLXXII
BELLIEVRE a BRIENNE
A Londres, le ^^^64^7.
' 29 Juliet
Monsieur, — Le bruit qui fut faict lundy dernier au Parlement par le Maire, les bourgeois, et les apprentifs de cette ville pour y faire reuenir le Roy d'^Ang'® fit resoudre par les Seigneurs, et le lendemain par les Communs, que le parlement ne se tiendroit que le vendredy suiuant, qui est demain ; pendant ce temps ilz croyent pouuoir estre fortiffiez par Tarmee, qui s''approchant, feroit perdre coeur a ces bourgeois. Partie de Tarmee doibt estre cette nuit assez proche de cette ville ; les bourgeois le scauent, et tesmoignent jusques icy ne la pas redouter, elle ne peut estre toutte ensemble de trois ou quatre jours pour ne pas charger le peuple, et ne craignent rien ; les quartiers estoient fort esloignez les uns des autres. Les apprentifs se preparent pour estre demain en grand nombre a Westmester \sic\. II y pourroit bien auoir du desordre en cette ville. Je ne scay comme se conduit le Roy d''Ang'"^. Les deux partis opposez, qui sont Tarmee et la ville, sont tous deux mal satisfaictz de luy. Je luy ay encore aujourd'huy faict scauoir qu'il me semble qu^il hazarde beaucoup de les desobliger tous deux en cette rencontre, et que s''il donne a Tarmee le temps de s''accommoder auec la ville, et mesme a la ville de s'accommoder auec le Parlement, a quoy ses ennemis trauaillent de tout leur
VOL. II. o
mo BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE [AUG.
pouuoir apparemment, il rencontrera dans ses affaires encore plus de difficulte qu'il n'y en a maintenant. Nous faisons tous les offices que nous pouuons pour en engager au moins Tun dans les interestz du d. Roy. Le comte de Ladredel est reuenu d'auprez de luy assez satisfaict de ce qu'il luy a promis de donner une lettre de creance a Chislay [sic], secretaire des Commissionnaires, pour aller dire de sa part tant au conseil d'Escosse qu'a Tassemblee des diuins qui se tiendra a Edim- bourg le 15® et 25® de ce mois beaucoup de clioses qui donneront aux Escossois le pretexte quMls cherchent auec tant d'ardeur d''entrer encore en Ang'®. Le d. comte de Ladredel retourne aujourd"'huy vers le d. Roy, et luy mene le d. Chislay pour estre des demain depesche en Escosse. — Je suis, Monsieur, vostre, etc., Bellieuke.
Au dos — M. de Bellieure, du 8® Aoust l647, receu le 13 du d. mois.
[Bel,li£;vre to Bbienne. London, "2, 1647.
The uproar caused at the Parliament on Monday last by the Mayor, the citizens, and the apprentices of this city in order to obtain the return of the King of England, caused the Lords to resolve — in which the Commons concurred the following day — that Parliament would only meet on the Friday following, which is to-morrow. During that time they count on being supported by the army that in approaching will cause the citizens to lose courage. Part of the army ought to be this night somewhat near the town. The citizens know it, and do not till now show that they fear it, for it cannot be brought quite together for three or four days, so as to charge the people, who fear nothing as the quarters of the town are distant one from another : the apprentices are preparing to go in large numbers to Westminster to-morrow. There is very likely to be some disorder in this town. I do not know how the King of England acts ; the two opposing parties, the army and the town, are both dis- satisfied with him. I have again informed him to-day that it seems to me he risks much in disaffecting them both, in the circumstances, and that if he gave the army time to agree with the town and even the town to agree with the Parliament, in which his enemies are actively engaged, he will evidently cause more difficulty in his affairs than he has now. We do all in our power to engage one of the parties at least in the interest of the king. The Earl of Lauderdale has returned from the king pretty well satisfied with what he has promised him to give in a letter of credence to Chisley the Secretary to the Commissioners in order for him to go and say on his part both to the Council of Scotland and to the General Assembly of Divines that will be held in Edinburgh the ^ of this month, many things that will give the Scots the pretext they are so eagerly
1 647] BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE 211
wanting to enter England again. The Earl of Lauderdale is to return to the king to-day and taking Chisley with him in order to send him on to Scotland to-morrow.]
CLXXIII BELLIEVRE a BRIENNE
A Londres, le — Aoust 1647.
' 12
Monsieur, — II y eust eu un grand desordre en cette ville vendredy dernier. Si les Independans se fussent trouuez au Parlement, comma ilz auoient diet et tesmoignent de vouloir faire, les plus considerables d'entre eux se sont retirez soubz la protection de Tarmee ; les Speakers mesme des deux maisons n'ont pas este veus depuis elles en ont mis d"'autres en leurs places. Si ce defFault de speakers dissoult le Parlement par les loix du Royaume, c'est une question qui peut estre quelque jour de- batue. Cet esloignement des Independans a laisse le pouuoir du Parlement aux presbiteriens, et ainsy le Parlement et la Ville, se trouuant unis, ont faict veoir par les difficultez que nous auons eu a obtenir d"'eux quelque chose a Taduantage du Roy d'Ang""^ le peu de bonne volonte qu''ilz ont pour luy, et qu'ilz ne parlent plus de ses interestz aussy tost qu'ilz s'imaginent pouuoir sans luy mettrel es leur a couuert. Soubz pretexte de conuier presentement le d. Roy de venir icy auec tout honneur et liberte, ilz ont excite le grand bruit qui fut faict 11 y a huict jours contre les Independans ; maintenant ceux mesme qui ont trouue ce moyen pour prendre du pouuoir dans le Parlement non seulement n''ont pas voulu proposer, mais mesme beaucoup d''entre eux dans la Chambre des Com- muns se sont opposez a ce que nous obtinssions la mesme chose que nous auions eu il y a deux jours de celle des Seigneurs pour faire une ordonnance du Parlement qui prie le d. Roy de vouloir venir. Elle vient neantmoins de passer dans la Chambre des Communs Ton trauaille a I'expedition, et elle sera ce soir portee au Roy d'Ang'"'^. Je Taccompagne d^un billet que j'ecris au d. Roy, et donne information, que je luy donne encore par une autre voye, de Testat auquel je croy que touttes les choses sont icy. Les ministres de Tassemblee viennent de faire un acte pour conuier tout le monde a la paix, qui pourroit nuire
212 BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE [AUG.
aux affaires du d. Roy. Aussy tost que j'auray fini cette lettre je sortiray [de] la ville pour pouuoir cette nuit parler a quelques lines des principalles personnes de Tarmee. Je fais prix de tout ce que je puis. Le message des deux Maisons [qui] doibt estre ce soir porte au Roy d'Ang''^ apparemment fera que Tarmee desclarer a demain ou tost apres ses intentions. Elle est a huict mille de cette ville, et le d. Roy d'Ang*"^ en doibt faire ce soir seize milles. Je suis, Monsieur, Vostre, etc.,
'Beuakvre. Au dos — M. de Bellieure, du 12® d'Aoust 1647, receue le l6*du d. mois.
[Bellievre to Brienne. London, ^ Aug. 1647.
There was great disorder in this town on Friday last ; if the Indepen- dents were in Parliament as they had said they intended to be, the most important of them had withdrawn under the protection of the army ; the Speakers even of the two Houses have not been seen since they were replaced by others. Whether or not this absence of the Speakers dissolves Parliament by the laws of the kingdom, is a question which may some day be discussed. This withdrawal of the Independents left the direc- tion of Parliament to the Presbyterians, and thus the Parliament and the town finding themselves united, showed by the difficulties we had in obtaining from them anjrthing to the advantage of the King of England, the little good-will they have for him ; they no longer speak of his interests as soon as they imagine themselves able to secure their own without him. Under pretext of inviting the king at present to come here with all honour and liberty, they stirred up the great uproar that took place eight days ago against the Independents, yet those even who had found this means of assuming the power in Parliament not only failed to propose the same measure that we had obtained two days ago in that of the Ijords, in order to have an ordinance of Parliament to beg the king to come here, but many among them in the House of Commons opposed our obtaining it. It has, however, just passed in the Commons, and they are arranging to have it sent this evening to the King of England. I send a note with it which I write to the king and give information — which I send him also through another channel — of the state on which I believe things to be here. The clergy of the assembly have just passed an act in order to invite every one to keep the peace which may be hurtful to the king's affairs. As soon I have finished this letter I shall leave town to-night to speak with some of the principal persons of the army. I hesitate at nothing that I can do. The message of both Houses is to be taken to the King of England this evening, which will apparently cause the army to declare its intentions to-morrow or soon after : it is at eight miles from this town, and the King of England will have sixteen miles to do this evening.]
1647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 213
CLXXIV MONTEREUL au MAZARIN
Edimbourgy i. Aout 164.7.
Je me donnai Thonneur d'ecrire il y a huit jours a V. Em*'^ ce que je croyois que Ton pouvoit plus apparement juger de la suite des affaires de ce pays ; s''il est vrai que Ton puisse avoir lieu de faire aucun jugement des choses qui ne sont pas encore arrivees, et dont Tevenement est fort incertain.
Je luy diray maintenant que je ne vois point encore de raison qui in'oblige a changer les sentiments que j'^avois eu, et que je pense toujours que les Ecossois ne se hasterons pas d''entrer avec armes en Angleterre, quoique les ministres con- tinuent a leur prescher qu'ils le doivent faire; que plusieurs tiennent que c'est une chose toute arrestee entre ceux qui ont la principale direction des affaires de ce royaume ; et que ce qui vient ne se passer a Londres a Tavantage des Presbyteriens, depuis que Tarmee est partie de Reading, dut, se semble, assez contribuer a faire prendre ici une serablable resolution.
On me dit que les Ecossois veulent commencer par repre- senter aux Anglois, Tobligation quMls ont de tenir les choses qui ont este arrestees entre eux ; qu'ils doivent principalement demander que le gouvernement Presbyterial soit absolument etable dans TAngleterre, et que le covenant soit pris par tous les Anglois, et qu'ils ne pretendent pas lever ici aucunes forces, au moins ouvertement, qu"'ils n'ayent eu reponse du Pari* d'Angleterre sur leurs demandes.
J'ay reconnu aussy que le desir qu'ils ont d"'obliger leur roy a faire quelque chose a leur avantage, et au prejudice des Independants, fait qu'ils ne se hastent pas de lever de nouvelles forces, parce qu'ils croyent que comme il est avantageux a ce prince de voir former deux partis dans cette isle, — ce qui se peut faire difficilement sans eux, — ils le porteront a leur donner contentment en luy persuadant qu''ils ne se remueront pas s''il ne leur accorde ce qu'ils luy demandent.
J''ay trouve encore que ce qu'ils desirent de leur roy est ce qu'ils ont toujours voulu de luy, c*'est a dire, Tetablissement du Presbyteriat et Tapprobation du covenant ; et qu'encore quMl
214 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [AUG.
semble qu'ils ne veulent pas moins que cela, ils se contenteront toutefois, s'il etablit la religion avec les restrictions qu'il avoit creu y pouvoir apporter autrefois, sans blesser sa conscience et sans ruiner entierement son autorite ; quelques uns qui ont icy assez de part au gouvernement, m'ayant dit qu'ils se repentoient aujourd'huy de ne s''estre contente autrefois, des premieres offres que leur roi leur avoit faites.
Sur quoy, Mg% j''ajouteray aux choses que je me suis donne rhonneur de vous ecrire par ma precedente, que comme le roi de la G*" B"^ ne s"'est pas trouve mal de n''avoir donne son consente- ment aux demandes qui luy ont este faites jusquMci, ainsy que nous voyons par les avantages qu'il tire des desordres qui sont arrives depuis quelques mois en Angleterre et des faiblesses que le Parlement a ete oblige de montrer depuis quelques jours, il semble que ce roi a encore plus de raison qu'auparavant, de demeurer aujourd'huy dans cette mesme resolution. Car si les Presbyteriens sont entierement abattus en Angleterre, il ne doit pas offenser ceux entre les mains desquels il se trouve pour s'attacher a des personnes impuissantes comme les Ecossois et les dits Presbyteriens, qui luy ont temoigne pen de bonne volonte jusqu'ici, et qui apparement ne se serviroient des avantages qu'il leur donneroit que pour s''accommoder plus avantageusement avec leurs ennemis a son prejudice, comme ils ont deja fait quand ils Tont rendu laschement au Pari* d'Angleterre.
Et si au contraire, comme on se le persuade icy, le parti Presbyterien est aujourd'huy dans T Angleterre en etat de s"'opposer a celui des Independants, ce prince doit laisser faire des gens qui se trouvent deja engages, et qui ne considerant que leur passion et leurs interests agiroient toujours par ces principes, quelque part qu'il prit avec eux, et n'etant pas asseure qui des deux partis aura Ta vantage, il ne doit point prendre de part avec aucun, quand ce ne seroit que pour se pouvoir toujours accommoder avec celui qui se trouvera a la fin plus heureux. Outre que comme il a interest d'entretenir toujours ces deux partis en quelque sorte d"'egalite, afin qu'ils s'afFablissent entre eux, et quMls tournent contre eux-mesmes les armes qu'ils ont employes jusques icy a sa mine, il ne se doit joindre, ce semble, ni avec les Presbyteriens ni avec les
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 215
Independants, puisqu'il rendra toujours ceux-la absolus dont il embrassera le parti et qu*"!! ne les aura plustost fait maitres d'Aiigleterre qu'il les trouvera ses ennemis. Je pourrois encore ajouter a cecy que les affaires etant etablies dans cette isle, sous la domination des Presbyteriens ou des Independants, il sera difficile de secourir le dit roy avec les forces qui luy peuvent venir de dehors, qui sont celles dont il doit principale- ment attendre son retablissement.
Au reste, Mg', comme trois personnes ont este envoyees d'icy au roy de la G' B' par les chefs des trois partis qu*'on pretend estre en Ecosse, pour le presser par trois differentes voies, d''une chose qui peut luy estre egalement ruineuse, je crois estre oblige de vous avertir que ces trois partis qui pourroient se separer d'interest dans la suite des affaires, ne sont maintenant qu''une raesme chose, quand il s''agit de travailler a la ruine du dit roi ; et je pense pouvoir dire a V. Em*'® que hors ceux qui sont vei-itablement attaches au dit roy je ne connais pas ici d'Ecossois plus sincere et plus fidele a son prince que le Marquis d'Argyle.
J'ay receu presque en mesme temps les deux lettres dont il a pleu a V. Em*'® m'honorer des 20 et 27 du mois passe. J'attends le retour de M. le Comte d'Angus, qui doit estre icy ce soir, pour pouvoir mander plus asseurement a V. Em"® ce qu'il pretend faite. II fit partir un vaisseau avec vingts hommes il y a huit jours, et le Chevalier Moray en doit envoyer un autre a la fin de cette semaine avec plus de deux cents.
Uouverture de Tassemblee de TEglise se doit faire demain, et le grand comite doit commencer a tenir le jour suivant, c"'est ce qui nous apprendra mieux que toutes les conjectures quel ply les affaires doivent prendre dorenavant.
M. Letus, ensigne des gendarmes Ecossais a fait savoir a M. le Baron de Gray qui en est lieutenant, et que le service du roy de la G"" B'" a arreste en Ecosse quelques annees, que V. Em*'® feroit donner dix huit pistoles pour chaque gendarme qu'il feroit passer d'icy. II a desire que je sceusse la volonte de V. Em®® sur cette proposition, afin qu'il peut ou faire passer promptement les dites recreues, ou se rendre promptement a sa compagnie.
216 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [AUG.
M. le Marquis de Douglas, pere du Comte d' Angus, a enfin obtenu permission du counseil de ce royaume d^'envoyer son troisieme fils en France pour estre page de S. M. II a desire que je suppliasse par avance V. Em*'^ de le recevoir en sa pro- tection et de le vouloir rendre heritier de Taffection dont il luy a pleu honorer M' le Colonel Douglas son frere. II desire encore, Mg', que je vous asseure de sa part que son fils ne sera pas plustost en France qu''il y enverra 100 hommes dont il formera une compagnie pour servir dans le regiment d"* Angus.
[MoNTEREUL to CARDINAL Mazarin. Edinburgh, j| Aug. 1647.
I WROTE to you eight days ago stating what I believed, judging from appearances, is likely to take place in this country, if, in fact, there be room for forming any judgment concerning matters that have not yet happened and of which the occurrence is very uncertain.
1 may say now that I see no reason yet to cause me to change my opinions, and that I still think the Scots will not hasten to enter England in arms, although the clergy continue to preach to them that they ought to do it ; several maintain that the matter has been quite decided upon, among those who have the principal direction of the affairs of this kingdom, and that what has just taken place in London to the advantage of the Presbyterians, since the army left Reading, ought apparently to lead to a similar resolution being taken here.
The Scots wish, I am told, to begin by representing to the English the obligation they are under to maintain the matters that have been decided upon between them, that they ought principally to demand that the Pres- byterian form of church-government be absolutely established in England and that the Covenant be taken by all the English, and that they do not pretend to raise any forces here, at least openly, until they have had the reply of the English Parliament respecting their demands
I have remarked also that the wish they have to oblige their king to do something for their advantage and to the detriment of the Independents causes them not to hasten in raising new forces, because they believe that as it is advantageous for this prince to see two parties formed in this island — which can be done with difficulty without them — they will induce him to satisfy them by persuading him they will not stir, if he do not grant them what they ask of him.
I have also found that what they wish from their king is what they have always wished of him, viz., the establishment of Presbyterianism and the sanction of the Covenant, and that, although it seems they require nothing less than that, they would be satisfied, however, were he to establish reli- gion with the restrictions he had thought of being able to introduce into it formerly without wounding his conscience, or wholly destroying his authority ; some of those here who have an important part in the govern- ment having told me that they regretted at present not to have remained
1 647] rvIONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 217
satis^fied formerly witli tlie first offers their king had made to them. W'liereupou I sliall add to wliat I wrote to you in my last letter, that as the King of (ireat Britain's j)Osition is not any worse from his not having given his consent to the demands that have been made to him up till now, as we see by the ad\autages he derives from the disorders that have taken plare during some months past in England, and the weakness the Parlia- ment has been obliged to manifest since a few days, it seems that this king has still more reason than formerly to continue now in this same resolution. For if the Presbyterians be entirely overpowered in England he ought not to offend those in whose hands he is, in order to attach him- self to impotent persons as the Scots and these same Presbyterians, who have shown him very little good-will till now, and who apparently would only make use of the advantages he might grant them in order to make a more j)rofitable agreement witli their enemies to his detriment, as they did already, wlien they basely gave him up to the English Parliament
And if, on the contrary, as people here are persuaded, the Presbyterian party in England be able to oppose that of the Independents, this prince ought to leave ])eo]ile alone who are already engaged with each other, and who, considering but their passions and their interests, would always be thus actuated, whatever part he may take with them ; and from his beinir uncertain as to which of the two parties may obtain the upjjer hand, he ought to take part with neither of them, were it but to be able always to come to an agreement with the one most fortunate in the end. Besides, as he has an interest in always keeping these two parties in some sort of equality, so that they may mutually weaken themselves and turn against each other the arms they have till now em))loyed against him to his ruin ; he ought thus, seemingly, neither to join with tlie Presbyterians nor the Independents, since he always renders those absolute he takes part with, and that he will no sooner have made them masters of England than he will find them to be his enemies. I could further add to this that affairs being established in this island under the authority of the Presby- terians or the Independents, it will be difficult to assist tliis king with forces coming from abroad from which he ought principally to expect his re-establishment
Further, as three persons have been sent from here to the King of Great Britain, by the leaders of three parties that it is pretended exist in Scot- land, in order to urge him in three different ways to do a thing that may be equally ruinous for him, I believe myself obliged to inform you that these three parties, whose different interests may cause them to separate in future, are now but one and the same, when it is a question of their king's ruin, and I can say that save those who are really attached to their king, I know no Scotsman here more sincere and more faithful to his prince than the Marquis of Argyle.
I have received almost at the same time your letters of the 20th and 27th ult. I expect the return of the Earl of Angus, who ought to be here this evening, in order to be able to inform you with more certitude what he proposes to do. He despatched a ship eight days ago with a
218 BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE [AUG.
hundred and twenty men, and Sir Robert Moray is to send another off at the end of this week with more than two hundred.
The opening of the General Assembly of the church is to take place to- morrow and the Committee of Estates is to begin its sittings the day following, so that we shall learn better than by all the conjectures what turn matters are going to take in future.
Mr. Letus, Ensign of the Scottish Men-at-Arms, has informed Baron Gray, who is the lieutenant of the regiment, and who has been detained in Scotland for some years in the service of the King of Great Britain, that you would allow eighteen pistoles for each man-at-arms that he would have sent from here. He wished me to learn your wish on this proposal so that he may either have some sent promptly or that he would at once return to his company.
The Marquis of Douglas,^ father of the Earl of Angus, has at length obtained permission from the Privy Council of this kingdom to send his third son ^ to France to be page to his Majesty. He wishes me to beg you to take him under your protection, and to make him heir to the affection with which you were pleased to honour Colonel Douglas,^ his brother. He wishes me also to assure you on his part, that, as soon as his son arrives in France, he will send there a hundred men to serve and form a company in the Angus regiment.]
CLXXV
BELLIlfcVRE A BRIENNE
A trois milles de Londres, a Parsongiin, le - Aoiist l647. MoxsiEUR, — Uarmee estant auant hier a son rendez vous- general a quinze mil de Londres, composee de neuf mil hommes de pied et de pres de six mil cheuaux. La nuict precedente les-
^ William Douglas, llth Earl of Angus, created Marquis of Douglas by Charles i. in 1633, was an ardent Royalist. Having joined Montrose he distin- guished himself at Philiphaugh, where he was taken prisoner. He suffered many hardships for the king, and was heavily fined by Cromwell in 1654. See further Appendix, Note V.
^ Lord George Douglas, second son by second marriage, became Lieut. -General in both the French and English services. He was recalled to England in 1673 by Charles 11. and made Earl of Dumbarton, and two years later, Commander-in- Chief of the forces in Scotland by James vii. He died at St. Germains in 1692.
^ Lord James Douglas, second son by first marriage, had attained the rank of Brigadier-General in the French service, when he was killed near Douai, 21st October 1645. At the time of his death it is said he was about to have been made Marshal of France. The inscription on his well-known statue in the Pari& Church of St. Germain des Pres gives his age at the time of his death as twenty- eight.
1 647] BELLI^VRE TO BRIENNE 219
Bourgeois amis de rarmee, sous pretexte de voulloir preuenir une guerre, ont comance a paroistre en asses grand nombre dans la ville, et a faire signer par qui ilz ont pu des requestes tendantes a leurs fins. Ce parti qui s'esleuoit en la faueur de Tarmee et le reffus qu''a faict le fauxbourg qui est au dela du pent, de receuoir les trouppes que la ville y voulloit en- uoyer, ont tellement espouuente les bourgeois que la nuict du raardi ou mereredi ilz ont resolu dans leur conseil de ne se point opposer a I'armee, et d"'y enuoyer des commissaires pour adiuster auec elle les conditions de leur accord et adoucir autant qu'ilz pourront celles qu"'elle a demande, maisauant qu^ilz ayent pu estre au quartier Tauant garde a este aux portes de Londres, a la veue de laquelle les trouppes de la ville ont aban- donne les portes, les lignes, et les fortz. Celles de Tarmee y sont entrees a leur places. Le reste de Tarmee a continue de marcher, et se campe deuant la Ville. La tranquillite auec laquelle ces choses se font icy et celle ou se trouue presentement cette ville n''est pas imaginable. II n'y paroist pas qu''elle apprehende aucune chose quoy qu'ainsy que je vous escris elle se soit rendue rendu [sic] quasi a la discretion de Tarmee. Sans doute elle payera au moins les monstres qui luy sont deues et les chefs du parti presbiterien auront de la peine de se bien desmeller de cette affaire. Cella me soucieroit peu si je ne voyois pas les choses portees a ce point que je redoute il y a si longtemps pour le roy d'Angleterre. II est a la discretion de Tarmee et du parti Independant ; il n''y a rien quant a present qui se puisse opposer a eux. II a perdu despuis dix jours I'occasion de se restablir. II le pouuoit par le moyen de la Ville auant sa jonction auec le Parlement, mais il le pouuoit bien aduan- tageusement par Tarmee s"'il eust conclu auec elle il y a huict jours ainsy qu'elle le desiroit auec passion, et que Ton le con- seilloit au d. Roy. Son irresolution naturelle a Tesperance que luy et son conseil ont tousiours pris trop aisement que les choses se brouilleroient en sorte que Ton sera oblige de luy accorder de bonnes conditions luy ont faict perdre jusques icy beaucoup d'aduantages qui luy ont este offertz. Deux de ce nouueau conseil qui luy a este depuis peu enuoye par la reyne, sa femme, conuenoient hier auec moy qu'il eust peu faire quelque chose auec Tarmee s'il eust en effect desire, et qu'il
220 BELLIlfcVRE TO BRIENNE [aug.
eust pris les affaires. Ilz adjoustoient que le malheur qui Taccompagne auoit faict que la response qu'il a enuoyee aux propositions que rarmee luy faisoit ny est arriuee que trois heures apres la nouuelle que la Ville se soumettoit a ce que voulloit Tarmee, comme croyant que Tayant receue auant cette nouuelle les affaires se fussent pu accomoder. Je ne croys pas que ce retardement de trois heures luy ait porte grand pre- judice, car les propositions de Tarmee sont si rudes et de- struisent tellement tous les fondemens de la royaute que quant on les luy offriroit encore ainsy que Ton fera sans doubte, il ne les voudi'oit pas accepter. L'armee Ta fort presse de luy en faire, mais quant elle a recognu que non seullement il n''en voulloit point donner, mais aussy qu'en effect il ne voulloit rien conclure auec eux, ilz se sont tenuz dans leurs maximes Tnde- pendantes et dans des termes si generaux que le d. Roy n''en pent point proffiter. Ses affaires sont, a mon sens, en tres mauuais estat. Beaucoup de ses seruiteurs esperent qu''il pourra estre restabli par le moyen de Tarmee a des conditions asses bonnes. Ses nouueaux ministres s''imao;inent auoir encor des- couuert une autre ressource, qui est de pouuoir faire declarer pour le d. Roy une partie de Tarmee, et en mesme temps les prouinces du Quest et de Galles. Ces offres nous ont este faictes des Neufcastel, et reiterees souuent depuis, mais nous n''auons pas trouue lieu jusques icy de nous en seruir utilement. J'attends fort peu de ces deux choses s''il n"'en arriue une troisiesme a laquelle je ne voy point encore de jour. Deux des principaux officiers de farmee sortent d''auec moy qui promettent a leur ordinaire qu'elle veut seruir le d. Roy, mais aussy a leur ordinaire ilz parlent d'establir les affaires du Royaume auant que de trauailler a celles de leur Roy. Ce qui a renouuelle entre nous cette grande disputte que j'euz il y a six sepmaines auec Tarmee, luy soustenant qu"'au moins celles du dit Roy deuoient marcher conjoinctement auec celles du Royaume. Ilz me dirent qu'au plus tard dans huict jours ilz croyoient en pouuoir parler, et faire venir dans ce temps la le d. Roy a Hamptoncour ou a Ollants. II ne pourra plus tirer du sejour qu'il y fera Taduantage qu''il eust peu auoir si Ton li eust conduict, pendant qu'il y auoit icy deux partis considerables. — Je suis, Monsieur, vostre, etc., Bellieure.
Au dos — M. de Bellieure, du 15 d'aoust 1647, receu le 23.
1 647] BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE 221
[Bellievre to Brienne. Parson's Green, three miles from London, ^ Aug. 1647. The army at its general rendezvous yesterday, at fifteen miles from London, consisted of nine thousand foot and about six thousand horse. The preceding night the citizens friendly towards the army, under pretext of wishing to prevent a war, began to show themselves in considerable numbers in the town in getting petitions signed by any persons they could engage to do so to carry out their purposes. This party that sprang up in favour of the army, and the refusal made by the borough, which is beyond the bridge, to receive the troops that the city wished to send there so alarmed the inhabitants, that during the night of Tuesday to AV^ednes- day they resolved in their council not to oppose the army, and to send commissioners to it in order to arrange conditions for their acceptance, and to reduce as much as possible the demands that had been made ; but before these were able to reach the headquarters of the army, the vanguard was at the gates of London, at sight of which the city troops aban- doned the gates, their lines and the forts. Those of the army came and occupied them in their place. The remainder of the army kept on its march and camped before the town. The quiet with which those matters are managed here, and that which at present exists in this town cannot be imagined. It would seem as if they apprehended nothing, although, as I have written to you, it surrendered almost at discretion to the army. It will, no doubt, at least pay what is owing for the reviews to the army, and the leaders of the Presbyterians will have trouble in getting clearly out of this affair. It would not trouble me much, did I not see matters carried to that point which I dreaded so long ago for the King of England. He is at the discretion of the army and of the Independents, there is nothing, for the present at least, that can be opposed to them. He has lost during the last ten days the opportunity of re-establishing himself He could have done so by means of the town before it joined itself to Parliament, and also done so very advantageously through the army, had he come to terms with it eight days ago, as it eagerly wished and which he was advised to do. His natural irresolution, together with the hope he and his council have been always too much led by, that matters would become disordered so that one would be obliged to grant him good conditions, has caused him to lose up till now many advantages that have been offered to him. Two of his new council who were sent to him recently by the queen, his consort, were agreed with me yesterday that he might have done something with the army, if he had in fact wished it and accepted the affairs. Tliey told me also that through the ill-luck that follows him, the reply he sent to the proposals made to him by the army only arrived three hours after the news that the town would submit to what the army wished, as if believing that having received it before this news the affairs might have been arranged. I do not think that this delay of three hours can have caused him any prejudice, for the proposals of the army are so hard and destruc- tive and subversive of all the foundations of royal authority, that had they
222 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [AUG.
been offered to him thus, as they no doubt were, he would not have accepted them. Tlie army urged him strongly to do so, but when it was perceived that he would not do so, but also that, in fact, he would conclude nothing with them, they held to their Independent maxims in such general terms that the king was unable to profit thereby. His affairs are, in my opinion, in a very bad condition ; many of his followers hope that he will be re-established by means of the army on somewhat good conditions. His new ministers imagine also to have discovered another resource in being able to make a part of the army declare for the king and at the same time the western counties and AVales. These offers were made to us at Newcastle and have been reiterated often since, but we have not till now found means of turning them to any profitable account. I expect very little from these two plans, if a third do not turn up, of which I do not yet see any sign. Two of the principal officers of the army who have just left me promise, as they do usually, that the army will serve the king, but also, as usual, they speak of establishing the affairs of the kingdom before engaging in those of their king, which renewed between us that great discussion I had six weeks ago with the army, I maintaining that those of the king ought, at least, to progress con- jointly with those of the kingdom. They tell me that in eight days at the latest, they believe they will be able to speak about it, and at that time to have the king brought to Hampton Court or to Oatlands. He will, if he be taken there, no longer he able to profit by the stay he will make, as he might have done while the two important parties existed here.]
CLXXVI
MONTEREUL Au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimbourg, -^ A6ut l647.
Je me suis donne Fhonneur par mes deux dernieres du ^^f et du f^ Aout de representer assez exactement a V. Em*'® la condition des affaires dans ce pays. Elles sont toujours au mesme etat qu'^elles estoient, et bien que les ministres preschent continuellement a ces peuples que la conservation de leur roy et Tetablissement de leur religion demandent d'eux qu*'ils prennent les armes, ils n'ont encore ose declarer leurs sentiments avec cette mesme liberte dans leur assemblee generale, ou le zele des moins prudents est modere par les personnes seculieres qui y assistent, qui sont pour la plus grande partie du corps de la noblesse de ce royaume. Le grand Comite n'a pas creu aussy qu''il deut entreprendre une chose de telle importance, comme de lever une nouvelle armee sans une mure deliberation.
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 223
et sans une connaisance certaine de ce qui se faisoit en Angle- terre, et du pouvoir qu"'avoient leurs amis de les assister ; ce que les changements qui sont arrives si subitement, dans les affaires des Presbyteriens et des Independants, ne leur ont pas permis de reconnaistre avec beaucoup de certitude jusques a present que le sieur Robert Leslay arrive d''aupres du roy de la G"" B"" qui nous apprend que Tarmee commande aujourd''huy dans Londres, et que le parti Presbyterien est entierement abattu en Angleterre.
Je ne puis exprimer a V. Em*'® de quelle sorte cette nouvelle a etonne icy les plus resolus. Cependant, bien qu'il y eut sujet de croire que cela deut les faire agir avec plus de retenue touchant la levee d"'une nouvelle armee, il me semble par Tentretien de quelques personnes de condition que j''ay veues depuis qu"'il est arrive, qu''ils pourront faire maintenant pour leur defense et pour leur conservation ce qu'ils eussent fait auparavant avec dessein d'attaquer et de miner leurs ennemis. lis me demandent mesme ce que je croy quMls peuvent attendre de la France en cette occasion. Sur quoy j ""essay e de repondre toujours en termes generaux, en telle sorte que je leur puisse faire esperer beaucoup, bien que je ne leur promette aucune chose. J'espere que nous serons dans peu de jours asseures de leurs intentions, mais jusques a ce jour il ne s"'est resolu aucune chose, ni dans I'assemblee du clerge ni dans le comite.
Bien que les amis du Marquis d'Argyle Tayent presse de revenir, il ne voit pas encore les isles tellement paisibles quMl puisse les abandonner sans danger. II reste mesme quelques forts a prendre et quelques accommodements a faire, qui occuperont Tarmee et luy, ainsi qu''on m''a dit, jusques a la fin de Septembre.
Le Comte de Lanark est venu me voir ce matin. Je ne Tay pas trouve si contraire au dessein de lever une nouvelle armee (ju^il avoit semble estre au commencement ; m''ayant temoigne que si les Independants ne conservoient la religion et la monarchic en Angleterre, et ne traitoient bien leur roy, TEcosse asseurement leur feroit la guerre. II m''a fait connoistre aussy qu"'il avoit beaucoup de resentiments des biens que Sa M** luy avoit voulu faire, mais il en est toujours demeure dans ces termes, qu"'il desiroit les meriter par ses services avant que les
224 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [AUG.
recevoir, et il a desire que je vous asseurasse de se part, que le Due son frere et luy seroient toujours prests a faire les choses qu''ils connaitroient devoir estre plus agreable a S. M**^ et a V. Em''^
LMndisposition que le dit Comte de Lanark a eu ici, et le voyage qu''il a fait ensuite a Hamilton, m^a donne lieu de differer tout ce temps a rendre la lettre de S. M**, Ayant juge que je la pouvois delivrer sans qu''ils en puissent tirer avantage, et que je ne la pouvois retenir sans qu"'ils le trou- vassent mauvais, je ne me haterai point toutefois de la rendre et differerai autant que je le pourrai faire honnetement.
M. le Marquis de Douglas, pere du Comte d' Angus, duquel je me donnai Thonneur d'ecrire a V. Em'^'' par le precedent ordinaire, a desire que je luy envoyasse le papier ci-joint, pour luy faire connoistre les conditions avec lesquelles on a accorde a son troisieme fils la permission d'aller servir Sa M**, et de quelle sorte les pauvres Catholiques sont traites en ce pays, mais ce qui m'a le plus surpris est, qu'il m*'a nomme en pleurant, le Comte d' Angus, comme le principal auteur de toutes les rigueurs dont on a use envers luy et ses enfants que luy ont este otes depuis quelque temps, et qu'il a toutefois fait instruire de telle sorte qu'il ne doute pas qu'ils ne demeurent toujours dans la religion Catholique.
Robert Leslay m''est venu voir presentement, et par ce qu'il m'a dit, je juge que le Due de Hamilton, quelque chose que m'ait dit son frere, taschera d'empescher les levees et de s^accommoder avec les Independants.
[MoNTEREUii to Cardinal Mazarin. Edinburgh, " Aug. 1647. In my letters of the ""1^— and ^ Aug. I represented to you exactly the state of affairs in this country. They are still in the same condition as they were, and although the clergy preach continually to those people that the preservation of their king and the establishment of their religion require them to take arms, they have not yet declared their opinions with the same freedom of expression in their General Assembly, where the zeal of the less prudent is restrained by persons of the laity who take part in their meetings, and who for the most part belong to the nobility of this kingdom. The Committee of Estates also has not judged that it ought to undertake a matter of such importance as the raising of a new army without mature deliberation, and without an exact knowledge of what was being done in England, and the power their friends had to
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 225
assist them, the changes that have occurred so suddenly in the affairs of the Presbyterians and Independents not having permitted them to determine with much certainty their relative positions till now that Mr. Robert Leslie is come from the King of Great Britain, who informs us that the army commands now in London and that the Presbyterian party is quite overthrown in England.
I cannot express to you the astonishment that this news has caused here to the most resolute. Yet although there is reason to believe that this ought to make them act with more reserve regarding the raising of a new army, it seems to me, from the conversations 1 have had with some persons of rank, whom I have seen since the news has come, that they will be able to do now for their defence and for their safety what they might have done formerly with the intention of attacking and destroying their «nemies. They even ask what I believe they may expect from France on this occasion. \Vhereupon I try to reply always in general terms so that I may make them hope much although I promise them nothing. I hope we shall be assured of their intentions in a few days, but till to-day nothing has been decided upon, neither in the assembly of the clergy nor in the committee.
Although the friends of the Marquis of Argyle have urged him to return, he does not yet consider the islands quite quiet so as to be able to leave them without danger. There are yet some forts to take and some terms of surrender to make which will occupy the army and him also, as I have been told, until the end of September.
The Earl of Lanark called on me this morning. I did not find him so opposed to the design of raising a new army as he seemed to be at first, from his having remarked to me that if the Independents did not preserve religion and the monarchy in England and did not treat their king well, Scotland would assuredly make war upon them. He expressed to me also that he was very grateful for the favours his Majesty had conferred upon him, but he has always confined himself to these terms, that he should have wished to merit them by his services before receiving them, and he wishes me to assure you on his part that the duke, his brother, and he would always be ready to do what they might know would be most agree- able to his Majesty and to your Eminence.
The indisposition that the Earl of Lanark had here and the journey he has made since to Hamilton has given me cause to delay during all that time the delivery of the letter of his Majesty. Having judged that I could deliver it without their being able to derive any advantage from it, and that I cannot retain it without their having cause to complain, I shall not make haste, however, to deliver it, but put it off as long as I can with politeness.
The Marquis of Douglas, of whom I wrote to you by the last mail, the father of the Earl of Angus, wishes me to send to you the enclosed paper* in order to let you see the conditions on which permission has
^ See Appendix, Note P. VOL. II. P
226 BELLli:VRE TO BRIENNE [AUG.
been granted to his third son to go to serve his Majesty and in what manner poor Catholics are treated in this country, but what has surprised me most is that he named to me while in tears the Earl of Angus as the principal author of the hardships that he has been made to endure ; his children have been taken away from him for some time, whom he has, however, had instructed in such a manner that they will always remain in the Catholic religion.
Robert Leslie has just called upon me, and from what he has told me I judge that the Duke of Hamilton, in spite of what his brother told me, will try to prevent the levies and come to terms with the Independents.]
CLXXVII
BELLIEVRE a BRIENNE
A Londres, le — Aoust 1647.
Monsieur, — L'armee reconduisit au Parlement vendredy dernier ceux des deux Maisons qui s''estoient retirez vers elle. L'on y restablit les anciens Speakers. On annula ce qui a este faict en leur absence quoy qu'il ne soit pas encore resolu si Ton prononcera par voye de nullite ou de cassation. On fit entrer au Parleme* le general fairfax, auquel on y donna pareille seance que Ton fait aux Roys d'Escosse ou aux Ambassadeurs. L'on le remercia en termes tres ciuils, Ton confirma son gene- ralat sur toutes les forces d'Ang*"®. L'on le fist connestable de la Tour, et on ordonna un mois de paye aux soldats de l'armee qui ne sera point desduit sur les monstres qui leur sont deiies. Et comme les choses ont este mieux pour Tarmee et pour ses amis, et plus vite qu'ils ne s'estoient imagine, ils prirent le Samedy et le dimanche pour aduiser a la conduitte qu'ilz auront a tenir sans entrer au Parlement. Aujourd'huy ils n'y ont encore rien fait que de contester sur cette difficulte si Ton cassera ou si Ton desclarera nul ce qui a este fait en Tabsence des anciens speakers. Cependant Tarmee traicte encore avec le Roy d'Angleterre sans entremise ce neantmoings auec la participation du Parlement. Ceux qui traittent de la part du Roy se flattent tousiours d'esperance. Je crains beaucoup de cette negotiation Ton propose aux negotiateurs des auantages qui leur pourroient bien faire relascher quelque chose de ceux de leur maistre. Je voy le parti royal si abbattu qu'il est quasi tout d'aduis que le dit
i647] BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE 227
roy approuue toutes les propositions qui luy seront faittes tant par Tarmee que par le parlement, et ie croy voir clairement qu"'il est prest de souscrire si Ton ne desire pas qu''il face aucune chose contre ses euesques. II est estonne au dernier point du subit changement arriue aux affaires. II semble que rarmee et les Independans se resoluent de faire les leurs trop promptement auant que leurs ennemis puissent reprendre des forces et du coeur, et trauaillent en mesme temps a gaigner les bonnes graces mesme de ceux qui leur estoient cy deuant les plus opposez, et surtout de la Ville de Londres. M' D'ormonde est en Angleterre ; il a enuoye icy pour obtenir la permission de venir baiser les mains du Roy de la G. B. S'il y vient ie croy quMl seroit bon que ie fusse informe de ce qui a este resolu en France sur ces propositions. La lettre que le S' Tallon lui a escrit a bien passe par mes mains, mais ie n'ay pas sceu ce qu''elle contenoit. — Je suis. Monsieur, vostre, etc.,
Bellieuee. Au dos — M. de Bellieure, du 9 aoust l646, receu le 23.
[Bellievre to Brienne, London, j- Aug. 1646.
The army reconducted to Parliament on Friday last those members of both Houses that had withdrawn to it. The previous Speakers were rein- stated, and what had been done during their absence annulled, although it has not yet been decided whether this is to be finally done by declaring it null or by repealing it. General Fairfax was introduced to Parliament, where he received an ovation such as is usually given to the kings of Scotland or to ambassadors. He was thanked in very polite terms and confirmed in his office of General of all the English forces ; he was named Constable of the Tower, and the soldiers of the army were ordered to receive a month's pay, which will not be deducted from the review money that is owing to them. And as matters have turned out better for the army and its friends, and been arranged more expeditiously than was supposed, they took Saturday and Sunday in order to consult, without entering Parliament, as to the line of conduct they will have to adopt. To-day they have still done nothing beyond disputing on this difficulty of repeal- ing or declaring null what had been done in the absence of the former speakers. Yet the army is still treating with the King of England, without any one intervening, yet nevertheless with the participation of Parliament. Those who treat on the part of the king always flatter themselves with hopes ; I fear much that in this negotiation advantages may be proposed to those who are treating in it that may induce them to renounce some of the interests of their master. I see the royalist party
228 BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE [AUG.
so cast down that it is almost the general opinion that the king approve all the proposals that will be made to him both by the army and by Parliament, and I believe I see clearly that he is ready to subscribe to it if only they do nothing against his bishops. He is much surprised at the sudden change brought into affairs. It seems that the army and the Independents have resolved to carry out their plans too promptly, before their enemies are able to collect their forces and take courage, and they have set to work at the same time to gain the favour even of those who were formerly the most opposed to them, and especially the City of London. The Marquis of Ormond is in England, and has sent here in order to obtain permission to pay his respects to the King of Great Britain. If he come I believe it will be necessary for me to inform him of what has been decided upon in France regarding his proposals. The letter that M. Tallon wrote to him haS certainly passed through my hands, but I did not know what it contained.]
CLXXVIII
BELLIEVRE A BRIENNE
A Londres, le — Aoust l647.
' 12
Monsieur, — Les choses sont au mesme estat que j"'escriuis lundi dernier. Les Independans sont en peine, et deliberent entre eux de la conduitte qu'ilz ont a tenir. Ilz se trouuent tres empeschez de ce que rencontrans par la facillite qu'ilz s'estoient imaginez d'esteindre presentement la royaute, ilz sont comme obligez, pour ne pas faire crier le peuple, de mettre leur Roy en quelque espece de liberte, et en ce cas quelques pre- cautions qu'ilz apportent ilz ne se tiennent pas asseurez quMl ne puisse reprendre asses d"'authorite pour les ruiner dans quelque temps. La crainte de la mesme chose a faict que les Presbiteriens ont mieux ayme se sousmettre et se rend re a la discretion des Independans que d''hazarder en conseruant leur pouuoir d'en donner a leur Roy plus qu'ilz n'ont cy-deuant estime luy en deuoir appartenir. Celluy qu''ont aujourd''huy les Independans joinct a ce que je scay de leurs intentions a ce que ie voys de leur conduitte me faict beaucoup apprehender du succez des affaires du Roy de la Grand Bretagne. Quand a luy, il espere beaucoup et quasi plus qu''il n''a encores faict. Je voy qu'il se veut contenter, et ses petits ministres luy conseillent des conditions que Tarmee et les Independans sont necessitez de luy ofirir pour affermir le credit dans lequel ilz
1647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 229
sont, et en prendre assez pour pouuoir auec le temps porter les affaires au point qu'ils desirent. Je luy ay donne en toutes rencontres les Informations que j"'ay pu. Je n*'estime pas me deuoir opposer aux choses quMlz estiment luy estre utilles, et principallement a celles dont le bien ou le mal ne peut estre cognu que par Teuenement. Je luy ay enuoye auiourd'huy un de mes gens, par le retour duquel j'apprens qu''il persiste dans ses esperances. II se porte bien, et sera demain a Otlants. — Je suis, Monsieur, vostre, etc., Bellieure.
Au dos — M. de Bellieure, du 22 aoust l647, receu le 27.
[Bellievre to Brienne. London, ^ Ang. 1646. Matters are in the same state as when I wrote to you on Monday last. The Independents are in trouble and deliberate among themselves as to what course of conduct they ought to take. They find themselves much impeded, and do not find it so easy as they expected to put an end to royalty at present ; they are obliged in order not to cause a popular out- cry to allow the king some sort of liberty, and in that case whatever precautions they may take, they do not consider themselves safe as he may recover authority enough in a short time so as to ruin them. The fear of this same thing has led the Presbyterians to prefer rather to submit and yield at discretion to the Independents than to run the risk in retaining their power to give of it to their king, more than they formerly judged ought to belong to him. The power the Independents hold at present, joined to what I know of their intentions, and what I see of their conduct, lead me to fear much for the success of the aiFairs of the King of Great Britain. As for the king, he hopes much and almost more than he has yet done. I see he wishes to content himself, and his small ministers propose to him conditions which the army and the Independents are obliged to offer him in order to consolidate the influence they have and to acquire enough more so as to be able in time to bring matters to the point they wish. I have given him in all circumstances the informa- tion I could. I do not consider it my duty to oppose things they consider to be useful for him, and principally those of which the good or the harm can only be known by the result. I have sent one of my people to him to-day, from whose return I learn that he persists in his hopes. He is quite well and he will be at Oatlands to-morrow.]
CLXXIX
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimhourg, ^' Aout l647. J'ay receu ce matin celle dont il a pleu a V. Em*^® m'honorer du 2 de ce mois sur le sujet de laquelle je luy dirai, qu'encore
230 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [AUG.
que j'ay este oblige de rendre la lettre de S. M*^ a ceux qui avoient este ordonnes il y a longtemps pour la recevoir je me suis conduit en la delivrant de la mesme sorte que j"'aurois peu faire si j*'avois receu auparavant les ordres que V. Em*=® me vient de donner, de ne m''avancer d'aucune chose, Tayant accompagnee seulement de discours generaux, et que j'ay creu pouvoir donne lieu aux Ecossois de se promettre beaucoup de la protection de S. M*^, sans leur donner moyen de s"'en servir pour brouiller la France avec les Independants, qui sont aujourd^huy toute TAngleterre, et pour faire plus avantageuse- ment leur paix, en publiant que nous les portons a faire la guerre.
Et pour ce qui regarde les ouvertiwes qui m'ont este faites a diverses recontres (mais qui n''ont jamais passe jusqu'a des propositions formelles, et qui vinssent de personnes qui en eussent autorite) soit touchant la venue de la reine de la Gr' B' ou du Prince de Galles en Ecosse, soit sur le sujet des assist- ances dont ce royaume auroit besoin s''il s'^engageait dans une nouvelle guerre, je les ay toujours receues avec de bonnes paroles, mais comme dans Tincertitiide des choses je n''avois peu avoir ni de nouvelles de ce que M. de Bellievre faisoit a Londres, ni d"'ordre de luy de ce que je devois faire icy, et que j'avois tout sujet de me defier des intentions des Ecossois, je leur ay toujours fait entendre que personne ne pouvoit mieux menager ces choses, ni plus a Tavantage de leur nation que M. de Bellievre.
De sorte que je puis asseurer V. Em"^ que j'ay age avec toute la retenue qu'elle eut peu desirer de moi, et que si je n"'ay pas eu lieu de faire du bien je me suis au moins seu empescher de faire du mal.
Au reste, Mg', quoiqu'on attendit ici Jeudi dernier que ce comite dut resoudre de grandes choses, et que les ministres eussent donne sujet au peuple de croire qu''on pouvoit se porter a mettre ce royaume en etat de se defendre, a peine le mit on seulement en deliberation. Le Chancelier le proposa, mais son avis fut suivi de peu de personnes, et tous les autres furent d'opinion que Ton ne se devoit pas encore haster, de sorte que Ton delibera seulement si Ton enverroit de nou- veaux deputes en Angleterre, — quelles personnes on choiseroit pour cet Envoy, — et quelles seroient les instructions qu'on
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 2S1
leur donneroit ; mais encore remit on a ce jour a prendre resolution sur toutes ces choses, et je doute que je puisse estre averti assez tost de ce qui s'y sera passe pour le pouvoir faire scavoir par cet ordinaire a V. Em*'^. Je lui puis dire toutefois par avance, qu'il semble que Ton soit comme demeure d''accord d''envoyer quelqu"'un presentement en Angleterre, et que Ton croit que cette commission sera donnee ou au Chancelier ou au Comte de Traquair ou a celui de Lanark, et plustost a ce dernier qu'aux deux autres, et que sous le pretexte d'estre envoye vers de roy de la G"" B' pour scavoir Tetat ou il est, et ce qu'il desire de ce royaume, durant que les commissaires qui sont a Londres presenteront les plaintes de cet Etat sur le rude traitement qu'a receu le Comte de Lauderdale et Tarrest de leur secretaire, et demanderont que le covenant soit pris et le Presbyteriat etabli en Angleterre, ce depute taschera a porter le dit roi a faire quelque chose a Tavantage de ce royaume et essayera d'accommoder TEcosse avec les Indepen- dants, — ce qui doit estre apparemment le principal sujet de son envoy. Car, bien que le Chancelier m'ait fait connoistre hier, assez clairement, qu''il voudroit qu'on commen9ast par faire une armee, et que le Comte de Lanark m"'ait dit qu'ils ne laisseroient point miner leur roy sans prendre les armes, je sais de plusieurs d''entre eux, qu"'on ne trouve point a propos de se brouiller avec TAngleterre pour y introduire le covenant et le Presbyteriat ; et j'ay peu de sujet de croire quMls veuillent faire davantage pour leur roy que pour leur religion qui a este le pretexte de leur revolt. Que quelques uns d'entre eux m'ont asseure que leurs amis d' Angleterre ne desiroient pas quMls se remuassent encore si tost, et que quand ils voudroient faire quelque chose aujourd'huy ils ne le pourroient pas mesme bien aisement, puisque ceux qui arrestoient, ce sembloit, le Marquis d'Argyle et David Leslay seulement a capituler sont encore en armes, et en etat de leur faire quelque resistance, de telle sorte qu"'il a eu quelque rencontre depuis peu de jours entre le chef du clan kennel et Tarmee du Parlement, ou il se dit a la verite que celle-ci a eu Tavantage, et a defait pres de cinq cents hommes et pris un petit fort, ce que montre que quoique leurs affaires aillent assez bien, elles ne sont pas encore achevees ; outre que Lord Reay, qui est dans les parties plus septentrionales
232 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [AUG.
d'Ecosse et de plus difficile accez, vers lequel le Marquis d'Huntley s''est retire, se prepare a se defendre, et est en lieu ou 11 peut donner de Temploi tout le reste de la campagne a la petite armee de ce Parlement.
II se parle de quatre regiments de cavalerie Angloise qui se sont avances vers Newcastle, et Ton apprehende ici que les Anglois jetent de neuvelles garnisons dans les villes de Carlisle et de Berwick, qui devoient estre demolies par la traite des deux nations. Le sieur Cheisley, secretaire des commissaires d'Ecosse qui sont a Londres, qui avoit este arreste a Newcastle par celui qui commande dans la place fut delivre par luy avant que la lettre que ce Comite avoit escrite sur ce sujet eut peu estre arrivee a Newcastle. II doit faire sa relation devant le Comite cet apres-disnee.
Le Pari* d'Angleterre presse toujours les Ecossois de quitter rirlande, ce qu''ils ne veulent point faire sans recevoir le paie- ment leur estre deu, de sorte que les officiers de leur armee menacent de garder pour eux-mesmes les places qu'ils tiennent maintenant dans le dit royaume, et quelque uns mesmes de s'accommoder avec les Catholiques du pays, si ils y sont contraints par le Pari* d'Angleterre.
Cest ce qui peut apparement faire, plustost que toute autre chose, prendre les armes a ces peuples, que la considera- tion de leur interest touche plus que la conservation de leur roy ou Tetablissement de leur religion. Le Marquis d'Argyle pour satisfaire aux prieres de ses amis arriva hier au soir en cette ville.
[MoNTEREUL to CARDINAL Mazarin. Edinburgh, ^ Aug. 1647.
I RECEIVED this morning your letter of the 2nd inst., on the subject of which I have to say that although I have been obliged to deliver the letter of his Majesty to those who were appointed so long ago to receive it, I acted in delivering it in the same manner I should have done had I previously received the orders you have just given me, to make no advances in anything, having accompanied it only by general discourse that I believed could give reason to the Scots to expect much from the protection of his Majesty without giving them the means of making use of it in order to embroil France witli the Independents, who are now all England, or that could enable them to make more profitable terms with the Independents by proclaiming that we are persuading them to make war.
And as regards the overtures that have been made to me in various circumstances, but which have never gone so far as formal proposals, coming from persons possessed of authority, either relating to the coming
i647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 233
of the Queen of Great Britain or that of the Prince of Wales in Scotland, or on the subject of the assistance this country would require in the event of its being engaged in a new war ; I have always received them with soft words, but in the uncertainty in which I was placed, having no news of what M, de Bellievre was doing in London, nor any order from him con- cerning what I ought to do here, and that I had every reason to distrust the intentions of the Scots, I have always led them to understand that no one could manage matters better and more to the advantage of their nation than M. de Bellievre. So that I can assure you that I have acted with every reserve that you could have wished me to do, and that if 1 have not had much occasion to do good, I have at least known how to keep from doing harm.
Although it was expected here that this Committee was to settle some important matters on Thursday last, and the clergy had given the people reason to think that they might be induced to put this kingdom in a state of defence, the matter was little more than touched upon. The Chancellor proposed it, but his opinion was adopted by few persons, and all the others considered they ought not to be in haste, so that their deliberation turned principally as to whether a new deputation should be sent to England and what persons they should select for that purpose and what instructions they might give them ; but again the final decision in these matters was deferred until to-day, and I fear I may not be informed of what may have taken place in time to be able to inform you of it by this mail, I can, however, tell you in advance, that they seem almost agreed on sending some one to England at present, and that it is thought this commission will be given either to the Chancellor, or the Earl of Traquair, or the Earl of Lanark, and more probably to the last than to the two others, and that under the pretext of sending to the King of Great Britain to learn in what condition lie is and what he wishes from this kingdom, while the Commissioners who are in London will present the complaints of this kingdom on the rude treatment the Earl of Lauderdale has met with and the arrest of their secretary, and will demand that the Covenant be taken, and Presbyterianism established in England. This delegate will try to induce their king to do something to the advan- tage of this kingdom, and will try to bring Scotland to an agreement with the Independents, which is apparently to be the principal object of his being sent. For, although the Chancellor explained to me somewhat clearly yesterday that he would like them to begin to raise an army, and that the Earl of Lanark told me they would not allow their king to be ruined, without taking arms, I know from several among them that it does not at all suit them to quarrel with England, in order to introduce there the Covenant and Presbyterianism, and I have small reason to suppose that they will do more for their king than for their religion, which was the pretext of their revolt. Some among them have assured me that their English friends did not wish to move just yet, and that even were they dis- posed to do anything at present, it would not even be very easy, seeing those who held the Marquis of Argyle and David Leslie in check, merely
234 P. BELLli:VRE TO BRIENNE [AUG.
about surrendering, are, it appears, still in arms and capable of making some assistance, so much so that in an encounter that has taken place within the last few days between the chief of the clan Quesnel and the army of this Parliament, in which it is indeed said the latter had the best of it, having defeated about five hundred men and taken a small fort, which indicates that although their affairs are progressing tolerably well, they are not yet at an end, besides Lord Reay,* who is in the most northern part of Scotland and the most difficult of access, towards which the Marquis of Huntly had withdrawn, is preparing to defend himself, and can very well in his locality occupy the small army of Parliament during the remainder of the campaign.
It is said that four regiments of English cavalry have advanced towards Newcastle, and it is feared here that the English may place new garrisons in the towns of Carlisle and Berwick, of which the fortifications were to be demolished, according to the treaty between the two nations.
Mr. Chiesley, secretary to the Scottish Commissioners in London, who was arrested at Newcastle by the officer commanding there, was liberated before the letter this committee had written on the subject had reached Newcastle. He is to make a statement before the Committee this afternoon.
The English Parliament is still pressing the Scots to leave Ireland, which they M'ill not do, without receiving payment of what they pretend to be owing to them, so that the officers of their army threaten to keep for themselves the places they now hold in that kingdom, and some of them even threaten to come to terms with the Catholics of the country, if they be forced to give up by the English Parliament. This is what may, more probably than any other thing, cause them to take arms. What concerns their interest touches them more closely than the preservation of their king or the establishment of their religion. The Marquis of Argyle, having ceded to the entreaties of his friends, arrived in town last evening.]
CLXXX
P. BELLIIEIVRE a BRIENNE
A Lo7idres, le ^ Aoust l647.
Monsieur, — Ne voyant point reuenir M"" L'Ambassadeur, qui est auec le Roy de la G. B., Je prens la liberte de vous
^ Donald Mackay, first Baron Reay, was an ardent royalist. Having served in the wars abroad with Gustavus Adolphus and the King of Denmark since 1626, on the outbreak of the Civil War in England he immediately returned to engage in the service of Charles i. He had landed at Newcastle with a con- siderable sum of money and a quantity of ammunition, which he had brought from abroad in aid of the king, when, on that town surrendering to the Scots, he was taken prisoner, and confined in the prison of Edinburgh to await his trial. Being released by Montrose, after the battle of Kilsyth, he returned to Denmark, where he passed the rest of his life, and died. Governor of Bergen, in 1649.
i647] P. BELLI^VRE TO BRIENNE 235
faire ces lignes pour vous en donner aduis, craignant quMl ne peut estre asses tost de retour pour escrire, ne s''estant au surplus rien passe de considerable depuis ses dernieres. On est tousiours en contestation dans la Maison des Communs pour scauoir si on reuocquera ou si Ton declarera nul ce qui s'est fait en Tabsence des Speakers. Celle des Pairs, qui est dans les interestz de Tarmee, ne s"'est point assise aujourd''huy, pour luy donner moyen de faire par une voye, qui ne se peut plus a present dire nouuelle, ce qu'elle n''a peu obtenir autre- ment, et pour cet effect les adjutateurs resolurent bier de faire une declaration centre ceux de la Chambre des Communs qui s"'opposent a leurs desseins, qu''ils ont enuoyee ce matin au Parlement, ou elle auroit este ouuerte si la Chambre haute eust tenu. L'on a confirmation de la defFaitte des confederez d"'Irlande, et de Tarrest, fait a Newcastle, de Chieslay, secretaire des Commissionnaires d'Escosse, qui alloit a Edenbourg. — Je suis. Monsieur, vostre, etc., P. de Bellikure.
Au dos — Le frere de M. de Bellieure, du 29 d'aoust l647, receu le 3 septembre.
[P. BfiixiiivRE to Bbienne. London, ^ Aug. 1647.
Seeing the ambassador, who is with the King of Great Britain, has not returned, I take the liberty to give you notice of it, fearing that he may not be back in time iu order to write to you ; besides, nothing important has happened since his last. The House of Commons is still discussing whether it ought to repeal or to declare null what was done in the absence of the Speakers. The House of Peers, which is in the interest of the army, is not sitting to-day in order to have the means of doing, through a channel tliat can no longer at present be called new, what it cannot obtain other- wise ; and to that effect the agitators resolved yesterday to make a declara- tion against those of the House of Commons who were opposed to their designs, which they sent to Parliament this morning, where it would have been opened if the Upper House had been sitting. The defeat of the Confederates in Ireland has been confirmed and also the arrest made at Newcastle of Chiesley, secretary to the Scottish Commissioners, who was going to Edinburgh.]
CLXXXI
BELLIEVRE A BRIENNE
A Londres,le ^-1^164.1.
Monsieur, — L'on doit demain commencer a parler au Parle- ment de ]''accommodement des affaires de ce Royaume et de celles
236 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [SEPT.
du Roy de la G. B. en mesme temps. Jusques a ce que Ton y ait trauaille quelques jours, il est difficile de juger a quoy elles abboutiront. J'ay depuis trois jours entretenu le dit Roy toutte une apres disnee. II persiste dans les mesmes pensees que ie me suis donne Thonneur de vous mander cy-deuant qu"'il estoit. Je persiste aussy dans les miennes. — Je suis, Monsieur^ vostre, etc., Bellieure.
Au dos — M. de Bellieure, du 2 Septembre 1647, receu le vi®.
[Bellikvre to Bbienne. London, ~2^_ 1647.
The arrangement of the affairs of this kingdom and those of the King of Great Britain at the same time is to be begun to-morrow in Parliament. Until one has been some days engaged thereon it will be difficult to judge of the result. Three days ago I talked the matter over with the king during an entire afternoon. He persists in the same ideas of which I formerly informed you. I persist also in mine.]
CLXXXII MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimhourg, ^*4¥ l647.
BiEN que diverses choses et bien importantes, se soient faites depuis huit jours dans ce Comite, il ne s'y est rien passee toute- fois que ce que je m'estois donne Thonneur d''ecrire a V. Em*^® par mes dernieres. On y a resolu d'envoyer deux commissaires au roy de la G*" B', et on est demeure d^accord que le Comte de Loudon, Chancelier du royaume, et le Comte de Lanark, secretaire de cet Etat, seroient choisis pour cet envoy. Je joins ici la copie des instructions qui leur ont ete donnees, que j''ay eues de Monsieur de Lanark et de M. le Chev' Moray en mesme temps, mais de Fun et de Tautre avec de grandes prieres de les tenir bien secrette, et de n"'en faire point de bruit ni ici ni en France, — ce qui m"'a fait croire qu''ils sont bien aises qu''elles soient veues, et qu''elles ont este faites principalement pour cela: aussy M' le Comte de Lanark m'a comme avoue qu*'ils en auroient encore de secretes. Et veritablement, Mg% ils ont quelques raisons de desirer que ces instructions soient veues, puisque c'est ce qui c''est passe ici de plus honneste depuis le commencement de ces troubles, et ce qu'ils peuvent
i647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 237
faire voir avec moins de honte pour eux ; aussi comme s"'ils eussent apprehende d''avoir fait quelque chose en cela qui peut laisser quelque impression de leur fidelite, ils ne demeurerent pas plustost d'accord d'enuoyer ces instructions que le Marquis <l''Argyle presenta un papier au Comite, par lequel il protestoit que son intention n''estoit point que ce qui estoit porte dans les deux instructions peut en aucune sorte engager ce royaume €n une rupture avec TAngleterre, avec laquelle TEcosse estoit unie par tant de raisons et par un si etroit covenant. Ce sont a peu pres les termes auxquels on m'a dit que cette declaration a este con^ue, car je ne Fay peu voir, bien que je Tay fort demandee, que plusieurs me Tayent promise, et qu'elle contienne peu de chose.
Le Due de Hamilton se plaignit aussitost du procede du Marquis d'Argyle, et dit qu'il n'avoit pas temoigne par ses actions qu'il eut plus d'envie que lui de rompre avec TAngle- terre, au contraire que les amis du dit Marquis avoient soutenu, contre ses sentiments, qu'il falloit lever de nouvelles forces, de sorte qu'il demanda que cette declaration qui etoit faite par un particulier, le fut par toute Tassemblee, — ce qui passa presque d^une voix, — y ayant voulu ajouter qu*'ils n*'entendoient pas aussi prejudicier par ces instructions aux interests de leur roi. Bien que ceci eut ete arreste le Jeudi ^| Aout, le Chancelier d'Ecosse desira le remettre encore en deliberation et tascha de faire voir que cette protestation ne se devoit pas du tout faire. II fut seconde, mais sans effet, par les Comtes de Traquair et de Lothian, par le Baron de Balcarras et par Favocat du roi, tons du parti d'Argyle, qui eut desire que cette declaration n'eut ete faite que par lui, afin d"'en pouvoir tirer seul du merite aupres des Independants, et de faire que le procede de ses amis pust, en quelque sorte, excuser le sien aupres du roi de la G"" B"". Cest, Mg', tout ce qui s"'est passe dans le Comite.
L'assemblee du clerge d'Ecosse a fait aussi sa declaration que je n'ay peu voir encore, et qui est, a ce qu''on me dit, assez conforme aux instructions que je joins a cette lettre. Mais j'ay beaucoup de sujet de croire que ce Comite a quelque dessein de faire une nouvelle proposition a Fassemblee des ministres, touchant ce que les Ecossois devroient faire au cas
238 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [SEPT.
que leur roi etablit leur religion et approuvast leur covenant, a quoi on ne doute point qu"'ils ne repondent, qu'ils doivent en ce cas appuyer ses interests, pour voir s'ils peuvent porter leur roi par ce moyen a leur accorder ce qu'ils lui ont demande tant de fois inutilement, et afin que s'il le leur accorde, ils puissent, ou miner les Independants, ou miner au moins ce Prince aupres des Independants, et que, s'il le leur refuse, ils ayent lieu de donner quelque excuse a leur infidelite et de publier que luy-mesme les a empesches de travailler a sa con- servation. Et bien que la crainte qu'ils ont de choquer les Independants par cette proposition les puisse empescher de la faire de cette sorte, — comma je suis asseure qu''ils la ferront au dit roi en particulier, et qu''ils envoient vers lui principale- ment pour ce sujet, — j'ay creu etre oblige d''en donner avis a V. Em''® et d'en avertir aussi M. de Bellievre, afin qu'il en use selon sa prudence ordinaire, croyant toujours que le dit roi n"'a qu'a se defendre des Ecossois, et que Dieu le defendra de ses autres ennemis. Au reste les Comtes de Loudun et de Lanark m'ont pas juge a propos de partir d'ici avant qu'etre asseures d'etre bien receus en Angleterre, de sorte que le sieur Robert Leslay fut depeche bier pour obtenir du Pari* d'Angleterre un passeport pour eux et pour ceux de leur nation qui en auront eu un de ce Comite. II m'a veu avant que partir et m'a dit toutes les douceurs imaginables de la part de M. le Comte de Lanark, qui a la verite me traite toujours tres civilement. Ceux de son parti croyent avoir aujourd'huy de grands avant- ages sur celui d'Argyle et avoir montre en mesme temps plus d'afFection (du roi), et aux Independants, pour s'etre toujours opposes aux levees, et au roi pour n'avoir pas ete les auteurs de cette protestation.
MM. Moray me temoignerent il y a deux jours qu'ils avoient de grandes apprehensions que le roi de la G"" B' fut trompe par M. Asburnham, en sorte que je remarquoi que ces honnetes personnes, et zelees pour Fhonneur et pour les interests de leur prince avoient deux deplaisirs en mesme temps. Fun de ce que leur maistre est trahi, et Fautre de ce qu'ils ne sont pas ceux que le trahissent.
J'ay differe le plus qu'il m'a ete possible a importuner V. Em*=® de mes interets, et je la puis asseurer que je ne le
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 239
ferois pas encore si je pouvois faire autrement. II luy pleut il y a un an, ordonner que je feusse, paye du premier semestre de I'armee passee, dont je ne peus toucher toutefois que mil escus, et dont je n''ay eu depuis aucune chose, et Tordonnance pour le dernier semestre de la mesme armee 1646 n'a pas encore ete seulement assigne.
Je supplie done tres humblement V. Em''® qu'avec cette bonte a laquelle je n'ay jamais eu recours inutilement elle ait affreable de faire dire un mot a M. le President Tubeuf. V. Em^® peut scavoir en quelle sorte je vis ici, ou il fait aussy cher vivre qu"'en aucun lieu de FEurope, et ou je suis oblige de faire une tres grande depense quoique je n'en fasse point qui n'aille a Thonneur et ne contribue au service de Sa Maj**.
Comme j''achevois cette depeche le Due de Hamilton m'a fait rhonneur de me venir voir, qui a son ordinaire, m'a temoigne de grands respects pour S. M** et de puissants desirs de la servir. II m*'a dit que les instructions de leurs Commissaires eussent ete beaucoup plus avantageuses au roi de la G"^ B"^ qu''elles ne le sont, si ceux du parti d''Argyle ne Teussent pas empeche, et que la protestation du Marquis d'Argyle contenoit que ces instructions qu''ils donnoient a leur deputes, ne pourroient apporter d^alteration a la bonne intelligence qui etoit entre les deux royaumes, ni aux affaires du dit roi, en la condition ou il se trouve presentement, comme si cela voulu dire qu'ils ne seroient point obliges a remettre leur roi en meilleur etat. II m'a dit qu'on avoit laisse cette derniere partie de la pro- testation de M. d'Argyle dans celle du Comite, comme tres pemicieuse au dit roi ; et m'a parle contre le dit Marquis d'Argyle en termes plus intelligibles qu'il n'avoit fait encore jusqu'ici.
J'envoye a V. Em*'® les instructions en Anglois et en fran9ois, et parce que j"'ay ete oblige en quelques endroits de la traduc- tion d'aj outer ou de retrancher quelques mots pour rendre le seus plus nettement, et pour ce que j"'ay creu que la reine de la G' B"" sera plus aise de les voir en anglois.
On me vient encore d'avertir qu''on desireroit que ces instructions fussent tenues aussi secretes qull se pourroit.
[MoNTEREUL to CARDINAL Mazarin. Edinburgh, '^s"^ 1647. Although various things have taken place in the Committee meetings
240 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [SEPT.
here, and some of them very important, within the last eight days, yet nothing has been done that I have not mentioned in my recent letters as likely to happen. It was decided to send two delegates to the King of Great Britain, and the Earl of Loudon, Chancellor of the kingdom, and the Earl of Lanark, Secretary of State, were appointed for that mission. I add here a copy of the instructions they have received which I had from the Earl of Lanark and from Sir Robert Moray, both of whom entreated me to keep them secret and not to mention anything of them either here or in France, which led me to judge they were anxious for them to be seen, and that they had been drawn up principally for that object ; thus the Earl of Lanark almost confessed to me they would also have secret ones. And indeed they are somewhat right in wishing them to be seen since they are the most creditable that have been produced here since the beginning of these troubles, and which they can show with least shame for themselves ; but then as if they had been afraid of having done something therein to give some impression of their fidelity, they had no sooner agreed together to send these instructions than the Marquis of Argyle brought forward a rider to them which he presented to the Committee, by which he protested that his intention was not that anything conveyed in the two sets of instructions can in any manner engage this kingdom in a rupture with England, with which Scotland was united by so many reasons and by so close a covenant. Those are almost the terms in which I am told this declaration was drawn up, for I have not been able to see it, although I have strongly requested a sight of it, which several persons have promised to me, yet it does not contain much. The Duke of Hamil- ton complained immediately of the procedure of the Marquis of Argyle, and said that he had not shown by his actions that he had a greater wish than he, the marquis, had to break off with England, on the contrary, that the friends of the marquis had insisted against his opinion, that it was necessary to raise new forces, so that he demanded that this declaration, which was made by an individual member, be adopted by the Committee, which was passed almost unanimously, it having been wished to add that neither had they any intention by these instructions of damaging their king's interests.
Although this was decided upon on Thursday ^ August the Chancellor of Scotland wished to bring it up again in discussion, and tried to show that this protestation ought not at all to have been made. He was seconded, but to no purpose, by the Earls of Traquair and Lothian, by Lord Balcarras and the king's advocate,* all of the Argyle party, who would have wished this declaration to have been made by the marquis alone, so as to have given him all the credit of it with the Independents, and that the procedure of his friends might have in some measure excused his procedure with the King of Great Britain. This is all that took place in the Committee meeting.
Sir Archibald Johnstone of Warriston.
1647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 241
The General Assembly of the clergy has also made its declaration, which I have not yet been able to see, and which is, from what I have been told, somewhat similar to the instructions I add to this letter. But I have much reason to believe that this Committee has some intention of making a new proposal to the Assembly of the clergy, concerning what the Scots ought to do in the event of their king establishing their religion and sanctioning the Covenant, upon which it is not doubted but that they will reply that they ought in that case to support his interests, in order to see if they can by this means induce their king to grant them what they have so many times requested to no purpose, and so that if he grant it to them they may either ruin the Independents, or, at least, ruin this prince in the estimation of the Independents, and in the event of his refusal they may have occasion to make some excuse for their disloyalty by saying he had himself prevented them from doing anything to secure his safety. And although the fear they have to shock the Independents by this proposal may prevent them from putting it in this manner, as I am assured they will do to their king in private, and that this is their principal object in sending to him, I have thought it necessary to inform you of it, and also to acquaint M. de Bellievre, so that he with his wonted prudence may make use of his knowledge, believing always, as I do, that this king has but to defend himself from the Scots and that God will defend him from his other enemies. The Earls of Loudon and Lanark have not judged it prudent to leave here before being assured of the reception they may have in England, so that Robert Leslie was sent yesterday to obtain a passport for them from the English Parliament and for all those of their nation who may have had one from their Committee. He visited me before leaving and brought me all sorts of flattering compliments from the Earl of Lanark, who, in fact, always treats me very politely. Those of his party consider they have at present great advantages over those of Argyle, both in their having shown more affection towards the Independents in having always opposed the levies and towards the king in not having been the authors of this protestation.
The Morays expressed to me two days ago, the g^reat fears they had that the King of Great Britain was deceived by Mr. Ashburnham, so that I perceived these two honest persons so zealous for the honours and the interests of their prince had at once two causes for being dissatisfied ; one that their master was betrayed, and the other that it was not they who betrayed him.
I have delayed as long as possible to trouble you about my private a£Fairs, and I can assure you I would not do so now could I do otherwise. You were pleased a year ago to give orders that I be paid for the first half of the past year, of which, however, I have only received a thousand crowns ; I have had nothing since, and the order for the last half of the same year, — 1646 — has not yet even been assigned.
I beg you, therefore, to have the matter brought under the attention of the President Tubeuf. You may know in what manner I live here, where living is as dear as in any other place in Europe, and where I am obliged
VOL. II. a
242 BELLIEVRE TO BRIENNE [sept.
to incur great expense, although I spend nothing that does not tend to the honour and contribute to the service of his Majesty.
As I was finishing this despatch the Duke of Hamilton called upon me, and according to his wont expressed great respect for his Majesty and ardent wishes to serve him. He told me their instructions to their dele- gates would have been much more favourable for the King of Great Britain than they are, if those of the Argyle party had not prevented it, and that the protestation of the Marquis of Argyle contained that these instructions which they were giving to their delegates could not produce any altera- tion in the good understanding existing between the two kingdoms, nor to the affairs of their king in the condition in which he is at present, as if it were meant to say they would not be obliged to restore their king into a better condition. He told me that this last part of the protestation of the Marquis of Argyle had been left in that of the Committee, as very pernicious for their king, and spoke to me against the Marquis of Argyle in more intelligible terms than he had hitherto done.
I send the instructions in English and in French, and because I have been obliged in some parts of the translation to add or to retrench words to render the sense clearer and as I believed the Queen of Great Britain would be glad to see them in English.
I have just been informed again that it is wished that the instructions be as secret as possible.]
CLXXXIII BELLIl^VRE A BRIENNE
A Londres, le %^^Mp^ 1647.
' 30 Aoust
Monsieur, — II n'y a rien a vous escrire. Je me suis donne rhonneur de vous faire scauoir ce que je pense des intentions de ceux qui y ont tout le pouuoir. Ce qui se faict publique- ment n''est que pour amuser les simples ; Tarmee et les Inde- pendans ne veulent pas qu'il se face aucune chose de con- sequence jusques a ce qu'ilz voyent leurs affaires parfaictement establies, a quoy ilz ne perdent point de temps. Ilz ont pourueu aux comtez du Nort, du West, et du pays de Galles desquelz ilz auoient quelque soubcon,ilz traictent auec les presbiteriens, les Escossois, et les Catholiques ; bref ilz s'asseurent de touttes les places et de touttes les personnes par qui leurs desseings pourroient estre trauersez. Leurs principes, leur conduitte passee, et celle qu'ilz tiennent maintenant n'empesche pas que le Roy d'Angleterre ainsy que ses ministres n'attende toujours d'eux son restablissement. J'aduoue que telle chose pourroit
i647] BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE 243
arriuer ainsy qu'il en est arriuee plusieurs depuis trois mois que si le d. Roy en proffitoit mieux qu'il ne faict des passees, ilz seroient obligez pour leur propre interest de porter les siens, mais le d. Roy se conduit, ou, pour mieux dire, se laisse conduire, en sorte qu'il hazarde tout sur la paroUe qu'il s'imagine auoir de ses ennemis, qui n''ont ny foy ny honneur, mesme qu'ilz disent ne luy auoir point donnee, et par le conseil des ministres, dont le principal et le plus facile est Ashburnham, qui je croy est bien cogneu de vous. La deliberation secrette sur laquelle sont maintenant les chefs des Independans et de Tarmee est de scauoir s"'il leur est bon de transferer le parlement de Londres en quelque autre lieu, et si pour cet effect et pour Tadjourner pour quelque temps ilz y conduiront le d. Roy, mais comme en cette affaire il se rencontre beau- coup de difficultez, ilz ont grande peine a se resoudre. Je vous supplie que la Reyne d'Ang''® ne sache pas auec quelle liberte je vous escris ce que je juge de la conduitte du Roy son mari ; cela me nuiroit et [ne] seruiroit point aux affaires. Je scay qu''elle contribue beaucoup a faire qu"'il se paisce [iic] de vaines esperances, et mesme qu'il se soubmette a des con- ditions auxquelles elle ne souffriroit pas qu'il consentist si elle n'estoit dans cette extreme impatience qu''elle tesmoigne <le sortir de la France, et deplus ces gens qui conseillent le d. Roy a la reserue d' Ashburnham luy sont enuoyez par Monsieur Germain. — Je suis, Monsieur, vostre, etc.,
Bellieure. Au dos — M. de Bellieure, du 9® Septembre l647, receu le 12* du d. mois.
[Beluevre to Brienne. London, ^^^ 1647. There is nothing new to write to you about. I informed you of what I think of the intentions of tliose who have all the power here. ^Vhat is done publicly is but in order to amuse the simple. The army and the Independents do not wish anything of importance to take place until they see their affairs perfectly established, in effecting which they do not lose time. They have attended to the counties of the North and West and the country of Wales, of which they had some suspicion ; they are treating with the Presbyterians, the Scots and the Catholics, in short they are assuring themselves of all the places and of all the persons that might oppose their designs. Their principles, their past conduct and what they practise now do not prevent the King of England, as well as
244 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [sept.
his ministers, from still looking to them for his restoration. I admit that such a thing might happen, as it has done several times during the last three months, that were the king to profit thereby, better than he has done in the past, they would be obliged for their own interest to support his, but the king acts, or more correctly allows himself to be guided so as to risk everything on the promise he imagines he has from his enemies, who having neither good faith nor honour tell him even that they have not given it, and is led by the advice of ministers, of which the principal and the weakest is Ashburnham, whom I believe is well known to you. The secret deliberation on which the leaders of the Independents and the army are now engaged is to know how it would suit them to transfer the Parliament from London to some other place, and if for that purpose, and in order to adjourn it for some time, they will conduct the king there, but as they find many obstacles in this matter they have much trouble in coming to a decision. I pray you not to let the Queen of England know with what freedom I write to you what I think of the conduct of the king her husband, it would injure me and would not help business. I know that she contributes much to his indulging in vain hopes, and even to his accepting conditions she would not allow him to consent to were it not for that great impatience she manfests to leave France; and further, these people who advise the king, with the exception of Ashburnham, have all been sent to him by M. Jermyn.]
CXXXIV
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimbourg, ^^^ l647.
V. Em^" aura veu par ma derniere lettre de quelle sorte les Ecossois ont juge plus a propos de se sousmettre que de s'opposer aux Independants pour les porter a raccommodement qu"'ils desirent, et comme il n^ a eu autre debat entre les partis qui sont ici, qu'a qui temoigneroit plus de laschete et moins d'inclination pour les interets du roi de la G' B''.
Les Commissaires attendent leurs passeports pour partir de cette ville d'ou sont deja sortis le Due de Hamilton et le Marquis d'Argyle pour retourner en leurs maisons. J'ay ete dire adieu au dernier qui m'a avoue franchement qu'il n'avoit point creu que les Ecossois deussent entreprendre aucune chose pour le retablissement de leur roi s'il ne leur donnoit satisfaction sur le point de la religion ; — ce qu'il desesperoit qu'il fit jamais. Que si le prince que ces royaumes regard oient
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 245
aujourd"'huy principalement etoit bien conseille, et venoit avec dessein de les satisfaire, il s"'engageroit de le mettre a la tete de dix mille hommes de pied et de six mille chevaux prests a le suivre partout ou ses interets le feroient aller. Que, cepen- dant, il ne me vouloit point celer qu'li avoit leceu lettres du Comte de Man Chester et de M"" Lenthol, speakers des deux raaisons du Parlement, par lesquelles lis lui mandent quMls esperent que le bruit qui a couru de la levee d'une nouvelle armee en Ecosse ne se trouve pas veritable et qu'ils s'asseurent qu'il sera un bon instrument pour Tempecher et pour faire qu'une bonne intelligence s''entretienne entre les deux royaumes. Je ne scay pas a quel dessein il m''a dit tout ceci, qu'il m'a prie de tenir secret, si ce n'est pour me faire voir qu"'il etoit considere de ceux que Ton croyoit ses ennemis, et qu'^il falloit que le roi de la G"" B*^ fit quelque chose a Tavantage des Ecossois pour les obliger a rompre avec des personnes qui recherchoient leur amitie. II m"'a dit ensuite qu'il essayeroit de donner encore quelques hommes a M. le Chev"" Moray, et m"'a asseure que rien ne lui etoit plus considerable au monde, apres le service de son roi, que celui de S. M*^, ce qui est un terme dont se sert aussi presque toujours M. le Due de Hamil- ton, et qui ne signifie pas beaucoup a mon avis, dans la bouche de Tun ni de Tautre. Je me suis contente de le remercier de la confiance quMl avoit en moi, — de lui temoigner que je n''avois jamais doute de Taffection qu''il portoit au roi de la G' B', et de Tasseurer que je ferois scavoir a V. Em*'® le soin qu''il avoit eu des interets de S. M*^ en lui envoyant tons les prisonniers quMl avoit fait, sans entrer aucunement dans le particulier des choses qu'il m''avoit dites.
Apres la prise du fort de Migry par David Leslay on n'a plus rien trouve dans les isles qui pent faire de resistance, de sorte qu''on a laisse des garnisons dans les places de TOuest qui sout de quelque importance et Middleton avec ses troupes dans le Nord, et on a fait revenir Tarmee de ce c6te-ci, tant pour ]a faire subsister plus commodement que pour Tapprocher d"'Angleterre, s'il y a quelque chose a craindre des Independants.
On avoit creu que Lord Reay qui est dans la partie de ce royaume qui est plus vers la Nord, et de plus difficile acces, donneroit encore de la peine a Tarmee de ce Parlement, mais le
246 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [SEPT.
Marquis d'Argyle m'a asseure quMl avoit offert de le faire j uge du differend qu''il a pour ses terres avec le Comte de Sutherland, et de se sousmettre au Pari* et aux ministres pour le reste.
Les Echevins et le Conseil de le ville d'Edimbourg ont depute vers moi un chevalier et cinq autres de leur corps, pour me temoigner la satisfaction qu'ils avoient des offices que j''avois faits aupres de V. Em*'® touchant les fregates de M. le Prince de Galles, et me prier de lui en vouloir rendre de leur part, de tres humbles remerciements, mais principalement pour me repre- senter, que contre les privileges que ceux de leur nation ont en France, on leur a fait payer les taxes qui ont ete mises sur les etrangers.i J'ay essaye de leur donner toutes les bonnes paroles qu*"!! m'a ete possible, et je leur ay promis de faire savoir leurs desirs a V. Em*=®. Je leur ai represente toutefois les difficulties qu'il pourroit y avoir a changer une chose qui avoit ete deja faite, afin qu'ils eussent plus d'obligation a V. Em'^® sMls etoient decharges de cette taxe, et qu"'ils la payassent plus volontiers s"'ils y etoient obliges. Mais afin que Ton puisse avoir le temps de les faire payer, ou celui au moins de prendre quelque re- solution sur cette affaire, je leur ai fait entendre que comme les choses qui etoient dites avoient plus de force que celles qui s'ecrivoient, et que je devois aller en France dans fort peu de temps, je serois bien aise de prendre soin de leurs interets, dont j''esperois de leur rendre fort bon compte.
Ainsy, Mg"", si V. Em*'® le jugeoit a propos on pourroit remettre cette affaire jusqu'a ce que je sois par dela, et alors leur accorder ou leur refuser ce qu'ils demandent selon que Ton pourroit avoir besoin d'eux.
Cependant je n''ay ose me mettre en chemin que je n'en eusse receu Tentiere permission de V. Em*'®, que j''espere qu'elle me fera Thonneur de me donner presentement, tant parce qu'il se passera peu de chose icy dans les affaires publiques avant le premier Parlement qui ne se doit tenir qu"'au commencement de Mars prochain, que pour ce que les hommes qui restent a M. le
^ Sur la marge de I'original de cette lettre se trouve la note suivante, dont r^criture est presque effacee, qui pourrait etre de la main du Cardinal : — * Je fis donner ordre k M. de finance qu'en aucune fa9on ou ne fera les taxes qu'on avoit faites sur les Ecossois. . . ; Si quelqu'un se plaigne qu'il s'adresse a moi, — ^je y feroi remede.'
i647l MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 247
Comte d'^Angus a envoyer se doivent embarquer dans le nord de TEcosse, et que mon sejour icy contribue peu de choses a les hater et parce que je pourray encore, etant sur les lieux rendre compte a V. Em^^ de beaucoup de choses qui ne se peuvent pas ecrire si commodement.
[MoNTEREUL to CARDINAL Mazabin. Edinburgh, ^^^' 1647.
You will have seen by my last letter in what manner the Scots have judged it better to submit than to oppose the Independents in order to bring them to the agreement they wish, and thus there has been no discussion between the parties that are here other than as to which of them would manifest most cowardice and least inclination for the interests of their king.
The delegates are still awaiting their passports in order to leave this town. The Duke of Hamilton and the Marquis of Argyle have gone to their estates. I called to say good-bye to the latter, who confessed to me frankly he did not believe the Scots ought to undertake anything for the re-establish- ment of their king if he would not satisfy them on the point of religion, which he despaired of his ever doing. That if the prince whom, he said, these kingdoms were now chiefly looking to, were well advised and came to them with the intention of satisfying them, he would engage to place him at the head of ten thousand foot and six thousand horse, ready to follow him wherever his interests might lead him to go. That, however, he would not conceal from me that he had received letters from the Earl of Manchester and Mr, Lenthal, Speakers of both Houses of the English Parliament, by which they expressed the hope that the rumour that has circulated of the raising of a new army in Scotland will not turn out to be true, and that they were certain he would be a good instrument in order to prevent it and to cause a good understanding to prevail between the two kingdoms. I do not know what intention he had in telling me all this, which he begged me to keep secret, if it were not to let me see how he was considered by those supposed to be his enemies and how necessary it was for the King of Great Britain to do something for the profit of the Scots so as to oblige them to break off relations with persons who were seeking their friendship. He added that he would try to give some more men to Sir Robert Moray, and assured me that after the service of his own king nothing was more agreeable to him than to be of service to his Majesty, This is an expression also much employed by the Duke of Hamilton, and which in my opinion does not signify much, coming from either of them, I merely thanked him for his confidences and assured him I had never doubted of his affection for the King of Great Britain, and that I would inform you of the care he had taken of the interests of his Majesty by his sending him all the prisoners he had taken without entering into the details of the matters he had mentioned to me.
248 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [SEPT.
After the capture of the fort of Migry, the resistance in the islands seems to be at an end, so that garrisons have been left in the most im- portant places in the West, and Middleton with his troops continues in the North, while the army is brought back here, as much on account of its subsistence being more easily provided for as in order to have it near England if there were anything to fear from the Independents.
It was thought that Lord Reay, who occupies the most northerly district of this kingdom, would still give some trouble to the army of this Parliament, but the Marquis of Argyle has assured me that the former had offer to make him arbiter in the dispute he has about his lands with the Earl of Sutherland, and offered also to submit to Parliament and to the clergy in other matters.
The Bailies and Town Council of Edinburgh have deputed to me a knight and five others of their number to express their satisfaction at the good service I had done by my recommendation to you regarding the frigates of the Prince of Wales and to beg me to return to you on their part very humble thanks, but their principal business was in order to represent to me that contrary to the privilege that those of their nation have in France they have been made to pay the taxes that have been put on foreigners.^ I tried to reply to them with fair words and pro- mised to inform you of their wishes. I pointed out to them, however, the obstacles there might be in the way of changing a thing that had already been done, so that they may feel more obliged to you if they were exempted from this tax, and pay it more willingly if they were obliged to do so. But in order that one may have the time to pay them, or at least to take some decision on the matter, I made them understand that as things that were said had more force than those that were written, and as I was to go to France soon I should be glad to take charge of their interests, of which I hoped to render a good account.
Thus if you judge proper one could refer this matter until I may be on the other side and then grant or refuse what they ask according as we may require their services.
Yet I do not venture to set out until I have your entire permission, which I hope you will send me at present, both because there will be very little doing here in public affairs before the first Parliament that will only be held on the first of March next ; and as for the men that the Earl of Angus has to send they are to embark in the North of Scotland and my stay here can contribute very little to hasten the matter, and because there are many things I might mention to you being on the spot that it is not so convenient to write about.]
^ On the margin of this despatch is a hurried jotting in Mazarin's hand- writing, partially effaced, containing the draft of a reply to the above thus : * Je fis donner ordre a M. de finance, qu'en aucune fa(jon on ne fera les taxes qu'on avoit faites sur les Ecossois ... Si quelqu'un se plaigne qu'il s'adresse k moi je y feroi remede.'
1 647] BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE 249
CLXXXV
BELLIEVRE a BRIENNE
A Londres, le ^ Septemhre l647.
Monsieur, — Tous ceux qui veullent plaire au Roy d''Angle- terre faisons doucement ce qui se peut pour empescher que les propositions ne luy soient presentees demain, ainsy qu''il a este resolu au parlement, raais comme le peu de retardement que Ton y apportera ne luy peut donner aucun auantage reel quand nous ny reussirons pas, nous n'en serons pas fort en peine, mais nous auons subject de Testre de voir Testablissement que prend Tarmee et tout le parti qui veut icy miner la royaute a la grandeur duquel il semble que le roy d'Ang" contribue beaucoup plus qu''il ne deburoit, dans Topinion de laquelle il est preuenu que Parmee non seullement s"'eSt engagee a luy de le seruir, mais aussy y est engagee necessitee par son propre interest, telle chose a la verite pourroit arriuer, comme i''ay tousiours diet qu"'elle y seroit obligee, mais certainement il hazarde beaucoup, car si dans le temps qu'elle le proteste de le voulloir restablir, elle peut sans luy accomoder ses affaires, a (juoy elle trauaille et reussit, elle le ruinera sans doute par degrez si elle ne le peut tout d''un coup. Elle songe a gaigner le peuple et aux moyens de le soulager. Les Escossois ne leur font point de peine ; ilz scauent que pour de Targent ilz les auront, ilz se disposent a leur en donner. Sur la relation d''un colonel qui depuis deux jours est arriue d^Irlande, Ton est en peine icy de Testat des affaires de ce Royaume la. II parle d"'une union de toutes les forces qui y sont pour venir en ce Royaume cy s"'opposer a celles de Tarmee, mais comme ces nouuelles ne peuuent pas estre telles qu'il dit iusques a ce qu''il en soit venu des lettres, ie ne les croiray pas ny ne vous en escriray les particularitez. — .Te suis. Monsieur, vostre, etc.,
Bellieuee.
Au dos — M. de Bellieure du l6 Septerabre l647, re9eu le 25.
[Beluevre to Brienne. London ^ Sep. 1647.
All those who wish to please the King of England are doing quietly what they can to prevent the proposals from being presented to him to- morrow, as it has been resolved in Parliament, but as the short delay this
250 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [sept.
will cause can give him no real advantage^ if we do not succeed we will not be much put out ; but we have reason to be so in seeing the exten- sion the army and all the party that wish here to ruin the monarchy is taking, to the importance of which it seems the King of England is con- tributing much more than he ought, in the opinion, in which he is anticipating, that the army is not only engaged to him to serve him, but also that it is so necessarily by its own interest. Such a thing may in fact happen, as I have always said that it might be obliged to him, but certainly he is risking much, for if during the time it protests that it wishes to re-establish him, it be able to arrange its affairs without him, — upon which it is engaged and is succeeding, — it will no doubt ruin him by degrees, if it may not do so all at once. It is thinking of how it may gain the favour of the people and of the means of relieving them. They have no trouble as to Scots, whom they know they may have for money which they are prepared to give them. People are in trouble here about the state of affairs in Ireland from what has been related by a colonel who has arrived from there two days ago. He speaks of a union of all the forces that are there in order to come to the country to oppose the plans of the army, but as this news cannot be as he states, until we receive letters I shall not believe it nor write to you the particulars.]
CLXXXVI
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimbotirg, — Sept. 1647.
Les Comtes de Loudun et Lanark se preparoient pour leur voyage d'Angleterre, quand ils ont juge plus a propos de ne se pas hater de partir d''ici apres avoir receu les passeports qui leur ont ete envoyes, qui ne se sont pas trouves en bonne forme, non seulement parce qu'ils sont concus en termes fort peu obligeants, mais encore parce qu''ils leur donnent seulement la liberte d'aller a Oatlands trouver leur roy, de sorte qu"'ils pourroient etant la, ne pas se trouver en asseurance, puisqu""!] ne se parle point du sejours qu'ils y doivent faire, et qu'on pourroit mesme les empecher de passer a Londres et d'aller trouver leur roi en autre lieu qu'a Oatlands (oii nous savons qu'il n'est deja plus) sans qu'ils se peussent plaindre qu'on eut fait aucune chose contre les termes de leur passeport. Cela fait qu'encore que le roi de la G' B"" leur ait ecrit a Tun et a Tautre des lettres fort civiles pour les obliger de venir en diligence, ils ont juge plus a propos de difFerer leur partement jusqu'a ce qu'ils ayent
i647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 251
des sauf-conduits en meilleure forme, ou (ce qu'ils desirent principalement) quails ayent asseurance qu'on fera bons en Angleterre les passeports que leur Comite donnera ici. Ce mepris que les Ecossois ont receu, joint au commandement qui a ete fait a quelques uns de leur nation de ne point approcher de la personne de leur roi, et a Tordre qui a ete donne a Tarmee qu''ils ont en Irelande de s'en retirer, apres qu''elle aura ete payee pour quinze jours seulement, — toutes ces choses, dis-je mettent en fort mauvaise humeur ceux qui ont le plus de part au maniement des affaires de ce royaume, et les portent mesmes jusqu'a se plaindre, avec assez de liberte, de ce mauvais traite- ment, mais non pas jusqu'a prendre une genereuse resolution de s'en ressentir, et de prevenir le nial qu"'ils ont tout sujet d'apprehender. Car, bien que le Marquis d'Argyle, qui a ete ici de retour, et qui en partit hier seulement, m'ait dit pour excuser sa protestation, qu'ils n"'etoit pas a propos de faire des menaces avant qu'etre en etat de frapper, et qu^on me dit tons les jours qu"'il ne tient qu'au roi de la G' B"" de faire prendre les armes a toute TEcosse pour son service, en satisfaisant ces peuples sur le fait de leur covenant. Je ne crois point que j^aye sujet pour cela de changer les sentiments que j^ai eu d'abord, qu'ils tachent par ce moyen seulement de mettre mal leur roi avec les Independants, pour se mettre bien, s''il est possible, avec eux, a son prejudice.
Quoique V. Em'^^ puisse avoir eu deja de Londres ce que je me vais donner Thonneur de lui dire presentment, j'ai creu qu'a tout evenement je lui devois faire savoir qu'on m'a montre deux lettres du Comte de Lauderdale, par la premiere desquelles il mande qui celui qui commende Tarmee navale du Pari* d'Angleterre, lui avoit envoye ofFrir de se declarer pour les Ecossois et pour les Anglois Presbyteriens, avec 22 vaisseaux, pourveu qu'ils les voulussent ravitailler, — ce qu'il scavoit que leur royaume ne pouvoit faire, mais ce quMls pourroient par le moyen de la France, si elle se joignoit a eux. Par la seconde il donne avis que les Independants se veulent accommoder avec les Ecossois, — qu'il traite avec un des plus considerables de Tarmee d'Angleterre pour cet effet, qui Tasseure que pourveu que TEcosse s"'accorde avec les Independants en ce seul point d'abandonner leur roi, ils demeureront aisement d'accord les
252 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [sept.
uns et les autres, de tout le reste, — que Renfield que connoit M. Jermin, n^avoit peu faire promettre au roi de la G"" B"^ qu""!! contenteroit les Ecossois, mais seulement que s'ils commen^oient a se declarer pour lui, il ne feroit rien a leur prejudice avec les Independants, — que M*^ Asburnham est le seul qui empeche ce prince de s'accommoder avec eux ; qu'il faut, en quelque maniere que ce soit, faire venir Will. Moray pres du dit roi, et qu"'il prevoit que ce prince est absolument ruine s'il croit les Independants.
Je ne puis dire a quel dessein ils m"'ont fait voir ces deux lettres, si ce n'est que, comme ils croyent que j''ecris au roi de la G' B' ils ont voulu me faire connaitre qu'ils n"'ont point besoin de lui pour se conserver, et qu''il ne se peut conserver sans eux, afin qu'en etant bien persuade, je le puisse mander plus fortement au dit roi qui peut recevoir ce que je lui ecris, comme les sentiments d''une personne au moins tres affectionee a ses interets. Cependant cela se trouvera inutile parce qu"*- encore que le roi de la G' B' m'ayt laisse un chifFre en le quittant j'ai juge plus a propos de ne m'en point servir jusqu^- ici, et pour ce que les choses changeant a chaque moment j''aurois peu le fair savoir a contretemps, et encore pour ce que donnant avis tres soigneusement a M. de Bellievre de tout ce que se passe ici, dont je puis avoir connaissance, il sait mieux que moi ce quMl est a propos, ou de taire ou de faire savoir a sa dite M**.
Le dit roi presse les Comtes de Traquair et de Callander de Taller trouver, mais je ne crois pas qu^il se doive fier en eux que de bonne sorte. lis ont tous deux pris parti, ainsi que Ton croit, le premier avec le Marquis d'Argyle, et le second avec le Due de Hamilton. Outre que tous les trois partis qui sont ici agissent de grand concert pour perdre leur roi, les plus moderes d''entre eux s"'etant portes avec assez de violence contre son service durant ces troubles pour ne pas attendre de luy des recompenses sMl se trouve jamais en etat de les pouvoir faire punir.
Ce que je me suis donne Thonneur de mander a V. Em'^^ par mes dernieres est bien veritable, que toute FEcosse etoit maintenant reduite en I'obeissance du Parlement. II y a toutefois un petit chateau au milieu d'un lac en I'isle d''Yla qui n'a point encore ete rendu. Celui qui y commanda est un frere
1647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 253
batard de Macdonald, et il se dit que comme on Ta menace de pendre son pere devant lui s'il ne rendoit la place, il a fait reponse qu'il seroit bien aise que son pere re<j;ut ce qu'il avoit merite il y a longtemps. II n"'a toutefois ni rendu le chateau ni veu pendre son pere qu'on conduit par mer dans cette ville avec quelques autres prisonniers dont on a differe Texecution. On doit demain resoudre de ce qu'on doit faire de Tarmee de ce royaume, mais quoiqu'on parle de la debander, il y a tout sujet de croire qu'on avisera seulement aux moyens de la maintenir. On a aussi debattu si Ton devoit ordonner aux Commissaires qui sont a Londres de se joindre avec ceux du Pari* d'Angle- terre dans Tenvoi des premieres propositions au roi de la G' B' ainsy que le pressoit le Marquis d'Argyle, ou d"'insister qu"'il vint en son parlement, sur les termes de sa derniere lettre, comme le Due de Hamilton le jugeoit plus a propos. Mais on m''a dit, que comme on n''avoit peu s''accorder on avoit seule- ment envoye ordre aux Deputes qui sont en Angleterre de presser pour avoir un passeport, et de ne rien faire avant qu'ils en ayent d'ici un ordre bien particulier.
[MoNTEREUL to CARDINAL Mazarin. Edinburgh, ^ Sep. 1647. The Earls of Loudon and Lanark were preparing for their journey to England, but on receiving their passports they judged it to be more prudent not to hasten to leave here ; as the passports that have been sent to them are not in proper form, not only from their being drawn up in no very obliging terms, but also because they give them only liberty to visit their king at Oatlands, so that being there they could not be assured of their safety, since no mention is therein made of any stay they might make there and they might be prevented from going to London and from going to find their king in any other place but Oatlands — where we know he no longer is* — without their being able to complain that one had done anything contrary to the terms of their passport. It thus happens that although the King of Great Britain has written to each of them very polite letters, in order to oblige them to lose no time in coming to visit him, they have judged it to be more suitable to defer their departure until they may have safe-conducts in proper form, or, what they principally want, to be assured that the passports granted by their Committee of Estates be con- sidered good in England. This contempt shown for the Scots, added to the command that has been addressed to some of their nation not to approach the person of their king, and the order that has been given to
* 'The king left Oatlands to-day, Aug. 24th, and came to Hampton Court.' — Rushworth, part iv. vol. ii. p. 789.
254 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [sept.
the army they have in Ireland to withdraw on receiving a fortnight's pay only, put those have most part in directing the affairs of this kingdom into very bad humour, and cause them even to complain very freely of this bad treatment, but without going so far as to take a brave resolution to resent it and to ward off the evil they have every reason to apprehend. For although the Marquis of Argyle — who has been here and who went away again yesterday — told me as an excuse of his protest, that it was out of place to make threats before being in a position to strike, and that I am told every day that it but depends on the King of Great Britain to arm all Scotland for his defence, by satisfying his people on the matter of their Covenant, I do not believe I have reason on that account to change the opinions I had at first, that they are simply trying by this means to disaffect their king with the Independents in order to ingratiate themselves with them, if possible, to his detriment.
Although you may have already learned from London what I am now about to relate to you, I have yet thought it better, in any case, to inform you of it ; that two letters have been shown to me from the Earl of Lauderdale, in the first of which he states that the commander of the parliamentary naval forces in England had sent to him to offer to him to declare for the Scots and the English Presbyterians with twenty-two ships provided they would engage to revictual them, which he knew their king- dom could not do, but that they might be able to have it done by means of France if that country were to join them. In the second letter the earl states that the Independents wish to come to an agreement with the Scots ; that he is treating with one of the most important persons of the English army to that effect, who assures him that provided Scotland may agree with the Independents on this single point of abandoning their king they will both easily remain agreed on all the rest ; that Renfield wlio knows M. Jermyn had not been able to obtain a promise from the King of Great Britain that he would satisfy the Scots, but merely that were they to begin by declaring themselves for him he would do nothing to injure them in the estimation of the Independents ; that Mr. Ashburnham is the only one that prevents this prince from coming to an agreement with them ; that it is necessary to send Will. Moray to the king in whatever way it can be done, and that he foresees this prince to be absolutely lost if he believe the Independents.
I am unable to say for what purpose these two letters were shown to me, if it be not that as the Scots believe I correspond with the King of Great Britain, they may have wished to inform me that they can maintain themselves without help from him, whereas he cannot maintain himself without them, so that I, being persuaded of this, might convey it more strongly to their king, who may accept what I write to him as the senti- ments of a person very devoted at least to his service. Yet that will be of no avail, because although the King of Great Britain when I left him gave me a cipher, I have judged it to be moi'e prudent for me not to make use of it, both by reason of things changing at each moment, so that I might have informed him of them at an improper time, and also
1647] BELLlfeVRE TO BRIENNE 255
from my having kept M. de Bellievre very carefully informed of all I can learn here : he knows better than I what is most suitable or not suitable to send to their king.
The king urges the Earls of Traquair and of Callander to come to him, but I do not think he ought to trust them much : they are both party men, the first is considered to be with the Marquis of Argyle and the second with the Duke of Hamilton ; although all the three parties that are here act quite together in order to ruin their king, the most moderate of them having conducted themselves with violence enough in opposition to his service during these troubles so as to preclude their expecting rewards from him, were he ever in a position to punish them.
Sviiat I stated to you in my last is quite true, all Scotland is now reduced to submission to the Parliament. There is, however, a small castle in the middle of a lake in the island of Isla that has not yet surrendered. It is commanded by a bastard brother of Macdonald, who, on being threatened with seeing his father hanged before the place if he did not deliver it up, replied that he would be glad to see his father receive what he had long ago deserved. He has, however, neither surrendered nor seen his father hanged : the latter is being brought here with other prisoners whose execution has been deferred. The question of what is to be done with the army of this kingdom is to be settled to-morrow, but although there is some talk of its being disbanded, it is more likely that means will be taken to maintain it. A discussion has also arisen as to whether the Scottish Commissioners in London ought to be instructed to join with those of the English Parliament in sending the first proposals to the King of Great Britain, as the Marquis of Argyle contends, or whether it ought to be insisted upon that he came to his Parliament on the terms of his last letter, as the Duke of Hamilton judges to be more proper. But as I have been told they could not agree on this matter, they had simply sent orders to the Commissioners who are in England to urge them to procure a passport and to do nothing until they may receive a very special order from here.]
CLXXXVII
BELLIEVRE a BRIENNE
A Londres, le — Septemhre 1647.
Monsieur, — ^incertitude de TefFect que produira la response que le Roy de la G. B. a donne aux propositions qui luy ont este presentees tient les esprits en suspens; elle sera demain publiee au moins sera elle leiie dans les deux Maisons du Parlement. Uarmee et ses amis y sont fauorisez. Les pres- biteriens anglois et les Escossois si trouuent mal traittez. Les affaires du d. Roy sont en mauuais estat si en suitte de
^56 BELLIjfeVRE TO BRIENNE [sept.
cette response il ne peut pas obtenir le traicte qu'il demande, et que Tarmee luy a promis, laquelle a mon aduis s'employeroit a lui faire donner quelque espece de satisfFaction apparente, si Paffaire d'lrlande deuoit auoir quelque suitte, mais on s'imagine que les declarations qui y ont este faictes ne Font este que sur Taduis que Ton y auoit de Topposition que la ville de Londres voulloit faire a Tarmee, Ton croy que Ton ne persistera pas apres que Ton aura sceu que la ville s''est sousmise, et ainsy il est tousiours a craindre que Tarmee n^use de son pouuoir pour destruire le dit roy et non pour le restablir ainsy qu'il continue de se le persuader. Le Marquis d"'Ormonde m'a parle de ses leuees et de Tautre propositions qu''il vous a faict faire par le S' Talon, mais comme je n'ay pas eu de response sur ce que je me suis donne Thonneur de vous en escrire, je ne luy en ay peu parler qu'en termes qui ne signifient rien. S'il y a quelque chose a faire sur ce subiect il vous plaira de me le faire scauoir.
JTenuoye au S"^ du Bosc la response en Anglois aux propositions. Je n*'ay peu retirer auant le partement de ce Courier la tra- duction que j"'en auois fait faire. — Je suis, Monsieur, vostre, etc., Bellieure.
Au dos — M. de Bellieure, du 23 Septembre 1646, reeeu le 28.
[Bellievre to Brienne. London, S Sep. 1647. The uncertainty of the effect that may be produced by the reply the King of Great Britain has given to the proposals that have been pre- sented to him, keeps all minds here in a state of suspense : it will be published to-morrow, or at least be read in the two Houses of Parliament. The army and its friends are favourably treated therein, the English Presbyterians and the Scots are badly treated. The king's affairs will be in a bad state if, as the result of this reply, he cannot obtain the treaty he asks and which the army has promised to him, which, in my opinion, would operate in his obtaining some sort of apparent satisfaction if the affair of Ireland was to have any result, but it is supposed that the declara- tions that were made there have been drawn up merely on the information that prevailed there of the opposition which the town of London wished to make to the army. It is believed it will not be persisted in when it is known that the town surrendered, and thus it is always to be feared that the army may employ its power in order to destroy the king and not in order to restore him as he continues to persuade himself. The Marquis of Ormond spoke to me about his levies and the other proposal he made to you through M. Talon, but as I have had no reply regarding what I
1 647] MONTEREULTO MAZARIN 257
wrote to you. I only spoke to him of it in general terms that signified nothing. If there were anything to do on this subject please let me know,
1 send to M, du Bosc the reply to the proposals in English. I cannot obtain before the leaving of the mail the translation of it that had given to be done.]
CLXXXVIII
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimhmrg, g Sept. l647.
AiNSY que je in'etois donne Thonneur de Tecrire a V. Em*'®, on mit en deliberation Mercredi dernier, si Ton devoit conserver ou licentier Tarmee de ee Parlement, mais la resolution qui a ete prise s'est trouvee differente de ce que Ton avoit estime, puisque les amis du Due de Hamilton ont emporte sur ceux du Marquis d'Argyle qu''elle seroit debandee le ^ du mois prochain, sous cette condition, toutefois, que ceux qui compo- seront le grand Comite, qui se doit assembler le ^ du mesme mois, ne trouvent pas que leur religion, leur roi et leur fortune soient en tel danger qu'ils ayent encore besoin du secours de la dite armee. Et afin qu'elle ne puisse pas, a rimitation de celle d"'Angleterre refuser de se debander a faute de paiement, on a arreste que tons ce qui pouvoit etre deu, tant aux officiers qu'aux soldats seroit leve presentement sur le peuple, et Ton a presque deja regie combien chaque province fournira pour sa part des —£ [.£'25,000] sterling qui pourront etre deus de reste a Tarmee au temps auquel on a resolu de la debander.
Cependant, Mg', quoique le Due de Hamilton, outre qu'il est fort aise d'avoir emporte sur le Marquis d'Argyle, une chose si avantageuse pour lui et si agreable aux peuples d'Ecosse et a Tarmee d''Angleterre, et qu'il temoigne qu'il est asseure de faire executer absolument ce qui a ete arreste seulement sous condi- tion, et que les amis du Marquis d''Argyle au contraire fassent voir du deplaisir d"'une resolution si contraire, non seulement a leurs interets, mais encore a leurs esperances, et qu'ils se laissent mesme entendre qu'il se trouvera plus de difficulte a licentier Tarmee que Ton avoit creu, soit par la peine qu'on
VOL. II. E
258 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [sept.
aura de trouver une si grande somme dans un pays si necessiteux comme celui-ci, scat par le refus que ferons les soldats de quitter leurs armes, — quelques uns ne laissent pas de croire que ce Due et ce Marquis iragissent pas moins de concert en cette affaire qu'en toutes les autres. Les raisons qu'ils ont pour cela sont, que le Marquis d'Argyle ne seroit pas parti d'Edimbourg un jour avant que cette resolution se devoit prendre, ni M. de Balmerino et quelques autres principaux de sa faction ne se seroient pas absentes de ce Comite, comme ils ont fait, s'ils n''avoient pas ete d^accord auparavant avec le Due de Hamilton de ce que s*'y devoit resoudre, Qu'il falloit que le dit Due temoignast a son tour aux Independants qu'il vouloit les obliger et qu'il a deu opposer Tinstance quMl a faite pour le debande- ment de Tarmee a la protestation qui fit le Marquis d'Argyle en leur faveur il y a quelques jours.
Que comme Tun et Tautre doivent desirer que Tarmee se maintienne, s'il est vray qu'ils soient bien d'accord et quMls prevoient tons deux que cela est fort contraire aux intentions des Ecossois, il a fallu que Tun d''eux suivit les sentiments de ces peuples afin qu'ils souffrissent plus volontiers ce qu*'une personne de cette condition et qui etoit de leur avis ne pouvoit pas empecher, ou quMls le choisissent pour chef sMls avoient quelque chose a entreprendre.
A quoy ils ajoutent que le Due de Hamilton et le Marquis d''Argyle ne pouvoient tirer d'Ecosse "- livres sterling que par Tesperance qu'ils ont donnee du debandement de cette armee, ce qu'il dependra toujours d'eux de ne pas faire quand Targent sera receu suivant les conditions qui ont ete opposees a Tordre qui a ete donnee sur ce sujet ; et veritablement, Mg% leur fa^on d'agir sembleroit appuyer asses cette creance, n'etoit que quelque intelligence qui puisse estre entre eux dans ce qui regarde la ruine de leur roy, dont ils croient profiter egalement, le Marquis d'Argyle a un interest tout particulier de conserver une armee dont tous les officiers sont ses creatures, et le Due de Hamilton de se delivrer de la seule chose qui Tempeche d'estre absolu dans ce royaume.
Et quoiqu'ii soit asses difficile de juger des sentiments de personnes qui agissent avec tant d'art comme eux, et qui ne
i647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 259
sont rien moins que ce qu'ils paroissent, comme il est asseure que ce Due emportera que Tarmee se debande au cas qu'il le desire veritablement, j^y creu qu'avant que le comite s'^assemble qui nous fera mieux juger de leurs intentions, je ne ferois rien qui pent prejudicier au service de sa Maj*^ en voyant par quels moyens on pourra encore avoir d'icy quelques hommes, et outre les nouvelles corapagnies quMl y aura lieu d'ajouter aux deux regiments des gardes et d'Angus. Si Tarmee se debande j'espere qu'on pourra encore disposer le Lieutenant-G*^ David Leslay a faire passer trois on quatre mille hommes en France et a y venir liiy mesme les commander apres ce que je luy en ay fait dire par un de ses amis, non pas tant comme une chose que je desire que comme une chose quMl doit desirer,
J'ay pense encore qu"'au cas qu'ils trouvent peu de seurete pour eux a debander leur armee, et beaucoup de difficulte a la conserver, on pourroit leur proposer qu'ils fissent passer en France ime bonne partie de leur infanterie avec asseurance de la leur rendre'quand ils en auront besoin, ce qui seroit en efFet remedier a leurs craintes sans leur apporter d"'incommodite et leur donner moyen de conserver leur armee sans estre obliges de fournir a sa subsistance.
Je n'ay point fait toutefois encore cette proposition que V. Em*^^ jugera pent estre peu praticable parce que je crois qu'il est a propos de connoistre auparavant de quelle maniere ils agissent, pour savoir s'il y aura lieu de la faire et a qui elle devra estre faite afin quMl puisse reussir.
Je vous supplie done, Mg', de me vouloir faire savoir exacte- ment sur cecy la voloute de V. Em''^ Je ne crois pas toutefois qu'il soit a propos de remettre icy de I'argent jusqu'a ce qu'on soit asseure qu'il y aura lieu de Temployer.
Madame la Marquise de Hamilton, mere du Due de ce nom, mourut icy Jeudi dernier. Le pere de Macdonald fut conduit icy la semaine passee, mais le Marquis d'Argyle n'a pas permis qu'on le mit a terre, et il Ta fait reconduire au lieu duquel il etoit venu, parce que la faction du Due de Hamilton avoit resolu de le sauver, ainsy qu'il se dit, et que ce Marquis a creu qu'il le feroit mourir plus asseurement quand il dependroit de luy seul de le coudanmer.
260 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [SEPT.
[MoNTEHEUL to CARDINAL Mazabin. Edinburgh, 5^ Sep. 1647.
As I have already written to you the question of preserving or disband- ing the army of this Parliament was brought up for discussion on Wednes- day last, but the decision come to was different from what was expected, as the friends of the Duke of Hamilton prevailed over those of the Marquis of Argyle that it would be disbanded on the ^ of next month, on this condition, however, that those who will form the Committee of Estates that is to meet on the ^ of the same month, do not find that their religion, their king and their fortunes, run such danger as to require the help of the said army. And in order that it may not, in imitation of that of England refuse to disband, through fault of not being paid, it has been decided that all sums that might be owing both to the officers and to the soldiers should at present be imposed on the people, so that it has almost already been arranged what quota each county will furnish for its part of the £25,000 stg. that will be due to the army at the time it has been decided to disband it.
Yet although the Duke of Hamilton, besides being very pleased at having prevailed over the Marquis of Argyle in a matter so advantageous for him and so agreeable to the people of Scotland and to the English army, and which he states he is certain of having carried out absolutely, as it was only decided conditionally, and that the friends of the Marquis of Argyle express on the contrary their dissatisfaction at a decision so opposed, not only to their interests, but also to their hopes, and they let it be understood that it will be more difficult to disband the army than was believed, either on account of the difficulty of finding such a large sum in a country so needy as this one, or on account of the soldiers refusing to deliver up their arms, some persons still continue to believe that this duke and this marquis are no less acting in concert in this affair than in all the others. The reasons they have for that are, that the marquis would not have left Edinburgh the day before the decision was arrived at, and that Lord Balmerino and some other important members of his faction would not have absented themselves from the committee meeting as they did, if they had not been agreed together beforehand with the Duke of Hamilton regarding the decision to be come to ; that it was necessary for the duke in his turn to show to the Independents that he wished to oblige them and that he required to set off the demands he has made for disbanding the army against the protestation that the Marquis of Argyle made in their favour a few days ago.
That as the one and the other must wish the army to be maintained, if it be true that they are acting in concert, and as they both foresee that this is quite contrary to the intentions of the Scots, it was necessary for one of them to appear to follow the opinions of the people, so that these latter might be led to tolerate more willingly what a person of such rank and who was of their opinion, could not prevent, or that they might chose him for leader if they had anything to engage in. To which it is added also
1647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 261
that the Duke of Hamilton and the Marquis of Argyle could not obtain £25,000 stg. from Scotland, but on the assurance that they have given to disband this army, which it will always depend on them not to do, when the money will be received, according to the conditions they had added to the order that has been given on this subject, and really their manner of acting would seem rather to support this belief, were it not that whatever understanding may exist between them in what concerns the ruin of their king, of which they also hope equally to profit, the Marquis of Argyle has a quite special interest in retaining an army of which all the officers are but his tools ; and the Duke of Hamilton to get rid of the only thing that prevents him from being absolute in this kingdom. ^
And although it is somewhat difficult to judge of the opinions of persons who act with so much art as they do and who are nothing less than what they seem, as it is certain that this duke will carry the dis- banding of the army in the event of his really wishing it, I have thought that before the meeting of the committee, which will enable us better to judge of their intentions, it would in no way harm his Majesty's service were I to see what means there might be of still having some men from here ; and in addition to the new companies it will be necessary to have in both the regfiment of guards and that of Angus. If the army be disbanded, I hope one will be able to dispose Lieut. -General David Leslie to send three or foiir thousand men to Fi-ance and to come himself to command them, according to what I have had one of his friends to state to him, not as a matter tliat I wish but as a thing he ought to wish. I have thought also that in the event of their finding little security for them in disbanding their army and much difficulty in maintaining it, one might propose to them that they send to France the most part of their infantry, with the assurance of its being returned to them when they will require it, which would in fact relieve them of their fears, without causing them any inconvenience, and would give them the means of preserving their army without being obliged to provide for its subsistence.
I have not, however, made this proposal until you will judge how far it is practicable, because I believe it to be proper to know beforehand in what manner they act in order to learn if there will be any means of doing it, and to whom it ought to be proposed in order that it may succeed.
I beg you then to let me know exactly your will on this matter. I do not, however, think it necessary to send money here until one is certain that it will be required.
The Marchioness of Hamilton, mother of the present duke, died on Thursday last. The father of Macdonald was brought here last week, but the Marquis of Argyle would not allow him to land and has had him taken back to the place from whence he was brought, because the faction of Hamilton had decided, as it was said, on saving him, and that this marquis thought he would have him put to death more easily when it only depended on him alone to condemn him. ]
BELLi:fcVRE TO BRIENNE [sept.
CLXXXIX
BELLIEVRE k BRIENNE
A Londres, le -^ Septembre 1647.
Monsieur, — Ce qui se resoudra aujourd'huy dans le conseil de Tarmee pour approuuer ou desaduouer les propositions qui ont este cy-deuant publiez de sa part, et ce qui se fera demain dans la Maison des Communes ou Ton doit commencer a parler de la response que le Roy d'Angleterre a faicte aux propositions seruira a faire cognoistre la volonte et le pouuoir de ceux des- quelz il attend son restablissement. II m'asseuroit encor hier qu'il ny a pas lieu d'en doubter. Je ne scay s'il persistera long temps dans cet aduis. L'armee et les Independans con- tinuent a trauailler auec les Escossois pour s'accommoder auec eux sans leur Roy, et en suitte de leurs negotiations les com- missionaires d'Escosse depescherent hier un courrier en leur pais. Je ne vous ay rien mande de ce que M. de Montereul vous escrit par cet ordinaire concernant la flotte d'Angleterre pour ce que j"'ay juge que cella ne pouuoit pas auoir de suitte. II y a pres de quinze jours que Tarmee y a pourueu. — Je suis. Monsieur, vostre, etc., Bellieuhe.
All dos — M. de BellieurCj du 26 septembre l647, receu le 3 octobre.
[Bellikvbe to Brienne. London, ^ Sep. 1647.
What will be resolved to-day in the council of the army in order to approve or disapprove the proposals that have been previously published on its part and what will be done to-morrow in the House of Commons, where they are to begin to speak of the reply the King of England has made to the proposals, will serve to let us know the will and the power of those from whom he is expecting his restoration. He assured me again yesterday that there was no reason to doubt it. I do not know if he will long persist in this opinion. The army and the Independents continue to treat with the Scots in order to come to terms with them, without their king, and as a result of their negotiations the Scottish Commissioners sent a special messenger to their country yesterday. I did not reply to you about what M. de Montereul writes by this mail regarding the English fleet because I judged it could have no result. The matter was pi-ovided against by the army about a fortnight ago,]
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 263
CXC
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimbourg ^Y~Oct. 1^*47.
Ce que je me donnai Thonneur d'ecrire a V. Em*^® par le precedent ordinaire touchant le licenciement de Tarmee de ce Parlement luy pent faire voir le peu d'intention qu"'ont les Ecossois d'assister leur roy, quelque chose qu'ils peussent dire au contraire, et quelques assistances qu'ils seniblassent recher- cher de ses amis pour ce sujet. Je ne laisserai pas toutefois d'agir selon les ordres qu'il a pleu a V. Em*^® me donner par sa depeche du 14 Septembre et de voir ceux qui m'auoient demande quelles asseurances ils pourroient attendre de la France en cas qu'ils fissent quelque chose pour le roi de la G"" B*", et de les mettre en train de me faire encore cette mesme proposition ; car, quoiqu'ils montrent par leurs actions le peu de bien qu'ils veulent a leur prince, ils ne laissent pas encore de publier qu'ils ne desirent rien tant que de le voir retabli, et osent mesme dire qu'ils Tauroient fait, s'il leur avoit donne lieu de le faire, en leur accordant ce qu''ils lui ont tant de fois demande; outre que le procede qu'ont tenu jusqu'ici les Inde- pendants pour se defaire de ceux quMls ont creu leurs ennemis, leur donne toujours de grands sujets d'apprehension et leur fait croire qu'ils dissimulent plustost les choses passees qu'ils ne les ont oubliees, et qu'au lieu de leur pardonner ce qu''lls ont fait, ils attendent seulenient un temps plus propre que celui-ci pour se venger d'eux, de sorte qu'ils s'imaginent que quelque chose qui arrive de leur roi, ils auront toujours besoin de la protec- tion de la France,
Au reste, Mg"", ils ont ete extremement touches de lareponse que le roi de la G"" B' a faite aux propositions et se plaignent fort de ce qu'il ne leur a pas tenu ce qu'il leur avoit offert, touchant le covenant et le Presbyteriat, comme si ce n'etoit point leur faute de n'avoir pas voulu accepter ces choses dans le temps qu'elles leur ont ete off'ertes. lis disent aussy, que le roi de la G"" B"" a desire d'eux presentement qu"'ils ne debandent point leur armee, ce que ceux du parti d'Argyle publient ici bien hautement, comme une chose qui ne leur est pas peu
264 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [ocT.
avantageuse, mais qui pourroint etre fort prejudiciable au dit roi aupres des Independants.
Pour ce qui est du licenciement de celle-ci, il ne s''est rien passe depuis ma derniere que me donne lieu d'aj outer aucune chose a ce que je me suis donne Thonneur d'en ecrire a V. Em'^^, sinon que je suis comme asseure que David Leslay ne la portera pas a suivre Texemple de celle d'Angleterre et a refuser de se debander, et qu'il y a apparence que quand le Due de Hamilton trouveroit a propos que ce royaume demeurast arme, il ne laisseroit pas de presser toujours pour le licenciement de cette armee pour en former apres une nouvelle dont les officiers depen- dissent de luy. II n'est arriue qu^aujourd'huy de Hamilton, ou il a este rendfe les derniers devoirs a la feue Marquise sa mere, de sorte que je ne Pay peu encore voir.
M. le Chevalier Moray me dit que si les armees se debandent il espere de pouvoir faire encore mil hommes durant cet hiver. Son marchand se contente de recevoir ce qui lui est deu pour le nombre d'hommes qu'il a fait deja passer par dessus les douze cens, sans pretendre les 1300, tant de livres comme il faisoit auparavant ainsi que je Fai mande a M. le Tellier, de sorte, Monseigneur, qu'au moins ces levees auront ete faites bien fidelement.
Je crois que V. Em°^ ne trouvera point mauvais que je ne me sois pas hate de presser M. le Comte d"* Angus de s"'obliger par un acte public a faire passer en France dans Noel prochain ce qui luy manque de ses douze cents hommes puisque cela Tauroit pent estre choque dans le temps qu'il en a fait partir deux cents, et qu'il est deja oblige de faire passer en France toutes les troupes avant la fin du mois de Juin passe par un acte qui est tres bonne forme. Je lui avois dit seulement qu'il devoit remercier V. Em''® du terme plus long qu'elle luy avoit accorde et I'asseurer bien formellement qu'il feroit passer tous ses hommes dans le commencement de I'hiver, ce qu'il m'avoit promis de faire. J'avois creu que c'estoit la forme d'obligation qui devoit engager davantage une personne de sa condition, cependant je pourray toujours faire ce que V. 'Ern^^ m'ordonne au cas qu'elle I'ait agreable.
[MoNTEBEUL to CARDINAL Mazabin. Edinburgh '-^~' 1647.
What I stated in my last letter, regarding the disbanding of the army of this Parliament, will have shown to you how little the Scots
i647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 265
intend to assist their king, whatever they may say to the contrary, and whatever assistance they seem to look for from his friends for that pur- pose. I shall still continue to act, however, according to the orders you give me in your despatch of the 14th September, and to see those who liad asked me what assurances they might expect from France, in case they might do something for the King of Great Britain, and to engage them to make again to me that same proposal ; for although they show by their actions how little they are disposed to do for their prince, they still continue to publish that they wish nothing more than to see him re- established, and venture even to say that they would have accomplished it, had he gi\en them the means of doing so, in granting to them what they have so many times asked from him ; besides, that the manner the Independents have had till now in ridding themselves of those they have considered their enemies, gives them always great reason to fear ; they believe them to be rather dissimulating than that they have forgotten what has passed between them, and instead of having pardoned them for what they have done they are only waiting a time more suitable than the present in order to be revenged on them, so that they imagine, whatever may happen to their king, they will always require the protection of France.
People here have been much concerned about the reply the King of Great Britain has made to the proposals, and complain much of his not having held to what he had offered to them regarding the Covenant and Presbyterianism, as if it were not their fault in not having wished to accept those matters in the time they were offered to them. They say also that the king wishes them at present not to disband their army, which those of the Argyle party declare loudly here as a matter much to their advantage, but which might be very prejudicial to the king in his relations to the Independents.
As regards the disbanding of the army, nothing has been done since I last wrote to you that might be added to what I then stated, if not that I am assured David Leslie will not be induced to follow the English example and refuse to disband ; and there is some likelihood that even though the Duke of Hamilton considered it proper for this country to remain armed, he would nevertheless insist on the disbanding of this army, in order to form a new one after, the officers of which would depend on him. He has only arrived from Hamilton to-day, where he has been paying the last honours to the late marchioness his mother, so that I have not yet been able to see him.
Sir Robert Moray tells me that if the armies disband he hopes still to be able to raise a thousand men during this winter : his merchant is satis- fied in receiving what is due to him for the number of men that he has already passed over and above the twelve hundred, without pretending to claim for thirteen hundred so many pounds, as he did formerly, of which I have informed j\I. le Tellier, so that these levies at least have been faith- fully executed.
I believe you will not disapprove of my not having pressed the Earl of Angus by a legal act to bind himself to send to France before Christmas
S66 BELLli:VRE TO BRIENNE [OCT.
what remained of the twelve hundred men, since it would perhaps have offended him at the time he was sending off two hundred and that he is already obliged to send to France all the troops before the end of the month of June last, by an act which is very correct in form. I merely told him that he ought to thank you for the longer term that you had granted him and to assure him very explicitly that he would require to send all his men in the beginning of winter which he had promised me to do. I thought this was the form of obligation that ought to be more binding on a person of his condition, yet I can always do what you order in case it be more agreeable to you.]
CXCI
BELLlfeVRE A BRIENNE
Monsieur, — JTescris a. son Eminence que j'estime important m''en allant d'icy d'y laisser un ministre de France, et prens la liberte de luy proposer raon frere. Je puis prendre auec vous celle de dire que ie ne cognois personne qui y puisse maintenant mieux seruir, et que je ne luy puis procurer un honneur qui luy donne plus de peine et moins de douceur que cet employ. II se pent rencontrer beaucoup de difficultez a ly establir que nous essayerons de vaincre si Tintention nVn est pas publiee. Je vous supplie de continuer a nous obliger et de me renuoyer au plus tost M. d'Espesses [.?] auec les expeditions necessaires pour mon retour. Je n'ay pas cru depuis quelque temps de vous deuoir escrire les particullaritez de ce qui se faict icy qui ont nourry les esperances dans lesquelles s'entretiennent ceux de ce pais qui prennent plaisir de s^en paistre. Je me suis contente de vous faire scauoir Topinion que j'ay que Ton n'en doibt poinct tirer de consequence, que tout est conduict par un mesme conseil et par des mesmes principes et tend a mesme fin, et que ce qui se faict en apparence n'est que pour satisffaire a difterens interestz que Ton veut encore mesnager qu'il seroit ennuyeux et inutille d'expliquer en chasque despeche et de plus 11 n'est pas tousiours aise de penetrer promptement les desseins particulliers ou de bien rencontrer en ses conjectures. Ce qui s'est faict dans le Parlement les deux jours derniers pent faire que le Roy d'Angleterre commence a douter que Tarmee y ait tout le credit qu'elle luy a diet auoir et que
1 647] BELLlfeVRE TO BRIENNE 267
chacun croit qu''elle y a, ou qu''elle ne luy veut pas tenir les parolles qu"'elle luy a donne. Si le dernier est vray, il cognoist bien que ses affaires sont au plus mauuais estat qu'elles puissent estre, et il y a peu d*'apparence que cette armee n''ait pas pouuoir pres d'un parlement qu''elle vient de restablir qui ne subsiste que par la protection quVlle luy donne, duquel elle a faict sortir tous ceux qu'il luy a pleu et que comande aujourd'huy sans opposition a toutes les forces de ce royaume. Cependant Asburnhan me diet encore hier qu"'ainsy que son maistre il espere autant que jamais quoy qu'il aduoue qu'il n'y ait plus de raison de ce faire que sur Toppinion qu'il a que les principaux officiers de Tarmee estiment que leur conseruation despend du restablissement de leur Roy, sur quoy les conjectures et les raisons opposees aux siennes peuuent trouuer des partisans, le temps seul pent esclaircir cette affaire, et il est plus a souhaitter qu''a croire qu'elle puisse tourner a Taduantage du Roy. — Je suis, Monsieur, vostre, etc., Bkllteure.
Ail dos — M. de Bellieure, du 3 octobre 1647, receu le 7*.
[Bellievre to Brienne. London, ^^_ 1647.
I AM writing to his Eminence, that I consider it important for me on leaving here to leave a minister of France, and I take the liberty of pro- posing to him my brother. I may with you take the liberty to say that I know no one who can better serve here, and that I cannot procure for him an honour that may give him more trouble and less indulgence than this office. He may find many difficulties in establishing himself in it which we will try to overcome if the intention be not made public, I beg you to continue to oblige us and to send M. d'Espesses to me as soon as possible with the commission necessary for my recall. I have not thought necessary to write to you for some time the particulars of what is going on here which have fostered the hopes in which those of this country who take pleasure in flattering themselves are maintained. I have con- tented myself with letting you know the opinion I have that one ought not to look upon it as proving anything, that all is directed by the same counsel and by the same principles and tends to the same result, and that what is done for appearance sake is but in order to satisfy different interests which it is wished to keep well with, that it would be tiresome and useless to explain in each despatch, and further it is not always quite easy at once to see through their particular intentions or exactly to hit upon them in conjecturing. What was done in Parliament these two days past may lead the King of England to begin to doubt whether or not
BELLlfiVRE TO MAZARIN [ocT.
the army has all the influence there that it tells him it has, and that each one believes it has, or that it does not want to perform the promises it has given him. If this last hypothesis be true, he may well know that his affairs are in the worst possible condition they could be, and there is small likelihood that this army may not have the power with a Parliament that it has just re-established, that only exists by its protec- tion, from which they have driven out whom they pleased, and which commands at present without opposition all the forces of this kingdom. However Ashburnham told me again yesterday that his master and he hope as much as ever, although he confesses there is no reason for his doing so beyond the opinion he has that the principal officers of the army consider that their safety depends on the restoration of their king. On this, to whatever extent conjectures and reasons opposed to his may find partisans time alone can clear up the matter, and it is more to be wished than to be believed that it may turn to the advantage of the king.]
CXCII
BELLIEVRE au CARDINAL MAZARIN
J"'osE prendre la liberie de faire scauoir a V. E. que voyant la disposition des affaires de ce pais, j^estime qu''il ^st im- portant que la France ait icy un ministre qui puisse veiller a ses interestz et les porter dans les occasions qui se peuuent presenter auec la prudence et la dignite conuenable, quHl est besoing non seullement de credit et d'addresse mais aussy de bonne fortune pour faire que le parlement souffre quMl en soit maintenant enuoye au roy d'Angleterre ; que s'il est faisable il pent estre mieux mesnage pendant que je suis icy que lorsque ie seray parti. Je suplie V. E. de me permettre de luy dire que j"'estirae mon frere capable d'y bien seruir, et que s'il vous plaist de nous faire la grace de Thonnorer de cette ambassade peut-estre trouuerois-ie le moyen de le faire receuoir ; au cas que Taccez soit cy apres aussy libre vers le roy d'Angleterre qu'il a este depuis deux mois, car ie ne voy rien qui me faie despartir de mes premieres opinions que ceux qui ont main- tenant le pouuoir ruineront le diet Roy aussy tost qu'il leur sera possible, et par degrez s'ilz ne le peuuent tout a coup. Dez ce soir la resolution pent estre prise de le restreindre qui est un des moins rudes de celles sur lesquelles il fust
i647] BELLlfiVRE TO MAZARIN 269
hier propose de deliberer. Au cas, dis-je, qu'il vous plaise d'agreer mon frere et de m'enuoyer les ordres et les despeches necessaires pour Pestablir icy, j"'estimerois qu'il seroit a propos que les Anglois n'en eussent point de cognoissance afin que sMl n''y a pas lieu de le faire Ton ne sache pas qu'il aye este tente, et aussy de crainte qu"'une faulce nouuelle publiee icy par Tartiffice de ceux qui le voudroient empescher pour des in- terestz qui peut estre ne compatissent pas auec ceux de Testat, n'empeschent en effect une chose qui auroit peu reussir con- duitte auec le secret necessaire. C"'est pour ce subiect que Mons' d'Espesses faict toute diligence pour arriuer pres de Vostre Eminence auant que Tordre pour m'en retourner soit parti de la Cour. Dans Topinion que j^y que cet establissement peut estre fort utille aux affaires dont j'exprimerois plus particuliere- ment les aduantages si ie le pouuois faire sans dire du bien d'une personne qu''il ne m^'est pas bien seant de louer ; plus tost je receu- ray ses ordres mieux je les pourray mesnager et si je considerois mes interestz je dirois encore que plus tost pourrois-je jouir de la liberte que Vostre Eminence me faict esperer je n"'ay pas creu depuis quelque temps deuoir escrire a Vostre Eminence les particularitez de ce qui se faict icy qui ont nourry les esperances dans lesquelles s''entretiennent ceux de ce pais qui prennent plaisir de s'en paistre.^
Au dos — Coppie de la lettre escritte par M. de Bellieure a M. le Cardinal, du 3 octobre 1647, receu le 7.
[Bellievre to Cardinaij Mazarin. London, ~§^ 1647.
I VENTURE to inform you that, seeing the state of affairs in this country, I consider it important for France to have a minister here to watch over lier interests and to bring them forward in occasions that may occur, with suitable prudence and dignity ; that it requires not only influence and tact but also good fortune so to manage that the Parliament permit him to be sent now to the King of England ; that if practicable it may be better arranged while I am here than when I shall be gone. I beg you to allow me to say that I consider my brother capable of doing good service here, and that if it please you to do us the favour and the honour of this embassy perhaps I shall find means of having him accepted, in case that access be in future as free to the King of England as it has been during
1 La suite de cette lettre est la meme que dans celle que precede adressee a M. de Brienne,
270 BELLll:VRE TO BRIENNE [OCT.
the last two months, for I see nothing to induce me to change my first opinions, that those who have now the power will ruin the king as soon as it he possible for them to do so, and by degrees if they are unable to do it all at once. From this evening perhaps the resolution will be taken to restrain him, which is one of least rude of the resolutions on which it was yesterday proposed to deliberate upon. In the event of your accept- ing my brother, and that you decide to send to me the necessary orders and despatches in order to establish him here, I would consider it better for the English to have no knowledge of it, so that if there be no occasion to do it they may not be aware that it was attempted and also for fear that any false news circulated here through the artifices of those who would like to prevent it for interests that may be incompatible with those of the state, may prevent in fact a matter that might have succeeded had it been conducted with the necessary secrecy. This is why M. d'Espesses uses every possible despatch in order to reach your Eminence before the order for my recall leave the Court. From the opinion I have that this appointment may be very useful to business, the advantages of which I would explain more fully could I do so without saying good of a person whom it is not seemly for me to praise ; the sooner I receive your orders the better I shall be able to manage, and if I were to consider my interests I should also say the sooner I shall enjoy the liberty you lead me to expect. I have not thought necessary to write to you for some time the particulars of what is going on here which have fostered the hopes of those of this country who find entertainment in flattering themselves. ^
CXCIII BELLI^VRE A BRIENNE
A Londres, le ' ^t'^l 1647.
' 27 Septetnbre
Monsieur, — Le peu de diuision qui est entre les officiers de Tarmee augmente de beaucoup les esperances du Roy d'Ang^^ Je ne les estime pas assez considerables pour croire qu'il en puisse tenir aucun aduantage reel. Le maire de Londres et quatre aldermans sont a la tour depuis samedy sans que la ville tesmoigne en estre esmeue, elle est toutte soubmise. L'on trauaille a reformer les propositions pour les presenter de nou- ueau au Roy d'Ang""^. L'on croit qu'elles ne peuuent pas estre prestes de huict jours. II en faudra plus de quinze au cas qu'il soit resolu de les presenter dressees en actes pour estre cy apres loix du Royaume, soit que le d. Roy les approuue ou
' The continuation of this letter is the same as in the preceding one addressed to de Brienne.
i647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 271
les refuse, sur quoy on delibere maintenant. — Je suis, Monsieur, vostre, etc., Bellieure.
All dos — M. de Bellieure, du 7 octobre l647, receu le l6' du d. mois a Fontainebleau.
[Beixievre to Brienne. London, /^-^ 1647.
The slight divisions between the officers of the army strengthens much the hopes of the King of England. I do not consider them important enough as to believe that he will be able to derive any real advantage from them. The Mayor of London and four aldermen have been in the Tower since Saturday, without any commotion being seen in the city, that seems quite subdued, ^fhe proposals to be presented to the king are being drawn up again ; it is thought they will not be ready before eight days. It will require a fortnight if it be decided to draw them up in the form of acts to be in future laws of the kingdom whether the king approve or disapprove of them, on which they are now deliberating.]
CXCIV
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimbourg, f^; l647.
Il n^y a point lieu d'esperer que les Ecossois prennent aucune resolution jusqu*'a ce qu'ils ayent veu quelle sera celle du Parle- ment et de Tarmee d'Angleterre en suite de la reponse de leur roi anx propositions qui [lui ont ete presentees. Mais plus j''observe les actions et sonde les volontes de ceux qui ont plus de part au gouvernement des affaires de ce royaume, et plus je reconnois quMls sont bien eloignes d"'entreprendre aucune chose qui puisse etre a Tavantage de leur roi, et que tout ce qu''ils desireroient de la France est, qu'elle leur donnast moyen de se rendre considerable aupres des Independants pour se pouvoir accommoder plus facilement avec eux. Et en eff'et, Mg', les Ecossois ont si peu dessein de prendre les armes pour la conser- vation du roi de la G*^ 6% qu'autant qu'on se pent asseurer des choses qui ne sont pas encore faites, il y a tout sujet de croire qu'ils vont licencier leur armee dans Tinstant qu'ils publient eux mesmes que ce Prince les conjure de la conserver.
QuMls ne consentent pas seulement a la ruine de leur gouvernement Presbyterial en Angleterre, ainsy qu'il se peut voir par la declaration de leurs ministres ou ils laissent a Dieu
MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [OCT.
le soin de maintenir cette religion pour Tetablissement de laquelle ils ont dit en leurs eglises qu'ils estoient obliges de repandre jusqu'a la derniere goutte de leur sang, mais que Ton m'en a assez dit pour me faire entendre que si les Independants veulent fair passer jusqu'en Ecosse leur liberte de conscience ce Parlement ne prendra point de querelle avec eux pour ce sujet.
Enfin qu"'ils tachent seulement aujourd'huy a faire aupres du Parlement et de Tarmee d'Angleterre que la reponse de leur roi soit prise par eux pour un refus, et que les Anglois suivent Texemple de FEcosse qui a declare Tan passe qu'elle se gouver- noit sans roi jusqu^'a ce qu'il eut satisfait aux choses que ses Parlements desiroient de lui.
Toutes ces choses n'empechent pas que les Ecossois ne deplorent la perte de leur roi, qu'ils tiennent toute certaine, comme s'il avoient toujours eu grand desir de Tempecher, et que quelques uns dVntre eux ne m'ayent dit que les Indepen- dants les recherchent, et que le jeune Vaine avoit off'ert de la part des dits Independants au Comte de Lauderdale tout ce que TEcosse pouvoit demander pourvu qu'elle consentit a la ruine du roi de la G' B"", mais, outre qu''on ne m"'a point montre la lettre et qu*'il y a grande apparence que sur ces conditions le raarche auroit este bientost fait, Fordre qui est venu pour le retour de Tarmee d'lrlande, dans lequel il ne se parle point du tout, — a ce qu''on me dit, — de ce qui est deu pour la subsist- ance depuis cinq ou six armees, et ce qu'ecrit le Parlement d'Angleterre a ce Comite sur le sujet du mauvais traitement qu''a receu le Comte de Lauderdale, qui a moins forme d'excuse que de reproche, ne font point voir du tout que les Independants importunent les Ecossois pour les porter a s'accommoder avec eux. II me semble, Mg', qu'on pent juger de tout ceci que ces peuples s'uniront difficilement avec la France pour les interets de leur roi, mais pour les leurs alors seulement qu'ils se verront TAngleterre sur les bras, et qu'il y a lieu de croire que quelque chose qu''ils fassent par leurs soumissions pour Teviter, il sera bien difficile qu'ils n'ayent besoin dans quelque temps de la pro- tection de Sa M**.
Le Comte de Lanark doit partir aujourd'huy pour Londres, si ce n'est que le Chancelier d'Ecosse aille en Angleterre contre la resolution qu'il avoit prise, car en ce cas le dit S' Comte de
i647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 273
Lanark difFerera son voyage de quelques jours, afin quMls puissent aller de compagnie. Le Comte de Callendar les suivra de bien pres. II m'a dit qu"*!! quitte TEcosse pour sa sante seulement et qu'il ne va en Hollande que pour y voir ses amis, cependant, outre que j'ay veu lettres par lesquelles le Roi de la G^ B"" desiroit fort lui parler, on in"'a.dit encore que M. le Prince d'Orange a demande qu''il le vint trouver; tout ce que je puis dire est quMl paroit etroitement uni avec le Due de Hamilton, et qu'il entretient avec cela tres bonne correspondance avec les amis du Marquis d"'Argyle. Quelle mauvaise satisfaction qui doive passer, ce semble, entre lui et le dit Marquis je crois que cela suffit pour faire voir que le dit roi ne doit pas s'y fier que de bonne sorte.
Je ne puis reudre a V. Em*^^ assez de remerciements des extremes bontes qu'il luy plaist avoir pour moy et dont il luy a pleu me donner des marques presque avant que j'eusse riionneur d'estre connu d'elle, aussi, Mg'., vous puis je asseurer que dans le grand nombre de vos creatures il n'y en aura jamais (jue soient avec plus de respect et de fidelite que moy etc.
Comme je fermois cette depeciie M. le Comte d. Lanark m'est venu dire adieu. II doit partir demain et M"" le Chancelier seulement quelques jours apres luy. II m'a dit que le Marquis d'Argyle avoit essaye cet apres diner de faire casser Tordre qui avoit ete donne touchant le licenciement de Tarmee, mais que son parti ne s'etoit pas trouve bien fait, et que non seulement il n'avoit pas emporte ce qu'il pretendoit, mais qu'il auoit ete ordonne qu'il ne s'en parleroit plus avant le ^ d'Octobre. II m'a dit encore que le bruit avoit couru que les Ecossois desiroient que la reponse de leur roi fut prise pour un refus n'estoit pas veritable, et que leurs deputes a Londres avoient ordre expres de ne se pas joindre en cela avec le ParP d'Angleterre.
[MoNTERKUL to CARDINAL Mazarin. Edinburgh, y^; 1647.
There is no reason to hope that the Scots will take any resolution until they see what will be that of the Parliament and army of England as to their king's reply to the proposals that have been presented to him. But the more I observe the actions and estimate the will of those who have most part in the aflfairs of this kingdom, the more I recognise that they are far removed from engaging in anything that can be to the advantage VOL. II. S
274 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [OCT.
of their king, and that all they wish from France is that she would give them the means of being well considered by the Independents in order to be able to come more easily to an agreement with them. And in fact the Scots have so little intention of taking arms for the preservation of the King of Great Britain that, so far as one can assure one's-self of things that have not yet happened, there is every reason to believe that they are going to disband their army, just at the time they declare themselves this Prince conjures them to preserve it.
That they not only consent to the ruin of their Presbyterian form of church government in England, as may be seen by the declaration of their clergy, in which they leave to God's care the maintenance of that religion for the establishment of which they have said in their churches they were obliged to shed the last drop of their blood, but on which they have told me enough to let me understand that if the Independents wish to pass their liberty of conscience so far as into Scotland this Parliament will not quarrel with them on that subject. In short they are merely trying at present to influence the Parliament and army of England that their king's reply be taken by them as a refusal, and that the English follow the example of Scotland that declared last year that she would govern herself without a king until he had complied with the things that his Parliaments wish from him.
All these matters do not prevent the Scots from deploring the loss of their king — which they consider certain — as if they had always had a strong desire to prevent it. Some among them have told me they are sought after by the Independents, and that the younger Vane had offered on the part of the former to the Earl of Lauderdale all that Scotland could demand, provided they would consent to the ruin of the King of Great Britain, but besides my not having been shown the letter, there is great likelihood that on these conditions the bargain would soon have been made.
The order that has come for the return of the army from Ireland, in which there is no mention at all made, as I am told, of what is owing for its subsistence during five or six years, together with what the English Parliament writes to this committee on the subject of the bad treatment received by the Earl of Lauderdale, which has less the form of an excuse than that of a reproach, do not at all show that the Independents are importuning the Scots to make terms with them. It seems to me that one can judge from all this that these people will not readily unite with France for the interests of their king but only for their own interests, and then only when they will have England on their hands, and that there is reason to believe that whatever they may effect by their concessions in order to avoid this rupture, it will be difficult for them within a certain time not to require the protection of his Majesty.
The Earl of Lanark is to leave for London to-day unless the Chancellor of Scotland decide, contrary to what he had proposed, to go to England, in which case the Earl of Lanark will put off his journey for a few days so that they may travel together. The Earl of Callander will follow very
i647] BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE 275
shortly. This latter tells him that he is leaving Scotland on account of his health only, and that he is merely going to Holland to see his friends ; yet, besides that, I have seen letters in which the King of Great Britain expressed strongly the wish to speak with him, I have been told also that the Prince of Orange has invited him to come to see him ; all that I can say is that he appears closely attached to the Duke of Hamilton and with that keeps up very good intercourse with the friends of the Marquis of Argyle. However little, as it seems, the marquis and he may be satisfied with each other, I believe this will suffice in order to show that the king ought not to trust him too much.
I cannot thank you enough for the extreme kindness you have shown towards me, of which you gave me tokens almost before I was known to you, etc.
As I was folding up this despatch the Earl of Lanark called on me to say good-bye. He is to leave to-morrow and the Chancellor only a few days later. The earl told me the Marquis of Argyle had tried that afternoon to have the order concerning the disbanding of the army can- celled ; but his followers not being sufficiently numerous, not only had he failed in having it carried as he pretended, hut it was decided that the matter would not be again brought up before the ^ of October. He told me also that the rumour which had been circulated, that the Scots wished their king's reply to be considered as a refusal, was not true, and that their commissioners in London had express orders not to join in that with the English Parliament.]
cxcv
BELLIEVRE A BRIENNE
A Londres, le - Octobre l647.
4
Monsieur, — Le Roy d'Ang'^ continue dans ses esperances quoy qViW soit vray que ceux sur Taparence desquelz il se fonde ne different d''auec ceux qui se declarent presentement de le voulloir ruiner qu'aux moyens qui doiuent estre tenuz pour venir a la suppression de la royaute et a mettre tout le pouuoir entre les mains du peuple, les uns voullans des a presant trauailler a le deposer les autres, n'estimant pas y pouuoir reussir par cette voye, veullent establir par le consente- ment du diet Roy des Loix nouuelles ausquelles, a la reserue de rinterest de ses ecclesiastiques, je le tiens quasi prest de consentir par lesquelles celles de Testat sont renuersees et des a present le peuple se trouue reuetu de toute Tauthorite. Kon continue a dresser ces propositions, et je croy que dans le commencement de la sepmaine prochaine elles pourront luy
276 BELLIlfeVRE TO BRIENNE [OCT.
estre portees. Ceux qui conduisent icy les affaires n'ont pas este peu empeschez a coucher Tarticle de la religion en sorte qu'ilz soient asseurez de pouuoir cy apres exercer la leur auec toute sorte de liberie en ne rien faire qui les empesche de s''unir, ainsy quMlz pretendent, avee ceux de la religion pre- tendue reformee de France qui sont Presbiteriens comme aussy auec les Escossois et les HoUandois a quoy ilz ne trouuent point d*'expedient qui establisse un presbitaire modere. Si les affaires auoient icy quelque forme il seroit a craindre que Ton n^y considerast les propositions que les amis de TEspagne y font il y a longtemps pour Tunir auec TAngleterre et nommement depuis la prise de Dunkerke, qu'ilz disent aidez nous a reprendre Dunkerke nous vous aiderons a reprendre Calais. Je ne vous en escrirois pas encores n''estoit qu"'il se pent faire les affaires s'accommoderont tout a coup, ou auec le diet Roy ou sans luy et plustost en cette derniere fa^on qu*'en la premiere et que je voy que Ton faict grande consideration de cette mesme propo- sition faicte depuis peu en autres termes par hopton, cy deuant ambassadeur d'Angleterre en Espagne, homme d^esprit, qui se faict fort d'engager TEspagne a assister TAngleterre a reprendre Calais pourueu que TAngleterre se veuille obliger a assister puis apres TEspagne de ses nauires a reprendre les places qu*'elle a perdu a la coste des Flandres, qui est en toute fayon engager TAngleterre contre la France. Ce Hopton est absolument dans les interestz du Roy d'Angleterre, et a de- meure long temps pres de la reyne sa femme, d'ou il est venu depuis peu, cella joinct auec ce que je voy il y a long temps et que ie scay que la dicte reyne escrit en encore depuis peu au roy son mari, qu'elle voit tous les (jours) de plus en plus que la France n''a aucune bonne volonte ny pour luy ny pour PAngle- terre me faict prendre la liberte de vous dire qu'il sera bon de veiller exactement aux affaires de de^a. — Je suis, Monsieur, vostre, tres etc., Bellieure.
[Beixievrb to Bbienne. London, j- Oct. 1647.
The King of England continues in his hopes although it is certain that those on the likelikood of whose acts he bases them diiFer only from those others who declare publicly at present their wish to ruin him, as to the means to be employed in effecting the suppression of royalty and the placing of all power in the hands of the people ; the one party wishing at
i647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 277
pi-esent to set to work to depose him, tlie other, judging they are not likely to succeed in it in that way, wish to establish new laws with the king's consent, — to which, in reserving the interests of his ecclesiastics, I consider him to be almost ready to consent, — and by which the laws of the State are to be overturned and from the present time the people invested with all the authority. These proposals are still being drawn up, and I think in the beginning of the next week they will be able to bring them to the king. Those who conduct affairs here have had much trouble in writing out the article concerning religion, so that they may be in future assured of the power of exercising their own with every liberty, so that there may not be any obstacle to prevent them from uniting, as they pretend, with those of the pretended reformed religion of France who are Presbjiierians, as also with the Scots and the Dutch ; in which they do not find any plan to establish a moderate Presbyterianism. If affairs had taken any form here it might be feared that they would take into consideration the proposals that the friends of Spain have long been making here to unite with England, and especially since the capture of Dunkirk they say : ' Help us to retake Dunkirk and we shall help you to retake Calais.' I would not yet write to you of this were it not that the affair may be arranged suddenly, either with the king or without him, and most probably in the latter manner, and that I see much impor- tance is being attached to this same proposal made in other terms by Hopton,' formerly English Ambassador to Spain, a man of ability, who is doing all he can to engage Spain to help England to retake Calais, pro- vided England will afterwards engage to assist Spain with her ships to retake the places she has lost on the coast of Flanders, which is in any way engaging England against France, lliis Hopton is absolutely in the interests of the King of England, and has long stayed with the Queen, his consort, whence he has lately returned ; this, joined to what I have long seen and to what I know, that this queen has lately written to the king, her husband, that she sees daily more and more that France has no good will, neither for him more than for England, leads me to take the liberty of saying to you that it will be well to have an eye on what goes on here.]
CXCVI
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimhourg, f: Odohre 1647.
La resolution en laquelle le Due de Hamilton et le Comte de Lanark son freie m'avoient temoigne qu'ils estoient, de presser le
* Sir Ralph Hopton was in command of the Royalist army that was forced to retreat into Cornwall, where he was obliged to surrender and go abroad, March 1 6th, 1646.
278 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [OCT.
licenciement de Tarmee avec dessein de Temporter, et Tasseurance que M^'le Chev"" Moray ra'avoit donnee que le Marquis d'Argyle ne s^y devoit point opposer, m'avoit fait croire qu'elle se conserveroit difficilement, mais les sentiments ou je trouvai il y a deux jours le Marquis d'Argyle, qui sont fort differents de ceux ou on m'avoit asseure qu'il estoit, me donnent maintenant sujet de douter encore assez d'une chose que je tenois presque toute asseuree ; car ce Marquis s'en est explique a moi si nettement qu'il m'a dit qu'il feroit tons ses efforts pour faire casser Tordre qui avoit este donne en son absence pour le licenciement de la dite armee par une surprise du Due de Hamilton et contre ce qui avoit este arreste dans le Comite, quelques jours avant qu'il partit, — que leur religion leur roi et leurs fortunes couroient plus de hazard qu'elles n"'avoient fait jusquMci, de sorte qu'une armee leur estoit aussi necessaire que jamais. II m'a dit en suite que bien que Ton essayat de faire croire qu'il cherchoit son interet par- ticulier dans la cause du public qu'il pensoit plustost a etablir son autorite avec cette armee qu'a conservee la liberte de ces peuples, il estoit si asseure du temoignage qne luy donnoit sa conscience d'avoir agi par un bon principe depuis le commence- ment de ces troubles, qu"'il continueroit a travailler de la mesme sorte jusqu'a la fin, et presseroit genereusement pour faire que Ton conservat une armee dont il savoit que ce royaume ne se pouvoit passer sans danger et sans prejudicier mesme aux interets du roi de la G' B'^, — qu'il savoit que le Due de Hamilton essayoit de faire croire au dit roi que rien ne Tempechoit de le servir que cette armee, apres le licenciement de laquelle il Tasseuroit de toute PEcosse, — ce qui empechoit le dit roi d'accorder aux Presbyteriens ce qu''ils desiroient de luy pour le retablir et portait ce prince a sa dernier ruine.
C'est, Mg', ce que m'a fait entendre bien au long le Marquis d'Argyle, et ce qui pourroit donner lieu de croire non seule- ment que le licenciement de cette armee est une chose assez incertaine, et que ce Marquis tachera au moins de tirer asseurance des Independants pour le paiement de ce qui lui est deu en Angleterre avant que d'y consentir, mais encore, ce qui est plus considerable, que ce Due et ce Marquis, ayant des interets tons contraires, dans le licenciement ou dans la con- servation de la dite armee, pourroient y trouver aussi com-
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 279
mencement de leur disunion, si ce n^est que Ton croit qu'ils ne parleroient pas si librement au desavantage Tun de Pautre s'ils n''en estoient demeures dWcord auparavant, et qu'ils ne Teussent juge necessaire pour entretenir la creance que Ton a eue jusqu''ici, de leur inimitie qui range toute TEcosse du parti de Tun ou de Pautre, et pour eloigner davantage Topinion que Ton commence d''avoir tous les jours plus grande, de leur union ; mais soit quMls soient amis ou ennemis, — car c'est une chose que n''est pas aisee a comprendre, — ^je crois que je puis dire qu'ils ne sont, ni Tun ni Pautre, serviteurs du roi de la G'' B"", et quMl a sujet de se defier de tous deux egalement.
II semble encore que ce prince ait peu d''interet au licencie- ment ou a la conservation de cette armee puisqu'elle ne serviroit que pour accommoder les Ecossois plus avantageusement avec les Independants, et que quand la necessite obligeroit ces peuples de la mettre en action ce seroit seulement, ou pour la defense de leurs vies et de leurs fortunes, ou pour Petablissement de leur religion, ce qui est assez eloigne du retablissement de leur roi, Le Marquis d'^Argyle m'a encore dit que cette petite armee ne laissoit pas de donner beaucoup de jalousie a I'Angle- terre et que pourvu que le roi de la G' B' voulut encore aujourd'huy leur accorder ce qu'ils luy demandent, il leur seroit aise de la mettre en etat de le servir, pourvu quMls fussent aides de la France, de laquelle de ne desiroient que ce qu''elle leur pouvoit aisement donner, — quelques vaisseaux et un peu d'argent, — mais que tout dependoit de la resolution que prendroit leur roi, duquel ils ne se pouvoient presque rien promettre. Cest, Mg', tout ce que m'a dit ce Marquis, sinon qu'il y a joint beaucoup de protestations de vouloir contribuer a entretenir une bonne et etroite correspondance entre la France et ce royaume.
Le Chancelier d'Ecosse doit partir ce soir pour Londres. II m"*a parle de la France et du desir qu'il a de rendre quelque service a Sa Majeste avec plus d'exageration encore que ce Marquis. II est charge de nouvelles instructions, que Ton ne tient pas si publiques que les premieres. Le Comte de Traquair doit aussy demander bientost un passeport de ce Comite pour aller trouver le roi de la G' B^ Will. Moray parle de faire le mesme. Cest a Londres que Pon jugera mieux de ce qu'ils
280 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [OCT.
desirent faire, qui n'est pas selon les apparences de vouloir aider au retablissement de leur roi.
Le pere de Macdonald a este pendu en Argyle. Hartil, un des plus considerable de ceux qui avoient suivi le Marquis d'Huntley, a este conduit ici, et ceux qui furent pris, il y a pres de deux mois avec lui ; je ne sais point encore ce que Ton a resolu d''en faire. Je n'apprends point aussy que Ton ait pris aucune resolution touchant le retour de Tarmee d"'Irlande. Je crois que les 200 hommes pour M. le Comte d'Angus qui devoient debarquer au Havre, seront partis presentement, et que les ordres auront este donnes pour les recevoir. M. le Comte d'Angus m^'asseure qu'il a encore 100 hommes ici autour prets a embarquer, et M. le Chev"" Moray autant.
[MoNTEREuii to Cardinal Mazarin. Edinburgh, ^ Oct. 1647.
The resolution which the Duke of Hamilton and the Earl of Lanark, his brother, assured me they had taken to insist on disbanding the army, with the intention of having it carried, and the assurance Sir Robert Moray had given me that the Marquis of Argyle was not to oppose it, had led me to believe it would be difficult to retain it ; but the sentiments in which I found the Marquis of Argyle two days ago, being very different fi'om those I had been assured he had, give me now considerable reason to doubt of a matter that I looked upon as almost certain ; for this mar- quis expressed himself to me so clearly that he told me he would employ all his efforts to have the order revoked, that had been given in his absence for the disbanding of the army, by a surprise on the part of the Duke of Hamilton and contrary to what had been decided upon in the committee a few days before he went away, — that their religion, their king and their fortunes ran more risk now than they had ever done before, so that an army was more than ever necessary to them. He told me afterwards that although it was tried to make people believe that he sought his own private interest in the public cause, and that he thought rather of establishing his own authority with the help of the army than of preserving the liberties of the people, he was so assured from the testimony of his conscience that he had acted from a good motive, since the beginning of these troubles, that he would continue to do so in the same manner till the end, and would insist energetically on tlie maintenance of the army he knew this country could not dispense with without danger and without loss even to the service of the King of Great Britain ; that he knew the Duke of Hamilton was try- ing to make the king believe that the existence of this army was the only obstacle in the way of his serving him, after the disbanding of which he would assure him of all Scotland, which prevented their king from grant- ing to the Presbyterians what they desired in order to re-establish him and was leading this prince to his final ruin.
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 281
This is what the Marquis of Argyle made me understand at consider- able lengthy and which might give me reason to believe not only that the disbanding of the army is still somewhat uncertain, and that this marquis will try at least to obtain an assurance from the Independents for the pay- ment of what is owing to him in England before consenting to it, but also, what is more impoi-tant, that this duke and this marquis having opposing interests in the disbanding or retaining of the army, this may also be the beginning of their disunion, if it were not believed that they would not speak so freely against each other, if they had not agreed about it before- hand and did they not find it necessary to keep up the belief people have liad till now of their enmity, which divides all Scotland into one or the other party, and in order still more to dispel the opinion of their union which begins to gain ground more and more each day ; but whether they are friends or enemies — for it is a thing not easy to understand— I believe I may say they are not, neither the one nor the other, servants of the King of Great Britain who has equal reason to distrust both of them.
It seems also that this prince has little interest in the disbanding or the maintenance of the army, since it would only serve the Scots to come to a more profitable agreement witli the Independents, and when necessity would oblige them to make use of it, it would only be either for the defence of their lives and their fortunes, or for the establishment of their religion, which is somewhat different from the re-establishment of their king. The Marquis of Argyle also told me that this small army still causes much jealousy in England, and that provided the King of Great Britain wished even now to grant them what they asked of him he would gladly put it in operation to serve him, provided they were aided by France, from which they would only want what could be given them easily, — a few ships and a little money, — but that all depended on the resolution their king would take, on which they could count very little. This is all the marquis said, save the numerous protestations he added of wishing to keep up good and close intercourse between France and this kingdom.
The Chancellor of Scotland is to leave this evening for London. He spoke to me of France, and of the wish he had to render some service to his Majesty, with still more exaggeration than the marquis. He is intrusted with new instructions which are not made so public as the first. The Earl of Traquair intends also soon to ask a passport from this com- mittee to go to the King of Great Britain. Will. Moray speaks of doing the same. What they wish to do will be best judged of in London : according to appearances it is not to aid in the re-establishment of their king.
Macdonald's father has been hanged in Argyleshire. * Harthill,^ one
^ ' The father of Alister Macdonald, likewise so called, being taken in one of these highland forts was tried by a jury convened by George Campbell, Sheriff- Substitute of Argyle, from whose sentence we are told few escaped, and was executed of course.' — Scott's Tales of a Grandfather.
' See Appendix, Note R.
282 BELLi:fcVRE TO BRIENNE [OCT.
of the most important of the followers of the Marquis of Huntly, has been brought here, with the others who were taken prisoners with him about two months ago, I do not yet know what it has been decided to do with them. I do not learn also that any decision has been come to regarding the return of the army from Ireland. I believe the two hundred men for the Earl of Angus, that are to land at Havre, will at present have left, and that orders will have been sent to receive them. The Earl of Angus assures me he has still one hundred men here in the neighbourhood ready to embark and Sir Robert Moray as many, J
CXCVII BELLI^VRE A BRIENNE
A Londres, le — Odobre l647.
' II
MoxsiEUR, — Je vous doibs beaucoup plus que des compli- ments. Je ne scay quand je m'en pourray acquitter. J'en chercherai les occasions. Le temps que j''ay aujourd'huy passee pres du roy d'Ang""^ pour essayer d'establir les affaires de mon retour, et de Testablissement de mon frere au gre du dit roy et a la satisfaction du Parlement ne m"'en laisse quasi plus pour escrire auant le partement de Fordinaire. Les affaires sont icy au mesme estat que ie me suis donne Thonneur de vous Tescrire cy-deuant. Les propositions ne peuuent pas estre de huict jours prestes a estre presentees au Roy d'Angleterre, nous scauons desia qu'elles ne seront pas a son gre. II a este propose dans le comite des affaires estrangeres de desputer quelques uns de leur nombre pour examiner la proposition de Hopton, dont je me donnay Thonneur de vous escrire il y a huict jours. II n'en a este rien faict jusques icy, et ie croy que par la raison de leur interest mieux que par toute autre consideration il pourra encore estre cy apres empesche. Je vous supplie de trouuer bon que je vous escriue qu'au cas que ie sois oblige de rendre au Parlement une lettre du Roy il ait aussy soing que j''en aye une qui ne face aucune mention de paix, de mediation, ny de continuation par mon frere des choses que j'ay faict icy — des extrauagans et desraisonables prendroient suject de dire la dessus des choses qu'il est bon d'esuiter et je vous enuoye la coppie de la vostre en laquelle j''ay pris la liberte de retrancher les choses sans lesquelles je vous
i647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 283
prie de m^enuoyer au plustost une pour le parlement et une pour chacun des spekers. — Je suis, Monsieur, vostre, etc.,
Bellieure. Audos — M. de Bellieure du 21 octobre l647, receu le 25.
[Bellikvre to Brienne. London, " Oct. 1647. I OWE you much more than compliments ; I do not know when I shall be able to discharge my debt to you ; I shall try and find opportunities of doing so. The time I have passed to-day with the King of England, in order to arrange matters connected with my return and the installa- tion of my brother according to the will of the king and the satisfaction of Parliament, has scarcely left me time enough to write before the hour of the mail. Matters are here in the same state as when I wrote to you last ; the proposals cannot be ready to be presented to the king before eight days ; we know already that they will not give him satisfaction. It was proposed by the Committee of Foreign Affairs to depute some of their number to examine the proposal of Hopton, of which I wrote to you eight days ago. Nothing has been done in it till now, and I believe that by reason of their own interest, better than by any other considera- tion it will in future be quashed. I beg you to approve of my writing to you that in the event of my being obliged to deliver to Parliament a letter from the king that care may be taken no mention is made therein of peace or mediation or of the continuation by my brother of what I have done here : extravagant and unreasonable people would take the opportunity of saying thereon things that it is better to avoid, so that I send to you the copy of yours, in which I have taken the liberty of suppressing some matters without which I beg you to send me as soon as possible one letter for the Parliament and one for each of the Speakers.]
CXCVIII MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimhourg, — Octobre l647.
J"'ay fait savoir a ceux du conseil de cette ville la bonte que V. Em'^® a eue, sur les premieres instances qui luy en ont este faites de leur part, d'empecher que Ton contraignit les Ecossois qui sont en France au paiement de leur taxe, et que je me suis contente de leur faire esperer que Tordre qu'elle avoit eu agreable de faire donner seroit confirme par un arret, ainsi qu'ils le desirent, quand V. Em*'^ auroit este informe du particulier de leurs demandes.
J'ai creu, Mg"^. que je devois ainsy menager vos faveurs, tant
284 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [OCT.
parce que ces peuples, qui obligent peu volontiers, n'estiment pas assez les graces qu'ils obtiennent trop facilement, que pour ce que j'ay eu tout loisir de reconnoistre depuis le temps que je suis icy, — qu'ils se mettent plus en peine pour obtenir ce qu'^ils desirent que pour le reconnoistre quand ils Font receu ; et qu"'ainsy, si Ton a quelque chose a leur demander, soit touchant de nouvelles recreues, soit pour les interets de leur roi, il est bon pour Favoir d'eux plus asseurement de ne leur pas accorder si promptement ce qu'ils demandent.
Au reste, Mg"", je ne crois pas qu'il y ait rien a craindre, tant du Due de Hamilton que du Marquis d''Argyle, — non pas pour ce que je ne les vois jamais qu"'ils ne me protestent que les interets de la France leur seront toujours les plus con- siderables apres ceux de leur roy, puisque le traitement qu'ils viennent de faire a ce prince ne donne pas sujet de croire qu'ils aiment beaucoup ceux quMls aiment encore moins que luy, — mais j)arce que je ne vois point qu'ils ayent aucun attachement avec TEspagne, et que quelque chose qu'ils puissent faire pour s'accommoder presentement avec les Independants, ils jugent bien qu'ils auront un jour besoin de la France.
Cependant, Mg*", bien que j''eusse, ce me sembloit, tout sujet de croire que les Ecossois, qui ont assez d'affaires a demeler avec les Anglois, et entre eux-mesmes, pour les embarrasser, ne pensoient point du tout a s'unir avec les Princes etrangers et principalement avec TEspagne, j'avois eu toutefois quelque jalousie d'un pretre Flamand nomme Montigny qui est venu ici depuis quelque temps avec une sceur du feu Comte d'Arold,^ Connestable de ce royaume, Chanoinesse a Monts, et qui fait etat d'y demeurer tout cet hiver, et j'avois apprehende que quelques interets qu'il dit avoir a demesler avec les heritiers de cette fille, qui est morte en arrivant en ce royaume, ne fut que le pretexte du sejour qu'il a resolu d'y faire, mais comme la priere qu'il m'a faite de pouvoir dire la messe dans ma chapelle, ce que j'ay creu que je ne luy pouvois refuser, m'a donne lieu de I'entretenir, j'ay trouve peu d'apparence a la pensee que quelques autres, aussy bien que moi, avoient eu qu'il eut etc charge d'aucune affaire publique.
On est presentement assemble pour deliberer si Ton doit
^ ErroU.
1647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 285
conservir ou licencier rarmee de ce parlement, ce que tous croyent ici de tres grande importance, comme une chose qui fera juger, non seulement de quel air ce royaume se conduira avec TAngleterre, mois encore qui commandera, du parti d'Argyle ou de celui de Hamilton dans ce royaume, si non ceux qui pensent aussi bien que moi que cette armee se licenciera ou se conservera toujours a mesme dessein, et selon que Ton croira que la menace ou la soumission pourront servir davantage, pour mettre bien TEcosse avec les Independants ; et ceux qui veullent, — contre ce que je crois jusquMci, — que le Due de Hamilton et le Marquis d'Argyle travaillent mesme de concert en une affaire ou il semble qu'ils ayent des interets si differents, et en laquelle il ne s'agit pas moins en apparence qui de la ruine de Tun ou de Tautre.
Et en effet, il semble qu''ils entreprennent cette affaire si hautement Tun contre Tautre, qu'il est difficile de croire qu''ils ayent tous deux un mesme dessein, car la Marquis d''Argyle ne se contente pas de faire precher aux peuples par les ministres, que c"'est trahir leur religion et leur pays que de donner les mains au licenciement d'une armee dont ils ont encore besoin pour la defense de Tun et de Tautre, mais et luy et ceux de sa faction publient hautement que le Due de Hamilton, pretend en mettre sur pied une nouvelle, qui sera et plus a charge et moins utile a ce royaume que celle-ci ; et le Due au contraire, que le Marquis d^Argyle veut faire subsister la dite armee pour ses propres interets et pour la ruine du pays.
.Tay este voir ce matin le Comte de Traquair qui fait etat de partir a la fin de cette semaine. II m"'a dit qu"'il ne croit pas quMl se prenne, encore aujourd''huy, aucune resolution dans le Comite, et que comme Tun et Tautre parti essaye de fortifier ses interets en y joignant ceux du roy de la G"" B*", il a resoulu de proposer, qu*'avant que Ton delibere sur la conservation ou le licenciement de Tarmee, on voie lequel des deux pourra estre plus avantageux a ce Prince et ce que Ton pourra faire pour ses interets en Tun et en Tautre cas, — mais il m^a averti en mesme temps qu''il estoit certain que ce seroit une proposition qui ne produiroit aucun effet.
Les elections pour le prochain parlement se sont faites depuis quelques jours, ou selon ordinaire les Hamiltons publient d'avoir
286 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [OCT.
eu toute sorte d''avantage, aussy bien que dans la continuation du Provost de cette ville, — tres attache a leurs interets. Les Argyles ont essaye inutilement de le priver de sa charge.
Ou doit commencer aujourd'huy le proces de Hartil, qui est un des plus considerables entre ceux qui ont pris parti avec le Marquis d'Huntley ; on attend a chaque moment sa remission et celle de deux ou trois autres qui ont este pris avec luy, bien qu'il y ait peu d'apparence quWle leur serve, car je sais que le Marquis d"'Argyle a dit quMl n"'y avoit rien qui les peut sauver.
Un gentilhomme arrive ici depuis cinq jours, et qui n'en a pas employe davantage a venir d'lrlande, m'a dit que le com- missaire que les Anglois ont envoye vers Munro, qui commande les forces qu''ont les Ecossois dans le dit Royaume, y estoit arrive, avant qu"'il en fut parti, mais que le mauvais etat ou il avoit trouve les Anglois et la crainte qu'^ils avoient des Catholiques Tavoit empeche de demander au dit Munro la restitution des places qu"'il tenoit et le re tour de son armee. II m"*a dit encore que Ton avoit seu de quelques prisonniers qui avoient este faits avant qu*'il partit, que les Catholiques sont forts de seize mille hommes de pied et deux mille deux cents cljevaux, et qu'ils avoient este presses de nouveau de se donner au roy d''Espagne, ce qu'ils avoient refuse.
Le Comite vient de se lever, ou il n"'a rien este resolu touchant Tarmee. Le Due de Hamilton a fait un beau dis- cours et a professe qu'il desiroit qu'elle fut licenciee, mais qu'il le desiroit seulement comme une chose qu'il croyoit utile a son roi a son pays et a sa religion, — ce qu'il maintiendroit en despit du diable, — car c'est un terme dont on m'a dit qu'il s'etoit servi.
On y a fait venir Hartil, a qui Ton adonne seulement jusqu'a vendredi pour preparer sa defense.
[MoNTEREUL to CARDINAL Mazarin. Edinburgh, " Oct. 1647.
I INFORMED the members of this Town Council that you had kindly granted their request on their first application, to prevent the Scots who are in France from being obliged to pay their tax, and I have contented myself by leading them to hope that the order you have been pleased to grant would be confirmed by a decree as they had wished as soon as you are informed of the details of their demands. I thought that I ought to husband your favours, both because this people who are little obliging
i647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 287
do not appreciate the favours they receive too easily ; that from what I have had ample time to observe since I have been here, they take more trouble in order to obtain what they wish than they do to acknowledge it once they have got it, and that thus if one has anything to demand from them either regarding the recruiting or for the interests of their king, it is good, in order to have it from them with more certainty, not to grant them so promptly what they ask.
Further, I do not believe there is anji;hing to fear either from the Duke of Hamilton or the Marquis of Argyle, not because each time I see them they protest to me that the interests of France will always be the most important in their estimation, after those of their king, since the manner in which they have recently treated this prince does not give one reason to believe that they like much those whom they like even less than they do him, but because I do not see that they have any connec- tion with Spain, and whatever they may be able to do at present in order to come to an agreement with the Independents, they judge well that one day they will require the help of France.
Yet although it seemed to me I had every reason to believe that the Scots, who have matters enough to settle with the English and among themselves as might embarrass them, did not at all think of making alliances with foreign princes, and in any case not with Spain, I have, however, had some jealousy of a Flemish priest named Montigny who came here some time ago with a canouess of Mons/ sister of the late Earl of Erroll, High Constable of this kingdom, and who proposes to remain here all winter, and I had feared that whatever questions of interest he might have had to settle with the heirs of this nun, who died on her arrival in this kingdom, it was but a pretext for the stay he had proposed to make here, but as the request he made to me to say mass in my chapel — which I considered I could not refuse to him — gave me an opportunity of entertaining him, I saw little likelihood, of what I and some others had thought, that he was intrusted with any public affair.
The question of the maintenance or the disbanding of the army of this Parliament is being discussed at this moment, which all here believe to be a matter of very great importance, not only to enable one to judge as to how this country will act towards England, but also as to what party will rule, that of Argyle or Hamilton, in this kingdom ; it may not be so to those who think as I do, that whether this army be disbanded or maintained it will always be with the same intention, according as it may be believed that threats or concessions may best serve the purpose of arranging matters between Scotland and the Independents ; and those who will have it — contrary to what I believe till now — that the Duke of Hamilton and the Marquis of Argyle are even working in concert in a matter in which it seems that they have interests so different and in which no less is involved in appearance than the ruin of one or the other.
^ Lady Isabella Hay, Canoness at Mons in Hainault, 6th daughter of Francis, 9th Earl of Erroll. See Blakhal's Narrative, passim.
288 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [OCT.
And indeed from the high tone they take in engaging in this affair, tlie one in opposition to the other, it seems difficult to believe them both to be actuated by the same intention, for the Marquis of Argyle is not satisfied with having the people preached to by the clergy that it is betraying their religion and their country to consent to the disbanding of an army which they will require for the defence of the one and the other, and those of his faction publish loudly that the Duke of Hamilton pretends to raise a new one which will be a greater burden and less useful to the kingdom than the present, whereas the duke on the contrary says that the Marquis of Argyle wishes to have the present army maintained for liis own interests and in order to ruin the country.
I went this morning to see the Earl of Traquair, who is preparing to leave at the end of the week. He told me he did not think the com- mittee would come to any conclusion to-day, and that as both parties try to support their interests in adding to them those of the King of Great Britain, he had decided to propose that before discussing the maintenance or the disbanding of the army, it may be considered which of the two proposals would be most advantageous for this prince, and what could be done for his interests in the one and the other case ; but he intimated to me at the same time, that he was certain it would be a pro- posal that would produce no result.
The elections for the next Parliament took place a few days ago, in which as usual the Hamiltons declare they have had it all their own way, as well as in the re-election of the provost of this town who is much attached to their interests : the Argyles tried, without success, to get him out of his office.
llie trial of Harthill is to begin to-day : he is one of the most important of those who took part with the Marquis of Huntly. His pardon and that of two or three others who were taken with him is expected every moment, although there is little likelihood of its being of any use to them, for I know that the Marquis of Argyle has said there was nothing that could save them.
A gentleman who arrived here five days ago from Ireland — and who had but taken that time to make the journey — has told me that the commissioner the English have sent to Munro ^ who commands the forces that the Scots have in that kingdom had arrived there before he left, but the bad condition in which he had found the English and the fear he had of the Catholics had prevented him from demanding from Munro the delivering up of the places that he held and the return of his army. He told me also that it had been learned from some prisoners that had been made before he left that the Catholics have a force of sixteen thousand foot and two thousand two hundred horse, and that they had been urged anew to give themselves up to the Khig of Spain, but they had refused.
^ Major-General Robert Munro of Fowlis, author of Military Discipline learned from the Valiant Swede, was taken prisoner with all his forces in Ireland by Monck in September 1648.
1 647] BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE 289
The committee has just separated, nothing has been done concerning the army. The Duke of Hamilton made a fine speech and declared that he wished it to be disbanded, but he did so only as a thing that he believed to be useful to his king, to his country, and to his religion, which he would maintain in despite of the devil — for such is the term, I am told, he made use of.
Harthill has been brought here ; he has only had till Friday in order to prepare his defence.]
CXCIX
BELLIEVRE a BRIENNE
A Londres, le ^ Odobre 1647.
' 14
Monsieur, — Les affaires du roy d'Ang'® ne me fournissent point de subject de vous escrire. II faict tous ses efforts pour obtenir du Parlement ce traicte personnel quMl a demande par sa derniere response. Quand nous Tobtiendrons je doubte qu'il en tire aucun aduantage, et les choses sont a mon aduis disposees icy en telle sorte que ses ennemis seulz en peuuent profflter.
Le dit Roy me promet Samedy mon audience de conge. — Je suis, Monsieur, vostre, etc., Bellieure.
Au dos — M. de Bellieure, du 24 octobre 1647, receu le 29.
[BELLiiivRE to Brienne. LoTidon, q Oct. 1647.
The affairs of the King of England do not furnish me with any occasion to write to you. He is using all his efforts in order to obtain from Parlia- ment the personal treaty that he demanded by his last reply ; when we obtain it I doubt that he will be able to derive any advantage from it, and in my opinion, matters are so arranged here that his enemies alone can profit by it.
The king has promised to give me my audience of leave-taking on Saturday.]
cc
p. BELLIEVRE a BRIENNE
A Londres, le ^ Octobre 1647.
Monsieur, — Le Roy de la G. B., ay ant pris jour le Samedy dernier pour donner audience a M' L"'ambassadeur Extraord'^ et a moy, enuoya son carosse au deuant de nous a 4 milles de Hampthoncour. M"" Archeburnam estoit seul dedans,
VOL. II. T
290 P. BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE [OCT.
lequel entre autres compliments nous fit excuse de la part
du dit Roy de ce que n'ayant personne pres de luy qui luy
obeist, il n'auoit point enuoye de Seigneur pour s''acquiter
de ce compliment. Nous fusmes receiis a la descente du carosse
par les Commissaires des deux Maisons du Parlement qui de-
meurent pres du dit Roy, lesquels nous menerent en un apparte-
ment du chasteau d'ou, apres nous auoir donne un disner qu'ils
nous auoient prepare, ils nous conduisirent a Taudience en
la Chambre de presence, ou le Roy de la G. B. nous attendoit,
auquel, apres M"" L'ambassadeur Extraord''^ eust parle quelque
temps et que le dit Roy lui eust respondu, ie fis scauoir mes
ordres et rendis la lettre du Roy. II parlat auec sentiment des
obligations qu'il a a la France, entre lesquelles il met celle
de tenir un ministre qui puisse faire voir que ses interestz
y sont considerez, et apres quelques discours nous nous re-
tirasmes pour Taller retreuuer dans une galerie, ou il nous
donna une audience particuliere, en laquelle il sembla parler
auec beaucoup de confiance, et entre autres choses il tesmoigna
que ses esperances continuent fondees, non sur toute Tarmee
comme cy-deuant, mais sur la diuision qui y est, qui pourroit
necessiter un des partis a se declarer en sa faueur, quoy qu'il
sache que beaucoup trauaillent a esluder et en tout cas a
esloigner Tenuoy des propositions. Et qu'il soit vray que
plusieurs de la Chambre de Communs essayent de faire ad-
j ouster aux articles que les seigneurs leur ont enuoye des choses
si rudes qu'ilz soient certains que le dit Roy ne les puisse
accepter tant ilz ont peur de perdre le pretexte qu'ilz pre-
tendent auoir par son refuz de continuer a le mal traicter.
Ayant este une heure auec le dit Roy et pris conge de luy, les
Commissaires nous reconduisirent a son carosse, et le maistre
des Ceremonies nous accompagna iusques au logis de M' L'am-
bassadeur Extraord"^^, ou il nous estoit venue prendre le matin.
— Je suis, Monsieur, vostre, etc., P. dk Bellieure.
Au dos — M. de Bellieure, du 28 octobre 1647, receu le 5 nouembre.
[P. Belij>':vre to Bbiennb. London, \l Oct. 1647.
The King of Great Britain, having appointed Saturday last to give audience to the Extraordinary Ambassador and myself, sent his carriage to meet us at four miles from Hampton Court. Mr. Ashbumham, who was
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 291
alone in it, among other compliments made an excuse to us on the part of the king that having no one at his orders he had not sent a lord to pay us this compliment. On our arrival we were received by the Commissioners of both Houses of Parliament, who remain with the king, and who con- ducted us into an apartment, whence, after having given us a dinner that they had prepared for us, they led us to the audience in the presence- chamber, where the King of Great Britain awaited us, to whom, after the Extraordinary Ambassador had spoken some time and the king had replied to him, I made known my orders and delivered the king's letter. He spoke with feeling of the obligations he had to France, among which he placed that of providing a minister who could see that his interests were attended to, and after some conversation we withdrew, in order to rejoin him in a gallery, where he gave us a private audience, in which he seemed to speak with much confidence, and among other things he stated that his hopes were still founded, not on the army, as formerly, but on the division that is in it, and that might oblige one of the parties to declare itself in his favour, although he knew that many were at work trying to elude or at least delay the sending of the proposals. And it is true that several members of the House of Commons are trying to make amend- ments to the articles that the Lords have sent them, in terms so hard that they may be certain their king cannot accept them, so afraid are they of losing by his refusal the pretext they pretend to have, to continue to ill- treat him. After having been an hour with the king and taken leave of him, the Commissioners re-conducted us to his carriage, and the Master of Ceremonies accompanied us to the residence of the Extraordinary Ambassador, whence he had come to take us in the morning.]
CCI
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimbonrg, — Octobre l647.
Il a este enfin resolu que rarmee sera maintenue jusqu"'au commencement de Mars prochain, et Ton a remis au Parlement qui sera lors assemble, a aviser ce qui sera plus a propos d"'en faire. Les motifs dont on s'est servi pour la maintenir sont ceux que je me suis deja donne Thonneur d'ecrire a V. Em*'^ — le desir de conserver le roi de la G"" B"", la religion presbyterienne, la paix du royaume, et Tunion entre les deux nations qui seniblent des choses assez differentes, et des efFets que cette armee aura assez de peine a produire en mesme temps. Cepen- dant le Marquis d'Argyle, qui parait avoir emporte contre le Due de Hamilton la conservation de cette armee, a eu besoin
292 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [oct.
de tous les moyens qu'il a employes pour Tobtenir, puisqu'apres avoir fait faire une longue remonstrance par les ministres, a cet effet, et fait venir pour cela une lettre des Deputes d'Ecosse qui sont a Londres, et qui estoient tous de son parti, avant que le Comte de Lanark y fut arrive, et avoir mesme fait ofFrir par les officiers de cette armee de remettre le tiers de leur gages, et par les soldats quelque chose du peu quMls re^oivent pour leur subsistance, il ne Ta emporte que d'une voix seulement. Cependant, il seroit bien difficile de dire si la conservation de cette armee apportera plus de desavantage ou de profit au roi de la G"" B'', car outre qu'il y a peu d'ap- parence que ces troupes qui ont si lachement livres leur roi quand elles le pouvoient defendre, veuillent maintenant travailler pour le mettre en liberte, je sais tres bien que le Marquis d'Argyle, de qui elles dependent, quelque chose qu'il fasse esperer ou a la France ou au roi de la G*^ B"", cherche toute sorte de moyens pour accommoder premierement ses affaires et en suites celles de sa nation avec les Independants, jusqu'a insinuer dans le Comite qu''on ne se devoit point opposer a la liberte de conscience en Angleterre si les Indepen- dants consentoient que le Presbyteriat y fut etabli pour ceux qui s'y voudroient soumettre, et que le covenant y fut pris seulement pour ceux qui le voudroient jurer, — ce qui peut sans doute s^accommoder avec Tlndependance.
Je suis oblige, Mg"", de temoigner que je re^ois depuis quelque temps d'extremes civilites de M' le Due de Hamilton et de tous ceux de son parti, et qu''ils me temoignent mesme beaucoup plus de confiance et me parle bien plus ouvertement contre le parti d'Argyle qu'ils n'avaient fait auparavant. La derniere fois que j''ay veu ce Due il m'a dit qu'il eut desire que le licenciement de Tarmee luy eut donne sujet de rendre quelque service considerable a son roi, ce qu'il estoit asseure que la dite armee ne feroit jamais, et ce qu'elle Tempechoit maintenant de pouvoir faire. Que ces mesmes gens qui parloient de vouloir s'unir avec la France en faisoient con- cevoir ici chaque jour de nouvelles jalousies, et qu'une des raisons dont le Marquis d''Argyle s'^estoit servi dans le Comite pour faire conserver Tarmee avoit ete la crainte qu'on devoit avoir des armes de Sa Majeste, ce qui ay ant ete releve par le
i647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 293
Comte de Cassilis qui est de la faction du Due et qui luy dit qu"'il y avoit mesme sujet de craindre les armes du Turc qui etoit grand ennemi de tous les Chretiens, — le Marquis d'Argyle avoit repete qu'il avoit veu lettres de France qui lui faisoient croire qu'il n''apprehendoit pas sans raison, sans vouloir rien dire de plus particulier.
II a couru quelque bruit que le Marquis d''Huntley et my Lord Reis avoient cinq ou six gentilhommes dans le Nord, niais on croit que cela s"'est dit seulement pour aider au dessein que Ton a eu de conserver Tarmee.
Le Comte de Traquair n'a point propose au Comite que Ton vit s"'il seroit plus avantageux pour le roi de la G"" B' de conserver ou de licencier Tarmee, avant que de resoudre Tun ou Tautre, ainsy qu'il me Tavoit promis. II fait etat de partir dans peu de jours pour Londres. Je crains que le roi de la G' B"^ ne le croye plus attache a ses interets qu''il n'est pas. M. ie Chev^ Moray le suivra bientot et avec lui Will. Moray.
J'ay receu celle que V. Em"=® m'a fait Thonneur de m'ecrire au 14 de ce mois, mais je n'ay point receu encore mon conge de M. le Comte de Brienne, bien que Tordinaire de cette semaine soit arrive. Je n'en useray point, Mg"", avec precipi- tation, suivant ce que V. Em*=^ m'ordonne, et j'ay deja fait scauoir a M. de Bellievre qu'il a pleu a V. Em'^^ m'accorder la dite permission et me ordonner de ne rien faire qu'apres avoir receu de ses nouvelles.
M. le Comte de Crawford m'avoit fait dire qu'il m'enveroit la remonstrance des ministres, mais je ne Tay point encore receue, et je n'aurois pas le temps qui m'est necessaire pour la traduire quand je Faurois presentement. Je remets a la faire tenir a V. Em'^® par le premier ordinaire, car elle merite, a ce qu'on me dit, d'estre veue, et elle parle assez ouvertement contre le roi de la G' B"" et dit quelque chose mesme d'assez piquant qui ne se peut entendre que du Due de Hamilton et son frere.
La mere et les parents du sieur Artil ont desire que je soUicitasse pour lui, ce que j'ay creu que je ne leur devois en aucune fa^on refuser ; aussy me suis je employe avec toute la chaleur et la diligence possible pour le servir, essayant toute- fois de me conduire de telle sorte que si les offices que j'ay faits
294 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [OCT.
pour luy ne luy sont pas utiles, ils ne me seront point prejudici- ables, ni au service de Sa Majeste.
[MoNTEREUL to CARDINAL Mazarin. Edinburgh, ^ Oct. 1647. It has at length been decided that the army will be maintained till the first of March next, when Parliament, which will then have assembled, will decide what will be most suitable to do with it. The reasons that were adduced in order to maintain it are those I have already mentioned to you, the wish to preserve the King of Great Britain, the Presbyterian form of religion, the peace of the kingdom, and the union between the two nations, matters which seem somewhat different and results that this army will have considerable trouble in accomplishing atone and the same time. However, the Marquis of Argyle, who appears to have carried the maintenance of the army against the Duke of Hamilton, required all the means he employed in order to obtain it, seeing that after having had a long remonstrance drawn up by the clergy to that effect, and having brought a letter for that purpose from the Scottish Commissioners who are in London and who were all of his party before the Earl of Lanark got there, having even offered to the officers of this army to give them a third of their pay, and for the simple soldiers something of the little they receive for their subsistence, he only carried it by one vote.
Yet it would be very difficult to say whether the preservation of this army will bring more harm than profit to the King of Great Britain, for, besides the little likelihood there is that these troops who so shamefully delivered up their king when they might have defended him, will now make an effort to deliver him, I know very well that the Marquis of Argyle on whom they depend, whatever liopes he may hold out to France or to the King of Great Britain, seeks first by every means to arrange his own affairs and afterwards those of his nation with the Independents, so far even as to insinuate in the Committee meeting that one ought not to oppose liberty of conscience in England if the Independents would consent that Presbyterianism be established there for those who would conform to it, and that the Covenant be taken there only by those who would agree to swear to it, by which means it may no doubt be so adapted to Independency.
I am obliged to state that for some time past I receive marks of very polite attention from the Duke of Hamilton and from all those of his party, and that they show greater confidence in communicatingwith me, and speak much more openly against the Argyle party than they used to do. The last time I saw the duke he told me he would have wished that the disbanding of the army had given him the means of rendering some signal service to his king, which he was assured this army would never do, and which it now prevented him from doing ; that the same people who speak here of joining with France were creating here each day new causes of jealousy against her, and that one of the reasons the Marquis of Argyle employed in the committee meeting, in order to have the army maintained, was the fear they ought to have of the arms of His Majesty, which was replied to by
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 295
the Earl of Cassilis/ who is one of the duke's faction, and who told the Marquis that they had the same reason to fear the arms of the Turk, who was the great enemy of all Christians ; the marquis replied that he had seen letters from France that led him to believe he was not apprehensive without cause, without wishing to enter into more detail.
There is a rumour current here that the Marquis of Huntly and Lord Reay have still five or six gentlemen in the north, but this is thought to be said merely to aid the design of retaining the army.
The Earl of Traquair did not propose in the Committee meeting that it might be seen whether it would be more advantageous for the King of Great Britain to preserve or disband the army, before resolving on either the one or the other, as he had promised me to do. He is preparing to leave in a few days for London. I fear the King of Great Britain believes him to be more attached to his interests than he really is. Sir Robert Moray will follow shortly and with him Will. Moray.
I have received your letter of the 14th inst., but I have not yet received leave of absence from M. de Brienne, although this week's mail has arrived. I shall not, according to your orders, make use of it hurriedly, and I have already informed M. de Bellievre that you have granted me the permission, and ordered me to do nothing before receiving further notice from him.
The Earl of Crawford sent to tell me that he would send me the remon- strance of the clergy, but I have not yet got it, and I should not have the necessary time to translate it even though I had it at present. I defer sending it to you until the next mail, for from what I have been told it is worth looking at : it speaks somewhat openly against the King of Great Britain, and makes some sarcastic comments that can only apply to the Duke of Hamilton and his brother.
The mother and other relatives of Harthill have wished me to intercede for him, which I believed I could not refuse to them ; so I have taken up his case with all the ardour and diligence possible in order to assist him, while trying to conduct myself therein in such a manner that if my services are not useful to him, they will not be prejudicial to me, nor to the service of His Majesty.]
ecu
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimhourg, ^ ^^ " l647.
V. Em™ pourra voir par la remonstrance des ministres de ce royaumes, que je joins a cette lettre, le peu d'esperance qu''il y a que le roi de la G'' B"" tire aucun avantage d'une armee qu'on maintient principalement pour la defense du Covenant
^ John Kennedy, 6th Earl of Cassilis.
296 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [OCT.
qui est la premiere cause de sa ruine, et dont ceux qui en ont la direction Paccusent d'avoir donne par sa derniere reponse le plus dangereux coup qu'ait encore receu la religion par Tetablissement de laquelle ils subsistent.
De sorte qu'encore qu^il ne soit pas aise de juger si le roi de la G"" B"" auroit peu tirer quelque avantage du licenciement de la dite armee, on a tout sujet de croire qu"'il ne doit attendre aucun bien de sa subsistance, et que ceux de qui elle depend feront tons leurs efforts pour s'accommoder plus facilement avec leurs ennemis en le perdant ; a quoy il se pent faire toute- fois qu'ils travailleront inutilement, puisque le bruit de la marche de quelques regiments de cavalerie de Tarmee Anglaise, les difFerentes maximes de leur religion, et la haine ancienne des deux nations, donne lieu de juger que les Independants pardonneront difficilement a TEcosse les injures qu'ils croient en avoir receu depuis quelques annees, et qu^ainsy le roi de la G*" B"" en les laissant faire peut esperer de se retablir par la division de deux partis qui veullent egalement sa ruine.
II semble, Mg"^, que la France pour cette mesme raison ne doit rien craindre des Ecossois ni se mettre en peine de les rechercher puisqu'outre que cela leur serviroit pour donner des jalousies de Sa Majeste aux Independants, a quoy ils travaillent de tout leur pouvoir, et mesme jusqu*'a in venter des choses fausses, on se peut asseurer qu'ils seront toujours empeches de faire aucune chose au prejudice de la France, ou par la crainte quMls en ont aujourd'huy, ou par le besoin qu'ils croient en pouvoir avoir quelque jour.
II n''est que trop asseure que les Ecossois ne pensent a rien tant aujourd'huy qu'a porter leur roi et le prince son fils a venir en Ecosse, quoique le bruit qui en est publie devroit faire croire ce dessein moins veritable, c''est le principal sujet du voyage du Comte de Traquair et ce qui a fait partir d'ici ceux qui sent alles en France et en Angleterre avant lui, et qui le doivent encore suivre. Cependant quoique Texperience que le roi de la G' B*" a faite de Tinfidelite des Ecossois le doive empecher de prendre une si dangereuse resolution, le peu de connoissance que j'ay de ce pays, ou je ne vois rien pour lui que funeste, me fait croire que Ton lui peut dire heujuge cmdeles terras, J'uge litttcs avarum.
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 297
II me semble que la mauvaise intelligence entre le Due de Hamilton et le Marquis d'Argyle croisse chaque jour, et apres avoir entendu ce qu"'ils me disent les uns et les autres, j"'avoue qu''ils savent bien feindre s'ils entretiennent uiie parfaite corre- spondance, et s'ils se portent une veritable affection comme plusieurs qui les doivent mieux connoistre que moi ne laissent pas de croire toujours. De moi, Mg% il me semble quMl y a lieu de juger que quand ils n''auront plus rien a craindre de leur roi, il faudra bien peu de choses pour les mettre aux mains.
Le Marquis d'Argyle m"'a fait des excuses des craintes qu''il avoit donne de la France, et le Due de Hamilton m'a parle de sa pension, dont il m''a dit que quelques six annees lui estoient deues, et qu^il n'avoit pas juge a propos de poursuivre pour recevoir les benefits de Sa Majeste, durant qu'on Taccusoit d'avoir manque de fidelite a son propre prince, que maintenant qu"'il croyoit avoir fait assez connoistre son innocence et qu''il est prest de donner encore de plus grandes preuves de son zele, quand il le faudroit, il prendroit la hardiesse de demander la dite pension ; de quoi il m''a dit qu''il desiroit m'entretenir plus particulierement avant mon depart,
Les Ecossois de cette ville me sont venu remercier des offices que j'ay fait aupres de V. Em^^ pour empecher qu"'ils ne fussent contraints au payment de leurs taxes, et m"'ont apporte quelques papiers pour me faire voir combien ce quails demandent est raisonable, — c'est a dire un arret conforme a celui quMls ont eu sous le regne du feu roi.
L'armee que les Ecossois ont en Irlande ne pretend pas obeir aux ordres qu'elle a du Parlement d'Angleterre de s''en retirer. Elle demande cinq mille habits a ce Parlement, et promet avec cela de conserver ses postes durant une annee. On devoit s"'assembler aujourd'huy pour savoir ce que Ton resoudroit sur cette demande.
Quelques instances que Ton ait faites pour sauver la vie au pauvre Hartil, on lui doit aujourd'huy trancher la teste. J''ay propose qu*'on le bannit de ce pays, et qu'on Tenvoyat servir en France, et j^ay ofFert de faire obliger un marchand a payer une somme considerable s'il servoit encore contre le Parlement, mais tout cela a este inutile, quoique David Leslay m'eut
298 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [OCT.
promis de le demander, — ce qu'il a fait bien faiblement. On attend a chaque heure sa remission du roi de la G' B"", mais elle ne lui servira de rien, quand mesme elle arriveroit a temps, Les ministres n"'ont peu le porter a se repentir du service qu'il a rendu a son roi, quoiqu'ils ayent refuse sans cela de Tabsoudre de son excommunication. II meurt avee une extreme con- stance, et ne dit rien qui ne soit tres digne d'un homme de coeur. V. Em''® me pardonnera s'il lui plaist, si je m'arreste tant sur le discours du dit Hartil, parce que c'est une personne tres considerable et qui a rendu des services fort signales au dit roi.
Je suis oblige, Mg% d'avertir V. Em"^ que cette remontrance (jue je lui envoye est un ouvrage aussy pitoyable quMl en soit sorti des mains des ministres de ce pays, de qui je n'ay rien veu encore qui fut fort bon, de sorte que j"'ay este oblige de changer quelques paroles et d''ajouter ou de diminuer a la lettre, afin d'eclaircir le sens, et d'y en faire mesme trouver en quelques endroits.
[MoNTEREUL to CARDINAL Mazabin. Edinburgh, jtv^ 1o47.
You will see by the remonstrance of the clergy of this kingdom, which I add to this letter, the little hope there is that the King of Great Britain may derive any advantage from an army that is maintained principally for the defence of the Covenant, which is the first cause of his ruin and from which those who have tlie direction of it accuse him of having given by his last reply the most dangerous blow yet received by the religion through the establishment of which they subsist. So that although it is not easy to judge if the King of Great Britain would have derived any benefit by the disbanding of the army, one has every reason to believe he need expect no good from its maintenance, and that those on whom it depends will use all their efforts, in order to come to an agree- ment more easily with their enemies, in ruining him. On which, however, it may happen that they labour uselessly, since the rumour of the march of some regiments of English cavalry, the different maxims of their religion, and the old hatred of the two nations give reason to judge that the Independents will not easily pardon Scotland for the insults they believe they have received from her during some years past, so that the King of Great Britain in leaving them alone may hope to re-establish himself by the division of the two parties that equally wish his ruin. It seems that France for this same reason ought to fear nothing from the Scots nor take the trouble to seek after them, since this would not only serve to i-ender the Independents jealous of His Majesty, which the Scots labour with all their power to effect, even going so far with this intention as
i647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 299
to invent things quite false ; one may be assured that they will always be prevented from doing anjrthing prejudicial to France either by the fear they have of her to-day or through the need they believe they will have of her some day.
It is but too certain that the Scots think of nothing more now than of inducing their king and the prince his son to come to Scotland, although the noise that has been made about this design might have made one think it less veritable, it is the principal reason of the journey of the Earl of Traquair and what has led those to leave here who have gone to France and to England before him and who are yet to follow him. Yet although the experience the King of Great Britain has had of the un- faithfulness of the Scots ought to prevent him from taking so dangerous a resolution, the little knowledge I have of this country in which I see nothing but what is fatal for him makes me think that one may say to him, heufuge crudelis terras ; fuge littus avarum.
It seems to me that the bad understanding between the Duke of Hamilton and the Marquis of Argyle increases daily, and after having heard what they tell me of each other I confess they know well how to dissemble, if they keep up an intimate intercourse and bear a real affec- tion for each other, as several persons who ought to know them better than I do still continue to believe. For my part there appears to be reason to judge that when they no longer have anything to fear from their king, it would require very little to bring them to blows.
The Marquis of Argyle has apologised to me for the fears he had inspired of France, and the Duke of Hamilton has spoken to me of his annuity, of which he says some six years are owing to him, and that he had not judged proper to solicit or receive the favours of His Majesty while he was under the accusation of disloyalty to his own sovereign, but now that he believed he had clearly enough proved his innocence, and is ready to give further proofs of his zeal when it would be required he would venture to ask the annuity, of which he told me he wished to confer with me more minutely before my departure.
The Scots of this town have come to thank me for the application I made to you on their behalf as to the relief of their countrymen in France from payment of their taxes, and they have brought some papers to show me how much their demand is reasonable, viz., to procure a decree similar to the one they had under the reign of the late king.
The army the Scots have in Ireland does not pretend to obey the orders it has from the English Parliament to withdraw from there. It asks five thousand uniforms from this Parliament, and promises with that to preserve its posts during a year. A meeting was to be held to- day in order to prepare a reply to this demand.
In spite of the entreaties that have been made to save the life of poor Harthill, he is to be beheaded to-day. I proposed that he be banished from this country, and that he might be sent to serve in France, and offered through a merchant to pay a considerable sum should he again serve against the Parliament, but all was of no avail ; although David
300 BELLI^VRE TO BRIENNE [OCT.
Leslie had promised me to demand him, he did it very supinely. His pardon from the King of Great Britain is expected every hour, but it will not serve him in any way even should it arrive in time. The clergy have not been able to induce him to repent of the services he had rendered to his king, although they have refused without that to absolve him from his excommunication. He is going to death with much fortitude and says nothing that is not very worthy of a generous-hearted man. You will please pardon me if I delay so much over the conversa- tion of Harthill, because he was a person of much importance who had rendered very signal services to his king.
I am obliged to inform you that this remonstrance which I send to you is about the most pitiful work that has yet left the hands of the clergy of this country, from whom I have not yet seen anything very good, so that I have been obliged to change some words, and to add or retrench literally in order to clear up the sense, and in some places even in order to find any sense in it.]
CCIII BELLIEVRE 1 BRIENNE
A Londres, le '^Jl^^' i647.
' 25 Octobre
Monsieur, — J'ay creu que je ferois bien si je pouuois satis- ffaire le Roy d'Ang""® et ne pas mescontenter le parlement en la maniere dont j'aurois a prendre conge dudit parlement et a y voir establir mon frere ; le diet Roy m'ayant tesmoigne un tres grand desir que mon frere ny moy ne prissions point d'audience publique du parlement, ny ne fissions a cet esgard aucune chose qui peust auoir de I'esclat ; il a fallu du temps pour mesnager les espris, en sorte qu'ilz se soient portez a ce que nous desirions comme la meilleure maniere en laquelle les choses puissent estre faictes, et qu'ilz ne se doutent point que ce soit a la priere du dit Roy, auquel tel soup^on feroit plus de tort qu*'a nous ; en suitte de quoy, apres auoir dispose touttes choses au mieux quMl nous a este possible, nous auons faict scauoir au comte de Manchester, Speaker des Seigneurs, que j'auois des ordres de m'en retourner et mon frere de demeurer icy, sur quoy il a este resolu dans les deux Maisons du Parlement que les comtes de Nortumberland, Manchester, et Haward et 6 des Communs nous viendroient faire compliment de la part du Parlement. Nous leur donnons audience demain apres midy. Cette deputation est plus solennelle qu'aucune qui ait encore
1 647] P- BELLlfeVRE TO BRIENNE 301
este faitte par le Parlement. Je faits estat de partir dans trois jours. — Monsieur, vostre, etc., Bellieure.
Au dos — M. de Bellieure, du 4 nouembre 1647, receu le 12.
[Bellievre to Brienne. London, *f^ 1647.
I THOUGHT it would bc well were I able to satisfy ^he King of England and not dissatisfy the Parliament, in the manner in which I would have to take leave of the latter and in seeing my brother settled here; the king having shown a very great desire that neither of us should look for a public audience of Parliament, nor do anything in the matter by way of ostentation. It took time to bring people's minds to this and to convince them that what we wished was the best way in which matters might be done, so as not to allow them to suspect that it was done on the request of their king, to whom such a suspicion would have done more harm than to us. Having thus disposed everything in the best way we could, we intimated to the Earl of Manchester, Speaker of the Lords, that I had orders of recall from here, and my brother orders to remain ; on which it was resolved in both Houses of Parliament, that the Earls of Northum- berland, Manchester, and Howard, and six members of Commons should come to compliment us on the part of Parliament. We are giving them audience for to-morrow afternoon. This deputation is the most imposing of any yet made by this Parliament. I purpose to leave in three days.]
CCIV p. BELLIEVRE a BRIENNE
A Londres, le '^T/t'' l647.
' 25 Octobre
Monsieur, — Encore que les propositions ainsy qu'elles ont este resolues en la chambre haute soient si contraires aux senti- ments que le roy d"'Angleterre a tousiours tesmoigne auoir qu''il n"'y a pas apparance qu'il y veuille consentir, elles n'ont pas semble assez rudes a la Chambre des communes, Tayant de beaucoup encheri. Sur ce qui auoit este arreste en celle des Pairs, qui s'estoient contentez d'ordonner la vente des biens des euesques sans toucher a ceux des doyens et chapitres, ce qui a este adjouste a ce que quelques uns croyent comme una des choses qui tenoit le plus a cceur au roy d*'Angleterre, et aussi parcequ'ilz n'ont gueres de fond plus asseure que celluy la pour auoir pntement [presentement] de I'argent. En Particle de la religion on permet Fexercice de toutes, a la reserue de la Catholique romaine et de la protestante d'Angleterre, qui sub-
302 P. BELLi:feVRE TO BRIENNE [NOV.
sistoit auant les troubles, pour la protection de laquelle le roy d'Ang'^ s'est montre extremement ferme jusques icy; et pour ne pas laisser un des poinctz sur lesquels ledit roy a cy deuant faict le plus de difficulte, sans le' rendre plus rigoureux que n'auoient faict les Seigneurs, au lieu de quatre personnes a quoy auoit este reduit en cette chambre le grand nombre de ceux qui par les antiennes propositions ne pouuoient obtenir de pardon, ils en ont voulu mettre sept, qu'ils se sont reserues a nomraer lors seulement qu'ilz presenteront les dittes proposi- tions, soit qu''ilz pretendent par la tenir les esprits en suspens, ou qu'en effect ilz ne soient pas encore resolus sur le choix qu'ilz en ont a faire. Ilz font estat d"'auoir demain acheue cette affaire, que Ton ne peut pas encore tenir pour conclue, puisque ne se trouuant pas conforme auec ce qui a este arreste en la Chambre haute, il en faudra deliberer de nouueau ce qui pourroit bien auoir este faict a dessein de tirer de plus en plus Taffaire en longueur. Ce peu d'affection qu'ilz semblent auoir pour un accomodement ne faict pas esperer qu'ilz consentent au traicte personnel pas mesme en la maniere que les Seigneurs Tout accorde, bien que ce qu'ilz ont resolu ne puisse estre ainsy par ceux qui le voudront interpreter le plus fauorable- ment, estant seullement arreste qu'un commite accompagnera ceux qui presenteront les propositions au Roy d'Angleterre auec charge de luy faire entendre verballement les raisons sur lesquelles le Parlement se sera fonde pour resoudre les dictes propositions sans que ce comitte ait pouuoir d'entrer en conference auec ledict roy et moins encore de rien resoudre sur les difficultez qu'il pourroit faire, et ainsy les Seigneurs qui auoient promis a leur roy de porter ses interestz essayent de faire croire qu'ilz acquittent de la parolle qu'ilz luy en auoient donnee. Le bruict qu'il y a eu dans le dernier Conseil de guerre au subiect d'une requeste presentee au general [sic] par cinq regimens de cauallerie, ce qui sembloit estre en effect ou pouuoir estre la cause de quelque diuision dans I'armee, pourra bien produire quelque declaraon de la d. armee, niais difficilement, chose qui contribue si I'aduancement des affaires du Roy d'Angleterre. — Je suis. Monsieur, vostre, etc.,
P. DE Beli.ieure.
1646] p. BELLI£VRE TO BRIENNE 303
[P. Beixievbe to Brienne. London, *^' 1647.
Although the proposals as they were decided upon in the Upper House are so opposed to the sentiments that the King of England has always manifested, that there is no likelihood that he will consent to them, they have not appeared hard enough to the House of Commons, that has greatly aggravated them in this respect. The House of Peers had con- tented itself with ordering the sale of the bishops' property without touching that of the deans and chapters, whereas those two last have been added by the Commons, as some people believe, because it was one of the things which the King of England was most attached to, and also as they have scarcely any means more assured than that in order to obtain money at present In the matter of religion the exercise of all is tolerated with the exception of the Roman Catholic and the Anglican Protestant, that existed before the troubles, for the protection of which the King of England has shown himself till now to be extremely firm ; and in order not to leave oneof the points on which the king has formerly raised the greatest objection without rendering it more rigorous than the Lords had done, instead of four persons being exempted from pardon, to which number the latter House had reduced the large number of such mentioned in former proposals, thev have wished to have seven, which they reserve thft right to name, only when the proposals will be presented, either wishing thereby to keep people's minds in suspense, or that, in fact, they may not have decided on the choice they have to make. They propose to finish this matter to-morrow, which cannot be considered to be concluded, since on account of their not agree- ing to what was decided in the Upper House, it will be necessary to discuss it again and this may likely have been so arranged in order to prolong the matter more and more. Their being seemingly so little disposed to come to any agreement does not encourage the hope that they may con- sent to a personal convention, not even in the manner it was granted by the Lords, although what the latter have resolved cannot be carried out in the manner they propose, even on the most favourable interpretation ; it being thereby simply decided that those who will present the proposals to the King of England be accompanied by a committee, who will have orders to explain to him verbally the reasons on which Parliament will be justified in resolving on these proposals, without the committee having the power to enter into a discussion thereupon with the king, and still less to solve any of the difficulties he might indicate, and it is thus the Lords try to make it be believed they have kept their promise made to their king to support his interests. The uproar that took place in the
last Council of War on the subject of a petition presented to General ^
by five regiments of cavalry, which appears to be either the effect, as it may be the cause of some division in the army, may result in a declaration on the part of the army, but will not readily contribute in any way to the progress of the aflFairs of the King of England.]
^ See further on this subject the letter following p. 305.
p. BELLI^VRE TO BRIENNE [nov.
CCV
P. BELLIEVRE a BRIENNE
Londres, le IV Nouuembre 1647.
Monsieur, — Suiuant I'intention du Roy d'Ang'®, les com- plimens que j'ay faict au parlement et que j'en ay receu se sont passez sans grand esclat. II depputa un comite de Seigneurs et des Communs pour receuoir la lettre du roy. En la rendant pour commencer a entrer en affaire je leur ay parle de celle du cappitaine Martin Lazon, dont sa maieste a escript il y a quelque temps a Mons. Tambassadeur extra- ordinaire, et comme je scay qu'ilz ont pris la resolution de me donner au premier jour le cahier des plainctes que font les marchands anglois qui sont en France, qu^'ilz trauaillent a presser, il y a si longtemps, je leur ay voulu tesmoigner que nous ne craignons p8.s d'en venir aux esclaircissements, que j"'aurois neantmoins esuite s''il eust este possible, et pour ce je leur ay diet quelque chose en faueur des marchands fran^'ois qui sont icy, dont on parle d"'alterer les priuileges qui leur ont este accordez par les traictez entre les deux Couronnes. II sera difficille qu'ilz s'appliquent maintenant a la decision des plus Importantes qui ayent encore este agitees dans ce royaume.
Les deliberations publiques dans le Conseil de Tarmee et les particullieres entre les personnes qui conduisent le Parlement depuis quatre jours, s'il est a propos d"'enfermer le roy d'Angle- terre, de commencer a luy faire son pro9es ou de le garder un peu plus estroictement qu'il n'est dans une maison de cette
[ ?] esloignee ou Ton ne lui laisseroit pas la facillite de com-
muniquer auec ses seruiteurs qu'il a depuis quelque temps ; il semble que tous ces gens la pressent de pouruoir au gouuerne- ment de cet estat, en sorte qu'il puisse subsister sans luy. Jusque icy la plus grande partie du conseil de guerre inclinent que les propositions ne luy soient presentees de nouueau quoy que tres ruddes et qui subsistant destruisent entierement la Royaute tant ilz ont peur que la disposition en laquelle le diet Roy cognoist que sont maintenant les esprits de ceux qui ont icy le pouuoir ne le porte a les accepter encore qu'a mon aduis entre
1 647] P- BELLIlfeVRE TO BRIENNE 305
une telle resolution et le pis qui luy puisse arriuer il n'y ait pas de difference. Pour la royaute les affaires du dit roy sont en tres mauuais estat s'il n''arriue quelque chose de nouueau dont il tire plus d'aduantage quMl n''a faict des occasions passees. Je ne voy que la diuision entre ces gens cy qui le puisse garentir, et je n'estime pas qu'il y ait lieu de Tattendre entre le Parlement et Tarmee comme le diet Roy se le promet. II reste a esperer qu'elle se forme ou plus tost se fomente dans Tarmee, mais le nombre et Taucthorite de ceux qui trauaillent a Fassoupir, donne plus subject de craindre qu'ilz le puissent faire au moins pour quelque temps, pendant lequel ilz pour- raient faire beaucoup de mal. Vous scauez que le roy d'An- gleterre fonde les esperances dont il s'entretient sur les parolles que luy ont donne Cromusel et Ayerton, deux des principaux officiers de Tarmee, et aussy sur celle de Hamon, Lambert, et quelques autres dont la naissance ny les actions jusques icy ne sont pas si illustres que les noms vous puissent estre cognuz. Ces officiers, dis-je, qui sont suspectz d"'auoir eu communication auec le roy d'Angleterre, ont tellement perdu de leur credit, que les agitateurs conduitz par Desburou, qui commande les forces maritimes du royaume, ozerent bien Jeudy dernier que Cromusel et Ayerton presidoient au conseil de guerre en Tab- sence du general, entrer dans ce conseil et y demander qu'il fust faict justice de ceux de Tarmee qui auoient intelligence auec le diet Roy et en suitte que Ton delibereroit des choses que j'ay marque cy dessus qui les occuppent depuis trois jours. Les parolles picquantes que se dirent ce jour la Ayerthont et Desborou, et ce qui s''est encore passe entre eux dans les conseils suiuants donneroit subiect de croire qu'il y pourroit auoir de la diuision dans I'armee, si ceux sur les discours desquelz le roy d'Ang''^ a conceu ses esperances auoient en effect enuie de le seruir et si estant dans ce dessein ilz pouuoient conseruer autant de credit dans Tarmee qu'ilz auroient eu de subiect de s'i en promettre en toute autre rencontre. L'on y croit que le roy d'Angleterre a dessein de s"'esuader et pour y obuier Ton commenca Sabmedy dernier a faire une garde plus exacte qu'auparauant tant au dedans qu'au dehors et sur les aduences d'Opthancourt, sans qu'il paroisse que ses gardes soient re- doublees elles le sont aujourd'huy, et Faeces n'est plus si libre
VOL. II.- u
306 P. BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE [NOV.
pres de luy qu'il a este cy deuant. L"'on luy diet que c"'est a TefFect de le garentir du danger qu'il court que quelques uns de rarmee n'entreprennent sur sa personne ; peut estre que si Ton croyoit comme Tannee derniere quMl eust dessein de passer en France, et que ceux qui ont icy le pouuoir fussent bien d'accord auec les Escossois, ilz si pourroient laisser aller, s'imaginans que auec plus de pretexte et moins d'opposition ilz pourroient en son absence establir le gouuernement qu*'ilz desirent, raais I'ap- prehention qu'ilz ont qu'il ne s'accomodat auec les Escossois et presbiteriens anglois, faict qu'ilz prendroient soing de ne le pas laisser passer entre leurs mains, croyant qu'ils ne le pourroient pas retirer pour le mesme prix qu"'ilz Tout eu d'eux cy deuant. Ilz scauent que les Escossois cognoissent la faute qu'^ilz ont faicte et le prejudice qu''ilz ont receu en le liurant, et peut estre ont ilz aussy cognoissance des ofFres que les diets Escossois font maintenant au roy d'Angleterre d'entrer cet hiuer en Angleterre et de si joindre a ceux qui le voudront seruir pourueu qu'il leur donne quelque satisffaction touchant la religion presbiterienne sans plus parler du conuenant. Je scay que le roy d'Angleterre eust aduis jeudy dernier qu'il aura peu donner a la reyne d'Ang""® que le nonce qui est en Ibernie faisoit achepter a S* Malo un vaisseau de trente pieces de canon et une fregate de douze Ton mandoit au roy d"* Angle- terre que s'estoit [sic] contre son seruice et pour celluy du roy d'Espagne. Je n'ay peu scauoir autre chose de cette affaire, et je doute fort que de cest aduis si peu circonstantie il se puisse retirer beaucoup d'utilite, aussy je ne vous Teseris que pour vous rendre le compte le plus exact qui m'est possible de ce qui vient a ma cognoissance. — Monsieur, Vostre, etc.,
P. DE Bellieure.
[P. BELiii£:vRE to Brienne. London, 11 Nov. 1647. According to the intention of the King of England the congratulations I presented to Parliament and received from it in return passed off with- out much parade. A committee of the Lords and of the Commons was deputed to me in order to receive the king's letter, in delivering whicli I began to enter upon business. I spoke to them of the matter of Captain Martin Lazon, of which his Majesty wrote some time ago to the special ambassador, and as I know they have decided on presenting to me on an early day the memorial of complaints made by English traders in France,
i647] P- BELLli:VRE TO BRIENNE 307
which they have been striving- to insist upon for so long a time, I wished to let them see that we did not fear having matters cleared up, which I would nevertheless have rather avoided had it been possible, and for that reason I made a statement to them in favour of the French traders who are here, whose privileges, granted to them by the treaties between the two governments, they have spoken of altering. It will be difficult for them to apply themselves now to the decision of one of the most important questions that may have till now agitated this kingdom.
The public discussions in the council of the army and in private meetings, held by those who conduct the business of Parliament, during the last four days have been as to whether one ought to keep the King of England a close prisoner to begin to draw up his process, or to keep him a little more closely than he is, in a house of this distant, where he
will not have the facility of communicating with his followers that he has had for some time ; it seems as if all these people were in haste to pro- vide the government of this state with all that is requisite so that it may subsist without him. Up till the present time the majority of the Council of War incline to the opinion that the proposals may not be presented to him again, although very hard and quite destructive of royalty, so much do they fear that the king, seeing how the minds of those in power here are now disposed, may be induced to accept them, although in my opinion, between such a resolution and the worst that can happen to him, there is no difference. As regards the royalty the king's affairs are in a very bad condition, if nothing new happen to him of which he may derive greater advantage than he has done on past opportunities. I do not see that the differences among these people can offer him any guarantee, and I do not consider there is any reason to expect it from any division between the Parliament and the army as the king promises himself. The hope still remains that divisions may be formed, or rather propagated in the army, but the number and authority of those who take in hand to quiet them down give greater reason to fear that they will be able to accomplish it, at least for some time, during which they will be able to do much harm. You are aware that the King of England bases the hopes with which he sustains himself on the promises given to liim by Cromwell and Ireton,^ two of the principal officers of the army, and also on that of Hammond,^ Lambert,^ and some others whose birth and whose actions till now are not so illustrious as to have made them known to you. These officers who are suspected of having had communi- tion with the King of England have so much lost their influence that the
^ Henry Ireton, CromweH's son-in-law, Commissary-General and Lieutenant- General of Horse to Fairfax.
^ This refers probably to Robert Hammond, Colonel of Foot and Governor of the Isle of Wight, who was introduced to the king at Hampton Court by his uncle Dr. Henry Hammond, one of his Majesty's chaplains. He had another uncle Thomas who was at this time Lieutenant-General of the Ordinance.
3 John Lambert, Major-General in the Scots war at Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dunbar, Inverkeithing, and at Worcester.
308 P. BELLI^VRE TO BRIENNE [NOV.
agitators headed by Desborow^i who commands the naval forces^ ventured on Thursday last to enter expressly the Council of War^ where Cromwell and Ireton were presiding, in the absence of the general, and demanded there that justice be done to those of the army who had a secret under- standing with their king, and thereupon they discussed the matters I have noted above, which occupied them during three days. The bitter words interchanged between Ireton and Desborow on this day and what also passed between them in the following meetings of the council would give reason to believe that there might be a split in the army ; if those on whose conversation the King of England has founded his hopes had in fact the wish to serve him, and if having this design they were able to retain as much influence in the army as they would otherwise have had, there might be reason to expect something from them. It is thought that the King of England has the intention of escaping, and in order to prevent it a stricter guard than formerly both within and in the grounds of Hampton Court has been kept since Saturday last without its being apparent that his guards have been doubled, as they are at present, and access to him is not so free as it formerly was. He is told that this is in order to protect him from the danger to which he is exposed from some persons of the army that may engage to do him bodily injury; perhaps if they thought that he had as last year the intention of going to France, and that those who have the power here were quite agreed with the Scots, they might let him go, imagining that with a better pretext and with less opposition they might, in his absence, establish the government they wish ; but the fear they have that he might come to terms with the Scots and English Presbyterians causes them to take care that he do not pass into their hands as they believe they would not be able to have him again for the same price they had him from them formerly. They know that the Scots have discovered the mistake they made and the harm that their delivering him up has caused them, and perhaps they are also acquainted with the offers that the Scots are now making to the King of England, to enter England during the winter and join those who would wish to serve him provided he give them some satisfaction regarding the Presbyterian religion without speaking of the Covenant. I know that the King of England received notice on Thursday last, which he will have been able to send to the Queen of England, that the Papal Nuncio who is in Spain, had made the purchase at St. Malo of a ship of war of thirty cannons and of a frigate of twelve, which the King of England was informed was done in opposition to his service and for that of the King of Spain. I have not been able to learn anything more about this matter and I doubt much that the king will be able to derive much advantage from a notice so vague ; I only therefore mention it to you in order to give the most exact account possible of all that comes to my knowledge.]
^ John Desborow passed through almost all the military grades from captain to major-general, was also vice-admiral, member of Council of State and one of Cromwell's lords.
i647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 309
.1 CCVI
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimbourg, -' Nov. l647.
.Tay receu celle que V. Em^® in''a fait Thonneur de m'ecrire du 18 du mois passe, pour reponse a laquelle je lui diray qu"'encore que Tordre qui a este donne pour conserver Tarmee de ce Parlement jusqu"'au mois de Mars ait rompu les mesures que j"'avois prises pour tirer des hommes d'ici presentement, ainsi que V. Em*^® aura peu voir par mes precedentes, je n''ay pas laisse depuis de voir si je pourrois faire par quelque autre voie, ce que je ne pouvois par celles que j'avois prises, — c'est a dire par le moyen de David Leslay et par celui de M' le Chev'' Moray. J'ay done represente a M, le Due de Hamilton avant qu'il soit parti de cette ville, Tavantage que ce lui seroit pour les interets de sa maison d'entreprendre de faire passer en France douze ou quinze cents hommes, que leurs Majestes desirent fort tirer d'ici presentement, et de les faire commander par une personne qui dependit de lui, de la mesme sorte que M' le Chev'" Moray depend du Marquis d'Argyle, et le peu de prejudice que recevroit un royaume entier en se privant d'un si petit nombre d'hommes, a quoy j''ay joint encore d'autres considerations qui ne touchent pas moins, a mon avis, que les precedentes, — c'est a dire Tesperance de pouvoir etre paye de sa pension. Cependant, Mg"^, comme je n''etois pas asseure des intentions de V. Em*^^, je n"'ay fait que lui representer ces choses, qu''il a fort bien receues, sans le presser d^ entendre ; mais le Comte de Crawford, Tresorier d"'Ecosse, et beau-frere de ce Due, m'etant venu voir, comme je venais de recevoir celle quMl a pleu a V. Em'^® de m''ecrire sur ce sujet, je n'ay rien omis de tout ce que j''ay creu pouvoir servir a le porter, et a porter avec lui le parti des Hamilton a donner satisfaction a leurs Majesties et a V. Em"®, sur le sujet des dites levees ; et quoiqu*'il ait este jusqu^ici celui qui c'est le plus oppose a laisser sortir des hommes de ce pays, il m"'a dit quMl contribueroit de tout son pouvoir, aussitot que les jalousies qu"'ils ont, avec tant de sujet, de TAngleterre, seroient cessees, et qu*'il ne s"'y oppo-
310 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [NOV.
seroit pas mesme si quelque autre que lui entreprenoit d'en deraander la permission avant cela,
De sorte, Mg"", qu'encore que d'un mois ou deux il y ait peu d'apparence que Ton puisse avancer aucune chose dans les dites levees, je crois que Ton feroit une partie de ce que Ton desireroit mesme avant que Tarmee se licenciast, pourvu que Ton eut en main Tarrest que demandent les marchands de cette ville, pour le leur donner, ou ne le leur donner pas, selon qu'ils agiroient dans TafFaire des dites levees ; et que Ton eut aussy pouvoir de promettre au Due de Hamilton une partie des arrerages de sa pension, s'il faisoit ce qu'on desire de lui sur ce sujet, ainsi que j'en pourray informer plus particulierement V. Em*^^ quand je seray par dela.
Ayant mande exactement a V. Em'^'^ par mes precedentes ce que font M""^ le Comte d' Angus et le Chevalier Moray touchant leurs levees, je ne lui en toucheray rien presentement. Les Ecossois ne sont nullement satisfaits de la maniere en laquelle le Par* d'Angleterre a etabli le gouvernement presbyterial. Les ministres la condamnent avec des termes outrageux dans les Eglises, et le Baron de Balmerino, quoique tres violent ennemi des Catholiques, en lisant dans le Comite la lettre des deputes d'Ecosse qui sont a Londres, ne se pent empecher de dire que les Anglois souffroient toute sorte de religion a la reserve de celles des Catholiques, qui valloit mieux a son jugement que pas une de celle quMls approuvoient.
Le Comite a aussi enfin resolu d'envoyer cinq mil livres sterling a Tarmee d'Ecosse qui est en Irlande pour habiller les soldats, sans quoy ils avoient remontre qu'ils ne pouvoient plus subsister, et moyennant quoy ils ont promis de maintenir encore une armee, de sorte que toutes choses font voir qu"'encore que les Ecossois cherchent, par toute sorte de moyens d'avoir paix avec les Independants, ils prevoyent qu'ils ne pourront les empecher de leur faire la guerre.
De tons ceux que Ton a executes dans cette isle depuis quelques annees, pour la cause de leur roi, il n'y en a point asseurement qui ait temoigne plus de Constance en mourant qu'a fait Hartil, a qui Ton trancha la teste il y a aujourdlmy huit jours. On ne le vit pas seulement changer de couleur sur Techafaud, et il parla au peuple avant tant de grace et d'asseur-
i647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 311
ance de la justice de la cause pour laquelle il alloit mourir, qu"'ils ne seroit pas avantageux a ce Par* d''avoir souvent de telles executions a faire et que de semblables martyrs de la Royaute n'avanceroient peu, en ce pays, la cause de la monarchie. Je in'etois servi de cet argument pour detoumer quelques seigneui-s de ce Comite de faire mourir Newton, cousin du dit Hartil, et qui a este pris avec lui, mais ecoutant les mauvaises nouvelles que lui ont este donne, il a pense pouvoir sauver sa vie par une lachete qui lui aidera a se perdre, quisqu'il y a tout sujet de croire qu'on sera bien aise de faire voir au peuple une personne qui a confesse que le parti dans lequel il a este engage, etoit mauvais, et qui appelle rebellion le service qu'il a rendu a son roi ; cependant ses amis se persuadent que cette basse confession quil a faite lui sauvera la vie ainsi quMl leur a este promis,
Je prends la hardiesse d^envoyer a V. Em'^^ ce que Hartil avoit resolu de dire sur I'echafaud, si Ton lui eut permis de parler, mais comme il avoit bien prevu qu'il n''auroit pas cette liberte, il Tavoit ecrit en quelques papiers quMl jetta au peuple et qu'il donna a ses amis. J'ay traduit son Ecossois fort exactement et V. Em'^® ne trouvera pas etrange que ce discours n'ait pas toute la force et toutes les graces qu"'il pourroit avoir, quand elle saura qu'il part d'un jeune homme de 22 ans, et qui n'avoit aucunes lettres.
Je crois que je dois faire savoir k V. Em*'® que le Maire et le Conseil d'Edimbourg me donnerent, IMercredi dernier, une forte belle collation, en suite de laquelle ils me firent Bourgeois de leur ville, ce qu'^ils croyent le plus grand honneur qu''ils puissent faire a ceux qu'ils veullent obliger.
Je me suis oblige, Mg', de vous mander que les santes de leurs Majestes, du roi de la G' B' et de V. Em" furent com- mencees par le Maire de cette ville, et y furent bien bues de tous ceux qui estoient presents.
[MoxTEREUL to CARDINAL Mazarin. Edinburgh, ^ Nov. 1647.
I have received your letter of the 18tli ult., to which I shall say in reply, that although the order that has heen given to preserve the army of this Parliament until the month of March may have broken up all the measures I had taken in order to obtain men from here at present, as you may be able to see by my previous letters, I have still been on the look-out since to find if I could not do through some other channel that which I could not
812 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [NOV.
do through those I had selected ; that is to say by means of David Leslie and Sir Robert Moray. 1 therefore represented to the Duke of Hamil- ton before he left town the advantage it would be for the interests of his house to undertake to send over to France twelve or fifteen hundred men, that their Majesties' desire very much to procure from here at present, and to have them commanded by a person who depended on him, in the same manner as Sir Robert Moray depends on the Marquis of Argyle, and the small sacrifice it would be for an entire kingdom to be deprived of so small a number of men, to which I added other considerations, that in my opinion have no less weight than the former, that is to say, the hope of being able to be paid his annuity. Yet as I was not certain of your intentions, I merely indicated these matters to him, which he took very well, without pressing him to attend to it ; but the Earl of Crawford, Treasurer of Scotland and brother-in-law to this duke, having called to see me just as I received your letter on this subject, I omitted nothing of all I thought could serve to induce him, and also lead with him the Hamilton party, to give satisfaction to their Majesties and to you on this subject of the levies ; and although he has till now been the person most opposed to allowing men to leave this country, he told me he would con- tribute all in his power towards it as soon as the jealousies they have with so great reason against England will have ceased, and that he would not oppose it even if some other person undertook to ask the permission before that time. So that although during a month or two there is little likelihood of our doing anything whatever in the levies, I believe that one could procure a part of what might be wished before the army be dis- banded, provided one had in hand the decree that the merchants of this town require, so as to be able to give it to them or not to give it to them, according as they act or not in the aifair of the levies, and that one might also be able to promise to the Duke of Hamilton a part of the arrears of his annuity if he did what one wishes of him in this matter as I shall be able to inform you more in detail when I shall be with you.
Having informed you exactly by my previous letters what the Earl of Angus and Sir Robert Moray are doing as to the levies, I shall add nothing further theron at present.
The Scots are not at all satisfied with the manner in which the English Parliament has established the Presbyterian form of church government. The clergy condemn it in outrageous terms in the churches, and Lord Balmerino, although a very violent enemy to the Catholics, in reading in the committee meeting the letter of the Scottish Commissioners in London could not refrain from remarking that the English tolerated every sort of religion but that of the Catholics, which, in his opinion, was preferable to any of those they approved.
The committee has at length also resolved to send five thousand pounds sterling to the Scottish army in Ireland for the soldiers* outfit, without which they had complained they could no longer serve, and in return for which they have promised to hold out still for another year ; so that everything tends to show that although the Scots seek by every sort of
i647] P. BELLIlfeVRE TO BRIENNE 313
means to have peace with the Independents they foresee they will not be able to prevent them from making war on them.
Of all those who have been executed in this island during some years past for the cause of their king, no one has certainly shown more con- stancy in dying than did Harthill who was beheaded this day week. He did not seem even to get paler on the scaffold, and spoke to the people with so much ease and assurance of the justice of the cause for which he was about to die, that it would not be an advantage for this Parliament to have often such executions to perform, and such Royalist martyrs could not but advance greatly the cause of monarchy in this country. I made use of this argument in trying to dissuade some nobles of this committee from putting to death Newton, a cousin of Harthill, who was taken prisoner with him, but who giving heed to the bad accounts that have been given to him has thought of saving his life by a cowardly act which wUl only help to ruin him ; since there is every reason to believe that they will be very glad to show to the people a person who has confessed that the party in which he was engaged was bad, and who calls the services he rendered to his king rebellion ; however, his friends persuaded themselves that this base confession he has made would save his life as had been pro- mised to them.
I venture to enclose what Harthill had decided to say on the scaffold, if he had been allowed to speak ; but as he had foreseen that he would not have this liberty, he had written it on some papers, which he threw to the people and gave to his friends. I have translated his Scotch veiy exactly, and you will not find it strange that this speech has not all the force and all the graces it might have, when you learn that the writer is a young man of twenty-two years of age who has had no literary ex- perience.
I believe I ought to let you know that the Mayor and Town Council of Edinburgh gave a very fine luncheon in my honour on Wednesday last, after which they made me a burgess of their town, which they consider the greatest honour they can confer on those whom they wish to oblige.
I must tell you that the healths of their Majesties, of the King of Great Britain, and of your Eminence were proposed by the mayor and were drunk by all those present. ]
CCVII
p. BELLIEVRE 1 BRIENNE
A Lofidres, ce 18« AV''^ 1647. Monsieur, — L'on auoit creu que Tarmee aussy bien que plusieurs de la chambre basse ne vouloient point que Ton portat les propositions au roy d'Angleterre, et en effect beau- coup tesmoignoient craindre que si le diet Roy les acceptoit, quelques rudes qu"'elles fussent, il ne se facillitat un moyen de
314 P. BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE [NOV.
reprendre quelque jour, sinon tout, au moins une bonne partie des aduantages qu'il a perduz ; neantmoins ce auoit este donne a entendre a la chambre basse par les principaux de Tarmee qu'elle le desiroit auoit faict changer d'aduis, et mesme la dicte Chambre se disposoit de mettre la derniere main et peut estre Tarmee ne Teust elle pas empesche, si ce qui a este desbattu depuis deux jours en la dicte Chambre eust passe suiuant son desir, d''oster au roy d'Angleterre la voix negatiue qui est un des plus beaux droictz de la couronne et par le moyen duquel ses predecesseurs ont cy-deuant deffendu leur aucthorite contre les parlements, mais la chose ayant enfin este resolu a Taduantage du dit roy, Tarmee a escrit une lettre au parlement par laquelle elle tesmoigne ne point voulloir que les propositions soient enuoyees et desaduouent ceux qui ont diet que c'estoit son intention. Cette resolution qui a passe, diet on, dans le conseil de guerre sans que personne se soit oppose et qui faict croire a plusieurs que s'il y eust eu de la diuision dans Tarmee elle auroit deu paroistre en cette rencontre et le subiect sur lequel le parlement delibere presentement. Cependant Farmee a augmente la garde du dit Roy d'un regiment d'infanterie despuis deux jours. L''on y parle aussy de luy changer les officiers qui Font jusques icy serui bien qu'ilz ayent este establiz par le parlement, mais en un temps auquel le pouuoir estoit en d'autres mains qu'il n'est a present ; enfin il ne se propose rien qui puisse faire croire qu''elle veuille porter les interestz dudict Roy, il se propose encore, soubs pre- texte de soulager le peuple, de Fesloigner de cette ville. II est difficille de dire si la demande qu'on [sic^ faict depuis deux jours au parlement les deputtez d'Escosse produira quelque bon effect pour le roy d'Ang""^ ainsy que I'esperent ceux qui croyent que toute nouueaute luy est aduantageuse, ou si elle ne luy seruira pas plus que celle que les mesmes depputez firent il y a un an apparemment en sa faueur mais que Teuene- ment fist cognoistre n'auoir eu pour but que leur interest particullier. Ilz representent au Parlement que suiuant leur conuenant ilz doiuent auoir soing de la personne de leur Roy, et pour cet effect demandent qu"'il puisse venir a Londres auec honneur et seurete, et que Ton luy accorde d'y traicter en personne auec le Parlement ainsy qu''il a tousiours desire auquel
i647] P- BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE 315
traicte il leur soit permis d'assister, sans estre en hazard de receuoir pareil affront qu'ilz disent auoir este faict au comte de Lauderdaille par quelques soldatz de Tarmee, insistant pour cella, que Ton traicte en cette ville, ee qui a este mal receu dans le Parlement, plusieurs ayans diet qu'a la reserue du nom de ceux qui la faisoient il n"y auoit point de difference entre leur demande et la requeste des apprentifs de Londres, et qu"'il ne falloit point permettre qu'ilz se meslassent de leurs affaires. Les autres, moins violens en apparence, mais qui ne luy sont pas pour cella plus affectionnez, n'estinient point que ses de- mandes la puissent rompre les mesures qu'ilz croyent auoir bien prises, s'imaginent que FEscosse n'est pas si temeraire pour entreprendre de leur donner la Loy ny a presant asses puissante pour en venir a bout, mais ce sur quoy ilz se tiennent plus asseurez est, que encore que quelques uns d*'entre eulx en eussent le dessein, le parti le plus considerable du pais s''opposera tousiours a ce qui pourroit troubler Tunion des royaumes, a laquelle il a tousiours tendu, et que ce qu'ilz en font maintenant est plus tost pour essayer de se faire considerer a Teffect de toucher le reste de ce qui leur est deub par L''Angleterre que pour faire quelque chose a Taduantage de leur roy, dont ilz n'ont point tesmoigne jusques icy que les interestz leur fussent plus chers qu'aux Anglois. Vendredi dernier fust refuse par la chambre basse la requeste de quelque catholiques qui de- man doient d'estre descliargez de la rigueur des peines qui sont ordonnez contre eux par les Loix de ce royaume. Ceux d'entre eux qui ont conduict cette affaire se plaignent de celluy du Parlement qu'ilz en auoient chargez, pour n'auoir pas pris le temps propre pour la faire passer, y ayant lors qu'il la proposa plus de trois cent personnes dans la maison, dont la pluspart parla fort contre les Catholiques, ce qui leur fust ce jour plus aise qu'en aucun autre, n'ayant eu qu'a repeter dans la Chambre tout le mal qu''ilz en venoient d''entendre de leurs ministres, qui n'auoient eu d'autre subiect que celluy la d'entretenir le peuple tout ce jour que Ton feste a cause de la conjuration des poudres descouuertes. Quoy qu'il en soit, ou que la faute vienne de Tindiscretion de celluy qui a rapporte leur requeste, ou de la precipitation de ceux qui Font presentee et pent estre des uns et des autres, bien que leur zele soit
316 P. BELLi:^VRE TO BRIENNE [NOV.
louable, il eust este a souhaitter qu"*!! eust este plus modere, car il estoit difficille qu'il en reussit le bien qu"'ils s'en estoient promis, et la demande qui en a este faicte peut donner lieu a faire executer plus exactement que Ton n"'a faict par le passe les ordonnances centre les catoliques, ainsy qu'il fust propose par quelques uns de la Chambre basse en opinant sur cette affaire ; ceux qui s'en meslent esperent en pouuoir faire encor parler et d'obtenir cette seconde fois ce qui leur a este refuse la premiere. Je fais escrire du chiffre que vous aues donne a Monsieur de Bellieure comme plus secret que celluy dont je me seruais cy deuant, lequel ayant este communique a plusieurs personnes en ce pays auant que je Feusse il y pourroit auoir inconuenient en cas que les lettres fussent ouuertes. J'ay creu que vous treuuerez bon que je prisse la liberte d'en user de la sorte en attendant que vous en ayant autrement ordonne. — Monsieur, vostre, etc., P. de Bellieure.
Audos — M. de Bellieure, du 18 nouembre 164-7, receu le 26.
[P. Bellievre to Brienne. London, 18 Nov. 1647.
It was thought that the army as well as several of the Lower House did not wish the proposals to be presented to the King of England, and, in fact, many seemed afraid that were the king to accept them, however hard they were, he might secure for himself an easy means of recovering some day, at least a good part, if not all, of the advantages he has lost ; neverthe- less, the Lower House, having been led to understand through the leaders of the army that it wished it to be done, thereupon changed its opinion and was preparing to give them the last touch, and perhaps the army would not have prevented it, if what had been debated for two days in this House had passed, according to its desire, viz., the suppression of the king's right of veto, which is one of the most precious prerogatives of the Crown, by which means his predecessors have formerly defended their authority against the Parliaments, but this matter having been at last decided in the king's favour, the army has written a letter to the Parliament in which it states that it does not wish the proposals to be sent, and disavowing those who had said that such was its intention. This resolution, which it is said passed in the Council of War without any one opposing it, leads several people to believe that had there been disunion in the army it would have shown itself on this occasion, and this is the subject on which Parliament is now deliberating. However, the army has increased the king's guard by adding two days ago a regiment of infantry. They speak also of changing the officers who have till now served the king, although they were appointed by Parliament, but while the power was in other hands than it is now, in short, it proposes nothing that can lead one
i647] P. BELLISVRE TO BRIENNE 317
to believe that it wishes to support the king's interests ; it proposes, also, under pretext of relieving the people, to remove him from this town. It is difficult to say whether the demand made during the last two days in Parliament by the Scottish Commissioners will produce any good effect for the King of England, as those hope who consider everything new as advantageous for him, whether it will serve him any more than that which the same commissioners made a year ago, apparently in his favour, but which in the result was seen to be only for their private interest. They represent to Parliament that according to their Covenant they ought to be careful of the person of their king, and to that effect ask that he be able to come to London with honour and security ; that it be granted to him to treat in person with Parliament, as he has always wished ; that they be permitted to attend this convention without running the risk of being sub- jected to such affronts as that which they say the Earl of Lauderdale received from some soldiers of the army ; insisting on that account that they treat in this town, which was badly received in Parliament, where several said that with the exception of the name of those who made the demand, there was no difference between it and the request of the London apprentices and that they, the Scots, must not be allowed to mix themselves up in their affairs. The others, less violent in appearance, but no better disposed towards the king because of that, do not consider that these demands can overturn the measures they have carefully taken, nor do they imagine that Scotland is so rash as to pretend to lay down the law to them, nor powerful enough at present to be able to carry it out ; but what they seem most assured of is, that although some among the Scots might have that intention, the most important part of that country will always oppose whatever may trouble the union of the kingdoms to which it still holds, and that what they are now doing is more to try and increase their own importance with the intent of receiving the remainder of what is owing to them by England than in order to do anything to the advantage of their king, whose interests they have till now shown not to be dearerto them than these were to the English. On Friday last the Lower House refused to grant the request of some Catholics, who wished to be relieved from the rigour of the penalties imposed on them by the laws of this kingdom. Those among them who have managed this matter complain of the person in Parliament to whom they had intrusted it, for not having taken the proper time, in order to have it passed, there being when he proposed it more than three hundred persons in the House, the most part of whom spoke strongly against the Catholics, which was easier for them to do on that day than on any other, as they had but to repeat in the House all the ill they had just heard from their clergy, who had no other subject than that with which to entertain the people during that entire day, which they commemorate because of the Gunpowder Plot. Be that as it may, whether the error was caused by the indiscretion of the person who re- ported their request, or from the haste of those who presented it, and perhaps it may be by both, although their zeal is praiseworthy, it is to be wished that it had been more moderate, for it was difficult for them to
318 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [NOV.
succeed in obtaining the benefit they had promised themselves and the demand they have made thereupon may give occasion to a more rigorous execution than heretofore of the ordinances against Catholics, as was pro- posed by some of the Lower House while discussing this aifair; those who are engaged in it hope to be able to bring it up again and to obtain the second time what has been refused to them the first.
I write to you in the cipher that you gave to M. de Bellievre as being more secret than the one I used formerly, which having been communi- cated to several persons in this country before I took it up, it would be inconvenient in case the letters were opened. I thought you would approve of my taking the liberty of using it in this manner until you order differently.]
CCVIII
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimhourg, -^ Nov. l647.
J'' AY receu presque en mesme temps les deux lettres de V. Em*'® du 1® et du 8 Novembre par lesquelles elle a eu agre- able de me donner tant de marques de sa bonte, que quand le devoir de I'employ dont il luy a pleu m"'honorer ne m'obligeroit pas a reparer ce qui me manque d'intelligence et d"'adresse par ma fidelite et par Tapplication que je tasche d'apporter aux affaires, j'y serois toujours oblige par la passion que je dois avoir de faire quelque chose qui puisse estre agreable a V. Em*'® et me rendre digne en quelque sorte des extremes bontes qu'elle a de se contenter de mon zele et de mes bonnes intentions, et de vouloir mesme prendre la protection de mes interets dont le principal sera toujours de n'avoir jamais d'autres desseins que ceux que V. Em*'® trouvera bon que je forme et de ne desirer estre que ce qu"'elle voudra que je sois.
Cependant, Monsg% je continue a tenter toutes les voyes possibles pour avoir des hommes presentement, mais quelque chose que je fasse je trouve enfin qu'il n'y a pas moyen d'en tirer aucun nombre considerable avant le commencement du mois de Mars, car le Comte de Crawford avec lequel je m'entretiens toujours bien, en Tabsence du Due de Hamilton son beau frere, m'a asseure qu''on ne pouvoit rien faire avant ce temps, et ayant insinue au Marquis d'Argyle et au Comte de Lothian qui s'interessent fort dans le regiment de M. le Chevalier Moray, que le plus prompt moyen qu'il y auroit pour
1647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 319
faire accorder au dit regiment les avantages qu"'ils lui desirent et dont ils me parlent si souvent, est de le remettre durant cet hiver au nombre d'hommes porte par la capitulation. lis m"'ont fait connoistre que pour obtenir mesme une chose qu*'ils souhaitent extremement, ils ne peuvent pas se defaire d''un nombre d'hommes considerable avant qu''ils voient quelque chose de plus regie dans leurs affaires, et quMls tiennent leur Parlement qui se doit assembler seulement au mois de Mars.
Mais bien que cette proposition n"'ait point produit Teffet que je m''estois propose, je ne Tai pas faite toutefois inutilement, puisqu'elle m^a donne au moins sujet de reconnoistre qu''on peut en tous cas se promettre de tirer icy deux ou trois mil hommes au commencement du printemps si Ton veut faire monter en garde au Palais Cardinal le dit regiment, mais que c"'est une chose aussy de laquelle il ne faut parler qu''a toute extremite, puisque si Ton en concevoit icy la moindre esperance on ne permettroit pas qu'il en sortit un homme que sous cette con- dition,
De sorte, Monsg*", que tout ce que Ton peut faire au plus durant cet hiver est d'envoyer sous main quelque petit nombre d'hommes dans chaque vaisseau qui part d'icy pour France, ce qui arrive en ce temps fort peu souvant, ce que je presse toujours M. le Comte d' Angus et M. le Chev' Moray de vouloir faire, et ce qu'ils ont deja commence, ayant mis pres de cinquante hommes entre eux deux dans un vaisseau qui part presente- ment.
Cependant, Monsg', comme je vois qu''il ne se peut presque rien faire icy, ni dans les levees ni dans les affaires publiques avant le commencement de Mars, je supplie tres humblement V. Em*=® d'avoir agreable que je me serve pour peu de temps de la permission qu^il luy avoit pleu m''accorder il y a quelque temps d'aller en France. Je partiray si promptement apres en avoir re^u le conge de V. Em*^® et useray de telle dili- gence durant mon voyage que je pourray estre de retour avant Touverture de ce Parlement, et j'ay deja donne si bon ordre afln que V. Em" soit avertie de ce qui se passera durant mon absence qu'elle n''en pourroit estre informe ni plus exactement, ni avec plus de fidelite si je demeurois icy, outre que mon voyage me donnant lieu de luy rendre un compte plus exact de
320 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [NOV.
ce qui se fait icy, et de recevoir aussy des ordres plus particuliers de ce que j'y dois faire, mon eloignement apportera plustost quelque avantage que quelque prejudice aux affaires.
Je supplie aussy tres humblement V. Em''^ de me vouloir faire savoir si je verrai le roi de la G' B"^ en passant en Angle- terre, au cas que ce soit une chose qui soit libre a tout le monde, et si je dois faire instance pour cela, s'il en faut avoir une per- mission particuliere, comme aussy en quelle maniere je luy parleray m'etant abstenu de luy ecrire ou de luy faire savoir aucune chose depuis que je suis parti de Newcastle.
Au reste, Monsg', comme toutes les affaires de cette isle se demeslent presentement en Angleterre, je n'en puis presque rien mander a V. Em"® qu"'elle ne sache bien mieux par les lettres de M. FAmbassader de Grignon, je crois toutefois estre oblige de luy dire que je sais d'assez bonne part que Waller et Massy, qui ont este officiers generaux dans les armees du Pari* d' Angleterre, et qui sont du nombre de ces Presbyterians qui ont este chasses du Pari* d'Angleterre et de Tarmee par les Independants, ont escrit deux lettres au Marquis d''Argyle depuis peu de jours, pour le presser de faire entrer Tarmee d'Ecosse en Angleterre et pour Tasseurer que tout Toccident du royaume se doit joindre a eux, et qu'ils partiront pour TAngle- terre aussitost qu''ils auront de ses nouvelles, J"'ay seu aussy que le Marquis d'Argyle leur a fait reponse en termes assez generaux, quMl dispose les choses selon qu'ils desirent, et que Tarmee d'Ecosse ne manquera pas d'entrer en Angleterre aussi- tost qu'elle aura lieu de le faire. Mais quelque chose que puisse ecrire ce Marquis et quoiqu^aient represente les Commis- saires d'Ecosse par leur derniere lettre au Pari* d'Angleterre, qui est ce qu"'ils ont fait, ce semble de moins mauvais pour leurs propres interets et pour ceux de leur roi depuis le commence- ment de ces troubles, je ne puis croire que les Ecossois entre- prennent aucune chose contre PAngleterre, si les Independants ne les y obligent, et quMls portent la guerre chez leurs voisins avant qu'ils voient qu'ils Tauront autrement chez eux ; et en quelque maniere qu'ils parlent ou qu'ils agissent, je seray bien trompe si leur principale intention, aussy bien que celle des Independants, est de retablir le roi de G'' B"", puisque dans la dispute qui est entre eux aujourd'huy il ne s'agit pas tant a
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 321
qui demeurera la gloire de le conserver qu''a qui aura Ta vantage de le perdre.
Comme je n"'ay point veu dans les imprimes de Londres la reponse que le roi de la G*^ B"" a faite aux Ecossois, et qu''elle m^a este donnee par le Comte de Lothian comme une piece assez rare, j 'ay pris la hardiesse d'en envoyer au hazard a \ . Em*^^ une traduction, ayant creu qu'il estoit plus a propos qu''elle eut deux fois un papier fort bien fait, que de manquer a Tavoir une.
Le Comte deTraquair est parti d'ici il y a huit jours. La remis- sion pour le sieur Newton, qui est de la maison de Huntley et qui a este pris avec Hartil, est venue il y a deja quelque temps. Tout ce qu"'elle a produit a este de faire difFerer de huit ou dix jours la condamnation du dit Sr. Newton, car il est comme asseure qu''on n"'y aura point d'egard, quoique jusques a ce jour il fut demeure en Ecosse au roi de la G"" B"" le pouvoir d'y faire grace.
On m'a asseure que My Lord Rheis s'est accommode avec le Comte de Sutherland.
[MoNTEBEUL to CARDINAL Mazarin. Edinburgh, ^ Nov. 1647.
I RECEIVED almost at the same time your letters of the 1st and 8th inst,, in which it has pleased you to show me so many marks of your kindness that even if the duty of the employment with which you have been pleased to honour me did not oblige me to remedy what is wanting in me of intelligence and ability by my fidelity and the application I try to bring to business, I would still be obliged by the strong desire I am bound to have to do something therein that may be agreeable to you, so as to render me in some measure worthy of the extreme kindness you have in remaining satisfied with my zeal and my good intentions, and in accepting the guidance of my interests, the principal of which will always be to have no other intentions than those you approve of and no desire to be different from what you would wish me to be.
However, I continue to try every possible way in order to obtain men at present, but whatever I do I find in short that there will be no means of procuring any considerable number before the beginning of the month of March, for the Earl of Crawford, with whom I always keep up intercourse, in the absence of the Duke of Hamilton his brother- in-law, has assured me that nothing could be done before that time ; and having hinted to the Marquis of Argyle and to the Earl of Lothian, who are much interested in the regiment of Sir Robert Moray, that the readiest means to grant to that regiment the advantages they wish and of which they speak to me so often would be to increase it during this winter to the full number of men stated in its charter. They led me to understand that in order to obtain this which they would even very much wish, they could not dispose of any considerable number of men before they see
VOL. II. X
322 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [nov.
something more settled in their aiFairs and before Parliament meets, which is not before the month of March.
But although this proposal did not produce the result I had proposed, yet it was not quite useless, since it gave me at least reason to see that one can in any case look forward to procuring here two or three thousand men in the beginning of spring, if it be allowed to this regiment to mount guard at the Palais Cardinal, but it is a thing also only to be mentioned at the last extremity, since if the least hope of it be held out here, they would not allow a single man to leave the kingdom but under that condition.
So that all that is to be done during this winter is to send a small number of men in an underhand way in each ship that leaves here for France, which happens very rarely at this time. I am always urging the Earl of Angus and Sir Robert Moray to do this. They have already begun to try : they have put conjointly about fifty men on board a ship that is now leaving.
However, as I see that there will be almost nothing to do here, neither in the levies nor in public affairs, before the beginning of March, I beg you to allow me to use for a short time the leave of absence it pleased you to grant me some time ago to proceed to France. I shall leave so speedily thereafter, and will make such haste during my journey, that I could be back here before the opening of Parliament ; and I have already given minute orders that you be informed of what takes place here during my absence, so that you could not be more correctly and faith- fully informed of it were I to remain here, besides that my journey, in giving me an opportunity of rendering a more exact account of what is being done here and of receiving also your orders more minutely than I could do here, would be rather advantageous than prejudicial to business.
I beg you also to let me know if I shall see the King of Great Britain in passing through England, in case access to him be free to any one, or if previous application and a special permission be required, and also in what manner I shall speak to him, having refrained from writing to him since I left him at Newcastle.
All the affairs of this island are settled in England at present. I can inform you of almost nothing but what you may learn better from the letters of the Ambassador de Grignon.* I believe, however, that I ought to tell you that I know, from a somewhat reliable source, that Waller and Massy,^ who were general officers in the armies of the English Parliament, and who are of the number of those Presbyterians who were turned out of the Parliament and armies of England by the Independents, have written two letters to the Marquis of Argyle within the last few days in order to urge him to enter England with the Scottish army and
* M. P. (Pierre) de Bellievre. Grignon was the family title. ^ Sir William Waller and Major-General Edward Massey are evidently meant here.
1 647] ^- BELLl£VRE TO BRIENNE 323
to assure him that all the west of the kingdom is to join them, and stat- ing that they will leave for England as soon as they have his reply. 1 have learned also that the Marquis of Argyle has replied to them in somewhat general terms that he would arrange matters according as they wish, and that the Scottish army will not fail to enter England as soon as there will be reason for doing it. But whatever this Marquis may write and whatever the Scottish Commissioners may have represented in their last letter ^ to the English Parliament, which is what seems the least bad for their own interests and for those of their king that has appeared since the beginning of these troubles, I cannot believe that the Scots will undertake anything against England, if the Independents do not force them to it, or that they will bring war among their neigh- bours before they see that otherwise they will have it in their own country, and however they speak or act I shall be very much mistaken if their principal intention, as well as that of the Independents, be to re- establish the King of Great Britain, since in the dispute between them at present, it is not so much a question as to whom will remain the glory of preserving him as to who will have the advantage of destroying him.
As I have not seen in the London prints the reply that the King of Great Britain has made to the Scots, and as it has been given to me by the Earl of Lothian, as being somewhat rare, I venture to send to you a translation of it at hazard, believing it to be better for you to have two copies of a paper very well drawn up than to miss having one.
Tlie Earl of Traquair left here eight days ago. The pardon for Mr. Newton, who is of the house of Huntly, and who was taken prisoner with Harthill, came some time ago. All it did has been to delay for eight or ten days the condemnation of Mr. Newton, for it is almost certain that no attention will be paid to it, although till now the power to pardon remained in Scotland to the King of Great Britain.
I am assured that Lord Reay has come to an agreement with the Earl of Sutherland.]
CCIX p. BELLIEVRE a BRIENNE
A Londres, ce 28' No^^ 1647. Monsieur, — Les diuisions de Tarmee ont este appaisees ou du moins assoupies par la punition qui se fit lundy au rendez- vous general d'un des bas officiers qui vouloit exciter les soldatz contre les officiers generaux en le faisant sur le champ passer par les armes. Cet exemple fist que touttes les trouppes se declarerent pour le general. II est vray que ceux qui sent
^ ' It was proposed by Scottish Commissioners in London, in letter addressed to Speaker of House of Commons dated 5 Nov. 1647, that the king be invited to come to London to treat with them.' — Rushworth, part iv. vol. ii. p. 864.
324 P. BELLI^VRE TO BRIENNE [NOV.
du parti contraire disent, que cette union ne procedde pas tant de la crainte que Ton auoit eu de la Justice qui a este faicte, que de Tasseurance donnee a Farmee que Ton obserueroit le serment qui fust faict a Neumarck, apres s'estre saisi de la personne du Roy, dont les conditions sont aussy ruddes pour le diet roy que celles qui sont portees par les propositions. Neantmoins les d. officiers generaux ont pour faire voir leur credict ou pour Taugmenter, entrepris de faire chasser Dins- berou du Parlement, et en tout cas luy oster les charges de viss admiral et si ilz obtenoient ce poinct peut estre essayeroient ilz d'en faire encore sortir d'autres qui leur sont contraires a quoy il y a apparance quMlz trouueront de la difficulte soit par Taucthorite que Donsberou s'est acquise dans la maison des Communes par la liberte auec laquelle il parle, soit aussy parceque ceux mesme qui ne sont pas du parti de Donsberou ne seroient pas bien aises de voir la puissance des autres estre sans contredict, et peut estre que ce ne seroit pas a Taduantage du Roy qui en une telle rencontre auroit plus de peine d'obtenir FefFect de leurs promesses au cas qu'il les ayent faictes aussy aduantageuses qu'il seroit a desirer pour le bien de ses affaires. Les Escossois semblent y vouUoir con- tribuer, et non seullement ilz insistent par des escrits qu'ilz ont donne aux maisons a ce que le diet Roy puisse venir en cette ville pour y traicter en personne en toute liberte, mais encores ilz semblent se plaindre de ce que le d. Roy est souuent change de place, et veullent scauoir de quelle fa^on il est traicte pour aduiser en suitte a ce qu'ilz auront a faire. Cependant il vient d'arriuer une lettre du d. Roy au Parlement qui a este lue a la chambre des Pairs, mais ilz se sont obligez par serment de ne point dire ce qu'elle contient jusques a ce que demain elle ait este apportee a la chambre des communes, et Font pour cella cachetee. Autant que j'en ay pu apprendre d'un qui ne s*'est pas souuenu ou soucie de son serment, il demande qu'on ne luy enuoye point les propositions, mais d'estre admis au traicte personnel, et desire que Fon laisse le choix des officiers qui ont a demeurer pres de sa personne ; ce qui a este ordonne ce matin qu'il seroit serui par les mesmes qui estoient a Hop- tancourt et bien contraire a ce dernier article, et il est difficile que le premier ne rencontre de Fopposition ; les resolutions qui
1 647] P. BELLIlfeVRE TO BRIENNE 32$
se sont prises la dessus aussy bien que sur les demandes des Escossois et ce qui sera passe aujourd'huy au rendezvous general de Farmee, dont Tunion est encore si recente qu'elle donne lieu d'esperer a ceux qui la redoutent d^y pouuoir voir de la diuision, donneront peut estre moyen de mieux juger que Ton ne peut faire maintenant des auantages que le d. roy s'en peut promettre. — Je suis, Monsieur, vostre, etc.,
P. DE Bellielre.
[P. Beli^i^ivrb to Brienne. London, 28 Nov. 1647.
The divisions in the army have been quieted, at least for the present, by the punishment that took place on Monday last at the general rendezvous, where one of the non-commissioned officers who wished to excite the soldiers against the general officers was shot on the spot. This example made all the troops declare themselves for the general. It is true that those of the opposite party say that this union does not proceed so much from the fear they had of the act of justice that had been done, as from the assurance given to the army that the oath taken at Newmarket on their having first obtained possession of the king's person should be observed ; the terms of which oath are as hard for their king as those conveyed by the proposals. Nevertheless these general officers, in order to show their influence, or to increase it, have engaged to drive Desborou out of Parliament, or at least to deprive him of his office of Vice-Admiral, and if they gain that point, perhaps they will try to turn out others who are opposed to them, in which it is probable they will have some difficulty, either through the authority that Desborou has acquired in the House of Commons, from his boldness of speech, or also because even those who are not of the party of Desborou would not like to see the power of others established without controversy, and perhaps it would not be to the advantage of the king, who in such a circumstance would have more difficulty in obtaining the execution of their promises, in the event of their having made him any, as advantageous ones as would be desirable for the benefit of his afi"airs. The Scots seem to wish to con- tribute to this, as they not only insist, by papers that they have given to both Houses, that the king may be able to come to this town, in order to treat there in person with every liberty, but they seem also to complain that the king is often changed from place to place and they wish to know how he is treated to consider thereafter what they will have to do. However a letter has just arrived from the king to the Parliament, which was read in the House of Peers ; but the members having engaged on oath not to reveal what it contains until to-morrow, it was sealed up and taken to the House of Commons. As far as I have been able to learn from a person who may have forgotten his oath, or been little scrupulous concerning it, the king requests that the proposals may not be sent to him, but that he be admitted to a personal convention, and that the
326 P. BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE [dec.
choice of officers to be near his person be left with him ; whereas it was ordered this morning that he would be served by the same persons who were at Hampton Court, which is quite contrary to this last demand, and it is difficult to suppose that the first will not meet with opposition. The resolutions that have been taken concerning it, as well on the demands of the Scots as what will be passed to-day in the general rendezvous of the army, — the recent union of which gives reason to hope to those who dreaded seeing divisions in it — will perhaps give means to enable one to judge better than one can do now of the advantages the king may expect therefrom.]
ccx
p. BELLIEVRE a BRIENNE
Londres, 2 Decembre l6"47. Monsieur, — La lettre du Roy de la Grand Bretaigne quy se publie despuis deux jours et dont je prends la liberte de vous enuoyer la traduction a fort contente ceux qui desirent de voir la fin de ces troubles par un bon accomodement ; en effect il y remet tellement de ses droictz et se despart si fort de la pluspart, qu'a la reserue des euesques, qu'il ne vent en aucune fa^on abandonner, il semble accorder tout ce qu''on luy demande, pour les choses dont il ne conuient pas il donne esperance que par le moyen d'un traicte personnel elles pourront estre facille- ment terminees. Les Seigneurs qui cognoissent bien que la ruine de la monarchic emporte necessairement leur destruction inclinent a donner les mains au traicte que leur Roy demande et pour gaigner du temps ont este d'aduis de retarder Tenuoy des propositions, non que par ce traicte ilz pretendent accorder au dit Roy aucune authorite, mais seullement sous son nom conseruer la leur et empescher qu''elle ne tombe entre les mains du peuple, pour cella se joignent auec les chefs de Tarmee que leur interest faict entrer dans le mesme sentiment. Elle paroit maintenant fort unie sous le commandement des officiers generaux lesquelz, a ce quilz croyent, se sont acquis Taffection des soldatz par les caresses qu'ilz leur firent au dernier rendez- vous, apres leur avoir donne la crainte par le chastiment qui fust faict au premier jour qu'ilz auoient assemble Tarmee. Ce n''est pas que les agitateurs nVsperent faire voir qu'ils ne sont pas si fort descheuz de leur credit comme Ton s'est persuade et ilz recommancent a remuer et trauaillent a faire que plusieurs
1647] P- BELLl£VRE TO BRIENNE 327
de la ville se declarent de leur parti si bien que quelque bonne volonte que leurs Seigneurs ayent et les chefs de Tarmee pour faire accorder auec le Roy le traicte personnel, le parti contraire sMmagine pouuoir faire enuoyer les propositions cette sepmaine et la chose se pourroit faire, car outre que beaucoup de ceux qui ne seront contens d'aucun accomodement auquel ilz n'auroient pas eu la principalle part pourront empescher que les affaires n'en soient si proches que Ton penseroit bien, la plus part de la chambre basse presse pour enuoyer les dictes pro- positious au diet Roy, dans le dessein, qu'ilz ne quittent point, de conseruer leur credit soit qu'il les accorde ou qu'il les reffuse, mais bien plus auantageusement en ce dernier cas auquel suiuaut les apparences ilz croyent auoir subiect de s*'attendre, et encore que les commissi onnaires d'Escosse ayent faict entendre au Parlement que le temps dans lequel on leur deraande leur aduis sur les dictes propositions est trop bref pour le pouuoir faire, ilz ne laissent pas de voulloir qu'elles soient enuoyees, les dits commissionaires se tiennent plus retirez et se comuniquent moins depuis quMlz ont sceu le roy d'Ang""*" au lieu ou il est, et semblent voulloir faire croire qu'ilz ne se mettent point en peine de ce qui se passe, comme s'ilz estoient asseurez de ce qu'ilz ont a faire, neantmoins ilz sont embarrassez de ne se voir point rechercher par le diet roy et craignent qu'il ne soit d'accord auec Tarmee ce qui leur osteroit Tesperance de se pouuoir establir en ce pais par la voye d'accomodement qu''ilz croyent impossible auec I'armee et le pretexte d'y entrer qui cesseroit par le restablissem* de leur Roy. II est venu ce matin nouuelles que Hammon s'est excuse d'enuoyer les Sieurs Arscheburnam et Barlay ainsy que le Par- lement luy auoit mande de faire sur ce que le Roy de la Grande Bretaigne n'auoit personne pres de luy pour le seruir mais il escrit qull a tire leur parolle qu'ils ne sortiroient point de Tisle de Wicth. — Je suis. Monsieur, Vostre, etc.,
P. DE Bellieure. All dos — M. de Bellieure, du 2 decembre 1647, receu le vi*.
[P. BEixiivHE to Bbienne. LoTidoTi, 2 December 1647- The letter of the King of Great Britain, which was published two days ago, and of which I take the liberty of enclosing the translation, has given great satisfaction to those who wish to see these troubles brought
328 P. BELLi:feVRE TO BRIENNE [DEC.
to an end by a good agreement ; in fact the king gives up to them his rights so largely and renounces the greater part of them, with the excep- tion of the bishops, which he will not in any manner abandon, that he seems to grant all they ask of him, and as to matters not agreed upon, he gives hope that by means of a personal convention they could be easily settled. The Lords, who know well that the ruin of the monarchy carries with it necessarily their destruction, are disposed to accept the treaty their king demands, and in order to gain time they were of opinion to delay sending the proposals, not that they pretend by this treaty to grant any authority to the king, but merely so as to pre- serve their House under his name, and prevent authority from falling into the hands of the people, by joining themselves for this object with the leaders of the army, whose interest leads them to adopt the same senti- ment. The army appears now to be very united under the command of its general officers, who have, it is believed, gained the affection of their soldiers, by making much of them at the last rendezvous, after having caused them to fear by the punishment they inflicted the first day the army was assembled. Yet the agitators still hope to show that they are not so entirely deprived of their influence, as it was thought, and they begin again to agitate and try to influence several persons of the town to join their party, so that whatever good-will the Lords and the leaders of the army may have to enter into the personal convention with the king, the opposite party imagine they will be able to send the pro- posals this week, and the matter may possibly be so managed ; for besides the number of those who will not be satisfied with an agreement in which they have not had the principal part which will prevent such a prompt settlement of aiFairs as one might well expect, the greater part of the Lower House insist on the proposals being sent to the king, in the intention, which they never omit, of maintaining their influence, whether he may grant the proposals or refuse them. The latter they consider would be the most advantageous for them, and what they believe according to all like- lihood they have reason to expect ; and although the Scottish Commis- sioners may have led Parliament to understand that the time during which they are required to give an opinion on the proposals is too short to permit of it, they still persist on sending them. The commissioners therefore hold themselves more aloof and do not communicate with them so freely since they have learned where the King of England is, and seem to wish to make it believed they are not in any way troubled at what is going on here, as if they were assured of what they had to do. Nevertheless they are at a loss on seeing they are not sought after by the king, and they fear he may have come to an agreement with the army, which would destroy the hope of their being able to establish themselves in this country by means of an agreement, which they believe to be impossible, with the army and their pretext of entering this country would cease with the restoration of their king. News came this morning that Hammond has excused himself for not having sent Ashburn-
1647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 329
ham and Berkeley' as Parliament had ordered him to do, because the King of Great Britain had no one near him to serve him, but he writes to say that he had taken their word of honour that they would not leave the Isle of Wight.]
CCXI
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimbourg, ^-^ 1647.
Le hazard qu''ont courru les lettres qui viennent presentement de Londres, et la crainte que j'ay que celles-ci n'arrivent pas, me font estre court par cet ordinaire, par lequel je diray seule- ment a V, Em*^® que les Ecossois m'ont tant fait de protesta- tions de vouloir bien recevoir leur roi avant qu''ils sceussent ou il estoit, qu'ils rn'ont donne tout sujet de croire qu''ils avoient beaucoup de passion pour Tavoir, mais que leur ayant demande plus particulierement ce qu'ils desiroient qu'il fit pour eux, et ce qu''ils vouloient faire pour luy, j'ay trouve qu''ils luy promet- troient de faire beaucoup, et de se contenter de fort peu de choses pour Tobliger a venir ici, et qu'ils ne luy deraanderoient rien moins que Tetablissement du Presbyteriat et Tapprobation du covenant, c'est a dire autant que jamais, quand il seroit avec eux, — enfin, Monsg', qu''ils estoient les mesmes que je les avois trouves en arrivant en leur armee.
Cependant nous venons d''apprendre avec Fordinaire, qu'encore que le roi de la G"^ B"" se soit retire d'armee, il ne s'est pas oste pour cela du pouvoir des Independants. Cette nouvelle a abattu toutes les esperances que les Ecossois avoient cues, ou de tenir ici leur roi, et de remettre par ce moyen leurs affaires, ou d"'y apporter au moins quelque changement par son depart d'Angle- terre, et Ton blame en ce royaume, avec les termes peu respec- tueux, la resolution qu'il a prise. Et en efFet, ]Monsg% j^ose dire qu'il n'en pouvoit prendre une plus mauvaise, si nous en exceptions celle de venir ici.
My Lord S* Clair, qui temoigne estre assez serviteur du roi de la G' B"^, fut mis au chateau d'Edimbourg Samedi dernier,
^ Ashburnham and Sir John Berkeley having aided the king in his escape from the army to Titchfield, accompanied him there. They also tried, with but small success, to treat with Hammond, Governor of the Isle of Wight, for the king's safety. Charles having surrendered to Hammond was conveyed prisoner to Carisbrook Castle.
330 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [DEC.
pour avoir dit, et fait dire diverses fois a David Leslay que c'etoit un coquin, un traitre, et un parjure, et qu'il avoit livre leur roi aux Anglois contre ce qu'il luy avoit promis, qu'il seroit seurement en son armee. Ceux qui forment ce Comite ont creu qu"'outre qu''il estoit de mauvais exemple de permettre qu*'on s"'accoutumast a dire ici de semblables injures, il estoit encore de leur interet de ne pas permettre qu'elle demeurassent sans punition. Quelques uns reprochent a David Leslay qu'ayant souffert cet affront avec beaucoup de patience, il a cherche a le venger par une voie qui n"'estoit nullement honneste a une personne de sa condition. Cependant comme il estoit arreste qu'il dut recevoir diverses disgraces en mesme temps, il a resolu dans peu de jours de declarer pour sa femme une Anglaise qu'il n'a tenue que pour sa maitresse jusques ici. Newton Gordon a este condamne, quelque remission qu'il ait eue du roi de la Gr' B'. II doit avoir Jeudi prochain la teste tranchee, a laquelle Balmerino a dit qu'il falloit attacher la remission. II y aura ce mesme Jeudi un grand Comite.
[MoNTEREUL to CARDINAL Mazarin. Edinburgh, '|^^' 1647.
The risk that letters run at present in coming from London, and the fear I have that these I now send do not reach you, cause me to be brief by this mail. I shall only mention that the Scots have made so many pro- testations to me of their willingness to receive their king before they knew where he was,^ that they have given me every reason to believe they have a very great desire to have him ; that on inquiring of them more particu- larly what they would wish him to do for them and what they would do for him, I found that they would promise to do much for him and to be satisfied with very little in return in order to oblige him to come here ; and that they ask nothing less of him than the establishment of Presby- terianism and the sanction of the Covenant, that is to say as much as ever, when he would be with them, in short, that they were the same as I had found them on arriving in their army.
Yet we have just learned by the mail that, although the King of Great Britain has left the army, he is not on that account out of the power of the Independents. This news has destroyed all the hopes the Scots have had, either of receiving their king here and by this means arranging their affairs, or at least to introducing some change into them by his departure from England, and the resolution he has taken is blamed in this country in terms little respectful. And, in fact, I venture to say he could not have taken a worse one, if we except that of coming here.
^ The king escaped from Hampton Court llth Nov. 1647.
1647] P- BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE 331
Lord Sinclair^^ who professes to be one of the followers of the King of Great Britain, was put under arrest in the Castle of Edinburgh last Saturday for having said and led others to say to David Leslie that he was a rogue, a traitor, and a perjurer in that he delivered up their king to the English, contrary to his promise that he would be in security in their army. Those who form the committee not only believed it to be a bad example to allow the habit to be taken of repeating here similar insults, and that it was also their interest not to allow the offence to remain unpunished. Some persons reproach David Leslie that having borne this affront with much patience, he has sought to avenge it in a manner not at all honourable for a person of his position. Yet as it had been decided upon that he was to receive several disgraces at the same time, he has resolved on declaring in a few days, an Englishwoman whom he has kept as his mistress till now to be his wife.
Newton Gordon has been condemned in spite of the pardon he had from the King of Great Britain. He is to be beheaded on Thursday next : Lord Balmerino proposed to attach the pardon to the head after the execution. Tliere will be a meeting of the Committee of Estates on Tliursday also.
CCXII p. BELLIEVRE TO BRIENNE
Londres, 9 Decembre l647. Monsieur, — Toutte la sepmaine derniere a este employee a deiiberer sur le lettre du roy d"'Angleterre et en fin conforme- ment a ce qui auoit este arreste en le chambre haute deux jours auparauant il fust resolu Samedy au soir en la basse, d'accorder le traicte personnel mais Ton desire que le diet Roy consente auant touttes choses que quatre propositions soient passees en forme de Loy lesquelles sont si ruddes quMl y a grand subiect de doubter qu'il les veuille accord er, principallement ne se voyant asseure de quoy que ce soit apres y auoir consenti, et peut estre que Ton n'a accorde si facillement que Ton a faict ce traite personnel, qu'affin de luy faire passer lesdictes pro- positions sans que le parlement soit en rien engage enuers luy, et qu'apres luy auoir lie les mains il soit en leur pouuoir de se retirer, sans rien conclure mais non pas sans auoir rien gaigner ayant reduict le diet Roy en beaucoup plus mauuaise condition que celle en laquelle il est. L'on luy demande qu'il reuoque toutes les declarations par luy faites contre le Parlement, qu'il consente que les tiltres et dignites qu''il a donne depuis qu'il est sorti de Londres soient annule, qu'il aban-
^ See vol. i. p. 126 and note.
332 P. BELIJ^VRE TO BRIENNE [dec.
donne a perpetuitte le gouuernement de la milice au Parle- ment et que le dit Parlement puisse estre transfere de cette ville en une autre touttes les fois quMl plaira aux Maisons de Fordonner, encore que le Roy se voullut resoudre d'accorder les trois premieres de ces propositions dans la creance qu'estant dans cette ville il les pourroit faire changer, la derniere ne luy permet pas de conceuoir une telle esperance, estant certain qu"'elle n^a este faict par ceux qui craignent le plus de voir le d* Roy reprendre de Taucthorite qu"'a dessein de lui en oster les moyens, par la faculte qu'ilz pretendent auoir d'esloigner le parlement de cette ville s''ilz s'appercoiuent que ledict Roy y acquiere tropt [sic] de credit pendant le sejourqu''il y fera ainsy que sellon toutes les apparences il y a lieu de se per- suader. La ville y est fort disposee et les Escossois persistent a soustenir ses interestz, ilz attendoient hier le retour d''un courrier qu'ilz ont secrettement enuoye vers luy pour en suitte, sellon la response qu'ilz auront faire quelque declaration en sa faueur, ilz auoient neantmoins resolu auant que de la faire, de donner encore un pappier pour demander que ledict Roy puisse venir sans condition en cette ville. Je ne scay si cette derniere resolution du Parlement ne fera point changer celles qu'ilz auoient prises, aussy bien que Tunion de Tarmee qui semble plus asseure que jamais, elle est toute soumise a ses chefz, sur- tout depuis qu'il a este ordonne de punir ceux des agitateurs qu''auoient presente requeste au parlement pour auoir justice de leurs officiers generaux a cause de la mort de celluy de leurs compagnons qui auoit este passe par les armes. Ilz se flattent neantmoins de la croyance qu'ilz ont ou que cette union n'est pas si parfaicte que Ton la diet ou qu'elle ne demeurera pas si longtemps que Ton pense. II est vray que les agitateurs y trauaillent sous main et sont appuyez de plusieurs de la maison basse et mesme Cromuel a tesmoigne Tapprehender mais il y a subiect de croire beaucoup des choses qui se passent sont faictes de concert et qu''ainsy que Cromuel ne veut pas leur accorder tant d'aucthorite qu'ils luy puissent faire perdre celle qu'il s'est acquise, aussy ne les veut il pas tellement abattre qu'il ne trouue moyen de se seruir d'eux quant il en aura de besoing. Jusques a ce que Ton sache quelle reponse le roy fera au message que Ton luy va enuoyer et les resolutions que prendront
1 647] P BELLI^VRE TO BRIENNE 333
les Escossois il est difficille de bien juger de la face que doiuent prendre les affaires. Auant hier on fit partir les officiers que le Parlement a ordonne pour seruir le Roy de la G. B. un tiers de moins qu"'il n'y auoit a Hampton court. Par la mesme raison que vous aues resolu de ne me faire Thonneur de m'escrire qu^une fois la sepmaine je prens aussy la liberte d'en user ainsy si ce n'est lorsque les affaires m'obligeront a me seruir de la commodite de deux courriers et comme les lettres qui partent le Lundy sont plus tost rendues que celles du Jeudy j"'ay choisi ce jour la pour vous faire receuoir les nouuelles plus prompte- ment quMl me sera possible. — Je suis. Monsieur, Vostre, etc.
P. DE Bellieure. Au dos — M. de Bellieure Grignon, du 9 decembre 1647, re9eu le 13.
[P. Beluevre to Bkienne. London, 9 Dec. 1647.
All, last week was taken up iii deliberating on the letter of the King of England, and at length, in accordance with what had been decided in the Upper House two days previously, it was decided on Saturday evening in the Lower House to grant the personal convention ; but it is wished that the king consent before anything else be "done to pass four proposals in the form of a law, which are so hard that there is great reason to doubt that he will consent to them, especially in view of seeing himself certain of nothing whatever after having consented to them, and it may be that this personal convention has but been granted so easily in order to induce him to pass these proposals without Parliament being therein in any way engaged towards him, and that after having tied his hands it may be in their power to withdraw without concluding anything, but not without having gained thereby in having reduced tlie king to a much worse con- dition than he was previously. He is asked to revoke all the declarations made by him against Parliament; to consent to the annulling of the titles and preferments he has given since he left London ; to renounce inde- finitely the direction of the militia and that Parliament may be transferred from this town to any other on every occasion it will please the Houses to order it. Tliough the king may decide to grant the three first pro- posals, in the belief that being in this town he could have them changed, the last one prevents him from thinking of it, and it has certainly been designed by those whose greatest fear is to see him regain his authority, with the intention of depriving him of the means of doing so, by the power they thereby expect of being able to remove the Pai-liament from this town if they perceive that the king acquires too great influence during the stay he will make here, as there is reason from every appear- ance to expect. The town is well disposed thereto and the Scots persist in supporting the king's interests. Tliey were expecting yesterday the
334 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [dec.
return of a messenger they had sent to him secretly in order thereafter^ according to the reply they may receive, to make a declaration in his favour : they had nevertheless decided before doing so to send again a paper to Parliament to demand that the king may be able to come, without any condition, to this town. I do not know but what this last resolution of Parliament will cause the Scots to change the decisions they had come to, or as to how it will aiFect the union of the army, which seems more assured than ever. It is quite submissive to its leaders, especially^since it was ordered to punish those of the agitators who had presented a petition to Parliament in order to obtain justice against their general officers, because of the death of one of their comrades who was executed. Yet some people flatter themselves with the belief that this union is not so complete as it is said, and that it will not last so long as others think. It is true that the agitators are at work underhand and that they are supported by several members of the Lower House, and that Cromwell even has manifested some apprehension of it, but there is reason to believe that many things that are done are concerted mutually, and that Cromwell will not grant to them so great authority as would enable them to deprive him of what he has acquired, also on the other hand he does not want to weaken them so much that there may be no means of his making use of them when he will require it. Until it is known what reply the king will make to the message they are going to send to him, and what resolutions the Scots will come to, it is difficult to judge exactly how the affairs may turn. The officers that Parliament has appointed to serve the King of Great Britain were sent off the day before yesterday : they are a third less in number than those he had at Hampton Court. For the same reason that you have decided to write to me but once a week, I take the liberty of doing the same unless it may be when matters will oblige me to take advantage of both mails, and as the letters that leave on Monday are delivered sooner than those of Thursday, I have selected the former day in order for you to have the news sooner.]
CCXIII MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimbour^, ^^- 1647.
*' lo Dec.
CoMME ron a remis a Jeudi prochain a deliberer sur les affaires de ce royaume en suite de ce qui se vient de passer en Angleterre, et que Ton ne pent encore ni prevoir ce qui y sera resolu ni juger mesme s'il s^ resoudra aucune chose, tant ceux qui ont le plus de part au gouvernement de cet etat sont abattus par la retraite de leur roi en Tlsle de Wight, et la confiance quMl a temoigne avoir aux Independants par cette action.
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 335
J'entretiendray seulement par celle-ci V. Em''^ d"'une pro- position qui m"'a este faite sur le sujet des levees, et luy diray que le Marquis d'Argyle estant venu me voirMercredi dernier, comme pour me temoigner qu'il se sentoit extremement oblige a V. Em*'® de la pension qu''il luy avoit pleu faire donner au Baron de Londy qui est de son nom et son parent, et pour desirer de moi que j'en remerciasse de sa part V. Em*^^, ce que son respect et Tignorance de notre langue Tempeschoient de faire. II tomba aussitost sur le sujet du regiment de M' le Chev'' Moray, et me representa avec beaucoup d'exageration, les avantages que reviendroient a Sa Majeste s''il estoit admis a sa garde, ainsy qu''il avoit este promis, que non seulement il seroit remis et entretenu au nombre d'hommes porte par la capitulation, mais encore que la France s''acquerroit par ce moyen tout ce quMl y a dans ce royaume de personnes con- siderables qui enverroient leurs enfants pour servir dans ce regiment comme en la meilleure ecole que puisse avoir la jeune noblesse de ce pays, et que luy Marquis d'Argyle tiendroit en ce cas a grand honneur de commander le dit regiment et d'avoir par ce moyen, aussy bien que le Due de Hamilton quelque dependance de la France, — que le S' Chev*" Moray en avoit assez de luy pour luy donner lieu de m'asseurer qu'il se contenteroit d''etre son lieutenant, et qu'il ne doutoit point sMl recevoit cet honneur de Sa Maj**, de remettre dans cet hiver le dit regiment au nombre d'hommes dont le feu Comte d'Irvine son frere estoit oblige de le faire. Je luy dis que les deux choses qui pouvoient contribuer davantage a faire accorder au dit regiment Tavantage qu''il luy desiroit, estoient sans doute qu''on le vit remis au nombre d'hommes porte par sa capitulation, et qu''une personne de sa condition voulut en demander le commandement, le S' Chey' Moray y consentant ; et j^ajoutay a cela toutes les choses que je crus pouvoir servir a luy faire connoistre que V. Em''® faisoit une estime particuliere de sa personne, et feroit toujours les choses qui pourroient estre de quelque avantage pour ses interets et pour ceux de tout le Royaume. Que je ne luy pouvois rien repondre de formel sur la proposition qu'il me faisoit, mais qu'encore que je creusse devoir parti d'ici dans peu de temps, pour aller en France, et luy pouvoir rendre quand j'y serois arrive, un
336 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [dec.
compte bien exact de ce qu'il desiroit de moi, je ne laisserois pas d'en ecrire par cet ordinaire a V. Em*^®, — ce qu''il me pria fort de vouloir faire.
J'ay pense, Monsg% que le mauvais etat ou se trouvent aujourd'huy en Angleterre le Presbyteriat et le covenant par lesquels le dit Marquis a subsiste jusqu^ici luy fait mal augurer pour luy de la fin de ces troubles, et croire qu'il pourra un jour avoir besoin d'une protection puissante comme celle de Sa Majeste, et peut estre encore d\me retraite asseuree. II se peut faire aussy que le peu d''empressement que je luy ay fait voir et a M. le Chev' Moray, depuis quelque temps pour de nouvelles levees, — par ce que je ne jugeois pas qu'il fut possible d'en obtenir, — et la crainte qu'ils ont eue. Tun et Tautre que je ne traitasse au printemps avec le Due de Hamil- ton pour un regiment, — que ces deux choses dis je, ont porte le dit Marquis a me faire cette ouverture, et qu*'il peut ne m'avoir fait une proposition, qu"'il juge luy mesme assez inutile, que pour rompre la correspondance qu'il croit estre entre le Due de Hamilton et la France, et que je suis oblige d'avouer que le Comte de Crawford son beau frere entretient en son absence par toute sorte de bons offices, en me faisant avertir fort soigneusement de ce qui se passe, et particulierement quand il eroit que Sa Majeste y peut prendre quelque sorte d'interet. Cela m'a fait douter si je devois dire quelque chose au dit Comte de la proposition que le Marquis d'Argyle m"'avoit faite, mais il m'a semble que V. Em'^® m'ayant donne ordre, avec beaucoup de raison, de me bien entretenir avec les deux, je ne devois pas donner moyen a Tun de me oster toute la confiance que je pouvois avoir aupres de Fautre ce qui pourroit arriver, puisque la haine qui est entre eux n'empesche pas qu''ils ne s'unisserd; et qu'ils n'agissent de concert toutes les fois qu'il y a lieu d''avancer leurs interets communs au prejudice d"'un troisieme. Outre qu'il m'a semble qu''ayant commence par proposer au Due de Hamilton de lever un regiment et le luy ayant propose, comme une chose utile a ses interets, il ne peut trouver mauvais que j''aie ecoute Toffre qui m'a este faite par un autre, et que j'ay promis de la faire savoir a V. Em*'^, aussi, Monsg"", est ce tout que je fais par cette lettre ; puisqu'outre que je doute que le Marquis d'Argyle
i647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 337
puisse accomplir presentement ce qu""!! propose, ou qu'il le veuille mesme faire avant la fin de ces troubles, quand il auroit le pouvoir, je crois quMl y a encore diverses raisions de la part de la France qui peuvent empescher qu'il n''obtienne Tavantage qu'il desire pour ce regiment, sans y comprendre le peu d'asseur- ance qu'il y auroit de commettre la garde de Sa Majeste a des personnes qui ont scu si mal garder leur propre roy.
Je joins a cette lettre une version des dernieres paroles du sieur Newton Gordon que Ton fit mourir Jeudi dernier et qu'il m'a semble qui meritoient d'estre veues de V. Em*'®. Comme il a reconnu que les satisfactions qu'il eut donnees aux ministres et au Comite ne lui eussent peu servir pour la conservation de sa vie, il a pris resolution de mourir genereusement, et ce que V, Em'^® entendra sans doute avec quelque sorte de satisfaction, il a pleu a Dieu qu'un bon pretre que j'ay mene de France avec moi, I'ait converti et luy ait donner I'absolution sur I'echafand mesme, — n'ayant peu entrer dans la prison, le jour de sa mort, — mais cela avec tant de bonheur qu'il n'a este veu que de deux Catholiques qui accompagnoient le dit Newton.
[MoNTEREUL to CARDINAL Mazarin. Edinburgh, ^° ^' 1647.
As the deliberation on the state of affairs of this kingdom in conse- quence of what has just taken place in England has been postponed till next Thursday, it is impossible to foresee what may be decided upon, nor even to judge if anything will be done then, so great is the discourage- ment of the most of those who direct the government through the departure of their king to the Isle of Wight and the confidence this action shows him to have in the Independents. I shall only mention to you in this letter a proposal that has been made to me on the subject of the levies and relate to you that the Marquis of Argyle having come to see me ou ^Vednesday last, ostensibly to tell me that he felt extremely obliged to you for the pension you have given the Baron Lundy,^ who is of his name and his relative, and to wish me to thank you on his part, which his self-respect and his ignorance of our language prevented him from doing himself, he immediately turned the conversation on the subject of Sir Robert Moray's regiment, and pointed out to me, with much exaggeration, the advantages that would accrue to his Majesty were he admitted into the number of his guards, as had been promised to him, that not only would the regiment be reinstated and kept up to the full
^ The name of Sir Colin Campbell of Lundy is found in the muster roll of the Scottish company of a hundred men of arms commanded by the Marquis of Huntly in France, 29th Oct. 1633.
vol.. II. Y
338 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [DEC.
complement of men required by its capitulation, but France would also acquire all the most important persons of this kingdom, who would send their children to serve in this regiment as the best school possible for the young nobility of this kingdom and which he. Marquis of Argyle, would consider in that case a great honour to command and by this means to have, as well as the Duke of Hamilton, some dependency on France. That his relations with Sir Robert Moray were such as to warrant him to assure me he would be satisfied in being his lieutenant, and that he did not doubt but that if he received this honour from his Majesty, he would be able to reorganise this regiment during the winter and keep it up to the full complement of men his brother the late Earl of Irvine was obliged to do. I told him that the two things that would most contribute to put this regiment in the state of efficiency he wished were, no doubt, its receiv- ing the full complement of men as given in its capitulation and that a person of his rank wished to ask the command of it, with the approval of Sir Robert Moray, and I thereupon added all I thought would serve to convince him of the regard you had for him personally, and that you would always be disposed to do what was most profitable for his interests and for those of all the kingdom, but that I could give no formal reply to the proposal he had made to me, and as I had some thought of leaving here in a short time to go to France I would be able to give him when there an exact account of what he wished from me, and I would not fail to write to you about it by this mail, which he begged me urgently to do.
It has occurred to me that the bad condition of Presbyterianism and the Covenant in England at present, through which the marquis has sub- sisted till now, leads him to augur badly for himself from the end of these troubles, and causes him to believe that he may one day require a protection as powerful as that of his Majesty and perhaps also a safe retreat. It may be also that the little alacrity I have shown both to him and to Sir Robert Moray since some time about new levies, for the reason that I judged it impossible to obtain any, and the fear they have had both that I might treat in spring with the Duke of Hamilton for a regiment, that those two things have led the Marquis to make this pro- posal to me and that he may but have made me a proposal which he judges to be useless in order to break off the correspondence which he believes to exist between the Duke of Hamilton and France, and which I must confess the Earl of Crawford keeps up in the duke's absence by various good offices, in keeping me minutely informed of what takes place and particularly when he believes his Majesty may take some interest in what happens. This makes me to doubt whether or not I ought to inform the earl of the proposal of the Marquis of Argyle, but it appears to me that you, having given me order, with great reason, to keep on good terms with them both, I ought not to give to the one the means of depriving me of all the confidence I might have with the other, which might happen, since the hatred that is between them does not pre- vent them from joining and acting together in concert on every occasion when there is any means of advancing their common interests to the
1 647] P- BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE 339
detriment of a third person. Besides, it seems to me that having begun by proposing to the duke to raise a regiment and having done so on the ground of its being profitable for his own interests, he cannot be oiFeuded at my listening to the offer made to me by another person and that I promise to transmit it to you, since this is all I do by this letter, since also, though I doubt much that the Marquis of Argyle can accomplish at present what he proposes and that he will be able to do so before the end of these troubles, when he would have the power to do so, I believe there are still diverse reasons on the part of France that may prevent him from obtaining the advantage he wishes for this regiment, without taking into account the little security there would be in intrusting the safe-keep- ing of his Majesty to persons who have so badly guarded their own king. I add to this letter a copy of the last words of Mr. Newton Gordon, who was put to death on Thursday last, and which seemed to me to merit being looked at. When he found that the concessions he had made to the clergy and the Committee would not avail him in saving his life, he resolved to die courageously, and you will learn no doubt with some satisfaction, it pleased God that a good priest whom I took from France with me having converted him * was able to give absolution on the scaffold — not being allowed to enter the prison on the day of his death — and this so successfully as only to be observed by two Catholics who accom- panied Newton.]
CCXIV
p. BELLIEVRE A BRIENNE
Londres, \6 December l647. Monsieur, — L'on a precede si lentement aux affaires qui se sont traittees icy les deux sepmaines demieres qu''il n'a pas este besoing d'escrire par tous les ord'®^ ce que j'^essayeraij de faire soigneusement lors qu'il se passera quelque chose dont ie croiray vous deuoir promptement informer. Ainsy que par ma derniere je vous escriuois que toute la sepmaine auoit este employee a resoudre le traicte personnel, cette derniere Ton n"'a faict autre chose qu'examiner les quatre propositions que Ton a faict arrester en forme de loy mais elles n'ont pas encore este resolues la plus grande difficulte qui si rencontre est sur
^ No great power of conversion was likely to have been wanted in this case, as the Marquis of Huntly and the chief men of his name in the north at that time, such as Lord Aboyne, the lairds of Craig, Gight, Abergeldie, Lesmore and Letterfourie, etc., were all Catholics. — See Book of Bon Accord, p. 229. Blakhal, in his ' Brieffe Narration,' p. 68, mentions the house of Gight as one of those in Aberdeenshire, where he was accustomed to visit and pass the night in order to say mass, confess and exhort Catholics.
340 P. BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE [dec.
Tarticle par lequel on veut que le Roy d'Angleterre reuoque les declarations qu'il a faictes contre le Parlement et sur celluy de la Milice que le Parlement pretend estre, en sorte que bien que Ton esuite le mot de perpetuite le gouuernement neant- moins soit pour demeurer tousiours entre leurs mains, et pour le premier ilz essaient de le coucher en telz termes que les dittes declarations et les protestations qu'elles contiennent estans annullees il ne reste plus au dit Roy de moien de contester Taucthorite du Parlement ou arguer de nuUite toutes les choses qu'il a faict et au contraire que tous ceux qui ont suiue le diet Roy demeurent criminelz, et quelques uns mesmes du Parlement si sont laisses entendre qu'ilz ne pretendoient pas excepter le diet Roy. Pourueu que ces deux articles soient passez ilz ne se mettent pas en peine du reste, se tenans asseurez de pouuoir empescher que le diet Roy ne prenne credit parmi eux par la faculte que Tune des propositions leur donne d"'adjourner le Parle- ment ou ilz voudront, leur pretention estantde s"'esloigner tousiours du diet Roy et se tenir auec Tarmee, et ilz assay eront aussy de faire que cette conferance tant demandee par leur Roy se fasse dans I'isle d'Wicth [sic]; de peur qu'il ne se puisse preualloir de Passist- ance qu'il tireroit a Londres de ses seruiteurs et de Taffection que la ville luy porte ou plus tost de Tinclination qu'elle apour voir ter- miner ces troubles qui font grand tort a son comerce. Je ne scay si le Roy d'Angleterre attend encore quelque chose de Tarmee, mais le traittement que Barclay y a receu estant charge d'une lettre de sa part au general ne donne pas lieu de le croire. Le general dit ne se pouuoir mesler de TafFaire, estant entre les mains du Parlement et plusieurs du conseil de guerre ou le general vouloit ouurir la lettre furent d''aduis d''enuoyer le porteur prisonnier au Parlement, qui est bien uny auec Tarmee, encore qu'il en ait receu depuis peu un message dont les termes sont un peu ruddes, mais il y a beaucoup d'apparance decroire qu'ilz sont bien d'accord, et que le Parlement faict escrire ainsy Parmee pour auoir plus de subiect de presser la ville pour sa subsistance et pour le paiement de ses arrerages.
L'aduantage que le parlement a remporte depuis peu en Irlande sur les confederez, dont la nouuelle se confirme, est un recontre qui ne sert pas aux affaires presentes du roy d'Angle- terre, car outre qu'il rend le parlement bien plus fier quil
1 647] P- BELLli:VRE TO BRIENNE 341
n''estoit Ton a enuoie icy des lettres de milord digbi, qui ont este prises en ce combat, qui font voir que le diet Roy a tousiours eu intelligence auec eux. Les Escossois ne se com- muniquent presque point ilz ne laissent pas de faire agir secrette- ment leurs amis dans la ville qui leur font esperer un parti considerable. Ilz font aussi rechercher les prouinces du nort d'Angleterre pour se joindre a eux, a Teffect de restablir leur Roy sans leur parler d"'autre chose. Ilz esuitent de me rien dire de leurs affaires mais ceux dont ilz se seruent croyent qu"'ilz ont un traicte auec le diet roy et esperent d'en voir dans peu des effects, mais il est difficille que les escossois seulz puissent faire quelque chose, n'ayans ny armes ny argent, s'ilz n"'en sont assistez. La ville de Londres a de Targent mais parcequ'elle fist cest este il est aise de juger qu*'elle ne se declarera pas la })remiere, sans voir une armee qui la puisse garentir de danger euident auquel elle s^exposeroit en ce cas. Ilz voudroient bien que TEscosse les sollicitat pour auoir d''elle ce qu''ilz ont peine d''esperer dailleurs, mais outre que ie n'ay garde de le faire sans ordre, s"'il y a quelque chose a faire auec eux, j^ose prendre la liberte de dire qu''il semble plus auantageux que ce soit en leur accordant les conditions qu'ilz demanderont qu''en leur en offrant de la part de TEscosse, a laquelle ilz auront obligation au premier cas, au lieu qu'ilz se pourroient rendre plus difficilles a traitter s'ilz se voyoient recherchez. Je suis, Monsieur, Vostre, etc., P. de Bellieure.
Au dos — M. de Bellieure Grignon, du l6 decembre l647, receu le 25.
[P. Bellievre to Brienne. London, 16 Dec. 1647-
The matters treated of here during the last two weeks have proceeded so slowly that I did not require to write by every mail, which I shall do carefully whenever anything takes place of which I consider you ought to be promptly informed. Thus in my last I wrote to you that all the week had been taken up with deciding on the personal convention. Dui'ing this last they have done nothing but examine the four proposals that have been drawn up in the form of a law, but which have not been voted ; tlie greatest difficulty being with the article by which the King of England is required to revoke the declarations he has made against Parliament and on that of the militia which Parliament insists upon, so as that, although they avoid the word perpetual, the direction of it piay always remain in their hands ; and as regards the first they try to express it in such terms that the declarations referred to, and the protestations
342 P. BELLi:feVRE TO BRIENNE [dec.
they contain, being annulled, there may remain to the king no other means of disputing the authority of Parliament or of pleading the nullity of all the things it has done, and whereby, on the contrary, all those who have followed the king may remain criminal and some members of Parliament even gave one to understand that they did not mean to exempt the king therefrom. Provided these two articles pass they will not be anxious about the rest, considering themselves certain of being able to prevent the king from obtaining influence among them by the power one of the proposals gives them of adjourning Parliament when they like, their pretension being to withdraw always from the king and to keep with the army, and they will also try to arrange that this conference, which has been so much demanded by the king, be held in the Isle of Wight, for fear he may be able to avail himself of the assistance he might obtain in London from his followers and from the affection the town has for him, or rather from the wish it has to see the end of these troubles, that do gi:eat harm to its commerce. 1 do not know whether or not the King of England still expects anything from the army, but the treatment Berkeley met with in going with a letter on his part to the general does not give one reason to think so. The general says he cannot interfere in the matter it being in the hands of the Parliament and several of the Council of War, where the general wished to open the letter, were of opinion to send the bearer prisoner to Parliament, which is quite in accord with the army, although it received lately a message from the latter in somewhat severe terms, but there is great likelihood in be- lieving them to be quite agreed, and that Pai-liament induces the army to write in such terms, in order to have more reason to press the town in order to provide for its subsistence and for the payment of its arrears. The advantage Parliament has recently obtained in Ireland over the Confederates, of which the news has been confirmed, does not profit the present state of the King of England's affairs, for not only does it render Parliament more haughty than it was, but the letters of Lord Digby that were captured in this combat have been sent here and show that the king has still an understanding with them. The Scots are very little com- municative, yet they cause their friends to act secretly in the town, who give them hopes of forming an important party. They are also making efforts to induce the northern counties of England to join with them in order to restore their king, without mentioning anything else. They avoid speaking to me of their affairs, yet those whom they employ believe them to have a treaty with their king, and they hope to see the effects of it soon ; but it will be difficult for the Scots alone to do anything, as they have neither arms nor money, if they are not assisted. The city of London has money, but, on account of what happened this summer, it is easy to judge that it will not be the first to declare itself, without seeing an army that would be able to guarantee it against the evident danger to which it would in that case be exposed. They of the city would like Scotland to apply to them,* in order to obtain from her what they could with difficulty hope to find anywhere else ; but besides that I would take care not to do it without order, were there anything to be done with those
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 343
of the city, I venture to observe it would seem more advantageous in treating to grant them the conditions they may demand than to offer them any conditions on the part of Scotland to which they would thus in the first instance become obliged, whereas were they sought after they might become more difficult to treat with.]
ccxv
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimbourg, - Dec. l647.
NoN seulement il ne se resoudit rien d'importance dans le Comite qui se tint ici, Jeudi dernier, mais il ne s""}^ prit mesme aucune resolution sur quelque affaire que ce pent estre, tant les Ecossois se trouvent deconcertes par la resolution qu"'a prise le roi de la G' B"". Les ministres de ce royaume y presenterent la copie d'une lettre qu"'ils ont envoyee aux deputes quMls ont a Londres, et que je n"'ay peu encore voir, mais qui fait assez voir, a ce qu''on m'a dit, les mauvais sentiments qu"'ils ont pour leur roi, pour la monarchie, puisqu'ils ordonnent a ceux qui sont en Angleterre de tenir ferme pour leur covenant, et qu'ils leur font entendre en termes un peu plus converts, qu''ils se doivent plustot relascher pour ce qui regarde les interets de leur roy, sMls ne se peuvent accorder avec ceux de leur religion. Le Due de Hamilton qui avoit bien preveu qu'il ne se feroit aucune chose dans le dit Comite, n'est pas seulement revenu de la campagne ou il s''est tenu la plus grande partie de cet hiver, afin de rejeter sur les autres Tennui de ce que se passe ici, soit dans les executions sanglautes qui s''y sont faites, et qui irretent tous ceux a qui il reste encore quelque peu de bonne volonte pour leur roi, ou dans les nouvelles impositions que Ton met, et qui offensent tout le peuple.
Le Marquis d'Huntley a este pris dans le province de Stradoune en une maison appelle d'Elnabow, par Meiznis, Lieut.-Colonel du Marquis d'Argyle son beau frere, apres avoir este trahi par ceux de son propre parti. My Lord Gordon son fils aine s^est trouve lors eloigne de luy fort heureusement. On le tient presentement en sa principale maison de Strathbogie, d''ou on le doit conduire en cette ville, ou les opinions sont partagees touchant le traitement qu'il y recevra. Ses amis veulent qu'etant pair du royaume, on ne puisse le juger qu'au Pari*, ou ils croyentque le Due de Hamil-
344 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [dec;
ton prevaudra, et s'imaginent que son parti fera tous ses efforts pour le sauver. lis joignent a cela que le Marquis d'Argyle son beau frere, mais son plus grande ennemi, se trouvera oblige par son propre interet de travailler a sa con- servation, puisqu'il se fait donner la jouissanee de son bien durant la vie du dit Marquis d'Huntley, — ce qu''ils appellent ici avoir son escheat, — de sorte qu'il luy importe de le faire vivre autant qu'il sera possible. Mais ceux qui sont dans les interets de ce Parlement et qui semblent mieux juger des affaires disent, que son proces luy a este fait avant qu'il fut pris, quand il a este declare traitre a cet Etat, et indigne de pardon, et qu'on pourroit mesme le mener sur Techafaud sans le faire entrer dans la prison, — qu'il ne pent pas demander d'estre juge par le Parlement puisque le Parlement mesme Ta degrade de la noblesse qui luy eut peu donner cet avantage, et que le Marquis d'Argyle qui possede son bien durant sa vie sera plus aise de Tavoir ou durant celle de my Lord Gordon, ou a perpetuite, ainsy qu'il se le pent faire donner aussi aise- ment. lis ajoutent a cela que le peuple et les Barons de ce royaume qui ont veu mourir diverses personnes de leur rang, ne voudront pas permettre que les seigneurs se sauvent des loix a la rigueur desquelles on soumet ceux de leur condition, et qu'il n'y a point d'apparence qu''on luy donne la vie immedi- atement apres qu'on a fait mourir des gentilshommes, princi- palement parce qu'ils Tavoient suivi. Ce sont, Monsg', les divers jugements que Ton fait touchant le salut ou la perte de ce Marquis, et que j"'eusse peu me passer de representer si particulierement a V. Em''®, mais ce que je crois estre bien oblige de luy dire est que si le dit Marquis se trouve en quelque danger, comme il y sera asseurement, je prevois que je seray presse de faire office au nom du roy pour le sauver, ce qu''on attendra d'autant plus de moi qu'outre qu''il se trouve engage dans le service de Sa Majeste, j'ay encore este traite fort civilement par ceux qui luy touchent de plus pres, de sorte, Monsg% que j'ay mieux aime demander inutilement a V. Em'^® de quelle sorte je me devois conduire en cette rencontre, que de manquer a avoir receu ses ordres, si ce que je presuppose et ce que je crains bien fort arrivoit. Car encore que je prevoye que toutes les instances que Ton pourra faire pour le sauver
i647] ]MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 345
seront inutiles, si Ton a resolu de le perdre, peut estre que V. Em*^® jugera qu'il ne laissera pas d"'estre honnete de les faire, pour une personne de si haute condition qui est en peine pour avoir voulu servir son roy, bien qu'il Tait fait malheureusement, est qui est encore attache au service de Sa Majeste, en quoy toutefois je ne pense pas qu''il soit impossible de se conduire de telle sorte que sans offenser ce Parlement on satisfera a ses amis et au parti de la roy de la G*' B% de quis je puis dire toutefois a V. Em°® qu"'il n"'est pas extremement regrette. Je ne sais mesme, Monsg', si une lettre du roy pour appuyer les offres que Ton feroit ne seroit point a propos, de laquelle on se serviroit seulement si Ton voyoit que le nom de Sa Maj** peut estre employe avec effet, de quoi j''ai beaucoup sujet de douter. II y a encore une chose dont je crois, Mg', estre oblige de vous avertir par avance, e'est que la place que le Marquis d'Huntley a en France sera enviee de beaucoup de personnes, de sorte que s"'il y a lieu de la remplir, on pourroit en obligeant avec cette charge le plus grand seigneur de ce royaume, le faire encore obliger en la luy donnant a envoyer un nouveau regiment en France. Je ne puis m''empescher de dire a V. Em*^ avant que finir une chose qui n'est veritable- raent d'aucune importance, mais qui est toutefois assez re- marquable, que le Marquis d''Huntley etant ne dans un pays ou rignorance a produit de tout temps beaucoup de devins, et s"'etant attache des ses premieres annees a cette plus vaine partie des Mathematiques qui par Tinspection des astres enseigne a juger de la fortune des hommes, s"'est persuade qu''il avoit une entiere connaissance de ce qui luy devoit arriver, de sort quMl a toujours bien espere de ses affaires parce qu'il estoit asseure qu'il seroit dans sa maison avant la fin de cette annee, d'ou il devoit entrer a Edimbourg plus considere de tout le monde qu'il n'avoit este jusqu'ici, — ce qu'il a dit a beaucoup de ceux qui Pont veu depuis qu'il s'est retire dans les montagnes, — et ce que j'ay oui dire moi mesmes cet et6 a son troisieme fils my Lord Charles, qui apres nous avoir dit beaucoup de choses que ce Marquis avoit connues avant qu'elles fussent arrivees, ajoutoit, plaisamment pour un enfant, qu'il auroit jure qu'il estoit sorcier s'il n'avoit pas este son pere.
346 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [dec.
[MoNTEREUL to CARDINAL Mazarin. Edinburgh, ~ Dec. 1647.
Not only was there nothing of importance decided upon in the meeting- of Committee held on Thursday last^ but there was no resolution even proposed on any matter whatever, so profoundly are the Scots discon- certed by the resolution the King of Great Britain has taken. The clergy of the kingdom presented to it the copy of a letter they had sent to the Commissioners in London, which I have not yet been able to see, but I am told it testifies to their bad feeling towards their king and towards the monarchy, since they order those who are in England to hold firmly for their Covenant, and let them understand in an indirect manner that they ought rather to yield in what concerns their king, if they cannot other- wise agree with those of their religion. The Duke of Hamilton, who had well foreseen that there would be nothing done at the meeting of Com- mittee, did not even return from the country, where he has remained the greater part of this winter, in order to leave to others the annoyances that are here at present, either in the bloody executions that are going on, that irritate all those who still retain some good-will for their king, or in the new taxes that are introduced, which offend all the people.
The Marquis of Huntly was taken in the district of Strathdowne in a house called Elnabow[?] by Lieut. -Colonel Menzies of the Marquis of Argyle, his brother-in-law's regiment, after having been betrayed by his own people. Lord Gordon,^ his eldest son, was then, very fortunately, away from him. The marquis is at present confined in his principal resi- dence of Strathbogie, whence he is to be brought to this town, where opinions are divided regarding the manner he will be treated. His friends pretend that being a peer of the kingdom he can only be judged by Parliament, in which they believe the Duke of Hamilton will prevail, and imagine that his party will employ all their efforts to save him. They also add that the Marquis of Argyle, his brother-in-law, but his greatest enemy, will find himself obliged through his own interest to aid in saving his life, since he has been able to obtain usufruct of the Marquis of Huntly's property during the latter's life, what is called here having his escheat, so that it concerns him to have it prolonged. But those in the interest of this Parliament, and who seem better able to judge of business, say that his process has been already gone through, before he was taken prisoner, when he was declared to be a traitor to this state, and unworthy of pardon, and that he could be led to the scaffold without being even made to enter prison, that he cannot demand to be judged by Parliament since Parliament has even degraded him from the ranks of the nobility, that might have given him that advantage, and that the Marquis of Argyle who possesses his property during his life will be more satisfied to have it either during the lifetime of Lord Gordon or absolutely, as it will be equally easy for him to procure it. They add also that the people and the gentry of this kingdom who have seen several persons of their rank
^ Lord Aboyne. See note, vol. i. p. 46.
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 347
put to death would not allow the great nobles to break the laws, to the rigour of which those of their rank are obliged to submit, after they had put to death some gentlemen, principally because they had followed him. ITiose are the various judgments that are formed regarding the safety or the loss of this marquis, and which I might have refrained from indicating to you so minutely ; but what I believe myself obliged to tell you is, that if this marquis be in some danger, as he will be assuredly, I foresee that I shall be urged to interfere officially in the king's name in order to try and save him ; which will be all the more readily expected from me, that besides his being in the service of his Majesty, I have also been very politely treated by those who are closely related to him, so that I preferred to ask your orders, even though it be to no purpose, as to what manner I ought to act in this circumstance, rather than to fail in receiving your orders, if what I assume and what I very much fear should happen. For whilst I foresee that all the efforts that may be made to save him will be useless, if it be resolved to put him to death, yet perhaps you will judge it to be only becoming to make the attempt for a person of so high condi- tion who is in trouble on account of having wished to serve his king, although he has done it so very lucklessly, and who still holds an im- portant position in the service of his Majesty, in which, however, I do not think it impossible to act in such a manner, that without offending this Parliament one will satisfy his friends and the party of the King of Great Britain, by whom I may however say to you he is not extremely regretted. I do not know even if a letter from the king, in order to support the offers one might make, would be suitable, of which one would only make use were it seen that the name of his Majesty might be employed with effect, which I have much reason to doubt. There is also another matter which I think right to mention to you beforehand. It is that the position the Marquis of Huntly has in France will be wished for by many persons, so that if it be decided to till it up, one might in return for that dignity oblige the greatest noble of this kingdom to send a new regiment to France. I cannot refrain from mentioning to you before finishing a matter which is not really of much importance, but simply a little curious. The Marquis of Huntly, being born in a country in which ignorance has always produced a large number of soothsayers, has from his youth been an adept in that somewhat trivial branch of mathematics that teaches to judge of people's fortunes by the study of the stars, and has pei"suaded himself that he had a complete knowledge of what was to happen to him, so that he has always been very hopeful in his transactions, thus he was certain he would be in his house before the end of this year, whence he was to go to Edinburgh more considered by every one than he had been till now. He told this to many of those he saw while he was retired in the High- lands, and last summer I heard myself his third son. Lord Charles,* after having related many things that this marquis had known before they had happened, he added with an amusing sally for a child : ' I would certainly have taken him for a wizard had he not been my papa.']
^ Created Lord Gordon of Strathavon and Earl of Aboyne in 1680.
348 P. BELLlfeVRE TO BRIENNE [dec.
CCXVI
P. BELLIEVRE A BRIENNE
A Londres, le 23' Decembre 1647. Monsieur, — L'on a cy-deuant doubte si la mesintelligence qui estoit entre les chefz de Tarmee estoit feinte ou veritable ; mais quoy qu'il en ait este, on les tient a present bien unis, soit qu'il n'y ait pas eu de peine a faire ce qui estoit desia, soit comme il y a plus lieu de croire que leur interest les y fait obligez, voians les Presbiteriens reprendre quelque credit pend- ant leur diuision, en sorte qu'ilz auroient peu leur tenir teste, voire mesme se rendre les maistres, s'ilz ne si opposoient de bonne heure, mais la preuention que les Seigneurs ont eu de faire descharger les sept de leurs confreres qui sont sous la verge noire de Taccusation contre eux, faicte tient en mesme temps la demande de la ville pour faire sortir son antien maire et les autres qui ont este mis avec luy dans la tour, joinct quelques pratiques dans la ville qui ne luy ont pu estre tout a faict cachees, leur ont faict penser a ne les pas laisser aller plus auant, et pour cet effect, sous pretexte de presser le payement des trouppes, ilz songent a s"'approcher de cette ville pour essayer de faire sortir du Parlement tous ceux qui leur sont encore suspectz, ce qui se pourroit bien resoudre au conseil qui se tient aujourdhuy a Winhsurs [Windsor] sur le peu qu'ilz ont faict pour le roy d'Angleterre lors mesme qu'ilz n'estoient pas establis comme ilz sont ne luy doit pas faire esperer grand chose maintenant. II tesmoigne neantmoins estre content ou il est, et mesme faict scauoir a ses seruiteurs qui sont en cette ville, qui luy promettent beaucoup de la part des habitans, qu'ilz n'eussent rien a faire de peur de nuire a ses desseins, les priant de conseruer tousiours leur bonne volonte pour la faire paroistre quant il sera temps. Les Escossois veullent faire croire qu'ilz feront quelque chose auec luy, ilz luy auoient pour cet effect enuoye le comte de Trakoire qui Ta fort entre- tenu et en retourna hier bien satisfFaict a ce que disent ses amis, bien qu''ilz ne sachent pas encore ce qu''il rapporte, n"'ayant parle qu''aux Commissionnaires qui se rendirent tous chez luy a son arriuee. Cependant on parle icy d'enuoyer au Roy d'Angleterre les quatre propositions dont on ne s'estoit
1 647] P- BELLli:VRE TO BRIENNE 349
voulu presser de crainte que le diet Roy ne les acceptant, quelques rudes qu"'elles fussent, mais a presant que Ton diet qu'il a faict entendre a ceux qui sont pres de luy, qu''il ne les voulloit pas aceorder, et que mesme depuis qu'il a seeu qu'elles auoient este resolues, il a escrit au parlement insistant au traicte personnel sans en faire mention. Les autheurs de ces propositions pressent fort qu'elles luy soient portees, ay ant faiet resoudi-e sur cette derniere lettre du roy qu''auant toutes ehoses, il les passeroit en forme de loy et qu'en suitte Ton traitteroit auec luy dans Tisle d''Wiek [sic], mais il y a appar- enee qu'il ne sera point pris de resolution sur Tenuoy des d. propositions que Ton ne sache ce que fera Tarmee en suitte du conseil de ee jour que Ton diet qu'elle pourroit bien eon- tinuer a tenir encore demain veu la quantite de ehoses que si douient traitter. — Vostre, ete., P. de Bellieure.
[P. Bellivere to Brienne. London, 23 Dec. 1647. It was doubted formerly whether the misunderstanding among the leaders of the army was assumed or real ; but, however it may have been in the past, they are at present considered to be very united^ either from there being no difficulty in effecting what had already existed, or^ as there is more reason to believe, from their interest having obliged them to come to it, seeing the Presbyterians were regaining influence during their divi- sion, so as to be able not only to cope with them, but to become their mas- ters, were they not to oppose it in time ; but the preventive measure of the Lords in releasing seven of their number, who were accused and held under arrest by Black Rod, and their upholding at the same time the demand made by the city for the release of its previous mayor and those who are confined with him in the Tower, this, together with some intrigues in the city that may not have been kept quite secret, have made those of the army think they ought not to allow matters to go further ; and, for this purpose, under pretext of insisting on the payment of their troops, they think of approaching the town, which will probably be settled in the council they are holding to-day at Windsor, — in order to expel from Parliament all those they consider suspect, on account of the little they have done for the King of England, when they even were not established as they are now, which is not calculated to give much hope to the king at present. This latter not- withstanding shows himself to be satisfied where he is, and even informs his followers in this town, who make great promises on the part of the in- habitants, that there is nothing for them to do, for fear of their injuring his plans, begging them still to retain their good-will, in order to manifest it when it would be required. The Scots wish it to be believed they will do something with him : they have for that purpose sent to him the Earl of Traquair, who has had a long interview with him, and returned yesterday very satisfied, according to what his friends say, although they do not yet
350 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [dec.
know whathe has brought back, having merely spoken to the commissioners who were going to his house to see him on his arrival. ^ However, they speak here of sending the four proposals to the King of England, which they had not wished to insist upon for fear of the. king accepting them, however hard they might be ; but at present, when it is said he has made those near him to understand that he would not grant them, and that even since he has been informed of their resolution to send them, he has written to Parliament insisting on having a personal convention with- out making mention of these proposals, their authors press strongly that they be taken to him, having resolved on the last letter from the king that he should first of all pass them in the form of a law, and that after- wards they would treat with him in the Isle of Wight ; but there is some likelihood that they will not decide to send these proposals until it be known what the army may do as the result of the council held to-day, which it is said may be continued again to-morrow, because of the quan- tity of matters to be treated of.]
CCXVII
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN.
Ediinboiirg, -"* Decembre 1647. Les lettres de Londres arriverent si tard par le precedent ordinaire que tout ce que je pus faire, il y a huit jours, fut d'accuser la reception de celle de V. Em"® me fit Thonneur de m'ecrire le 29 du mois passe, et en reponse de laquelle je luy diray, que M. le Due de Hamilton n''etant point revenu de la campagne, ou je Taurois veu sans la crainte des jalousies que cela auroit peu donner, j'ay dit a M' le Comte de Crawford en son absence, que m'etant donne Thonneur d'ecrire un mot en termes generaux a V. Em''® de ce qui touchoit la pension du Due son beau frere, V. Em®® me mandoit qu''elle auroit un soin par- ticulier de tout ce qui pourroit regarder ses interets, — ce qu'il auoit pleu k V. Em®® de m^crire en des termes qui estoient accompagnes de tant de temoignages d'une particuliere affec- tion que j 'a vols creu qu'il ne seroit pas impossible a M. le Due de Hamilton de tirer mesme presentement les arrerages de sa pension, pourvu qu''il donnat a V. Em®® quelques jours pour le
^ What the Scots represented to the king at this juncture was that -if he agreed to the four articles which the English parliament proposed in order to enter into a personal treaty with him, it would be granting more than was fit or just, and would be an entire resignation of his regal authority, rather than which they said ' it were better for him to make some further steps in giving Scotland full contentement anent their reformation, in which case they would undertake the whole kingdom should engage for his restoration.'
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 351
pouvoir faire, — ce qui luy seroit facile s''il entreprenoit, comme nous en avions deja parle de faire passe en France un regiment pendant cet hiver. Sur quoi le Comte de Crawford me fit reponse, que si les affaires de ce royaume pouvoient avoir quelque etablissement avant la tenue de ce Parlement, il ne doutait point que M. le Due de Hamilton ne contribuoit de tout son pouvoir a faire passer en France un regiment, et que cela ne se trouvast assez facile, mais qu"'il n"'y avoit aucune apparence que cela se pent faire maintenant, et qu'il avoit des choses bien eloignees de cela a me dire, — qu'un homme du Comte de Traquair estoit arrive depuis peu d''heures, par lequel le Comte de Lanark luy ecrivit que le roi de la G' B'' estoit plus etroitement garde qu"'il avoit este jusqu^ici ; que selon toutes les apparences les Independants alloient faire les demiers efforts pour le miner, et quMl croyoit que tout ce qu'il y avoit de personnes d'honneur en leur nation se mettroient en devoir de le conserver, pourvu que les anciens amis les y assistassent, que la cause du roy de la G^ B' estoit celle de tous les roys, et qu'ils esperoient de les obliger tous a le secourir, s'ils se mettoient en etat de le defendre ; et entre tous les autres, Sa Majeste qui devoit estre portee par les liens du sang a appuyer les interets de leur roy, et par la memoire d'une longue alliance d''assister leur royaume en ce dessein.
Je luy repondis selon ce que V. Em*'^ m'a ordonne, qu'ils vissent ce que la France pouvoit faire pour leur roi, et pour eux, et qu'ils recevroient d'elle toutes les assistances possibles et raisonnables. Nous n''avons pas besoin d'^hommes, me dit il, et nous nous pouvons encore bien passer d"'argent, quoiqu'il nous fut assez necessaire, mais nous avons besoin de notre prince. Faites que la France nous le donne, et vous obligerez cette fois des hommes plus sages, plus justes, et plus reconnoissants que ceux que vous avez rencontres en Tarmee d'Ecosse, quand vous avez dispose le roi son pere a y venir. C^est, Monsg*", ce que me dit le Comte de Crawford, et comme il se pressa assez de me le dire, il me pressa bien fort aussi d'y repondre, de sorte que je fus oblige de lui repartir que je ne lui pouvois rendre aucune reponse sur une chose que je n''avois point eu lieu jusqu''ici de proposer, mais que je croyois lui pouvoir encore dire qu'il leur seroit toujours aise de porter la France a faire les choses qui seroient raisonnables et que lui seroient possibles, qui se trou-
362 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [dec.
veront en mesme temps utiles a leurs interets et a ceux de leur roi, et qui seroient desirees par le Due son frere et par lui, et je changeai de propos le plustot qu'il me fut possible afin de ne pas obliger a faire cette proposition a V. Em*'® et de lui en rendre reponse, sur quoy V. Em*^ sait assez quels doivent estre les sentiments d'une personne qui doit connoistre les Ecossois, et qui souhaite quelque bien au roi de la G' B"".
Et en effet, Monsg', bien que les principales personnes de ce royaume parlent presque comme fait le Comte de Crawford, et qu'ils soient bien aises de temoigner qu'ils veulent faire pour le salut de leur roi, ce qu'ils prevoient qu'ils seront obliges de faire, ou pour retirer Targent qui leur est deu en Angleterre, — ce qui est un puissant motif de guerre a des peuples in- teresses et necessiteux, — ou pour leur propre conservation, et pour prevenir le mal qu"'ils ont tout sujet d''attendre; leurs actions repondent si peu a leurs paroles que Ton n"'a presque point de fondement des"'y arreter, puisqu''ils demeurent toujours fermes a demander que leur roy approuve leur covenant et abolisse les evesques, et qu'ils veulent avant que le servir qxi'ii ruine le parti qui a plus dMnteret et de passion pour son retab- lissement, et qui est aujourd'huy le plus considerable, si ce n'est pas en pouvoir au moins en nombre, dans TAngleterre.
Nous avons appris aussi par le dernier expres qui est venu ici de Londres que le Chev"" Berkeley y avoit dit que le roi de la G"^ B' avoit intention d'aller a Jersey quand il est sorti de Hampton Court, et que ce voyage ne s'est point fait du tout de concert avec les Independants, ce qui n'est pas toutefois bien probable, et qui pourroit nuire davantage a ce Prince aupres les dits Independants que lui servir aupres des Pres- byteriens et des Ecossois. On a seu encore par la mesme voie que le sieur GofFe a dit beaucoup de douceurs aux deputes d'Ecosse de la part de la reine de la G"" B"^ et leur a temoigne que cette princesse desire mettre sa principale confiance en ceux de leur nation. II semble qu'ils ne pensent encore a rien davantage qu'aux moyens qu''ils peuvent avoir pour tirer le dit roi de Tlsle de Wight.
II n'y a presque point lieu d'esperer que le Marquis d'Huntley se puisse sauver. On a arreste qu'il seroit mis dans la prison de cette ville et non pas dans le Chateau, et qu'il entreroit a pied et sans chapeau dans Edimbourg.
i647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 35^
[MoNTEREUL to CARDINAL Mazarin. Edinburgh, ^ Dec. 1647.
The letters from London by the last mail were delivered so late eight days ago, that 1 had no time then to do more than acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 29th ult., and in reply to which I have to say that the Duke of Hamilton, not having returned from the country, where I would have gone to see him had I not been afraid of the jealousies it might have caused, I told the Earl of Crawford in his absence that having written to you in general terms regarding the annuity of the duke, his brother-in- law, you had informed me you would take particular care of everything that could aiFect his interests, which you had written to me in terms con- veying so many indications of a particular affection, that I was convinced it would not be impossible to the Duke of Hamilton to obtain, at present, even the arrears of his annuity, provided he allowed you a ievr days in order to be able to do it, which would be easy for you, were he to undertake what we had already spoken about to send a regiment over to France during this winter. On which the Earl of Crawford gave me the following reply : that if the affairs of this kingdom could be in any way established before the opening of this Parliament, he did not doubt but that the Duke of Hamilton would do all in his power to send over a regiment, although it might not be easy ; but that there was no likelihood that it could be done now, and that he had some things very different from that to tell me : that a man from the Earl of Traquair had arrived a few hours ago, by whom the Earl of Lanark wrote to say that the King of Great Britain was more closely guarded than he had ever been till now, that according to all appearances the Independents were going to make their last efforts in order to destroy him, and that he believed all the persons of honour in their nation would consider it their duty to preserve him, provided their old friends would assist them in it ; that the cause of the King of Great Britain was that of all the kings, and that they hoped to oblige them all to assist him if they placed themselves in a position to defend him, and among all the others his Majesty, who ought to be led by the ties of blood to support the interests of their king, and by the recollection of a long alliance, to assist their kingdom in this design.
I replied to him what you have ordered me, that they would see what France could do for their king and for them, and that they would receive from her every assistance possible and reasonable.
We do not want men, he told me, and we can also do without money, although it was somewhat wanted, but we want our prince. Let France give him to us and you will oblige this time wiser men, more just and more grateful than those you met in the Scottish army when you disposed the king his father to come to them. This is what the Earl of Crawford said to me, and as (he was in haste to tell it to me) he insisted very earnestly for a reply so that I was obliged to say I could not give him any reply on a matter I have not had occasion till now to propose, but that I still thought I could say to him that it would be easy for them to lead France to do what was reasonable and which would be possible and at the same
VOL. II. Z
p. BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE [dec.
time useful to their interests and to those of their king and wished for by the duke his brother and by him ; and I changed the subject as soon as possible, so as not to be obliged to make this proposal to you and to return to him your reply ; on which you know well enough what must be the sentiments of a person who ought to know the Scots, and who wishes well to the King of Great Britain. And although indeed the principal persons of this kingdom speak almost as the Earl of Crawford does and are glad to show that they wish to act for the safety of their king, which they anticipate they will be obliged to do either in order to get the money that is due to them in England, which is a powerful motive of war with selfish and needy people, or for their own safety and in order to ward off the evil they have every reason to expect ; their actions are so little in keeping with their words that one has scarcely any ground to stand upon with them since they continue firm in requiring their king to sanction their Covenant and abolish the bishops, thus wishing him, before they serve him, to destroy the party that has the greatest interest and the strongest desire for his re-establishment, and which is to-day the most considerable if not in power, at least in number, in England.
We have also learned by the last express that has arrived here from London that Sir John Berkeley ^ had said there that the King of Great Britain had the intention of going to Jersey when he left Hampton Court, and that this journey was not at all made in concert with the Indepen- dents, which is not, however, quite probable as it was more calculated to injure that prince in view of the Independents than to serve him with the Presbyterians or the Scots. We have also learned through this same channel that Mr. Goffe ^ has been complimenting the Scottish Com- missioners in London on the part of the Queen of Great Britain, and has stated to them that this princess wishes to put her principal trust in those of their nation. It seems they still think of nothing more than of the means they may have for getting their king away from the Isle of Wight.
There is scarcely any reason to hope that the Marquis of Huntly can be saved. It has been decided that he be lodged in the to\wi prison and not in the castle, and that he will enter Edinburgh on foot and bare- headed.]
CCXVIII p. BELLi:fcVRE A BRIENNE
A Londres, le 30 Decembre 1647 Monsieur, — Dans le dernier rendes vous de Tarmee les officiers generaux ne firent pas touttes les choses dont ilz auoient parle au- parauant mais ils en firent une qu'ils estiment, et qui est en effect
^ Tutor to the Duke of York, '^ Of the Queen's Household.
1 647] P- BELLI^VRE TO BRIENNE 866
aussy importante qu^aucune autre, qui est de s''asseurer de tous leurs soldatz contre le roy d"'Ang''^, et faire voir leur puissance par Tunion qui est entre eux et par la bonne intelligence qu''ilz ont auec le parlement, lequel pour n'auoir rien qui luy puisse faire ombrage, sous pretexte d''un dessein descouuert il y a huict jours, que Ton croit auoir este controuue a cette fin, a ordonne que tous ceux qui ont suivy le Roy de la G. B. et tous les catho- licques sortiront auant jeudy prochain, et n'approcheront de vingt milles de Londres. Les commissaires du Parlement, qui sont les mesmes qui estoient cy deuant pres du d* Roy, partent aujourd'huy pour luy porter les quatre propositions et luy faire entendre que s"'il refuse de les accorder que le Parlement auisera a ce qui sera a faire, sans luy, plusieurs ont desia parle en ce cas de le tenir en une honorable retraicte, laquelle n'est difFerente que du nom d''auec prison, tres estroicte, et que cependant Ton gouuerneroit Testat comme Ton a faict [jusques a pnt]. Par diuers discours qui ont este tenuz il y a lieu de craindre qu'ilz ne se portent a des resolutions encore plus violentes. II fust diet mesme dans la maison lorsque les quatre propositions furent resolus pour persuader ceux qui faisoient quelque difficulte de les passer, si le Roy les accorde il se perdra, si il les refuse nous le perdrons, et ces parolles eurent plus de pouuoir que tout ce qui auoit este diet en la chambre, tant on a crainte icy de donner moien au d* Roy de reprendre la moindre authorite. Les Escossois parlent fort en sa faueur tant pour sa personne que pour ses droictz, dans les deux papiers qu''ilz donnerent vendredi dernier au parlement, en sorte que le d* Parlement a tesmoigne en estre si fort mal satisfaict que par la response quMl leur a faict il les prie de ne plus user de termes semblables a ceux dont ilz se sont seruis, en ceux [qu"'ilz] semblent fort resoluz de soustenir ses interestz, et en Testat auquel ilz sont, si le diet roy leur donne quelque satisfaction, il y a apparence qu''ilz pourront tirer aduantage, a quoy leur propre interest ne les porte pas moins que TafFection qu'ilz ont pour leur Roy.
Les comtes de Laudun, de Lauderdail, et de Lanerik doiuent partir demain pour Tlsle d'Wight, ou ils rencontreront le comte de Trakoire, qui y retourna au commencement de la semaine passee, n''ayant sejourne que 24 heures en ceste
356 P. BELLi:feVRE TO BRIENNE [dec.
ville. Encores que, suiuant touttes les apparences, Ton se per- suade que le roy n'accordera point les proposition^, tout le monde neantmoins est en attente de la response qu'il fera, croyant pouuoir par la juger de ce que Ton se peut promettre des affaires de ce pais. Votre, etc., P. de Bellievre.
[P. BEij:iiEVRE to Brienne. London, 30 Dec. 1647.
In the last rendezvous of the army the general officers did not do all they had previously spoken of^ but they did one thing which they consider, and which is in fact as important as any other^ that is to assure themselves of all their soldiers being opposed to the King of England and to show their power by the union existing among them and the good understand- ing they have with Parliament, which latter in order to give it no reason to take offence, under pretext of having discovered a design, eight days ago, which is believed to have been invented for that purpose, has ordered that all those who have followed the King of Great Britain and all the Catholics will have to leave here before Thursday next and not again approach within twenty miles of London. The Commissioners of Parliament, who are the same that were formerly with the king, are leaving to-day, in order to take to him the four proposals and to lead him to understand that if he refuse to grant them, that Parliament will see to what is to be done without him ; several have already spoken in this case to have him kept in an honourable retreat, which is with them but another name for a very close prison, and that the government of the State will, however, be conducted as it has been till now. From several speeches that have been made there is reason to fear they may be led to adopt still more violent resolutions. It was even said in the House when the four proposals were decided upon,m order to persuade those who raised some objections about passing them, '^that if the king grant them he will ruin himself, if he refuse we shall ruin him,' and these words had more effect than all that had been said in the House, so great is the fear they have here of enabling the king by any means to regain the least authority. The Scots speak strongly in his favour, both as regards his person and his rights, in the two papers they gave to Parliament on Friday last, so that Parliament, in the reply it gave them, showed its extreme dissatisfaction by begging them not to employ such terms as they had used, accord- ing to which, however, they seem quite resolved to support his interests, and in the state in which they are, if the king gave them any satisfaction, it is likely they will be able to derive some advantage, in which their own interests led them, not less than the affection they have for their king.
The Earls of Loudon, Lauderdale and Lanark are to leave to-morrow for the Isle of Wight, where they will meet the Earl of Traquair, who returned there in the beginning of last week, having only remained twenty-four hours in this town. Although people are persuaded.
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 357
according to all appearance, that the king will not grant the proposals, yet all are anxiously awaiting his reply, believing they will be able to judge thereby what may be expected to hsppen in the affairs of this country. ]
CCXIX
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN.
Editnbourg, - Decembre l647.
Je joins a cette lettre celle que les Commissaires des Eglises d'Ecosse ont ecrite aux ministres d'Angleterre, dont je me suis contente de traduire le commencement, parce qu""!! m'a semble que cette seule partie meritoit d^estre veue de V. Em*=% puisque par la elle peut assez connoistre la bonne volonte qu'ont les Presbyteriens pour le retablissement de leur roi, et que le reste contient seulement une devote exhortation aux ministres Pres- byteriens d'Angleterre a souffrir avec Constance les persecutions qui menacent leur covenant et qu'ils peuvent difficilement eviter, et a faire en sorte que s''ils ne peuvent obtenir que les choses soient etablies selon leur intention, au moins celles qui ont este deja etablies ne soient point changees. Cependant, Monsg', lis se soucient si peu que les sentiments qu''ils ont pour leur roi soient seus de tout le monde, qu''apres les avoir exprimes sans necessite dans leur lettre, ils ont donne ordre qu'elle soit imprimee, ainsi qu''elle le devoit estre aujourd'huy.
M"^ le Due de Hamilton m"'a envoye, il y a deux jours, un gentilhomme pour me temoigner le ressentiment qu''il avoit des bonnes volontes de V. Em*^®. II m"'a fait dire fort civilement qu''encore qu'il eut resolu de ne pas venir de longtemps en cette ville il y feroit toutefois un voyage, si il savoit que j'en dusse partir avant Touverture du Parlement. J'ay dit par- ticulierement a ce gentilhomme toutes les choses que j"'avois representees auparavant a M"" le Comte de Crawford touchant la levee d''un regiment, que je ne vois nulle apparence qu'il puisse faire avant la terme du Parlement, quelques bonnes intentions que son gentilhomme m'ait temoigne qu'il ait pour cela.
Nous attendons ici avec impatience des nouvelles de ce qu'aura fait le Comte de Traquair avec le roy de la G' B' en qui le dit roi m''a temoigne autrefois quMl avoit toute sorte
MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [dec.
de confiance, comme il a souvent en ceux qui lui en ont donne moins de sujet. On m'asseure que le dit Comte n'a aucune commission publique, et quMl va seulement lui representer les choses qui peuvent contenter pleinement les Ecossois, selon les sentiments particuliers de ceux de ce pays, qui ont plus de part aux affaires ou qui sont les plus afFectionnes a ses interets et que ces choses sont les mesmes que les Ecossois ont toujours desirees de lui, Tetablissement du Presbyteriat et Tapprobation du covenant.
Le Marquis de Huntley doit estre conduit ici cette semaine. My Lord Gordon son fils est mort, a ce qui se dit, d'une dissenterie, de laquelle on Fa fait malade il y a longtemps. II se peut faire toutefois qu'on public sa mort pour lui donner moyen de vivre avec plus de surete dans ce royaume, ou d'en pouvoir sortir avec moins de difficulte.
On devoit essayer aujourd'huy de faire sortir My Lord Sinclair du Chateau d'Edimbourg au cas que ses amis se trouvent les plus puissants dans le Comite. M. le Comte d** Angus que je croyois avoir entierement resolu a approuver ce quWoient fait ses capitaines, et a les encourager et assister meme de tout son pouvoir, me temoigne toujours qu'il est comme impossible qu'ils executent ce qu*'ils promettent, a quoi ils auront sans doute presentement beau coup de diffi- culte. Cependant apres lui avoir represente le disavantage que ce lui seroit s'il se voyoit qu'il s'opposat aux bons desseins de ses capitaines au lieu de les appuyer, il m'a promis qu'il ne leur ecriroit par dela, ni ne leur diroit ici aucune chose qui les put decourager.
L'ordinaire de Londres virit d'arriver presentement qui ne m'a rien apporte de la Cour. Nous avons seu par lui que le Comte de Traquair estoit revenu de Tlsle de Wight, et que le roi de la G'' B*" s*'en estoit sauve, mais je n'ay peu encore ni rien apprendre le particulier du voyage de ce Comte, ni avoir des asseurances de la fuite de ce prince.
[MoNTEREUL to CARDINAL Mazarin. Edinburgh, " Dec. 1647.
I ENCLOSE copy of a letter which the Commission of the Church of Scotland has addressed to the clergy of England, of which I have only translated the beginning, as it seemed to me the only part worth your
164;] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 359
attention. By it you will see, tolerably well, the good-will the Presby- terians have for the re-establishment of their king ; the remainder is merely a devout exhortation to the Presbyterian clergy of England to support with constancy the persecutions that threaten their Covenant, which they cannot easily avoid, and to act so that if they cannot have matters settled as they wish, they may at least retain unchanged what has already been established. Yet they are so indifferent as to their sentiments towards their king being known to every one, that after having expressed them unnecessarily in their letter, they have given order that it be printed, as is to be done to-day.
Tlie Duke of Hamilton sent to me two days ago a gentleman to express to me the gratitude he felt for your good-will towards him. He informed me very politely that although he had resolved not to come to this town for some time, he would, however, make a journey here if I were obliged to leave before the opening of Parliament. I told this gentleman very minutely all that I had formerly stated to the Earl of Crawford, regarding the raising of a regiment, which I see no likelihood of his being able to do before the meeting of Parliament, whatever good intentions his messenger may have declared him to have for it.
AV^e are anxiously awaiting news of what the Earl of Traquair has done with the King of Great Britain, in whom the king told me formerly he had the greatest confidence, as he often has for those who have given him less cause for it. I am assured that the earl has no public commis- sion, that he is simply going to point out the matters that could fully satisfy the Scots, according to the peculiar sentiments of those of this country who have most part in public affairs, or who are the most attached to his interests, and that these matters are always the same that the Scots have always desired from him, the establishment of Presbyterianism and the sanction of this Covenant.
The Marquis of Huntly is to be brought here this week. Lord Gordon ' his son is dead, it is said, of dysentery from which he is said to have been suffering for some time. It may be, however, that his death is declared in order to give him a chance of living with greater security in this king- dom, or to enable him to get out of it with less difficulty.
An attempt is to be made to-day to get Lord Sinclair out of the Castle of Edinburgh, if his friends be able to command a majority in the com- mittee. The Earl of Angus, whom I had thought to be quite decided on approving what his captains had done and willing to encourage and assist them even all in his power, still continues to tell me that it is almost impossible for them to execute what they promise, in which they will no doubt at present have much difficulty. Yet after having pointed out to him the damage it would cause were he to oppose the good inten- tions of his captains instead of supporting them, he promised me he would not write to them of that nor say to those here anything that may dis- courage them.
^ Lord Aboyne, eldest surviving son of the Marquis of Huntly, was eventually obliged to escape to France, where he died in 1649.
360 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [JAN.
The mail from London has just arrived, but it has brought me nothing from Court. We have learned by it that the Earl of Traquair had returned from the Isle of Wight, and that the King of Great Britain had escaped, but I have not been able to learn the details as to the earl's journey, nor any certainty of this prince's escape.]
ccxx
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimhourg, =-f^^^ II semble que les Ecossois voyent toujours de plus en plus qu'^ils ne peuvent avoir de quartier des Independants, ni se conserver que par leur ruine. Les ministres ne les appellent plus que parjures, depuis quelques jours, et les plus violents entre eux excitent les peuples a en aller jusques chez eux prendre la vengeance que les plus moderes laissent a Dieu, et tous ceux que j"'ay veu cette semaine ne m''ont entretenu que de la pensee d'entrer en armes encore une fois en Angleterre, de sorte que par ce qu'ils disent ici, aussi bien que par ce qu''ils ecrivent a Londres, on auroit quelque lieu de croire qu'apres avoir essaye inutilement les voies de douceur avec les Indepen- dants, ils se pourroient enfin porter a prendre une genereuse resolution et a agir en gens d"'honneur, jusqu''a ce qu'ils se trouvent hors de danger, car en effet, c*'est tout ce que Ton pent juger de plus a leur avantage.
Le Marquis de Huntley arriva en cette ville Vendredi dernier, et on lui fit cette grace a la priere de ses amis, qu'en Tobligeant d'aller a pied jusqu^^a la prison, on lui permit de se couvrir. Le jour mesme qu'il arriva le S"" Will. Moray pria My Lord Gray de me voir pour m'asseurer qu'il estoit veritable, ainsy que Ton avoit publie, qu'on avoit pris diverses lettres en arrestant le dit Marquis, et principalement une du roi de la Gr' B^ portant creance au S"" Robert Leslay, qui en estoit le porteur, avec un memoire que le Marquis avoit oblige Robert Leslay de lui laisser pour son asseurance, par lequel il lui commande de la part de Sa Majeste Britannique de ne point quitter les armes, quelque chose que les Ecossois aient oblige le dit roi de lui ecrire au contraire, et qu"'il y avoit mesme quelque soup9on que j'avois eu connaissance de cet envoi, et que la France avoit promis d'assister le dit Marquis ; qu'il croyoit que j'avois deux choses a faire : Tune
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 361
de ne me point employer pour le dit Marquis, de peur d'aug- menter les defiances que Ton avoit deja de moi ; et Tautre de mettre les papiers que je pourrois avoir touchant cette affaire en quelque lieu ou on ne les put trouver. Je priay my Lord Gray de remercier le S"^ William Moray du soin quMl vouloit prendre de mes interets, et je Tasseuray qui suivant son avis je me gouvernerois de telle sorte en Taffaire du Marquis d'Huntley que MM. les Ecossois n''auroient aucun sujet de se plaindre de moi ; mais que pour ce qui estoit de mes papiers j*'en avois rien du tout a craindre, n''ayant jamais eu aucun commerce de lettres avec le Marquis d'Huntley ni aucune part dans ses affaires, ainsi que je lui en donnois ma parole, et que j'avois creu mesme utile au service du roi de la G' B% qui doit attendre du Pari' d'Ecosse son retablissement ; mais que j 'avois meilleure opinion que luy mesme de ceux de sa nation, et que quand j"'aurois vecu d'autre sorte, et j'aurois toutes les lettres du Marquis d'Huntley dans ma cassette, je croyois ceux qui gouvernent trop avises pour penser qu'ils osassent se mettre en etat de violer le droit des nations et d'offenser le roi mon maitre en voulant voir mes papiers. V. Em*^^ pent juger par cet avis non seule- ment de la sincerite avec laquelle agit avec moi le sieur Will. Moray, qui m'envoye une personne de ma religion, attachee au service de la France, et qui temoigne estre mon ami, pour avoir pas ce moyen Teclaircessement de ses doutes, et me faire dire ce qu'il a dessein de savoir, mais encore de la veritable affection qu'il porte au roi son maitre, puisqu'il cherche par toute sorte de moyens d'avancer la perte d''un de ses plus fideles serviteurs, essayant d'arrester ceux qu'il croit pouvoir contribuer a le sauver. Cependant, Mg% ce papier que Will. Moray m'a voulu faire apprehendre pourroit donner a quelques autres de plus veritable craintes, parce qu'il y a toute sorte d'apparence que Robert Leslay, qui est une personne entierement dependante du Due de Hamilton, n'auroit jamais ose porter cet ordre, s''il n'en avoit eu de lui la permission. Quelques uns veulent mesme que ce Due qui arriva ici il y a trois jours, et que la fete de Noel et un rheume qu'il a eu, m''ont empesche de voir, n''y est pas tant venu pour signer le contrat de mariage de ses nieces, filles du Comte de Crawford, ou pour aider a mettre my Lord S' Clair en liberte, que pour remedier a cette
362 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [JAN.
affaire et pour voir si ce memoire qui n'a point encore este veu jusqu'ici, et qui apparement est entre les mains du Marquis d'Argyle, — ayant este pris par le Lieut.-Colonel de son regi- ment,— pourroit estre supprime. Cependant quelque chose qui se fasse de ce papier le roi de la G*" B"" en recevra toujours un grand prejudice puisqu'il ne peut estre veu sans donner lieu de croire que ce Prince n'a pas agi de bonne fois avec eux, et qu'il ne peut demeurer secret qu''il ne reconcilie deux personnes de la desunion desquelles le dit roi pouvoit tirer beaucoup de profit.
Je ne puis m''empescher de dire avant que finir, a V. Em''® que donnant Jeudi dernier a souper au Comte de Crawford et a quelques autres seigneurs de son parti, et lui ayant porte la sante du dit roi, il m'envoya dire par un gentilhomme qui lui est fort confident, et qui le servoit k table, qu'il joignoit encore la sante de tous ceux qui vouloient exposer leurs biens et leurs vies pour son retablissement, comme il me juroit qu'il feroit tres volontiers, — ce qu''il desiroit qui demurat entre nous.
[MoNTEBEUL to CARDINAL Mazarin. Edinburgh, j-^~^.i_
The Scots seem to see more clearly day by day that they cannot come to terms with the Independents, nor preserve themselves without destroy- ing them. The clergy here, within the last few days, call them nothing but perjurers, and the most violent among them excite the people to go and find them in their country to take vengeance on them, which the more moderate leave to God, and all those I have seen during this week have spoken to me only of the idea of entering England once again in arms ; so that from what they say here, as well as from what they write to London, one would have reason to believe, that after having tried in vain conciliatory means with the Independents, they may at length be led to adopt a valiant resolution, and to act as men of honour until they free themselves from danger ; this is how they may be judged to their best advantage.
The Marquis of Huntly arrived in this town on Friday last, and on the request of his friends the favour was granted to him of having his head covered, while he was obliged to walk to the prison. The same day he came. Will. Moray begged Lord Gray to see me, in order to assure me that what had been published was quite true, that in arresting the Marquis of Huntly several letters had been taken possession of, and principally one from the King of Great Britain bearing credence to Mr. Robert Leslie, who had been the bearer of it, with a memorandum that the marquis had obliged Robert Leslie to leave with him, for his security, by which he commanded him on the part of his Britannic Majesty not to lay down arms, whatever the Scots may have obliged the king to write to him
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 363
to the contrary, and that he had even some suspicion that I had know- ledge of this message, and that France had promised to assist the marquis ; that he believed I had two things to do, not to take any part in the defence of the marquis, for fear of increasing the distrust that already existed of me ; and the other, to put the papers I might have concerning this matter in a place where they could not be found. I begged Lord Gray to thank Mr. \Villiam Moray for the care he wanted to take of my interests, and to assure him, that according to his advice, I shall conduct myself in such a manner in the matter of the Marquis of Huntly, that the Scots would have no cause to complain of me ; but that as for my papers, I had nothing to fear, having never had any exchange of letters with the Marquis of Huntly, nor any part in his affairs, as 1 gave him my word of honour thereon, and that I had believed him to be useful to the service of the King of Great Britain, who ought to expect his re-establishment from the Parliament of Scotland, but that I had a better opinion than he of those of his nation, and that even though I had acted differently and had all the letters of the Marquis of Huntly in my strong-box, I believed those who govern to be too cautious to think they might venture to attempt to violate the law of nations, and offend the king, my master, in requiring to see my papers. You may judge by this notice, not only of the candour shown towards me by Mr. "SV'ill. Moray, who sends to me a person of my religion attached to the service of his Majesty, and who pro- fesses to be my friend, in order by this means to clear up his doubts, and cause me to state what he has a design to know, but also of the real affec- tion he bears to the king, his master, since he seeks by every possible means to hasten the ruin of one of his most faithful followers, in trying to prevent those that he believes might help in saving him. Yet this paper, about which Will. IVIoray wished to make me apprehensive, may cause more serious fears to others, because there is the greatest likeli- hood that Robert Leslie, who is a person altogether depending on the Duke of Hamilton, and who would not have ventured to carry this order if he had not had permission from him to do it. Some people even pretend that this duke, who arrived here tliree days ago, but whom I have not yet seen, on account of the Christmas festivities, and a cold he has had, was not so much induced to come here at present to sign the marriage contracts of his nieces, the daughters of the Earl of Craw- ford, or to aid in liberating Lord Sinclair, as in order to see if this memo- randum, which has not yet been seen, but is apparently in the hands of the Marquis of Argyle, having been seized by the Lieut. -Colonel of his regiment, cannot be suppressed. ^\"hatever may become of the paper there can be no doubt that it will cause much harm to the King of Great Britain, since it cannot be seen without giving reason to believe that this prince has not acted in good faith with them, and that it cannot be dis- guised that he did not reconcile two persons on whose disunion this king could derive much profit.
I cannot help adding before finishing that on Thursday last, in giving a supper to the Earl of Crawford and a few other nobles of his party, and
364 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [JAN.
having proposed to him the health of their king, he sent to tell me hy a person who was serving at table who is much in his confidence, that he joined also the health of all those who were prepared to expose their pro- perty and their lives for his re-establishment, as he swore to me he would do very willingly, which he wished might remain between ourselves.]
CCXXI MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimbourg, ~ Jan. l648.
BiEN que me donnant I'honneur d'ecrire il y a huit jours a V. Em*'® les bonnes resolutions qu"*!! sembloit que les Ecossois pourroient estre oblige de prendre par la necessite de leurs affaires, je m'en sois exprime auec assez de retenue. Je crains toutefois que le jugement que j'en ay fait n''ait este plus a leur avantage que conforme a la verite ; car encore que M. le Due de Hamilton m'ait asseure que non seulement on avoit approuve ici ce que les Commissaires de ce royaume avoient fait a Londres jusqu'a leur ecrire une lettre de remerciement, et qu'on leur avoit ordonne de continuer a agir de la mesme sorte, ce que nous avons appris qu^'ils avoient fait en Tlsle de Wight, quand je me souviens qu'ils commencerent Fhiver dernier, par de semblables protestations, celle malheureuse negociation qui se termina par la deliverance de leur roi et pas le commence- ment de la ruine de leurs affaires, et par laquelle, en se privant de leur prince ils re<^urent un peu d'argent et se procurerent beaucoup de honte, et que je vois qu'on ne donne aucun ordre ici pour se mettre en etat d''obtenir par la force ce qu'il n'y a point d'apparence qu''on accorde aux remonstrances qu''ils viennent de faire, il me semble qu"'il n''y a que trop de sujet de croire, ou quMls n'ont fait cette publique profession de vouloir le retablissement de leur roy que pour voir s''ils pourroient le porter a approuver le covenant et a etablir leur religion, ou a faire en sorte que les Independants, qui apparemment ne veulent point de querelle jusqu"'a ce que leurs affaires soient entierement etablies, s"'accordent avec eux presentement et leur donnent, s'il est possible une partie de Targent qui leur est encore deu en Angleterre. Aussi, Monsg*", quand j'ay demande
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 365
a quelques uns de ceux qui ont plus de part au maniement des affaires de ce royaume, ce que feroit TEcosse si les Anglois, — ainsi qu'il y a beaucoup d''apparence, — persistoient a vouloir les choses que les Ecossois ont declarees etre centre Thonneur et la dignite de leur prince, et centre ce qui a este arrete dans leur traites, ils m'ont faite entendre qu'ils se contenteroient d'avoir represente les choses quails croyoient justes jusqu'a ce que le roi de la G"" B' en leur accordent leurs desirs, leur eut donne moyen de contraindre les Anglois a les observer.
Cependant, bien qu"'il soit assez difficile de connoistre les desseins de ceux qui peuvent ou n^en avoir pas encore de bien formes, ou en former de si peu honnetes qu''ils aient honte de les declarer, et qui peuvent encore etre obliges d''alterer leurs resolutions par la violence de leurs ennemis et par les haines et les jalousies qui peuvent naitre chaque jour entre eux, et que portent bien souvent les hommes hors de leurs veritables interets, bien que toutes ces choses dis-je empechent de pou- voir juger bien parti culierement ce que feront les Ecossois pour leur roi en travaillant pour eux-memes, il semble qu''on puisse asseurer que ce que le dit roi fera pour eux ne les portera pas a faire pour lui davantage, et a agir differemment de ce quails feroient sans cela, y ayaut tout sujet de croire que ce qu"'ils ne feront pas pour leur propre salut, ils n"'auront garde de le faire par la consideration d'un prince qu'ils croyent avoir assez offense pour etre obliges de le hair, et de chercher leur conservation par toute autre voie que par celle de son retablissement.
J'ai veu M"" le Due de Hamilton, qui m'a parle avec de grandes exagerations du zele qu''il conservera toute sa vie pour les interets de la France, et particulierement encore pour le service de V. Em^^, a laquelle il rend de tres humbles remercie- ments de Thonneur qu'elle lui a fait de penser a ses interets, — car ce sont a peu pres les termes dont il s'est servi en me parlant ; et bien qu'il n'ait temoigne d'abord la grande difficulte quMl y auroit de lever des hommes durant que les affaires de ce royaume estoient si peu asseurees ; apres lui avoir represente que cela pourroit donner lieu a V. Em^^ de lui faire payer les arrerages de sa pension, et lui en avoir parle bien affirmativement il m'a dit qu'il ne croyoit pas a la verite
366 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [JAN.
qu'il lui fut impossible d*'envoyer en France douze ou quinze cents hommes, en quelque etat que se trouvassent les affaires de ce royaume, et que puisque c'estoit une chose que V. Em'=^ desiroit, il en parleroit a ses amis, afin de ne me pas donner de vaines esperances, et de ne pas entreprendre quelque chose qui demeurast sans effet. II nra promis que dans quatre ou cinq jours il me rendra une reponse formelle, avant laquelle je ne crois pas pouvoir donner a V. Em*'^ aucune esperance du succes de cette affaire. Le dit Due m*'a dit encore qu'il estoit venu en cette ville seulement pour celle du Marquis d'Huntley. Et, en effet, sa presence etoit ici si necessaire pour faire differer le jugement de son proces, — c''est a dire, comme tout le monde croit encore, sa condamnation, — ^jusqu"'au prochain Parlement, qu"'encore que ce Due n'ait ce semble rien oublie de tout ce qu'il pouvoit faire pour cela, il ne Ta emporte que d'une voix seulement. Les gendres et les filles du dit Marquis d'Huntley ont desire de moi que je suppliasse V. Em*^^ que la France fit quelque oflfice pour le salut de leur pere dont on se pent servir a toute extremite.
Le papier par lequel le S' Robert Leslay a expose sa creance au Marquis d'Huntley ne se trouve point aujourd''huy, bien que j'aie seu de bonne part qu'il a este mis par le dit Marquis entre les mains du Lieut. -Col. Menzies du regiment du Marquis d'Argyle, ce qui donneroit lieu de croire que le Due de Hamil- ton et ce Marquis ne sont pas encore aujourd'huy en fort mauvaise intelligence. II pent se faire toutefois qu'ayant eu Tun et Tautre mesme interet a la ruine du Marquis d'Huntley ils aient travaille d'abord de concert, Tun en lui faisant prendre les armes, afin que Tautre le pent chasser de ses terres, et qu'ainsi le Marquis d'Argyle ait este oblige de detourner ce billet, autant pour son interet propre que par la consideration de celui du Due de Hamilton, de sorte que la suppression de cet ecrit ne prouveroit pas qu'il y eut entre eux pour cela presentement une parfaite intelligence. Le Due de Hamilton en m'en parlant dit assez adroitement, qu''on vouloit qu'il fut fort interesse dans ce papier, qu''on pretendoit qui avoit este donne par une personne tres attache a ses interets, mais ceux qui connaissoient aussi bien que moi Robert Leslay savoient quMl etoit si grand serviteur du roi de la G'' B'' que non seule-
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 367
ment centre la volonte de lui Due de Hamilton, mais encore contra les ordres du dit roi, il auroit dit au Marquis d'Huntley de demeurer arme, s''il avoit creu que cela dut etre plus expedient pour la service de la dite Majeste.
II m'a dit encore qu'il avoit empeche que Ton ne lut dans la Comite davantage que les trois premieres lignes de la com- mission que le roi de la G"" B"" avoit donne au Marquis d'Huntley, que ceux du parti d"'Argyle vouloient faire lire toute entiere, parce qu'elle est con^ue en termes fort injurieux a ce Parle- ment, et qu''elle pouvoit servir a aigrir ces peuples contre leur roi. Entre les lettres qui ont este prises il y avoit une de la reine de la G' B' a ce Marquis, qui a este lue, et dans laquelle il ne s''est rien trouve de fort important ni qui lui pent porter prejudice.
My Lord S* Clair que David Leslay avoit fait mettre au chateau de cette ville, a manque d'une voix seulement pour en sortir, de sorte qu'il sera oblige d'y demeurer jusqu'au prochain Parlement.
Post Scriptum. — Le S"^ Will. Moray m''est venu dire presente- ment que les choses se vont porter sans doute a une rupture entre les deux nations ; que les Anglois font filler des hommes dans les places de cette frontiere ou ils ont des garnisons (ce que je n''ay encore eu que de lui), et qu''il ne tient plus qu''au roi de la G'' B"" a remettre ses affaires en donnant satisfaction a ce royaume, Quelques autres personnes me sont presque venu dire la meme chose, mais cela ne me porte point a sortir des sentiments que j'ay pris la hardiesse de temoigne presente- ment a V. Em*^®.
Le Due de Hamilton me vient d^envoyer la declaration que les Commissaires d"'Ecosse ont faite au roi de la G"" B*" sur le sujet des propositions ; et bien que je n''ai pas le temps de la traduire, et que je ne doute point qu'elle n'ait este deja envoyee a V. Em*'®, M""^ les Ecossois ayant interet de la faire voir, j'ay creu que je ne pouvois manquer de la joindre a cette lettre en la maniere qu'elle m'a este donnee.
My Lord Mortington, frere de M' le Marquis de Douglas, m''est venu temoigner le ressentiment qu'il a de Thonneur que V. Em'^® lui a fait en la personne de M. son fils. II en rend de plus particuliers remereiements a V. Em*'® par une lettre qu''il lui ecrit sur ce sujet.
368 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [jan.
[MoNTEREUL to CARDINAL Mazarin. Edinburgh, -^ Jan. 1648.
Although in writing to you eight days ago of the good resolutions it seemed the Scots would be obliged to take, by the urgency of their aifairs, I expressed myself with considerable reserve, I fear, however, that the judgment I came to may have been more to their advantage than strictly according to truth ; for, although the Duke of Hamilton may have assured me that they had not only approved here what the Commissioners of this kingdom in London had done, so far as to write to them a letter of thanks, and that they had ordered them to continue to act in the same manner as we have learned they had done in the Isle of Wight, ^fhen I remember the singular protestations by which they began last winter that unfortunate negotiation that ended by their giving up their king, from which dates the ruin of their affairs, and by which, in separating them- selves from their prince, they received a little money and procured much shame for themselves, and that I see no order given here to prepare for obtaining by force what there is no likelihood of being granted to them on the remonstrances they have just made, it appears to me there is but too much reason to fear that they have made this public profession of wishing the re- establishment of their king, but to see if they would be able to induce him to sanction the Covenant and establish their religion, or to endeavour that the Independents, who evidently do not wish to quarrel until they have quite settled their affairs, agree with them at pre- sent by giving them, if it be possible, a part of the money that is still owing to them in England. Thus when I have asked some of those who have the principal part in the direction of the public affairs of this king- dom what they would do in the event of the English persisting — as it is very likely they will — in wishing the things the Scots have declared to be contrary to the honour and the dignity of their prince, and contrary to what has been agreed upon in their treaties, they have led me to under- stand that they would be contented by having represented what they believed to be just, until the King of Great Britain, in granting them their wishes, may have given them the means to compel the English to observe them. Yet, although it is somewhat difficult to learn the designs of those who may either have none distinctly formed, or, if formed, so little honest that they are ashamed to avow them, and who may also be obliged to change their resolutions by the violence of their enemies and the aversions and jealousies that may spring up each day among them, and which often lead men away from their real interests, although all these things prevent one from being able to judge very intimately what the Scots will do for their king, in working for themselves, it seems one may be certain that what their king will do for them will not induce them to do more for him, or to act differently from what they would do without that, there being every reason to believe that what they will not do for their own safety, they will take care not to do through any consideration for a prince whom they believe they have so offended as to be obliged to hate him, and to seek their safety by any other way than by his re-estab- lishment.
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 369
I have seen the Duke of Hamilton, who spoke to me with much exag- geration of the zeal he will all his life retain for the interests of France, and particularly for the service of your Eminence, to whom he returns his very humble thanks for the honour done to him by your attentions to his interests, — these are the exact terms he used in speaking to me, — and although he expressed to me at first the great difficulty there would be of raising men while the affairs of the kingdom were so uncertain, after having indicated to him that this would give you an opportunity of paying the arrears of his annuity, and having spoken to him of this very affirma- tively according to your orders, he told me he did not believe it to be in fact impossible to send twelve or fifteen hundred men to France, in what- ever state the aifairs of this kingdom might be, and that since it was a thing you wished, he would speak of it to his friends, so as not to raise vain hopes, and not to undertake anything that might remain without result. He promised to give me a formal reply in four or five days, before which time, I believe, I cannot give you any hope of the success of this affair. The duke told me also that he had come to town merely for the case of the Marquis of Huntly. And, in fact, his presence was so neces- sary here to delay the marquis's process, or, as every one still thinks, his condemnation, till the next Parliament, that although the duke, who is not likely to have omitted anything that could help towards that pur- pose, only carried his proposal by one vote. The sons-in-law and daughters of the Marquis of Huntly have wished me to solicit from you that France may interfere on behalf of their father, by an application that would only be employed at the last extremity.
The paper by which Mr. Robert Leslie notified his credence to the marquis is not to be found at present, although I know on very good authority that it was given by this marquis to Lieut. -Colonel Menzies of the Marquis of Argyle's regiment, which would give reason to believe that the Duke of Hamilton and the Marquis of Argyle are not even now on the worst of terms. It may happen, however, that both of them having a mutual interest in ruining the Marquis of Huntly from having at first acted in concert, the one inducing him to take arms so that the others might be able to drive him oiF his property, and that thus the Marquis of x\rgyle may have been obliged to suppress the paper, as much for his own interest as in consideration of that of the Duke of Hamilton ; so that the suppression of this writing would not prove that there was on that account a perfect understanding between them at present. The Duke of Hamil- ton in speaking to me about it said, somewhat adroitly, that it was pre- tended that he was much interested in this paper that was said to have been given by a person much attached to his interests, but that those who knew Robert Leslie as well as I did, knew that he was so devoted a follower of the King of Great Britain, that, not only in opposition to his, the Duke of Hamilton's, will, but even contrary to the king's order, he would have told the Marquis of Huntly to remain under arms, if he had thought that it would have been more expedient for his Majesty's service.
VOL. II. 2 a
370 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [jan.
He told me also that he had prevented the reading before the com- mittee of more than the first three lines of the commission that the King of Great Britain had given to the Marquis of Huntly, which those of the Argyle party wished to have read altogether because it was drawn up in terms very insulting for this Parliament and that it might serve to dis- affect the people against their king. Among the letters that have been seized there was one from the Queen of Great Britain to this marquis, which was read, in which there was nothing important that could cause her any harm.
Lord Sinclair, whom David Leslie had caused to be put in confinement in the castle of this town, failed by one vote only in getting out, so that he will be obliged to remain there till Parliament meets.
Post Scriptum. — Mr. Will. Moray has just come to tell me at present that matters seem to indicate a rupture between the two nations, that the English are filing oiF men into the fortified place on the borders where they have garrisons — which I have only yet heard from him — and that it only remains for the King of Great Britain to arrange his affairs by giving satisfaction to this kingdom. Some other persons have come to tell me the same thing, but that does not make me change my opinion which I have ventured to express to you.
The Duke of Hamilton has just sent me the declaration that the Scottish Commissioners have presented to the King of Great Britain on the subject of the proposals, and although I have not had time to trans- late it and as I do not doubt but that it has been sent to you — the Scots having interest in showing it — I thought I could add it to this letter in the manner I received it.
Lord Mordington,^ brother of the Marquis of Douglas, has come to express his gratitude to you for the honour you have paid him in the person of his son.]
CCXXII MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimhotirg, — Jatwier 1647-8. J* AY tant employe de temps au dechiffrement des lettres que j'ay receues aujourd''huy de la Cour, et qui m'ont este rendues assez tard, qu"*!! ne m''en reste pas assez pour y repondre par cat ordinaire, par lequel je me donneray seulemerit Thonneur de faire savoir a V. Em*'^ que le S"^ Robert Leslay, qui est venu de Londres depuis deux jours, m'a asseure ce matin, avec obligation de n'en rien temoigner ici, que le roi de la G"" B' et les Ecossois estoient entierement d'accord, et que je verrois dans peu de jours, la guerre declaree entre les deux nations,
^ James Douglas, created Earl of Mordington in 1641.
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 371
que le S' Moray m''a dit la meme chose, mais avec moins de certitude, quelques jours auparavant, et que ce que Tun et Tautre m''ont dit en grand secret, se publie ce soir hautement en Edimbourg.
Cependant, Monsg"^, quand j''ajouterois plus de creance que je ne fais aux bruits du peuple qui sont partout incertains, mais ici toujours contraire a la verite, et au temoignage de deux personnes, dont la premiere peut avoir este mal informee ; et la seconde peut avoir un dessein de m'informer mal, et quand je ne saurois pas que les Ecossois ne peuvent resoudre la guerre avant que leur Parlement soit assemble, je douterois encore bien fort qu'ils se puissent porter a prendre les armes contre TAngleterre auant que de se voir reduits a la derniere necessite de le faire. Mais je doute encore plus, quelque chose qu'ils fassent, que le roi de la G"* B' en puisse tirer aucun avantage, si les choses succedent selon leurs desirs, puisqu'en demeurant fermes a se vouloir priver de Tassistance quMls pourroient recevoir en Angleterre de ceux du parti des Eveques, ils font assez voir qu^'ils n'apporteront pas moins de soin pour empecher que les affaires de leur roi se remettent que pour avancer la mine de celle des Independants, de sorte qu'il semble toujours qu'il ne peut etre desavantageux au roi de la G' B' non plus qu''a la France de les laisser agir librement sans s'interesser en leur querelle, et que ce prince ne pourroit, sans se faire un extreme prejudice, accorder aux Ecossois ce qu'*ils demandent touchant le Presbyteriat et le covenant, non seulement parce qu'il perdroit tout le parti des Eveques, qui est veritablement attache a ses interets, pour gaigner les Presbyteriens, de I'amitie desquels il peut difficilement s'asseurer, mais encore parce que les Ecossois ne s''etant montre affectionnes a son service que depuis qu'ils sont dans la mauvaise fortune, il doit craindre qu"'ils ne cessent de paraitre fideles aussitot qu"'ils commence- ront d''etre heureux.
Au reste, Monsg', je crois que V. Em''® n'ajoutera pas plus de foi aux bruits de ville ni aux avis que j'ay eu de personnes assez suspectes, touchant ce qui a este resolu dans ces affaires, qu''a ce que j''en ay appris de M' le Due de Hamilton, qui m''a remis a Tarrivee du Comte de Lanark, c'est a dire a quatre ou cinq jours au plus, pour avoir reponse de la proposition que
372 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [JAN.
je lui avois faite touchant la levee d\m regiment, parce que les Commissaires d'Ecosse qui sont a Londres avoient remis a faire savoir par lui toutes choses, et qu'ils ne pouvoient s'asseurer avant cela s'il y devoit avoir paix ou guerre entre les deux nations.. Le dit S"^ Due m''a dit encore qu'il croyoit que tous leurs Commissaires reviendroient bientot d'Angleterre, — qu'encore qu'on ne pent resoudre de faire la guerre avant la terme du Parlement, le Comite pouvoit toutefois faire com- mencer a lever les hommes, et qu'ainsi nous saurons dans fort peu de jours a quoi les affaires se porteroient, — qu'il savoit que beaucoup de personnes d'honneur le seconderoient dans le dessein qu**!! avoit de faire que le royaume prit une genereuse resolution pour la liberte et pour le retablissement de son roi, et que comme ils auroient a faire a des ennemis puissants, ils auroient besoin de toutes leurs forces, et encore des assistances de leurs amis, et particulierement de la France. A quoi ayant fait reponse en termes assez generaux, et selon ce qui m'a este ordonne, il me dit que peutetre dans quelques jours il m'obligeroit a lui donner une reponse, non pas plus obligeante que celle que je lui fasois, mais un peu plus particuliere.
My Lord S* Clair est enfin sorti du Chateau d'Edimbourg pour pouvoir avoir moyen de se guerir a une legere indisposi- tion, qui a este la cause ou le pretexte de la grace qu'on lui a faite, a condition toutefois d^avoir sa chambre pour prison.
Le Comte de Kalender est de retour d'Angleterre. On a dit que le Due de Lenox venoit ici seulement sur ce qu''il a offert au Marquis d"'Huntley de se trouver au prochain Parle- ment sMl y pouvoit etre utile a ses interets ; mais le Marquis d'Huntley a creu que la presence de ce Due pourroit choquer celui de Hamilton et qu'ainsi elle lui apporteroit moins d'avantage que de prejudice.
[MoNTEBEUL to CARDINAL Mazabin, Edinburgh, "^ Jan. 1648.
I HAVE spent so much time in deciphering the letters I have received from Court to-day, which were delivered somewhat late^ that I have not enough left in order to reply to them by this mail. I shall therefore merely mention at present that Robert Leslie, who arrived from London two days ago, has assured me on promise of my not mentioning it here
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 373
that the Scots were quite agreed with their king, and that I would see war declared between the two nations in a few days. Mr. Moray had told me the same, but with less certitude, a few days ago, and what they both confided to me as a great secret is announced loudly in Edinburgh this evening. Yet even although I were more disposed to give credit to popular rumours than I am — as they are everywhere uncertain, but here always contrary to the truth — and to the testimony of two persons, of which the first may have been incorrectly informed and the second may have some purpose in view in misinforming me, and even though I did not know that the Scots cannot decide on war before the meeting of their Parliament, I should still doubt very much that they would be led to take arms against England, before being reduced by the direct necessity to do it. But I doubt still more, whatever they may do, that the King of Great Britain will be able to derive any advantage from it, if matters succeed with them as they wish ; since from their being firmly resolved to deprive themselves of the assistance they might receive in England from those of the bishops' party, they make it clearly evident they will be no less careful to prevent the affairs of their king from being settled, as they will to hasten the ruin of those of the Independents, so that it still seems that it cannot be disadvantageous for the King of Great Britain, no more than for France, to let them act as they like without taking any interest in their quarrel, and that this prince could not, without acting greatly to his own prejudice, grant to the Scots what they demand from him regarding Presbji;erianism and the Covenant, not only because he would thereby lose all the bishop's party, which is truly devoted to his interests, in order to gain over the Presbyterians, on whose friendship he can scarcely count, but also because the Scots having only shown themselves well disposed towards his service since they have become unfortunate, he ought to fear they may not cease to be faithful as soon as they begin again to be fortunate. Besides, 1 believe you will place as little trust in these rumours of the town and in the infor- mation I have had from such suspicious persons, regarding what has been decided on in these matters, as you will do in what I have learned about it from the Duke of Hamilton, who has deferred his reply to my proposal made to him about raising a regiment until the arrival of the Earl of Lanark, that is to say for four or five days at the latest, because the Scottish Commissioners in Loudon had intrusted the earl with informing them of everything, so that previously they could not be certain whether there was to be peace or war between the two nations. The duke told me also that he believed all their commissioners would soon return from England, that although war cannot be declared before the meeting of Parliament, the committee could, however, begin to raise the men, and thus we shall know in a very few days how matters would turn ; that he knew many persons of honour would second him in the intention he had to make this kingdom adopt a magnanimous resolution in favour of the liberty and the restoration of his king ; and that as they would have to do with powerful enemies they would require all their forces and also the
374 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [JAN.
assistance of their friends and particularly that of France. Upon which having given a reply in somewhat general terms, and according to my orders, he told me that perhaps in some days he would ask me to give him a reply, not more obliging than the one I had given him, but a little more precise.
Lord Sinclair has at last got out of the Castle of Edinburgh, so as to have the means of being cured of a slight indisposition, which was the pretext of this favour granted to him, on condition, however, of having his room for prison.
The Earl of Callander has returned from England. It was said that the Duke of Lennox was coming here, but on his making offer to the Marquis of Huntly to come to the next Parliament were he able there to be useful in his interest, the marquis thought the presence of this duke might give umbrage to the Duke of Hamilton and thus bring him more harm than good.]
CCXXIII MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimhourg, ^ Janvier l64S.
CoMME je n'ay point receu de lettres par le courrier de Londres qui vient d''arriver, et que le marchand, sous le nom duquel elles me viennent, apprehende qu"'elles n''aient este inter- ceptees, je feray celle-ci plus courte qu^a Tordinaire, afin qu'elle puisse etre mieux chifFree que mes precedentes.
J'ay fait s^avoir au Marquis d"'Huntley les soins que vouloient prendre leurs Majestes pour sa conservation, et les particulieres obligations qu'il en avoit a V. Em*'®, a laquelle il m'a fait temoigner qu'il rendoit de tres humbles remerciements, car il a trouve a propos, avec beaucoup de raison, que je ne le visse pas encore, mais il a envoye un homme vers My Lord Drum- mond, Tun de ses gendres, afin qu'il vienne promptement en cette ville et que nous puissions voir ensemble ce qu'il sera a propos de faire pour ses interets, dans lesquels j'ageray en la maniere qu'il a pleu a V. Em**® de me prescrire. Je pense toutefois qu'il y aura un petit mot a changer en la lettre de Sa Majeste qui m'a este envoyee, dans laquelle je crois qu'il sera bon d'eviter a parler du sujet de son emprisonnement afin de ne pas s'obliger ou a approuver les actions de ce Parlement, ou k dire quelque chose qui puisse offenser ceux de qui depend aujourd'huy le salut ou la perte du dit Marquis, contre lequel
1648] MOxXTEREUL TO MAZARIN 375
les ministres parlent dans leurs chaires en des termes si in- jurieux qu'ils donnent beaucoup de sujet decraindre Tevenement de son affaire.
II se dit toujours ici, comme de coutume, qu**!! y aura guerre entre les deux nations, mais j''ay toujours le meme sujet d'en douter que j'avois auparavant. II est toutefois bien difficile de juger asseurement de ce qui en peut arriver, avant le retour des Commissaires d'Ecosse qui sont a Londres, et peutetre meme avant la tenue de ce Parlement.
Le Comte de Traquair qui vient presentement d'Angleterre m'a remis a Tarrivee des dits Commissaires pour savoir quelle sorte de satisfaction le roi de la G*" B' avoit donnee aux Ecossois, et m'a dit seulement qu'il trouvoit que ces gens qui m"'avoient asseure tant de fois a Newcastle, qu'il suffiroit que leur roi approuvat le covenant pour les porter a exposer leur vie pour ses interets, le vouloient aujourd'huy obliger a le signer avant de faire aucune chose pour son service, — ce qui me donne quelque sujet de croire que le roi de la G'' B"" pourroit avoir approuve le dit Covenant, et Tavoir approuve inutilement. Et en effet, Monsg'', quelques honnetes declarations que viennent de publier les Ecossois, je ne les trouve pas seulement eloignes de vouloir penser au retablissement de leur roi, mais ils m'ont encore donne lieu de reconnoistre qu''ils ont eu peu de nouvelles, depuis le commencement de la guerre qui leur aient este plus agreables que celles de Timprisonnement de leur roi, et que si quelque chose les a affliges en cela, c'est que les Presbyteriens Anglois n"'aient pas fait avec eux ce qui vient d'etre execute par les Independants. Le dit Comte de Traquair m'a dit encore quMl trouvoit le Due de Hamilton et le IVIarquis d"'Argyle tres unis pour le service de leur roi, mais il apprehendoit que les ministres n''empechassent Teffet des bon desseins qu'ils pouvoient avoir Tun et Tautre. Le Comte de Lanark n'est pas encore arrive, et avant son retour le Due de Hamilton me dit qu"'il ne peut donner une reponse asseuree sur la proposition que je lui ay faite de lever un regiment.
Les marchands de cette ville ra"'ont fait quelques plaintes sur ce que Ton avoit taxe comme etranger un nomme Ogilvy, Ecossois, demeurant a Orleans, a la somme de huit cents livres.
376 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [JAN.
II seroit a desirer qu"*©!! ne le contreignit point au payement de cette somme apres ce que V. Em°® a eu agreable que je promisse ici de sa part ; mais il seroit bien raisonable aussi que cela servit de quelque chose pour faciliter les levees.
[MoNTEBEUL to CARDINAL Mazabin. Edinburgh, ^ •^«'^' 1648.
As I have received no letters by the London mail which has just arrived, and as the merchant in whose name they are addressed fears they may have been intercepted, I shall make this one shorter than usual.
I acquainted the Marquis of Huntly with the care their Majesties were disposed to take for his preservation and the special obligations he was under to you, and he sent to express to me in return his very humble thanks to you, for he very properly thinks it better for me not to see him yet, but he has sent a man to Lord Drummond,^ one of his sons-in-law, to tell him to come promptly to this town, so that he and I shall be able to see each other and consult together as to what will be best to do for his interests, in which I shall act in the manner you have been pleased to prescribe. 1 think, however, there will be a small word to change in the letter of his Majesty that has been sent to me, in which I believe it were better not to mention the subject of imprisonment so as not to be obliged either to approve the actions of this Parliament, or to say any- thing that might oifend those on whom the safety or the loss of this marquis depends, against whom the clergy in their pulpits speak in such insulting terms as to give much reason to fear the end of this aiFair.
It is still said here, according to custom, that there will be war between the two nations, but I have always the same reason to doubt it as I previously had. It is, however, very difficult to judge with certainty what may happen before the return of the Scottish Commissioners in London, and perhaps even before the meeting of Parliament.
The Earl of Traquair, who has just come from London, has referred me to the arrival of the commissioners in order to learn what manner of satisfaction the King of Great Britain had given to the Scots. He only mentioned to me that he found those people who had assured me so many times at Newcastle that it would suffice that their king might sanction the Covenant in order to induce them to expose their lives for his interests, wished now to oblige him to sign it before doing anything for his service, which gives me some reason to think that the King of Great Britain may have sanctioned the Covenant and sanctioned it use- lessly. And in fact whatever honest declarations the Scots may just have published, I not only find them averse to the re-establishment of their king, but they have given me reason to remark that they have had no news since the beginning of the war that was more agreeable to
^ James Drummond, 3rd Earl of Perth, married to Lady Anne Gordon, daughter of the Marquis of Huntly.
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 377
them than that of his imprisonment, and if they had any regret therein it was that the English Presbyterians had not done with them what the Independents have just accomplished, llie Earl of Traquair told me also that he found the Duke of Hamilton and the Marquis of Argyle very united in the king's service, but he feared the clergy would prevent the result of the good intentions they might both have. The Earl of Lanark has not yet arrived and before his arrival the Duke of Hamilton tells me he cannot give any definite reply on the proposal I made to him to raise a regiment.
The merchants of this town have complained to me that a Scotsman named Ogilvy, residing at Orleans, had been taxed as a foreigner for eight hundred livres. It would be desirable not to enforce payment of this sum, after what I have promised here on your part, but it would be reasonable also that this help somewhat in facilitating the levies.]
CCXXIV MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimbourg, ^\p^lur l648.
J' AY beaucoup de sujet de croire que j'ecris cette lettre inutilement, et que le paquet qui partira d'ici par cette ordinaire suivra la fortune des deux derniers qui m'ont este envoyes de Londres, dont le premier s'est perdu et le second m"'a este rendu ouvert, sans lettres de la Cour, ni le billet en chiffre que accompagne depuis quelque temps la lettre de M. TAmbassadeur d'Angleterre, et les lettres de mes amis decache- tees, a la reserve d^une qui m'a este rendue bien conditionnee, fort heureusement pour moi, puisqu'elle etoit du pere Talon, Jesuite, qu^il m"'ecrivit pour me remercier de la part de son general du peu de service que j'ay essaye de rendre ici a ceux de son ordre, et qu'il s'exprimoit en des termes assez ouverts pour m'apporter beaucoup de prejudice si elle eut este lue, et pour en causer davantage a tous les Jesuites qui vivent ici.
My Lord Drummond, gendre du Marquis d'Huntley, est arrive. tTay commence par lui faire voir la lettre de cachet que Mons. le Comte de Brienne m'a envoye, ce que j''ay creu devoir faire parce qu'il m"'a semble qu''il ne seroit pas bon d''attendre a en faire venir une autre, s*'il y avoit quelque chose a changer en celle-ci quand on auroit besoin de s"'en servir, et que j'ay creu qu''il etoit a propos en une affaire de telle import-
378 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [feb.
ance, de suivre les sentiments de ceux qui y avoient le principal interet plustot que les miens. Je mande ceci a V. Em°® afin qu'elle ne trouve pas mauvais qu^apres avoir eu ordre de M. le Comte de Brienne de ne me servir de la dite lettre qu'au cas qu'elle puisse etre employee utilement, je Pay fait voir d'abord a ceux qui desereront que je m''en serve principalement quand ils verront leurs affaires en pire etat, et qu'il y aura moins d'apparence qu"'elle puisse leur etre utile. Aussi, Monsg"", prendray-je la hardiesse de supplier tres humblement V. Em°^ que j"'aie la liberte de m''en servir, puisqu''outre que je ne vois pas qu'il soit de si grand prejudice a Sa Majeste d'avoir fait des offires qui n''ayant rien peu sur des peuples qui n''ecoutent que leur interet et leur passion, comme d''avoir laisse perir une personne attachee a son service, sans avoir fait aucun effort pour le secourir; je trouve encore qu'il sera tres difficile de savoir asseurement s''ils feront mourir, ou s*'ils conserveront le dit Marquis, avant qu''il ait eu son arret de mort ou d'ab- solution, de sorte, Monsg', que j"'eviterois difficilement d'etre blame de V. Em'=®, ou des amis du Marquis d'Huntley, — de vous, Monsg'', si je faisois ces offices sans effet; des autres si je manquois de les faire, — puisqu'lls se persuaderoient toujours que je ne les aurois pas faits inutilement.
Le Baron de Drummond, apres avoir eu de moi la copie de la lettre de Sa Majeste pour la faire voir a son beau-pere, a desire que je trouvasse bon qu'il la communiquat au Due de Hamilton, entre les mains duquel il me fait connaitre que le Marquis d'Huntley avoit entierement remis la conduite de ses affaires. Le dit Baron de Drummond me dit quelques heures apres, qu'il avoit fait voir la lettre de Sa Majeste au Due de Hamilton, qui me viendroit trouver le jour suivant, et que le Marquis son beau-pere desiroit que je voulusse suivre ses avis, non seulement en ce qui touchoit la dite lettre, mais pour ce qui regardoit les offices que j'avois a faire pour ses interets.
Le Due de Hamilton me vint voir hier matin, et apres m'avoir temoigne qu'il trouvoit a propos que la lettre fut ecrite en la maniere que je Tenvoye a M. le Comte de Brienne; et m'avoir donne lieu de juger par le soin qu'il prend de cette affaire, que son interet se trouve joint a celui du Marquis d'Huntley, et qu'il est oblige de faire paraitre au moins qu'il
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 379
le veut sauver, car je n'ose pas me promettre de lui davantage, il tomba sur le sujet des affaires publiques, et me dit qu'il avoit difFere a me voir jusqu''a ce qu'il eut quelque reponse formelle a me donner touchant la proposition que je lui avois faite pour la levee d''un nouveau regiment, mais que c''estoit une chose tout-a-fait impossible, puisque apparament les choses se porteroient a une rupture avec TAngleterre ; qu'en- core que Cheyslay, secretaire de leurs deputes, n'eut rien dit en public de ce que leur roi avoit fait pour leur donner satis- faction, et qu'il eut ordre de n''en rien dire, en termes formels, a qui que ce fut, jusqu'au retour de leurs Commissaires, il lui en avoit assez decouvert pour lui faire entendre que le roi de la G"" B"" avoit approuve leur covenant en telle maniere qu'il leur donneroit lieu de prendre les armes pour sa defense, et qu'il estoit temps que la France pensat a assister ses anciens amis, et que je leur en fisse savoir les bonnes nouvelles. Je lui dis que Ton y considereroit toujours beaucoup, de choses qui y seroient proposees de sa part, et que j"'ecrirois avec beau- coup de soin toutes celles qu'il desireroit y faire savoir. II me fit encore entendre que comme il seroit necessaire qu'ils entreprissent d"'abord quelque chose de considerable, il faudroit aussi qu'ils missent la conduite de leur armee entre les mains de personnes plus considerable que ceux que la commandoient a present. Ce sont les principales choses que m"'a dit le S"" Due qui est parti ce matin pour aller a Hamilton.
Le Sieur Cheyslay, secretaire des deputes d'Ecosse a Londres, rendit compte Vendredi dernier a ce Comite, des aiFaires d'Angleterre, et bien que les choses qu'il fit savoir ici doivent estre publiques il y a longtemps en Angleterre, j'ay creu que V. Em*^^ n''auroit pas desagreable que je lui envoyasse un abrege tres exact de ce qu'il a dit, non seulement parce que le secret avec lequel on garde cette relation m'a fait croire qu'elle pouvoit estre de quelque importance, mais encore parce que Pair dont on Ta oblige de representer les choses, et ce qu'il peut avoir ou ajoute ou diminue aux choses qui se sont passees, donnera lieu a V. Em°^, qui sait exactement ce qui se fait en Angleterre, de connoistre les intentions de ceux qui le font parler.
V. Em''® verra aussi par les premieres demandes que ces gens
380 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [FEB.
d"'honneur ont faites aux Anglois, au retour de Plsle de Wight, que le grand zele qu'ils ont temoigne avoir pour la retablisse- ment de leur roi, ne leur a pas ote tout-a-fait la pensee de leurs interets, et qu'ils eussent volon tiers laisse ce Prince prisonnier pourvu que les Independants leur eussent voulu deliverer cent mil livres sterling qu''ils ont demande, et je doute encore bien fort que le refus qu'on a fait de leur donner cet presentement ; la satisfaction que leur roi leur a donnee, et la crainte qu'ils ont de Tarmee des Independants, les puisse porter a prendre une genereuse resolution ; et je crois toujours qu'il ne tiendra pas aux Ecossois que les deux nations ne s'accommodent, quoi- qu'il ne se parle ici que d'entrer en armes en Augleterre. Aussi M' le Comte de Crawford que j'ay veu ce matin, apres m"'avoir dit qu'il estoit temps de voir quelles assistances ils pouvoient attendre de la France, et m'avoir temoigne que contre ce qu''il avoit creu d'abord, ils auroient besoin d'armes et de quelque argent, il m'a fait connoistre que les chefs du parti d"'Argyle parloient fort mollement quand il se proposoit quelque chose dans le Comite qui pouvoit contribuer a une rupture avec TAngleterre, et m'a asseure que quelques uns avoient dit que c'estoit une chose a laquelle ils ne se pouvoient porter trop lentement.
J'oubliois a dire a V. Em*^^ que M' le Due de Hamilton m'a temoigne que la lettre de Sa Majeste ne me pouvoit estre envoyee avec trop de diligence, et que comme apparement les lettres passeront tous les jours avec plus de difficulte par TAng- leterre, et que je desire, il y a longtemps, avoir pres de moi mon jeune frere, et un tres humble serviteur de V, Em*'^ j'ay supplie M' le Comte de Brienne de me vouloir envoyer un double de la dite lettre par Tordinaire, et de vouloir donner Tautre a mon frere, afin qu'il me Tapporte, sans passer par TAngleterre, ce que je ne doute pas qu''il ne puisse faire en cette saison avec plus de diligence que Pordinaire.
[MoNTEREUL to Cardinal Mazarin. Edinburgh, ^j-^: ^^^^
I have much reason to believe that I am writing this letter uselessly, and that the parcel to be sent from here by this mail will have the same fate as the two last that were sent from London for me, of which the first was lost and the second was delivered to me quite open without the letters from Court or the ciphered note that for some time past has been added.
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 381
The letter of the Ambassador in England and the letters of my friends were unsealed, with the exception of one which was delivered to me intact, very luckily for me, seeing it was from Father Talon, Jesuit, who wrote to thank me on the part of the general of his order, for some small service I had tried to render here to some of his order and who ex- pressed himself in somewhat plain terms, that would have brought me much harm had it been read, and would have caused more to all the Jesuits who reside here.
Lord Drummond, son-in-law to the Marquis of Huntly, has arrived. I began by showing him the letter under his Majesty's signet that the Count de Brienne has sent me, which I thought right to do, because it seemed not to be prudent to wait until one might require to use it before having another brought here, if there were anything to change in this one, and that I thought proper in an affair of such importance to be guided by the sentiments of those who had most interest in it, rather than by my own. I mention this to you so that you may not disapprove, that after having had order from Count de Brienne not to make use of the letter in question but in the case that it could be employed to some purpose, I have showed it at first to those who will wish me to make use of it mainly when they will see their affairs at the worst and when their will be less likelihood that it may be useful to them. I shall thus venture to beg you that I may have the liberty of making a less restricted use of it, since besides that I do not see it would cause so great prejudice to his Majesty to have made offers that might be of no avail with people who are only influenced by their interests or their passions, as it would do to leave a person attached to his service to perish, without making any effort to help him, I find also that it will be very difficult to know, with certainty, whether they will put the marquis to death or acquit him, before the judgment of death or acquittal may be pronounced, so that I shall find it difficult to avoid being blamed, either by you or by the ft-iends of the Marquis of Huntly, — by you if I employ these offices without effect, by the others if I fail to do so, since they would always persuade themselves that I would not have done so uselessly.
Lord Drummond, after having had from me a copy of his Majesty's letter, in order to show it to his father-in-law, wished me to agree to his showing it to the Duke of Hamilton, into whose hands he informed me the Marquis of Huntly had confided the entire management of his affairs. A few hours after Lord Drummond told me that he had shown his Majesty's letter to the Duke of Hamilton, who would come to see me about it on the following day, and that the marquis his father-in-law wished me to follow his advice, not only as regards this letter but in all that concerned the offices I had to employ for his interest.
The Duke of Hamilton came to see me yesterday morning, and stated to me that he thought it better that the letter be written in the manner I send it to Count de Brienne, and gave me reason to judge from the care he is taking of this matter that his interest is engaged in it conjointly with that of the Marquis of Huntly and that
382 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [fee.
he is obliged to make it seem at least that he wishes to save him, for I do not venture to expect more. Entering on public matters he told me he had deferred seeing me until he could have a formal reply to give me regarding the proposal I had made to him to raise a new regiment, but that it was a thing altogether impossible, since apparently matters were tending towards a rupture with England, and although Cheisley,'^ the secretary of their commission in London, had not yet stated anything in public of what their king had done to give them satisfaction, having had formal orders not to do so to any person whatever, until the arrival of their Commissioners, he had said enough to enable him to understand that the King of Great Britain had sanctioned their Co\'enant in such a manner that it would give them cause to take arms in his defence, and that it was time that Fi*ance should think of assisting her old friends, and that I might let people then know the good news. I told him that every- thing proposed on his part would always be considered with much attention, and that I would write very carefully all he might wish me to make known. He led me also to understand that as it would be necessary for them to undertake something important at first, it would be also requisite to place the command of their army into the hands of more important persons than those who commanded it at present. These are the principal things told me by the duke, who left for Hamilton this morning.
Sir John Cheisley, secretary to the Scottish Commission in London, gave on Friday last before the Committee of Estates an account of the state of aflFairs in England, and although the things he made known here must have been published long ago in England, 1 thought it would not be disagreeable to you to have a very exact abridgment of what he said, not only on account of the secrecy employed about this statement, which has led me to think that there might be something of importance connected with it, but also because the manner in which one is obliged to represent things and what may be either added or retrenched regarding past events will enable you who know exactly what is going on in England to learn the intentions of those whose mouthpiece he is.
You will see also from the first demands those honourable people made to the English on their return from the Isle of Wight, that the great zeal they have shown for the restoration of their king did cause them quite to overlook their own interest, and that they would willingly have left their prince prisoner provided the Independents had consented to give them a hundred thousand pounds sterling, which they asked ; and I still doubt very much that the refusal they have received as to the payment of that money at present, the satisfaction their king has given them, and the fear they have of the army of the Independents can induce them to take a bold resolution ; and I still believe that it will not be the fault of the Scots if the two nations do not agree, although nothing is talked of here but entering England in arms. The Earl of Crawford
* Sir John Cheisley.
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 383
also, whom I saw this morning, after having told me it was time to see what help they could expect from France, and having stated to me that contrary to what he had at first thought they would require arms and some money, he informed me that the leaders of the Argyle party spoke very supinely when anything was proposed in the committee meetings that might lead to a rupture with England, and he assured me some of them had said it was a step towards which they could not proceed too slowly.
I forgot to tell you that the Duke of Hamilton mentioned to me that the letter of his Majesty could not be sent too promptly, and as the letters apparently will pass each day with more difficulty through England and that I have wished for some time to have my younger brother with me who is your very humble servant, I have begged Count de Brienne to send me a copy of the letter in question by the mail and to give the other to my brother so that he may bring it to me without jiassing through England, which I do not doubt but that he will be able to do in this season more quickly than it could come by mail.]
ccxxv
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edvnboura;, — Fevrier 1 648.
C II
Les Commissaires d''Ecosse ne doivent arriver ici qu'a la fin de cette semaine, et Ton m'asseure que quelque chose qui m'ait este dite, touchant la satisfaction que le roi de la G"" B"" leur a donnee sur le sujet du covenant, on n'en peut savoir le parti- culier qu'apres leur retour en cette ville, mais ce que Ton en peut juger avant leur arrivee est, que quelque chose qu"'ait peu faire leur roi pour les obliger, ils se porteront bien difficilement a faire aucune chose pour le servir. Car ce grand zele que le Due de Hamilton temoigne avoir pour les interets du roi de la G' B'', — et ce qui auroit peu deja, s'il avoit este bien veritable, ou retablir ce Prince en Ecosse ou y miner le dit Due, — est traverse chaque jour par les harangues des ministres qui disent hautement, que Dieu est assez puissant de luy- meme pour punir les Independants, sans avoir besoin de I'as- sistance des hommes, et qu''il voudroit mieux souffrir les injures qu'ils ont deja receues des Anglois et les malheurs qui peuvent encore les menacer que de se servir de Tassistance de ceux du parti de leur roi pour se venger des Independants ou pour s''en defendre.
De sorte qu"'il y a beaucoup d"'apparence que non seulement
384 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [feb.
les Ecossois ne prendront pas les amies pour la conservation et pour le retablissement de leur roi, mais qu'ils s'en serviront meme avec peine pour s''opposer a leur ennemis et pour se conserver eux-memes, et que le Due de Hamilton et peut-estre encore le Marquis d'Argyle, agiront avec tant d''adresse en cette rencontre, que se servant des ministres pour s^opposer aux propositions qu"'ils ne desirent pas qui aient d'effet, ils feront paroistre qu'ils ont eu de bonnes intentions et tascheront que le roi de la &"■ B' leur soit oblige du bien qu'ils se seront contentes de lui vouloir faire.
Cependant les Ecossois tireront divers avantages de cette demonstration qu'ils auront faite de vouloir assister leur roi, et prendre querelle avec les Independants, puisque non seulement cela leur servira pour demeurer armes, — ce qu'ils n'auroient peu faire sans une raison bien pressante, — mais que leur donnant encore lieu d'entrer dans les secrets de tous ceux qui ont suivi le parti du roi de la G"^ B', solt en Ecosse, soit en Angleterre, et de connoistre leurs intentions et leurs forces, aussi bien que celles des couronnes, ils pourront s'en mieux garantier que s'ils les avoient ignorees, et tirer meme quelque recompense de ce qu'ils auront appris quand ils le voudront faire savoir aux Independants, car quelques aigreurs qui semblent estre entre ces deux partis, comme elles sont fondees principalement sur les differences de leur religion qui ne leur sert que de pretexte ; ils tomberont d'accord aisement quand ils considereront I'in- teret qu'ils ont a la ruine de la Monarchic, qui est la veritable fin pour laquelle ils ont pris les armes les uns et les autres, et qui est desiree de tous deux egalement.
Je me suis peut-etre trop avance, en voulant prevoir des choses qui ne sont pas encore arrivees, et qui peuvent meme ne pas arriver ; mais comme j'ay seu de fort bonne part que les Commissaires d'Ecosse entretiennent une etroite correspondance avec les Anglois qui ont servi le roi de la G"" B"" par I'esperance qu'ils leur donnent que leurs interets se pourront unir, et que je trouve ici qu'ils n'ont aucune intention veritable, ni d'assister leur roi ni de secourir ni meme employer ses serviteurs, et que d'ailleurs j'ay beaucoup de sujet de croire qu'ils n'entretiennent ce commerce avec eux que pour achever de les perdre, j'ay pense estre oblige d'en toucher un mot a V. Era*'^ afin que
i647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 385
si elle le trouve a propos, elle fasse avertir la reine de la G*" B"" que les serviteurs du roy son mari ne se doivent decouvrir ni fier aux Ecossois que de bonne sorte.
Les officiers d' Angus viennent d'arriver. Je leur ay fait voir ce que V. Em*=® m'a fait Thonneur de m"'ecrire par sa lettre du 24 Janvier, pour les obliger a travailler avec plus de diligence, ce qui leur a donne une grande satisfaction, et les portera sans doute a bien faire. Cependant comme ils sont dix ou onze, et qu'on n"'a remis ici que cinq mil escus, je supplie V. Em*^® d'avoir agreable qu'on m^envoye encore autant le plustost qu'il sera possible, enfin que le defaut d'argent ne se joigne pas aux autres difflcultes qui se pourront rencontrer en faisant les dites levees, mais comme j'ose asseurer V. Em*^® que nous n'oublierons rien de toutes les choses qui pourront contribuer a les faciliter, je crois estre oblige de luy dire que je prevois qu'il s'y ren- contrera tant d''obstacles, qu'elle ne doit point du tout compter sur les hommes qui pourront venir d'ici cette campagne, car bien que les Ecossois puissent ne se pas haster d'entrer en Angleterre et d''attaquer les Independants, ils ne laisseront pas de se mettre en etat de se defendre, de sorte que non seulement il n'y a pas lieu d''esperer qu'ils donnent une permission ouverte d'emmener des hommes de ce Royaume, mais qu'il y auroit tout sujet de craindre qu'ils n'empechassent mesme de passer en France ceux qu''on auroit leves, sans Tinteret qu'*ils ont de ne pas deplaire a Sa Majeste et de se conserver les bonnes graces de V. Em*=^. Les Capitaines de M. le Comte d'Angus ont trouve a propos que nous attendissions le ^ de ce mois avant que commencer, parce que c'est le jour auquel se doit tenir le grand comite, et ou Ton pourra decouvrir quel train prendront les affaires de ce Royaume.
Je continuerai a user de la retenue que V. Em*'® m'a ordonnee par celle qu'elle m'a fait Thonneur de m'ecrire du 24 du mois passe, toutes les fois que Ton me parlera ou des assistances que ce royaume pourra recevoir de la France, ou de la venue du Prince de Galles en Ecosse, qui sont des choses dont on m'en- tretient fort souvent, mais en sorte que je puis aisement garder le temperament qui m'a este prescrit, puisqu''on n'en vient pas dans le particulier, et qu''il semble que ce qui m"'en a este dit jusqu''ici soit plustost pour me faire croire qu'on veut entre-
VOL. II. 2 b
386 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [feb.
prendre quelque chose pour le roi de la G"" B"" que parce qu'on ait besoin veritablement du secours de la France, ou qu'on espere de pouvoir avoir le Prince, — tant cette proposition est eloig-nee de toute sorte de raison.
Will. Moray parle maintenant d'aller en France, et s'est laisse entendre qu''il y va principalement pour faire venir ici le dit Prince.
Le Marquis d'Argyle a este voir la semaine passee David Leslay. On parle de longues assemblies qui se sont tenuees en sa maison, ou ont assiste les Barons de Balmerino, de Belcarras, et quelques autres de leur faction, et dans lesquelles on veut quMl ait este propose que Tarmee d'Ecosse imiteroit celle d'Angleterre, et que les Presbyteriens suivroient le gouvernement des Independants, a quoi ils ont trouve quelque difficulte. On attend les Commissaires d'Angleterre peu de jours apres le retour de ceux d'Ecosse.
[MoNTEREUL to CARDINAL Mazarin. Edinburgh, /, Feb. 1648 The Scottish Commissioners from London will only arrive here at the end of this week, and 1 am assured whatever may have been done regarding the satisfaction that the King of Great Britain has given them on the subject of the Covenant, nothing can be known of the particulai's of it until after their return to this town, but what may be judged of it before their arrival, is that whatever their king may have been able to do in order to oblige them, they will be induced with much difficulty to do anything to serve him. For this great zeal that the Duke of Hamilton manifests in the interests of the King of Great Britain, — which had it been real would have already restored that prince in Scotland or ruined the Duke there, — is opposed each day by the harangues of the clergy, who say loudly that God is powerful enough of Himself to punish the Independents, without requiring help from man, and that it is better to bear the insults they have already received from the English, and the misfortunes that may yet threaten them, than to profit by the assistance of those of their King's party in order to avenge themselves on the Independents, or in order to defend themselves from them. So that there is much likelihood, not only that the Scots will not take arms for the preservation and the restoration of their king, but that they will even do so with difficulty in order to oppose their enemies and preserve themselves, and that the Duke of Hamilton, and perhaps also the Marquis of Argyle, will act with so much dexterity in this circumstance, that making use of the clergy in order to oppose the proposals they do not wish to have any result, they will make it appear that they had good intentions, and will strive to make the King of Great Britain obliged to them for the good they will have contented themselves in wishing to do for him.
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 387
However, the Scots will derive several advantages from this demonstra- tion that they will have made to wish to assist their king and pick a quarrel with the Independents, since it will not only enable them to remain armed, which they would not have been able to do without a very urgent reason, but it will also give them the means of entering into the secrets of all those who have served their king whether in Scotland or in England and of learning their intentions and their forces, as well as those of the powers against which they will be better able to guarantee themselves than had they ignored them, and it will even enable the Scots to obtain some reward from what they have learned when it will suit them to communicate it to the Independents, for whatever of bitterness seems to be between these two parties, as they were principally founded on the differences of their religion, which but serves them as a pretext, they wiU easily come to an agreement, when they consider the interest they have in the ruin of the monarchy, which is the real object for which they have both taken arms, and which is equally desired by them both.
I have perhaps gone a little too far in wishing to foresee matters that have not yet happened and may not take place, but as I have learned on very good authority that the Scottish commissioners keep up a close correspondence with the English followers of the King of Great Britain through the hope they hold out to them that they might combine, and when I find here they have no real intention, neither of assisting their king, nor of helping or even of employing his followers, and that besides I have much reason to believe that they keep up this intercourse with them but in order to effect their complete ruin, I have thought myself obliged to mention the matter to you so that you may, if you judge proper, inform the Queen of Great Britain that the followers of the king her husband ought not to declare themselves or trust much to the Scots.
The officers of Angus have just arrived. I have shown them what you wrote to me in your letter of the 24th ult., in order to induce them to work with more diligence, which gave them much satisfaction, and will no doubt cause them to do well.
However, as they are ten or eleven, and but five thousand crowns have been sent here, I beg you to send me again as much more, as soon as possible, so that the want of money may not be added to the other diffi- culties that are to be met with in making the levies ; but as I venture to assure you that we will omit nothing that will possibly in any way con- tribute to facilitate them, I believe myself obliged to say that I foresee so many obstacles to be met with, that you ought not to count at all on the men to be had from here during this campaign ; for although the Scots may not hasten to invade England and attack the Independents, yet they will not fail to put themselves in a state of defence, so that not only is there no reason to hope that they will give an open permission to take men from this kingdom, but there would be every reason to fear that they might even prevent those who had been raised from going to France, were it not for the interest they have not to displease his Majesty and to retain your good-will. The captains of the Earl of Angus con-
388 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [fee.
sider it better for us not to begin until the ^^ of tliis month as this is the day the Committee of Estates is to meet, when it will be seen what turn the affairs of this kingdom will take.
I shall continue to practise the reserve you order me, in your letter of the 24th ult., to have whenever 1 am spoken to about the assistance this kingdom might receive from France, or about the Prince of Wales coming to Scotland, which are matters very often mentioned to me, but it will not be difficult for me to maintain the temper you indicate as they never enter into particulars about them, and it seems that what has been said thereupon till now was more in order to make me believe that they wished to undertake something for the King of Great Britain than because they really required help from France or that they hoped to obtain the prince, this last proposal being so remote from any sort of reason.
Will. Moray speaks now of going to F'rance and leads people to under- stand he is going principally to bring the prince here.
The Marquis of Argyle went last week to see David Leslie. People speak of long meetings held in his house, at which Lords Balmerino, Belcarras and some others of their faction were present, wherein it was proposed that the army of Scotland should imitate that of England, and that the Presbyterians should follow the direction of the Independents, which they found to be attended with some difficulty. Commissioners from England are expected here in a few days after the return of those of Scotland,
CCXXVI
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimhourg, -z Fevrier l648.
Le Comte de Lanark arriva Dimanche dernier a Hamilton ou le Due son frere Tattendoit, et ou le Comte de Crawford et quelques autres de ce parti Tont rencontre. Le Chancelier, le Comte de Lauderdale, et les autres Commissaires, sont arrives seulement aujourd"'huy en eette ville, ou la grande assemblee qui se devoit tenir ce mesme jour a este remise a Jeudi ^ de ce mois. Ceux qui ont accompagne les dits Commissaires ne doutent pas que sur ce qu'ils ont a representer, — soit touch- ant les esperances que leur donnent les Anglois Presbyteriens, et ceux qui desirent le retablissement de leur roi ; soit touchant les justes craintes qu'ils doivent avoir des Independants, — toute TEcosse ne s"'unisse pour attaquer ceux qui les reduiroient dans peu de temps a la necessite de se defend re.
Cependant, Monsg', quelques professions qu'ils fassent de
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 389
vouloir assister leur roi, et quelque necessite qu'ils aient mesme de le faire ; quand je me souviens que la part des Commissaires d'Ecosse qui sont a Londres a toujours este, non seulement de faire esperer, mais encore de promettre tout ce que le roi de la Gr' B' pouvoit desirer, et celle de ceux qui sont ici de ne rien tenir de ce que promettent leurs deputes ; et que je considere que non seulement les desirs, mais encore les interets des Ecossois se trouvent joints a ceux des Royaumes, et qu'ils veulent, les uns et les autres, la ruine d''un Prince quails croyent tous deux avoir assez offense pour ne s''en pouvoir jamais asseurer, je doute qu'ils entreprennent aucune chose pour son service. Mais quand j''ajoute a ses considerations qu"'un de leur Commissaires a receu, comme Ton m"'a dit, quelque argent, avant que partir de Londres, et que ceux que les Anglois envoient ici doivent oft'rir une plus grande somme, la connois- sance que j''ay que les Ecossois quoi que vaillants, se savent mal defendre, quand on les attaque avec de semblables armes, ne me laisse pas lieu de douter qu'ils ne s''accordent encore presentement avec les Anglois, au prejudice de leur prince, quelques declarations qu'ils aient faites, et quelque resolution que leurs commissaires disent qu*'on doit prendre a son avan- tage.
Le Chev' Henry Guibbe, Ecossois, qui est parti de Londres un jour avant les Commissaires de son pays, me vient de dire que le roi de la G' B"" avoit donne toute sorte de satisfaction a leurs Deputes quoi qu"'il ne sut pas en particulier jusqu''ou elle se pouvoit etendre. II m'a confirme ce qui m'avoit este dit, que leurs Commissaires venoient non seulement avec une veritable intention de porter les choses a la guerre, mais avec beaucoup d^esperance que leur avis seroit suivi ; et comme c^est une personne qui dans un age assez avance, n''a pas quelque fois toute la retenue qui seroit a desirer, il m'a demande assez brusquement, si le Prince de Galles estoit parti de France, et quand il arriveroit ici, suivant ce qui avoit este concerte entre la reine de la G"^ B"" et leurs deputes ; et bien que le dit Chev*" Guibbe puisse ne pas mWoir dit cela seulement hors de propos, mais encore avec bien peu de fondement, comme on ne laisse pas de se troubler en voyant un precipice, encore que ce soit d"'un lieu asseure, la grandeur de celui ou s'^exposeroit ce Prince.
390 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [feb.
en venant en ce royaume, m^a fait craindre mesme une chose que je pense bien qui ne doit pas arriver. Les Commissaires d'Angleterre, qui doivent venir en Ecosse, les premiers n''etoient pas encore ce matin en cette ville. Comme on dit a Londres qu"'ils viennent donner de Targent ici, on dit ici quMls viennent seulement donner des esperances, et decouvrir plustost ce qui s'y fait qu"'y faire aucune chose qui puisse estre a Tavantage de cette nation.
Les ministres de cette ville, ayant commence il y a deux mois a poursuivre le peu de Catholiques qui restent ici, en les excommuniant, en prenant leur bien, et en les obligeant apres a sortir de ce royaume, se sont avises de representer Jeudi dernier, au Conseil, que j'avois un Pretre chez moi ; que Ton disoit tous les jours la messe en mon logis ; et que plusieurs Catholiques du pays la venoient entendre. lis ont prie l6 Conseil de prendre ceci en leur consideration, sans declarer encore ce qu'ils eussent desire qui eut este fait. Sur cette affaire quelques seigneurs qui s'y sont trouves m''ont dit ceci, comme une chose de peu d'importance, et a laquelle ils n'avoient pas juge qu'ils dussent faire de reponse, ni que je deusse faire de reflexion, mais comme je connois la haine que les ministres portent a notre religion, et le regret qu'ils ont qu'il se dise tous les jour la messe dans une ville ou Ton m"*asseure qu'il y avoit plus de dix ans qu"'il ne s"'en etoit dit une seule, et ou depuis pres d'un demi siecle, il n'y a point eu d^'exercise libre de notre religion ; je ne doute point qu'ils ne portent Taffaire plus avant, et qu'ils ne trouvent des superstitieux et des complaisants qui s''accommodent a leurs intentions. J"'ay done pense que j'etois oblige d'en donner avis a V. Em**^, et qu''encore que je ne dusse pas leur faire croire que cela peut aller plus avant, je devois pourtant temoigner a ceux qui m'en parlent que j'avois quelque ressentiment de la hardiesse que leurs ministres avoient prise, et leur faire connoistre qu''il etoit honteux que les Ecossois, les anciens allies et les fideles amis de la France, troublassent un resident de Sa Majeste dans Texercise de sa religion, qui en pourroit faire une profession libre et publique s''il etoit parmi les Turcs ; et qu'il etoit injuste que durant que les regiments Ecossois qui sont en France avoient leur ministres, on mit en question si je devois avoir un Pretre qui
164S] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 391
etoit de ma nation. Cependant, Monsg"", je puis asseurer V. Em°® que, bien que j''ay essaye de faire ce qui a este en moi, non seulement pour assister le peu d"'ecclesiastiques et de Catholiques qui sont ici, mais encore pour les recevoir chez moi, ou j''ai eu presque tout Tete, et ou j'ai encore a present le pere Robe, Jesuite, que Ton poursuivoit il y a quelque temps, et qui sans cela eut difficilement evite d''estre pris, je me suis toutefois conduit avec tant de retenue, — a quoi a servi beau- coup la discretion des Catholiques, que la rigueur dont on use envers eux rend plus prudents que ceux • d'Angleterre, — que hors les dits Catholiques Ecossais et mes domestiques, personne n'a peu dire jusqu''ici qu"'aucun d''eux se soit retire chez moi ait entendu la messe ou commune en ma chapelle. lis doivent ce soir tenir conseil et je ne doute point que les ministres n''y parlent encore de cette aifaire, mais ce sera si tard que Tordi- naire sera parti avant que je puisse savoir ce qui y aura este faite. Comme Tassemblee qui doit se tenir Jeudi prochain, nous donnera plus de lumiere de la possibilite des levees que nous n''en pouvons avoir aujourd'huy, je remets a rendre compte a V. Em^® par le premier ordinaire de ce qui s'en pent esperer. Je ne laisse pas toujours de voir si le Marquis de Douglas et le Major-Gen. Middleton peuvent estre disposes a faire passer en France, chacun une compagnie. Tun pour son fils et Tautre pour son frere, mais je crains toujours soit que I'Ecosse fasse la guerre a TAngleterre soit qu"'elle demeure en paix, il ne soit bien difficile d'avoir des hommes d''ici pour cette compagne.
Au reste, Monsg"", j'ay differe autant qu'il m'a este possible a importuner V. Em''® de mes petits interets, mais comme il y a bien pres de deux ans que je n''ay rien touche du tout de mes appointements ; que j''ay prete au roi de la G"" B*", et employe par son ordre et pour son service, une somme assez considerable pour moi, de laquelle j''ay tire un mot de sa main ; et qu'ainsi que le sieur du Bosc pourra faire voir a V. Em''®, j"'ay depense une bonne partie de ce que j"'avois pour subsister ici avec le plus d''honneur qu"'il m"'a este possible, je suis oblige d''avoir aujourd'huy recours a V. Em''® suivant ce qu'il lui a pleu me commander au dernier voyage que je fis en Fiance, pour la supplier tres humblement de donner ordre que je resolve pre- sentement mes appointements pour le dernier semestre de
392 MONTEllEUL TO MAZARIN [FEB.
Tannee 46, et d'avoir encore agreable de joindre quelque utilite a I'honneur qu'elle me fit la mesme annee en me faisant accorder un brevet de Conseiller d'Etat, J'espere que V. Em*'® aura la bonte de m'accorder une priere qui est accompagnee de tant de justice ; et comme j'attends a la derniere extremite pour lui demander ce qui m'est necessaire pour pouvoir subsister ici, elle ne permettra pas que je le lui demande inutilement, ni que je souffre du prejudice de ma longue retenue et que je sois plus mal paye parce que je ne me suis pas beaucoup importune.'
[MoNTEREUii to Cardinal Mazarin. Edinburgh, -^ Feb. 1648. The Earl of Lanark arrived on Saturday last at Hamilton, where his brother the duke was awaiting him, and where the Earl of Crawford and some others of this party met him. The Chancellor, the Earl of Lauder- dale and the other Commissioners only arrived in this town to-day, where the meeting of the Committee of Estates, which was to be held this same day, has been postponed till Thursday -^ of this month. Those who have accompanied the Commissioners have no doubt as to what they will have to say, either regarding the hopes the English Presbyterians give them and those who wish the restoration of their king, or as to the just fears they ought to have of the Independents, unless all Scotland unite in order to attack them, which would oblige them in a short time to defend themselves.
Yet whatever professions they make of wishing to assist their king, and whatever necessity they may even be under to do it, when I remember that the part of the Scottish Commissioners in London has always been, not only to lead one to hope, but even to promise all that the King of Great Britain could wish and that of those who are here to hold to nothing of what their Commissioners had promised ; and when I consider that not only the wishes but also the interests of the Scots are at one with those of the other kingdoms and that all combined wish the ruin of a prince to whom both kingdoms believe they have given such cause of offence as never to be able to be certain of him, I doubt that they will engage in anything to serve him. But when I add to these considerations that one of their commissioners has received, as I am told, some money before leaving London and that those whom the English are sending here are to offer a much larger sum, the knowledge I have that the Scots, although valiant, do not know well how to defend themselves when attacked with such arms, still give me reason to doubt that they may not yet agree with the English to the prejudice of their prince in spite of the declarations they have made and notwithstanding the resolutions their commissioners say they ought to take for his advantage.
Sir Henry Gibbie, a Scotsman who left London a day before the Commissioners of his country, has just told me that the King of Great
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 393
Britain had given every satisfaction to their Commissioners, although he did not know how far these concessions went ; that their Commissioners had returned, not only with a real intention of carrying matters to a war, but with much hope that their recommendation would be adopted ; and my informant being a person advanced in years, as such have not always the discretion that might be desired, asked me somewhat abruptly if the Prince of Wales had left France and when he would arrive here, according to the arrangement made between the Queen of Great Britain and their Commissioners ; and although Sir Henry Gibbie may have said this to me not only inconsiderately, but without having much ground for doing so, yet as one cannot but feel startled in seeing a precipice, although knowing it to be in a secure place, the magnitude of this one, to which the prince would expose himself by coming into this kingdom, made me even to fear a thing which I must hope is not to happen. The first of the English Commissioners who are coming here had not yet arrived in this town this morning. As it is said in London that they are coming here to give money, it is said here that they are but coming to give hopes and to find out rather what is going on here than to do anything for the advantage of this nation.
The clergy of this town having begun two months ago to persecute the few Catholics that remain here, by excommunicating them, taking their property and obliging them afterwards to quit the kingdom, have be- thought them of representing to the Council on Thursday last, that I had a priest in my house who said Mass there every day and that several Catholics of tlie country had come to hear it. They have begged the council to take this into their consideration without declaring further what they would wish to be done. Some of the nobles who were present at the council meeting told me of this matter as being of little importance and to which they had not judged it necessary to make any reply, nor that ought, as they said, to cost me a thought, but as I know the hatred the clergy bear to our religion, and how they regret that Mass is said daily in a town in which, I am assured, a single one had not been said for more than ten years, and where the free exercise of our religion has not existed for almost half a century, I do not doubt but that they will carry this affair further and that they may find superstitious and time-serving persons to comply with their designs. I therefore thought necessary to give you notice of it, and although I did not wish to make them believe that it may go further, I was however obliged to express to those who told me of it, that I was displeased at the liberty their clergy had taken, and to lead them to understand that it was shameful that the Scots, the old allies and the firm friends of France, should trouble a Resident of his Majesty in the exercise of his religion who might make a free public profession of it were he among the Turks, and that it was unjust while the Scottish regiments in France had their own clergymen to call in <luestion my right to have a priest of my nation. Yet I can assure you, although I have tried to do what I could, not only to assist the few ecclesiastics and Catholics who are here, but also to receive them into
394 MONTEREUL TO BRIENNE [feb.
my house^ where I have had some almost all the summer, and where I still have Father llobe^ Jesuit, who was pursued some time ago and who would otherwise have had difficulty in avoiding being taken prisoner, I have, however, always conducted myself with so much discretion,— being much influenced in this by the discretion of the Catholics which the rigour employed towards them has rendered more prudent than those of England, — that beyond these Scottish Catholics and my domestics no one can say till now that they have come to my house and heard Mass or received the Sacrament in my chapel. They are to hold a meeting of council this evening, and I do not doubt but that the clergy will speak there of this affair, but it will be so late that the mail will have gone before I can know what will have been done. As the meeting to be held on Thursday next will throw more light on the possibility of the levies than we can have to-day, I delay till next mail to give you an account of it. I still continue to see if the Marquis of Douglas and the Major-General Middleton might not be disposed to send each a company to France, the former for his son and the latter for his brother ; but I still fear that whether Scotland may make war on England, or that she remain in peace, it will be very difficult to have men from here for this campaign. I have delayed as long as possible before troubling you about my private affairs, but as it is almost two years since I received any pay ; that I lent to the King of Great Britain and employed by his order, and for his service, a somewhat considerable sum for me, for which I have his note of hand ; and as M. du Bosc could show you I have spent the best part of what I had for my maintenance here in the most honourable manner I could, I am obliged at present to have recourse to you, in accordance with what you were pleased to command me, on my last journey to France, to beg you to give order that I receive at present my salary for the last six months of 1646 : you will thus add some utility to the honour you did me that same year, in granting me a brevet of State Counsellor. I hope you will have the kindness to grant my request, which is made with such justice, and as I have waited till the last ex- tremity to ask what is necessary for my maintenance here you will not allow me to ask in vain, nor that I suffer prejudice because of my long reserve, and that I be more badly paid because I have not importuned you much.
CCXXVII MONTEREUL a BRIENNE
Edimhourg, 15 Fevrier 1648. L'asskmblee de laquelle ou attendait de si grandes resolu- tions fut tenu Lundi le 10 de ce mois, Le Chancelier de TEcosse en fit Touverture par iin discours dans lequel il repre- senta une partie de ce qui s'etait passe en Angleterre depuis quMl y etait arrive, jusques au voyage que firent leur commis-
1648] MONTEREUL TO BRIENNE 395
saire en Tlsle de Wicht ; le Comte de Lauderdale fit savoir ce qui s'etait auparavant ; et le Comte de Lanark ce qui etait arrive depuis, mais le Chancelier ne put achever son recit a cause de son indisposition et de sa longueur ordinaire, ni le Comte de Lanark presque commencer le sien pour le peu de temps qui lui restait, de sorte qu'il remirent Tun et Taute a faire savoir ce qu'ils avaient de plus important a Tassemblee qui se doit se tenir aujourd'hui, ou il n'y a pas toute fois lieu de croire qu'il se prenne aucune resolution important.
Les Commissaires de TAngleterre, dont Tun est un honette coutilier et Tautre dans assez bonne condition, arriverent ici Mercredi 9 Fevrier avec le Ministre Marechal, homme de peu de savoir et de mediocre eloquence, mais de grand credit (et respect) des Independants, et celui qui en eftet est le chef de cette illustre deputation. lis presentirent le jour suivant un papier au Comite, par lequel ils demonstrairent qu'ils avaient quelques propositions a faire a cet Etat, qui etaient de grande importance et demanderent d'estre entendus le plustot qu'il serait possible ; mais le Comite, pour se venger du mepris que les Deputes d'Ecosse out re9us du Parlement d'Angleterre, ont remis jusqu'apres ce jour a deliberer sur leurs demandes.
Les Ministres de cette ville pouses de leur zele ordinaire, c'est a dire accompagnes toujours de fort peu de discretion, arresterent en leur assemblee, qu'on n'accorderait point au Ministre Anglais la permission de precher dans les Eglises de cette ville, qu'ils n"'avaient pas encore demandes. Cependant, depuis Tarrivee des Commissaires d'Angleterre, il a couru des bruits si etranges de la cruaute que les Independants avaient exercees sur la personne du roy d'Angleterre, qu' encore qu'ils aient ete faux, ils eussent peu estre funeste a ces deputes en un pays ou le peuple eussent conserve moins de tendresse pour le salut de leur prince. lis n'ont pas laisse de leur donner, a ce qu'oh me dit, beaucoup d^'apprehension encore qu"'ils ne les ayent exposer a aucun danger et qu'ils n^'ayent point eu sujet de craindre que les Ecossois se portent a temoigner du resentiment d'une nouvelle qu''ils ont re9ue, sans faire paroitre qu^'une fort mediocre douleur.
Ce deputes n'ont veu guere personne que le Marquis d'Argyle, qui entretient avec eux une tres extraordinaire corre-
396 MONTEREUL TO BRIENNE [fee.
spondence; qui proposa meme Jeudi dernier de leur faire trouver un logis et de le faire tapisser de cette couronne, ce qui fut rejette de toute Fassemblee et du Comte de Glanquerne par des termes assez piqants et qui temoignerent, outre qu'il n^etait pas ami des Anglais, il se souvenait de dire ce que le Marquis d'Argyle a faittes en faveur du Comte d'Aiglouton en un process que ces deux comtes avaient pour la preseance et qui a ete regie en faveur de celui de Glanquaire il y a fort peu de jours. Une legere indisposition qui m'a oblige de garder le lit presque toute la semaine passee pour m''empecher de voir les Commissaires de TEcosse sitost apres leur retour, sans qu'ils puissant le trouver mauvais, et nfa donne moyen d'eviter d'accroitre les bruits que M. TAmbassadeur d'Angleterre m'a ecrit qu'on faisait courir de moi dans Londres comme serieuse trouvaille, a faire venir ici le Prince de Galles et a faire que la France assista puissament TEcosse contre TAngleterre, qui sont les crimes dont vous savez mieux que personne que je suis bien innocent, et que le temperement que j''ai essaye de garder, selon les ordres de la-bas, empesche qu''on ait sujet de me rapprocher. Aussi ai-je vu que les dernieres gazettes que nous ont apportes de Londres rendent temoignage que je ne parle jamais de la venue du Prince ni de la rupture entre les deux royaumes qu"'avec beaucoup de moderation. Je n'ai done vu que le Comte de Loudon et le Comte de Lanark, le premier m''a dit que les Commissaires Anglais au lieu de Taccuser, comme on avait public ils devaient faire, d''avoir essaye de mettre le feu entre les deux nations, ils etaient venus le visiter en arrivant et vinrent faire des prieres et des offres a ce royaume au lieu de menaces qu'on attendait d'eux. Mais il esperait que cela ne ferait point changer la resolution qu''avoit touts les honnetes gens dVxposer leur vie pour le deliverance et le retablissement de leur Prince, qu'il ne mettait point de restriction a Tobliga- tion qu"'ils avaient de servir leur roy, comme il avait fait autre- fois en me parlant, qu"'il leur avait donne le plus qu''il avait pu de satisfaction, mais que quelque chose qu''il eut fait pour eux, ils devaient faire pour lui tout ce qu'etait en leur pouvoir, que le Chancelier, le Comte de Lanark et lui etaient aussi bien de meme opinion en ceci, comme ils avaient ete en toute autre chose qu"'il doutait point que la France ne les assista dans ce bon dessain, et qu'il attendait avec beaucoup d''impatience la re-
1648] MONTEREUL TO BRIENNE 397
ponse a une lettre qu'il avait ecrit, il y avait deja assez de temps a Mons. le President de Bellievre sur ce sujet, ensuite de quoi il s'emporta contre les Anglais, avec assez de liberte, et comme une personne qui n'avait pas oublie les injures qu'il en avait a recevoir en son part et qu'il ne les resentait pas moins que celles qu'ils avaient faites a son roy. Le Comte de Lanark me fit paroitre dans une si profonde tristesse du mauvaise etat des affaires du roy de la Grande Bretagne et un deuil tellement etudie qu^il ne me fait douter si sa douleur etait veritable parce qu'il me la fait paroitre trop excessive ; qu'il s''etait etonne jusqu^ici des longueurs qu'apportait la France a assister ce Royaume dans le dessein qu''il avait de retablir son roy, mais qu'il s'affligeait maintenant de voir par les lettres qu'il venait d'en recevoir qu'il n''y avait rien a attend re de ce-cote-la, qu'il n'etait pas toutefois advantageux a sa Majeste de voir former deux republiques si proche de ses Etats et ruiner un grand Prince son voisin et son allie, ce qu"'il prevoyait quMl ne serait plus possible d'eviter. Je lui dis que comme je ne doutais point que la France ne fit tout ce que lui serait possible pour assister TEcosse, quand elle serait engager dans les in- terets de son roy, je ne pouvais aussi mMmaginer que tant que le Due son frere et lui serait vivant ils puissent s'offrir qu''on changea en republique une si ancienne monarchie, et a la conservation de laquelle ils avaient de si puissants interets. Mais il me dit qu"'il prevoyait la ruine de sa maison avec celle de leur roy, et qu'il croyait que ces deux choses seroient absolu- ment sans remede.
Durant que je vous ecrivais ceci le vieux General Leslie est venu me voir, et comme il a vecu moins de temps dans le cabinet qu"'a la campagne qu'ayant peutetre aussi peu de foi que les autres, il a toujours moins d'adresse qu''eux et moins de dissimulation. II m'a parle aussi avec plus de liberte qu'ils n'ont fait. II a commence par des parolles mauvaises contre les Anglais, qui etaient des traitres et des perfides, qu'on ne devait pas seulement donner audience a leurs deputes ; qu'il s'allait hater de prendre les armes et de porter la guerre en Angleterre, que les Anglais autrement viendraient faire en ce pays, — qu'il avait propose il y a deja quelque jours que Ton pent faire faire bruit dans les villes et a la campagne, les noms de ceux qui seront capable de porter les armes,
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afin de pouvoir marcher au meme temps que la guerre seroit declaree, — pourquoi le Prince tardera-t-il a venir ici, sa pre- sence y etait si necessaire pour lui et si utile pour eux ? — pourquoi la France se mettait-elle si tard en devoir de leur envoyer les choses que leur etaient necessaires et que passeront difficilement la mer quand la guerra serait declaree? J'ai repondu a tout ceci aux termes les plus obligeants, mais les plus generaux que j''ai pu ce qui m''a ete autant plus facile que lui-meme m''a dit que les couronnes et les Anglais mal satis- faits voudraient voir ce que les Ecossois feraient pour leur roi avant que de rien faire pour eux.
tTai cru, qu'il n''etait pas hors de propos de vous representer ce que m'avait ete dit par ces trois personnes, qui sont assez considerables en ce Royaume, afin que vous puissiez juger vous-meme par le discours de quelques-uns ce que pourraient etre les intentions de tons les autres. Je ne puis toutefois que je ne prenne le jugement que vous en pourez faire et que je ne vous dis qu''encore que tous ceux que je vois me parlent ce meme langage et que leurs interets et leur resentiments les obligent de prendre les armes, il n'y a point du tout d'ap- parance qu'ils le doivent faire si promptement, ni que ce qu"'ils feront puisse etre a Fa vantage du Roy d'Angleterre.
I^e ministres de cette ville continuent a precher contre le dessein qu'ils croyent que font les Ecossois de rentrer en Angle- terre et de s''unir avec les amis de leur Roy. Gilespie, qui a fait sept ou huit sermons sur cette matiere, pria Dieu, Dimanche dernier, qu"'il les garda des dernieres surprises du Roy d'Angleterre, et remplit la priere qu'il fit «. Dieu de diverses imprecations contre son Prince.
Plusieurs officiers Anglais qui ont servis dans les armees du Roy de la Grande Bretagne arrivent ici chaque jour sans se faire connaitre, entre lesquel on m'a assure qu'etaient les chev- aliers Landril, Lucas, et Glenan, et divers autres, qui pourraient avoir beaucoup de suite. J'ai attendu quelque temps a fermer cette lettre pour voir si le paquet de France qui vient d'arriver me serait rendu, et si j"'avais quelquechose a repondre, mais il est deja si tard que je suis oblige d''envoyer mes lettres. Je ferai tout ce que me sera possible pour me bien acquitter de la commission que vous m'avez fait Thonneur de me donner.
1648] BELLlfiVRE TO BRIENNE 399
[MoNTERELL to Brienne. Edinburgh, 15th February 1648.
The meeting from which such important resolutions were expected was held on Tliursday last, the 10th inst. The Chancellor of Scotland made the opening speech, in which he related a part of what had taken place in England, since he had arrived there, till the time of their Commis- sioner going to the Isle of Wight ; the Earl of Lauderdale related what had taken place previous to that time,^ and the Earl of Lanark what had happened since, but the Chancellor was unable to finish his narration because of an indisposition and his wonted slowness, neither had the Earl of Lanark the time necessary to do more than to begin his, so that they both deferred until the meeting to-day the most important of their communications, when there is, however, no reason to believe they will take any important resolution.
The English Commissioners arrived on Wednesday the 9th inst. One of them is an honest cutler ^ and the other of somewhat higher social condition, with the Preacher ^larshall, a man of small knowledge and scanty eloquence, but of great credit among the Independents. It is he in fact who is the head of this illustrious deputation. ITie day of their arrival they presented a document to the Committee, in which they stated that they had some very important proposals to make to this country, and asked to obtain a hearing as soon as possible ; but the Committee, to take their revenge for the contempt with which the Scottish Commissioners have been treated in England, put off till some future day the consideration of their request.
The clergy of this town, actuated by their wonted zeal, that is to say not accompanied with much discretion, decided in their meeting that no English clergyman should have permission to preach in the city churches, although no request of this nature had been made to them.^ However, since the arrival of the English Commissioners, strange rumours have been current hei-e, about the cruelty the Independents had inflicted on the person of the King of England, which although they may be false, might have been disastrous to these Commissioners, in a country where the people had retained even less solicitude for the
^ See Appendix, Note X, ' Declaration made by the Scottish Commissioners in London to the King of Great Britain, on the subject of the four propositions sent to the said king, in the Isle of Wight, by the English Parliament.'
^ The English Commissioners were Mr. Ashurst, specially referred to above, and Colonel Birch with Mr. Stephen Marshall. Rushwood, part iv. vol. ii. p. loii, relates concerning them: 'Our Commissioners have not yet had an audience, Feb. 23, nor is it supposed they will have till their Parliament sits. The Scots are somewhat unkind to them in not giving them convenient accom- modation . . . Col. Birch and Mr. Marshall get no favourable aspects from the Scots, the one because he succeeded them at Hereford, and the other for being as they say an Independent.'
3 'George Gilespie employed Stephen Marshall to preach in the great Church of Edinburgh, March 25th, and was censured for it.' — Guthry's Metnon'al, p. 212.
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safety of their prince. It yet caused them, I have been told, much appre- hension, although they were not thereby exposed to any danger and they had no cause to fear that the Scots would be led to show their resentment of news which they received by manifesting but a very moderate grief.
These Commissioners have seen scarcely any one since their arrival here but the Marquis of Argyle, who keeps up a very extraordinary correspondence with them. He proposed even on Thursday last to take a place of residence for them and to have it furnished at the expense of the crown, which was refused by all the assembly. The Earl of Glencairn expressed his disapproval in somewhat sarcastic terms, showing that besides his being no friend to the English, he did not forget what the Marquis of Argyle had done in favour of the Earl of Eglington in a process these two earls have had for the precedence, which was decided a few days ago in favour of the Earl of Glencairn ^
I was obliged through a slight indisposition to remain in bed almost all last week ; hence I was unable to visit the Scottish Commissioners immediately on their return, and while my absence on this account could not be considered by them to be unseemly, it enabled me to avoid giving any sort of confirmation to those rumours that the Ambassador in England has told me are circulating and have obtained credence in London, as being founded, — that it was proposed to bring the Prince of Wales here and that France was about to give powerful assistance to Scotland against England, — these are crimes which no one knows better than you, I am quite innocent of, and the middle course which I have tried to maintain according to the orders from your side, prevents their being any cause for reproaching me in the matter. The last gazettes from London I see only do me justice in stating that I never speak of the coming of the prince, nor of the rupture between the two kingdoms but with much moderation.^
I have therefore but seen the Earl of Lauderdale ' and the Earl of Lanark. The first told me that the English Commissioners instead of accusing him, as it had been published they were about to do, of having tried to raise a flame between the two nations, had visited him on their arrival and came to make requests and offers to this kingdom instead of
^ 'There has been, 31 Jany. 1648, a great law-suit between the Lords of Glencairn and Eglington, who of them should be the first Earl ; the last week the Lords of Session adjudged it for Lord Glencairn, whereupon the other challenged him to combat, which being discovered, the Privy Council bound them to the peace under pain of 100,000 pounds Scots and appointed Duke Hamilton, Marquis of Argyle, Lords Crawford, Casselis and Callander to compose the difference.'— Rush worth, part iv. vol. ii. p. 982.
2 • Montereul is still in Edinburgh, 31 Jany. 1648, he makes no public address, no speech of the Prince of Wales coming into the kingdom.'— Rush- wood, vol. ii. p. 982.
3 The name of Loudon in the original is seen from the context to be an error, and that it ought to be Lauderdale.
1648] MONTEREUL TO BRIENNE 401
the threats they expected from them. But he hoped that would not change the resolution that all honest people had taken to expose their lives for the deliverance and the restoration of their prince ; that he placed no restriction on the obligation that rested on them to serve their king, as he had done formerly in speaking to me of it ; that the king had given them the greatest satisfaction he was able to do, but whatever he had done for them, they ought to do for him all that was in their power ; that the Chancellor, the Earl of Lanark and he were quite agreed in this, as they had been in every other thing, so that he did not doubt but that France would assist them in this good design and that he was expecting with much impatience the reply to a letter he had written some time ago to President de Bellievre on this subject. After which he lost his temper in speaking of the English, which he did somewhat freely, as a person who had not forgotten the insults he had received from them on his own account, which he resented, no less than those they had given to his king. The Earl of Lanark appeared to me in such a state of profound sadness because of the bad state of the king's affairs and in a sorrow so studied, that I was obliged to doubt of his grief being real, the expression of it seeming too excessive. He had, he said, been surprised till now at the delays France had occasioned in coming to the assistance of this kingdom in the intention it had of restoring its king, but that he was afflicted now to see by the letters he had just received from there that there was nothing to be expected from that quarter ; that it was not, however, advantageous for his Majesty to see two republics so near his own states and to see the ruin of a great prince his neighbour and his ally, which he foresaw it would be impossible to prevent. I told T did not doubt but that Fi'ance would do all that was possible to assist Scotland when she would be engaged in the interests of her king, that besides I could not imagine it to be possible so long as the duke his brother and he lived that one would attempt to change into a republic such an ancient monarchy in the maintenance of which so many powerful interests were combined. But he told me he foresaw the ruin of his house ^ involved in that of their king, and that he believed both misfortunes would be absolutely irremediable. While I was engaged in writing this, old General Leslie called to see me, and as he has lived less in the cabinet than in the camp, being
^ The earl's apprehension was but too well founded, as may be seen from the following extract from The Picture of Scotland, by Robert Chambers, vol. ii. p. 349 : ' Anne, Duchess of Hamilton, daughter of the duke who perished at Worcester, in whom the old line of the family ended, resided in Strathaven Castle and in Broderick Castle in Arran, alternately, during the period of the Commonwealth. Her Grace had been deprived of her estates by Cromwell, and she would have been perhaps altogether destitute, but for the attachment and faithful services of a dependant. This person, a female servant, and the only one that remained with the duchess, employed herself in spinning to procure the means of subsistence for her Grace. She span incessantly for eight or ten years till the Restoration put an end to her mistress's misfortune by re-investing her with her estates. '
VOL. II. 2 c
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perhaps as little to be trusted as the others, he is still less artful than they and less practised in dissimulation. He spoke to me also with greater freedom than they did. He began by some invectives against the Englishj who were traitors and not to be trusted, that one ought not even to give an audience to their commissioners ; that he was going to make haste to take arms and carry the war into England which otherwise the English would bring into this country ; that he had already pro- posed some days ago that one might have the names of those capable of bearing arms proclaimed in the towns and through the country, so as to be able to march at the same time as the war would be declared. Why, he asked, did the Prince of Wales delay in coming here, his presence was so necessary for him and so useful for them ? Why was France so back- ward in setting about sending them the necessary supplies which it will be difficult to transport by sea once war is declared ? I i-eplied to all this in the most obliging but the most general terms I could think of, which was all the more easy for me as he had given me the reply himself, that the other governments and the English being dissatisfied wanted to see what the Scots would do for their king before doing anything for them.
I have thought it to be not out of place to represent to you what was said to me by these three persons, who are much considered in this kingdom, so that you may be able to judge for yourself by the conversa- tion of some what may be the intentions of all the others, I cannot, however, but adopt the judgment you will be able to come to, and tell you that although all those whom I see sjjeak in the same manner, and that their interests and their resentments oblige them to take arms, there is no likelihood whatever that they are to do it so promptly, nor that what they will do may be to the advantage of the King of England,
The clergy of this town continue to preach against the intention that they think the Scots have of invading England and of joining with the friends of their king. Gillespie,^ who has had seven or eight sermons on this subject, prayed God last Sunday that he would preserve them from the latest surprises of the King of England, and filled his prayer with sundry imprecations against his prince.
Several English officers who have served in the armies of the King of Great Britain arrive here daily without making themselves known, among whom 1 have been assured are Sir Marmaduke Laugdale, Sir Charles Lucas and Sir Thomas Glenham and several others, which may have an important result. I have delayed closing this letter to see if
■* George Gillespie had been one of the Scottish delegates to the Westminster Assembly of Divines. He was Moderator of the General Assembly during this year, in the month of December of which he died. His last work was the drawing up of ' the Commission of the kirk's answer to the Estates observations, on the declaration of the General Assembly, concerning the unlawfulness of the Engagement.' This engagement between the king and the Scottish Parliament was henceforward known among the clergy as the unlawful engagement, and its supporters were termed malignants.
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 403
the parcel that has just arrived from France would be delivered to me, and if there might be something therein for me to reply to, but it is already so late that I am obliged to send off my letters. I shall do what I can to execute the commission you have given me.
CCXXVII
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimbourg, "f^^ 1648.
Il ne s"'est rien resolu davantage dans les Comites qui se sont tenus le Mardi et le Jeudi de la semaine pass^e, que dans ceux des jours precedents. M. le Comte de Lanark a fort peu parle, mais le Chancelier y a fait une longue harangue par laquelle il a expose les satisfactions que le roi de la G' B' avoit resolu de leur donner toutes les fois que les propositions de paix lui seroient presentees par les deux royaumes — car ce sont les termes dont on m'a dit qu'il s'etoit servi — et leur a declare que le dit roi approuveroit le covenant sans obliger toutefois personne a le prendre, et etabliroit pour trois ans le Presbyteriat, durant lequel temps on tiendroit une assemblee en la maniere qu'il avoit deja propose pour regler les affaires de la religion.
Le Comte de Lauderdale a parle apres le Chancelier, et a entrepris de prouver que les Independants avoient rompu le Covenant en toutes ses parties, et leurs traites en chaque article, — et Tun et Tautre ont rempli leurs discours de plusieurs reproches contre les Anglois, jusque la que le Comte d'Lauder- dale a dit d"'assez bonne grace, qu'il y avoit quatre choses que les Anglois ne pouvoient souffrir, — le Covenant, le Presbytere, le gouvernement Monarchique, et les Ecossois.
Ces choses se dirent le Mardi '^ au Comite et le Mercredi dans TAssemblee des ministres qui avoient demande qu''on ne passat pas outre dans les affaires sans leur donner avis de ce qu'on faisoit, quelques uns du parti de Hamilton trouverent que cette demande etoit insolente, et dirent qu'ils auroient sujet un jour de regi-etter les eveques qu"'ils avoient chases, parce qu"'ils vouloient avoir trop de part dans les affaires civiles. Mais le Marquis d^Argyle interpreta leur demande avec quelques adoucissements, comme s''ils eussent desire seulement qu'on ne
404 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [march
prit pas une derniere resolution, sans leur en donner quelque connoissance, et fit tant quMls emporterent ce quMls demandoient. Cependant MM. les ministres n''ont nullement ete satisfaits de ce que le roi de la G"^ B"" leur a accorde, et comme la lettre du dit roi etoit en creance au Chancelier d*'Ecosse, ils ont demande d'avoir sous la main, ce qu'il leur avoit dit de bouche, des intentions de leur roi ; ce qu''on m''a dit que le Chancelier a refuse jusqu''a ce qu''il Teut communique au Comite des Etats, et je n'ai pas seu s''il leur a encore donne ce qu'ils ne desirent avoir que pour en tirer avantage contre leur roi.
Car c"'est une chose dont ceux-la ne peuvent douter qui ont ete presents aux injures que quelques uns d''entre eux ont vomi Dimanche dernier dans leurs chaires contre leur prince et aux imprecations qu'ils ont faites contre ceux de ce Parlement, qui porteroient la guerre en Angleterre avec intention de le retablir, ou que prenant les armes pour y remettre leur religion, se joindroient aux soldats sanctifies qui etoient sur pieds, les criminals et les maudits qui avoient servi leur prince. Ce qui, a Texception de Colin et de Ramsay, qui ont preche pour le roi de la G"" B% a ete le langage de tous les autres, jusques la que le ministre Leslay osa dire au Due de Hamilton, qui assistoit a son preche, que la malediction de Dieu seroit sur lui et sur sa posterite s"'il favorisoit les serviteurs de son roi ; et recita toutes les defaites, qui sont en bon nombre, que les Ecossois ont cues quand ils ont porte les armes contre TAngleterre ; et qu*'un autre, apres avoir dit que Dieu avoit laisse tombre sa main pesante sur la fortune et sur la personne de son prince, Tayant avec juste raison prive de son Etat et fait prisonnier, sans avoir peu toutefois toucher son coeur, ni le remettre au bon chemin, — afin de n'^epargner personne, s"'emporta de telle sorte contre les Commissaires d' Angleterre qui assistoient a son preche qu'il leur reprocha qu'ils etoient des traitres et des parjures, sans user d'aucune circonlocution. Cette liberte des ministres fait croire qu*'ils sont bien avoues des grands du royaume de ce qu'ils prechent, qui veulent pouvoir dire qu'ils ont ete empeches par eux d'executer les bonnes intentions qu''ils avoient pour le service de leur roi.
On avoit creu qu''il se resoudroit quelque chose dans le Comite qui se tint hier, en suite du jeune qui se garda Dimanche,
1 647] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 405
car c'est le jour ou Ton a de coutume ici de faire abstinence, pour s'eloigner davantage de ce qui se pratique en notre eglise, mais on a remis a demain a deliberer sur les affaires sur lesquelles il y a peu d''apparence que Ton prenne sitost aucune resolution, quoi qu'il se publie au contraire.
On ne me parle presque plus, ni de la venue du Prince de Galles ici, ni des secours que TEcosse pretend avoir de la France, soit que la retenue avec laquelle j'ai toujours repondu a Tune et a Tautre de ces deux propositions ait empeche de me les faire davantage, soit que comme les Ecossois n"'ont que de mauvaises intentions ils sont bien aises dVn oter, autant quMls peuvent, la connoissance a une personne qu'ils savent par experience etre tres attachee aux interets du roi de la G' B"". Cela n'empeche pas que je ne trouve, et par de tres fortes conjectures et par le rapport de quelques personnes d'honneur et bien informees, que ce que desirent principale- ment aujord'huy les Ecossois est d'avoir ici le Prince de Galles; quMls n'oublieront rien de toutes les choses qui pourroient con- tribuer a lui faire croire qu''il sera ici en seurete, et qu'il y trouvera de Tassistance pour pouvoir mettre en liberte son pere, enfin qu'ils lui feront des promesses pour Tattirer en ce royaume, qu'ils se soucieront fort peu de garder quand il y sera venu, Aussi, Monsg"", considerent-ils la venue de ce Prince en leur royaume comme la chose qui pent accommoder plus facilement leurs affaires, qui ne fiireut jamais plus deconcertees qu'elles le sont aujourd'huy, puisque en Tattirant dans leur pays, non seulement ils s''asseurent centre les craintes qu''ils auront toujours de son retour avec des forces, tant qu''il sera chez les princes que lui sont amis ; mais quails peuvent encore, selon qu^il leur sera plus utile, ou le vendre comme son pere, ou le garder pour Topposer aux Independants, toutes les fois qu'ils voudroient entreprendre quelque chose contre TEcosse, de sorte que le Prince n"'a pas de plus prompt moyen pour faire que les Ecossois s"'accommodent avec TAngleterre, et pour achever de se perdre que de venir se mettre entre leurs mains, et veritablement ils font paroistre dans toutes leurs actions si peu bonne volonte pour le roi de la G' B"" que quelque haine qu'ils portent aux Independants, je ne doute point qu'^ils ne travaillassent a les conserver, sMls croyoient que
406 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [march
la perte de leurs ennemis peu contribuer en aucune sorte au retablissement de leur roi.
Les Commissaires d'Angleterre qui etoient demeures derriere sont arrives ici, a la reserve du Comte de Stamford qu''on attend, a ce que '.ron dit, au premier jour. lis presenterent un nouveau papier Mardi ^4 Fevrier, et Samedi le Chancelier devoit aller chez eux pour voir leurs pouvoirs. Je ne sais point s'ils ont fait quelque chose depuis ce jour, mais ils ont fait, a ce qu'on me dit, quelque distribution manuelle aux ministres, et ne s'etonnent pas du tout du bruit que Ton fait ici, de vouloir lever une armee pour entrer en leur pays. Un d'entre eux disoit il y a quelques jours, nous sommes asseures de demeurer amis des Ecossois, car nous avons resolu d'etablir leur religion, et de leur donner de Targent, qu'ils aiment encore mieux que leur religion. Aussi, dit-on, qu'ils ofFriront cent mille livres sterling comptant, et plus s'il est necessaire, et quMls ont apporte beaucoup d'or avec eux ; ce que le Due de Hamilton me disoit il y a deux jours, qui etoit fort peu necessaire, puis qu'il y avoit moyen de le donner a ceux qui etoient le mieux disposer a les servir, sans le faire venir ici ; me voulant faire entendre que le Marquis d'Argyle avoit un homme a Londres seulement pour y recevoir de Targent. II me dit encore qu'il voyoit avec un extreme regret que tout le monde ne se portoit pas, ainsi qu'il avoit creu, avec mesme ardeur pour les interets de son roi.
Je ne m'etois pas trompe en mandant a V. Em*'^ que Tindis- cretion des ministres de ce pays ne s'arreteroit pas a ce qu"'ils avoient ose faire contre moi. V. Em*=® verra, s'il lui plait, par le papier que j'ay envoye a M' le Comte deBrienne, jusques ou ils se sont portes, et ce que j'avois resolu de demander contre eux. Divers raisons m'ont tontefois empesche de presenter ce billet quMl seroit long de representer a V. Em°% cependant j'auray toujours lieu de le donner selon que V. Em'^® Tapprou- vera en y changeant les choses qui devront y estre changees ; mais pour porter ces gens plus aisement a se reconnoitre, et sans les aller rechercher, il semble qu'il n"'y auroit qu''a envoyer ordre au Havre, a Rouen, a Dieppe, et a Bordeaux d'arrester les vaisseaux et les marchandises des Ecossois qui y sont, jusques a ce qu''ils eussent donne ici quelque sorte de satisfaction.
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 407
Le Major du regiment des Gardes Ecossoises n\'toit pas encore parti ce matin. M. le Chev'" Moray me parle souvent de la proposition que m''avoit fait autrefois le Marquis d'Argyle, pour faire monter en garde son regiment, mais je remettray a en rendre compte a V, Em*^® par le prochain ordinaire, tant parce que ma lettre se fait deja longue, que pour ce que je verray pent estre mieux que je ne fais, s'il y a quelque esperance d'avoir des honnnes d'autre part, ce que je trouve tous les jours plus difficile.
J'ay fait en sorte que le Due de Hamilton a pris sur lui de m''avertir s''il y auroit lieu de presenter ou non la lettre que j'attends de Sa Majeste pour le Marquis d'Huntley. Mes lettres m'ont ete prises encore par cet ordinaire. Je tascheray de decouvrir de quelle fa^on cela se fait, et de voir s'il y aura moyen d'empescher que cela arrive dorenavant.
[MoNTEREiL to CARDINAL Mazarin. Edinburgh, —^7 1648 Nothing further was decided upon in the committee meetings that were held on Tuesday and Thursday last week than in those held previously. The Earl of Lanark spoke very little, hut the Chancellor made a long harangue in which he explained the concessions their king had resolved to give them whenever the terms of peace were presented to him by both kingdoms — for these are the terms which I am told he made use of — and declared to them that the king would sanction the Covenant, without however obliging any one to take it, and would establish Presbyterianism for three years, during which time an assembly would be held in the manner that had already been proposed in order to settle all questions of religion.
The Earl of Lauderdale spoke after the Chancellor, and undertook to prove that the Independents had broken the Covenant in all its stipula- tions, and their treaties in each article. Both speakers indulged largely in reproaches against the English, the Earl of Lauderdale having remarked somewhat wittily that there were four things Englishmen could not tolerate, the Covenant, Presbyterianism, monarchical govern- ment, and Scotsmen. These things were said on Tuesday ^ at the committee meeting, and on Wednesday following in the meeting of the clergy a request was made to the Committee of Estates not to decide on any measure without first giving them notice of it. Some of the Hamilton party found this demand to be insolent, and said they would soon have reason to regret the bishops, that they had driven away because they wished to have too large a part in civil matters. But the Marquis of Argyle interpreted their demand l)y toning it down, as if they had wished only that no final decision be come to without their having some know- ledge of it, and succeeded so well that he carried what they had wished.
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Yet the clergy are not at all satisfied with what the King of Great Britain has granted them ; and as the letter of this king was in the hands of the Chancellor of Scotland^ in order to be attested, they asked to have it in their hands to judge for themselves of what the Chancellor had merely infonned them of the intentions of their king, which I am told the latter refused until it had been communicated to the Committee of Estates, and I have not learned if he has yet given them what they merely wished to have in order to turn it against their king. For this will not be questioned by those who were present at their preachings and heard the insults some among them vomited out on Sunday last in their pulpits against their prince, and the imprecations they directed against those of the Parliament who would carry war into England, with the intention of restoring him, or who taking arms in order to establish their religion there would join to the sanctified soldiers that were raised, the criminals and accursed persons who had served their prince. Such, with the exception of Colin and of Ramsay, who preached for the King of Great Britain, was the language of all the others, even to the clergyman Leslie, who dared to say to the Duke of Hamilton, who was present at his preaching, that the curse of God would be on him and on his posterity if he favoured the followers of his king ; and he repeated all the numerous defeats that the Scots have had when they have carried arms against England : and another, after having said that God had let fall His heavy hand on the fortune and on the person of his prince, having with just reason deprived him of his state and made him prisoner without having been able however to touch his heart, nor to put him in the right way, so as to spare no one, flew into a passion against the English Commissioners who were present at his preaching, and reproached them as traitors and perjurers, without employing any circumlocution. This liberty of the clergy leads one to believe they are protected in what they preach by the great ones of the kingdom, who wish to be able to say they have been prevented by them from executing the good intentions they had for the service of their king.
It was thought that some decision would have been come to in the committee meeting held yesterday after the Sunday fast, — for that is the day on which abstinence from food is practised here so as to be opposed as far as possible to what is done in our church, — but the discussion was postponed until to-morrow, and there is not much reason to think that any resolution will be taken soon, whatever may be asserted to the contrary.
I am very seldom spoken to now about the Prince of Wales coming here and of the assistance Scotland pretends to have from France, whether it be that the reserve with which I always replied to one or other of these two proposals may have prevented them from doing so any more, or that as the Scots having but bad intentions they are glad to conceal them as much as they can from the knowledge of a person whom they know by experience to be much attached to the interests of the King of Great Britain. That does not prevent me from finding out by very strong conjectures and by the accounts of several honourable and well-
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 409
informed persons that what the Scots desire principally at present is to have the Prince of ^V^ales here ; that they will omit nothing whatever of what may contribute to make him believe he will be in security, here, and that he will find assistance in order to be able to set his father at liberty. In short, that they will make promises to draw him into this kingdom, that they will be little careful of keeping when he will have come there. Thus they consider the arrival of this prince in their kingdom as the thing most wanted for the arranging of their affairs, which were never more in disorder than at present; since by attracting him into their country, not only do they assure themselves against the fears they will always ha^e of his return with forces, so long as he remains with other princes who are his friends, but they may also, according as it will be most profitable for them, either sell him like his father, or keep him in order to oppose him to the Independents, whenever they would wish to undertake any thing against Scotland, so that the prince has no surer means in order to induce the Scots to come to an agreement with England and to complete his own ruin than to put himself into their hands, and truly they show in all their actions so little good-will for the King of Great Britain, that whatever hatred they bear to the Independents, I do not doubt but that they would set to work to preserve them if they be- lieved this loss of their enemies could in any way contribute to the restoration of their king.
The English Commissioners, who had remained behind, arrived yester- day, with the exception of Lord Stamford,^ who, I am told, is expected on an early day. They presented a new paper on Tuesday, ^ February, and on Saturday the Chancellor was to visit them to see their credentials. I do not know if they have done anything since that day, but they have, I am told, made some disti-ibution by hand to the clergy, and they are not at all surprised at the rumour prevalent here of wishing to raise an army in order to enter their country. One of them said a few days ago, ' We are certain of remaining friends with the Scots, for we have decided to establish their religion and to give them money, which they like still better than tlieir religion.' Thus it is said they will offer a hundred thousand pounds stg. in ready money and more if it be necessary, and that they have brought much gold with them, which the Duke of Hamilton told me two daj-s ago was scarcely necessary, since there was a means of giving it to those who were the best disposed to serve them, without bringing it here, wishing me to understand that the Marquis of Argyle had a man in Loudon simply to receive money there. He told me also that he saw w ith extreme regret, that every one was not led as he would have thought with the same ardour for the interests of his king. I was not mistaken in informing you that the indiscretion of the clergy
^ 'January 29th, 1648. The Lords this day agree absolutely upon the two Commissioners of their house to go along with the Commissioners of the House of Commons for Scotland, viz., the Earl of Nottingham and the Earl of Stam- ford.'— Rushworth, part iv. vol. ii. p. 979. ^
410 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [march
would not stop with what they had dared to do against me. You will please see by the paper^ which I have sent to Comte de Brienne to what lengths they have been carried, and what I have resolved to ask against them. Several reasons have, however, prevented me from presenting this note, which would be too long to indicate to you, yet I shall always have an occasion to give it, according as you approve of it, in changing therein what you may consider to require alteration ; but the easiest way to bring these people to their senses, without importuning them, would it seems simply be to send order to Havre, Rouen, Dieppe, and Bordeaux to stop the ships and the goods of the Scots who are there, until they have made some kind of reparation liere.
The major of the regiment of Scots Guards had not yet gone this morning. Sir Robert Moray often speaks to me of the proposal the Marquis of Argyll made to me formerly of making his regiment mount guard, but I shall delay giving you an account of it till next mail, both because my letter is already too long, and that I may be able to see better before then what hope there may be of having men from some- where else, which I find each day becoming more difficult.
I was able to arrange so that the Duke of Hamilton is to tell me if there would be occasion or not to present the letter that I am expecting from liis Majesty for the Marquis of Huntly. My letters by this mail were again taken away from me. I shall try and learn in what manner it is done, and see if there be no means of preventing it from happening in future.
CCXXIX
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edirnbonrs, — Mars l648.
II ne s'etoit encore pris hier de resolution touchant la paix pu la guerre, quoi que Ton ait tenu diverses assemblees, tant publiques que particulieres pour cet eft'et ; ni donne de reponse aux deputes d'Angleterre bien que les Comtes de Lanark et de Lauderdale et deux des deputes d'Ecosse que etoient a Londres, aient ete envoyes vers eux pour entendre leurs propositions. EUes sont en general, a ce qu'on me dit, de vouloir etablir le Presbyteriat en Angleterre, donner Targent qui est deu aux Ecossois, et entretenir avec eux une bonne intelligence, — enfin, toutes choses qui sont agreables et qui seront difficilement rejettees s"'ils croyent qu''elles leur soient offertes avec dessein de les tenir.
•* See Appendix, Note S.
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 411
Les Ministres ont declare dans leur Assemblees que le roi de la G"^ B*" a plustost essaye de les surprendre que de leur donner satisfaction, dans ce qu"'il leur a accorde en Tlsle de Wight, et que TEcosse ne peut en conscience entreprendre aucune chose pour son service. Et bien que le Comite qui est etabli pour les affaires civiles ait desire avoir part de cette declaration avant qu"'elle fut publiee, on croit que cela ne fera pas changer une resolution que les Ministres n'auroient ose prendre s"'ils n''en etoient bien avoues par ceux qui ont le plus d''autorite dans cet Etat, et que sont bien aises de faire paroistre qu''ils n''ont pen, ce qu''ils n'ont pas voulu, faire, pour les interets de leur roi.
On commence aussi a remarquer que le Chancelier d"'Ecosse agit avcc moins de chaleur qu''auparavant, et que le jMarquis d''Argyle et ses amis ne parlent que fort pen differemment dans les Comites, de ce que font les INIinistres dans leurs Eglises, ou de ce qu''ils resoudent dans leurs assemblees. Enfin, Ton a tout sujet de reconnoitre que quoi que puissent ou dire ici, ou ecrire en France les particuliers pour en tirer des secours, ou pour attirer le Prince de Galles en ce ro3'aume, il n'y a rien de bon a attendre de ce pays, ni pour lui ni pour le roi son pere. Et en effet, bien qu'il soit possible qu'ils arment, puisque c"'est une chose qui leur est presque necessaire, et que la crainte qu'ils ont des Independants, ou la haine qu''ils leur portent les puisse obliger a entrer en Angleterre, ce qu'ils tascheront de ne pas faire, et ce qu''ils ne feront qu'u la derniere extremite, comme ils ne travailleront pas moins a empescher le retablisse- ment de leur roi, qu'a procurer la ruine des Independants, on a lieu de croire que le Prince de Galles ne peut niieux profiter de leurs desordres qu'en ne prenant pas de part en leurs interets.
Aussi, Monsg', cette querelle que je crois veritable entre TEcosse et les Independants ne passant pas plus avant con- tribue si fort aux interets des uns et des autres, qui, si Ton ne savoit les sujets de degout et de jalousie qui sont entre eux, il y auroit tout sujet de croii-e qu''elle seroit feinte, puisqu''en leur donnant lieu de demeurer amies elle ne leur sert pas seule- ment pour se rend maitres de deux royaumes, et pour s'asseurer contre les forces des etransrers, sous ombre de se defendre dc
412 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [march
leurs voisins, mais peut aider encore aux uns et aux autres a decouvrir ce qu'il y a de personnes chez eux et de princes en Europe qui desirent leur perte, et qui sont capables d'y con- tribuer; et — ce qu'ils cherchent principalement — leur donner moyen d'attirer ici le Prince de Galles, dont Teloignement est le sujet de toutes leurs craintes, et la seule chose qui les empesche de pouvoir etablir leurs affaires surement; outre que ce differend peut encore estre utile en particulier aux Ecossois pour tirer de Pargent et des munitions de la France, apres Tavoir trompee, et s'accommoder avec plus de plaisir et plus d'avantage avec TAngleterre.
Le sieur Robert Leslay vient de me faire savoir que le Comte de Lanark avoit dit hier a son frere, en revenant de chez les Deputes d'Angleterre, qu'au lieu de parler de vouloir etablir leur religion, bien traiter leur roi, et entretenir entre les nations une bonne correspondance, comme il avoit creu, ils leur avoient parle seulement de leur donner cent mille livres sterling, pre- sentement, et Tinteret du reste a huit pour cent.
On m'a dit aussi que ce matin on a gaigne sur les Ministres qu'ils ne publieroient pas encore leur declaration, quoi qu''ils en eussent fait refus Samedi jusques a dire qu"'ils donneroient leur malediction a ceux qui entreroient en armes dans TAngleterre. On asseure que les Anglois ont fait avancer des troupes fort considerables proche de Carlisle, et que David Leslay et les autres officiers parlent de la guerre comme d'une chose toute certaine, et comme si TEcosse devoit faire par necessite ce qu"'elle n'eut jamais entrepris pour le salut de son roi, mais ce qu"'elle fera encore, comme je crois, fort difficilement pour elle-meme, quelque chose qui s'en public.
Le Major du regiment des Gardes Ecossoises m''a asseure qu'il devoit partir ce soir. M. le Chev' Moray m'a dit qu'il le suiveroit de bien pres. On public qu'ils vont tout deux pour presser la venue du Prince de Galles, et j'ay seu d'une personne dMionneur et qui peut estre bien informe, que ceux qui ont ici plus d'autorite doivent promettre sous leur main au dit Prince qu'il sera en asseurance dans ce royaume, et qu'ils travailleront au retablissement du roi son pere, ce qu'il y a peu d'apparence qu'ils lui tiennent. Aussi, Monsg*", si je ne savois pas que la France considere le seul interet de ce
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 413
Prince en cette rencontre, je ne me pourrois empescher de re- presenter a V. Em*^® que Sa Majeste en a beaucoup a Tem- pescher de se miner, puisque non seulement c''est une action pleine de piete et de gloire d'^arrester la perte d'un prince de si grande experance, et qui lui touche de si pres, mais encore qu''a Texemple du Due de Bretagne qui re^ut chez lui le Comte de Richmond qui a este depuis Henri , Sa Majeste en con- servant en France le Prince de Galles jusques a ce qu''elle le mettre en etat de se restablir, a de quoi tenir les Anglois dans la crainte, et les empescher d"'entreprendre aucune chose a son prejudice, car je ne vois pas qu''il ait rien a apprehender des Ecossois qui ont trop d'interet a conserver les alliances qu'ils ont avec la France, pour se porter a les rompre et qui savent trop le mal qu'ils ont fait, et que leur veulent les Independants, pour s"'en pouvoir jamais asseurer,
fPay receu celle que V. Em*^® m''a fait Thonneur de mVcrire du 21 Fevrier, et je ne manqueray pas de me conduire avec la moderation qu"'elle me ordonne, tant sur le sujet des affaires publiques que dans celle du Marquis d*'Huntley, pour qui j''ay receu la lettre de Sa Majeste en la maniere qu^elle avoit este desiree.
Je ne puis rien mander encore d"'asseure a V. Em^'^touchant les levees, mais je vois tous les jours plus clairement qu'il sera tres difficile d'avoir des hommes d'ici pour cette compagne, et que je serai si malheureux que je ne pourrai obeir aux com- mandements qu'il lui a pleu de me faire sur ce sujet.
Les Ministres continuent toujours dans le dessein quMls ont pris de me dispenser d'entendre la messe; quelques uns d'entre eux ont eu Timpudence d'asseurer que Tambassadeur de sa Majeste en Suisse ne Tavoit jamais entendue dkns les cantons protestants ; et afin que V. Em''^ puisse voir jusqu''ou va la malice ou Tignorance de ces MM., la Marquise de Douglas et la Comtesse de Neidsdelle, toutes deux Catholiques, etant venues me voir la semaine passee a cinq heures du soir, quelques uns d'entre eux ont asseure qu"'elles avoient entendu la messe que je faisois dire le soir, a dessein de les tromper. lis doivent representer cette affaire aujourd'huy au Conseil d'Etat. Si Ton me depute quelqu^un pour m"'en parler, je me contenterai de lui dire que c"'est une chose qui
414 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [MARCH
touche de telle sorte Tenteret de Sa Majeste, que tout ce que je puis faire et de lui en donner avis, et de leur faire savoir la reponse que j'aurai receue de la Cour,
[MoNTERUEL TO CARDINAL Mazarin. Edinburgh, ^^ March 1648.
Nothing has yet been decided regarding the question of peace or war, although several meetings, both public and private, were held yesterday ; nor has any reply been given to the English Commissioners, although the Earls of Lanark and Lauderdale and two of the Scottish Commissioners who were in London have been sent to them in order to learn what they propose. Their proposals are, in general terms, I am told, to establish Presbyterianism in England, to pay the money that is due to the Scots and to keep up a good understanding with them, in short, things all very agreeable and difficult to refuse if they believe them to be offered with the. intention of their being performed.
The clergy have declared in their meetings that the King of Great Britain has tried rather to deceive them than to satisfy them in what he granted to them in the Isle of Wight, and that Scotland cannot in con- science undertake anything for his service. And although the Committee established for civil affairs may have wished to take part in that declar- ation before it be published, it is not thought this will cause the clergy to change the resolution they would not have ventured to take, had they not been approved by those having most authority in this state and who are glad to have it appear they were unable to do, what in fact they were unwilling to do, for the interests of their king.
People begin also to remark that the Chancellor of Scotland acts with less ardour than formerly, and that the Marquis of Argyle and his friends talk in the Committee meetings about the same manner as the clergy do in their churches or as they resolve in their meetings. In short, it is evident that whatever people here may say or do, or write about to France, in order to obtain assistance, or to engage the Prince of Wales to come to this kingdom, there is nothing good for him nor for the king his father to be expected here. And, in fact, although they may arm, since it is a thing almost necessary for them, and that the fear they have of the Independents, and the hatred they bear them, may impel them to enter England, which they will try to avoid, and will but do at the last extremity, they will no less work to prevent the restoration of their king than to procure the ruin of the Independents, so that there is reason to believe the Prince of Wales cannot turn their disorders to more profitable account than by taking no part in their interests.
Thus this quarrel, which I believe to be real, between Scotland and the Independents, if it do not go any further, contributes so much to their mutual interests, that if one did not know the grounds of disgust and jealousy that exist between them, there would be every reason to believe that it might be shammed, since in giving them an opportunity of remaining armed, it not only serves to make them masters of two
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 415
kingdoms and to assure themselves against foreigners, under the guise of defending themselves from their neighbours, but may also help the one and the other to discover what persons there are among them and princes in Europe who wish their overthrow and who are capable of con- tributing to it, and — what they seek principally — gives them means of attracting here the Prince of ^Vales, whose removal is the reason of all their fears and the only thing that precludes them from settling their aflFairs with certainty, in addition to which this difference may also be specially useful to the Scots, in order to procure money and munitions from France, after having deceived her, and to come to terms with more pleasure and more profitably with England.
Mr. Robert Leslie has just told me that the Earl of Lanark told his brother yesterday, in returning from visiting the English Commissioners, that instead of speaking to them as he had thought of establishing their religion, of treating well their king and of entering into friendly intercourse, they had merely spoken to them of giving to them a hundred thousand pounds sterling at present and the interest of what remained owing at eight per cent. I was also told this morning that the clergy have been persuaded to delay publishing their declaration, although they had refused to do so on Saturday last, and had gone so far as to say they would pronounce their malediction against those who would enter Eng- land in arms. It is confidently asserted that the English have advanced a considerable number of troops near to Carlisle, and that David Ijcslie and the other officers speak of a war as a matter certain and as if Scot- land were obliged to make war, which she would never have declared for the safety of her king, and which I believe she will still hesitate about doing for herself, whatever may be declared about it.
The Major of the Scots Guards has assured me he was to leave this evening. Sir Robert Moray has told me he would follow him very shortly. It is reported that they are both going in order to urge the prince to come, and I have learned from a person of honour, who is likely to be well informed, that those highest in authority here are to promise secretly to the prince that he will be in security in this kingdom and that they will labour to secure the restoration of the king his father, which there is little likelihood of their performing. Thus were it not that I am aware France only considers the interest of this prince in the present circum- stance, I would be induced to point out to you that his Majesty has great interest in preventing him from ruining himself, since it is not only a very pious and glorious act to prevent the loss of a prince with so great pro- spects and who is so closely related to him, but also in imitation of the Duke of Brittany, who received at his court the Earl of Richmond who afterwards become Henry vii. , his Majesty, by retaining the Prince of Wales in France until means be found of restoring him, has the power of holding the English in apprehension and preventing them from undei-taking any- thing against him ; for I do not see that he has anything to fear from the Scots, who have too great an interest in preserving the alliances they have with France to be led to break them, and who know too well the
416 MONTEREUL TO BRIENNE [march
harm the Independents have done, and still wish to do to them, to be ever able to trust to them.
I have received your letter of the 21st Feb., and I shall not fail to act with the moderation you order, as much in the matter of public affairs as in that of the Marquis of Huntly, for whom I have received the letter of his Majesty in the manner it was wished.
I am still unable to state anything with certainty as to the levies, but 1 see each day more clearly that it will be very difficult to obtain men from here for this campaign, and I shall be very unfortunate were I to find myself unable to obey the commands you have given me on this subject.
The clergy still persist in the plan they have taken to prevent me from hearing Mass. Some among them have had the impudence to assert that his Majesty's ambassador in Switzerland had never heard it in the Protes- tant cantons ; and to enable you to see how far the malice and ignorance of these persons can go, the Marchioness of Douglas and the Countess of Nithsdale,^ both Catholics, having come to see me during the past week at five o'clock in the evening, some among them have asserted that they had heard Mass that I had caused to be said in the evening in the intention of deceiving them. They are going to represent this matter to-day to the Council of State. If any one be deputed to speak to me about it I shall simply state that it is a matter that touches so closely the interest of his Majesty, that all I can do is to give him notice of it and communicate to them the reply when I receive it from court.
ccxxx
MONTEREUL a BRIENNE
Edimbourg, 8 Mars l648.
II n'y a en toute TEcosse que Robert Gordon, Baron d'Estra- loch, capable de faire la carte que vous m'avez ordonnee de vous envoy er, et encore a-t-il plus etudie le dedans du Royaume que les costes. II en a fait de tres exactes de ce pays qui s''impriment presentiment en Hollande, et qui seront bientot achevees, mais j'ai employe inutilement un de ses meilleurs amis pour satisfaire par son moyen au commandement que vous m'*avez fait. J''ai re^u quelques cartes pour la navigation, mais elles sont si communes et si peu exactes, particulierement celles de tout le nord de TEcosse qui n*'est pas un chemin bien passant, que j'ai cru inutile de vous Tenvoyer. Cependant j'ai su que
^ The Marchioness of Douglas was Mary Gordon daughter of the Marquis of Huntly. Robert Maxwell (Earl of Nithsdale) and his wife were Catholics. The latter was a niece of the Duke of Buckingham.
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 417
ce que vous desirez faire venir de loin est proche de vous, et qvCil n'y a personne qui connaisse mieux ces cotes et qui puisse plus exactement faire la carte que vous demandez que le Capitaine Straclian, qui est aupres de la Reine d'Angleterre. Ce que je puis vous ecrire en general est qu''on me dit qu'il y a de bons ports dans le Nord de TEcosse tant de cote de la Norvege que de Flrlande, et particulierement celui de Cromerty, qui est une espece de Baie dans laquelle peut tenir surement quelque grande flotte que ce puisse etre et peuvent entrer les plus grands vaisseaux sans danger.^
[MoNTEREUL to Bkienne, Edinburgh, 8th March 1648. In all Scotland there is no person but Robert Gordon ^ of Straloch able to make such a map as you order me to send to you, and he even has studied more specially the inland part of the kingdom than the sea -board. He has made some very accurate maps of this country that are being printed in Holland at present and which will soon be ready. I have tried, through one of his most intimate friends to comply with your order, but in vain. I have received some charts such as are used by seamen, but they are so ordinary and so inaccurate, particularly regarding the North of Scotland, where communication is less frequent, that I thought it useless to send them to you. I have learned, however, that what you wish to procure from a distance may be found quite near you. There is no one, I am told, who knows these coasts better, or who is better able to draw the map you require than Captain Strachan ^ who is in attend- ance on the Queen of England. What I may write to you in general is that I am told there are very good harbours in the North of Scotland, both on the east and west coasts, and especially that of Cromarty, which is a sort of bay in which any large fleet can remain in safety, and where the largest ships can enter without danger.*]
CCXXXI
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edi7nhourg, ^ Mars l648. L'ouvERTURE de ce Parlement se fit Jeudi — de ce mois. Le
^ La suite de cette lettre est pareille a celle qui suit adress^e au Cardinal.
- Robert Gordon of Straloch, an eminent geographer and antiquary, native of Aberdeenshire. The first edition of the Atlas referred to was published in Amsterdam in 1648.
^ Probably the Major Strahan who came prominently into view two years later in command of the Scottish army of the West.
* The continuation of this letter is the same as in the one that immediately follows addressed to the Cardinal.
VOL. II. 2d.
418 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [march
Chancelier de ce royaume y fut choisi pour president, c'est ainsi qu'ils nomment celui qui porte la parole, et qui est en Ecosse ce qu'est le speaker en Angleterre. II ne s"'y est point encore parle d'aucune affaire publique, et Ton n"'avoit pas mesme encore hier termine tous les diiFerends qui sont survenus sur le sujet des elections, qui sont les premieres choses qui se reglent, et qui ont servi seulement a faire voir que la faction des Hamilton est absolument la plus puissante dans ce Parlement.
Les Comraissaires Anglois y presenterent un papier le Samedi suivant, par lequel ils firent savoir qu''ils avoient des lettres du Parlement d'Angleterre a celui-ci, et demanderent a qui ils devoient s'adresser pour les rendre; mais on trouva qu'il n'y avoit pas de Parlement jusqu^a ce qu'^on fut asseure de ceux qui devoient le composer, et que tous les differends sur le sujet des elections fussent regies. Cependant quoiqu'on ne perde pas d'occasion pour me faire entendre que Ton donne le moins de satisfaction que Ton peut aux dits Commissaires, je trouve que les remises dont on a use envers eux ne sont pas seulement utiles aux Ecossois, mais etoient encore en quelque fa^on neces- saires, puisqu"'encore que les Deputes d' Angleterre eussent ordre de s''adresser au Comite qui se tenoit ici il y a quelques jours pour y exposer leur envoi, il est certain qu'ils n'avoient aucun pouvoir de conclure qu''avec le seul Parlement d'Ecosse, de sorte que tout ce qui se seroit fait entre eux auparavant se seroit trouve inutile.
Les Ministres ont resolu de ne plus differer davantage a publier leur declaration qui est, ainsi qu*'on me dit, ce qu'ils ont fait jusqu'a present de plus prej udiciable aux interets de leur roi. De tout le nombre des seculiers qui entrent dans leur asseniblee — car elle est composee de Ministres et de ceux qu''ils appellent anciens, qui sont personnes seculieres — il n'y en a eu que quatre, entre lesquels ont este le Marquis d'Argyle et le Comte de Casallis, qui ont consente a la publication de cette remonstrance. II se dit que le premier se declare tous les jours plus formellement contre le retablissement du roi de la G"" B% et qu'il a envoye le Comte de Lothian en Angleterre pour traiter quelque chose a cet effet avec les Independants, et sans la participation du Due de Hamilton. On dit mesme le particulier de ce qu'il y va faire, mais avec beaucoup de
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 419
diversite et bien peu de vraisemblance : on ne convient pas seulement du lieu ou il est alle, et ses amis soutiennent encore aujourd'huy qu'il est en une maison qu'il a sur les frontieres d"'Angleterre. II y a peu d^apparence toutefois quMl y fut alle, ou pour prendre Tair ou pour quelque leger interet, en un temps ou sa presence pent estre ici fort utile a ceux de son parti.
On dit toujours qu"'il y aura rupture entre les deux nations, a quoi je ne vols pas plus d''apparence que de contume, et ce que j'aurois d'autant moins lieu de croire que je vois ceux qui ont part aux affaires le publier plus asseurement, comme s'ils croyoient pouvoir vendre la paix aux Independants plus chere- ment en leur donnant plus d'apprehension de la guerre, en quoi ils pourroient bien aussi se tromper, puisqu''on a eu avis que les Independants vouloient employer contre les Ecossois leurs mesmes armes, et que Cromwell avoit dit qu''ils auroient meilleure composition d''eux en les mena9ant qu'en leur donnant.
Le sheriffs ou gouverneur, de Tweedale donna hier avis a ce Parlement que quelque cent cavaliers Anglois etoient arrives ensemble le jour precedent dans sa province, qui venaient chercher de Femploi. On me dit qu''on leur donnera quelque subsistance, ainsi que Ton fait a ceux qui arrivent ici chaque jour de TAngleterre en moindre nombre, et qu''on fait passer pour Presbyteriens, bien quMls aient servi presque tous, dans les armees du roi de la G*" B"".
II n'y eut pas de Conseil Mardi dernier, et il ne s'en est point tenu depuis, de sorte quMl ne s^est pas encore parle de mon affaire. Le Comte de Casallis, qui est President, vint me voir Mercredi dernier, et bien qu''il soit grand puritain, apres avoir desapprouve le zele des Ministres, et temoigne que cela ne passeroient pas plus loin, il me pria de n''en pas ecrire, si ce qu''il me fait esperer arrevoit. Je supplie tres humblement V. Em*'® de m"'ordonner si je dois insister a avoir raison des Ministres, ou ne pas reveiller une affaire deja assoupie.
Le Comte de Stamford vient d"'arriver presentement. On a donne ordre de faire avancer quelques troupes sur les frontieres.
[MoNTEREUii to Cardinal Mazabin. Edinburgh, ^ March 1648.
The opening of Parliament took place here on Thursday ^ of this month. The Chancellor of this kingdom was elected president It is thus they
420 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [march
name the person who presides, who is in Scotland as the Speaker in England. No public business has yet been done, and I was told yesterday they had not yet settled all the disputes that have arisen concerning the elections, which is the first matter to be attended to, and which have served merely to show that the Hamilton faction is absolutely the most powerful in this Parliament.
The English Commissioners presented to Parliament, on the Saturday following, a paper by which they intimated that they had letters for it from the English Parliament, and asked to whom they ought to apply in order to deliver them, but it was found that there was no Parliament until it had been determined who was to compose it, and until all dis- puted questions concerning the elections were settled. Although no opportunity is lost in order to make me understand that these Commis- sioners obtain the least satisfaction possible, yet it seems to me that the delays imposed on them are not only useful to the Scots, but are also in some measure necessary, since although the English Commissioners may have had order to apply to the committee, which existed here a few days ago, in order to explain the reason of their being sent, it is certain that they had no authority to conclude anything but with the Parliament of Scotland, so all that would have been done between them previously would have been considered useless.
The clergy have resolved not to delay any longer the publication of their declaration, which is, from what I learn, the most prejudicial step in opposition to the interests of their king that they have yet taken. ^ Of all the number of lay members in their assembly — for it is composed of the clergy and of those whom they call elders — there were only four who consented to the publication of this remonstrance, and of these were the Marquis of Argyle and the Earl of Casallis. It is said the former declares himself daily more and more openly opposed to the restoration of the King of Great Britain, and that he has sent the Earl of Lothian into England- to treat of something to that effect with the Independents without the Duke of Hamilton having any part in it. The details of what he has gone to do are related in a great variety of ways, few of which are likely. People are not even agreed as to where he has gone : his friends declare even to-day that he is in one of his houses on the English border. There is, however, little likelihood that he has gone there for a
^ Guthry thus refers to this ti3.nsa.clion, Memoir, p. 213: 'The committee of the church presented to Parliament their declaration against the king's conces- sions. The Parliament gave it to the several bodies to be considered of, commanding them in the meantime not to publish it until Parliament should be further advised. Notwithstanding which the committee of the church caused it to be printed March 12, after which Parliament desired it might not be spread until further advertisement ; but nevertheless the committee made an act for reading it in all the kirks of the kingdom, and presently sent it away to the several presbyteries for that effect. And forasmuch as the Parliament dispensed with those things, the jealousy which Royalists had always entertained of the Duke and his brother Lanark was much increased, that they and the Marquis of Argyle were not so opposite in their designs as they professed.'
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 421
change of air or for anything of trifling importance at a time when his presence might be very useful here to those of his party.
It is still said that there will be a rupture between the two nations, of which I see no more appearance than usual, which I consider so much the less likely when I hear those_who have part in public affairs announc- ing it with more assurance, as if they believed they might sell peace at a higher price to the Independents by giving them greater apprehension of war, in which they may very well be mistaken, since notice has been received that the Independents wanted to employ against the Scots their own weapons and that Cromwell had said he would make more out of the Scots by threatening them than by giving them anything.
The Sheriff of Tweeddale gave notice to Parliament yesterday that some hundred English horsemen had arrived together iu his county the pre- vious day, in quest of employment. I am told they are provided with food, as has been done with those that arrive here each day from Eng- land in smaller numbers, and who are passed off as Presbyterians, although they have almost all served in the armies of the King of Great Britain.
There was no meeting of Council of State on Tuesday last, and none has been held since, so that no mention has been made of my affair. The Earl of Casallis, who is president of council, came to see me on Wednesday last, and although he is a great puritan, after having dis- approved of the zeal of the clergy, and stated that the matter would go no further, he begged me not to write about it, if what he led me to hope might happen. I beg you to instruct me as to whether I ought to insist on having the upper hand over the clergy, or not to revert to a matter that has already been quieted down.
The Earl of Stamford has just arrived. Orders have been given to advance some troops on the border.
CCXXXII
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimhourg, ^ Mars l648.
Les diiferends qui etoient survenus dans ce Parlement sur le sujet des elections furent termines Mercredi dernier d"'assez bonne heure pour donner temps au Chancelier d''Ecosse de y representer les dangers ou se trouvoient exposes leur religion, leur roi, et leurs fortunes, et cela avec des termes qui pouvoient faire naitre dans Tesprit de ceux qui etoient presents, de la com- passion pour leur prince et de la haine contre les Independants.
II declara aussi quMl etoit si peu vray qu''il se fut defait des bons sentiments qu'il avoit temoigne a son retour d'Angleterre, comme on essayoit de le faire croire, qu'il vouloit donner par ecrit la substance de ce qu'il avoit dit en arrivant, — ainsi qu'il
MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [march
fit, — et dont il re^ut des remerciements au nom de toute Tassemblee. On remarqua toutefois qu''apres que le dit Chancelier eut propose de lever une armee, il se fit a lui-meme une objection un peu dangereuse, — qu'on pourroit craindre que le parti des Eveques ne tirat avantage de la querelle des Presbyteriens et Independants, — a quoi il repondit, qu'il seroit de la prudence du Parlement, en travaillant a abattre Tlnde- pendance, de prendre les moyens propres pour empescher le parti des eveques, — c'est a dire les serviteurs du roi de la G' B', de se relever, — soit qu''il le dit pour leur nuire, ou seulement pour oter lieu aux Puritains de se plaindre et s"'opposer aux bonnes intentions que plusieurs croyent que les Hamiltons ont aujourd''huy. Cependant pour travailler avec plus de facilite et plus de secret, on resolut le jour suivant de nommer quelque petit nombre de personnes, du corps de la noblesse, des gentils- hommes et du peuple, qui considereroient les dangers qui les menacent, et les moyens avec lesquels on pourroit y remedier, ce qu"'ils appellerent le Comite des dangers. lis en etablirent encore quelques uns pour revoir les choses qui se sont passees depuis le dernier parlement, pour regler les Excices et aviser aux moyens d''avoir de Targent, et d'autres de semblable nature. Mais ce qui est assez considerable, c^est que le Marquis d'Argyle n'a que cinq personnes de sa faction des dix-huit qui ont ete nommes dans ce principal Comite, que j'ay marques avec des etoiles, dans la liste que je joins a cette lettre, et que Ton tient pour tres asseure que ce Marquis lui-meme n''en eut pas ete, si le Due de Hamilton — je ne puis dire avec quelle intention — n'eut prie ceux de son parti de ne Ten pas exclure. Ce Comite aide par les amis de ceux du parti du Due, qui par les profes- sions qu''il a faites de vouloir embrasser les interets du roi de la G*^ B"" s"'est fortifie de tout ce qui lui restoit ici des serviteurs, en sorte qu'il passe de trente ou trente six voix celui d'Argyle dans le Parlement. Ce Comite, dis-je, fit des Vendredi dernier Tebauche d^un papier par lequel il se declaire qu"*il est necessaire de prendre les armes pour maintenir le Presbyteriat, supprimer notre religion, TAtheisme, les Heresies et les Schismes qui sont en Angleterre — car toutes ces choses se mettent ici en meme rang pour tirer le roi de la G*" B"" des mains des Independants qui le tiennent prisonnier, le retablir en son trone et en ses justes prerogatives, et particulierement pour lui faire
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 423
rendre la voix negative, et la milice, qu''ils aiment mieux entre ses mains qu'en celles de leurs ennemis. Le Chancelier et le Comte de Lanark ont travaille ensemble depuis dix jours, a donner une meilleure forme a cette declaration, qui doit con- tenter, a ce qu''on me dit, ceux qui ont le plus d'interet au retablissement de leur roi, pourvu que Ton n'y change aucune chose, ainsi que quelques uns Tapprehendent. Elle eut peu estre presentee aujourd'huy au Parlement si une affaire peu attendue qui survint hier, et dont je rendrai compte a V. Em^® avant de finir ma lettre, ne Teut empeche, de sorte qu'encore que les Ministres aient public leur declaration, que j"'ay envoye au sieur du Bosc, n'ayant pas eu le temps pour la traduire, et qu'ils prechent plus insolemment qu''ils n"'avoient encore fait contre leur roi et contre la guerre qui se pourroit faire en sa faveur, — jusqu'a dire qu''apres avoir emprisonne le furieux et lui avoir mis les fers aux pieds, il se falloit bien garder de lui rendre la liberte et de lui mettre Tepee a la main. On ne laisse pas de croire quMl y aura une nouvelle armee sur pieds dans fort peu de jours; on me dit meme qu'il est deja comme arrete ; qu'elle suivra les ordres d"'un Conseil qui sera etabli pour ce sujet ; que cela a empeche le Comte de Callendar d'en vouloir prendre la conduite, et qu'ainsi les anciens officiers generaux commanderont cette armee que Ton mettra sur pied ce semble d'autant plustost qu'on menace ce Parlement de la marche de celle du Chev"" Fairfax vers le Nord, et que le bruit est si grand de la surprise que les Ecossois veulent faire de Berwick et de Carlisle, a quoi donne assez de sujet la marche du peu de troupes qu'ils ont vers les frontieres d"'Angleterre, que s''ils ont ce dessein ils doivent craindre d'estre prevenus, s'ils n'en hatent Fexecution.
Cest, Monsg', ce qui c''est passe ici depuis huit jours, et qui donne sujet a plusieurs personnes d'honneur qui desirent le retablissement de leur roi de mieux esperer qu'^auparavant des interets de ce prince.
De moi, Monsg', comme j''ay creu qu'il etoit de mon devoir de ne pas taire a V. Em*^® leurs sentiments, il m''a semble que je devois attendre au moins jusqu'au prochain ordinaire a y joindre les miens, tant parce qu'il me reste fort peu de temps pour le faire que pour m'asseurer d'une chose que je crois encore tres incertaine. Ce que je prendrai la hardiesse de dire
424 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [march
presentement a V. Em*'® est, que le Prince de Galles ne doit pas ce semble s'engager a venir ici sur des esperances si douteuses, et que s'il est vray qull ait pris cette resolution, il doit au moins attendre pour Fexecuter que les Ecossois aient bien con- firmes par leurs actions les promesses qu''ils lui auront faites.
Les Anglois se sont asseures de Berwick. Les Commissaires d'Angleterre qui sont ici en ont donne avis ce matin au Parle- ment d'Ecosse par une lettre qu'ils ont ecrite au dit Parlement, sur ce sujet, et ont fait savoir quails avoient prevenu les desseins de quelques serviteurs du roi de la G"^ B*" qui avoient resolu de s'en emparer au prejudice des deux nations ; et qu'ils ne pre- tendoient pas avoir rien fait contre leurs traites en empeschant les desseins de ceux qui sont ennemis des deux Royaumes. La lettre des Commissaires d'Angleterre a este renvoye au Comite des dangers qui a eu charge d'examiner leurs premiers papiers et auxquels on n'a point encore fait de reponse. On donne argent et subsistance a tous les Anglois qui viennent ici. Toutes ces choses feront assez juger a V. Em^^ le peu d'appar- ence qu'il y a d'avoir presentement des troupes de ce royaume. Je trouve meme que le Comte d' Angus a son ordinaire ne se met pas beaucoup en peine d'executer les promesses qu'il m'avoit faites touchant ce qui lui reste encore d'hommes a envoyer pour Targent qu'il a receu : cependant les Capitaines de son regiment attendent toujours qu'il se resoude quelque chose dans les affaires publiques pour voir ce qu'ils pourront faire, et me temoignent souvent que comme la rencontre des choses les empesche de lever leurs compagnies, il seroit de la bonte de V. Em^® de leur faire toucher leur quartier d'hiver.
Au reste, Monsg', les circonstances du combat qui devoit se faire entre le Marquis d'Argyle et le Comte de Crawford, a qui le Colonel Innis et le Comte de Lanark servoient de seconds, se tiennent si secretes par ceux qui les doivent le mieux savoir, et se publient en tant de famous par tous les autres, que j'ay juge plus a propos de n'en rien ecrire du tout a V. Em*^®. On doute meme encore qui est Tagresseur, quoiqu''il semble que le Marquis d'Argyle Tait ete, et a qu''il a tenu de se battre; quoiqu'on donne aussi cet honneur au dit Marquis, le Comte de Crawford ayant ofFert de vider leur querelle seul a, seul, sur le refus que faisoit Innis de tirer Tepee contre le Comte de
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 425
Lanark. Ce qu'on en dit de plus asseure est, que ceux qui devoient les separer etant arrives par malheur une heure apres quMls ont ete tous quatre au lieu du combat, ils les ont trouve qui mettoient par ecrit le sujet de leur differend.
Cependant, comme on se persuade que toutes les actions des Argyles et des Hamiltons soient pleines de deguisement, on veut encore que leurs querelles soient feintes, — qu"'ils aient fait croire qu'ils se vouloient battre seulement pour faire voir qu'ils n'etoient pas amis. Enfin que le roi de la Gr' B' et le Prince de Galles soient pour tirer plus de desavantages de cette partie que ceux entre qui elle s'etoit liee, quoi qu'elle ne leur ait pas ete fort glorieuse.
Le IVIarquis d'Argyle et le Comte de Crawford ont ete mis d''accord aujourd'huy.
L'lste des noms de ceux qui composent le Comite des Dangers. Nobles : Le Due de Hamilton, *le Marquis d'Argyle, le Comte de Crawford, le Comte de Lauderdale, le Comte de Lanark, le Comte de Calender. Gentilshommes : Innerpefer, Lye, Humby, *Warriston,Colington,Amiston. Bourgeois: Archibald Syderf, leChev'' Witherspoon, Patrick Lesley,*GeorgePoterfil,*Guillame Clandenin, *Thomas Kennedy.^
[MoNTEREUL to CARDINAL Mazarin. Edinburgh, ^ March 1648. All matters in dispute connected with the elections to this Parliament were settled on 'W^ednesday at an early hour so as to allow time to the Chancellor of Scotland to represent the dangers to which their religion, their king and their fortunes were exposed, which he did in terms well calculated to produce in the minds of those who heard him feelings of compassion for their prince and hatred against the Independents. He declared also that it was so little true that he had got quit of the good sentiments he manifested on his return from England, as it had been tried to make people believe, that he wished to give in writing the sub- stance of what he had then said, which he did, and received in return a vote of thanks in the name of all present. It was remarked, however, that he made himself a somewhat dangerous objection, that it was to be feared that the party in favour of the bishops might derive advantage through the quarrel between Presbyterians and Independents ; to which he also replied, that it would be prudent on the part of Parliament in
^ Cette liste ne se trouve pas a la fin de la lettre qui precede adressee au Cardinal Mazarin, mais a la fin d'une adressee par M. de Montereul a M. le Comte de Brienne vers la meme date.
426 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [march
trying to crush Independency to adopt the means best adapted to prevent the party for the bishops, viz. the followers of the King of Great Britain, from regaining any power. It may be that he said so to injure this latter party, or that his purpose was simply to remove all subject of com- plaint from the Puritans and prevent them from opposing the good intentions that several believe the Hamiltons have at present. However, in order to engage therein with greater facility and secrecy, it was resolved on the following day to appoint a small number of persons belonging to the nobility, the gentry, and the people, who would take into consideration the dangers with which they were threatened and the means that might be provided to obviate them, which they call the Danger Committee. They also appointed several other committees, in order to pass in review what had been done since the last Parliament ; to regulate the excise, to consult as to the means of procuring money, and for other matters of a similar nature. But, what is rather important, of the eighteen persons who were appointed to form the pi'incipal committee there were but five that belong to the Marquis of Argyle's faction, whose names I have marked with an asterisk in the list I add to this letter, and it is con- sidered certain that the marquis himself would not have been appointed had not the Duke of Hamilton — I cannot say with what intention — begged those of his party not to exclude him. This committee, aided by the friends of those of the duke's party, which, on account of the professions made by its leader to wish to sustain the interests of the King of Great Britain, has been strengthened by all that remained here of the king's followers, so that it exceeds by thirty or thirty-six votes that of the Argyle party in Parliament — this committee, I was about to say, drew up on Friday last the first outline of a paper in which it declares it is necessary to take arms in order to maintain Presbyterianism, suppress our religion, atheism, the heresies and sects that are in England — for all these things are put in the same category — in order to deliver the King of Great Britain from the hands of the Independents, who hold him prisoner, and to reinstate him on the throne with his just prerogatives, and specially to have restored to him the right of veto and the militia, which they prefer to see in his hands than in those of their enemies. The Chancellor and the Earl of Lanark have been engaged together during the last ten days in putting this declaration into a better form, and I am told it ought to satisfy those who desire most their king's restoration, provided nothing in it be changed, which some persons apprehend. It would have been presented to Parliament to-day had not an unexpected circumstance, which I shall relate to you before finishing my letter, prevented it from being brought forward ; so that although the clergy have published their declaration, which I have sent to M. du Bosc, not having had time to translate it, and although they preach more insolently than ever against their king and against the war that may be made in his favour, they even go so far as to say that having imprisoned the madman and put his feet in fetters good care should be taken not to set him at liberty and put a sword in his hand. It is still believed that
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 427
there will be a uew army on foot in a very few days. It is even said to have been in some measure decided upon, and that it will be under the direction of a council to be appointed ad hoc, which has prevented the Earl of Callander from wishing to take the command of it, so that the former general officers will command this army, which will be raised so much sooner by reason of this Parliament being threatened by the advance of the army of Sir Thomas Fairfax towards the north, since it has been so noised about that the Scots wish to surprise Berwick and Carlisle, to which the march of the few troops they have towards the English border gives sufficient ground. If they have any such intention they ought to fear being forestalled if they do not hasten to put it into execution.
These are the most important events that have taken place here during the last eight days, and which have given reason to several honourable persons who wish the restoration of their king to look more hopefully than formerly on the welfare of this prince. For my part, as I thought it my duty not to conceal from you their sentiments, it seems to me that I ought to wait at least until the next mail to add my own to them, both because there remains very little time for me to do it in, as in order to assure myself of a matter which I still believe very uncertain. I shall merely venture to add at present that the Prince of Wales ought not, it seems, to engage to come here on hopes so doubtful, and that if it be true that he has so decided, he ought at least to wait before carrying out his decision until the Scots may have confirmed by their acts the promises they have made to him.
The English have assured themselves of Berwick. The English Com- missioners who are here gave intimation of it by letter to the Scottish Parliament this morning, and have intimated that they had forestalled the intentions of some of the king's followers who had resolved to seize upon it to the detriment of both nations, and that they did not pretend to do anj'thing contrary to their treaties in defeating the designs of those who are enemies to both kingdoms. The letter of the English Com- missioners has been referred to the Committee of Dangers which has been charged with examining their first papers, to which they have not yet made any reply. Money and food are given to all the English that come here. All these matters will enable you to judge the little likelihood there is of having troops from this kingdom at present. I find even that the Earl of Douglas, as usual, does not give himself much trouble to fulfil the promises he made me concerning the men he has still to send for the money he has received : yet the captains of his regiment are still ex- pecting that some settlement may be come to in public aflFairs so as to see what they will be able to do, and state to me often, that as circumstances prevent them from raising their companies, it would be kind of you to let them have their pay for the winter quarter.
Tlie circumstances connected with the duel which was to have taken place between the Marquis of Argyle and the Earl of Crawford ^ with
^ See Appendix, Note T.
428 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [MARCH
their seconds^ Colonel Innis and the Earl of Lanark, are kept so secret by those who ought to know the most about it, and is related in such a variety of ways by all others, that I judged it better not to write anything at all of it to you. It is still doubted even who was the aggressor, although it seems to have been the Marquis of Argyle, and that he insisted on fighting, and although this honour is thus given to the marquis, the Earl of Crawford is said to have offered on the refusal of Innis to draw his sword against the Earl of Lanark to settle their quarrel man to man. ^V^hat seems best known in the matter is that those who were to separate them, having arrived unfortunately an hour after they had been all four on the ground found them occupied in putting into writing the cause of their dif- ference. However, as people are persuaded that all the acts of the Argyles and Hamiltons are full of disguises, they pretend that their quarrels are shammed, that they wish to make it believed they intend to fight simply to show they are not friends. In short, I hope the King of Great Britain and the Prince of Wales may derive more profit from this game than those who were engaged in it, whose part therein does not seem to have been very glorious.
The Marquis o'f Argyle and the Earl of Crawford have been reconciled to each other to-day.
Names of those who form the Danger Committee. Nobles. The Duke of Hamilton, * Marquis of Argyle, Earl of Crawford, Earl of Lauderdale, Earl of Lanark, Earl of Callander. Gentry. Imnerpefer, Lee, Humby, * Warriston, Collington, Arniston. Commoners. Archibald Sydcerf, Sir — Wotherspoon, Patrick Leslie, * George Poterfil, * William Clandenin, * Thomas Kennedy.]
CCXXXIII MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimbourg, — Mars 1648.
Je me donnai Thonneur il y huit jours d'ecrire a V. Em*'® que ce Parlement travailloit sur une declaration qui sembloit pouvoir contribuer au retablissement du roi de laG'"B'",mais outre qu'en la mettant en meilleure forme, on Pa rendue moins utile aux interets du dit roi, sous pretexte de la rendre plus support- able au parti d' Argyle et au clerge de ce royaume, on arreta encore Mercredi dernier, qu'avant de la faire voir on la com- muniquerait aux Ministres, que Ton sait qui ne consenteront jamais a sa publication tant qu''ils croiront que le roi de la G"" B'' en pourra tirer quelque avantage. Le Chancelier d'Ecosse fut celui qui contribua le plus a le faire ainsi ordonner, car on trouve que ses actions ne repondent pas bien a ses paroles, et
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 429
Ton commence a juger qu'il ne fait tant de belles professions de vouloir servir son roi que pour presider en ce Parlement, et pour se mettre par ce moyen plus en etat de luy nuire. Aussi non seulement les Ministres ne demeurerent pas d^accord, que cette declaration fut publiee, mais ils presenterent a ceux que leur avoient ete envoyes de la part du Parlement, un nouveau serment qu'ils veulent faire prendre par tous ceux de leur nation, dont voici les principaux articles :
1® Que personne ne se pourra mettre en devoir de travailler a la restitution du roi de la G' B"" en ses justes droits, avant que le dit roi ait signe et jure le Covenant.
2® Que les Catholiques et les Prelats seront entierement mines, com me aussi ceux qui font profession de TErastianism et des autres sectes.
3® Qu''on ne s'unira, en quelque fa^on que ce puisse etre, dans le trois royaumes, avec ceux qui ont servi le parti de leur roi.
4® Que ces articles seront ajoutes au serment que font les rois a leur coronation, et qu'il sera pris par tous ceux qui suc- cederont a cette couronne.
5® Que le roi de la G' B' n"'aura point de voix negative, mais sera oblige de consentir a toutes les choses qui lui seront proposees par ses Parlements.
6® Que ceux qui refiiseront de prendre ce serment seront declares incapable d'aucune charge, tant civile qu"'ecclesiastique, et seront encore punis par la privation de tous leurs biens.
C'est, Monsg', ce que contient ce nouveau serment, qui m''a semble d'abord si etrange, puisqu'il oblige a promettre des choses qui ne sont pas au pouvoir de ceux que Ton forcera de le prendre, que j"'aurois doute que ce que j''en avois seu de fort bonne part fut veritable, si le Due de Hamilton, m''etant venu voir Samedi dernier, ne m''avoit asseure que c"'etoit la substance d'un plus long papier qui leur avoit ete presente par les Ministres, et qu''il avoit eu entre les mains, mais qui demeureroit sans effet, — ce que plusieurs autres ne croyent pas.
Ce Parlement avoit aussi prie les Ministres de se contenter que leur declaration, que j''envoyai il y a huit jours, eut este imprimee, sans la vouloir faire lire dans les Eglises, et sur le refus qu'ils en firent, quelques uns avoient ete d'avis qu'on
430 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [march
joignit les menaces aux prieres qu"*©!! leur avoit faites ; mais le Due de Hamilton Tempescha, et dit que ce seroit assez que tous ceux de leur parti se levassent, quand on commenceroit a en faire la lecture en TEglise du Parlement. Cependant ce bniit s"'etant repandu par toute la ville, le ministre qui fit leur preche, n"'en parla point, parce qu'elle avoit ete deja lue devant eux, de sorte que ce rare expedient est demeure inutile. De trois ou quatre ministres qui semblent n'avoir pas encore tout-a-fait renonce, comme les autres, au devoir de sujets, sur la promesse que ceux du parti de Hamilton leur ont faite de les proteger, les uns ne la leurent point, et les autres pro- testerent qu'ils la lisoient parce qu'on les y avoit forces.
Quelque apologie qu''aient fait ici les Deputes d'Angleterre touchant Berwick, il n'y a point encore de garnison. On s''est contente de faire prendre les amies aux habitants de la dite ville, afin de se garantir de surprise, et il ne se dit rien encore de semblable touchant Carlisle. Cela n'empesche pas que ce Parlement n''ait mis en deliberation, ce qu''il y auroit a faire sur le sujet de ces deux villes, et afin que Ton pent agir en meme temps avec plus de diligence et de secret, on a etabli un Comite, qui est compose des memes personnes qui avoient ete choisies pour remedier aux dangers qui fmenacoient ce royaume, a la reserve des trois Bourgeois du parti d'Argyle, en place desquels on en a mis trois autres de celui de Hamilton, et on leur a donne plein pouvoir de faire toutes les choses qu'ils jugeront a propos pour la seurete des confins de ce Royaume, et de ces deux places, seulement contre les desseins que quel- ques malignants et autres personnes mal afFectionnes pourroient faire de s''en emparer. Le Marquis d'Argyle, qui s'etoit op- pose, mais inutilement, a Tetablissement de ce Comite, comme on le nomma pour y assister, repondit qu"'il ne pouvoit etre du nombre de ceux qu^il avoit soutenu qui ne se pouvoient legi- timement assembler, et apres avoir donne une protestation, par laquelle il declaroit que Ton ne pouvoit etablir un Comite pour s''asseurer de ces deux places sans rompre I'union entre les deux nations et violer le covenant qui a ete pris en partie pour ce sujet, et sortit suivi de tous ceux de sa faction, qui consiste en onze seigneurs et quelque trente ou trente deux, tant gentils- hommes que bourgeois. Ceux du parti de Hamilton qui etoient
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 431
demeures seuls dans la salle du Parlement, mirent en delibera- tion s'ils defendroient au Marquis et a ceux de son parti de rentrer, ou s'ils le leur commanderoient sans peine d'etre prives de leur places, ce qui etoit Tavis le plus general, mais le Comte de Traquair montrant encore un tour d'ami au Marquis d'Argyle, dont il semble qu'il ait depuis pen aban- donne le parti, dit qu'il etoit important qu'il ne parut pas qu'il y eut entre eux de si grandes divisions, et qu'il seroit mieux de les prier avec civilites de revenir, ce que le Due de Hamilton appuya, en sorte qu'ils rentrerent sur la priere qui leur en fut faite. On a depuis Vendredi jusqu'a ce jour agi sur cette maxime, et Ton n'a pas seulement essaye de travailler de concert dans le Parlement, mais encore d'entretenir une bonne intelligence entre le Parlement et TAssemblee du Clerge de ce royaume, mais avec si peu de succes que le Marquis d'Argyle n'assiste pas encore aujourd'huy a ce Comite, et que les Ministres, au lieu de Tapprouver, refuserent hier de se trouver avec ceux qui leur ont ete deputes par le Parlement pour cet effet, de sorte qu'il semble que ni les uns ni les autres ne se veulent point separer de leur premieres resolu- tions, et qu'ils s'opposeront a toutes les choses qu'ils croiront pouvoir contribuer au retablissement de leur roi.
Les longeurs qu'apporte le dessein de cette union, que tous les serviteurs du roi de la G"" B'' jugent ou impossible ou pre- judiciable a leur maitre, les a presque jettes dans un desespoir qui n'a plus de fondement que les vaines esperances qu'il s'etoient formees il y a huit jours. De moi, Mg*", comma je n'esperois pas beaucoup alors, je ne desespere pas encore tout- a-fait presentement, car bien qu'il semble que si le Due de Hamilton ne s'entend pas avec le Marquis d'Argyle il ne devoit pas perdre Toccasion qu'il avoit de le chasser du Parlement ; il se pent faire que le dit Due ait apprehende que le parti du roi de la G"^ B' ne devint plus puissant que le sien, celui d'Argyle n'y etant plus, et ainsi que ses propres interets Taient oblige a conserver une personne qu'il eut voulu perdre sans cette con- sideration. Et pour ce qui est du Comite qui a ete ordonne pour s'asseurer de Berwick et de Carlisle, qui a fait deja tant de bruit qu'il semble que ces MM. aient voulu avertir les Anglois de les prevenir, si le Comte de Lothian n'a point fait
432 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [march
avec eux quelque chose de plus que les avertir; on peut re- pondre qu"*!! etoit difficile qu''une entreprise de cette nature qui dependoit de Pa vis de plusieurs personnes, et de personnes d'avis differents, fut conduite avec grand secret, et executee avec beaucoup de diligence, outre qu'il se peut faire aussi que ceux qui composent le Co mite fassent eclater les divisions qui sont entre eux pour mieux couvrir le dessein qu'ils peuvent avoir de se saisir de ces deux villes, — ce que nous saurons dans peu de jours. De sorte qu''il n''est pas encore impossible qu'il n"")^ ait guerre entre les Independants et les Ecossois ; ce que j*'ay d^autant plus de raison de croire que plusieurs accidents peuver causer entre eux une rupture, contre Tintention des uns et des autres ; mais ce dont Ton peut comme s''asseurer, c"'est que quelque chose qu''ils se proposent en apparence, ils ne pretendent rien moins en eff'et que de retablir le roi de la G"" B% de sorte qu''il s*'agit seulement de savoir qui demeurera maitre en Ecosse, — du Due de Hamilton ou de Marquis d'Argyle, — et en Angleterre des Presbyteriens ou les Inde- pendants. V. Em^® jugera aisement par toutes ces choses ce que peut esperer ici le Prince de Galles. Aussi etant tombe sur le discours du dit Prince, avec le Due de Hamilton, il m*'a dit qu'il ne doutoit point qu'il ne fut ici en seurete de sa personne, mais que si les Ministres ne changeoient d'avis ils n'aideroient pas beaucoup a avancer ses interets. II m'a temoigne encore qu'il falloit tacher a les gaigner parce que bien qu""!! eut plus de pouvoir qu''eux dans le Parlement, ils en avoient plus que lui dans le royaume. Enfin le dit Due me fit voir qu'il ne veut rien mettre au hazard, et qu'il pense bien plus a ses interets qu'il ne fait a ceux de son maitre.
On a eu ici nouvelles que deux cornettes de cavalerie ont passe d'Angleterre en Ecosse. On me dit que les habitants de Berwick ont envoye asseurer ici quMls sont prets de mettre leur place entre les mains des Ecossois, et que My Lord Inchequin, serviteur de son roi, et depuis du Parlement d'Angleterre, ofFre de passer ici avec six mille hommes si Ton veut y faire quelque chose pour le roi de la G' B"". V. Em''® voit le peu d'apparence quMl y a d'avoir des hommes en cette conjoncture d'affaires.
Le sieur Marshal, ministre de MM. les Commissaires d"* Ang- leterre, partit d'ici Vendredi matin.
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 433
[MoNTEREtx to Cahdinai. Mazarin. Edinburgh, " March 1648.
I WROTE eight days ago to inform you that this Parliament was engaged in preparing a declaration which might apparently contribute to the restora- tion of the King of Great Britain, but besides putting this declaration into a better form they have rendered it less useful to the king's interests under pretext of rendering it more acceptable to the Argyle party and to the clergy of the kingdom. It was again decided on AVednesday last that before it be issued it should be communicated to the clerg}', who it is known will never consent to its publication so long as they believe the King of Great Britain will be able to derive any advantage from it. The Chancellor of Scotland was the one who most contributed to this arrange- ment, for it is found that his actions do not correspond with his words, and people begin to judge he but makes such fine protestations of wishing to serve his prince in order to preside in Parliament and by this means be better able to injure him. Thus not only are the clergy opposed to the publication of this declaration, but they presented to those who had been deputed to them on the part of Parliament a new oath which they wish to be taken by all their nation, of which the following are the principal articles.
1st, That no one shall engage to bring about the restoration of the King of Great Britain to his just rights before the said king has signed the Covenant and sworn to maintain it.
2nd, That Catholics and the Prelates shall be entirely put down, as also those who profess Erastianism and the other sects.
3rd, That no alliance, of any kind whatever, shall be entered into, within the three kingdoms, with those who have served the party of their king.
4th, That the present articles shall be added to the oath the king takes on his coronation, and shall be sworn to by all who succeed to his crov\-n.
5th, Tliat the King of Great Britain shall have no power of veto, but shall be obliged to consent to everything that will be proposed to him by his Parliaments.
6th, That those who refuse to take this oath shall be regarded as incapable of any civil or ecclesiastical charge, and shall be further punished by being deprived of all their substance.
Such is the tenor of this new oath, which appeared to me at first sight so strange, since it would oblige people whom they might force to take it to promise things out of their power to perform, that I felt disposed to doubt its being authentic, although I had it on very good authority, had not the Duke of Hamilton, who came to see me on Satur- day last, assured me that it was the substance of a longer paper that had been presented to them by the clergy, and that he had had it in his hands, but that it would remain without any result, which several others do not believe. This Parliament had also begged the clergy to be satisfied with having had their declaration printed, of which I sent you a copy eight days ago, without having it read in their churches, and on their
VOL. II. 2 E
434 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [march
refusal to consent some members were of opinion that they ought to join threats to the requests they had made to them, but the Duke of Hamilton prevented it, and said it would be enough that all those of their party rose up when they might begin to have it read in the Parliament Church. However, this rumour having been circulated through all the town, the clergyman who preached to them made no mention of it, because it had already been read before them, so that this expedient became useless. Of the three or four clergymen who appear not to have altogether renounced, as the others, their duty as subjects, some did not read it, on the promise of protection made to them by the Hamilton party, and others did it under protest that they were forced to do it.
In spite of the apology made by the English Commissioners regarding the occupation of Berwick, the town has not yet received a garrison. They have been satisfied with simply giving arms to the inhabitants, in order to guarantee it against a surprise. Nothing similar has yet been stated about Carlisle. What has been done therein has not prevented this Parliament from discussing as to what might be done on the subject of these two towns ; and so as to act at once with diligence and secrecy a committee has been appointed, composed of the same persons that had l)een selected in order to obviate the dangers that threaten this kingdom, with the exception of the three burgesses of the Argyle party, who have "been replaced by three others of the Hamiltons, and full power has been given to them to do all they judge necessary for the safety of the border of this kingdom and of these two places, only against the designs of malicious and badly disposed persons who might obtain possession of them. The Marquis of Argyle, having vainly opposed the appointment of this committee, on his being named a member of it, replied that he could not form one of a committee that he had maintained could not legally meet, and after having given a protest, in which he declared that one could not establish a committee in order to be assured of these two places without violating the union between the two nations and breaking the Covenant which had been entered into partly on this subject, he left the Parliament followed by all those of his faction, that includes eleven lords and thirty or thirty-two gentry and burgesses. Those of the Hamilton party being thus left alone in the Parliament House began to deliberate as to whether they would prohibit the marquis and those of his party from returning, or if they would command them to do so under the penalty of being deprived of their seats, which latter was the most general opinion, but the Earl of Traquair did hereupon a friendly turn to the Marquis of Argyle, whose party he seems lately to have left, by remarking that it was important not to allow it to appear there were so great divisions, among them, and that it would be better to beg them civilly to return, which the Duke of Hamilton supported, so that they returned on the request that was made to them. Since Friday until to-day they have acted on this maxim of union, and have not only tried to transact business in conceit in Parliament, but also to keep up a good understand- ing between Parliament and the Assembly of the clergy of this kingdom.
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 436
but with so little success that the Marquis of Argyle was not yet present at the meeting of this committee to-day, and the clergy, instead of approving of it, refused yesterday to meet those who had been deputed to them by Parliament for this object, so that it seems neither the one party nor the other will give up their first resolutions, and that they will oppose everything they believe might contribute to the restoration of their king. The delays caused by this proposed union, which all the followers of the King of Great Britain consider either impraticable or prejudicial to their master, have driven these followers almost to despair, which is not more reasonable than the vain hopes they had formed eight days ago. For my part as I did not hope much then, I do not quite despair now ; for although it appears that if the Duke of Hamilton be not acting in concert with the Marquis of Argyle he ought not to be missed the oppor- tunity he had of turning him out of Parliament, it may be that the duke feared the party of the King of Great Britain would thereby become more powerful than his, that of Argyle being absent, and that thus his own interests may have obliged him to retain a person who without that consideration he would have wished to defeat. And as regards this committee that has been appointed in order to make certain of Berwick and Carlisle — about which such a noise has been made that it seems as if they had wished to imform the English of it so that they might be before- hand with them — if the Earl of Lothian may not have done something more than inform them of it — it may be replied that it was difficult to conduct an undertaking of this nature, which depended on the opinion of several persons, and of persons of different opinions, with great secrecy or diligence, besides it may also be that those who form this committee may give publicity to the divisions that exist among them, the better to conceal the intention they have of capturing the two towns, which we shall know in a few days. So it is not yet impossible but that there may be war between the Independents and the Scots, which I have so much the more reason to believe as several accidents may lead to a rupture between them against the intentions either of the one or the other ; but one may be certain that whatever they may propose in appearance there is nothing they have in fact less intention of doiqg than to restore the King of Great Britain, so that it is merely a matter of determining who will remain master in Scotland, the Duke of Hamilton or the Marquis of Argyle, and in England, Presbyterians or Independents. You will readily iudge from all these matters what the Prince of Wales has to hope for here. Thus in talking with the Duke of Hamilton about the prince he told me he did not doubt but that he would be in safety here as to his person, but that if the clergy did not change their opinions they would not aid much in furthering his interests. He stated to me also that it was necessary to try and gain over the clergy, for although he had more power than they in Parliament they had more than he in the kingdom In short the duke led me to see he wishes to leave nothing to chance and that he thinks much more of his own interests than of those of his master.
436 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [april
News has arrived here that two other detachments of cavalry have passed from England into Scotland. I am told that the inhabitants of Berwick have sent here the assurance that they are ready to deliver up their town to the Scots, and that Lord Inchequin,^ one of the king's fol- lowers and who lately served the English Parliament, offers to come here with six thousand men if it be wished to do anything for the King of Great Britain. You will see the little likelihood of having men in these circumstances.
Mr. Marshall, clergyman to the English Commissioners, left here on Friday last. '] ^
CCXXXIV
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimhourg, ?^:^ l648.
Par les articles que les Ministres ont presente au Parlement, que je joins a cette lettre, et par la reponse que le Comite et le Parlement y ont faite, V. Em°® pourra mieux connoitre Tetat ou sont les affaires de ce royaume, et ce que le roi d'Angleterre s*'en peut promettre, que par tout ce que je me pourrois donner rhonneur d'en ecrire, puisque c'est en effet a quoi se reduit tous ce qui s'est fait ici de considerable depuis ma derniere.
Les deputes du Parlement se doivent trouver ce matin avec ceux de TEglise pour leur communiquer cette reponse que j''envoye a V. Em*'®, et les prier de vouloir travailler de concert avec eux pour etablir les motifs de la guerre et aviser aux moyens de la pouvoir faire. Mais on croit que quelque long chemin qu'ait fait le Parlement pour s'approcher des Ministres, les Ministres feront difficilement le seul pas qui reste pour se joindre au Parlement. Quelques uns esperent, s^il est vrai quMls ne veuillent rien changer de leurs premieres resolutions, que deux choses pourroient porter le Due de Hamilton a aller
^ Murrough O' Brian, 6th Baron Inchequin, served the English Parliament for a time, but revolted, and was declared traitor and rebel. He afterwards became an attached royalist, and was made Earl of Inchequin in 1654.
2 Cromwell, in a letter to his friend Norton, dated 28th March 1648, says : ' For news out of the North, there is little, only the malignant party is prevailing in the Parliament of Scotland. They are earnest for war, the Ministers [clergy] oppose as yet. Mr. Marshall is returned who says so, and so do many of our letters. Their great danger committee have two malignants for one right. '
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 437
plus avant que peutetre il n*'avoit envie : Tune que tous ceux qui s"'etoient joints a lui par Tesperance quMl travailleroit au retablissement de leur roi, sont tout prets a Tabandonner s''il ne fait quelque chose de considerable ; et Tautre, que Ton est ici fort alarme de la marche du General Fairfax avec quelques regiments de cavalerie de ce c6te-ci, non pas tant, a ce qui se dit, pour assister aux obseques de son pere, que pour appuyer le parti d"'Argyle et les Ecossois qui ne veulent pas de roi, ni de guerre contre les Independants.
Tous ceux qui font ici profession d*'estre serviteurs de leur Prince se devoient rendre aujourd''huy sur le bord de la mer, pres de Leith, mais le mauvais temps et les remontrances du Due de Hamilton qui ne Fa juge a propos, rompront apparem- ment cette partie. Plusieurs requestes sont venues ici de diverses provinces de ce royaume qui ne veulent pas de guerre, et qui se soucient fort peu de leur roi. II y a quantite de gentilshommes qui s"'asseniblent toutes les nuits dans la salle des Tailleurs de cette ville, comme pour leurs interets, mais en efFet pour dresser de semblables requestes, — si ce n''est qu''ils desirent abattre Tautorite des seigneurs du pays comme ils ont ruine celle de leur roi.
Les principaux officiers de Tarmee avoient aussi resolu de presenter une requeste au Parlement, non pas tant pour de- mander une nouvelle subsistance, que pour appuyer les interets du Marquis d''Argyle et des Ministres; mais le general de Tartillerie, le Major-General Middleton, et quelques autres ont refuse de la signer. Tous ces desordres font craindre ici quelque revolution, particulierement si le Parlement et TEglise ne s''accordent. De moi, Mg', je ne juge pas que ces choses puissent faire d''autre mal que de donner lieu au Due de Hamilton d'abandonner les interets de son prince et de faire croire encore qu"'il n"'eut pas manque de le servir s'il en eut eu le pouvoir, comme il en avoit la volonte.
On m"*a asseure de bonne part que My Lord Inchquain off'roit de se joindre aux Ecossois, ainsi quMl m^'avoit ete dit, et qu'un de ses principaux officiers est ici, qui attend la repouse aux lettres qu''il a apportees pour cet effet.
Colin, le principal ministre que fut en Ecosse pour le roi, a mieux aime lire, contre sa conscience, Dimanche dernier, la
438 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [april
declaration des Ministres, que d'etre depose pour avoir servi genereusement son prince.
Le Chevalier Guillaume Fleming, qui la reine d'Angleterre a envoye ici, y arriva Jeudi dernier dans un bateau de guerre de MM. les Etats. II n'a ete que neuf jours en son voyage. Je ne Tay point encore veu, quoi que Milord Fleming son frere m'ait dit qu'il etoit venu chez moi, et qu'il desiroit fort me parler. II ne dit rien du tout du sujet de son voyage.
Le Commissaires du Parlement d'Angleterre ont demande qu'on leur rendit les Anglois qui s'etoient retires en Ecosse, sous esperance d'y pouvoir servir leur maitre, mais ils n'ont pas receu plus de reponse a cette demande qu'a toutes celles qu'ils ont faites auparavant.
[MoNTEBEUL to CARDINAL Mazarin. Edinburgh, -'^ ^^^ 1G48.
From the articles that the clergy have presented to Parliament, which I join to this letter, and by the reply that the Committee and Parliament have made to them, you will be better able to judge of the state of affairs in this kingdom and what the King of England may have to expect, than by all I could write to you about it, since in fact it is all that has taken place of importance here since my last.
The Parliamentary deputation is to meet this morning with that of the church, in order to deliver to them the reply I send to you, and to beg them to act in concert with them in order to draw up the objects of the war, and advise as to the means of conducting it. But it is believed that notwithstanding the great concession Parliament has made in order to conciliate the clergy, the latter will not make the one step that remains to .bring them together with the Parliament. Some persons hope if it be true that they will change nothing in their first resolutions that two circumstances may induce the Duke of Hamilton to proceed further perhaps than he had wished : one, that all those who had joined him in the hope that he would engage in the restoration of their king are quite ready to abandon him if he do not do something important ; and the other that people here are much alarmed at the march of General Fair- fax, with some regiments of cavalry in this direction, not so much as it is said to be present at his father's funeral^ as to support the Argyle party and the Scots who neither want a king nor a war with the Inde- pendents.
All those here who profess to be followers of their prince were to have gone to-day on the sea-side near Leith, but the bad weather and the expostulation of the Duke of Hamilton, who did not judge it proper, will probably have broken up this party. Several petitions have been
* Ferdinand, Lord Fairfax, died at York on Monday, 13th March, 1648.
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 439
received here from the different counties of the kingdom that do not want war ; and are very little concerned about their king. Tliere are a number of gentlemen who meet every night in the Tailors' Hall ' of this town, as if for their own concerns, but in fact in order to draw out similar petitions, — as if it were but their wish to overthrow the authority of the nobles of this country, as they have destroyed that of their king.
The principal officers of the army had also resolved to present a peti- tion to Parliament, not so much in order to demand extra pay as to support the interests of the Marquis of Argyle and the clergy ; but the general of artillery, Major-General Middleton, and some others, have refused to sign it.^ All these disorders lead one to fear that we are on the eve of some sort of revolution here, especially if the Parliament and the Church do not agree. For my part I consider all these matters can do no greater harm than supply an opportunity to the Duke of Hamilton for abandoning the interests of his prince, and to make it still believed that he would not have failed to serve him if he had had the power as he had the will.
I am assured on good authority that Lord Inchequin has offered to take part with the Scots, which I had already been told, and that one of his principal officers is here awaiting the reply to the letters he brought to that effect.
Collin, the principal clergyman in Scotland who was for the king, preferred to read on Sunday last the declaration of the clergy, against his conscience, than to be deposed from his office for having served his prince too generously.
Sir William Fleming,^ whom the Queen of England has sent here.
^ The Tailors' Hall was situated in the Cowgate. It belonged to the corpora- tion of tailors and was let for public meetings,
' Turner in his Memoirs thus refers to the petition of the army : * A petition is drawn up by Argyle and his friends (the Chancellor playing fast and loose with both parties), which is called the petition of the army, which was to secure re- ligion (for these were the kirk words), and the kingdom of Christ, before any forces were raised for the king's relief. It is signed privately by Leven, Da. Leslie, Major Gen. Holburne, Sir John Browne, Col. Scott, and some others, and then presented publicly to the rest of us, thinking we could not, being soldiers, refuse to follow our leaders. But they found themselves mistaken ; for Major-General Middleton and the honest part of the officers told them that such a petition, which looked so like mutiny, could not be presented to Parliament without incurring the dishonour which the army of Fairfax had drawn upon itself to impose on the Parliament of England. Middleton was pleased to make use of me for the de- struction of the paper. . . . The business was so handled that it was never presented.' — Memoirs, p. 218.
3 Sir William Fleming, second son of John 2nd Earl of Wigton, gentleman usher to Charles i. and Chamberlain of the Household to Charles 11. His object in coming to Scotland on this occasion was, says Guthry, ' that the Com- missioners had at the Isle of Wight sent to the Queen and Prince some assurance
440 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [april
arrived on Thursday last in a ship of war belonging to the Dutch Pro- vinces. He was only nine days on his voyage. I have not yet seen him, although Lord Fleming his brother told me he had called upon me, and that he wished much to speak with me. He told me nothing at all of the object of his brother's voyage.
The Commissioners of the English Parliament have demanded that the English who had come to Scotland, in the hope of being able to serve their king there, be given up to them ; but they have received no further reply to this demand than they have to all the others they have hitherto made.]
ccxxxv
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edhnhours, — Avril l648.
Les articles que les Ministres ont presente a ce Parlement, et que j''envoyai il y a huit jours a V. Em*'®, lui auront fait connoitre quels sont les sentiments de ces Messieurs pour le bien des affaires du roi de la G"" B"", puisqu'ils ne le veulent retablir qu*'a des conditions quMls savent bien que ce Prince ne leur accordera jamais, et que en proposant d''abattre les Inde- pendants ils apportent tant de precautions pour empescher que les serviteurs de ce roi ne se relevent, qu'il semble que le principal sujet de Tentreprise qu''ils veulent faire soit d''achever de les miner. Mais bien que ce Parlement ait tache, comme vous avez veu, de donner satisfaction aux dits Ministres, qu'il n"'auroit pas fait pour eux beaucoup davantage s'il leur avoit accorde toutes leurs demandes, ils n'ont pas laisse de desirer du temps pour deliberer, s'ils se devoient contenter de la reponse qu'ils avoient receue, et ont trouve qu''ils ne pouvoient traiter avec les Commissaires qui avoient ete nommes par le Parlement pour regler les motifs de la guerre que Ton veut faire, que leurs demandes ne leur eussent ete auparavant entierement accordees. Ces choses se passerent le Mardi '-^—^ et le Mercredi.
of their resolution to engage this nation for the king, and now he was come to learn what they might expect as to the performance thereof. The letters which he delivered were to the Chancellor, Duke of Hamilton, Lauderdale and Lanark. Jn a few days after they despatched him with their answers,' p. 218.
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 441
On delibera le Jeudi au Parlement, si apres avoir si souvent ofFert aux ministres d"'agir de concert avec eux, et avoir passe si avant pour essayer de les satisfaire, on prendroit prompte- ment sans eux, quelque resolution sur des affaires qui sembloient ne pouvoir admettre de retardement sans recevoir de grands prejudices ; et le Due de Hamilton declara hautement qu''il etoit de cette opinion, soit parce qu''il s''asseuroit que son avis ne passeroit pas sans contradiction, soit pour contenter ceux de son parti qui s''etoient plaints de ses longeurs et qui com- mencoient a s"'en retirer et a en vouloir former un troisieme, sort qu'en effet il ait desire rendre quelque plus grand service au roi son maitre, que Ton ne s"'etait persuade, qui est le senti- ment qu'on en peut avoir le plus a son avantage, mais aussi le moins asseure.
Cependant le Chancelier d'Ecosse qui par sa charge de president de ce Parlement a Tavantage de pouvoir demande Tavis a qui il lui plait, pria le Comte de Casallis et ensuite celui de Traquair de dire le leur, qui, selon que le Chancelier Tavoit bien juge, trouverent qu''il etoit a propos que Ton accordat aux Ministres tous ce qu''ils avoient demande, puis- qu'ils ne se vouloient pas contenter a moins que cela, de sorte qu'il y avoit lieu de craindre que cet avis eut ete suivi, si le Comte de Lanark ne se fut leve, qui desira qu''ils peussent avoir le temps de penser a une affaire de telle importance, et qui en fit remettre la resolution au jour suivant, ou le Parlement trouva a propos qu'avant que de prendre une resolution si importante, ceux qui avoient ete deputes pour traiter avec les Ministres se trouvassent encore avec eux et les pressassent de vouloir relascher quelque chose de leurs premieres resolutions ; ce qui fut fait le meme jour et hier encore mais avec si peu de succes qu"'avant que se separer ils ont proteste de ne se plus rejoindre, et qu'ainsi ce traite est absolument rompu.
Ceux qui portent ici les interets du roi d'Angleterre tiennent pour asseure que ce Parlement va resoudre promptement de faire la guerre aux Independants, et sur des conditions qui seront tout-a-fait avantageuses a leur roi. Mais je ne vois pas encore qu'il y ait sujet de se tant promettre, bien qu'on ait donne Jeudi dernier trois dallers a chaque Anglois qui s"'est trouve ici, et que s'est voulu engager a servir ce Parlement ; que
442 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [april
Ton donne subsistance dans tout le pays a tous les etrangers qui la veulent recevoir, et qui, centre les avis de Tavocat du roi d'^Angleterre, qui est son plus cruel ennemi, on ait la semaine passee refuse de rendre reponse a une lettre des Commissaires de TAngleterre, par laquelle ils demandoient que Ton leur mit entre les mains les Chevaliers Thomas Glonkain, Marmaduke Langdale, et autres Anglois de condition, qui sont venus ici avec esperance d'y pouvoir servir leur maitre. Toutes ces choses dis-je ne me peuvent faire croire qu'on se hate ici d''entrer en armes dans TAngleterre, ni qu'on fasse quoi que ce soit en Ecosse qui puisse contribuer au bien du roi de la G"" B"", ou de ceux de son parti.
L'etat ou je viens de representer que se trouvent les affaires de ce pays pourra faire connoitre a V. Em*^® Timpossibilite quMl y a d'avoir des hommes d^ici presentement. Quelques anglois, qui ne sont pas satisfaits du traitment qu"'ils y re^oivent, m'avoient offert de faire passer cent ou deux cents hommes en France, mais outre que je. n'ay pas trouve qu*'ils me peussent fournir ce nombre, qui n'est pas meme considerable, j"'ay pense encore que les Ecossois non seulement ne le trouveroient pas bon, mais le pourroient encore faire trouver mauvais a la reine d'Angleterre, et lui persuader que cela auroit nui a ses interets.
Les Ministres avoient resolu de deposer le sieur Ramsey, qui est le seul d'entre eux qui a refuse de lire leur declaration dans son eglise, et qui ose parler encore aujourd'huy a Ta vantage de son prince ;,. mais les femmes de sa paroisse ont ete plus hardies que ce Parlement, puisqu"'apres Tavoir suivi dans leur assemblee, ou il devoit etre depose, et apres avoir reproche aux principaux d'entre eux, avec des termes outrageux, leur mauvaise vie, elles leur ont dit que s'ils faisoient aucun tort a leur vieux ministre elles savoient le moyen de les chasser tous d'Ecosse, comme elles avoient fait les ev^ques il y a quelques annees.
Le Chevalier Fleming a pris la peine de me venir voir, et bien qu'il ait accompagne sa visite de beaucoup de civilites et de temoignages de confiance, j usqu'a me dire qu''il me vouloit donner part de tout ce qu'il avoit a traiter ici, j'ay ete bien aise de voir qu''il ne s'ouvroit a moi d'aucune chose, et que je ne serois point oblige ou a lui faire tort en lui cachant le danger ou il expose le Prince de Galles en le portant a venir ici.
1648J MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 443
ou a me faire prejudice a moi-meme en lui decouvrant mes sentiments qui seroient ici fort mal receus, et quMl pourroit taire difficilement.
J'ay receu celles que V. Em*^® m'avoit fait Thonneur de mVcrire du 20 et du 27 Mars, avec le duplicata de la lettre de Sa Majeste pour M. le Marquis d'Huntley — comme j'avois fait les deux autres — ceux qui ont arreste mes paquets Tayant toujoiirs fait quand il n'y avoit point de lettre de V. Em*'®, ni de M. le Comte de Brienne. Cependant le dit S' Marquis a si peu d'apprehension aujourd'huy du succes de son affaire, par- ticulierement apres la recommandation de Sa Majeste, qu'il auroit presse pour estre juge, si ses amis n'avoient trouve plus a propos de ne rien dire. II vit dans une si grande tranquillite qu'il s'est mis depuis quelques mois a traduire le Cassandre, dont il a deja fait pres de la moitie. Mais Mr. le Due de Hamilton me disoit encore la demiere fois que je Tay veu, qu'il ne le croyoit pas hors de danger, soit que le dit S' Due le pense ainsi veritablement ou qu'il imite les medecins qui font le mal plus grand qu'il n'est, a fin que leurs cures soient plus estimes.
Le Marquis d'Argyle, le Baron de Balmerino, et les Comtes de Lanark et de Lauderdale s'assemblerent le Jeudi et le Ven- dredi de la semaine passe pour tascher de demeurer d'accord ensemble des motifs sur lesquels on entreprendroit la guerre, et il y avoit apparence qu''ils tomberoient d''accord et avec eux tout le Parlement, mais les deux premiers refuserent Samedi de s'assembler et je ne sais pas ce qu'ils Taient fait depuis.
Je joins une requete a cette depeche qu'ont presentee au Parlement les Barons qui tiennent le parti de TEglise. Le Parlement a remis aujourd'huy au Comite des 24 a aviser si Ton resoudroit quelque chose dans les affaires de la guerre, sans prendre Tavis des Ministre, et a considerer les dangers qui menacent cet Etat et les remedes que Ton doit y apporter.
[MoNTEREUL to CARDINAL Mazarin. Edinburgh, Y^ April 1648.
The articles the clergy have presented to this Parliament, and which I sent to you eight days ago, will have informed you of the sentiments of these gentlemen as regards the good of the affairs of the King of Great Britain, since they will only restore him on conditions they knew well this prince will never grant to them, and that in proposing to overturn the Independents they introduce so many precautions in order to prevent the king's followers from regaining power, that it seems the principal
444 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [april
object of the undertaking they are engaging in is to finish the ruin of them. But although this Parliament has tried, as you have seen, to give such satisfaction to the clergy that it could not have done much more for them had it granted all their demands, they have not even asked for time in order to deliberate as to whether they ought to be satisfied with the reply they had received, but found they could not treat with the Commissioners who had been named by Parliament, in order to determine the motives of the war in which it is wished to engage, until their demands were completely granted to them beforehand. Those matters took place on Tuesday '^ ^p"j and on the Wednesday after. In Parliament on Thurs- day it was discussed whether after having so often offered to the clergy to act in concert with them, and having gone so far in order to try and satisfy them, a resolution might not be come to without them on affairs that seemed not to admit of delay without incurring great prejudice ; and the Duke of Hamilton declared boldly that he was of that opinion, either because he was certain his opinion would not be accepted without contra- diction, or in order to satisfy those of his party who had complained of his delays and who were beginning to withdraw from him for the purpose of forming a third party, or again that in fact he may have wished to render some more signal service to the king his master than had been believed, which,is the sentiment one may have which tells most to his advantage, but is also that of which one is least assured.
However the Chancellor of Scotland, who through his oflSce of presi- dent has the advantage of being able to ask the opinion of any one he pleases, begged the Earl of Casallis and afterwards the Earl of Traquair to give theirs, who, as the Chancellor had very well judged, found it to be necessary to grant to the clergy all they had asked since they would not be satisfied with anything less than that, so that there was reason to fear that this opinion might have been adopted, when the Earl of Lanark rose and expressed the wish that more time might be allowed to think over a matter of such importance, and the decision was put off until the following day, when Parliament j udged proper before coming to a resolu- tion so important that those who had been delegated in order to treat with the clergy might call upon them again and urge them to relax something of their first resolutions, which was done the same day and again yesterday, but with so little success that before separating they protested they would not meet again, and thus this treaty is absolutely broken off. ITiose who support here the interests of the King of Eng- land consider it certain that this Parliament is going to decide promptly to declare war on the Independents and on conditions that will be alto- gether advantageous for their king. But I do not yet see that there is reason to expect so much, although on Thursday last three thalers were given to each Englishman of those who are here who would engage to serve this Parliament. They give subsistence money to all the foreigners throughout the country who will accept it, and they also last week refused to give a reply to a letter from the English Commissioners by which they
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 445
demanded that Sir Thomas Glenham, Sir Marmaduke Langdale and other Englishmen of rank, who have come here with the hope of being able to serve their master, be given up to them and this was done contrary to the opinion of the king's advocate/ who is his most cruel enemy. All these matters, I repeat, cannot make me believe that people here will make haste to enter England in arms, nor that an\-thing whatever will be done in Scotland that may contribute to the welfare of the King of Great Britain or to those of his party. The state of affairs of this country being as I have just indicated to you will let you understand the impossi- bility of having men from here at present. Some Englishmen, dissatisfied with the pay they receive here, offered to me to pass over to France one or two hundred men, but besides my not finding that they could furnish that number, which is not considerable ; I thought the Scots might not only disapprove of it but persuade the Queen of England that it would be hurtful to her interests.
The clergy having decided to depose Mr, Ramsay, who is the only one of their number who refused to read their declaration in his church, and who dares even at present to speak favourably of their prince ; but the women of his parish have been bolder than this Parliament, since after having followed him to the place of meeting, where he was to be deposed, and after having scolded the principal clergymen present and upbraided them with their dissolute lives, in no measured terms, they told them if they did any harm to their old minister they knew the way to drive them out of Scotland as they had done with the bishops a few years ago.^
Sir William Fleming has taken the trouble to call upon me, and al- though his visit was conducted with much politeness and many expressions of confidence, he having gone so far as to say he would tell me all he had to do here, I was glad to see that he did not disclose anything to me, and that I would not be obliged either to do him an injury in concealing from him the danger to which he exposed the Prince of Wales by inducing him to come here, or to do harm to myself in disclosing to him my senti- ments, which would have been very badly received and which it would have been difficult for him not to disclose.
^ Sir Archibald Johnstone of Warriston.
^ In Balfour's Annals, vol i\. p. 419 is the following: 'In the General Assembly held at Edinburgh in July 1649 there were very many ministers de- posed for maintaining the last expedition into England, for relief of our king, whom these bloody blasphemers have since killed contrary to the Solemn League and Covenant with that perfidious nation, among whom were Mr. Andrew Ram- say and Mr. William Cullen, ministers, two learned and worthy men : they were much regretted by honest men and those who truly loved peace and truth. But the current of the times went so, that in respect they would not dance to the play of the leaders, Douglas, Dickson, Cant, Guthrie, and Law, they were deposed from the ministerial office, when one of them, Mr. Andrew Ramsay, had been an actual minister above fifty-three years, whereof he had sers'ed in Edinburgh thirty.«ix of that time.'
446 MONTEREUL TO BRIENNE [april
I have received your letters of the 20th and 27th March with the copy of his Majesty's letter for the Marquis of Huntly. I had already re- ceived the two others, those who stop my parcels having always done so when there was no letter therein either from you or from the Comte de Brienne. However, the marquis is so little apprehensive now of the success of his process, particularly since the recommendation of his Majesty, that he would have insisted on being tried had his friends not considered it more prudent for him to say nothing about it. He lives very quietly. He took in hand some months ago to translate Cassandra, and has already done about the half of it. But the Duke of Hamilton told me the last time I saw him, that he did not believe him to be out of danger : whether it be that the duke really thinks so, or that he speaks as do the doctors who exaggerate the disease, in order that their cures be more appreciated.
The Marquis of Argyle, Lord Balmerino, and the Earls of Lanark and Lauderdale met on Thursday and Friday last week in order to try and come to some agreement as to the causes on which they might undertake the war, and there was some appearance of their hitting on an agreement and with them all the Parliament ; but the two first refused to attend the meeting on Saturday and I have not learned what they have done since.
I add to this despatch the copy of a petition that has been presented to Parliament by the gentry who hold with the Church party. Parliament has referred to-day to the committee of twenty-four to advise as to whether they ought to settle anything in the affairs of the war without taking the opinion of the clergy, and to consider the dangers that threat- ened this state and the remedies to be adopted for them.]
CCXXXVI
MONTEREUL A BRIENNE
Edimhourg, 11 Avril l648.
Depuis que les Ministres par le refus qu'ils ont fait de s''accommoder aux desirs du Parlement, Font oblige de traiter sans eux les affaires, le 24 qui composent le Comite qui a ete etabli pour considerer les dangers ou ce royaume se trouve expose, et les ruptures que les Anglois ont fait a leurs traites et au Covenant, les representerent Vendredi dernier au Parle- ment dans un papier, dont voici la substance : ' Qu'outre les manquements que les Anglois ont commis contre leur Covenant et leur traites, ils n'y veulent point comprendre le deffault de payment du reste de ce que leur avoit ete accorde, quand ils entrerent la seconde fois en Angleterre, ni de deux cents mille
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livres Sterling qu'on leur promit quand ils en sortirent la derniere fois, ni aussi des arrerages qui sont deus aux armees qu'ils ont entretenues si longtemps en Irlande, et qui montent a des sommes considerables,"' — ce qui est portant leur premiere- plainte, et ce qu"'ils representent avec plus d'exaggeration que tout le reste. lis font voir ensuite de quelle sorte leur roi a ete tire de Holmby contre son gre, comme il Pa temoigne lui-meme par la declaration qu'il a faite sur ce sujet, ' qu'il a ete garde etroitement en leur armee, j usqu'a ce que le danger ou il s''est veu expose de perdre la vie Fa oblige de se la conserver par la fuite et de se retirer en un lieu ou il est maintenant tenu prisonnier et ou ses sujets n'ont pas merae la liberte de le voir. Que les Commissaires d'^Ecosse, et particulierement le Comte de Lauderdale, ont ete mal traites dans leur armee, et n'ont pas peu tirer de reparation des injures que Ton leur a faites, ni de reponse sur ce quMls ont demande, comme si la defense qui etoit faite a toute personne de s''adresser a leur roi s'etendoit jusqu'a ceux de leur nation, si non par le livre qui a ete presente a ce Parlement depuis quelques jours par les Com- missaires d''Angleterre, par lequel ils declarent que les Anglois ont seul droit de disposer de la personne de leur roi. Que Tarmee a marche hostilement contre la ville de Londres et contre le Parlement d"'Angleterre ; qu"'elle ne Ta pas seulement oblige a casser les ordres qui avoient ete faits peu de jours auparavant, mais encore a chasser du dit lieu plusieurs per- sonnes bien intentionnees ; qu'ils ont fait un corps de garde de la maison de leur roi ; qu'au lieu d'avoir ruine les eveques ils ont etabli une liberte de conscience sans limite, pire que la hyerarchie qu'ils ont aboli qu"'enfin il n"'y a aucun article du Covenant qu'ils n'ayent meschamment viole."*
Ce sont. Monsieur, les principales choses dont ils se plai- gnent, et presque les termes dont ils se sont servi pour les exprimer. Voici les remedes que ce meme Comite a fait connoitre par un autre ecrit, que Ton y pourroit opposer : De faire jurer le Covenant; garder le Directoire; etablir le gouvernament Presbyterial par toute TAngleterre ; de sup- primer toutes sortes de sectes, et notamment Tlndependance, que les Ecossois auroient recours d'exprimer par un autre nom ; de faire venir le roi de la G"^ B"" a Londres ou en une
448 MONTEREUL TO BRIENNE [april
de ses maisons proclie de Londres, et de rappeler dans les maisons du Parlement tous les membres qui ont ete eloignes ; de faire debander Tarmee qui est sur pied, et de ne pas permettre que personne porte les armes qui n*'ait jure le Covenant. Toutes ces choses, que j'ay seu de fort bonne part, doivent etre debatues aujourd'huy dans le Parlement, et on ne doute point qu'elles n'y passent. II reste a savoir les moyens que Ton devra prendre pour les obtenir, et c'est ce que le Comite considere depuis deux jours, et dont il doit donner demain son avis a ce Parlement. On croit, ou qu'on deman- dera tout ceci au Parlement d'Angleterre par un simple courrier, ou qu'au lieu d'envoyer la lettre a Londres, on se contentera de la donner aux Commissaires d'Angleterre qui sont ici.
Depuis que le Due de Hamilton agit avec plus de chaleur qu'il n'avoit fait, tous ceux qui semblent vouloir se separer de ses interets se sont rejoints a son parti, et agissent tellement de concert avec lui que quatre de ses amis et quatre de ceux qui font profession d'etre pour nous, se trouvent chaque jour ensemble pour regler les affaires avant qu'elles se proposent dans le Parlement, et ont deja bien avance pour choisir les officiers qui doivent commander Farmee que Ton a dessein de lever, ce que j'ay seu du Comte de Dunfries, qui est un des quatre qui sont pour le roi dans ce comite, et a qui je suis oblige de reconnoitre que j'ay de tres particulieres obligations, recevant de lui avec un extreme soin, les avis que je devrois attendre de ceux qui sont attaches au service de Sa Majeste, et a qui ce service n'est ni desavantageux n'incommode. Toutes ces choses, a qui ceux qui les conduissent donnent encore de tres favorables interpretations, font naitre dans Tesprit des serviteurs du roi d'Angleterre des esperances qu'ils n'avoient point con^ues jusqu'ici. De moi, Monsieur, comme j'aurois tort de m'opposer a Tautorite de tant de personnes et prudentes et bien intentionees, il se pent faire aussi que Texperience des choses passees, la lenteur avec laquelle les Ecossois ont agi jusqu'ici, les raisons qu'ils ont maintenant de faire pour leur propre conservation ce qu'ils publient de vouloir faire pour le retablissement de leur roi, me laissent beaucoup de doute d'une chose dont ses serviteurs deviennent aujour-
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d'huy bien assures ; de sorte que quand je vois aujourd''huy toute TAngleterre presque en branle de se declarer pour son prince, je crois que les Ecossois feront beaucoup pour ses interets s'ils ne Tempeschent pas de se retablir. Mais quelque chose qu"'ils puissent faire, il semble que Monsieur le Prince de Galles fera to uj ours tres prudemment de ne se pas hater de venir ici, a quoi son propre interet le doit porter si les Ecossois ne lui sont pas afFectionnes, s'il est vrai qu'ils lui soient fideles, de peur qu''ils ne cessent de Tetre aussitost qu'il aura asseure leurs affaires par sa presence; puisqu"'il est vrai qu''ils ont toujours ete moins gens de bien a proportion qu"'ils ont ete plus heureux, et qu"'ils ne m'ont jamais montre de desir pour la conservation de leur roi que quand ils furent entiereraent defaits a Quilsade, et que M. Montrose leur eut a peine laisse le moyen de se conserver eux-memes.
Les Commissaires d''Angleterre resolvent ici fort peu de satisfaction, et pas du tout de reponse. lis en doivent avoir une toutefois dans peu de jours aux papiers qu"'ils ont donne, par laquelle on les asseure en termes generaux d'une bonne corre- spondance, et on refuse de leur donner le Chevalier Glenham et les autres Anglois refugies qu"'ils ont demande. Quelques diligences que Ton ait faites pour empescher que la requeste des officiers de cette armee ait ete presentee au Parlement, on croit que Ton aura travaille inutilement; on essayera d'en detoumer Teffet en faisant faire une protestation contraire des officiers de la meme armee de qui elle n"'a pas ete signee.
Les manages de deux filles de M. le Comte de Crawford, Tresorier d'^Ecosse, avec les Comtes de Rothes et de Hadding- ton, doivent se faire aujourd'huy et Jeudi prochain ; bien que les principaux seigneurs de ce royaume s''y doivent trouver, on me dit que le Marquis d'Argyle n'a pas ete invite. Le dit Marquis a demande ix cents hommes de Tarmee pour empescher quelque deux cents Irlandais qui sont descendus en Flsle d'lsla de passer en Argyle. Plusieurs croyent que c'est un artifice pour empescher que Ton entre en Angleterre, quand il y a encore des desordres en ce pays. On me vient de dire qu'une treve a ete conclue entre les Ecossois qui sont en Irlande et les Catholiques du meme royaume, mais je ne Tay pas seu d''assez bonne part pour oser encore rien asseurer.
VOL. II. 2 F
450 MONTEREUL TO BRIENNE [april
J''ouvre mon paquet, Monsieur, pour vous dire que toutes les choses qui ont ete remontrees par le Comite des 24 ont passe aujourd'huy dans le Parlement, et que ce meme comite y a encore represente ce soir les moyens qu'on doit prendre pour avoir reparation des injures qui ont etc faites, un desquels est de lever une armee presentement et de nommer les officiers qui la doivent commander ; ce quV^tant fait ils trouvoient a propos d'envoyer quelqu'un en Angleterre pour representer les ruptures quMls ont faites a leur traites et pour demander reparation.
[MoNTEBEUL to Brienne. Edinburgh, 11th April 1648. Since the clergy by their refusal to comply with the wishes of Parliament have obliged it to treat the affairs without them, the twenty-four, that form the committee that has been appointed to consider the dangers to which this kingdom is exposed and the infractions the English have made in their treaties and in the Covenant, represented them to Parliament on Friday last in a paper of which the following is the substance. That besides the defaults of the English against their Covenant and their treaties they cannot be made to understand their default in the payment of the remainder of what was granted to the Scots on their second entry into England ; nor that of »the two hundred thousand pounds sterling that was promised to them on their leaving it the last time ; nor the arrears that are owing to the armies they have kept up so long in Ireland and which amount to important sums.' This forms their first subject of complaint, which they give with greater exaggeration than all the rest. They show next in what manner their king was taken away from Holmby, against his will, as he has testified himself by the declaration he has made on this subject, that he was so closely guarded in their army until the danger to which he saw himself exposed of losing his life obliged him, in order to save it, to escape and to retire to the place where he is now held prisoner, and where his subjects have not even the liberty of seeing him. That the Scottish Commissioners, and particularly the Earl of Lauderdale, were ill-treated in their army, and have not been able to receive any reparation for the insults they received, nor any reply to their demands — as if the prohibition made against applying to their king went so far as to include those of their nation — if it be not by the book which was presented to this Parliament a few days ago by the English Commissioners, in which it is declared that the English have alone the right of disposing of the person of their king. That the army has marched with hostile intent against the City of London and against the English Parliament ; that it not only caused several orders that had been given a few days previously to be revoked, but drove away from this said place several well-intentioned persons ; that they have made a guard-house of the residence of their king ; that instead of putting down the bishops.
1648] MONTEREUL TO BRIENNE 451
they have established a liberty of conscience without limit^ worse than the hierarchy they had abolished^ that in short there is not a single article of the Covenant that they have not wickedly violated.
These are the principal matters of which they complain — and almost the terms they have used to express them. Hei*e are the remedies that this same committee have brought forward in another paper which might be adopted to oppose them. Have the Covenant sworn to ; that the Directory ^ be maintained ; establish the Presbjrterian form of church government throughout England ; suppress all sorts of sects and notably that of the Independents — which the Scots have expressed by another name — invite the King of Great Britain to London, or to one of his residences near London, and recall to the Houses of Parliament all the members that have been expelled, have the army which is on foot dis- banded, and not to allow any person who may not have taken the Covenant to bear arms. All these matters, which I have learned on very good authority are to be discussed in Parliament to-day, and it is not doubted but that they will be passed there. It remains to be seen what means they will adopt in order to obtain them, and this is what the committee has been considering during two days, and in regard to which it is to give its opinion to the Parliament to-morrow. It is believed that they will demand all this from the Parliament of England by a simple messenger, or instead of sending the letter to London, they will content themselves with giving it to the English Commissioners who are here.
Since the Duke of Hamilton began to act with more ardour than he did, all those who seemed disposed to give up his interests have rejoined his party, and act in such close concert with him that four of his friends and four of those who profess to be for us meet every day to arrange matters before they are proposed in Parliament,^ and have already made much progress in selecting the officers who are to command the army that they purpose to raise. This I learned from the Earl of Dumfries,^ who is one of the four who are for the king in this committee, and to whom I am obliged to confess my being under very particular obligations for the extreme care which he takes in giving me information, which I ought to expect from those attached to the service of his Majesty, but this service to him is neither disadvantageous nor irksome. All these matters, to which those who are directing them give also a very favour- able construction, inspire hopes in the minds of the king's followers that they have not had till now. For my part, as it would be wrong to oppose my authority to that of so many prudent and well-intentioned persons, it may be also that the experience of passed matters, the slow- ness with which the Scots have till now acted, the reasons they have at
^ A book of regulations for divine worship drawn up in 1644 by the Assembly of Divines in England, and set forth by the Lords and Commons to be used instead of the Prayer Book.
■^ This seems a round-about way of designating the Lords of the Articles.
3 William Crichton, created Earl of Dumfries, 1633.
452 MONTEREUL TO BRIENNE [april
present to do for their own safety what they profess to do for the restora- tion of their king, leave me much in doubt as to a matter of which his followers are becoming at present quite certain, so that when I see all England almost actually in movement declaring itself for its prince, I believe the Scots will do much for his interests if they do not prevent his restoration. But whatever they may do, it seems that the Prince of Wales will still act very prudently in not making haste to come here, to which he ought to be guided by his own interest, if the Scots be not well disposed towards him, and if it be true that they are faithful to him, for fear they may cease to be so, as soon as he has secured their aifairs by his presence, since it is certain they have always been less honest in proportion as they have been more fortunate, and that they have never shown so much desire for the safety of their king than when they were entirely defeated at Kilsyth and when Montrose had scarcely left them the means of providing for their own safety.
The English Commissioners receive very little satisfaction here, and they have had no reply whatever. They will have one however in a few days to the papers that they have given, by which they will be assured in general terms of friendly intercourse and a refusal to deliver up to them Sir Thomas Glenham and the other English refugees they have demanded. Whatever eiforts have been made in order to prevent the petition of the officers of the army from being presented to Parliament they are believed to have been unavailing. It will now be tried to coun- teract the effect of it by a protest against it from the officers of the same regiment who had not signed it.
The marriages of the two daughters of the Earl of Crawford, Lord Treasurer of Scotland, to the Earls of Rothes and of Haddington, are to take place to-day and on Thursday next. Although the principal nobles of this kingdom are to be present, I am told that the Marquis of Argyle has not been invited. This marquis has demanded nine hundred men from the army in order to prevent two hundred Irish who have landed in the island of Isla from passing into Argyleshire. Several think this is but an artifice in order to prevent this army from entering England, on the ground of there being still disorders in this country. I have just been told that a truce has been concluded between the Scots who are in Ire- land and the Catholics of the same kingdom, but I have not yet learned it from such a good source as to venture to affirm it. — I open my parcel in order to let you know that all matters recommended to Parliament by the committee of twenty-four have passed, and that this committee has also represented to Parliament this evening the means that ought to be adopted in order to obtain reparation for the insults paid to them, one of which is to raise an army at present and to appoint the officers who ought to command it, which being done they would deem it proper to send some one into England to represent the violations of their treaties and in order to demand reparation,]
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 453
CCXXXVII
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimbourg, ^ April l648, BiEN que les articles que j'envoie a V. Em*^®, qui out presque tous passe dans ce Parlement, lui puissent donner lieu de juger des resolutions qui s'y doivent prendre, j"'aurois bien desire toutefois que le partement de Tordinaire eut peu etre retarde deux ou trois jours, puisque nous esperons avant ce temps, non seulement que Ton demeurera d*'accord des termes de la declara- tion que ce royaume doit publier et de la lettre que Ton doit envoyer au Parlement d''Angleterre, mais encore que Ton arretera de quel nombre d"'hommes sera la nouvelle armee ; qu'on nommera les officiers qui la doivent commander, et qu'on achevera d'examiner les articles que je joins a cette lettre, c"'est a dire, les cinq ou six dernieres lignes qui ne purent ni passer comme tout le reste, ni etre meme considerees Samedi dernier, et qui furent remises a ce jour. Car encore qu"'il n'y avoit rien dans ce papier, ainsi que V. Em'^^ pourra voir, qui ne soit assez conforme aux intentions des ministres, — c''est a dire, assez eloigne des interets du roi de la G"^ B'', — je dis meme avec les interpretations favorables que Ton essaye ici d'y apporter pour contenter les serviteurs de ce Prince, le Marquis d'Argyle et ceux de son parti n"'en ont presque laisse passer aucun mot sans y trouver a redire, et sans essayer de le retrancher ou de le changer, soit que la crainte qu''ils ont du retablissement de leur roi leur fasse apprehender les choses memes qui y peuvent difficilement contribuer, ou qu'ils craig- nent avec plus de sujet cette grande autorite que s''acquiert le Due de Hamilton en faisant profession d"'agir pour les interets de son maitre ; ou, — ce qui pourroit n''etre point encore im- possible, mais ce que j'ay peine toutefois a croire, — que les chefs de ces deux partis, etant en meilleure intelligence qu''il ne paroit, fassent naitre des difficulties a Texecution des choses qu''ils deliberent, seulement pour faire juger au dit roi qu''on desire veritablement le servir et que les choses que ceux qui se sont declares contre ses interets veulent empescher doivent etre a son avantase.
454 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [april
J'espere que ce qui se passera cette semaine pourra faire voir plus clairement que Ton n'a fait jusqu'ici dans les intentions de MM. les Ecossois, et me donner lieu aussi d''en ecrire a V. Em''^ plus surement que de coutume. Je dirai seulement, Mg"", que les Ministres, qui parlent plus hardiment encore contre leur roi qu'ils n'ont fait auparavant, doivent presenter aujourd''huy une nouvelle remontrance a ce Parlement par laquelle ils demandent que Ton ne recoive dans Tarraee que Ton doit faire, ni Anglois ni Ecossois qui ait servi le roi de la G' B', et que Ton envoie vers le dit roi, au meme temps qu'on depechera quelqu'un au Parlement d'Angleterre, pour Tobliger a accorder toutes les choses que Ton desire, avant que Ton fasse quoi que ce soit pour son retablissement.
La requete que Tarmee qui est sur pied vouloit presenter a ce Parlement avoit ete signee de tous les officiers avec une declaration en suite, par laquelle ils asseuroient qu'ils se vouloient absolument soumettre aux desirs du dit Parlement ; mais les Ministres n''ont pas voulu permettre qu''elle ait ete donnee en une forme en laquelle elle ne pouvoit causer de mal aux interets de leur roi.
La declaration que ce royaume desire faire a ete lue aujour- d'huy publiquement et a ete donnee selon la coutume aux trois etats de ce Parlement pour etre consideree. Le Chev"^ Fleming est encore a Edimbourg. Le Comte de Stamford, qui a parle ici fort librement contre les Independants, qui Ty ont envoye en partit Lundi dernier pour Londres, et ce matin un autre Commissaire d'Angleterre, — a ce qu''on me dit.
L'armee Ecossoise qui est en Irlande a offert encore depuis ma derniere d'envoyer ici le nombre d'hommes que Ton desirera pour le service de la religion Presbyterienne, et du roi de la G*^ B'. On m^a dit qu''on a resolu de faire venir six mille hommes de ce royaume ou on en pent laisser encore quatre autres mille pour la garde des places que les Ecossois tiennent, et que ces six mille hommes avec trente regiments d'infanterie de huit cents hommes chaque regiment, douze regiments de cavalerie, qui feront plus de six mille hommes ; et deux mille cinq cent dragons, composeront Tarmee que Ton est en termes de lever en Ecosse promptement.
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 455
[MoNTEREUL to CARDINAL Mazarik. Edinburgh, ^ April 1648.
Although the articles I send to you^ which have almost all heen passed by this Parliament, may give you an opportunity of judging of the decisions that ought to be come to, 1 should have, however, much liked that the departure of the mail could have been delayed for two or three days, since we hope before that time, not only that the terms of the declaration which this kingdom is about to publish will be agreed upon, and those of the letter which is to be sent to the English Parliament, but also that it will be decided as to what number of men may be included in the new army ; that the officers will be appointed who are to command it ; and that they will have finished examining the articles I join to this letter, that is to say, the last five or six lines which they were unable to pass as the remainder, or even to consider, on Saturday last, and which they deferred until to-day ; for although there was nothing in this paper, as you may see, that was much incompatible with the intentions of the clergy, that is to say, that was not much opposed to the interests of the King of Great Britain, even with the favourable interpretation that it is tried here to give to it, in order to satisfy the followers of this prince, the Marquis of Argyle and those of his party scarcely allowed a word of it to pass without proposing an amendment to it, and without trying to have parts of it omitted or changed, either through the fear they have of the restoration of their king leading them to apprehend things that could with difficulty contribute to it, or that they fear, with greater reason, the great authority the Duke of Hamilton is acquiring by professing to act for the interests of his master, or, as is not also impossible, but which I have difficulty in believing, that the leaders of these two parties, acting more in concert than is apparent, create obstacles in the way of carrying out the matters they deliberate upon merely in order to lead the king to judge that they really wish to serve him, and that the things those who have declared themselves to be opposed to his interests wish to prevent, must be to his advantage.
I hope that what will take place this week will enable one to see more clearly than it has been possible till now the intentions of the Scots, and gave me an opportunity of writing to you with greater certitude than usual. I shall only add that the clergy, who speak against their king even more boldly than they have hitherto done, are to present to Parlia- ment to-day a new remonstrance, in which they demand that in the new army they are about to raise neither English nor Scots may be received who may have served the King of Great Britain, and that at the same time they will despatch a messenger to the English Parliament their king be informed that before undertaking anything whatever for his restoration he will be obliged to grant all the things they wish.
The petition that the present army wished to present to Parliament had been signed by all the officers with a declaration added, in which they vouched that they were willing to submit to the wishes of Parlia-
456 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [APRIL
ment ; but the clergy would not allow it to be presented in a form in which it could not harm the interests of their king.
The proclamation this kingdom is about to issue was publicly read to-day, and given, according to custom, to the three estates of this Parliament in order to be considered. Sir William Fleming is still in Edinburgh ; the Earl of Stamford who has spoken here very freely against the Independents who had sent him, left on Monday last for London, and this morning another of the English Commissioners also left, as I am told.
The Scottish army in Ireland has again since my last oiFered to send here the number of men that will be required for the service of the Pres- byterian religion and of the King of Great Britain. I have been told it is decided to bring six thousand men from that kingdom, where they may still leave about four thousand, in order to garrison the places the Scots hold, and that these six thousand men with thirty regiments of infantry of eight hundred men each ; twelve regiments of cavalry, which will make more than six thousand men, and two thousand five hundred dragoons, will form the army they are engaged in raising promptly in Scotland.]
CCXXXVIII
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimhourg, ^^—ff- 1^48.
Nous sommes encore aujourd'huy dans Fatten te de toutes les choses que nous avions creu qui se resoudroient il y a huit jours, et Ton n'a point jusqu''ici ; ni nomme ceux qui doivent commander Tarmee ; ni ecrit aux provinces pour y preparer les levees qui s'y doivent faire; ni renvoye en France le Chev'' Fleming ; ni fait choix de celui qui doit porter la lettre que Ton a ecrit au Parlement d'Angleterre pour demander repara- tion des injures que TEcosse pretend avoir receues ; ni meme public la declaration qui fut resolue Jeudi dernier en ce Parle- ment, dont V. Em^® aura eu la substance dans les papiers que je me suis donner Thonneur de lui envoyer, et qui a ete le principal sujet des longueurs qui se sont rencontrees en tout le reste. Car, encore que contre Tavis du Marquis d'Argyle et des quelque quarante de son parti qui se leverent quand cette declaration passa, on soit demeure d'accord de la faire avant que de prendre les sentiments des Ministres on n'a pas laisse de la leur envoyer, avant que de la publier, et de leur accorder meme quelque temps pour la considerer, de sorte que c'est
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 457
anjourd'huy seulement qu'ils en doivent doniier leur avis, en suite de quoi, bien que ces MM. y trouvent a redire, et qu"'ils prechent presque avec autant d'aigreur et de violence centre le Due de Hamilton et ses amis, comme ils ont fait autrefois, et comme ils font encore aujourd'huy contre leur roi, et que le Marquis d'Argyle essaye d''apporter au moins du retardement aux affaires qu'il ne lui est pas possible d'empecher, on espere qu'elles s^'avanceront de telle sorte que ce Parlement se pourra lever la semaine prochaine et attendre que les resolutions qui viendront de S* Germain et de Londres lui donnent lieu de s''assembler ; a quoi j''ajouterai encore qu''on m''a asseure que le Due de Hamilton dit hier publiquement qu"'il vouloit perdre la tete s''il n'y avoit pas avant trois semaines vingt mil hommes sous les armes en ce royaume.
Cependant, toutes ces choses ne me donnet pas de meilleures esperances que de coutume, et bien que ce Parlement fasse tout ce qu"'il propose, et le Due de Hamilton tout ce qu'il dit, et que non seulement on declare la guerre aux Independants, mais qu'on leve ici une armee et qu'on s''en serve pour entrer en Angleterre, et que cette entreprise meme soit suivie du succes le plus heureux que les Ecossois puissent desirer, j'apprehende toujours que ces avantages n''en apportent pas d^autres au roi de la G"" B*^ que celui de pouvoir changer de prison, et de sortir des mains des Independants pour entrer en celles des Presbyteriens, qu'il aura d''autant plus de sujet de craindre que les premiers que n"'etant pas moins ennemis qu'eux de sa personne et de la monarchie, la consideration d"'un parti capable de s''opposer au leur ne les empeschera plus alors d'executer leurs mauvais desseins.
Au reste, Mg"", je reconnais que la conduite que Ton veut tenir touchant le voyage du Prince de Galles en Ecosse est non seulement plus genereuse mais encore plus utile et plus asseuree que celle de laquelle j'avois pris la hardiesse de m''ouvrir a V. Em'^®. Cependant, comme je suis oblige d'avouer que leurs Majestes ont toute sorte de raison de laisser agir librement ce Prince, et de ne pas s'opposer au desir qu'il pent avoir de se rendre en ce royaume, je ne puis aussi m'empescher de croire qu'il a toute sorte de sujet de n'y pas venir, car soit qu'il se souvienne du traitement que le roi son pere a receu des Ecossois,
458 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [april
soit qu'il examine les conditions sur lesquelles ils travaillent aujourd'huy a son retablissement, et qu'il reconnaisse qu'en voulant obliger le dit roi de remettre le Presbyteriat et de signer le Covenant, qui sont deux choses qu'ils savent bien qu'il ne veut pas faire, ils preparent deja des moyens pour le perdre, quand ils auront acheve leur entreprise, sans qu'il ait presque lieu de s''en offenser. II semble que M' le Prince de Galles peut ne se pas approcher sans de grandes asseurances, d'un lieu ou il se perd sans resource et ou il semble que rien ne le doit sitost empescher de venir que cette grande ardeur que temoignent les Ecossois de Tavoir, et les artifices dont ils se servent pour Tobliger de s^ rendre, au nombre desquelles se pourroient mettre les divisions qui paroissent entre les chefs des deux principaux partis, dont il semble que Ton fasse apprehend er les suites a la reine de la G' B% et qui, selon que je crois, peuvent moins nuire aux interets du roi son mari que leur bonne intelligence.
C'est, Mg'', ce que je puis mander avec plus de fondement a V. Em*^® sur des affaires qui ne sont pas encore arretees, mais j'espere que les resolutions que nous attendons depuis tant de temps, et qui se prendronf apparement cette semaine, me donneront lieu par le premier ordinaire de Tinformer bien exactement de ce que le roi de la G' B' et le Prince de Galles se peuvent promettre de toute cette nation.
Deux nouvelles compagnies de cavaliere Angloise sont entrees en Ecosse la semaine passee, ou elles ont trouve subsistance. David Leslay a promis d'obeir aux ordres du Parlement. Les Ministres y ont presente aujourd'huy un long papier, par lequel ils donnent leur avis sur la declaration. II est pres de neuf heures de soir et le Parlement n''est pas encore leve, de sorte que je ne pourrai donner avis par cet ordinaire de ce qui y aura passe, mais il m^a semble qu'il valloit mieux finir cette lettre et ecrire un peu moins, que de ne point ecrire du tout.
[MoNTEREUL to Cabdinal Mazarin. Edinburgh, j^^ 1648. We are still expecting to-day all the matters we had thought would have been settled eight days ago, and up till now the Scots have neither appointed those who are to command the army, nor written to the provinces in order to prepare the levies there, which ought to be made there, nor sent back to France Sir William Fleming, nor selected the
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 459
person who is to take the letter to the English Parliament in order to demand reparation for the insults that Scotland pretends to have received, nor even published the proclamation that was decided upon Thursday last in this Parliament, of which you have the substance in the papers I have sent to you, and which has been the principal cause of the delay that has affected all the rest. For although it was decided that this proclamation be issued without taking the opinion of the clergy, contrary to the opinion of the Marquis of Argyle and some forty of his party, who rose when it was passed, it has however been sent to them before being published, and some time even granted to them in order to consider it, so that it is but to-day that they are to give their opinion, as the result of which, although these gentlemen find fault and preach with almost as much bitterness and violence against the Duke of Hamilton and his friends as they did formerly, and as they still do at present, against their king, and although the Marquis of Argyle tries at least to cause delay in the matters he is unable to prevent, it is hoped they will be so advanced that this Parliament will be able to rise next week and wait until the resolutions they will receive from St Germains or from London give them occasion to meet again ; to which I shall still add that I have been assured the Duke of Hamilton said yesterday in public that he would lose his head if there were not twenty thousand men under arms in this kingdom in three weeks. Yet all these matters do not give me better hopes than usual, and although this Parliament may do all it proposes, and the Duke of Hamilton all he says, and that not only war will be declared against the Independents, but that an army will be raised here and employed in order to enter into England, and that even this undertaking be attended with success as complete as the Scots could wish, I still fear that these advantages will not bring any others to the King of Great Britain than that of being able to change his prison and to leave the hands of the Independents in order to fall into those of the Presbyterians, whom he will have as much reason to fear as the first, who being no less than they his personal enemies and the enemies of the monarchy : the consideration of a party capable of holding theirs in check will then no longer deter them from carrying out their bad inten- tions.
I admit that the course proposed regarding the voyage of the Prince of Wales to Scotland is not only more generous but also more useful and more cei-tain than that I had taken the liberty of disclosing to you ; yet as I am obliged to confess their Majesties have every sort of reason to allow this prince to act freely, and not to oppose the desire he may have to come to this kingdom, I cannot also help believing there is every sort of reason to prevent him from coming here, for whether he call to mind the treatment the king his father received from the Scots, or whether he examine the conditions on which they are now engaging in his restoration, he must perceive that in wishing to oblige the king to establish Presby- terianism and to sign the Covenant, which are two things they know well he will not do, they are already preparing the means of ruining him
460 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [may
when they have finished their undertaking, without his having almost any cause to complain of them. It seems that the Prince of Wales cannot approach without great precautions a place where he may be lost without remedy, and where nothing ought more to deter him from coming than the great ardour the Scots manifest to have him and the artifices they employ in order to induce him to come, among which may be placed the divisions that exist between the leaders of the two principal parties, of which it seems the Queen of Great Britain has been led to apprehend the result, which according to my belief may be less hurtful to the king her husband than a good understanding between them.
This is what I can state to you with most certainty at present regarding matters that are not yet concluded, but I hope the resolutions which we have so long expected and which will apparently be adopted this week will enable me to state clearly in my next what the King of Great Britain and the Prince of Wales have to expect from all this nation.
Two additional companies of English cavalry have arrived in Scotland during the past week, and have received subsistence-money. David Leslie has promised to obey the orders of Parliament. The clergy have pre- sented to Parliament to-day a long paper in which they gave their opinion of the proclamation. It is near nine o'clock in the evening, and Parlia- ment is still sitting, so that I shall not be able to give you information by this mail of what has been done there, but it seemed to me better to finish this letter and to write a little less than not to write at all.]
CCXXXIX
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimhourg, ^ Mai l648.
L''avis que nous avons eu que le paquet qui devoit venir de Londres cette semaine a ete arrete a Newcastle; la surprise de Berwick, dont on a eu Tasseurance ; et de Carlisle, dont on attend la confirmation a chaque moment ; et Tinteret que les Independants ont de rompre un commerce, que les intelligence qu''entretiennent les Ecossois en Angleterre, ne leur rendroient pas avantageux, font juger a tout le monde que les lettres passeront dorenavant en Angleterre avec beau- coup de difficulte, et m"'ont fait resoudre a donner seulement avis a V. Em*'® par ce billet, tout en chiifre, que j'ay resolu d'envoyer quequ''un demain dans le vaisseau du Chev' Fleming, — si je vols que je le puisse faire, sans donner de jalousie, et sans prejudicier a la conduite que j'ay gardie jusqu'ici, — par lequel je tascherai de rendre un compte bien exact a V. Em*'® de Fetat ou se trouvent les affaires de ce royaume, et de ce que
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 461
la reine de la G' B"^ s''en peut promettre pour le retablissement du roi son mari. Je supplie done tres humblement V. Em*^^ de faire suspendre son jugement jusqu'a ce qu'elle ait receu cette particuliere information, que je me donnerai Thonneur de lui faire tenir au premier jour; puisque ni Tenvoi du S' Lieut. Col. Mareschal, qui est parti pour Londres avec les demandes de ce Parlement a celui d"'Angleterre, — duquel il cours fortune d''etre mal receu, — ni Tordre qui a ete donne de faire imprime la declaration de ce royaume, contre les retarde- ments que le Marquis d^Argyle a essaye d^ apporter, — ni la surprise de ces deux places, en laquelle les Ecossois doivent protester qu'ils n''ont eu aucune part, — ni la levee d'une grande armee, qui selon toute sorte d^apparence doit etre sur pied en Ecosse dans peu de jours, — ni enfin les protestations que ces MM. me font ici, et qu''ils font faire en France de n'avoir point d''autres intentions que de servir leur roi, et qui com- mencent a etre creues de la plus grande partie de ses serviteurs, ne sont pas encore des demonstrations capables de persuader ceux qui connaissent les Ecossois, qu'ils aient un veritable desir d'executer tout ce quails promettent, et que meme dans la prise de ces deux places, — qui est ce que peut faire juger plus avantageusement de leurs actions, — ils n"'aient peu faire pour leurs propres interets ce qu''ils pretendent n'avoir fait que pour celui du roi de la G' B' et de ceux de son parti.
[MoNTEREUii to Cardinal Mazabin. Edinburgh, ^ May 1648.
The notice we have had that the parcel that was to come from London this week had been stopped at Newcastle ; the surprise of Berwick, of which one has been assured, and of Carlisle, of which the confirmation is expected at each instant, together with the interest the Independents have to break off, as being disadvantageous for them, the exchange of correspondence the Scots keep up with England, have led every one to consider that letters will pass with much difficulty to England in future, and have made me decide to give you simply notice by this note, all in cipher, that I have resolved to send some one to-morrow in the ship of Sir William Fleming by which, — if I see I can do so without causing jealousy, and without prejudice to the line of conduct I have followed till now — I shall try to give a very exact account of the state of affairs in this kingdom, and of what the Queen of Great Britain may rely upon for the restoration of the king her husband. I beg you therefoi-e to suspend your judgment until you receive this special information.
462 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [may
which I shall send on an early day, since neither the despatch of Lieut. - Colonel Marshall/ who has gone for London with the demands of this Parliament to that of England — in which he runs the risk of being badly received — nor the order that has been given to print the proclamation of this kingdom, in spite of the delays the Marquis of Argyle has tried to cause in it ; nor the surprise of these two places, in which the Scots are to protest that they had no hand ; nor the raising of a large army, which according to all appearance is to be on foot in Scotland in a few days ; nor, in short, the protestations these gentlemen make to me here and which they cause to be made in France, of having no other intentions but to serve their king, and which begin to be believed by the greater part of his followers, are still not demonstrations capable of persuading those who know the Scots that they have a real desire of executing all they promise, and that even in the capture of these two places — which action tells most to their advantage — they may not have done for their own interests what they pretend to have done for that of the King of Great Britain and of those of his party.]
CCXL
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimbourg, — Mai 1648.
BiEN que les lettres qui sont parties de Londres la semaine passee n''aient ete arretees que pour un jour a Newcastle, comme tout le monde croit qu*'enes passeront dorenavant avec beaucoup de difficulte par TAngleterre, et qu^'il me semble qu"'il etoit necessaire que V. Em'=® fut informee de Tetat des affaires de ce pays au meme instant que le Chev'' Fleming partoit pour la France, j'ay creu que je ne devois pas changer la resolution que j''avois prise d"'envoyer quelqu'un a V. Em*^® dans son vaisseau, Tayant peu faire sans donner aucun soup9on.
Tay pense encore, Mg"", que je ne pouvois dans une meilleure conjuncture que celle-ci faire mon profit de I'avis quMl a pleu a M. le Comte de Brienne de me donner il y a quelque temps, d'informer la reine de la G*^ B"" de ce qu'elle se pouvoit promettre de ce pays, mais comme les affaires qui s'y passent presentement sont bien delicates, que n'en ayant point le secret,
^ Lieut. -Colonel Marshall had shortly before served in Ireland with Lord Inchiquin against the English Parliament.
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 463
je puis seulement juger sur les apparences exterieures qui peuvent bien souvent tromper, et que je pourrois meme avoir manque aux respects qu^il faut garder en telles rencontres, j'ay envoye toute ouverte a M. le Comte de Brienne la lettre dont je joins le double c\ celle-ci, afin qu''il ait agreable de la faire, on rendre ou supprimer, selon qu'il le jugera plus a propos, puisque personne ne sait que je lui ecris, et que quelque moderation que j^aie gardee en lui ecrivant, il sera toujours bon qu'une lettre de cette nature ne soit veue que de peu de personnes et desquelles la reine de la G"" B"" se tienne bien asseuree. Elle servira en tout cas, Mg"", pour rendre un compte plus exact a V. Em*'^ que je n'ai fait par mes precedentes de Tetat ou se trouvent aujourd''huy les aifaires de ce royaume, ou bien que les choses ne se portent pas peutetre avec tout Tavantage qu''il seroit a desirer pour le prompt retablissement du roi de la G'' B"", elles ne peuvent manquer au moins de se conduire avec tant de troubles et des desordres que si la France ne peut esperer d"'en tirer presentement aucune utilite, elle n'en peut au moins craindre aucun mal.
On n''avoit point eu encore hier au soir aucune asseurance de la surprise de Carlisle, a ce que m"'a dit M. le Due de Hamilton, qui me fit Thonneur de me venir voir, afin que j'ecrivisse a V. Em*^® sur le sujet des interets quMl a en France qui sont ou le pretexte ou le veritable sujet du voyage d"'un de ses domestiques qu'il y envoye. II me dit encore que les Ministres avoient presente le matin au Parlement le plus long et le plus mauvais papier quMls eussent fait jusqu''ici contre leur roi, par lequel ils montrent les defauts de la declaration, qui n*'en a point de plus grand que d''etre trop conforme a leurs sentiments. Elle se doit vendre aujourd'hui, et je Tenvoye au Sieur du Bosc parce que je n"'ay pas eu le loisir de la traduire. Le dit S' Due de Hamilton me fit entendre aussi qu''ils avoient maintenant besoin des assistances de Sa Majeste, sans lesquelles il seroit difficile qu'ils peussent achever leurs entreprises. II y a longtemps qu''on ne m'avoit parle de cette fa^on, et bien qu'il me pressat assez de lui dire ce que j'en croyois il me donna toutefois moyen de le satisfaire sans m'obliger a aucune chose. II m'a encore asseure avec beau- coup de serments, qu'il n"'avoit autre desir en toute cette entre-
464 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [may
prise que celui de servir son roi, et qu''il savoit qu'il y avoit grand nombre de personnes qui etoient toutes prets d'exposer leurs vies pour son retablissement. Cependant ceux du parti d''Argyle ne laissent pas toujours de publier qu'il agit pour des fins bien difFerentes de celle-la.
Le dit Marquis d'Argyle et ceux de son parti s"'assemblerent avec les Commissaires d'Angleterre Lundi dernier, sur le sujet de la surprise de Berwick, de laquelle les Ministres ne se peuvent taire, et a laquelle ce Parlement a declare qu'il n'avoit aucune part. Cependant, quelques plaintes que fassent les dits Ministres et le parti d'Argyle avec eux, des resolutions qui se prennent au Parlement, elles ne sont que fort peu eloignees des rigueurs qu'ils veulent tenir, puisqu''entre plus de 80 colonels, tant cavalerie que d'infanterie qui doivent dans les provinces prendre les noms de ceux qui peuvent porter les armes, ils n''en ont pas nomme un seul de tous ceux qui ont suivi le parti du roi de la G' B*", quoi que plusieurs de ceux-la eussent ete capables de servir en cette occasion, et aient pris meme le Covenant, qui le doit etre de tous ceux qui porteront les armes en cette guerre.
On ne doute point ici que le Prince ne parte de France aussitost que le Chev"^ Fleming y sera arrive. Will. Moray se doit embarquer avec le dit Chevalier, et s"'est fait faire de grandes difficultes avant que de pouvoir obtenir la liberte de passer dans ce vaisseau comme etant du parti d'Argyle et allant en France pour faire tort, sMl pent, aux interets du Due de Hamilton, dans la confiance duquel je ne doute point qu''il ne soit de la meme sorte qu'il est en celle du Marquis d'Argyle.
Je joins a cette lettre une version des demandes qui ont ete faites au Parlement d'Angleterre. Le Lieu* Col. Mareschal qui les a portees a eu jusqu''au 31 de ce mois pour retourner, et n'a eu autre instruction que de delivrer sa lettre au Speaker de la maison haute, et de lui dire qu'il demeurera quelques jours pour en entendre la reponse et de Taller demander avant que partir.
Le Parlement ne se levera point jusqu''a ce qu''on ait eu nouvelles de Londres des demandes qui y ont ete envoyees. Les Commissaires d'Angleterre demanderent encore Samedi dernier au Parlement les principaux Anglois qui sont ici
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 465
refugies, et protesterent centre TEcosse en cas de refus, de tout le mal qui en pouvoit arriver.
Mon frere qui delivera cette lettre a V. Em"® prendra la hardiesse de la faire souvenir de mes interets et de les solliciter aupres d'elle. Je crois, Mg'', qu'il suffira de dire a V. Em*® qu'il y a deux ans tout entiers que je n'ay receu quoi que ce soit de mes appointements et que je suis en un lieu ou Ton vit tres cherement, et ou je ne puis ny retrancher quelque chose de la table ou du train que j"'ay tenu jusques icy sans pre- judicier au service de Sa Majeste, ny subsister davantage en la maniere que j'ay fait sans quelque present secours. Je suis honteux, Mg% de donner cette importunite a V. Em®® et j''ay evite de le faire tant qu'il m'a ete possible n'ayant rien epargne du peu que j''avois pour cela. M. le Tellier m''a fait remettre icy rhiver dernier cinq mil escus pour employer en gens de guerre que Tetat present des affaires ne donne point lieu d'^esperer que Ton puisse avoir d'icy de longtemps. S'il plaisoit a V. Em®® que je me servisse de cette somme ou d'une partie sur ce qui me peut estre deu presentement de mes appointements, j''ajouterois cette extreme grace a tant d'autres que j'ay receues de V. Em®®, et qui m''obligent d'estre toute ma vie, etc.
[MoNTEREUL to Cabdinal Mazarin. Edinburgh, ^ May 1648.
Althovgh the letters that left London last week were only stopped for one day at Newcastle, as every one thinks they will pass with difficulty through England in future, and as it seems to me necessary that you should be informed of the state of affairs in this country simultaneously with the departure of Sir William Fleming for France, I thought I ought not to change the resolve I had taken of sending some one to you in his ship, which I was able to do without exciting any suspicion.
I have thought further that I could not find a more favourable conjunc- ture than the present for carrying out the advice M de Brienne was pleased to give me some time ago, that I should inform the Queen of Great Britain as to what she might expect from this country, but as the matters that are going on here now are very delicate and not being in ^he secret of them I can only judge from outward appearances that are very often deceptive, and I might have been even wanting in the respect one must observe in such circumstances, so that I have sent the letter open to the Count de Brienne and add a copy of it to this one, hence you may either have it delivered or suppress it as you judge fit, since no one knows that 1 have written it, and however I may have moderated my expressions in writing to her, it will always be wise that a letter of this
VOL. II. S G
466 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [may
nature be seen only by the few persons in whom the Queen of Great Britain has absolute confidence. It will in any case sei've to give you a more exact account than I have yet given in my preceding lettei's of the actual state of aifairs in this kingdom^ where although things do not pro- ceed perhaps with all the advantage one might wish for the speedy restoration of the King of Great Britain they cannot fail to lead to such troubles and disorders that if France cannot hope to derive much benefit from them at present she has at least no harm to fear.
Up till last evening no confirmation of the capture of Carlisle had arrived^ as I was told by the Duke of Hamilton who came to see me in order that I might write to you on the subject of his interests in France, which is either the pretext or the real object of the voyage of one of his domestics whom he is sending there. He told me also that the clergy had presented to Parliament that morning the longest and the worst paper they have yet till now drawn up against their king, by which they show the faults of the proclamation, that has in reality none greater than to be too conform to their sentiments. It is on sale to-day, and I send a copy of it to M. du Bosc, for I have not had time to translate it. Tlie Duke of Hamilton led me to understand also that they now required the assistance of his Majesty, without which it would be difficult for them to carry out their plans. It is long since I have been spoken to in this manner, and although he pressed me a good deal to tell him what I thought, he gave me, however, the means of satisfying him without my coming under any obligation. He also assured me with many protesta- tions that he had no other object in all this undertaking than that of serving his king, and that he knew there were a great number of persons who were quite ready to expose their lives to secure his restoration. Those of the Argyle party, however, still continue to declare that he has very difi"erent objects in view. This marquis and those of his party met with the English Commissioners on Monday last to consider the capture of Berwick, about which the clei'gy cannot be kept quiet, and in which this Parliament has declared it has taken no part. Yet whatever complaints the clergy make and the Argyle party with them of the resolutions taken in Parliament, these latter are not much different from the severe measures the clergy wish to adopt, since among more than eighty colonels, both cavalry and infantry, who are appointed in the provinces to take the names of those who can bear arms, there is not one therein included that has followed the party of the King of Great Britain, although several of these latter would have been capable of serving on this occasion and had even taken the Covenant, as all those who bear arms in this war are required to do.
It is considered certain here that the Prince of Wales will leave France as soon as Sir William Fleming arrives there. Will. Moray intends to embark with Sir Robert, and great objections were raised before he was able to obtain the liberty of passing on board this ship, from his being of the Argyle party and on account of his going to France to do harm if he can to the interests of the Duke of Hamilton, but I have no doubt
1648] MONTEREUL TO QUEEN OF ENGLAND 467
of his being in the confidence of the duke in the same manner in which he is in that of the Marquis of Argyle.
I add to this letter a translation of the demands that have been made to the Parliament of England. Lieut. -Colonel Marshall, to whom they were intrusted, has had till the 31st of this month given him in order to return, and he has no further instruction than to deliver his letter to the Speaker of the Upper House, and to tell him he will remain some days to await the reply and to go and demand it before leaving.
Parliament will not rise until they have had news from London of the demands they have sent there. The English Commissioners demanded again on Saturday last from Parliament the principal Englishmen who have taken refuge here, and entei'ed a protest against Scotland in case of refusal for all the harm that might thereupon happen.
This letter will be delivered to you by my brother, who will take the liberty of reminding you of my interests. I believe it will suffice for me to say that I have not received anything of my pay for two years, and that I am in a place where living is very expensive and where I cannot curtail finything in expense of table or establishment that I have kept up till now without causing prejudice to the service of his Majesty, nor subsist longer in the manner I have hithei'to done without obtaining some immediate assistance. I am ashamed to be thus importunate, but I have avoided mentioning the matter as long as it was possible for me to do so, not having spared the little I had. M. le Tellier sent to me last winter five thousand crowns in order to be employed for recruiting, which the present state of affairs gives little reason to hope it will be required here for a long time, so that were you to allow me to make use of this sum, or a part of it, on account of what is owing to me at present, I would consider it an extreme favour.]
CCLXI MONTEREUL 1 la REINE D'ANGLETERRE
Edimbourg, 3 Mai 1648.
Madame, — Quand je n"'aurois pas creu que Vostre Majeste seroit informee de ce qui se passe en ce royaurae par les lettres que j''ecris en France toutes les semaines, et plus particuliere- ment encore par les relations de ceux qu*'elle a voulu honorer ici de ses correspond ances, j'aurois toujours difficilement pris la hardiesse de lui ecrire durant que les choses s"y conduisent avec si peu de certitude, si M. le Comte de Brienne, en me mandant qu'il croit que je Tay fait, ny m'avoit comme temoigne que je le dois faire.
Cependant, Madame, quelque temps que j'ay laisse passer
468 MONTEREUL TO QUEEN OF ENGLAND [may
depuis que j'ay receu de lui cet avis, qui me doit tenir lieu de commandement, et bien qu'il semble que les affaires veulent prendre un meilleur train qu'auparavant, je desirerois toutefois avoir encore attendu plus que je n'ay fait a en ecrire a Votre Majeste mes sentiments, afin d'estre asseure par des actions des bons desseins de ceux aux paroles desquels ni elle ni tous ceux qui les ont connus n'ont pas beaucoup de sujet de croire, de sorte que j'aurois encore differe de quelques jours a rendre compte a V. Majeste de ce qu'elle se peut promettre des ses sujets d'Ecosse, si je n'avois pense que je ne devois pas demeurer dans le silence durant qu*'on faisoit partir d'ici le Chev' Guillaume Fleming pour parler a Tavantage de ceux qui, selon toute sort d'apparence, ne desirent point celui de leur roi.
II me semble, Madame, que ce que V. M. doit desirer s^avoir de ce pays se peut reduire principalement a trois points : 1"'. Si Ton levera une armee. 2°. Si, quand cette armee sera levee, elle sera employee contre TAngleterre. 3°. Et, si, etant entree en Angleterre, elle y agira pour le retablissement de sa Majeste. Et veritablement, Madame, il y a assez d'apparence qu'il y aura bientost ici une armee ; non pas tant par Tordre que ce parlement vient de donner de mettre, ainsi qu'ils appellent, le royaume en posture de deffense ; ny pour la nomination de ceux qui doivent avoir la charge de lever les gens de guerre dans les Provinces, et de ceux encore qui les doivent com- mander quand ils commenceront a marcher, puisque toutes ces choses n''obligent encore a rien, et ne s'etendent que jusqu'a faire des listes des officiers et des soldats, sans les eloigner, pour cela de leurs maisons, ou les detourner de leur exercises ; ny meme par les demandes qu''ils ont envoyees a Londres, ou par la declaration qui doit estre publiee presentement, puisque Tune et Tautre de ces choses est autant pour demander raison du Parlement d' Angleterre que pour le prendre, et pour introduire un traite de paix que pour commencer une guerre ; mais pour Tavantage qu'*une armee sur pied pourra donner aux Ecossois ; soit pour recouvrer un pen de cette reputation qu'ils ont perdue et pour faire croire qu'ils n"'ont pas ete les auteurs de I'imprisonnement de celui qu'ils veulent mettre aujourd'huy en liberte ; soit pour porter les serviteurs de leur
1648] MONTEREUL TO QUEEN OF ENGLAND 469
roi, et les Presbyteriens de TAngleterre a se soulever centre les Independants, pour exposer leurs voisins et leurs ennemis a un peril dont ils se sauvent, et pour tirer du profit de leur commune ruine ; soit pour faire venir Monsg' le Prince de Galles plus facilement en ce royaume, qui est, ce qu"'ils considerent comme la chose qui peut contribuer davantage a asseurer leurs affaires, et a miner plus aisement celles de leurs ennemis et de leur roi ; soit enfin que ne pouvant faire davantage de cette armee, ils sVn servent pour obtenir une paix avantageuse au lieu d'entreprendre une guerre dont les evenements sont toujours tres incertains, et qui pourroient meme ne leur etre pas heureux. II seroit plus difficile de juger, si, apres quMls auront leve une armee, — ce qui n''est pas bien assure quMls veuillent faire, — ils s"'en serviront pour entrer en Angleterre et pour faire la guerre aux Independants, ou pour conclure la paix avec eux, sous de meilleures conditions qu'ils n''auroient fait etant desarmes. Et bien que Tapprehension que les Ecossois ont temoigtie avoir autrefois, de rompre avec le Parle- ment d'Angleterre quand ils ont livre lachement leur roi, et quand ils eussent peu le conserver plus facilement qu'ils ne peuvent maintenant le secourir, donnent lieu de douter qu''ils soient resolu de faire la guerre ; et que Texemple de ce qui s''est fait depuis une annee en Angleterre ou Ton a ete tout presdiverses fois de se battre sans estre jamais venuaux mains, et ou la crainte qu''on a eue de donner Tavantage aux serviteurs de sa Majeste a etouffe les querelles qui devoient deviser ses ennemis, puissent faire juger qu"'apres que les armees seront leves, ils se pourroient encore accommoder aisement, il y a toutefois de puissantes raisons qui peuvent faire croire que les Ecossois entreront en armes en Angleterre, car autre qu'ils ne voudroient pas perdre Toccasion qu'ils ont aujourd'huy de miner les Independants et de retablir par ce moyen leurs affaires dont ils ne pourroient jamais estre asseures tant que les dits Independants demeureront avec quelque sorte d^autorite, ils ont encore interet, ou d'oter aux serviteurs de sa Majeste, ou a ceux qui sont pour les eveques, qui commencent a se rendre considerables en Angleterre, le moyen de se relever et d^tablir leur roi, ou de pouvoir prendre part avec eux a la gloire d'une genereuse action, s''il est vrai quMls ne la puissent
470 MONTEREUL TO QUEEN OF ENGLAND [may
empescher, ainsi qu'ils esayeront par tous les moyens de la faire. Mais bien qu'il se leve une armee avec laquelle les Ecossois fassent la guerre en Angleterre, je doute toujours que Sa Majeste en puise tirer aucun avantage, car quand leur entreprise auroit ete suivie du meilleur succes qu'elle puisse avoir, et qu'ils auroient entierement mine les Independants. Sa Majeste n'en tireroit aucun autre profit que celui d''estre conduite dans une de ses maisons et d'y estre arretee jusqu^a ce qu'elle ait donne satisfaction sur toutes les choses quails desirent, et qu''elle a tant de diverses fois refuse, de sorte que tout ce qui pent lui arriver de plus avantageux de cette entre- prise, si elle succede selon Tintention des Ecossois, c'est de se trouver au meme etat auquel il etoit en sa maison de Holmby, si ce n'est qu'il sera d'autant plus mal ou ils le mettront, que la haine que ces peuples portent a leur roi et a la monarchic ne sera plus moderee par la consideration d"'un parti contraire au leur, comme elle a ete jusqulci, lorsque Sa Majeste s'est trouve entre les mains des uns et des autres, et que non seule- ment Sa M. sera remise a la discretion de personnes qui en ont fort pen, et qui n"'auront plus rien a craindre, mais se conduisant toujours avec les memes artifices dont ils se sont servi jusqu"'ici, se sont fait obliger par les Ministres d'agir dans des conditions si destructives de la Monarchic qu'elles leur donneront lieu de s'excuser de tous les mauvais traitements qu'ils pourroient faire a leur roi, et de faire croire qu'ils sont obliges en conscience de le miner auec tous ses serviteurs,
Cest, Madame, ce que Votre Majeste pourra aisement re- connoitre par les termes auxquels ]eur declaration a ete con^ue, ou a la reserve de quelques paroles generales pleines de douceur et peutetre encore d'equivoque avec lesquelles ils la finissent, il n*'y a rien qui ne leur donne lieu de ruiner leur roi avec quelque forme de justice toutes les fois qu'ils le desireront, car, outre qu'ils peuvent par la dite declaration perdre tous ses serviteurs, s'ils ont de desseins diiferents des leurs, ils se sont obliges de ne point etablir leur roi s'il ne signe le covenant, s'il n*'etablit le Presbyteriat, et s'il n"'oblige pas ses successeurs a les maintenir, enfin s'il ne fait des choses qu'ils savent bien qu'il ne veut pas faire, et qu'a peine pourroit il faire s'il en avoit meme la volonte. Et pour ce qui est de demeurer en Tune de ses
1648] MONTEREUL TO QUEEN OF ENGLAND 471
maisons avec honneur, seurete, et liberte, S. M. peut se souvenir (j[u'en donnant autrefois Tinterpretation de ces mots, ils se sont laisses entendre qu'ils croyoient avoir satisfait au premier en servant a genoux le roi, en le traitant de Majeste, et en demeurant decouverts dans sa presence ; au second en lui donnant des gardes qui empesceroient de lui faire mal ; et qu''ils ne croyoient point avoir contrevenu au troisieme en le tenant toujours prisonnier, et en lui otant comme ils disent, par ce moyen, la liberte de mal faire, ce quails pensent qui arriveroit sMl nY^toit plus entre leurs mains, de sorte, Madame, que ceux qui entendent le langage des Ecossois croyront avec peine qu''ils aient d"'autre dessein presentement que celui de miner les Independants, d"'empescher ses serviteurs de le retablir, et, ce qu'ils desirent plus que toute autre chose, et qui peut leur servir a ces deux premieres, d avoir entre leurs mains Monsg' le Prince de Galles.
II y a une seule chose que Ton fera sans doute valoir a V. M., comme ce qui ne lui doit plus permettre de douter de bonnes intentions des Ecossois, je veux dire la confiance qu"'ils ont temoigne aux serviteurs de leur roi en leur donnant moyen de surprendre Berwick et Carlisle. Mais peutetre que V. M. ne sera pas tout a fait de ce sentiment quand elle considera Tinteret qu'ont eu les Ecossois d'oter des mains des Independants deux postes si considerables, et particulierement Berwick, qui est a la verite moins fort que Carlisle, mais d"'ou un parti de Cavalerie peut estre en une nuit aux partes d'Edimbourg et ruiner la plus riche province d'Ecosse. Qu'ils ont donne par ce moyen quelque satisfaction aux serviteurs de leur roi, que leurs longueurs et toute leur conduite avoient offense, avec beaucoup de raison, qui eussent peu leur nuire s'ils se fussent joints aux Independants, et qui ne sauroient profiter de la prise de ces deux places dont les Ecossois peuvent les chasser lorsqu'ils voudront, quand ils ne satisferoient pas meme a Tobligation qu'on m''a dit qu'ils avoient pris de les leur rendre, outre quMls n''ont fait faire cette entreprise qu'*en suite de Farme, ou fausse ou veritable, qu"'ils eurent la semaine passee de la marche d'une partie de Tarmee des Independants, c"'est a dire lorsqu'ils se sont veu obliges de s"'asseurer de ces places dont ils n'eussent peu se saisir eux-memes sans violer leur covenant, de sorte
472 MONTEREUL TO QUEEN OF ENGLAND [may
qu'ils ont principalement travaille pour eux dans cette action, puisqu'outre les avantages que je viens de presenter a V. M. qu'ils en ont tire, elle leur sert encore, non seulement pour decharger le royaume de la subsistance qu'il etoit contraint a fournir a tant de pauvres Anglois qui s'etoient refugies, et que le Parlement d'Angleterre les vouloit obliger de rendre, mais pour donner meme plus d'asseurance de leur fidelite a Mg'' le Prince de Galles et le porter en un lieu ou il est beaucoup desire.
C'est, Madame, tout ce que je puis mander a V. M. touchant Tentreprise qui vient d'etre faite sur ces deux places, du succes
e Tune desquelles nous n'avons pas encore de confirmation.
our ce qui regarde la venue du Prince de Galles dans ce royaume, comme Mons. le Chev'' Fleming ne me donne pas le temps d'entretenir au long V. M, sur ce sujet, je me contenterai de lui dire que quand son Altesse pourroit oublier le traite- ment que les Ecossois ont fait au Roi son pere, que les artifices dont ils se servent ne lui seroient point suspects, et qull jugeroit meme que vos sujets d'Ecosse auroient pour lui tout le respect et la bonne volonte qu'ils n'ont pas, il semble qu'il pourroit favoriser leurs desseins par tout autre moyen que par sa presence, et qu'il ne se devrait pas porter pour les assister a faire pour eux une chose qui pourroit miner ses inter^ts sans aucune esperance de ressource. Je prendrai toutefois la hardiesse de dire encore a V. M. que quelque parti que Mg"" le Prince de Galles puisse prendre en cette rencontre, les Ecossois tascheront toujours de faire en sorte qu''il ait sujet de s'en repentir, puisque s'il se met entre leurs mains il est en danger de se perdre, et que s'il leur refuse de se rendre icy, ils ne manqueront pas de dire qu'il leur a ote par son absence les moyens qu"'ils eussent eu de le conserver.
J'ajouterai a V. M. sur le sujet de M. le Due de Hamilton et M. le Marquis d'Argyle, puisque la maniere de laquelle ils vivent ensemble est un secret, que je suis oblige d'avouer a V. M. que je ne puis y comprendre jusqu'ici; et en etfet, Madame, si j'en ote la necessite qu'ils ont eu personellement de paroitre divises pour faire trouver plus utile au service de V. M. les resolutions qu'ils ont fait passer en ce Parlement avec beaucoup de peine, et que Ton jugeroit sans cela estre plustost
1648] MONTEREUL TO QUEEN OF ENGLAND 473
prejudiciables qu"'a vantage uses aux interets du roi son raari, je puis dire que j'ay trouve des raisons presque egalement fortes pour prouver que ces deux personnes sont bien ensemble, et qu'ils y sont mal. Cependant il est bien difficile de connoitre ce qui en est, il me semble aussi que la connoissance en est peu importante au service de V. M. puisque, soit quMls agissent de concert, comme plusieurs crojent, ou qu'ils soient veritable- ment ennemis, comme ils essayent de faire croire a tout le monde, il y a toute sorte d'apparence que les affaires ne changeront point de train pour cela, en ce que regarde Tinteret de leur roi, veu meme que la conduite generale de ce royaume a beaucoup de rapport a celle qu'a observe M. le Due de Hamilton dans ses affaires particulieres, dans lesquelles il a agi de telle sorte que quelque chose qu''il ait fait, il croit toujours qu'il pent montrer qu'il n'a rien voulu faire qu'il ne croit pas conforme aux interets de son maitre.
Cest, Madame, ce que je prends la hardiesse d'ecrire a V. M. avec plus de precipitation que je ne devrois, et j*'espere que si le peu de lumiere que j'ay dans les affaires, dont je n"'ay point eu le secret, m''a fait manquer en quelque chose, EUe aura la bonte de me pardonner des fautes qui ne precedent point de la volonte, puisqu"'au moins je la puis asseurer que ny dans ce que j"'ay fait au lieu ou je suis, ny dans ce que je me donne Thonneur de lui ecrire, je ne me suis point eloigne de cette fidelite que m''est toujours tant recommendee par toutes les lettres que je re^ois de la Cour, et a laquelle me doivent obliger encore, outre les graces que j"'ay receues de V. M., les extremes bontes que le Roi son mari a eu pour moi et la grande confiance de laquelle il a voulu m'honorer, dont j''espere que V. M. ne me trouvera jamais indigne, si Elle se contente du veritable zele que j'aurai toujours pour ses interets. Je lui desire des felicites qui soient egales a ses vertus et a ses merites, et lui demande, avec toute sorte de respect, la permission de me dire, etc.
[MoNTEREUL to the Queen of England. Edinburgh, 3rd May 1648.
Madam, — ^V^ere it not that I believed your Majesty would be informed of what is passing in this kingdom by the letters I write to France every week, and more especially by the accounts of those here whom you honour with your correspondence, I should still have hesitated in venturing to write to you, while matters remain here in such an uncertain state, had
474 MONTEREUL TO QUEEN OF ENGLAND [may
not the Count de Brieiine^ in stating to me tliat he thought I had done so, expressed in some measure the idea that I ought to do it.
Yet, Madam, although some time has elapsed since I received from him this intimation, which for me ought to be equivalent to a command, and although it seems that matters are about to take a better turn than formerly, I should still, however, have wished to wait a little longer before writing to your Majesty my opinion of them, so as to be able to be assured by the actions of the good intentions of those whose promises neither you nor any of those who know them have much reason to believe ; so that I still would have delayed for some days rendering an account to your Majesty of what you may expect from your Scottish subjects, had I not thought it necessary not to keep silence while Sir William Fleming was being despatched from here, in order to speak to the advantage of those who, according to all likelihood, do not wish that of their king.
It seems to me that what your Majesty may wish to know about the doings of this country may be reduced to three points, viz. : First, If an army will be raised.'' Second, If so, will it be employed against England .>* Thii-d, And if, having entered England, it will act there to promote the restoration of his Majesty.'' And truly, Madam, there is considerable likelihood of there being soon an army here, not so much on account of the order this Parliament has just given, to put, as they call it, the kingdom in a state of defence, nor because of the appointment of those who are intrusted with raising the troops in the country districts, nor even of those designed to command them when they will begin to march, since all these matters do not bind them to anything, and go no further than the drawing up of lists of officers and soldiers without removing them from their homes or their employments : nor even by the demands they have sent to London, nor the proclamation that is to be issued at present, since both of these matters are as much for to demand justice from the English Parliament as in order to take it at their own hands, and as much to introduce a treaty of peace as to begin war, but for the advantage that a standing army will be able to give to the Scots in either enabling them to regain a little of that reputation they have lost, and to make it believed they were not the authors of the imprisonment of him whom they wish now to set at liberty, or to induce the followers of their king and the English Presbyterians to rise against the Independents, so as to expose their neighbours and their enemies to a peril from which they escape, and to derive profit from their common ruin, or to bring the Prince of VYales more readily into this kingdom, which is the matter they consider most likely to contribute to the security of their affairs and to ruin most easily those of their enemies and those of their king ; or, in short, that not being able to make more out of this army they may employ it so as to secure an advantageous peace instead of engaging in a war of which the results are always very uncertain, and which might even not be fortunate for them. It would be more difficult to judge, if, after having raised an army — which it is not yet quite certain they will do — they were to employ it in
1648] MONTEREUL TO QUEEN OF ENGLAND 475
entering England and to make war on the Independents, or to conclude peace with them on better conditions than they would have done had they remained unarmed. And although the apprehension the Scots manifested formerly of breaking oflF with the English Parliament when they delivered up in a cowardly manner their king, when they could have preserved him more easily than they can help him now, gives reason to doubt of their being resolved on war, and that similar to what happened during the past year in England, where they have been about to fight several times without ever coming to blows, and where the fear they had mutually of giving thereby an advantage to his Majesty's followers caused them to stifle the quarrels that ought to have divided the king's enemies, one may hence be led to judge that after the armies are raised they may still easily agree. There are, however, powerful reasons that may lead one to believe that the Scots will enter England in arms, for besides that they would not like to lose the opportunity they have at present of ruin- ing the Independents, and by this means securing their affairs, of which they can never be certain so long as the Independents retain any sort of authority, they have also an interest to deprive the followers of his Majesty, or those in favour of the bishops, who begin to become important in England, of the means of regaining power and restoring their king, or again they may be able to take part with these latter and share the glory of a generous action, if it be true that they are unable to prevent this restoration, as they will endeavour by every means to do. But although an army may be raised with which the Scots might make war in England, I still doubt that his Majesty can derive any advantage from it, for although their undertaking was attended with the greatest possible success, and had they even entirely ruined the Independents, his Majesty would not derive any profit thei-eby further than to be conducted to one of his places of residence and confined there until he gave them satisfaction on all the matters they wish, which he has so many times refused to do, so that all that can most advantageously happen for him from this enterprise, if it succeed, is to find himself in the same position in which he was at Holmby, if not that it will be so much worse where they will put him, from the hatred those people bear to their king and to the monarchy, which will be no longer restrained by the consideration of a party opposed to theirs, as has been the case till now, when his Majesty has been in the hands of one or the other party ; and that not only will his Majesty be placed at the discretion of persons who have little of that quality and who will have nothing to fear, but who, practising still the same artifices they have employed till now, pretending to be obliged by the clergy to act in a manner so destructive of the monarchy as to give them reason to excuse all the bad treatment they would be guilty of to- wards their king, and make it believed they are conscientiously obliged to ruin him with his followers. This is what your Majesty may easily perceive by the terms in which their proclamation has been drawn up, wherein, with the exception of a few words in a general sense, very amiable and perhaps also equivocal in expression, towards the end, there
476 MONTEREUL TO QUEEN OF ENGLAND [may
is nothing that may not give them an opportunity of ruining their king, with a certain form of justice, whenever they may wish it ; for besides that they can by this proclamation ruin all his followers if they have designs different from theirs, since they have pledged themselves not to restore their king if he do not sign the Covenant, if he do not establish Presbyterianism, and if he do not oblige his successors to maintain them, in short if he do not do things they know well he will not do and that he scarcely could do were he even so disposed. And as regards his remain- ing in one of his places of residence, with honour, safety and liberty, your Majesty may remember that in giving formerly the signification of these words they gave one to understand that they believed they had complied with the first by serving the king on their knees, in styling him his Majesty, and in remaining with their heads uncovered in his presence ; and for the second in giving him guards that would prevent any harm coming to him ; and that they believed they had not violated the third by keeping him always a prisoner, and in depriving him, as they said, by this means of the liberty of doing harm, which they thought would happen were he not in their hands, so that. Madam, those who understand the language of the Scots will have difficulty in believing that they have any other intention at present than that of ruining the Independents, to prevent the king's • followers from restoring him, and what they wish above all, and which may serve their purpose for obtaining the two former, to have the Prince of Wales in their hands.
There is one thing they will doubtless turn to account with your Majesty as placing the good intentions of the Scots beyond doubt, I mean the confidence they have manifested towards the king's followers in their giving them the means of capturing Berwick and Carlisle. But perhaps your Majesty will not be quite of this opinion when you consider the interest the Scots had in snatching from the hands of the Independents two such important places and especially Berwick, which is in fact not so strong as Carlisle, but whence a party of cavalry may in one night reach the gates of Edinburgh and ravage the richest district of Scotland. They may have given by this means some satisfaction to the king's followers which their delays and all their conduct had with great reason offended, who had they joined the Independents might have been able to injure them, and who would not be able to derive any benefit from the capture of these two places from which the Scots can dislodge them when they wish, were they not to comply with the obligation, I am told they came under to give them up to them ; besides that they only engaged in this matter as the result of the alarm, either false or true, that they had during the past week, of the march of a party of the Independent army, that is to say, when they saw themselves obliged to make sure of these two places, which they could not have seized upon themselves, without violating their Covenant, so that they have principally worked for their own hands in this affair, since besides the advantages I have just mentioned to your Majesty that they have derived from it, it is also use- ful to them^ not only in relieving the kingdom from the subsistence it
1648] MONTEREUL TO QUEEN OF ENGLAND 477
was obliged to furnish to so many poor Englishmen, who had escaped here, and whom the English Parliament wished to oblige them to deliver up, but in order to give even greater assurance of their fidelity to the Prince of Wales and to bring him to a place where he is much desired.
This is. Madam, all I can state regarding the attempt that has just been made on these two places, of the success of one of which we have not yet had the confirmation. As regards the coming of the Prince of Wales into this kingdom, as Sir William Fleming does not give me an opportunity of engaging your Majesty's attention at length on this subject, I shall content myself by stating that though his Highness could forget the manner the Scots treated the king, his father, that the artifices they employ now may not seem suspicious to him, and that he would even judge that your Scottish subjects will have for him all the respect and good-will which they have not, it seems he might favour their designs by any other means than by his presence, and that he ought not to be induced in order to assist them to undertake a thing which may ruin his interests without hope of remedy. I shall still, however, take the liberty of adding to your Majesty, that whatever decision the Prince of Wales may take in this circumstance, the Scots will always try to contrive that he may have reason to regret it, since if he places himself in their hands he is in danger of being undone, and that if he refuse to come here they will not fail to say that he has deprived them by his absence of the means they might have had of preserving him.
I shall add to your ^Majesty on the subject of the Duke of Hamilton and the Marquis of Argyle, since the footing on which they stand as regards each other is a secret, that I am obliged to admit that I cannot till now understand, and in fact. Madam, if I put out of the question the necessity they have had to appear personally opposed to each other, in order to make the resolutions they have passed with much trouble in this Parliament seem more useful for the service of your Majesty, and which one might judge without that to be rather prejudicial than advantageous to the interests of the king your husband, I may say 1 have found reasons of almost equal weight to prove that these two persons are friendly together and that they are unfriendly. Yet it is very diflScult to learn which is right. It seems to me little important for the service of your Majesty, since whether they act in concert, as several believe, or whether they be truly enemies, as they try to make every one believe, there is the greatest likelihood that matters will not change their course on that account as regards the interests of their king, seeing even that the general direction of this kingdom has much resemblance to that which the Duke of Hamilton follows in his private aflPairs, in which he has acted in such a manner that whatever he may have done, he always believes he can show he never wished to do anything that he did not think in keeping with the interests of his master.
This is. Madam, what I take the liberty of writing to you with greater haste than I ought, and I hope that if the little light I possess in matters of which I have not the secret have caused me to fail in anything
478 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [may
you will have the goodness to pardon the faults that are independent of my will, since I can at least assure you that neither in what I have done in the place where I am, nor in what I have had the honour of writing to you, have I failed in that fidelity which is always so much recommended to me in all the letters I receive from the court, to which I am still further prompted by the favours I have received from your Majesty and the exti'eme kindness the king your husband has had for me and the great confidence with which he has honoured me, of which I hope your Majesty will never find me unworthy if you will be satisfied with the veritable zeal I shall always retain for your interests.
CCXLII MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimbourg, f- Mai l648.
La lettre que j"'ay ecrite a la reine d'Angleterre quand le Chev'' Fleming est parti d'icy pour lui estre rendue selon que V. Em''® le jugera a propos, vous aura particulierement informe de ce que je crois que peuvent produire les affaires de ce pays pour le retablissement du roi son mari. J'ay passe a la verite un peu legerement sur deux points qui semblent assez con- siderables, la maniere en laquelle le Due de Hamilton et le Marquis d'Argyle vivent ensemble, et la venue du Prince de Galles dans ce royaume; mais les doutes que je rencontre dans la premiere question, et le peu qu'elle importe aux interets du roi de la G"" B"", pour les raisons que j"*ay marquees, m"'excuseront aupres de V. Em''® si m'y suis peu arrete. Et pour ce qui est du voyage de M. le Prince de Galles, dont Ton ne doute plus presque ici, apres ce qu'a fait le Due d'Yorck ; outre que je m''en suis deja assez ouvert par toutes mes lettres, la crainte que j'ay eue de trop presser un point sur lequel on desire le laisser agir librement, et dans lequel il pourroit juger qu''on auroit quelque interet separe du sien, m'a fait croire que j'aurois peut-etre mal fait si je en avois dit davantage. Cependant, Mg', si je vois que les ordinaires aient le meme liberte qu''ils ont eue jusqu'ici je ne manqueray pas dans huit jours d'in- former tres exactement V. Em®® sur Tun et sur Tautre de ces deux points.
Je lui diray maintenant que plus j 'examine la conduite qui se tient icy, plus je trouve qu'il s'agit seulement entre les
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 479
Presbyteriens et les Independants de savoir a qui demeurera le gouvernement de cette Isle, et qu'ils n'ont recours au roi de la G"" B"" et a Mons. le Prince de Galles, et ne se servent de leurs serviteurs, qu'autant qu'ils voient qu'ils en ont besoin pour venir a bout de leur desseins, dont le succes de quelque cote qu'il tourne, pourroit estre egalement prejudiciable au retablisse- ment de leur roi, et au repos de la France.
II me semble encore que quelques efforts que les Ministres et le Marquis d'Argyle fassent en apparence pour arreter Teffet de toutes les deliberations de ce Parlement, et particulierement pour empescher qu'il se leve une nouvelle armee, le roi de la G"" B'' a plus a craindre de la bonne intelligence que les divisions de ces deux partis. Et en effet, Mg'', les solemnelles impreca- tions que les Ministres ont faites ici depuis deux ou trois jours dans les Eglises, contre la dite armee, et les ordres qu'ils ont envoye aux autres Ministres de ce royaume de faire le meme, a peine de perdre leurs places, n'empescheront pas qu'elle ne se leve, et qu'elle ne puisse entrer en Angleterre et y agir heureusement pour les interets du Presbyteriat, si les affaires ne changent de face, mais elles peuvent servir a ceux du parti d'Hamilton pour persuader la Reine de la G'' B*" et Mg"" le Prince de Galles qu'ils travaillent pour les interets de leur roi, ce qu'ils ne peuvent les faire juger que par la seule resistance que les Ministres ont faites a toutes les choses qu'ils ont fait passer jusqu'ici dans ce Parlement; de sort que cette opposi- tion des Ministres, ou feinte ou veritable, ne servira pas seule- nient a porter M. le Prinee de Galles a venir icy, mais encore a le pouvoir perdre quand il y sera arrive, sans qu'on en puisse rejetter la faute sur ceux qui lui auront fait entreprendre ce voyage.
Aussi, Monsg"", ne puis-je taire qu'ils ont envoye avec grand soin a la reine d'Angleterre par le S' Chev"" Fleming la derniere remontrance de ces Ministres, comme une exposition favorable de leur declaration, et par laquelle ils pretendent faire con- noitre qu'ils ont eu seulement intention de servir leur roi ; ce qu'ils esperent qui aura d'autant plus d'effet que les choses qui sont dites a notre avantage par ceux qui sont creus nos ennemis, ont plus de force que celles que nous disons pour nous-memes.
480 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [may
Je ne feray point savoir a, V. Em*^® la fa^on en laquelle Berwick et Carlisle ont ete pris, puisqu''elle Taura appris il y a longtemps par les lettres d'Angleterre ; je lui diray seule- ment que le Comte de Lanark re^ut hier un billet du Chev' Musgrave, qui est dans Carlisle, par lequel il lui mande qu'il a quatre mille hommes de pied et mille chevaux. II ne s'en rend pas tant dans Berwick, car le Chev' Jacques Hamilton, qui en est revenu depuis trois jours, m'a dit qu'il n'y avoit pas six cents hommes de pied et deux ou trois cents chevaux, mais rinfanterie est presque sans armes. J'espere qu"'ils en auront presentement, et qu''une petite barque qui est partie de Leith il y a cinq ou six jours, et que le Marquis d'Argyle a essay e d'arreter, en aura decharge proche de la ville, dont une fregate du Parlement garde le port, sans que ceux de dedans, qui n'ont aucun canon, la puissent contraindre de se retirer.
Les Commissaires d''Angleterre ont demande que ce Parle- ment declarat traitres aux deux royaumes tous les Ecossois qui se trouveroient avoir contribue a la prise de ces deux places, et qui y envoyeroient aucunes munitions, ainsi qu'ils faisoient des a present tous ceux de leur nation qui se trouveront y avoir eu aucune part ; mais leur billet a ete renvoye au Comite des 24, qui refusera, comme Ton croit, d'y faire reponse, jusqu'a ce qu'on ait receu celles du Parlement d'Angleterre a leurs demandes.
Enfin les Colonels, tant d'infanterie que de cavalerie, qui doivent commander les forces qui seront levees dans ce royaume, ont ete nommes la semaine passee, entre lesquel il n''en a pas un qui ait servi le roi de la G' B"", et beaucoup du parti d'Argyle. Les capitaines des 15 compagnies de cavalerie qui etoient sur pied, sont faits colonels, et avec eux ceux que vous trouverez dans la liste que je joins a cette lettre. On fait etat d'avoir six mille chevaux effectifs et 24 mille hommes de pied, sans les six mille que com mande David Leslay, et les cinq ou six mille hommes qu'on pourra faire venir d'Irlande.
On a arrete que les troupes seront au lieu d'assemblee dans chaque province le 24 de ce mois, stile d'Ecosse, et on ne doute point que les regiments des parties plus eloignes de ce royaume ne puissent estre au rendezvous general un mois apres. On travaille maintenant a regler la subsistance de la dite
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 481
armee, pour peu de jours, a quoi Ton ne laisse pas d'avoir beaucoup de difRculte. Ce Parlement a ordonne que celui qui s'opposera en quelque maniere que ce peut estre, aux desseins que Ton peut avoir de faire une armee, sera declare traitre a cet Etat, et que celui qui refusera de contribuer aux levees la part a laquelle il aura ete taxe pay era vingt deux Jacobus pour chaque cavalier quMl n*'aura pas voulu fournir, et huit Jacobus pour chaque fantassin. M. le Marquis de Douglas, qui me temoigne toujours vm zele tres particulier pour la gloire de S. M. et pour le service de V. Em*^^, m'a envoye la lettre que je joins a celle-ci.
[MoNTEREuii to Cardinal Mazarin. Edinburgh, f- May 1648.
The letter I wrote to the Queen of England, when Sir William Fleming left here, to be delivered or not as you might judge best, will have in- formed you particularly of what I believe will result from the state of aifairs in this country for the restoration of the king her husband. I passed indeed too summarily on two points which seem of some import- ance, the relations between the Duke of Hamilton and the Marquis of Argyle, and the coming of the Prince of Wales into this kingdom ; but the doubts that assail me in the first question and the little importance it has for the interests of the King of Great Britain, for the reasons I have mentioned, will excuse me for having made so little reference to it. And as to what concerns the voyage of the Prince of Wales, of which there remains now scarcely any doubt here, after what the Duke of York has done ; ^ from my having already expressed my opinions on it openly in all my letters, the fear lest by my insisting too much on a point on which it is wished to allow him to act freely, and in which he might be led to judge that one had some interest in view different from his, has led me to think that I might perhaps do harm by insisting on it any more. Yet, if I see that the postal communications remain as uninterrupted as hitherto, I shall not fail in eight days to inform you very minutely regarding these two points.
I shall now state that the more closely I examine the direction of affairs that prevails here, the more clearly I perceive that it is simply a question between the Presbyterians and the Independents to know to which of them will devolve the government of this island, and that they have but recourse to the King of Great Britain and to the Prince of Wales and but make use of their followers, in so far as they see that they require their help in order to carry out their designs, the success of which, on whatever side it may turn, may be equally prejudicial to the restoration of their king and to the ti-anquillity of France. It seems to me also
^ The Duke of York escaped from St. James's on Saturday, 22nd April 1648. VOL. IT. 2 H
482 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [may
that wliatever efforts the clergy aud the Marquis of Argyle may make in appearance to stop all the resolutions of Parliament from being put into effect, and chiefly to prevent the raising of a new army, the King of Great Britain has more to fear from a good understanding between these two parties than from their divisions. And in fact the solemn imprecations the clergy have uttered here in the churches during the last few days against this army, and the orders they have sent to the other clergy of this kingdom to do in like manner, under penalty of losing their charges, will not prevent it from being raised and from enter- ing into England and acting there successfully for Presbyterianism, if matters do not take a different turn, but they may serve those of the Hamilton party in order to persuade the Queen of Great Britain and the Prince of Wales that they are labouring for the interests of their king, of which they can only convince them by the opposition the clergy have manifested to all matters that have been passed till now in this Parlia- ment, so that this opposition of the clergy, whether pretended or real, will not only serve to induce the Prince of Wales to come here, but also to allow of his being ruined when he will have arrived without it being possible to attribute the fault to those who led him to undertake this voyage. Also, I cannot help mentioning that they have sent, with great care, to the Queen of England by Sir William Fleming, the last remon- strance of the clergy, as a favourable explanation of their proclamation, in which they — the clergy — pretend to declare that they— the Hamiltons — have had simply the intention of serving their king, which the latter hope will have so much the better effect, as things said to one's advantage by those who are considered to be one's enemies, have more weight than those we say of ourselves.
I shall not relate to you the manner in which Berwick and Carlisle were taken, since you will have learned it long ago by letters from Eng- land, I shall merely state that the Earl of Lanark received yesterday a note from Sir Philip Musgrave, who is in Carlisle, in which he informs him that he has four thousand foot and a thousand horse. There are not so many in Berwick, for Sir James Hamilton, who returned from there three days ago, told me there were not six hundred foot and two or three hun- dred horse, but the infantry are almost without arms. I hope they will have received a supply ere now by means of a small vessel that left Leith five or six days ago, and which the Marquis of Argyle tried to stop, which was commissioned to deliver them near to the town, the entrance to the harbour being guarded by a frigate belonging to the Parliament, which those of the garrison are unable to drive away, as they have no cannon. The English Commissioners have asked this Parliament to declare all the Scots who have taken part in the capture of the two towns, and who may have sent munitions there, to be ti'aitors to the two kingdoms, as they have done at present to all those of their nation who might be found to have taken part in it ; but their note has been referred to the committee of twenty four, who will, it is thought, refuse to give any reply to it, until they have received those of tlie English Parliament to their demands.
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 483
At length the colonels, both of infantry and cavalry, that are to com- mand the forces about to be raised in this kingdom were appointed last week, among whom there is not one who has served the King of Great Britain, and many of them are of the Argyle party. The captains of the fifteen companies of cavalry who were in the standing army have been made colonels, and in addition those whose names are given in the list I add to this letter. They intend to have six thousand effective cavalry and twenty-four thousand infantry, exclusive of the six thousand com- manded by David Leslie and the five or six thousand men they will be able to bring from Ireland. It has been decided that the troops will be at the appointed places of meeting in each county on the 27th of this month, old style, and it is not doubted but that the regiments in the distant parts of this kingdom will be able to be at the general rendezvous a month later. They have been occupied for some days in providing for lie maintenance of this army, in which they still find much difficulty. This Parliament has ordered that any one who will oppose, in any manner whatever, the intentions it may have of raising an army, will be declared a traitor to this State, and that the person who may refuse to contribute to the levies the part with which he has been imposed will pay a penalty of twenty-two Jacobus for each horseman that he will have failed to furnish and eight Jacobus for each foot -soldier. The Marquis of Douglas, who always manifests a very marked zeal for the glory of his Majesty and for the service of your Emiuence, has sent to me the letter which I enclose in this one.
CCXLIII MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimbourg, ^ Mai l648.
Le Due de Hamilton a enfin ete declare General de Tarmee qui se doit faire ; le Comte de Calendar Lieut.-General, et David Leslay Lieut.-General de la Cavalerie. Middleton et les autres officiers generaux de la petite armee auront les memes charges dans celle-ci, ce qu'ils ont tous accepte a la reserve de David Leslay et de Hoborne, qui veut suivre absolument son exemple. lis ont pris jusqu^a Lundi 25 de ce mois pour se resoudre, et doivent faire savoir aujourd'huy leur resolution, que je n''ay peu encore apprendre, mais seule- ment que le Due de Hamilton presse fort David Leslay de ne pas abandonner le service. Madame de Lanark Falla voir hier pour cet effet, aussitost qu''elle sut qu''il etoit arrive en cette ville, et comme je me trouvai lors avec elle, elle se servit
484 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [may
de mon carrosse et desira que je Py accompagnasse, de sorte que ce fut en ma presence qu'elle Ten conjura, comme d'une chose de laquelle elle lui seroit particulierement obligee, et avec elle toute la maison de son mari, mais il ne repondit a ces civilites qu'en termes assez generaux, et qui ne nous purent donner lieu de decouvrir ce qu''il veut faire,
Le Due d'Hamilton, — entre les choses qu''il dit de fort bonne grace au Parlement, pour le remercier du Commandement General de Parmee, — temoigna qu''il estimoit principalement cette charge parce qu'elle lui donneroit moyen de faire voir rinnocence de ses actions passees, et le zele qu'il avoit toujours eu pour le service de son roi, par celui avec lequel il travailleroit dorenavant a son retablissement.
Le vieux General Leslay a ete remercie au nom de Parle- ment par le Comite des 24 des services qu'il a rendu durant qu'il avoit eu le commandement de Farmee, et duquel il s'etoit defait volontairement quelques jours avant Telection du dit S"^ Due, et outre les douze milles francs de pension, dont il doit jouir durant sa vie, il a encore ete nomme General de toutes les forces qui se pourront lever pour la defense du royaume.
My Lord Cochrane a ete envoye vers Tarmee d'Ecosse qui est en Irlande, pour resoudre avec ceux qui la commandent, touchant le secours qu'ils ont ofFert. II a ordre encore de traiter avec les Irlandais qui sont originaires de cette isle, et qui ont de fort bonne cavalerie, pour les engager a faire passer quinze cents chevaux en ce royaume, et de leur ofFrir pour cela une demi paye avant que passer la mer et Fautre en arrivant, et de ne point faire d'accoramodement sans les y comprendre, et sans les faire payer des arrerages qui leur sont deus.
Au lieu d'attendre le retour du Sieur Marschall, qui a porte les demandes du Parlement d'Ecosse a celui d"'Angleterre, pour donner reponse a celles que les Commissaires d'Angleterre ont faites ici sur le sujet de Berwick et de Carlisle, comme on avoit creu premierement le Comite des 24 a eu ordre de ce Parle- ment de charger les dits Commissaires de tous les desordres qui peuvent arriver en suite de la prise de ces deux places, apres Tavis qu'ils donnerent il y a quelques semaines a ce Parlement, que pour empescher les desseins qu"'avoient eu les
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 485
serviteurs de leur roi de s''en emparer, ils avoient creus estre obliges de s'en asseurer eux-memes, ce qui se trouve qu'ils ont fort mal execute.
Cest, Monsg"^, tout ce que s'est resolu de plus considerable dans ce Parlement qui se leva Jeudi dernier, et qui ne se doit point assembler avant le -^^ du mois prochain. Ceux qui le composent doivent durant ce temps travailler aux levees dans les provinces, qui pourront estre acheves dans ce temps, comme Ton espere, quelque empeschement que puissent mettre les Ministres et ceux qui sont demeures attaches au parti d'Argyle. Ceux-ci en s'opposant autant qu'ils peuvent dans le Parlement a Texecution de ce dessein, et en refusant de prendre les armes, et les Ministres en pronon^ant toujours des maledictions contre tous ceux qui s'engageront dans la dite armee, n^ ay ant entre eux le seul Ramsay qui ait ose prier pour le bon succes de cette entreprise a laquelle tout Toccident de ce royaume se porte avec beaucoup de froideur.
Le Due d'Hamilton a ete a la campagne depuis que le Parle- ment s"'en leve, et il n'en doit revenir que ce jour, de sorte que je n'ay peu encore lui aller faire compliment. J^ay veu toutefois M"" le Comte de Lanark son frere, qui m'a fait de longues excuses de ce qu'il avoit laisse passer beaucoup de temps sans me visiter et sans me rendre compte de ce qui se passoit ; car ce sont les termes dont il a voulu se servir. II m'a dit ensuite qu"'il avoit eu honte de me parler avant quMl eut veu les affaires de son roi en meilleur etat qu"'elles n'etoient, mais que main- tenant il me pouvoit asseurer que beaucoup de gens d"'honneur hazarderoient leur vie pour son retablissement, et que son frere et lui feroient voir qu'ils avoient toujours ete fideles serviteurs de leur maitre. II me representa ensuite Tinteret qu"'avoit la France, et avec elle toutes les couronnes voisines, qu''une nouvelle republique ne se format pas en Angleterre, — que s"'etoit ce qu'ils alloient empescher presentement, — qu'il avoit resolu de venir me trouver, afin que je contribuasse par mes lettres aux offices qu'ils se feroient faire aupres de leurs Majestes, afin de les porter a assister leurs anciens allies dans une si bonne cause, — quMls ne demandoient pas que la France se declara en leur faveur et rompit avec I'Angleterre, comme ils avoient desire d'abord, — qu'ils avoient besoin seulement
486 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [may
d'argent et d'armes, mais que fort peu de I'un et de Tautre leur apporteroit un grand secours, et qu'il avoit toute sorte de raison de croire que Sa Majeste ne les abandonneroit pas presentement quand il se souvenoit des ofFres qui avoient ete faites de sa part durant que le roi de la G"^ B"" etoit a New- castle. Je ne jugeai pas a propos de m*'arreter a ce dernier argument que V. Em<=® jugera assez mauvais, et je me contentai de lui repondre dans les termes les plus obligeants mais aussi les plus generaux qu'il me fut possible, en sorte qu'il a tout sujet d"'estre satisfait quoi que je ne me sois engage a aucune chose, non pas meme a en ecrire, et que je puisse toujours pre- tendre que j'attendois une information plus particuliere avant qu'en rien dire a la Cour.
Aussi, Mg»", quelque bonne volonte que puissent avoir MM. les Ecossois, ce que je mets encore dans le rang des choses douteuses, je crois toujours que la France et la reine de la G' B' ne peu vent user trop de circonspection en agissant avec eux ; puisque s'ils ont un veritable desir de retablier leur roi, dans Tautorite qu'il doit avoir, ils le peuvent faire par le moyen des serviteurs qu'il a dans cette isle, sans les secours de la France, ou le presence de leur prince, et que s"'ils n'ont pas cette intention, tons les deux ensemble ne sont pas capables de la leur donner.
David Leslay n'a pas attendu a ce jour a declarer ses inten- tions, mais il refusa des la nuit passee de prendre Temploi que lui est ofFert. II a ete impossible d'achever de chiffrer le memoire que je croyois me donner Fhonneur d'envoyer a V. Em''® touchant la venue de Prince de Galles.
[MoNTEBEUii to Cardinal Mazarin. Edinburgh^ j^ May 1648. The Duke of Hamilton has at length been declared General of the army that is to be formed^ the Earl of Callander Lieut. -General, and David Leslie Lieut. -General of the cavalry. Middleton and the other general officers of the small army will retain the same rank in the new one, which they have all accepted, with the exception of David Leslie and Holborn, the latter of whom wishes to follow absolutely the example of the former. They have taken till Monday the 25th of this month to decide, and are to declare their decision to-day, which I have not yet been able to learn, but merely that the Duke of Hamilton urges David Leslie strongly not to give up the service. The Countess of Lanark went to visit him yesterday for this purpose, as soon as she knew he had arrived in this town and as
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 487
I was then with her, she took the use of my carriage and wished me to accompany her to him, so that 1 was present when she conjured him to accept it, as a matter in which she and all her husband's family would be particularly obliged to him, but he only replied in somewhat general terms to her politeness, wliich did not indicate to us what he intended to do.
The Duke of Hamilton, in thanking Parliament for having appointed him General of the army, said, among other things, in very graceful terms that he valued the appointment principally because it would give him an opportunity of showing the innocence of his past actions and the zeal he had always had for the service of his king, by that with which he would in future labour for his restoration. Old General Leslie has been thanked in the name of Parliament by the committee of twenty-four for his services during the time he held the command of the army, and of which he had given his resignation voluntarily some days before the elec- tion of the duke ; and besides the four hundred and forty pounds of retir- ing pension that has been granted him during his lifetime, he has also been named general of all the forces that may be raised for the defence of the kingdom.
Lord Cochrane^ has been sent to the Scottish army in Ireland to arrange with those %vho are in command of it regarding the assistance they have offered. He has orders also to treat with the Irish who are originally from this island, and who have very good cavalry, in order to engage them to send fifteen hundred horse to this kingdom, to offer them for that one half pay before crossing the sea and the other on arriving, and to engage not to come to an agreement without including them in it, and without paying them the arrears then owing to them.
Instead of awaiting the return of Lieut. -Colonel Marshall, who took the demands of the Parliament of Scotland to that of England, in order to give a reply to those the English Commissioners have made here on the subject of Berwick and Carlisle, as one had at first thought, the committee of twenty-four has had orders from this Parliament to charge these commissioners with all the disorders that may happen as the result of the capture of these two places, after the notice they gave some weeks ago to this Parliament that in order to prevent the designs the king's followers had of seizing upon them, they themselves had been obliged to make sure of them, which, as it turns out, they have very badly executed. These are all the most important matters that have been decided in this Parliament that rose on Thursday last, and which is not to meet again before the ^ of next month. During that time the members are to be occupied with the levies in the provinces, which, it is hoped, will be finished before Parliament meets again, in spite of the
^ Sir William Cochrane, Knight of Cowdon, was elevated to the peerage, December 1647, as Baron Cochrane of Dundonald, and advanced to an earldom in 1669.
488 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [may
obstacles raised by the clergy, and those that remain attached to the Argyle party. These latter oppose the execution of this design as much as they can in Parliament and by refusing to take arms, and the clergy still pronounce maledictions against all those who engage in this new army, Ramsay being the only one of their order that has ventured to pray for the success of this undertaking, towards which all the west of this kingdom shows much indifference.
The Duke of Hamilton has been in the country since Parliament rose, and he is but to return to-day, so that I have not yet been able to compliment him. I have, however, seen the Earl of Lanark, his brother, who was very profuse in his excuses for having allowed so long time to pass without visiting me, and without giving me an account oi what was going on, for these are the expressions he made use of. He told me afterwards that he had been ashamed of speaking to me before he saw the aifairs of his king in a better state than they were, but that now he could assure me that many honourable people would risk their lives for his restoration, and that his brother and he would show they had always been faithful followers of their master. He next represented to me the interest that France had, and with her all the neighbouring powers, that a new republic may not be formed in England, which was what they were going at present to prevent ; that he had resolved to call upon me so that I might contribute by my letters to the success of the application they were to have made to their Majesties in order to induce them to assist their old allies in so good a cause ; that they did not ask France to declare in their favour and break off with England, as they had at iirst wished ; that they required only money and arms, but that very little of the one and the other would bring them a great relief ; and that he had every reason to believe that his Majesty would not abandon them at present when he would recall the offers that had been made on his part, while the King of Great Britain was at Newcastle. I did not judge it necessary to pay heed to this last argument, of which you will not much approve, and 1 merely replied to him in the most obliging but the most general terms possible, so that he had every reason to be satisfied, although I engaged myself in nothing, not even to write to you, and I can always pretend that I was expecting some more special in- formation before communicating it to Court. Thus whatever goodwill the Scots may have — which I always place in the category of doubtful things — I still believe that France and the Queen of Great Britain cannot use too much circumspection in dealing with them, since if they have a real desire to restore their king to his rightful authority, they can do so by means of his followers that he has in this island, without the aid of France or the presence of their prince, and that if they have not that intention both these together would be unable to give it to them.
David Leslie has not waited till to-day to declare his intentions, but refused last night to accept the appointment offered to him. I have been unable to finish putting into cipher the memorandum that I thought of sending to you regarding the coming of the Prince of Wales.
1648] MONTEREUI. TO MAZARIN 489
CCXLIV MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimbourg, "^ ^V^ 1648.
BiEN que les Ministres n'oublent rien du tout de ce qui peut servir au dessein qu'ils ont d'empescher qu'une nouvelle armee se niette sur pied, on ne laisse pas toujours d^avancer la levee des troupes, dont elle se doit former. Et comme ces Messieurs disent avec toute sorte de liberie, ce qui leur plait, les amis du Due de Hamilton font aussi tout ce qu'ils veulent, sans que ceux qui s'opposent a leurs resolutions puissent y apporter d'empeschement. Les seules provinces de Fife et de Galloway refusent de prendre les armes ; celle ci parce qu'elle se laisse gouverner absolument par ses Ministres, et qu'elle croit contre le service de Dieu tout ce qui se trouve contraire a leurs senti- ments ; et celle de Fife parce qu''elle a perdu en ces dernieres guerres un nombre d'hommes tres considerable, et qu'elle ne peut demeurer privee de Fassistance de ceux qui lui restent sans danger si les Independants envoyent une flotte en Ecosse, puisque c'est le lieu de tout le royaume ou une armee navale peut descendre plus commodement.
On a eu nouvelles d''Irlande par un expres quMl y avoit cinq mille hommes de pied et quinze cents chevaux, qui n"'attendoient que les ordres de ce Parlement pour venir ici. My Lord Coch- rane qui les porte n'etant pas encore passe il y a huit jours, et attendoit soixante quatre mille livres qui lui ont ete envoyees pour la demi monte et pour le passage de cette armee, dont cette ville a fourni quarante mille livres ; le reste Ta ete par les Comtes de Crawford et de Lanark.
Le S"" Chev"" Langdale continue a grossir ses troupes. On me dit qu'il peut mettre en campagne cinq mille hommes de pied et quinze cents chevaux. En surprenant depuis peu de jours un chateau proche de Carlisle, qui est dans un lac, et qui appartient au Chev"" Winford Lawson, il a eu de quoi armer une bonne partie de ses gens, et il n'a pas repris seulement tous les canons de Carlisle qui avoient ete conduits en cette place, mais il s'est encore accommode d'une bonne somme d'argent qu''il y a trouvee. On se plaint ici un peu de ce qu'il
490 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [may
s''est hate de recevoir des Catholiques dans son armee, a qui les Ecossois ont refuse absolument de donner aucun emploi, et il s'est plaint aussi du peu de soin que les Ecossois ont eu de I'assister d''armes, quand il en a eu besoin, et Ton m'a dit meme avec assez de secret, qu'il se tenoit fort peu asseure que Ton eut ici de fort bonnes intentions ; ce que la marche de Tarmee Independante vers le Nord fera peut-etre connoitre dans peu de jours. My Lord Byron, qui a servi le roi de la G"" B"^ avec peu de succes, mais avec beaucoup de fidelite, dans Chester, s'est saise de AVarrington, dans la province de Lancaster, ou Ton dit que plusieurs personnes se sont deja jointes a lui.
M. le Due de Hamilton ne revint que Jeudi au soir de sa maison, mais au lieu de me permettre de le voir le lendemain, il voulut venir chez moi, ou il me confirma toutes les choses que je viens de me donner Thonneur d'ecrire a V. Em*'^ a la reserve du mecontentement et de la mauvaise opinion que le Chev"" Langdale peut avoir. II m'asseura que quelques efforts que peussent faire les Ministres, ou ceux qui sont d'un parti contraire au sien, pour arreter les levees, son armee seroit sur pied dans peu de semaines, et apres m'avoir fait de grands serments pour m'^asseurer qu'il ne cherchoit dans cette entre- prise que les interets de son maitre pour lesquels il etoit pret a exposer sa vie, il me renouvela les protestations qu'il m'a faites si souvent, qu'il n'y avoit rien qu'il considerat davantage, apres le service de son roi, que celui de Sa Majeste de laquelle il seroit tres fidele serviteur toute sa vie, mais il me dit qu'il croyoit que la France ne se contenteroit pas de faire de bons souhaits pour leur entreprise, qu'elle voudroit encore con- tribuer a la faire succeder heureusement en les assistant d'un peu d'armes et d'un peu d'argent ; que la reine de la G"" B"^ s'etoit chargee d'en faire la demande pour eux, et qu'ils eussent bien desire que j'en eusse voulu solliciter Teffet par mes lettres.
Sur quoi, Mg', je prendray la hardiesse de dire a V. Em*^^ que les Ecossois ayant refuse de secourir leur roi quand ils en ont ete presses par la France, et apres meme qu'ils ont promis de le faire Sa Majeste auroit fort peu d'obligation de les assister maintenant, si elle n"'y etoit portee par la consideration des interets du roi de la G"^ B% et par ceux qu'elle peut avoir
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 491
de se conserver Tombre d\ine vieille alliance qu"'elle a avec rojaume, — car il n'en reste pas plus que cela.
De sorte que si Sa Majeste fait quelque chose a Fa vantage des Ecossois elle doit, ce semble, desirer que ce qu'elle fera pour eux puisse au moins contribuer a ces deux fins, qu'elle pourra obtenir si elle ne leur accorde du secours qu'a propor- tion des assistances qu'ils auront auparavant donnees a leur roi, et qu'apres qu'elle aura tire d'eux asseurance quMls feront passer en France des troupes considerables quand leurs affaires seront achevees.
Les lettres que j''ay veues de Saint Germain, par lesquelles on asseure icy que le voyage du Prince en Ecosse est une chose toute resolue, m''empeschent d'importuner V. Em*^^ du memoire que j'avois fait sur ce sujet, non seulement parce qu'il seroit inutile, mais encore parce que je pourrois paroitre trop attache aux sentiments que j'ay eu d'^abord, et desquels je voudrois avoir plus de sujet de me dedire que je n''en ay jusqu'a present. Je me suis enquis, ainsi que M. le Comte de Brienne me Tordonnoit par sa lettre du 9 du mois passe, des seuretes qu'il pourroit recevoir des Ecossois avant que de se mettre entre leurs mains, mais j^ay trouve qu''elles consistoient toutes en belles lettres et en bonnes paroles, qui sont choses aux- quelles ceux qui ont veu arriver le roi de la G' B' en Tarmee d'Ecosse, et qui Tont veu rendre aux Anglois quelque temps apres ne se doivent pas beaucoup fier. Je crois toutefois que les Ecossois ont un moyen pour faire connoitre la sincerite de leurs intentions en ne demandant pas que leur Prince vienne en ce royaume, et le Paince de Galles un autre pour travailler a sa seurete, en evitant de venir icy jusqu'a ce que les Ecossois soient entre en Angleterre et aient montre ce qu'ils veulent faire pour ses interets par ce qu'ils auront deja fait pour le service du roi son pere,
Le sieur Marshall, qui avoit porte les demandes de ce Parle- ment a celui d'Angleterre est arrive ce matin. Je n'ay pas vue encore la lettre qu'il a rendu a ce comite, ny n'ay pas meme peu apprendre particulierement ce qu'elle contient, mais seule- ment que M. le Comte de Lanark a dit a un de ses amis quelle etoit bien eloignee de leur donner satisfaction.
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Le Chev'" Guillaume Banentine partit Mercredi dernier pour Hollande, oii il a ete envoy e par ce Parlement.
On a fait il y a quelques jours un ordre de ne laisser sortir aucune personne de ce royaume sans passeport, ce qui a ete necessaire pour empescher les habitants des provinces occiden- tales d'Ecosse d'abandonner le pays, — ce que plusieurs avoient resolu de faire plustost que de se voir obliges d'aller a la guerre.
[MoNTEREUL to CARDINAL Mazarin. Edinburgh, 7^^ 1648.
Although the clergy forget nothing whatever that may serve their pur- pose of preventing the new army from being formed, the raising of troops for it is still going on. And as these gentlemen say what they please with the greatest of liberty, the friends of the Duke of Hamilton act also as they like, while those who oppose their resolutions are unable to bring any impediment to them. The provinces of Fife and Galloway alone refuse to take arms ; the latter because it allows itself to be absolutely ruled by its clergy, and that it believes to be opposed to the service of God all that is contrary to their sentiments, and that of Fife, because it has lost in the recent wars a very considerable number of men, and that it cannot dispense with those that remain without danger if the Independents send a fleet, since this is the part of the kingdom where a landing from a fleet may be most easily made.
News has been received from Ireland by a special messenger that five thousand foot and fifteen hundred horse were but waiting the orders of this Parliament to come here ; Lord Cochrane who is the bearer of the orders having not yet arrived there eight days ago, as he was waiting to receive sixty-four thousand pounds that have been sent to him for the half pay and for the passage of this army, of which this town has supplied forty thousand pounds, the remainder having been furnished by the Earls of Crawford and Lanark. Sir M. Langdale continues to increase the number of his troops. I am told that he can bring into the field five thousand foot and fifteen hundred horse. A few days ago on taking by surprise a castle near Carlisle, which is in a lake and which belongs to Sir Winford Lawson, he found arms enough to supply the most part of his men, and recaptured not only all the cannon belonging to Carlisle, that had been taken to that place, but also obtained possession of a considerable sum of money he found there. Some few complaints have been made here that he has been in haste to receive Catholics into his army, to whom the Scots have absolutely refused to give any employment, and he has also complained of the little pains the Scots have had in assisting him with arms when he required them, and I have been told even in secrecy that he was not at all assured of their having good intentions here, which the march of the Independent army towards the north will let us know in a few days. Lord Byron who has served the king of
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 493
Great Britain with small success but with much fidelity in Chester has seized VV^arrington in the county of Lancaster, where it is said many persons have already joined him.
The Duke of Hamilton only returned on Thursday evening from his country-house, but instead of allowing me to call upon him the following day, he wished to call upon me, when he confirmed all the matters I have j ust written to you, with the exception of the dissatisfaction and the bad opinion Sir M. Langdale may have. He assured me that whatever attempts the clergy or those of the party opposed to his might make in order to stop the levies, his army would be on foot in a few weeks, and after having made great protestations to assure me that in this under- taking he only sought the interests of his master, for which he was ready to expose his life, he renewed the assurances he has so often made to me, that there was nothing he considered more important, after the service of his king, than that of his Majesty, whose faithful servant he would remain all his life, but he told me he thought France would not be satisfied with merely sending them good wishes in what they were about to attempt, but that she would also contribute towards bringing it to a successful issue by assisting them with some arms and a little money ; that the Queen of Great Britain had engaged to make the demand for them, and that he should very much like me to support their request in my letters. AVhereupon I shall venture to say to you that the Scots having refused to assist their king when they were urged by France to do so, and after they had promised to do it, his Majesty would be very little obliged to assist them now were he not prompted to it in view of the interests of the King of Great Britain, and for that he may have in preserving the shadow of an old alliance he has with this kingdom, for there remains nothing more of it than that. So that if his Majesty do anything to the advantage of the Scots he ought, it seems, to desire that what he may do for them serve at least these two purposes, which he will be able to obtain if he grant them help only in proportion to the assistance they will have previously given to their king, and after having obtained from them an assurance that they will send a considerable number of troops to France when their affairs will be settled.
The letters I have seen from St. Germains, by which people here are assured that the coming of the Prince of Wales to Scotland is a matter quite decided upon, prevent me from troubling you with the memorandum I had prepared on this subject, not only because it would be useless, but also because I might thereby seem too much attached to the opinions I had at first, and which I should wish to have more reason to gainsay than I have had up till now. I have made inquiry as the Count de Brienne ordered me in his letter of the 9th ult. concerning the securities that the prince might receive from the Scots before putting himself into their hands, but I find them to consist of fine letters and good promises, which are things to which those who saw the King of Great Britain arriving in the Scottish army, and who saw him delivered up to the English some time after, are not likely to trust much. I believe, however, that the Scots
494 MONTEREUL TO BRIENNE [may
have a means of proving the sincerity of their intentions by not asking that their prince may come into this kingdom, and the Prince of Wales another in order to assure his safety, by avoiding to come here until the Scots have entered England and have thereby shown what they wish to do for his interests by what they will have already done for the service of the king his father.
Lieut. -Colonel Marshall, who took the demands of this Parliament to that of England, arrived here this morning. I have not yet seen the letter he has delivered to this committee, neither have I been able to learn precisely what it contains, but merely that the Earl of Lanark has said to one of his friends that it was very far from giving them satisfaction.
Sir William Banentine ^ went to Holland on Wednesday on a mission from Parliament,
An order was issued a few days ago not to allow any person to leave this kingdom without a passport, which has been found necessary to pre- vent the inhabitants of the western provinces from leaving the country, which several of them had resolved on doing rather than be obliged to go to the war.
CCXLV MONTEREUL a BRIENNE
Edhnhourg, ^ Mai 1648.
Le Due de Hamilton, et ceux de son parti, continuent toujours a travailler aux levees, de la nouvelle armee, qui doit se faire en ce royaume, mais les amis du Marquis d'Argyle, et les Ministres, continuent aussi a y apporter tous les retarde- ments qui y sont possibles, particulierement dans les deux provinces que je vous ai nomme, par ma derniere, qui ont encore fait quelque chose de plus que Ton nWait creu, pour empecher que Ton emploi Tarmee centre les Independants. Celle de Fife dressa, la semaine p^se, une requete par laquelle elle demande que le Parlement s^accommode aux sentiments des Ministres, si Ton desire que ses habitants se conferment aux volontes de ce Parlement, puisque sans cela ils ne croyent pas pouvoir prendre legitimement les armes. Cette requete doit etre apportee en cette ville, Jeudi prochain, par quelques gentilshommes de la province qui ont ete nommes pour la pre-
^ Sir William Ballenden of Broughton and Auchinoule, raised to the peerage by Charles ll. in 1660, as Lord Ballenden of Broughton, was one of the Lords of Privy Council and Treasurer- Depute.
1648] MONTEREUL TO BRIENNE 495
senter. Mais la province de Galloway, et quelques autres voisines, qui sont toutes dans Toccident de ce royaume, ont nomme un lieu d'assembler, auquel tous ceux qui ne sont pas pour les levees doivent se trouver demain, 31 Mai, afin de recourir ensemble aux derniers moyens que leur restent pour les empecher. On eut cet avis, il y a deux joui's, par une lettre qui au lieu d'etre rendue a Milord Warriston, a qui elle s'adressait, fut portee au Comte de Ijanark,qui en donna aussi- tot avis au Due son frere, qui est a Hamilton, afin de donner les ordres necessaires pour prevenir ce dessein. Le Comte de Lanark m'a dit qu'il la presenterait Jeudi prochain au Parle- ment, — car il n'y a point d'assemblee avant ce jour, — et qu''elle portait qu'ils avaient dix mille hommes, tout prets a prendre les armes pour empecher qu''on ne les prenne, pour le service de leur roi. Cependant, ce n"'est pas seulement en ces deux provinces qu il se trouve de la difficulte dans les levees, puisque les ministres de Glascow, qui est la capitale de la province ou le Due d'Hamilton a toutes ses terres, et ou il devait avoir plus d'autorite, presenterent, la semaine passee, au Comite qui a ete etabli, une requete dans le sens que celle des habitants de Fife veulent donner, et qu'apres eux, les magistrats de la ville en porterent une autre semblable au meme Comite. Le Due d'Hamilton, qui se trouva sur les lieux, se contenta de faire repondre aux Ministres, que le devoir de leurs charges les obligeait a porter les peuples a obeir comme bons sujets aux ordres de Parlement ; mais il fit commander les seditieux de la ville de venir repondre, Samedi dernier, de leurs actions devant le Comite des 24, qui est demeure ici, avec une autorite absolue, a Tabsence du Parlement, et qui en envoya deux, le meme jour dans la prison de cette ville, et donna ordre que deux regiments d"'infantei'ie et quelques compagnies de cavalerie s'avan^assent vers Glascow et vers Hamilton, ou on a trouve meme que les volontes du Due seraient difficilement obeyes sans cette assist- ance. Au reste, le Marquis d'Argyle, que Ton ne croit pas seulement auteur de tous ces desordres par Tavantage qu"'il en peut tirer, mais par les professions publiques qu''il a faites, de vouloir empecher, par toutes sortes de moyens ces levees, — s"'etant retire de cette ville avec toute sa famille pour se rendre dans les lieux ou il a le plus de pouvoir, et qui sont plus
496 MONTEREUL TO BRIENNE [may
proches de ceux ou les ordres de Parlement sont moins executes, — a receu une lettre du Comite des ^4, par laquelle on Fa prie de revenir en cette ville, pour assister Jeudi pro- chain au Parlement. Les opinions sont partagees touchant son retour, et plusieurs sont d'opinion qu'il se gardera bien de se rendre ici, et Ton a voulu meme faire croire que Ton a resolu de le pousser jusqu'aux dernieres extremites, et de le traiter avec les memes rigueurs qu'il a exercise contre tant de bons serviteurs de son roi, a quoi il a donne assez de sujet, si ce qu'on vient de ine dire est veritable, qu'il assemble ses amis, qu'il fait fortifier le Chateau de Dunbarton, et fait marcher vers Touest d'Ecosse les deux regiments qu'il avait dans la petite armee.
Voila, Monsieur, en quel etat sont aujourd'hui les affaires de ce royaume, mais ces desordres apparents n'empechent pas le Due de Hamilton de mettre sur pied son armee, s'il est vrai qu'il en ait la volonte, ni le Marquis d'Argyle de se tenir uni avec le Parlement, s'il le juge a propos pour ses interets. Aussi, quelque chose que je vienne de vous representer, je crois que Ton ne pourrait encore asseurer, sans quelque sorte de temerite, si le Due de Hamilton et le Marquis d'Argyle sout veritable- ment ennemis et cherchent la ruine Tun de Tautre, ou si leur inimitie est concertee, et a pour but de retarder la marche des Independants en leur faisant juger qu'il n'y a rien a craindre d'ici, ou a avancer le voyage du Prince de Galles, comme si sa presence etait necessaire pour faire cesser ces differends ici, meme si apres la venue de ce Prince on fera prevaloir le parti du Due, afin de pouvoir travailler au re- tablissement du roi son pere, ou celui du Marquis d'Argyle, afin d'avoir un pretexte pour achever de le ruiner, c'est. Mon- sieur, ce qu'il serait difficile de pre voir, avant que d'avoir vue le precede du Marquis d'Argyle contre ce Parlement et du dit Parlement contre le Marquis d'Argyle ; mais je pense que Ton pent toujours asseurer que le Prince de Galles ne doit pas se hater de venir ici, ny la France de prendre trop de part aux interets de ce royaume.
La lettre que le sieur Marshall a apportee de Londres, pour reponse aux demandes de ce royaume, remet seulement ce Parle- ment a la recevoir des Commissaires d'Angleterre, qui sont ici, et qui ne I'ont point encore donnee.
1648] MONTEREUL TO BRIENNE 497
On a envoye un express en Irlande, les derniers jours de la semaine passee, pour hater Tembarquement de Tarmee qui doit en venir. Elle n'est composee que de deux mille chevaux, mais de cinq a six mille hommes de pied. Mais Ton craint que trois fregattes que le Parlement d'Angleterre a envoye de ce-c6te-la ne rendent le passage de ces troupes plus difficile. '^
[MoNTEREUL to Brienne. Edinburgh ^ May 1648. The Duke of Hamilton and those of his party are still actively occupied with the levies of the new army which is to be formed in this kingdom, but the friends of the Marquis of Argyle and the clergy continue also to bring all the delays they possibly can in the way of it, principally in the two provinces I mentioned to you in my last, that have gone further than it was believed they would do in order to prevent the army from being employed against the Independents. The county of Fife drew up last week a petition in which it is demanded that Parliament conform to the opinions of the clergy if it be wished that the inhabitants conform to the will of this Parliament, since without that they do not believe they can legally take arms. This petition is to be brought to this town on Thursday next by some gentleman of the county in order to be presented. But the province of Galloway, and some neighbouring districts that are all in the west of this kingdom, have named a place of assembly where all who are opposed to the levies are to meet to-morrow, the 31st May, so as to have recourse together to the last means available to them in order to prevent them. This information was got two days ago, by a letter, that, instead of being delivered to Lord Warriston, to whom it was addressed, was taken to the Earl of Lanark, who immediately gave notice of it to his brother the duke, who is at Hamilton, so that he should give the necessary orders to prevent their design. The Earl of Lanark told me that he would present the letter to Parliament on Thui-sday next — for it does not meet before that day — and that it indicates there are ten thousand men quite ready to take arms, in order to prevent them from doing so for the service of their king. However, it is not only in these two districts that they find difficulty in effecting the levies, since the clergy of Glasgow, which is the county town where the Duke of Hamilton has all property, and where he ought to have most authority, presented a petition last week to the committee that has been established, in the same sense as that the people of Fife wish to present, and afterwards the
^ There are two letters that follow addressed to the Cardinal, dated ~^ and 55 June, that have not been deciphered, having probably been delayed in transmission until their contents were out of date, and superseded by those of M. de Montereul to M. de Brienne, which throughout the entire correspondence are almost identical with those addressed to the Cardinal. The two undeciphered letters are therefore replaced by those dated ^ May, ^^j^ j^ June, and ^ June.
VOL. II. % I
498 MONTEREUL TO BRIENNE [may
magistrates of this town presented another similar to the same committee. The Duke of Hamilton, who chanced to be on the spot, satisfied himself by merely having a reply made to the clergy stating that the duty of their offices obliged them to lead the people to obey as dutiful subjects the orders of Parliament, but he gave orders that the seditious persons of the town be made to answer for their actions before the committee of twenty-four, which is installed here with absolute authority in the absence of Parliament, and which sent two of them the same day to prison in this town, and gave order that two regiments of infantry and some companies of cavalry might advance towards Glasgow and towards Hamilton, where it was found that the will of the duke would with difficulty be obeyed without such assistance. The Marquis of Argyle— who is believed to be the instigator of all these disorders, not only from the advantages he may derive from them, but from the public declarations he has made of wishing to prevent the levies by every sort of means — having left this town, with all his family, to betake himself to places where he has more power, and which are nearer to those where the orders of Parliament are less executed, has received a letter from the committee of twenty-four by which he is begged to return to this town, to attend the meeting of Parliament on Thursday next. Opinions are divided as to the probability of his return : several persons think he will be careful not to return here ; it has even been wished to make people believe it has been resolved to drive him to the last extremities and to treat him with the same severity he has practised against so many faithful followers of his king, to which he has given subject enough, if what I have just been told be true, that he has assembled his friends, has caused the castle of Dumbarton to be fortified and has ordered the two regiments he had in the smaller army to be marched to the west of Scotland. *
Such is the state of affairs at present in this kingdom, but these apparent disorders do not prevent the Duke of Hamilton from getting his army on foot, if it be true that he wishes to do so, nor the Marquis of Argyle from joining with the Parliament if he think it suits his interests. Thus, notwithstanding what I have just indicated to you, I believe it still to be impossible to determine without a certain rashness of conclusion whether the Duke of Hamilton and the Marquis of Argyle are really enemies and seek each other's ruin, or if their enmity be concerted with the intentions of delaying the march of the Independents, by leading them to judge that there is nothing to fear from here; or in order to hasten the voyage of the Prince of Wales, as if his presence were neces- sary to put an end to these diiferences here. Whether even after the arrival of the prince the party of the duke will be made to prevail, so
^ ' Argyle,' says Guthry, ' sent Major Strachan to Cromwell, and visited Fife to induce gentry there to rise against Parliament in obstruction, and next went to Stirlingshire and Dumbarton, and then went home to engage his own people in the Isles.' — Memoir, p. 222.
1648] MONTEREUL TO BRIENNE 499
that one may be able to engage in the restoration of the king, or that of the Marquis of Argyle, so as to have a pretext for finishing to ruin him, it would be difficult to predict before having seen how the Marquis of Argyle may proceed against this Parliament and the Parlia- ment against the Marquis of Argj'le, but I think one can always be certain that the Prince of Wales ought not to hasten his coming here, nor France take too large a part in the interests of this kingdom.
The letter which Lieut. -Colonel Marshall brought hack from London in reply to the demands of this kingdom simply refers this Parliament to the English Commissioners who are here in order to receive it, which they have not yet given,
A special messenger has been sent to Ireland at the end of last week, in order to hasten the embarking of the army that is to come from there.
It is composed of two thousand horse and of five or six thousand foot ; but it is feared that three frigates that the English parliament has sent in that direction may render the passage of the troops more difficult.]
CCXLVI
MONTEREUL a BRIENNE
Edimhourg, f^ 1648.
SoiT que les Independants n'avaient pas voulu qu''on aprist ici, le mauvais etat, ou, Ton nous a dit, qui sont leurs affaires dans les provinces meridionalles d"'Angleterre, ou que ce Parle- ment ait desire profiler des chiffres aussi bien que des autres papiers quMl a acliete du secretaire des Commissaires Anglais, et que pour prendre leurs lettres avec moins de soup^on, ils ayent arretes celles des autres, — il est certain, que le paquet de Londres n*'est pas arrive a Edimbourg cette semaine. Cepen- dant, bien qu''on nous asseure que de quelque sorte que ce desordre soit arrive, les lettres passeront dorenavant, avec beaucoup de peine, je ne laisserai pas de hazarder ce billet tout enchiffie, pour vous donner avis, le plus succinctement qu'il m'est possible, de ce qui s^est fait ici, depuis ma derniere.
Le Parlement recommen9a Jeudi dernier, et reste principale- ment occupe, depuis ce jour, a lire les Requetes par lesquelles quelques provinces, et presque tons les Presbytaires du Royaume demand ent, que Ton satisfasse les ministres, avant que faire les levees. Elles ont ete envoyees au Comite des 24 pour y re- pondre, aussi bien que les papiers que les deputes d'Angleterre ont presente au Parlement, en reponse aux demandes de ce
500 MONTEREUL TO BRIENNE [jUNE
Royaume, par lesquels ils promettent qu'ils desirent entretenir la ligue et les traites, selon qu''ils sont obliges par leur covenant, et qu'ils sont prets de presenter a leur roi, les memes propositions qui lui ont ete offertes au nom des deux nations, et leur donnant avis qu'ils envoyent le General Fairfax vers le Nord, contre ceux qui y ont pris les armes, et cela plustot pour servir que pour nuire a ce royaume.
Le Marquis d'Argyle n'est pas de retour, et au lieu de faire succeder un commandement, a la priere qu''on lui avait faite de revenir, on n''a pas juge apropos de Tirriter en un temps ou il pent toujours retarder les services du roi d'Angleterre, s'il ne peut Tempecher, mais il se dit qu'on a cru quMl vallait mieux, avant qu'en user de cette sorte, a attendre que toute Tarmee fut sur pied, c'est a dire, qu'on le put faire seurement ; on lui a ecrit toutefois, pour savoir quelle raison Tavait porte a faire marcher ses deux regiments vers le Nord, sans ordre a leur general. Tous ceux de son parti sont revenu, a la reserve du Comte de Glinton et celui de Cassalis.
Les troupes qui ont ete envoyees a Glascow y vivent a discretion, et travaillent a venger Tinjure qui a ete faite a leur general. Le Major Turner qui les commande, apres avoir prie inutilement le ministre Dick de ne rien dire dans son presche qui peut porter les peuples a desobeyir aux ordres du Parle- ment voyait qu'il ne pouvait le faire taire, empecha ceux qui etaient presents de Tentendre, avec les bruits de quelques tambours, quMl avait fait tenir aux portes du temple pour cet effet, et comme il vit qu'il ne lui etait pas possible de faire descendre le Ministre de sa chaire, il fit sortir de TEglise tous ses auditeurs.
Le Due de Hamilton arriva ici Mercredi, sur les dix h cures de soir, et trouva apropos de passer par le milieu de la ville avec trois ou quatre cent chevaux, qui Taccompagnaient, mais les femmes le suivrent avec des injures; et le lendemain, comme, contre sa coutume, il allait a pied au Parlement, suivit de huit ou neuf cents hommes, il y eut une femme de basse condition, assez bardie pour lui jeter trois pierres, Tune apres Tautre, de la fenetre de sa chambre. EUe eut le loisir de se sauver durant que Ton deliberait de la maniere qu'elle serait punie. Son mari, au lieu d'elle, a ete mis en prison, ou se trouvent
1648] MONTEREUL TO BRIENNE 501
maintenant quinze ou vingt des plus considerables des bour- geois de Glascow. Au reste, comme le desordre qui arriva aux eveques, commen^a par Tinsolence des femmes de cette ville, on apprehendait aujourd'hui quelque chose de semblable, mais le Prevost qui est creature du Due de Hamilton, a ete fait Colonel d'Edimbourg, et en cette qualite a prete serment au general, et apres Ta pris de tous les officiers de la ville, il a jete aussi quarante hommes dans le Chateau, et s'en est asseure par ce moyen, sans en oter le Lieutenant, qui depend du vieux General Lesley, qu'en demeure toujours gouvemeur, mais qui n'est pas le maitre.
Le Parlement doit se lever au premier jour et laisser en sa place un comite qui sera d'un plus grand nombre que de 24 personnes. On me dit que Ton Tetablit avec une autorite absolue, et qu'on lui donne pouvoir, non seulement de traiter, mais encore de conclure la paix avec les deputes d"'Angleterre, ou de declarer la guerre aux Independants. On a propose aussi une nouvelle voie d'accommodement avec les Ministres ; ce qu"'on ne croit pas, toutefois qui puisse reussir. Voila, Monsieur, en quel etat sont les affaires de ce pays, ou les desordres qui se sont assoupis jusqu'ici avec assez de facilite, en rinstant qu'on croyait les voir eclater, nous donnent presque une image de ce que se passe depuis une annee en Angleterre, entre les Independants et les Presbyteriens, qui se sont toujours accommodes quand on a cru qu"'ils devaient en venir aux mains. Cependant, bien qu''il soit encore assez difficile de juger de quelle sorte les choses se termineront, il semble, toutefois, que la resistance que se fait, ou que Ton fait faire ici, a Texecution des ordres du Parlement n''aide pas mal aux dessains de ceux des deux partis qui ont la principale conduite des affaires de ce royaume, puisqu''en retardant les levees, elle donne moyen de laisser arriver ici le Prince de Galles, avant que Ton puisse rien entreprendre pour ses interets, et de voir miner les veritables serviteurs du roi d"" Angleterre, leur donnant lieu de prendre les amies et les laissant perir apres, comme on fait, sans les assister ; enfin, — ce qu'on desire ici principalement, — elle fait que les Ecossais peuvent etre spectateurs de ce qui se passe chez leurs voisins, sans s"'en meler que de bonne sorte, et leur donne lieu de demeurer toujours en etat de s"'accommoder avec le parti qui prevaudra en Angleterre.
502 MONTEREUL TO BRIENNE [jUNE
[MoNTEREUL to Brienne. Edinburgh jy~- 1648.
Whether it may have been that the Independents did not wish us to leani here the bad state in which theii* affairs are as we have been told in the southern counties of England, or that this Parliament may have wished to profit by the ciphered despatches as well as by the other papers that it has bought from the secretary of the English Commissioners, and that, in order to take their letters with less suspicion, they may have stopped those of others, it is certain that the parcel from London has not arrived at Edinburgh this week. Yet, although we are assured that whatever may be the cause of this disorder, the letters will pass in future with much difficulty I will still risk this note, all in cipher, in order to give you notice as succinctly as possible of what has taken place here since my last.
Parliament met again on Thursday last, and since that day it has been chiefly occupied in the reading of the petitions by which some counties and almost all the Presbyteries of the kingdom demand that the clergy be satisfied before proceeding with the levies. These have been sent to the committee of twenty-four to be replied to, as well as the papers which the English Commissioners have presented to the Parliament in reply to the demands of this kingdom, by which they promise and express the wish to maintain the league and the treaties according as they are obliged by their Covenant, and state that they are ready to present to their king the same proposals that have been offered to him in the name of the two nations while they give notice that they are sending General Fairfax towards the north against those who have taken arms there and that rather to serve than to injure this kingdom.
The Marquis of Argyle has not returned, and instead of following up the invitation that was sent to him by a command to return, it has been thought better not to irritate him, at a time when he may always delay the services of the King of England, if he cannot prevent it ; but it is said they considered it better before resoi-ting to that means to wait until all the army be on foot, that is to say when they will be able to do it more surely. He has been written to, however, to explain what reason induced him to order the two regiments to march towards the north without the order of their general.^ All those of his party have returned with the exception of the Earl of Eglinton and the Earl of Cassalis.
The troops that have been sent to Glasgow live at free quarters and labour in avenging the insult paid to their general. Major Turner who commands them, after having begged the clergyman Dick to say nothing in his preaching that might lead people to disobey the orders of Parlia-
^ With reference to this letter Guthry says : ' It was pressed by some of the members of the Committee that Argyle's late trafficking in the shires and de- spatching of Major Strachan to Cromwell might be taken notice of, the motion was quashed, and instead of censure he was by a courteous letter from the Parlia- ment invited to come and embrace his place as a Colonel in the army. ' — Memoir, p. 227.
1648] MONTEREUL TO BRIENNE 503
ment seeing that he could not keep him quiet, prevented those who were present from hearing him with the noise of some drums that he had beat at the doors of the church for that purpose, and as he saw it was impos- sible for him to get the minister out of his pulpit he made all his hearers leave the church. "^
The Duke of Hamilton arrived here on Wednesday about ten o'clock in the evening, and found it necessary to pass through the centre of the town with three or four hundred horsemen who accompanied him, but the women crowed after him with insults, and the next day, as contrary to his custom, he was going to Parliament on foot, followed by eight or nine hundred men, a woman of the lower orders was bold enough to throw three stones at him, one after the other, from the window of her room. She had time to get away while it was being considered how she might be punished, but her husband was sent in her stead to prison, where fifteen or twenty of the most important burgesses of Glasgow are now confined. And as the tumult that happened about the bishops began by the insolence of the women of this town, something similar was feared to-day, but the Provost, who is the nominee of the Duke of Hamilton, having been made Colonel of Edinburgh, and in that capacity having taken oath to the general and given it to all the town officials, he assured himself of the castle by sending forty men to occupy it, without removing the lieutenant that depends on old General Leslie, who still continues governor of it, but who has not the entire control.
Parliament is to rise on an early day and leave in its place a committee that will be of more than twenty-four persons. I am told that it is to be established with an absolute authority, and that power will be given to it, not only to treat but to conclude peace with the English Commissioners, or declare war on the Independents. A new mode of agreement with the clergy has also been proposed, which, however, is not thought likely to succeed. Such is the state of affairs of this country where tumults occur and are quieted without much difficulty, just at the time one expected to
^ The following is Turner's account of this incident : ' Glasgow being a con- siderable town was most refractory to the Parliament for Mr. Dick, whom they looked upon as a sort of patriarch, Mr. Baillie, Mr. Gillespie, and Mr. Durhame, all mighty members of the kirk, had preached them to a perfect disobedience to all civil power, except such as was authorised by the General Assembly and the commission of the kirk . . . For this reason I was sent to Glasgow to reduce it to obedience with three troops of horse and Holbum's regiment of foot . . . I came on the Friday and next day sent to Mr. Dick and desired him and his brethren to say nothing that might give me just reason to disturb the peace ol the church. In the forenoon he spoke very fair, and gave us no occasion of offence, but in the afternoon he transgressed all limits of modesty and railed maliciously against both king and parliament. This obliged me to command all my officers and men to go presently out of the church, because I neither could nor would suffer any under my command to be witnesses of a misdemeanor of that nature.' — Memoirs, p. 53.
504 MONTEREUL TO BRIENNE [june
see them breaking out further, similar to what has happened during the past year in England, where Independents and Presbyterians have always made up their differences when it was thought they were about to come to blows. Yet although it is difficult to judge how things M'ill end, it seems, however, that the opposition that is made or caused to be made to the orders of Parliament being carried out aids in no small degree the plans of those of both parties who have the principal direction of the affairs of this kingdom, since by delaying the levies it allows time for the Prince of Wales to arrive here before they will have undertaken anything for his interests, and serves to ruin the real followers of the King of England, by giving them an oppoi-tunity of taking arms and leaving them to perish afterwards as they are doing, without assisting them ; in short, it effects, what is chiefly wanted here, that the Scots may be spec- tators of what is going on among their neighbours, without their having too great part in it, and gives them an opportunity of remaining ready to come to terms with the party that will gain the mastery in England.]
CCXLVII ' MONTEREUL a BRIENNE
Edimhoiirg, j Juin l648. SoiT que Ton n'avait pas juge encore apropos de terminer les difFerends que Ton a fait naitre entre le Parlement et le clerge de ce royaume, ou qu'en efFet les Ministres apprehendent si fort le retablissement de leur roi, qu'ils ne puissent consentir a aucune chose qui a quelque apparence de pouvoir y contribuer, il est certain que les propositions qui avaient ete faites pour les mettre bien ensemble se sont trouvees inutiles, et qu'ils sont aujourd'hui plus eloignes que jamais de toute sorte d'accom- modement. Car ceux qui composent la Commission de TEglise ne se sont contentes d"'envoyer dMci des ordres a tous les ministres d'Ecosse, pour les obliger a precher contre les levees a peine d'etre suspendus de la fonction, et, — ce qu'ils craignent le plus, — d'etre prives des revenus de leurs charges ; mais apres avoir re^u un papier du Comite des 24 par lequel ce Parlement leur accorde encore quelque chose de plus que ce qu'il avait fait jusqu'ici, et les prie meme de voir en quelle maniere on pourrait les satisfaire davantage et asseurer tout-a- fait leur religion ; ils y firent repondre Samedi dernier, avec un autre papier, par lequel ils demandent que cette armee qui n'est pas encore sur pied, soit licentiee ; que des officiers soient
1648] MONTEREUL TO BRIENNE 505
choisis pour commander celle qui se levera dont ils se puissent asseurer, et qui ne puissent donner de jalousie de ce royaume; que le roi d"'Angleterre ne puisse etre mis en liberie qu'apres qu'il aura accorde toutes les choses que Ton desire de lui ; et qu'on declare rebelles tous les fideles serviteurs de ce prince qui ont repris les arraes pour lui dans le Nord d'Angleterre. Mais le Parlement a ete si eloigne de s''accommoder a des demandes si peu raisonables, qu'il a fait des ordres pour con- server a ceux du clerge qui seront en peine pour avoir parle a Tavantage de Tarmee, le revenu dont on aura voulu les priver ; de sorte que, quand les Ministres et ceux du parti d'Argyle ne continueraient pas, comme ils font a rend re suspect les actions du Due de Hamilton, et a publier qu'il pense sVtablir dans le trosne, ou il public qu'il veut retablir son roi, il y a tout lieu de croire que ces divisions ne sont pas feintes, et que s'il reste quelque intelligence entre les chefs, comme quelques uns ne peuvent s'empecher de le croire encore aujourd'hui, elle ne passe pas jusqu''a ceux de leur suite. Cependant, quelque oppositions que fassent tous ceux de ce parti aux procedees du Parlement, ils peuvent bien retarder les levees et faire en sorte que Ton n'entre d'un mois en Angleterre, et que Ton donne le temps aux serviteurs du roi d' Angleterre de se perdre, avant qu'on se mette en devoir de les secourir ; mais ils ne peuvent pas empecher que Tarmee ne se mette sur pied, ainsi qu'il a ete resolu ; car, non seulement David Lesley a refuse de commander ceux du parti des Ministres, mais le Marquis d'Argyle, que Ton m'asseure qui Ta fait solliciter de prendre cet emploi, en se retirant a Argyle a commande a tous ceux qui depend de lui de travailler aux levees, et les Comtes de Glinton et de Cassalis, qu''on croyait qui se joindraient avec lui, ont ecrit a ce Parlement que leurs gens seront prets, dans peu de jours, de sorte qu''il ne reste que quelque deux mille paysans, qui n''ont ni armes ni conduite qui se sont assembles dans Foccident de ce royaume, et qui ne peuvent resister au Comte de Calendar et a Middleton, qui sont alles vers eux avec des forces considerables.
Le Comite des 24 a fait reponse aux Commissaires d"' An- gleterre que ce royaume desire entretenir une bonne union avec eux, et garder la ligue et les traites, ainsi qu'il y est
506 MONTEREUL TO BRIENNE [jUNE
oblige par le covenant, et que comma ils ont donne avis que le General Fairfax s'avan^ait avec son armee vers le Nord d'Angle- terre, sans intention de nuire a TEcosse, ils leur faisaient aussi savoir, qu'ils levaient presentement une armee, dans ce royaume, avec un dessein bien eloigne d'entreprendre aucune chose contre leur royaume.
Le Parlement s''acheva Samedi dernier. II ne sVn doit pas tenir en Ecosse avant le mois de Mars de Pannee 1650. Le Comite qui a ete etabli durant ce temps est compose de 36 personnes de chaque corps, qui font cent huit en tout. Le Comite qui suivra Tarmee doit etre choisi de ce nombre, bien que le Marquis d'Argyle et plusieurs de ses amis, ayant ete nommes entre ceux qui sont de ce comite, on ne croit pas qu'ils y doivent assister, a cause du serment qui sont obliges a prendre tous ceux qui le composent, — car ils sont ten us de jurer qu'ils approuvent tout ce qui a ete resolu dans ce Parlement, et qu'ils travailleront, autant que leur sera possible, pour le faire exe- cuter. Le Chancellor de ce royaume, qu''on envoya hier prier de s''y rencontrer, s'en excusa sur quelques affaires domestiques, et apres avoir fait charger sur un de ses chevaux, une valise fort pesante, et que Ton veut que soit pleine d'or, il sortit de cette ville. Ce Parlement a ordonne que tous ceux qui s'oppo- seraient aux levees seront emprisonnes, et que leurs biens soient confisques. On attende a chaque moment les nouvelles du debarquement de Farmee d'lrlande. On a envoye aujourd'hui des vaisseaux aux Orcades pour en transporter le regiment du Comte de Morton. Middleton a ete fait general de la cavalerie et Bailly de Tinfanterie.
Les lettres qui devaient etre ici il y a huit jours, arriverent hier bien conditionees, avec celles de cette semaine, et il y a apparence que le commerce ne sera pas encore rompu, pour cette fois. J'ai re^u, en meme temps, celles que vous m'avez ecrites du 30 Mai, et du 2 Juin, qui sont toutes pleines des marques de la bonte qu'il vous plait avoir pour moi, qui me porte a vous contenter de mon zele, et de mes bonnes intentions. Je suis oblige. Monsieur, de vous en rendre de tres humbles remerciements aussi bien que tant de graces qu"'il vous plait de faire a mon frere, et qui me rendraient le plus ingrat de tous
1648] MONTEREUL TO BRIENNE 60^
les hommes, si je n'etais, tant que je viverai, avec toute sorte de fidelite et de respect, etc.
On vient de recevoir des lettres du Comte de Calendar, par lesquelles il donne avis que ces deux mille hommes, qui s''etaient joints dans le ouest d'Ecosse, se sont retires chez eux, sans faire aucun resistance. On m'asseure que le Chev. Langdale a ete oblige de se retirer dans Carlisle, et que le Parlement a six mille, tant chevaux que dragons, dans le nord de TAngleterre, qui les poursuivent.
[MoNTEREUL to Bbienne. Edinburgh, ^ June 1648. Whether it may not yet be judged opportune to put an end to the differences that have been raised between the Parliament and the clergy of this kingdom, or that in fact the former fear so strongly the restora- tion of their king that they cannot consent to anything that seems likely to contribute to it, it is certain that the proposals that had been made in order to bring them together have been found to be useless^ and that they are at present further removed than ever from any sort of agreement. For those who form the commission of the church, not satisfied with merely sending orders from here to all the clergy of Scotland to oblige them to preach against the levies, under penalty of being suspended from their functions, and, what they fear still more, of being deprived of their stipends, after having received a paper from the committee of twenty-four, by which Parliament granted them something more than it had hitherto done and begged them to consider in what manner one might be able to satisfy them further and assure their religion altogether, they made a reply to it on Saturday last by another paper, in which they demanded that this army, which is not yet on foot, be disbanded ; that the officers to be selected in order to command the one that will be raised, be such as they can be assured of and who may not cause jealousy of this kingdom ; that the King of England may not be set at liberty until he has granted all that is wished of him ; and that all the faithful followers of this prince who have taken arms for him in the north of England be declared rebels. But Parliament was so little disposed to Jigree to such unreasonable demands that it gave orders that those of the clergy who might be in trouble for having spoken in favour of the army remain in possession of their stipends, of which it was sought to deprive them ; so that though the clergy and those of the party of Argyle were not to continue as at present to render the Duke of Hamilton suspect by declaring that he thinks of establishing himself on the thi-one, on which he declares he wishes to re-establish his king, there is every reason to believe that these diiFerences are not pretended but real, and that if there remain any mutual understanding between the leaders, as some cannot help believing at present, it does not extend to their followers. Yet, whatever opposition all those of this party may make to the proceedings
508 MONTEREUL TO BRIENNE [june
of Parliament, that may probably delay the levies, and so arrange that they only enter England in a month, and allow time to the followers of the King of England to be lost, before they set about helping them, they cannot prevent the army from being raised as it was resolved, for not only has David Leslie refused the command of those of the party of the clergy, but the Marquis of Argyle, whom I am assured requested him to take this employment, on his leaving for Argyle, has ordered all those who depend on him to engage in the levies and the Earls of Eglinton and Cassilis, whom it was thought would join with him, have written to this Parliament that their people would be ready in a few days, so that there but remains some two thousand peasants in the west of this kingdom who are unable to resist the Earl of Callander and Middleton, who have gone towards them with considerable forces.^
The committee of twenty-four has replied to the English Commis- sioners, that this kingdom wishes to keep up good relations with them and maintain the league and the treaties as they are obliged by the Covenant ; and that as they have given notice that General Fairfax was advancing with his army towards the north of England without any intention of doing harm to Scotland, they gave them also notice that they are engaged in raising an army in this kingdom, but with no inten- tion of undertaking anything against their kingdom.
The Parliament came to an end on Saturday last. No other will be held before March 1650. A committee of thirty-six persons from each of the three estates, or of a hundred and eight members, has been formed. The committee that is to follow the army will be selected from this number. Although the Marquis of Argyle and several of his friends have been appointed to this committee it is not thought they will act, because of the oath each member is required to take, which expresses approval of all that has been resolved in Parliament, and that they will do all in their power in having it executed. The Chancellor of this kingdom who was
^ Guthrysays, p. 229, ' The Earl of Callander and Middleton were informed on the 1 2th June that a great multitude were already in arms against them at Mauch- line, whereupon Middleton and Urry were sent thither with six troops of horse to require them to disband and give obedience to the king and Parliament. . . . The fight lasted not long. Middleton in an instant put them all to rout, eighty of them being killed and the rest taken prisoners except a very few that escaped by flight, p. 230. Shortly after that victory came intelligence that Lambert with 2000 horse had come as far as Carlisle, but since he heard the defeat his friends had gotten at Mauchline was returned southward again.' Turner says in reply to the above : ' Middleton did not rout these rebels in an instant, they dis- puted the matter long, wounded both him and Colonel Urrey with swords on the head which show they did not fly, and if the Earl of Callander had not come up with eight troops of horse, Col. Turner's regiment of foot following fast, the business had been worse with Middleton. There were not ten of them killed, and not above sixty prisoners. When the fight began they were no fewer than 2000, most of whom on Callander's appearing got away in a body. ' — Memoir, p. 242.
1648] MONTEREUL TO BRIENNE 509
invited yesterday to attend the meeting excused himself on account of some domestic matters, and after having loaded one of his horses with a very heavy travelling case^ said to be full of gold, he left town.
Parliament has ordered that all those who oppose the levies be im- prisoned and their property confiscated. News of the landing of the army from Ireland is expected at every moment. Transports have been sent to the Orkneys to bring the regiment of the Earl of Morton. ^ Middleton has been named general of cavalry and Baillie of infantry.
The letters that ought to have been here eight days ago arrived only yesterday in good condition with those of this week, and it seems likely that postal communication will not yet be broken off for this time. I have received your letters of the SOth May and 2nd June together, that are full of the marks of kindness it has pleased you to have for me, which stimulates me to satisfy you by my zeal and my good intentions, I am obliged to return you my humble thanks, as also for the favours it has pleased you to show to my brother, and which would render me the most ungrateful of men were I not during all my lifetime yours with fidelity and respect, etc.
Letters have just been received from the Earl of Callander, in which he gives information that the two thousand men who were assembled in the west of Scotland withdrew without making any resistance. I am assured that Sir M. Langdale has been obliged to retire into Carlisle, and that Parliament has six thousand men, both cavalry and dragoons, that are pursuing him in the north of England.]
CCXLVIII MONTEREUL a BRIENNE
Edimhours, — Juin l648.
'G»
15
Les lettres qui devaient partir d'ici Mardi au soir ont ete arretees par ce comite, et de plus, ouvertes, a la reserve des miennes. M. le Comte de Lanark a ete depuis pour me rendre mon paquet, et me faire des excuses, de ce quMl est demeure comme les autres. II m''a dit qu'ils avaient desire en user de la meme sorte avec les Commissaires d'Angleterre, mais comme ils n"'avaient pas mis de subscription sur le paquet, ainsi que j'avais fait, qui donna moyen de le reconnaitre, ils avaient eu le malheur que d"'ouvrir une de leurs lettres, qu'ils s'etaient abstenue de lire, quand ils avaient trouve leurs noms en bas,
^ William Douglas, 9th Earl of Morton, was much attached to the king per- sonally, and ruined himself to support the royalist cause. He died in Kirkwall in the Orkneys, in March 1649.
510 MONTEREUL TO BRIENNE [june
ce qu'ils avaient remarque apres Tavoir fait decachete. Cepen- dant, Monsieur, comme le Comte de Lanark m''a fait entendre qu'il y avait peu d'apparence d'entretenir plus longtemps le commerce regie des lettres, et qu'il faisait partir dans deux heures un expres pour Londres,j'ai cru que je devais profiter de cette rencontre pour vous faire savoir ce que s'est fait ici depuis ma derniere lettre.
Les troupes qui s"'etaient amassees dans Toccident d'Ecosse, pour s'opposer aux ordres de ce Parlement, ont ete dissipees par le Comte de Calendar, comme j"'avais appris en fermant ma lettre, mais j'ai su depuis qu'on les auraient faits faire quelque peu de resistance, et que cent cinquante hommes, de deux mille, qu"'ils etaient, ont ete tues, et quelques prisonniers faits, et entre les autres deux ou trois ministres se sont retires, ou en leurs maisons, ou en Irlande, ni le Marquis d'Argyle, et non pas un seigneur de son parti n'ont paru avec eux au reste, et comme TOuest n''est pas en etat de s'opposer aux levees, on m'a aussi asseure que ceux de Fife ont promis aujourd'hui de fournir le nombre d'hommes qu'on leur demande, et de les tenir prets pour Jeudi prochain.
M. de Lanark m'a dit qu'on avait eu nouvelles presentement que douze cents hommes de pied de I'arraee d'lrelande, que le Comte de Crawford doit commander, etaient arrives en Ecosse, et toutes les troupes seront en etat de marcher dans quinze jours, et qu'on avait d'autant plus de raison de se hater que Lambert etait maintenant devant Carlisle, avec des troupes au moins egales a celles du Chev. M. Langdale, que Ton a prie d'ici, par un expres, que lui fut hier depeche, de ne pas s'engager avec les forces du Parlement d'Angleterre, mais de se retirer plustot en Ecosse, au cas qu'il se vit presser. Ce que M. le Comte de Lanark a accompagne de nouvelles protesta- tions du veritable desir que le Due son frere et lui ont de voir le roi d'Angleterre retabli, ou de repandre tout leur sang en y travaillant; et du zele qu'ils conserveront toute leur vie pour les interets de Sa Majeste, qu'ils considerent principalement apres le service de leur maitre. Au reste, le Marquis d'Argyle et les autres seigneurs de son parti de- meurent dans leurs maisons, sans qu'ils fassent contre le Parle- ment ou qu'il se fasse contre eux aucune chose, et Ton
1648] MONTEREUL TO BRIENNE 511
ne vit jamais d'ennemis se traiter avec une plus grande modera- tion que ceux-ci, Je vous supplie tres humblement, Monsieur, de m'ordonner si je dois, ou non, suivre Tarmee, particuliereraent si Monsieur le Prince de Galles vient ici.
[MoNTEREUL to Brienne. Edinburgh, j| June 1648.
The letters that ought to have left here on Tuesday evening by post were stopped by order of the committeej and opened, with the exception of mine, that were brought back to me by the Earl of Lanark with an apology for their being delayed, with the others. He told me he had wished to act in the same manner with the English commissioners, but as they had added nothing to the address to show from whom their parcel came, as I had done, they had had the mischance to open one of their letters, which they had refrained from reading when they found their names at the end of it, which they had remarked only after having broken the seals. However, as the Earl of Lanark led me to understand there was little likelihood of keeping up postal communication much longer, and that he was sending a special messenger to London in two hours, I thought I ought to profit by the circumstance to let you know what has been done here since my last letter.
The troops that were assembled in the west of Scotland, to oppose the orders of this Parliament, have been dispersed by the Earl of Callander, as I had learned in closing my last letter, but I have learned since that they had been led to make some little resistance, and that a hundred and fifty men out of the two thousand were killed and some prisoners taken, and among others two or three preachers have retired either to their houses, or to Ireland, besides neither the Marquis of Argyle nor any noble of his party appeared with them, and as the west of Scotland is not able to oppose the levies, I have also been assured that the people of Fife have promised to-day to furnish the number of men demanded of them, and to have them ready for next Thursday.
The Earl of Lanark has told me they have news at present that twelve hundred infantry of the army of Ireland, which the Earl of Crawford is to command, had arrived in Scotland, that all the troops will be ready to march in a fortnight, and that they had so much more reason to make haste that Lambert was now before (^arlisle with troops at least equal in number to those of Sir M. Langdale, whom they have requested by a special messenger from here, who was sent to him yesterday, not to engage with the forces of the English Parliament, but rather to retreat into Scotland were he hard pressed. This the Earl of Lanark accom- panied with new protestations of the real desire that the duke his brother and he have of seeing the King of England restored, or to shed the last drop of their blood in attempting to accomplish it, and of the zeal they will retain during all their lives for the interests of his Majesty, whom they consider principally after the service of their master. The
512 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [jUNE
Marquis of Argyle and the other nobles of his party remain in their homes, without doing anything against the Parliament and without the latter interfering with them ; enemies were never seen to treat each other with so great moderation. I beg you to order me as to whether or not I ought to follow the army, especially if the Prince of Wales come here.]
CCXLIX
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimbo7(rg, — Juin l648.
Par ma lettre du 25, dont je joins ici le double, je donnai avis a V. Em*=® du retai-dement de I'ordinaire, et je me donnai rhonneur de lui en mander le sujet.
Les sentiments de ceux dont on a ouvert les lettres se trouvent assez differents, puisque les uns veulent que les Ecossois trahissent leur roi, et les autres qu'ils trompent le Parlement d'Angleterre, mais ils se trouvent en cela tous semblables, qu"'ils accusent les Ecossois d'infidelite, et avertis- sent les amis et les ennemis du roi de la G'' B"^ de ne se pas fier en eux. Un des domestiques du Chancelier d'Ecosse, et celui meme qui porte les sceaux devant lui, a ete mis en prison pour ce sujet, et a confesse, a ce qu''on m'a dit, qu"'il recevoit un demi Jacobus par mois des Independants. Mais une lettre qu'ecrivoit un Anglois, refugie dans ce royaume, a plus offense ce Comite que toutes les autres, dans laquelle, apres avoir repete ce que dit le poete, que si Cain avoit ete Ecossois il auroit receu pour punition du meurtre de son frere, de ne pas sortir de son pays plustost que de courir tout le monde, il ajoute que quand le diable oiFrit tous les royaumes du monde a Jesus Christ, il eut rendu sa tentation moins puissante s*'il n"'eiit mis son pouce sur FEcosse pour lui cacher un si miserable pays. Je supplie V. Em*^® de me pardonner si j'ose Tentre- tenir de ces bagatelles que les Ecossois ont rendues plus con- siderables par le bruit qu'ils en font et par le ressentiment qu'ils en temoignent.
Le Due de Hamilton est parti d'ici ce matin pour aller tenir conseil de guerre a Hamilton ou M. le Comte de Lanark m''a dit que le Comte de Calander et Middleton se doivent trouver. On fait marcher une partie des forces qui sont sur
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 513
pied vers Carlisle pour fortifier le Chev'. Langdale, plustost par leur voisinage que par Tassistance qu''ils s"'en peut promettre. On me dit que les levees s'avancent fort de toutes parts, et sont deja achevees en deux ou trois provinces, et que nous verrons dans peu de jours, que Ton agira tout de bon. Cepen- dant un prisonnier fort considerable que les serviteurs du roi de la G"" B*" envoyoient de Berwick a Carlisle a ete mis en liberte par les officiers de Tarmee d^Ecosse, et comme s'il falloit achever de laisser perdre tous ceux qui ont pris les armes pour leur roi dans diverses provinces d'Angleterre avant que de penser a les secourir. II se trouve qu''il y a encore quelque petit desordre dans TOccident de ce pays. Le Comte de Casallis est en cette ville : le Marquis d'Argyle avoit temoigne qu"'il devoit aussi y venir, mais il ne Ta pas fait. II a donne toutefois asseurance que tous ses gens seroient prets aussitost que ceaux des autres. II se doit tenir un grand Comite Jeudi prochain. L'ordinaire que nous n'attendions presque plus, vient d'arriver et m'a rendu celles que V. Em*=® m'a fait Thonneur de m''ecrire.
[MoNTEREUL to CardinaIj Mazarin. Edinburgh, "" June 1648.
In my last letter of the 25th inst., of which I add here a copy, I sent you notice of the delay of the mail, and explained to you the reason of it. The opinions of those whose letters were opened are somewhat different, since some pretend the Scots are betraying their king and others that they are deceiving the English Parliament, but both are agreed in accusing the Scots of breach of trust and intimating to the friends and to the enemies of the King of Great Britain not to trust to them. One of the domestics of the Chancellor of Scotland who usually carries the seals of office before him has been put into prison by this means, and he has confessed, I have been told, that he received half a Jacobus a month from the Independents. But one letter written by an English refugee in this kingdom has offended this committee more than all the others, he after having written all he could to the disadvantage of this country, and after having quoted what the poet says, that if Cain had been Scot he would have received for punishment of the murder of his brother not to leave his country rather than to wander through all the world/ he adds that when the devil offered all the kingdoms of the world to Jesus Christ, he would have rendered the temptation less
^ ' Had Cain been Scot, God would have changed his doom. Not forced him wander but confined him home.' —
Cleveland.
VOL. II. 2 K
514 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [july
powerful had he not put his thumb on Scotland, in order to hide so wretched a country. I beg you to pardon me if I venture to entertain you with such trifles which the Scots have rendered more important by the noise they have made about them and the resentment they have shown.
The Duke of Hamilton left here this morning to attend the Council of War at Hamilton, where I have been told by the Earl of Lanark he is to meet the Earl of Callander and Middleton. A part of the forces that are on foot is being marched to Carlisle to support Sir M. Langdale, rather by their proximity than by any assistance they may promise. I am told that the levies are everywhere well advanced, and that in two or three counties they are finished, so that we shall see them seriously at work in a few days. However, a very impoi'tant prisoner, that the followers of the King of Great Britain were sending from Berwick to Carlisle, has been set at liberty by the oflficers of the Scottish army, as if it were necessary to complete the ruin of all those who have taken arms for their king in several English counties before thinking of assisting them. There is still some little disorder in the west of this country. The Earl of Cassilis is in this town ; the Marquis of Argyle has stated that he intended also to come here, but he has not yet arrived. He has, however, given an assurance that all his people would be ready as soon as those of others. A meeting of the Committee of Estates is to be held on Thursday next. The mail which we scarcely expect now has just arrived, and I have got your letter of the 23rd June.]
CCL
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Edimbourg, ^-^^^ 1648.
MoN frere arriva en cette ville Vendredi dernier, etm'a rendu les deux lettres de Sa Majeste avec Tordre qu'il a pleu a V. Em"® de m'envoyer de partir d'ici le plus promptement que je pourrois. Je vis M. le Comte de Lanark le meme jour, qui me dit que le conseil se pourroit difficilement assembler en Tabsence du chancelier, qui y doit presider, et que le comite pourroit recevoir la lettre que j'avois pour le Parlement le Samedi au matin. Le Comite deputa le dit Comte de Lanark, le Comte de Lauderdale, un Baron, et le Maire d'Edimbourg, pour me venir trouver et recevoir de moi la dite lettre de Sa Majeste que je leur presentai et que j''accompagnai ainsi qu'il m''a ete ordonne de toutes les choses que je crus les pouvoir obliger davantage et me devoir le moins obliger. J'espere que
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 515
ce soir ou demain au plus tard je recevray leur reponse, en sorte que je pourray partir sans faute apres demain, soit que les Commissaires Anglois a qui j'ay demande un passeport me Taccordent ou me le refusent, etant resolu quelque chose qui en soit, d'aller j usqu"'a Berwick, d'ou je depecheray au Gouver- neur de Newcastle s'il est necessaire, et ou a toute extremite j''attendray celui qui me viendra de Londres, et pour lequel a tout evenement j'ecris a M. TAmbassadeur.
Au reste, Mg% je ne puis que je ne temoigne a V. Em"^^ com- bien Tordre que j"'ay receu etoit necessaire dans un temps ou les Ecossois ne pensent pas tant airendre de bonnes services a leur roi qu''a faire de mauvais offices a la France en publiant contre leur pensee, qu'ils en re^oivent beaucoup d'assistance, et en disant hautement ici, et en faisant imprimer en Angleterre ce que Votre Eminence m'a fait Thonneur de m'ecrire par sa derniere du 13 Juin, avec obligation de le tenir secret. Aussi, Mg"", ay-je tout sujet de croire que c'est plustost pour cette raison qu'ils eussent desire que j''eusse suivi Tarmee, que pour aucun service qu"'ils se puissent promettre de moi, particuliere- ment depuis qu"'on leur a ecrit de la Cour de la reine de la G' B"^ que je nuisois beaucoup aux desseins de M. le Due de Hamilton ; ce qui pent faire voir a V. Em*'® que j"'avois raison de desirer que la lettre que je me suis donne Thonneur de lui 6crire ne fut veue que de personnes de la fidelite desquelles elle se pent asseurer. Cest une chose que je sais de tres bonne part, et qui n'a pas empeche toutefois que je n'aie receu depuis toutes sortes de civilites de M. le Due de Hamilton, et que M. de Lanark ne m''ait fait Thonneur de souper chez moi la semaine passee avec Madame sa femme, et de me recevoir chez lui avec les memes temoignages d'afFection, — peutetre plus grands de confiance qu"'auparavant.
Je tacheray d'engager deux personnes des differents partis a donner avis de ce qui se passe, afin de pouvoir etre mieux in- forme de la verite des choses ; la recherche et la punition meme qui a ete faite de ceux qui ecrivoient en Angleterre fait que Ton prend aujourd^hui cette commission avec quelque sorte de difficulte. Les Commissaires d' Angleterre donnerent part a ce Comite Jeudi dernier des resolutions qui ont ete prises dans leur Parlement, de presenter trois propositions k leur roi et de
516 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [JULY
traiter avec lui apres qu"'il les aura accordees. Cc Comite leur a fait savoir par un billet qu'il travailloit a leur reponse, laquelle au lieu de les satisfaire servira — a ce que m''a dit le Comte de Lauderdale — de declaration aux Ecossois pour entrer en Angleterre.
Les petits desordres qui etoient arrives dans TOccident d''Ecosse sont entierement assoupis, et il n'y a plus de pro- vince qui ose s''opposer aux levees qui s'acheveront dans peu de jours. Le dernier jour des rendezvous particuliers est, a ce qu''on me dit, le ~ de ce mois ; on n'a pas encore arrete celui de rendezvous general, mais il y deja trente six cornettes de cavalerie et quatre ou cinq regiments d'infanterie qui sont sur les frontiers d"* Angleterre.
Le Marquis d''Argyle ecrit qu''il sera ici dans peu de jours, ce qu'on ne croit pas toutefois qu'il fasse, ny le Chancelier aussi, qui s'en est excuse sur son indisposition. Cependant, le Marquis a commande a ses sujets et a ses deux regiments — dont Tun n'a pas voulu encore marcher — d'obeir aux ordres du Parlement.
Les seuls Ministres continuent a y resister, et comme si ce n*'etoit pas assez de remplir leurs sermons d'injures contre ceux qui gouvernent, et de maledictions contre Tarmee, ils ont ordonne Jeudi et Dimanches deux jeunes solemnels pour prier Dieu de donner d'autres desseins aux Ministres de cet Etat, et d''empecner que ceux qu''ils ont reussissent, et pour le porter a delivrer les gens de bien et qui ont travaille pour la religion de repression ou il se trouvent. V. Em*'® s''etonnera peutetre de la hardiesse de ces gens, mais je crois qu'elle n"'aura pas un moindre sujet d'etonnement quand elle apprendra que ceux qui ont aujourd'hui Tautorite leur laissent dire toutes ceschoses sans les en punir, et laissent en paix le Marquis d''Argyle qu''ils disent qui se prepare de prendre les armes aussitost qu"'ils seront entre en Angleterre, ce qui fait croire a quelques uns que cette grande inimitie qui parait entre eux pourroit etre concertee, et qu'on oppose TEglise a TEtat seulement jusqu'a ce qu'il soit temps que Tun ou Tautre prenne le dessus pour Tavantage de tous les deux. Enfin, Mg', j'apprehende que ce que la reine de la Gr' B"^ croit devoir servir au retablissement du roi son mari n'acheve de ruiner ce que lui reste de serviteurs.
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 617
M. de Lanark avoit eu nouvelles que douze cents hommes de Tarmee d'Irlande etoient arrives en Ecosse, ce qui ne s''est pas trouve veritable ; mais que les regiments que le Marquis d'Argyle et le Comte de Glencairn ont en ce pays ont refuse de passer, en sorte qu'on n'en tirera que trois mille hommes de pied et douze cents chevaux. L'un des deux regiments que ce iVIarquis avoit en Ecosse vient de se dissiper, en sorte qu'il nV est pas demeure un homme.
Lambert est toujours devant Carlisle et fait mine d'y vouloir mettre le siege.
[MoNTEREUL to CARDINAL Mazarin. Edinburgh, jy^^ 1648.
My brother arrived in this town on Friday last, and delivered to me both the letters of his Majesty, with your order that I should leave here as promptly as possible. 1 saw the Earl of Lanark the same day, who told me that it would be difficult for the council to meet, in the absence of the Chancellor, who ought to preside, but that the committee could receive, on Saturday morning, the letter I had for Parliament. The committee deputed to me the Earl of Lanark, the Earl of Lauderdale, a Baron and the Provost of Edinburgh, in order to call upon me and receive his Majesty's letter, which I presented to them, and expressed mj^self at the same time towards them as I was ordered, in terms that I thought could oblige them most and oblige me the least. I hope to have their reply this evening or to-morrow at the latest, in which case I shall be able to leave here without fail the day after to-morrow, either with the passport I have asked from the English Commissioners, or without it, if they refuse it to me, having resolved in whatever case to go as far as Berwick, whence I can send a special messenger to the Governor of Newcastle, if it be necessary, and where, if much at a loss, I shall wait until I receive the one from London, which iu order to provide against any emergency I wrote to procure from the Ambassador.
I cannot help expressing to you how much the order I have received was necessary at a time when the Scots do not think so much of render- ing good services to their king as of doing a bad turn to France, in declaring what they know to be untrue, that they are receiving much assistance from her, and by saying openly here, and in having printed in England, what you wrote to me, under pledge of secrecy, in your letter of the 13th June. I have thus every reason to believe this was their object^ in wishing me to accompany their army and not for any service they could expect from me, especially since they have been informed from the court of the Queen of Great Britain that I was very hurtful to
1 To give colour to a French alliance .
518 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [jULY
the Duke of Hamilton's plans ; whicli will enable you to see I was right in requesting that the letter I wrote to her should only be shown to persons of whose fidelity she was assured. This is a matter I have learned on good authority, which, however, has not prevented me from receiving since every sort of courtesy from the Duke of Hamilton. The Earl and Countess of Lanark did me the honour of having supper with me last week, and he has received me at his house with the same — or perhaps even greater — marks of affection and of confidence as formerly.
I shall try to engage two persons belonging to either party to give information of what takes place here, so as to be better informed of the truth of things. The investigation that has been made and the punish- ment even of those who were engaged in writing to England renders it difficult to find any one at present to accept this commission. The English Commissioners delivered to the committee on Thursday last the resolutions that have been taken in their Parliament to present three proposals to their king and to treat with him after he has granted them. This committee has informed them by a note that it is engaged in drawing up their reply, which, instead of satisfying them, will, as I have been informed by the Earl of Lauderdale, serve the purpose of the Scots to declare their intention of entering England.
The slight disturbances that existed in the west of Scotland have been altogether quieted down ; and there is no longer any county that ventures to oppose the levies, that will be finished in a few days. The last day appointed for the local musters is, 1 am told, the " of this month, that of the general rendezvous has not yet been fixed, but there are already thirty-eix companies of cavalry and four or five regiments of infantry on the English border.
The Mai-quis of Argyle writes to say that he will be here in a few days, which is not, however, believed, nor that the Chancellor will come, as he has excused himself on account of his indisposition. Yet the Marquis has ordered all his vassals and his two regiments — of which one did not yet wish to march — to obey orders.
The clergy alone continue their opposition ; and, as if it were not enough to fill their sermons with insults against those who govern and maledictions against the army, they have appointed Thursday and Sunday as two solemn fast days in order to pray to God that he may give other intentions to the ministers of this State and prevent those they have at present from succeeding, and to lead Him to deliver honest people who have laboured for the religion from the oppression under which they are placed. You will be astonished perhaps at the boldness ot these people, but I believe you will have no less reason to be so when you learn that those who are in authority at present allow all these things to be said without punishing them, and that they leave the Marquis of Argyle in peace, whom, they say, is preparing to take arms as soon as they have entered England ; which leads some people to believe that this great enmity which seems to exist between them may be concerted, and that they oppose the Church to the State simply until
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 519
the time be propitious for the one or the other to take the upperhand for the advantage of them both. In short, I fear that what the Queen of Great Britain had thought ought to serve in the restoration of the king her husband may but finish the ruin of the followers that remain to him.
The Earl of Lanark had received news that twelve hundred men of the army in Ireland had arrived in Scotland, which is found to be inexact, but the regiments the Marquis of Argyle and the Earl of Glencairn have in that country have refused to return, so that they will only procure from there three thousand foot and twelve hundred horse. One of the regiments the marquis had in Scotland has just dispersed^ so that there is not one man of it left.
Lambert is still before Carlisle, and seems to be about to lay siege to it.
CCLI
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
JEdimhourg, - Juillet 1648.
Les passeports des Commissaires d''Ecosse qui on vient ra^envoyer presentement ra'cmpecheront de partir Jeudi matin, comme j''avois espere de le pouvoir faire. JHay receu au soir
par un express la lettre de V. Era''® du avec celle qu'il lui
a pleu ecrire a M. le Due de Hamilton, qui devoit partir le jour suivant, ainsi qu''ii a fait ; et comme j'avois pris conge de lui pour la demiere fois quelques heures auparavant, et qu'il me sembloit que si je lui demandois une nouvelle audience et Tallois visiter publiquement cela pourroit augmenter les de- fiances que Ton essaye avec tant de sujet de diminuer, je pensai qu'il etoit plus a propos que je le visse en lieu tiers, et que le logis de M. de Lanark, ou il prend souvent ses repas, et ou je me trouve aussi quelquefois, etoit plus propre qu'aucun autre pour cette rencontre, II se y rendit aussitost qu'il eut seu que je le desirois. II y re^ut la lettre de V. Em*=® avec tous les teraoignages possibles de respect et de satisfaction, et il m'asseura diverses fois qu'il chercheroit toutes les occasions de pouvoir faire connoitre par ses actions qu'il etoit veritable- ment serviteur de V. Em*=®. II voulut en suite que je prisse lecture de la dite lettre, ce qu'ayant fait je lui dis qu'elle se trouvoit conforme a ce que V. Em'^® m'avoit commande de lui dire de sa part, et que je lui fis entendre en la meilleure maniere qu'il me fut possible, et a quoi il repondit avec toute
620 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [jULY
sorte de civilite, et me dit ensuite qu'il esperoit que les efFets m'asseureroient dans peu de jours de la sincerite de ses inten- tions, et que j'aurois moyen de reconnoitre qu'il n'avoit pas d'autre dessein que celui de servir son roi, apres les interets duquel ceux de la France lui etoient toujours les plus con- siderables.
Au reste, Mg*", j'ay seu qu''aussitost que je fus parti il lut cette lettre, — qui fut trouvee de tout le monde extremement belle et tres obligeante. II lit dis-je cette lettre a tous ceux qui se trouverent dans la chambre, et qu'il ne vit aucune per- sonne de condition tout le soir a qui il n'en fit part, soit qu'il se tint en efFet oblige par les civilites de V. Em*'^, et qu'il fut bien aise de faire voir ce qui lui etoit tres agreable, soit qu'il voulut par la oter les soup9ons que cette lettre eut peu donner de lui a son parti, ou plustost augmenter ceux que les Inde- pendants peuvent avoir de la France.
Le dit sieur Due devoit demeurer seulement un jour ou deux a Hamilton, et se rendre de la a Annan Moor, qui est eloigne de Carlisle de douze milles seulement, et ou plus de quinze mille hommes, a ce qu''on me dit, doivent se trouver au rendez- vous general de Tarmee qui doit etre le 14 Juillet, de sorte que V. Em*'® voit que la retraite du Marquis d'Argyle et de ceux de son parti, dont pas un n'a voulut assister au Comite, et I'opposition des Ministres, qui continuent a donner des maledictions a tous ceux qui ont quelque part en cette guerre, n'a pas empeche que Ton n'ait arme, et que ces levees se soient faites, avec les longueurs toutefois que j'avois prevues. Encore ne s''est on si fort avance que sur les lettres du Chev"" Langdale, qui a envoye courrier sur courrier pour faire savoir qu'il etoit tellement presse par Lambert que s'il n''etoit pas promptement secouru il ne repondoit pas d'une place en' laquelle il manquoit de toutes choses; soit qu'il ait ete veritablement reduit en cette extremite, ou qu'il ait juge a propos de le faire croire pour obliger les Ecossois par Tinteret qu''ils ont a la con- servation de cette place a prendre en consideration celui de leur roi.
Cependant, s'il est veritable que Lambert se soit retire, comme on Tasseure, et comme il semble, s'il est bien conseille qu'il le doive faire, je doute sur ce que le Comte de Callendar
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 521
et quelques autres personnes m''ont dit, qiron avance sitost en Angleterre, et je crois qu'on se contentera seulement de s'asseurer de Berwick et de Carlisle jusqu''a Tarrivee du Prince de Galles, qui est toujours, selon ma croyance, le principal sujet de cette entreprise.
L'Assemblee generale des Ministres doit commencer le 20 de ce mois, et il demeure pour constant qu"'elle declarera que cette guerre n'est pas legitime, et fera tous ses efforts pour empecher tout ce qui semble pouvoir contribuer au retablissement du roi de la G' B*" et au bon succes de Tentreprise de M. le Due de Hamilton, de sorte que Taversion que lui temoignent les Ministres donneroit lieu de croire quMl a interet, quand ses affaires seront retablees, de detruire un gouvernement dans Teglise qui est si contraire au monarchie, et qui s'est declare si ouvertement contre sa propre autorite ; si par la patience avec laquelle il endure les choses qui se disent chaque jour dans les chaires contre lui en sa presence, et qui ne sont pas seulement sensibles a un liomme de coeur, mais qui pourroient encore etre fort prejudiciables a ses interets, si Ton n''avoit sujet de penser qu'il ne desapprouve pas ce qu'il souffre, ayant moyen de Tempecher.
La reponse aux dernieres propositions des Commissaires d'Angleterre, et qui servira aux Ecossois de declaration, doit etre demain donnee aux dits Commissaires et envoyee a Lambert en meme temps. Les regiments du Nord ne sont pas encore arrives, ni Tarmee d'Irlande, ni les troupes que le Comte de Morton a fait lever dans les Orcades, mais on attend les unes et les autres au premier jour.
On vieiit d'avoir nouvelle du malheur arrive au Colonel Grey, a Richard Tempest, et a la cavalerie qu''ils commandoient dans le Northumberland ; ce n'est pas une perte decisive, mais qui dans un commencement ne laisse pas d'etre considerable.
J'ay pris conge de tous les seigneurs qui se sont trouves a Edimbourg, et j'ay receu leurs visites, qu'ils ont accompagnees de beaucoup de civilite et de sentiments d'honneur et de respect envers la France. J'ay ecrit a ceux qui se sont trouves absents, et qui sont en plus grand nombre, de sorte que je n'attend pour partir d'ici qu'a recevoir le paquet de Londres qui vient d'arriver. J'ay pense que je devois revenir sur mes chevaux
522 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [july
de peur que prenant la poste on ne s''imaginat que j'eusse quelque interet de me hater,
J'avois quelque apprehension, peutetre sans sujet, de me voir contraint ou a recevoir quelque chose en partant d'ici des Ecossois, ce que je n'eusse peu faire qu'avec peyne, ou de me voir oblige a les refuser, en quoi j'eusse peu failler, mais j'ay trouve un moyen pour me tirer de cette difficulte en de- mandant d'eux en partant la liberte du Pere Lesley, Jesuite, qui est depuis un an prisonnier, et que les Catholiques de's- esperoient de pouvoir tirer de prison, et qui m''a ete mis entre les mains, ce qui a ete de grande consolation a ce qu'il y a de bons catholiques en ce royaume, et qui ne nuira point, comme je crois, pour faire connoitre la piete de leurs Majestes.
Les Comtes de Lanark, de Lauderdale, et de Callendar m'ont presse diverses fois de laisser ici qulqu*'un de mes gens, ou de supplie V. Em''^ ou M. le Corate de Brienne de donner ordre qu'il demeurat une personne par le moyen de laquelle ils peussent entretenir quelque correspondance avec la France, et dans le paquet duquel leur lettres pussent passer dorenavant. Je me suis trouve assez empeche a savoir ce que je devois faire pour leur donner satisfaction, mais comme j'ay creu qu'il pouvoit avoir quelque danger en cela, je me suis excuse de laisser personne, et leur ay promis que des que je serois en Angleterre je communiquerois leur desir a M. TAmbassadeur, et leur en donnerois aussitost reponse. Cependant, comme il m''a semble qu'on ne pourroit envoyer quelqu'un ici sans eclat, en quelque maniere et sous quelque pretexte qu'il y pust venir, et que quelques uns de ceux a qui je me suis adresse pour recevoir information de ce que se passe font de difficulte d'ecrire, sitost apres la recherche et la punition meme qui a ete faite des deux ou trois qui donnoient des avis en Angle- terre, j'ay laisse mon frere a Edimbourg, qui pourra, ou y demeurer ou s'en revenir, selon que V. Em*'® jugera plus a. propos ; ce que j'ay fait d'autant plus volontiers qu'une legere indisposition qui lui est survenue, m'a donne lieu de le faire avec moins de soup^-on, — ay ant meme fait prendre des passeports pour lui, comme s'il devoit venir me trouver en poste, quand il se portera bien, pour eloigner davantage la pensee qu"'on pourroit avoir que son sejour avoit ete medite.
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 528
Je lui ai dit aussi qu'il ecrivit du chifFre de M. PAmbassadeur a Londres, ce quMl apprendroit de considerable et que la lettre qu''il ecriroit me fut adressee, afin que quand son paquet seroit ouvert, on ne pust juger qu'il ecrivit a autre personne qu'a moi.
P.S. — Je n''ai peu trouver ici qu'un cheval pour V. Em^. On me dit que j"'en trouverai de plus beau et a meilleur marche en Angleterre ; outre le danger que je cours de les perdre par les chemins qui ne peuvent etre plus dangereux. Les six mille livres qu'il a plu a V. Em"® que je prisse ici me serviront comme j"'espere pour payer mes dettes, pour les frais de mon voyage, et pour Tachat des dits chevaux, de sorte que je n'en prendrai point davantage.
[MoNTEREUL to Cardixal Mazarix. Edinburgh, ^ July 1648. The passports of the Scottish Commissioners that have just been sent to me will prevent me from leaving on Thursday morning, as I had hoped to be able to do. I received in the evening, by a special messenger, your
letter of the with that for the Duke of Hamilton, who purposed to
leave the following day, which he did, and as I had previously taken leave of him for the last time a few hours before, it seemed to me that were I then to ask a new audience of him and to go to visit him publicly it would increase the mistrust that it was wished with so much reason to diminish ; I tliought it more suitable to see him at the house of a third person, and that the residence of the Earl of Lanark, where he often has his meals, and where I have sometimes met him, would be more suitable than any other for this meeting. He went there immediately he learned that I wished to see him. He received your letter with every possible expression of respect and satisfaction, and he assured me several times that he would seek on every occasion to prove by his actions that he was truly your faithful servant. He wished me afterwards to read the letter, which having done, I told him it was similar to what you had ordered me to say to him on your part, and which I led him to understand in the best way possible, and to which he replied with much politeness, and then told me that he hoped the results would, in a few days, assure me of the sincerity of his intentions and that I would have the means of perceiving that he had no other design than that of serving his king, after whose interests those of France would always have most weight with him. Besides, I learned that as soon as I had gone, he read the letter, which was found by all present to be very fine and very obliging. He read this letter, I repeat, to all those who were in the room, and he saw no one of importance during the evening to whom he did not mention it, whether it was that he considered himself, in fact, obliged by your politeness and was glad to show that it was agreeable to him, or
524 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [JULY
that he wished thereby to remove the suspicions this letter might have given to his party, or more probably he sought to increase those the Independents may have of France.
The duke purposed to remain only a day or two at Hamilton and to go thence to Annan Moor, which is only twelve miles from Carlisle, and where, I am told, more than fifteen thousand men are to assemble at the general rendezvous of the army, which is to be on the 14th of July ; so that you see the withdrawal of the Marquis of Argyle and of those of his party, of whom not one would attend the committee meeting, and the opposi- tion of the clergy, who continue their maledictions against all those who have any part in this war, has not prevented them from taking arms and that these levies have been accomplished, with the delays, however, that I had foreseen. They would not even have been so far advanced but for the letters of Sir M. Langdale, who has sent messenger after messenger to declare that he was so hard pressed by Lambert that were he not assisted promptly he would not answer for being able to hold a place in which everything was wanting for its defence ; it may be that he was really reduced to this extremity or he may have judged it necessary to make the Scots believe so, in order to oblige them through the interest they have in the maintenance of this place to take into consideration that of their king. However, if it be true that Lambert has withdrawn, as it is asserted, and as it seems were he well advised he is right in doing, I doubt what the Earl of Callendar and some other persons have told me, that the Scots will advance into England so soon, and I believe they will be satisfied with making certain of Berwick and Carlisle until the Prince of Wales arrives, who is always, in my belief, the principal object of this undertaking.
The Genei'al Assembly of the clergy is to begin its sittings on the 20th of this month, and it is considered certain that it Mill declare this war to be unlawful and use every eifort to prevent all that would seem to contribute to the restoration of the King of Great Britain, and to the success of the undertaking of the Duke of Hamilton. The aversion thus shown towards the duke by the clergy would lead one to believe that when aflfairs are arranged he will have an interest in abolishing a form of church government that is so inimical to monarchical government and which has declared itself so openly against his own authority, if — through the patience with which he endures the things that are said each day in the pulpits against him, in his presence, which must be not only painful to a generous-minded man, but which might be also very prejudicial to his interests — one were not induced to think that he does not disapprove of what he tolerates seeing he has the means of preventing it if he wished.
The reply to the last proposals of the English Commissioners, which is to serve the Scots as a declaration, is to be delivered to-morrow to these Commissioners and sent to Lambert at the same time. The regiments from the north have not yet arrived nor even those from Ireland nor the troops that the Earl of Morton has raised in the Orkneys ; but all are expected very soon.
1648] MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN 526
News has just been received of the misfortune that has happened to Colonel Grey, to Richard Tempest,^ and to the cavalry they commanded in Nortlmmberland. It is not a decisive loss, but in a beginning of hos- tilities it is still not inconsiderable.
I have taken leave of all the nobles in Edinburgh and received their visits, which they have paid with much civility and in expressing senti- ments of honour and respect towards France. I wrote to those of them who were absent, which are in greatest number, so that I was but await- ing before leaving here the parcel from London, which has just arrived. I think of returning with my horses, for fear that it might be thought by riding post that I had some motive in making haste.
I had some apprehension, perhaps without reason, that I would find myself obliged to receive some sort of present on leaving here which I could only have accepted with regret or been obliged to refuse, in which I might not have been able to succeed, so I have found means of getting out of the difficulty by asking them on leaving for the release of Father Leslie,^ Jesuit, who has been prisoner for more than a year, and whom the Catholics despaired of being able to get out of prison, who was de- livered into my hands, which has been a great consolation to all the good Catholics in this kingdom, and which will I believe be in no way hurt- ful in making known the piety of their Majesties.
The Earls of Lanark, Lauderdale and Callendar have urged me several times to leave one of my people here, or to beg you or M. de Brienne to order some person to remain here through whom they could keep up communications with France, and in whose parcel their letters might be transmitted in future. I have been much at a loss as to how I could satisfy them in this matter, but as I thought it might be attended with some danger, I made an excuse for not leaving any one, and promised that as soon as I came to London I would communicate their wish to the ambassador and give them an immediate reply. However, as it seems to me one could not send any one here without raising an outcry, in what- ever manner, or under whatever pretext he might come, and that some of those to whom I have applied in order to receive information of w hat takes place raise objections about writing so soon after the inquiry and the punishment even that was inflicted on the two or three persons who gave information to England, I have left my brother in Edinburgh, who may either remain there or return as you j udge proper ; which I have done all the more readily that a slight indisposition that has come upon him has
J Sir Richard Tempest with a thousand horse and many knights and gentlemen were defeated by Colonel Robert Lilburn in Lancashire. — Rushworth.
* Father Andrew Leslie, brother of Father Thomas Leslie, Superior of the Scots College at Douai, was for some time private chaplain to the Countess of Aboyne. See Blakhats Narrative, pp. 60, 63. He was put into prison at Aberdeen in May 1647, and afterwards transferred to Edinburgh. He was liberated on the request of M. de Montereul at the above date, but ordered to leave the country on pain of death if he returned.
526 MONTEREUL TO BRIENNE [JULY
given me the means of doing it with less cause for suspicion, having made him even to take passports for himself, as if he were to follow me travelling post when he is better in order to remove still further any thought one might have that his stay had been designed. I have also told him to write in the cipher of the ambassador in London what he might learn of importance, and that the letter he would write to him be addressed to me, so that though his parcel might be opened, it may be thought he was but writing to me.
P,S. — I have but been able to find one horse here for you. I have been told that I shall find finer ones at a less price in England ; besides the risk I would run of losing them on account of the roads that are as bad as possible. The six thousand livres that you allowed me to take here will, I hope, suffice to pay my debts, to defray the expenses of my journey, and for the purchase of the horses so that I shall not take any more.
CCLII
MONTEREUL A BRIENNE
Du 27 Juillet.
Monsieur, — Je ne puis en arrivant a Londres dire rien de nouveau a Mons. TAmbassadeur de la marche de rarmee d"'Ecosse pour vous etre mande par Fordinaire qui alloit partir. Le mauvais chemin s''etant accorde avec la resolution que j"'avais prise de ne pas faire trop de diligence, pour les raisons que je me suis donne Thonneur de vous ecrire. Depuis je lui ai rendu un compte exact de Tetat ou j'ai laisse les affaires de ce pays, et les interets differents qui font agir ceux qui ont Ic plus de parts au gouvernement de ce Royaume, que sont des choses qu"'il etoit difficile de bien demesler par lettres, et qui se font mieux entendre, et avec moins de danger de vive voix.
J''ai receu par Fordinaire d''Ecosse celle que vous m^avez fait Fhonneur de m'ecrire le 21 Juillet, qui n'est arrive a Edimbourg que quelques jours apres mon depart, et avec elle un billet de mon frere que je prends la hardiesse de vous envoyer sous le chifFre de M. FAmbassadeur.
Au reste. Monsieur, je suis oblige de vous temoigner qu'au lieu de courir quelque danger et de recevoir quelques retarde- ment sur le chemin, ainsi qu"'on me le faisoit apprehender avant que partir, j''ai receu toute sorte de civilite des serviteurs du roi d'Angleterre et des officiers du Parlement, et j'ai passe dans peu de places dont les gouverneurs ne me soient venus
1648] MONTEREUL TO BRIENNE 527
visiter, et ne m^ayant accompagnes jusqu'aux portes de leurs villes, faisant mettre en haye leur garnison, soit quails eussent Tintention de me honnorer, ou quMls eussent dessein de me faire voir le bon etat de leur places. Je m''attends pour partir d'ici que les passeports pour vos chevaux et les miens, et tout aussitost je me rendrai aupres de vous. Ce sera lors, Monsieur, que je pourrai, mieux qu'au bas d'une lettre, vous rendre de tres humble remerciements du bien que vous m'avez fait.
MeMOIUE ENVOYE d'EcOSSE du 18 JUILLET 1648
Le Chev'' Fleming est arrive ici sur un vaisseau charge de trois cents barils de poudre, et de beaucoup d'armes. II est maintenant alle trouver le Due de Hamilton a Tarmee. On croit que c''est principalement pour arreter le lieu ou le prince arrivera, et ou lui et ce general se recontreront, et Ton nous asseure que Tarmee s'avance maintenant vers Newcastle, et en efFet il y a tout sujet de croire que les Ecossais feront aisement cette entreprise dont ils tireront grand avantage, et qui ap- portera beaucoup de prejudice a leurs ennemis, puisqu*'ils peuvent recevoir bien de profit des carrieres de charbon,]qui y sont s'ils veulent le vendre, et causer beaucoup d'incom- modite a la ville de Londres sMls en empechent le transport et la privent de ce gain. Et ils trouveront d^autant plus de facilite a Texecution de ce dessein qu'on nous avertit qu^une nouvelle imposition que le Parlement a voulu mettre sur le dit charbon depuis quelques jours a fort mecontente ceux de la ville, et les a porte a quelque commencement de sedition.
Hier le Comtes de Lanark et de Lauderdale partirent d"'ici pour Berwick, dont ils etablissent Ludovic Lesley gouverneur; et ou Ton croit que le Prince fait etat de prendre terre. On doit travailler aux fortifications de cette place et y laisser deux regiments Ecossois.
On essaye par toutes sortes de moyens d''accommoder TEtat et TEglise, mais on croit que ce sera inutilement, quoique TAssemblee Generale des Ministres ait nomme treize personnes de son corps pour traiter avec le Comite. S'ils ne peuvent pas s''accorder, on croit qu"'ils accuseront quelques uns de ceux qui ont aujourd'hui le plus d'autorite en ce Royaume d'etre de la secte des Erastians, et que j'espere, Monsieur, que vous ne
528 MONTEREUL TO BRIENNE [july
trouverez pas etrange que je ne connaisse pas encore, puis- qu'on me dit que le Parlement d'Angleterre, qui connait qui souffre et qui professe meme beaucoup de different heresies, a declare dans la derniere reponse qu'il a fait aux Ecossais, qu'il n''avait pas encore entendu parler de celle-ci. Ce qui rendra raccommodement plus difficile entre ces deux partis est, que TAsseniblee Generale a deja approuve tout ce que ses Com- missaires ont fait auparavant, et particulierement leur de- claration, qui a ete condamnee par le Parlement.
Huit cents hommes de pied et cinq cents chevaux de Tarmee d'Irlande sont arrives a Lochery en Galloway. Trois cents hommes de pied ont ete pris par les vaisseaux du Parlement d'Angleterre et renvoyes en Irlande aux Commissaires du dit Parlement, qui les ont fait rendre a Munro, leur General, qui ne manquera pas de les renvoyer. On attend d'lrlande
hommes de pied, et chevaux en tout. Le
Comte de Crawford les commande. On parle de faire un nouveau corps de huit mille hommes, que le Comte de Lanark command era, et qui demeureront a la garde du pays, quoique le Due de Hamilton ait peu a craindre du Marquis d''Argyle, si ce qu''on nous asseure est veritable, que ce Due et lui entre- tiennent un etroit commerce des lettres, — ce que je n*'oserais pas toutefois bien asseurer.
[MoNTEREUL to Bbienne. 2Tth July On arriving in London I could not give the ambassador any recent infor- mation about the march of the Scottish army, to be sent to you by the mail that was about to leave. The bad road suited well with the resolution I had taken, not to make too great haste, for the reasons already men- tioned to you. I have since my arrival given to the ambassador an exact account of the state in which I left the affairs of Scotland and of the diflPerent interests that influence the actions of those who have the greatest part in the government of that kingdom, matters that are difficult to unravel in letters, and which are better understood and communicated with less danger in conversation.
I have received by the mail from Scotland your letter of the 21st July, which only reached Edinburgh some days after my departure, and with it a note from my brother, which I venture to send to you in the ambassa- dor's cipher.^
I am further obliged to state to you that instead of encountering any danger or being delayed on the way, as I had been led to fear before
^ The Memorandum that follows, dated i8th July 1648.
1648] MONTEREUL TO BRIENNE 529
leaving, I received every mark of civility from the followers of the King of England and from the officers of Parliament, and I passed through few places of which the governors did not come to visit me and who did not accompany me to the gates of their towns, having lined the way with the troops of their garrisons, either with the intention of doing me an honour or so as to show me the good state of their fortresses. I am but waiting in order to leave here to obtain passports for your horses and mine and immediately afterwards I shall be with you. I shall then be better able than at the end of a letter to return you my humble thanks for the good you have done me.
[Memorandum sent from Scotland, 18 July 1648.
Sir William Fleming has arrived here on a ship laden with three hundred barrels of gun-powder and a large quantity of arms. He has now gone to rejoin the Duke of Hamilton with the army. His principal object is believed to be to arrange as to the place where the prince will arrive and where he and this general may meet, and we are assured that the army is now advancing towards Newcastle, so that there is in fact every reason to believe the Scots will easily accomplish this undertaking, from which they will derive great advantage and cause great loss to their enemies, since they can obtain much profit from the coal-mines that are there were they to sell the coal, and cause much inconvenience to the city of London if they prevent the transport of it and deprive the city of this gain. They will find it all the more easy to carry out this design that we are told Parliament having wished to put a new tax on coal within the last few days has so greatly dissatisfied those of that town as to have driven them to begin some seditionary movement.
The Earls of Lanark and Lauderdale left here yesterday for Berwick, of which they have appointed Ludovic Leslie,^ governor, and where it is believed the prince intends to laud. The fortifications of the town are to be put in order, and two Scottish regiments stationed there.
Every sort of means is being employed to bring about an agreement between the State and the Church, but it is thought to be useless, although the General ^Vssembly of the clergy has named thirteen persons of its number to treat with the Committee. If it be found they cannot agree, it is believed they will accuse some of those who have most author- ity at present in this kingdom of being of the sect of the Erastians, which I hope you will not find it strange that I have not yet heard of, since I am told the Parliament of England, that knows, tolerates and pro- fesses even many different heresies, has declared, in the last reply it has made to the Scots, that it had not yet heard of this one. What renders the agreement more difficult between these two parties is, that the Gen- eral Assembly has already approved all that its commissioners have done
^ Ludovic Leslie was governor of Berwick in September 1648 when he was summoned by Cromwell in letter of that date to deliver it up to him. See Cromwell's Letters by Carlyle.
VOL. II. 2 L
580 MONTEREUL TO BRIENNE [AUG.
formerly and particularly their declaration^ which has been condemned by the Parliament.
Eight hundred infantry and five hundred cavalry of the army of Ireland have arrived at Lochery in Galloway. Three hundred infantry have been taken by the ships of the English Parliament and sent back to Ireland to the commissioners of that Parliament, who have returned them to Munro their general, who will not fail to send them here again. They expect
from Ireland infantry and cavalry in all. The Earl of Crawford
is to command them. It is said that a new corps of eight thousand men will be formed which the Earl of Lanark will command, and which will re- main to guard the country, although the Duke of Hamilton has little to fear from the Marquis of Argyle, if what is affirmed be true, that the duke and he keep up a close correspondence, which I would not however venture to affirm.]
CCLIII
MONTEREUL a BRIENNE
3 Aout.
Ce mot est pour vous donner avis que j'ai obtenu mon passeport de la Chambre de Communs. II y a seulement quelques petits mots a aj outer, ce que j'espere de faire demain ou apres demain. Je partirai aussitost que je les aurai.
Mon frere m'a envoye le billet ci-joint :
' Edimbourg, 29 Juillet. 'Les ministres dans leur Assemblee Generale ont absolu- ment condamne le procede du Due de Hamilton et ont arrete que pas un de leur corps ne suiveront Tarmee. On croit que le dessein du Due n''est pas de s'avancer si promptement dans TAngleterre, et il y a meme quelque bruit quMl pense a s'accommoder, ce que je ne sais pas toutefois d'assez bonne part pour oser I'asseurer; mais il est certain que les Com- missaires d'Angleterre sont traites ici comme en pleine paix. Deux mille quatre cents hommes de Tarmee d'Irlande sont arrives. Le Chev"" Fleming est de retour et doit partir d'ici, a ce qu*'on me dit, au premier jour. Le Marquis d' Argyle ainsi que Ton croit, n'a le pouvoir ny le vouloir de remeuer.''
[MoNTEREUIi to BrIENNE. 3 AuQUSt.
This line is to give you notice that I have obtained my passport from the House of Commons. There are only one or two words to be added, which I hope to have done to-morrow or the day after. I shall leave immediately after I have obtained them. My brother has sent to me the following note :
1648] MONTEREUL TO BRIENNE 531
' Edinburyli, 2dth July. ' The cleray in tlieir General Assembly liave absolutely condemned the proceeding's of tlie Duke of Hamilton^ and liave decided that not one of their order will accompany the army. It is believed that the duke does not intend to advance so promptly into England, and it is even rumoured that he thinks of coming to terms, but this I have not had on good enough authority to venture to assure you of it. Two thousand four hundred men of the army of Ireland have arrived. Sir William Fleming has returned and is, I am told, to leave here on an early day. The Marquis of Argyle has, it is believed, neither the power nor the iiatention of moving.']
CCLIV
MONTEREUL A BRIENxVE
Du 24- Aout.
Ce billet servira seulement pour vous adresser les avis que raon frere m'a envoje d'Edimbourg, qui sont peu considerables aupres de ceux que nous avons de Tarmee.
[La Note qui suit du frere de M. de Montereul est sans date :]
Vous avez a Londres aussitost que nous les avis de ce qui font les Ecossois qui sont entres en Angleterre. Je ne puis rien vous dire du progres de leur armee, puisqu'elle en a fait fort peu jusqu'ici. La petite guerre qui a commence en ce royaume entre FAssemblee du Clerge et le Comite dure tou- jours. Les ministres vinrent en grand nombre il y a quelques jours porter au Comite une declaration que je vous envoie ecrite a la main, bien que Ton nous dit qu'elle doit etre im- primee a Londres, et ils voulurent obliger le dit Comite d'y faire reponse sur Theure, ce que ceux qui le composent refuserent et se contenterent de nommer huit entre eux pour Texaminer, Le dit Assemblee s'acheva Samedi dernier, mais ce fut seule- ment apres avoir etabli un grand Comite qui est compose presque d'autant de personnes que Tassemblee meme. Les ministres ont fait divers reglements avant que de se separer, comme d'excommunier et priver de leurs revenus tons ceux de leur corps qui croient a Tarmee ou qui serviroient le Comite, et de ne plus administrer la cene jusqu'a ce que le Royaume eut expie le crime qu'il a commis en violant le covenant et en laissant lever une armee qui a commerce avec les serviteurs de leur roi. Ils ont aussi ecrit une lettre au roi de la G'' B^ la plus bardie et la plus indiscrete de toutes celles qu'ils lui ont
MONTEREUL TO BRIENNE [AUG.
fait tenir jusqu'ici, de sorte qu"'encore que les dits Ministres ny ceux de leur parti, ny puissent remuer presentement, ny faire pis que de dire des injures, ou de jeter des excommunications il seroit a craindre qu'ils ne fissent quelque chose de plus facheuse si Parmee avoit du pire.
Will. Moray et Montgomery arriverent ici Dimanche dernier et dirent qu'ils s'en retourneroient vers le Prince aussitost qu"'ils seroient de retour de Tarmee. Le Marquis d'Huntley a ete mis dans une prison plus honnete que celle ou il a ete jusqu'ici. II est presentement dans le Chateau d'Edimbourg.
[MoNTEREUL to Brienne. 24:th August. This note will serve only to address to you the notices my brother has sent from Edinburgh, which are of little importance compared with what we know of the army,
[The following note from Montereul's brother is without any date :]
You have in London information of what the Scots who have entered England are doing as soon as we have it here. I can say little of the progress of their army, since it has made very little till now.
The small war that has begun in this kingdom between the General Assembly and the Committee still continues. The clergy came in large numbers a few days ago to present to the Committee a declaration which I send to you written, although we are told that it is to be printed in London, and they wished to oblige the Committee to give them an im- mediate reply, which those composing it refused to do, but merely appointed eight of their number to examine it. The Assembly finished its sittings on Saturday last, but only after having named a large com- mittee composed of almost as many persons as the Assembly itself. The clergy have drawn up several rules before separating, such as to excom- municate and deprive of their stipends all those of their number who believe in the army or who would serve the Committee ; and not to administer the Communion until the kingdom has expiated the crime it has committed in violating the Covenant and in allowing an army to be raised that has intercourse with the king's followers. They have also written a letter to the King of Great Britain, the boldest and the most indiscreet of all those they have sent to him till now, so that although neither the clergy nor those of their party can move at present, nor do anything worse than call names and fling about excommunications, if any- thing happened to the army it is to be feared they would do something more disagreeable.
Will. Moray and Montgomery arrived here on Sunday last and said they would return to rejoin the prince, as soon as they would be back again with the army. The Marquis of Huntly has been put into a more honourable prison than that he had occupied till now. He is at present in the Castle of Edinburgh.]
1648] MOxNTEREUL TO MAZARIN 538
CCLV MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Londres, — Aoust l648.
31
BiEN que je ne puisse renouveller assez souvent a V. Em^^ les temoignages du veritable ressentiment que je conserverai tout ma vie de tant de biens qu''elle m'a faits, je n'ay pas ose toutefois depuis que je suis arrive a Londres, Timportuner de mes lettres qui se fussent trouvees inutiles etant ecrites d'un lieu d"'ou M. TAmbassadeur de Bellievre la tient si bien avertie, raais j'ay creu que V. Em'^^ n'auroit pas desagreable que je luy donnasse avis avant que partir que j'ay trouve en cette ville un cheval pour joindre a celuy que je luy mene d'Ecosse, et que j'espere qu"'elle les trouvera tous deux tels qu''elle m'a com- mande de les luy chosir. Je diray aussy a V. Em^® que le Parlement d'Angleterre m''a traite plus favorablement que je n'eusse ose Tesperer, et qu''il m''a permis de faire passer en France seize chevaux que je croyois envoyer par Dieppe, aimant mieux les exposer au hazard de la mer qu'au danger qu''on me disoit quMls eussent peu courrir par terre si je leur eusse fait prendre le chemin de Calais, mais depuis la defaite de Tarmee ennemie en Flandres, — qui a cause en tous ceux du parti Espagnol qui sont ici un decouragement si etrange et si general que V. Em*'® se le pourroit difficilement imaginer, — 11 m'a semble qu''il valoit mieux les faire passer par Calais. Cependant comme il n^y a jamais toute sorte de seurete proche d'une armee et sur la frontiere et qu'il y aura peut estre autant a craindre aujourd'hui des voleurs comme auparavant des ennemis, j''ay supplie M. le Corate de Brienne d'envoyer un billet aux Gouverneurs de Calais et de Boulogne afin qu'ils mVssistent de quelque escorte au cas que je peusse en avoir besoin ou de me vouloir faire tenir un passeport pour le meme effet que j'attendray a Calais.
Au reste, Mg"", comme il y avait peu d'apparence que je peusse avoir la liberte de voir le roi de la G*" B"" apres Pordre du Parlement qui en defendoit Tabord a toutes sortes de per- sonnes, j^espere que V. Em''® me pardonnera si je me donnai point rhonneur de lui en ecrire en partant d'Edimbourg, ny meme en arrivant ici, mais maintenant que cette ordre a ete
584 MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN [AUG.
leve par la maison des seigneurs, et qu'il le va estre par celle des Communes, j'ay creu que je ne devois pas sortir d"'Angle- terre sans prendre conge du dit roi, et bien qu'en cela je ne puisse nier a V. Em*'^ que je suis porte par un extreme desir que j'ay de voir un prince qui m'a honore d'une confiance et d'une affection particuliere, et dont j^ay tout sujet d'honorer aussi la vertu. II m'a semble encore qu''en suivant ma propre inclination je ferois une chose qui n'apporteroit aucun prejudice au service de Sa Majeste, puis que j'aurai lieu de Tasseurer de Textreme desir qu"'ont leurs Majestes de le voir bientost retabli, et d"'y contribuer autant qu'il leur sera possible, et que j'oterai par ce moyen a la reine de la G' B'' les sujets qu''elle auroit de se plaindre si j'etois parti de ce pays sans voir le roi son mari, ayant eu lieu de le faire. Je pourrois aj outer a cela que le dit roi pourra s'ouvrir a moi de beaucoup de choses dont il parleroit peut estre avec une grande retenue. Je ne ferois rien toutefois en ceci, que ce que jugera a propos Mons. TAmbassadeur, dont je suivrai les ordres tres exactement; et qui doute qu^on puisse obtenir le dit passeport aussi aisement que je me Timagine.
[MoNTEREUL to CARDINAL Mazarin. Londou, j^ Aug. 1648. AiiTHOUGH I cannot renew often enough the expressions of sincere grati- tude I shall all my life retain for the many favours you have bestowed on me, I have not yet ventured to trouble you with my letters, since my arrival in London that would have been considered useless, being written from a place where the Ambassador de Bellievre keeps you so well informed, but I have thought it would not be disagreeable for you to receive notice from me before my leaving here, that I have found a horse in this town to match the one I brought from Scotland, and I hope you will find them both such as you ordered me to select. I shall tell you also that the English Parliament has treated me more favourably than I could have ventured to hope for by allowing me to pass sixteen horses to France, which I thought of sending by Dieppe, preferring to run the risk of the sea rather than the danger I was told they would be exposed to by land were I to send them by Calais, but since the defeat of the army of the enemy in Flanders, that has caused to all those of the Spanish party here a discouragement so strange and so general that you could not easily imagine it, it seems to me that it would be better to send them by Calais. Yet as there is never an absolute security near an army and on the frontier, and that there will perhaps be as much to fear at present from robbers as there was formerly from the enemy, I have begged M. de Brienne to send a
1648] MONTEREUL TO BRIENNE 535
note to the governors of Calais and Boulogne so that they may aid me with an escort in case I may require it or to have a passport ready for me for the same purpose, which I shall expect at Calais.
As there was little likelihood of my being able to obtain permission to see the King of Great Britain, after the order of Parliament that prohibited access to him at first to all sorts of persons, I hope you will pardon me for not having written to him on leaving Edinburgh, nor even on my arrival here ; but now that this order has been annulled by the House of Lords, and that it is going to be so also by that of the Commons, I thought I ought not to leave England without taking leave of the king, and although in that, I cannot deny to you, I am prompted by an anxious desire to see a prince who has honoured me with a special confidence and affection, and whom I have reason to honour also because of his virtue, it seemed to me that besides following my own inclination I would perform an action that could cause no prejudice to the service of his Majesty, since I will have an opportunity of assuring him of the strong desire their Majesties have to see him soon restored, and to con- tribute to it as much as it is possible for them, and that 1 will by this means obviate any cause of complaint the Queen of Great Britain might have of my having left this country without seeing the king her husband, having had an opportunity of doing so. I might add to this, that the king will be able to disclose to me many things, of which he would perhaps speak with greater reserve to any other person. I shall do nothing however in this but what the Ambassador will consider proper, whose orders I shall follow very scrupulously, and who doubts that I may obtain this permission so easily as I imagine.]
CCLVI MONTEREUL 1 BRIENNE
Du 31 Aoust 1648. Mox passeport pour aller trouver le roi de la G' B"" ne m''a ete encore ni refuse ni accorde par la maison basse, mais comme ceux qui la composent avoient peu deja me Taccorder s'ils avoient eu la volonte je crois, Monsieur, que vous ne trouverez pas mauvais, si leur silence dure encore les deux jours qui restent de cette semaine, que je le prenne pour un refus moins disobligeant, et que je parte d'ici. Cependant en quelque malheureux etat que la prise du Due de Hamilton et la perte entiere de son armee aient rendu les affaires du roi d'Angleterre, j^espere qu'il se trouvera que non seulement ce malheur en aura fait eviter un plus grand au Prince de Galles en Tem- pechant de venir en Ecosse, et non seulement pourra contribuer au service du roi son pere en faisant voir aux Presbyteriens
MONTEREUL TO BRIENNE [AUG.
Anglois et aux Ecossois qu'ils ne doivent pas laisser perdre ceux du parti royal, comme ils ont faits, et en les portant dorenavant a se joindre plus sincerement avec eux, mais ne nuira pas encore aux interets de la France en conservant deux partis en Angleterre, et y laissent par ce moyen des semences de divisions. Cest, Monsieur, ce que j'espere me donner rhonneur de vous faire voir quand j''aurai celuy de vous faire la reverence.
[MoNTEREUL to Brienne. Loudon, 81st Aug. 1648. Permission for me to visit the King of Great Britain has not yet been either refused or granted by the Lower House, but as those composing it might have already granted it had they been willing to do so, I believe you will approve of my remaining here during the two days that yet remain of this week, and if their silence still continue that I may con- sider it as a refusal, less ungracious than if it had been more direct. Yet however unfortunate may be the state in which the capture of the Duke of Hamilton and the entire loss of all his army may have placed the affairs of the King of Great Britain, I hope it will be found that not only has this misfortune helped to avoid a still greater one, by preventing the Prince of Wales from coming to Scotland, and that it will contribute to the service of the king his father, in showing to the English Presby- terians and the Scots that they ought not to dispense with the help of the royalists as they have done, and in inducing them in future to join more sincerely with them, but that it will also not injure the interests of France by retaining two parties in England and by this means leaving the seeds of further divisions. This is what I hope to have the honour of showing you when I shall call upon you.]
Du FRERE DE M. DE MoNTEREUL.
Edimhourg, le 22 Aout 1648. L'oN attend ici le Prince de Galles a chaque moment, et comme on croit toujoursfacilementcequ'on desire avec passion, ceux que les beau temps a fait promener aujourd'hui sur les eminences qui sont autour de cette ville, se sont persuades qu'ils avoient veu ses vaisseux a Fembouchure de la riviere, ce que toutefois ne s"'est pas trouve ce soir veritable. Cependant, soit que ce prince vienne ici aussy promptement qu'on imagine, ou que sa bonne fortune Tempeche d'arriver sitost dans un lieu ou il pourroit ne pas trouver toute sorte de satisfaction qu'on luy a fait esperer, on n''a pas laisse de luy preparer un hotel et de lever un regiment de quinze cents chevaux pour sa
1648] MONTEREUL TO BRIENNE 537
garde. Les ministres meme parlent de le bien recevoir pourvu qu'il prenne leur covenant. Le Marquis d'Argyle est toujours dans ses terres et s'est contente d''estre spectateur de ceci, sans vouloir y consentir y contribuer ou y resister, bien que Ton sache que quelques uns de ses emissaires aient ete envoye depuis quelques jours dans le Nord de TAngleterre pour y rendre suspect les desseins de Tarmee d'Ecosse, qui a eu Jeudi dernier quelque rencontre avec celle de Cromwell. Ceux qui sont temoins interesses et qui savent le mieux ce qui se passent, asseurent que les Anglois ont eu beaucoup d"'avantage quoi qu'il se public ici un avis contraire, — ce que Ton saura aussi- tost a Londres, et plus veritablement qu'a Edimbourg. La peste augmente chaque jour en ce royaunie : les playes con- tinuelles font apprehender une famine. Quoi que le Due de Hamilton ait etabli une presse pour donner au public les nouvelles du progres qui doit faire son armee, et que Tesper- ance d"'avoir M. le Prince de Galles dans peu de jours doit causer dans cette ville beaucoup de joie, il semble que Ton n'attende rien ici que de mauvais.
[Edinburgh, 22nd Aug. 1648.
The Prince of Wales is expected here every moment, and as one always easily believes what one eagerly wishes, those who during this fine weather were walking on the eminences that are around this town persuaded themselves they had seen the ships at the entrance of the Forth, which, however, this evening is found to be inexact. However, whether this prince may come here as promptly as one imagines, or that his good fortune will prevent him from arriving so soon in a place where he may not find every sort of satisfaction that he has been led to expect, they have still prepared a residence for him, and have raised a regiment of fifteen hundred horse for his guard. The clergy even speak of receiving him well, provided he take their Covenant. The Marquis of Argyle is still at his country residence, and contents himself with being an on- looker of this without wishing to consent or contribute to it, or to oppose it, although it is known that some of his emissaries have been sent during the last few days into the north of England in order to raise a suspicion there of the designs of the Scottish army, that had an encounter with that of Cromwell on Thursday last. Those who are interested witnesses affirm that the English have had greatly the advantage, although a contrary version is published here, which will be known sooner and more correctly in London than in Edinburgh. The plague gains ground daily in this kingdom : repeated calamities
538 MONTEREUL TO BRIENNE [sept.
make people fear a famine. Although the Duke of Hamilton had established a printing-press here, in order to give people news of the progress his army is to make, and the hope of having the Prince of Wales in a few days ought to cause much gaiety in this town, it seems that nothing but what is bad is expected here. ]
CCLVII
MONTEREUL a BRIENNE
London, 4 Septembre l648.
On proposa Samedi a la maison basse, mon passeport pour risle de Wight, et apres beaucoup de choses se furent dites pour et contre, on a arrete de ny faire de reponse, qui est la plus honnete fa^on qu'ils aient de refuser, de sorte que je parte presentement avec quelque sorte de gloire, ayant ainsy ete apprehende de toute en Royaume et avec un bon temoignage de la fidelite qu'ils savent que je conserve pour leur Prince. J'ay receu deja les commandements de M. TAmbassadeur et que j"'espere que je me donnerai Thonneur en peu de jours de vous faire le reverence.
[MoNTEREUL to Bkienne. Londou, 4th Sep. 1648. My request for a passport for the Isle of Wight was brought before the Lower House on Saturday, and after much had been said for and against granting it, the decision was come to not to reply to it, which is the politest way they had to refuse it ; so that I am leaving at present with some sort of glory, having thus been a subject of apprehension for an entire kingdom, and possessing a good testimony of the fidelity they know I retain for their prince. I have already received the com- mands of the Ambassador, and I hope to have the honour of paying my respects to you in a few days.]
APPENDIX
Note A THE BOISIVON CORRESPONDENCE BoisivoN A Brienne
Edimburgh, 20 Novemhre l643.
MoNSEiGNEUR, — A moins que d'enuoyer espres il est impossible de faire scavoir des nouvelles d'icy en france et pour le regard de la france, il seroit inutiles d'en faire la despense.
Ny ayant rien a esperer, les seigneurs de ce Royaume ce sont as- sembles sept ou huit des plus affectionnes au parti du Roy de la grande Bretagne ensemble . . . un envoye au dit Seigneur Roy et m'ont convie de me trouver auec eux, ce que j ay fait. Tout ensemble ils m'ont conjure pour le service de leur Maistre de demeurer en cette ville jusques a ce que il I'eussent informe de leurs raisons qui sont, que je fortifie les tiedes de demeurer dans 1 obeissance quils doibuent et temoignant la protection que la france prend de leurs affaires, que les voyages que j ay faits a la campagne chez plusieurs Seigneurs ont este de consequence pour le mesme subjet et quil peut arriver un changement d affaires ou la qualite que j ay d envoye de sa Majeste que peut faire de nouvelles propositions q un Anglois ne pouvoit faire et aussy peu un escossois. Je n'ay pas cru deboir les refuser c est pour quoy ayant fait une planche pour me porter selon les occurenses a dire ce que je croires le meilleur pour le Roy de la grande Bretagne — a 1 audience que j eus hier ou ils respondirent a mes propositions par escrit de la maniere que vous le voires dans ce paquet, je dis aux seigneurs du Conseil que leur ayant fait trois propositions a pas une desquelles ils ne respondoient mais me renvoyoient au comity, qui est une assemblee de Comissaires resullante du dernier parlement, au Comte de Laudion et leur esglise, que je navois point ordre a traiter avec dautres qu'avec le Conseil, que je leur demandois un passeport pour envoy er un gentil homme en france pour avoir instruction de ce que j aurois
540 APPENDIX
a faire sur ce que j avois a proposer. lis me I'accordirent apres cent difficultes et ne 1 eussent pas fait sans que je leur dis que s'ils me le envoiyent je men passerois bien, et qu'estant personne publique j avois ce pouvoir — la de moy mesme. lis me regardent icy comme un horame envoye a la priere du Roy de la grande Bretagne et ainsy comme leur enemi. lis sont peu respectueux a la france, et encor moins a leur Roy^ au reste ignorantissimes des affaires de dehors.
lis me deputerent deulx commissaires il y a quinze jours; apres leur avoir parle de ce qui me menoit, je leur demande ce quils avoient a me dire. lis me respondirent quils n'avoient point de charge. Je leur fis la reverense et mes excuses d avoir abuse de leur loiser et que je croyes que deputant personnes si eminentes le conseil leur avait donne pouvoir de dire quelque chose. Le Marquis d'Argueil, oracle de lescosse, estoit un des deputes. Mais pour revenir a raon sejour icy de grands frais inutiles et onnuyeux s il y en a un au monde, j ay envoye autant de tout ce que j ay faits a leurs majestes de la grande Bretagne^ et les ay faits sup- plies d escrire en france sils jugeoyent que je peusse servir icy sinon me permettre de m'en aller, si je demeure tant soit peu j auray besoin dargent^ et pour traiter cast a lengleterre a m'en- voyer mes Instructions et a vous, Monseigneur, a m envoyer une lettre de creance nouvelle adressante au Conseil descosse ou le Roy les priera en absense du Roy leur maistre davoir creance a ce que je leur diray et de latester a ceux avec qui je desirere traiter. Cette nouvelle republique tient fort son rang, et ne me voulurent jamais donner d interprete pour me traduire leur tres ridicule response bien loin de me le bailler en francois quelque instance que je peusse faire et quoique je disse en plein conseil que c estoit une nouveaute.
Les actes du parlement qui concernoient I'alliance de france estant en francois je demande au chancelier qu il fit visiter les registres, il m'en refusa de maniere que je creus estre oblige de leur en dire mon sentiment en ces mots, que je n estois pas ambassadeur mais envoye, que je ne croyes pas quil fust en leur pouvoir ny au mien de faire tort a la dignite du Roy mon maistre, et que sils me bailloyent ma response en hebreu non ponctue, n' estant que messager je 1 amporterois. Je vous envoye leur papier qui ne vault pas la peine d estre tvaduit. Le chancelier me le mit entre les mains sans estre signe et layant regarde je I'ai pri6 de me donner response et lui demande ce que signifiet le papier quil raavoit donne sans estre signe. lis consult^rent entre eux
BOISIVON TO BRIENNE 64il
et puis le firent signer au Clerc du Conseil, qui tient lieu icy de greffier et de secretaire. lis m'avoient refuse la liberte du Comte d Anthram, et un quart d heure devant raon audience j appris que les nouvelles quil c estait sauve de prison venaient de leur estre apportee. Je feignis ne le scavoir pas, et fis grande instance pour qu'ils gratifiassent la france de la deliverance de ce Comte, ce quils prirent a une tres grande moquerie comme j ay sceu depuis et comme cette reputation le nest pas advantageuse pour ceux qui peuvent traiter d affaires de consequence, j ay vue le Chancelier et les principaux et leur ay remontre qu 1 on avoit fort mal pris ce que j avois dit a mon audience sur le subjet du Comte d Anthram, et quoy que je sceusse ou qu j'ignorasse quil s'estoit sauve, il estoit de mon debvoir de leur demander sa liberte puis- que javois cest ordre la et que ce nestoit point a moy a decider les bruits de ville. Si vous juges, Monseigneur, que je puisse faire icy quelque chose, je vous supplie tres humblement d avoir soin de moi pour de 1 argent. Je suis en esquippage pour ne fair pas honte a mon employ et ce que Ion vend aux autres un escu m en couste quatre. Au reste, ayes 1 ceil ouvert aux huguenots, car sans doute il y a grand menee entre eux en quelque lieu quils soient et la ligue d engleterre est de grand poids, et la haine qu ont les Puritains est icy plus grande contre les Catholiques quelle n est k Rome contre les protestants. On se vant fort icy d une grand intel- ligence en france. Je ne la croyes pas comme ils la disent, mais sans doute le comte de Lodian qui est arreste en Engleterre a traite en france avec plusieurs. Milord Gray ma dit quil avoit de 1 argent entre les mains pour remettre sa compagnie de gendarmes sur pied et que si vous luy envoyes commission pour cela, qu'il envoerait ses compagnons en france, les faisant embarquer dans un port qui est a luy sans que le conseil 1 en peut empescher. J'ay obtenu que le Colonel Lundy qui estoit arreste avec la recrue de son regiment passerait en france. La maison Duglas est fort affectionnee a la france et plusieurs de ses parents, gents de grande qualite, m ont fait instance qui jescrivesse en France affin que Ion fit repasser les monts au regiment Duglas qui est en Italic d autant que 1 air de ce lieu la est dangereux pour les escossois nourris dans un pais froid. Je suis, Monseigneur, Votre tres humble et tres obeissant Serviteur, Boisivon.
[BoisivoN to Brienne. Edinburgh, 20th Nov. 1643. It is impossible to inform you in France of what is going ou here, unless by sending a special messenger, and so far as France is concerned, it would be useless to go to that expense.
542 APPENDIX
Seven or eight of the nobles of this kingdom^ the most attached to the party of the King of Great Britain, finding nothing to be hoped for here, and being about to assemble in order to send a messenger to the said king, invited me to join them, which I did. They all entreated me in the interest of their master to remain in this town, until they had informed their king of their reasons for my doing so, which are that I may reassure the wavering in the obedience they owe by showing them the care that France takes of their affairs. They allege that the visits I have made to several nobles in the country have had this effect, and that some change may take place in those matters whereby my position as an envoy of his Majesty may lead me to make new proposals that neither an Englishman nor a Scotsman could make. I did not think it right to refuse their request as it would enable me to tell them what I thought best, according to the circumstances, concerning the king of Great Britain, so that at the audience I had yesterday with the Lords of Council, when they replied to my proposals in writing, in the manner you will find stated in this despatch, I told their lordships that having made three proposals to them they had not replied to any one of them, but had referred me first to the Committee, which consists of com- missioners nominated by the last Parliament, and then to the Earl of Lothian, and to their church, with whom I had no order to treat ; that my orders were to treat only with the council ; that I had asked them for a passport in order to send a gentleman to France, so as to obtain instructions as to what I should propose. This they granted to me after having raised a hundred objections against their doing so, and they would not have done so had I not told them that if they refused it to me I would do without their help, and that being a public functionary, I had the power of doing it for myself. I am looked upon here as a person sent at the request of the King of Great Britain, and consequently as their enemy. They are little respectful towards France, and still less towards their king, and are besides most ignorant of what is taking place abroad. They deputed to me a fortnight ago two commissioners. After having related to them the object of my mission, I asked them what they had to say. They replied that they had not been intrusted with any communica- tion to make to me. I made them a bow and an excuse for having taken up needlessly their time, and remarked that I should have thought the council, in deputing such eminent persons, would have intrusted them with something to say. The Marquis of Argyle, the oracle of Scotland, was one of the deputation.
But to return to the subject of my stay here, which is attended with a great and unnecessary expense, and is the most wearisome that exists in the world, I have informed their Britannic Majesties of all I have done, and begged them to write to France if they think I can serve them here, and requesting I may be allowed to leave, for if I remain even for the shortest possible time I shall require money. And in order to enable me to treat my instructions should be sent from England, and it will be necessary for you to send me a new letter of credence addressed to the
BOISIVON TO BRIENNE 543
Council of Scotland, wherein the king, iu the absence of the king their master, will beg the council to give credence to what I may say, and this letter should be attested for those with whom it may be wished that I should treat. This new republic stands strongly on its dignity. It would not consent to grant me an interpreter in order to rranslate its very ridiculous reply, not being at all inclined to deliver it to me in French, although I stated openly in the council meeting that it was an innovation, and that the Acts of Parliament relating to the French alliance were in French. I told the Chancellor that in proof of this he might examine their records, which he refused to do, so that I thought myself obliged to give them my opinion in the following words. 'JTliat I was not an ambassador but an envoy, that I did not think it was in their power, or in mine, to impair the dignity of the king, my master, and that were they to deliver to me a reply iu Hebrew, without the vowel points, I would convey it. I send you their paper, which is not worth the trouble of being translated. The Chancellor put it into my hand without its being signed, and while looking at it and begging them to give me a reply, I asked what the paper meant that had been given to me without signature. The members of council consulted a little among themselves, and then had it signed by the clerk of the council, who performs the duties of clerk and secretary. They had refused to me the release of the Earl of Antrim, and a quarter of an hour before my audience, I learned they had received the news of his escape from prison.^ I pretended not to know of it, and insisted strongly that they should gratify France by releasing this earl, which I learned afterwards they considered a very great mockery on my part, and as a reputation of this nature is not advantageous for those engaged in treating matters of importance, 1 called on the Chancellor and the principal members of council, and showed them that they had very badly interpreted what I had said at my audience relating to the Earl of Antrim, and although I might have known of his escape or not, it was my duty to ask them that he be liberated, seeing I had received that order and that it was not for me to verify the exactitude of rumours circulating in the town. If you consider that I can be of any service here, I beg you very humbly to see that I am provided with money. I have my carriage so as not to throw discredit on my functions, and what is sold to others for a crown costs me four.
^ Antrim, on this occasion, had been committed to the charge of Captain Wallace and Lieutenant Gordon, a brother of the Earl of Sutherland, and this latter being in love with Lady Rose M'Donnell, Antrim's sister, whom he married this same year, supplied Antrim with a rope, by means of which he escaped, and made off with his servant on horseback to Glenavon. They were pursued, and the servant insisted on changing clothes with his master and so drew the pursuit after himself. Antrim escaped, but his sei^vant was taken, and it is believed was hung by Munro. Antrim was able to get to Charlemont, thence to Kilkenny, and eventually rejoined the king at Oxford.
544 APPENDIX
And be watchful regarding the Huguenots^ for wherever they are there is much intrigue among them. They attach great importance to the league with England. The hatred the Puritans here have against the Catholics is greater than what exists in Rome against the Protestants. They boast of having a close cori-espondence with those in France. I do not believe it to be as they say, but no doubt the Earl of Lothian, who has delayed some time in England, has treated with several of them in France.
Lord Gray ^ has told me he has the money in hand for calling out his company of men-at-arms, and if you will send to him the necessary com- mission he will send his comrades to France, causing them to embark in a harbour adjoining his own property, so that the Council will not be able to prevent it.
I have obtained permission for Colonel Lundy,^ who had been stopped with the recruits for his regiment, that he may proceed to France. The house of Douglas is much attached to France, and several of its members, persons of high rank, have begged me to write to France and request that the Douglas regiment, which is in Italy, be brought back across the Alps, as the climate is dangerous for the Scots, who have been reared in a cold climate. ' ^
[Ifidorsed] Propositions faittes par le S" de Boisyvon au Conseil DEScossE avec sa despeche du 20^ Novembre 1643.
Le conseil d'escosse fit dire au S'^ de Boisevon qu'il desiroit auoir par escrit ce qu'il auoit a leur dire de la part du Roy et de la sienne ; 11 leur fit le discours suiuant ensemble les propositions que le Chancelier receut qui luy dit, que le Conseil luy rendroit re- sponse et qu'en attendant il luy deputiroient deux seign[eurs] pour traiter.
Seigneurs tres illustres, — Le Roy tres chrestien mon Maistre de laduis de la Reine Regent Mere de sa Maieste m'a enuoye uers uous et dans ce rencontre d affaires il a este bien aise de temoigner a tout le Monde lestime quil faisoit de vostre tres vaillante et tres genereuse nation. Les alliances de son Roy- aume et du vostre sont si anciennes, si fidelment entretenues, la foy publlque si exactement obseruee que bien et loigne quil y ait rien dans leurope de pareil que les histoires Grecques et Romaines ne scauroient donner vn exemple d'union et de frater- nite qui en approche. Vos seigneuries illustrissimes auoyent depute Monsieur le Comte de Lodion e[n] france pour faire quelques
^ See Appendix Note W, Scottish Regiments in France, and note p. 90, vol. i. 2 See further relating to Colonel Lundy, vol. ii. p. 337 and note. * Harl. MS. 4551, vol. i.
PROPOSALS TO SCOTTISH COUNCIL 545
propositions qui ont este fauourablement escoutees recepues et
accordees^ le Roy mon maistre ma commande de vous faire aussy
quelques propositions et ouuertures. II espere de si bons et si
fideles allies toute sorte de correspondence et que vostre accoutumee
prudence ne uous manquera point dans les occurenses de ce temps
a la verit(5 tres glissantes. I^es alliances de france et descosse sont
de Royaume a Royaume. Vos seigneuries illustrissimes consideront
si leur plait quelles sont aussy de Roy a Roy. Des seigneurs si aduises
que ceux de ce tres auguste conseil en jugentbien je m'asseure les
consequenses sans quil soit besoin que ie m'estende dauantage sur
ce subiet. Les affaires pi-essent. Cella me fait supplier vos signeuries llsdemandoient
illustrissimes de me donner des commissaires a que je puisse bailler sm-?e°champs"^
les propositiones dont ie suis charge et avec qui ie puisse chercher Qui furent
quelque remede conti'e les desordres qui se presentent.
J ay commendement du Roy mon maisti'e de vous demander la liberte de Monsieur le Comte d'Anthram et pouuoir de vous donner sa parole Royale que quelques cours que prennent ces mouements icy le dit S'" comte dAnthram ne se mestera de rien et mesme jay ordre de le conduire en france si vous le desire. Le Roy mon Maistre a obtenu du parlement dengleterre la deliuerance du Chevalier Digbi quoy quils le tinssent pour leur plus grande ennemi. Mais ie ne suis pas si maladvise de croire dauoir besoin en escosse d uu exemple d engleterre pour obtenir 1 effect de la priere du plus grand Roy de leurope, vostre tres ancien ami et allie.
Propositions que lenuoye de france a fait au conseil descosse
DE LA PART DU RoY
Que conferment aus instructions que le conseil descosse a donnees au S*" comte de Lodion leur depute en france du con- sentement du Roy de la grande Bretagne, le Conseil entend que son pouuoir se tiend ait a confirmer les anciennes alliances de france et d escosse.
Que pour cest effect les escossois directiment ou indirectiment nentrent point en armes en engleterre soit soubz pretext de seruir a Roy de la grande Bretagne ou la religion sans commission expresse du Roy leur maistre et par ce que cest article presse le Roy tres Chrestien en desira une reponse precise, absolue, et prompte.
Que le conseil descosse a limitation du Roy tres chretien
VOL. II. 2 M
546 APPENDIX [20 NOV.
[L]assembl^e n aye point dereffarder la difFerense de la relieion de ceux que de [1 eur eglise "^ f . ^ . , l, . > 11 ^ -4.
a elimin^ seruent en trance qui s enroUent ou s enrolJeront pour y serun*, et
cecyetlecon- J autant que les esfflises descosse ont determine dans leur as-
seil mais ^ ^
[l]envoye napas semblee le contraire que le conseil descosse en donne un arrest
r^'jeTcatf/de retractation.
Le S"^ de Boisiuon a commendement du Roy son Maistre de faire encore quelques propositions. Mais comme celles cy re- gardent la manutention ou rupture de 1 alliance de france et d escosse il a ordre d auoir response de celles-cy auparauant. Les Anglois ne Le S'' de Boisiuon fust enuoye sans aucune Instructions en Instructfon'^que ^scosse, OU il trouua tout en rumeur et mandements du conseil par de faire ce que tout pour que les villes et paroises fournissent les hommes et 1 argent ^ a quoy d acun auoit este taxe. II vit les principaux du parti contraire
au Roy car pour le Roy il ny a personne a edinburgh que Milord Grai de qui il a recu toutes sortes d assistance. II s enforma de tout auec le plus de circunspection quil put. II tascha de gagner ou de disioindre ceux qui pouruoyent les plus, mais en vain et comme son enuoy auoit pour principal but le seruice du Roy de la grande Bretagne et la deliuerance du Comte d Anthram, il crut de propos de donner les propositions cy dessus et de parler auec le plus de vigueur que luy seroit possible pour cela, reseruant a la fin ce quil poui'oit faire pour les catholiques qui certes sont beaucoup plus miserables que ceux de Constantinople, la haine quon a icy pour eux estant au dela 1 imagination. L enuoye na rien laisse dinterets pour mettre en soubmission les principaux du Conseil ou les gaigner leur offrant pensions, charges dans la Cour dengle- terre, employ en France et generallement tout ce que chacun desiroit davoir^ et na pas oublie d'ofrir intercession du Roy envers le Roy de la Grande Bretagne pour une abolition generale, dont sa Majesty seroit caution. II a parle aux seigneurs du Conseil avec toute la civilite possible de sa part dans les confidences, selon la dignite du Maistre et que la France scavoit bien la differense dune guerre de la religion ou dune destat, que le Roy enpesche- roit fort bien une respublique en Escosse, quil ny avoit point interest que celuy de bon voisin, que les ministres qui pres- choient scandaleusement contre leur Roy avoient lev6 le masque en disant quil falloit un gouvernement arbitraire, enfin il ny a rien este oublie. Et il est tres certain que s il neut fallu que des raisons les commissaires ne leussent pas emporte demeurant fort souvent muets faute de pouvoir contredire aux objections quon leur faisoit. II seroit superflu et mesme impossible descrire
1643] PROPOSALS TO SCOTTISH COUNCIL 547
ce qui a ete (lit sur le subiect. Mais pour reuenir aux propositions qui seroient bien hardies a donner par un simple enuoye qui n a pour instruction que ce que dieu luy conseillera, il faut considerer quil traite auec des rebelles a leur Roy et quoy quil face ou quil die cela n'est d'aucune importance parce que c est aus roys a rompre ou a maintenir 1 alliance.
Le S"" de Boisivon a donne les propositions les plus courtes qu'il a pu affin de ne s embarrasser pas dans un grand discours ou Ion croit auoir satisfait a tout, eludant une partie il a donne la dernierCj en sorte que si le Roy de la grande bretagne eut desira quil eut propose quelque chose pour le bien de ses affaires, il y auroit lieu de cela ou mesme s il apprenoit quelque chose et comme c estoit perdre tout de parler d abord pour les Catholiques, vu la rage que 1 on a icy contre eux. II estoit necessaire de laisser vne table dattente pour vn subiect que la piete de la reine adonnera tousiours; je tacherai en mon nom dobtenir la liberte de deulx religieus prisoneurs. Si les ministres de Paris escrivyent a ceux d edinburgh que la rigueur que 1 on tient icy aux catholiques est de mauvais exemple pour eux, et quils intercedassent envers les ministres de deca pour les catholiques, cela seroit de grand fruit et feroit plus d effect que si tous les Rois Chretiens les recom- mandoient. II n y a point cinq cents catholiques en escosse et cest la seule haine que 1 on a icy pour eux que les fait mal traiter. A moins de cela tout est perdu.
Lescosse presentement est pleine de factions et si divisee en elle mesme quelle est peu ou point a craindre dans les mouements d engleterre.
Les raisons pour la craindre ce reduisent principalement a trois chefs que le conseil a tout 1 authoritie ; quil faut quil se tienne tousiours a edinburgh et que les chefs sonts puritains et par con- sequent enemis du Roy.
Le Roy a donne priuilege a la ville d edinburgh a 1 exclusion de toutes les autres que le conseil sy doit tenir. Le Genei'al Lesle est gouernur du Chateau, assis en vne eminence d ou il pent mettre la ville en poudre en deulx heures de temps.
Le Chancelier et le Marquis d Argueil sont vnis et d Alliance et d interets. Lun est Chef du Conseil, 1 autre du peuple, de ces trois dependent absoluement touts les affaires d edinburgh et pais circumvoisin. De plus ceux qui offencent ne pardonnent point et tous les trois ont trompe leur Roy pour ne dire rien de pire aussy il ne fault pas mettre leur volonte en doute mais leur pouuoir.
lis ont fait vne proclamation quils appellent d enuoyer a la
548 APPENDIX [20 NOV.
guere de quatres hommes un depuis 1 age de soissante ans j usque a sezCj et en ce quils ont pu ils ont execute leur arrest a toute rigueur faisant ieter le de par des personnes commises pour ce subict pour ceux que ne voueloient pas jouer. II fault considerer que Edinburgh mesme de dix ans ne promit que par force. lis esperent par leur calcul trent cinq mille hommes^ douze cents de Cavallerie le reste d infanterie, et sept milles hommes quils ont en irlande, ils ont des armes et sans doute 1 armee d irlande est plus considerable que le reste de leur pouuoir.
Ils attendent quatre vingts mille Jacobus de Londres pour mettre leur gents en campagne presentementj ainsy quils disent.
CONTRE
Le Roy a son parti en Ecosse dix fois plus puissant en Seigneurs et gentils hommes que les puritains.
Les vassaux des seigneurs du parti du Roy ont pi'esque refuse partout de fournir les hommes a quoy le Conseil les a taxer.
Presentement quoy que nous soions en nouembre les escossais n ont point cinq cents hommes de pied et deulx cents cinquante chevaux. Dieu scait que pas vn soit pour ce mettre en campagne, aucun attirait pour 1 artillerie, nuUe esperance den auoir sils nattellent leur boeufs car de cheuaus le pais en est absoluement desgarni.
L engleterrCj cest a dire Londres, n est point en estat de donner les quatre uingt mille Jacobus.
Le General Lesle ne veut point entrer en Engleterre a moins de trents mille hommes effectifes, disant quil veut estre en estat de donner la loy a tout 1 europe, de cela il sen est explique aux puritains et a qui la voulu entendre. L escosse en 1 estat quelle est ne scauroit en fournir le tiers et ainsy cest vne clause im- possible. Elle est tellement bigarree en religions aussy bien que 1 engleterre quil ny a q'uniformite de mots et non pas de creance, tesmoin leur ligue ou Couvenant ou ils se jurent les vns aus autres d aprocher le plus pres de la parole de dieu qui leur sera possible, et cela d autant quil est necessaire aux chefs de la rebellion de leurer le Peuple d un pretexte de religion. Lhiuer est desia fort advance et quand ils auroient argent, vivres, et artillerie ce quils n ont pas, ils ne scauroient entrer dix lieus en engleterre de ceste annee. Les soldats qui 1 on mene par force a la guerre ne tiennent point a plus fort raison le peuple et vn peuple mal aguerri ; ils ont quelques officiers mais peu. II peut vraisemble-
i643] PROPOSALS TO SCOTTISH COUNCIL 549
ment arriuer plusieurs inconuenients a 1 armee descosse si elle entre en Engleterre ils ne scauroient, quoy quils disent mettre plus de dix mille homraes ensemble, si 1 armee se desbande ou que la caualerie angloise leur coupe les vivres, ou que les anglois les battent les chefs et tout le part puritain est ruine sans resource, point de porte de derriere, point d hommes a rem placer et leur credit perdu pour jamais. Plus sils entrent en engleterre auant que de chasser descosse le parti du Roy, ils le laissent maistre de leur pais, sil le chassent il leur faut du temps pour en venir a bout.
Reste 1 armee descosse qui est en irlande composee de sept mille hommes au plus, le Conseil descosse y a enuoye deulx fois, ils ont refuse absoluement de marcher si on ne les paie, et il n y a point d argent pour cela. II faut considerer que les Escossais d irlande tiennent vn pais aussy grand pour le moins que la moitie de la terra firme descosse, et que des sept mille homraes il y en a plus de la moitie habitues en irlande long temps auant les troubles de la grand bretagne. Ils y ont femmes et enfans et a leur regard quelque argent quon leur ofTre ils nabandonneront point leur habitation que est beaucoup meilleure que 1 escosse pour y aller, bien loin de songer a lengleterre.
Ces raissons sont si puissants quil n est pas imaginable que des gents qui ont le sens commun se puissent comporter comme font les puritains. Et si le Marquis d'Argueil est aussy habile que les siens le chantent, il est infaillible quil a quelque entreprise soit sur Neufcastel ou quelque autre place. On a si grande opinion d auoir sa grace quand il voudra quil n apprehende point 1 euene- ment des affaires. II est vray que les Escossois on vne si grande presvmption que cela n est pas concevable, et qui les entendra parler jugera aussytost que nous sommes au temps des Amadis, quils prennent leur maximes destat dans les romans, le general Lesle le premier.
Ce qui fait plus de mal dans leur enterprises chemeriques cest que soubs 1 esperance de leur secours le peuple d engleterre sendurcit dans la rebellion, et le parlement de Londres endore le peuple de la ville soubs la mesme esperance et les fait obstiner a refuser la grace que le Roy leur maistre leur a offert.
Le Couvenant d engleterre et d escosse cest a dire vne ligue fait entre le parliament d engleterre et le Conseil d escosse par laquelle ligue ils s obligent, tant en general quen particulier, dexterminer tous les Papistes sans respect de qui que ce soit.
Les esglises descosse et le conseil enuoyent en allemagne en
550 APPENDIX [20 NOV.
holland signer leur couenants, ou pour le moins les inuiter dentrer dans la Ligue.
Les esglises d escosse et le eonseil ont determine qu'aucun Catholique ne poura seruir en france. Par leur Ligue lis font serment deuant le ministre dexterminer les papistes sans respect de qui que ce soit.
Le regiment d'Irvin veut etre regiment des gardes reste a juger si on pent vu ces deux articles confier la personne de sa Maieste entre les mains de ces Messieurs la. La france ne pent esperer de tirer aucunes hommes d escosse jusques a ce que le Roy de la grande bretagne ait regagne lobeissance quil a absoluement per- due, et hors le titre presentement cest vne republique ; reste a dire le dessein des escossois, et il est asseure que le peu qu'ils tireront de largent de Londres sils peuvent, et les plus advises de eonseil en prendroient chacun leur part en attendant ils chasseront les partisans du Roy de la grande bretagne ils se preraveront peu a peu pour entrer en Engleterre, ce quils pouront faire dans le mois de Mars ou d apruil. Si le parlement de Londres a quelque bons succes ils pousseront leur fortune mesme jusques en france disent ils tout haut ; si le parlement est ruine ils entreront pour tant en Engleterre en dessein d y plante une Colonie comme ils ont fait autresfois en irlande; et pendant le temps le Roy s'emploiera a reduire les rebelles d angleterre, leur republique demeurera en bon estat et saffirmera. Ils se tiennent asseures quils battront tous les Princes Christiens sils estoient vnis. Leur proiets sont si vastes, leur pi*esomption si gi'ande quil ny a nulle esperance de rien gagner auec eux, au reste ceux du eonseil sont si ignorants des affaires de dehors quil n y a compagnie d'ecoliers en france qui n en soit mieux enformee. Le Marquis d' Argueil est icy absolu, intelli- gent au possible des affaires descosse et rien plus, il a besoin de la I'eputation de Lesle pour la soldatesque, et luy se met pour exemple le Roy de Suede qui nauoit point tant de force queux quil a passe sur le ventre a tout 1 allemagne. Cest exemple a tellement gaste le general Lesle que dernierement dans vne grande Compagnie de milords sadressant au Comte de Humes, 11 luy dit parlant de 1 armee quils pretendent faire, ' Consideres, milord, quelle gloire ce seroit deuant dieu et deuant les hommes si nous venons a chasser les catholiques d angleterre de les suiure en france et a I'imitation du feu Roy de Suede rallier ceux de la religion de france et planter de gre ou de force notre religion dans Paris, et dela aller a Rome chasser 1 entichrist et bruler la ville dou uient la super- stition.' Ce galant hommes la dit a 1 enuoye tout net que 1 ou disoit
i643] PROPOSALS TO SCOTTISH COUNCIL 651
que les francois viendroient en Engleterre pour le parti contraire, que s'il y venoient qui les y voiroit, Lenuoye luy respondit quil n en auroit point ouy parler mais que si les francois passoient la mer quil ne croyet pas que ce fust en dessein de se cacher et que ceux qui ne fermeroient pas les yeux les pouvoient voir.
Le Comte de Loudian a eu dans ses Instructions secretis de traiter auec les huguenots, et sans doub 11 a parle a plusieurs. Lenuoye na pu discourer a qui mais 11 est certain quil y a con-e- spondance entre les puritains de Londres, d escosse et defrance et tres grands intelligence. Ceste affaire merite d auvoir 1 oeil ouurit
[Proposals made by M. de Boisivon to the Council op Scotland,
RECEIVED with HIS DESPATCH OP 20 NoV. 1643
The Council of Scotland having intimated to M. de Boisivon that it wished to have in writing what he had to communicate on the part of the king and on his own account, M. de Boisivon addressed the Council in the following speech and delivered the proposals, which the Chancellor received, aud said that the Council would give a reply, and that in the meantime two noblemen would be deputated to treat with him.
'Very illustrious Nobles, His Most Christian Majesty the King, my master, with the advice of the queen-regent, mother of his Majesty, has sent me to you, being in this juncture of aflfairs very glad to testify to every one his esteem for your valiant aud very generous nation. The alliances of his kingdom and yours are so ancient, and have been so faithfully maintained, and the public confidence so scrupulously observed that one would require to go far back to the histories of Greece and Rome to find an example of union and fraternity to compare with it. Your august lordships having deputed the Earl of Lothian to France in order to make some proposals, which have been favourably received, accepted and granted, the king, my master, has commanded me to submit to you also some proposals and to make some overtures. He hopes to preserve vai-ied intercourse with such good and faithful allies, and trusts that your wonted prudence will still continue to guide you in the occurrences of this period, that are in truth very perilous.
' The alliances of France and Scotland are between kingdom aud kingdom. Your lordships will please to consider that they are also between king and king. Nobles so prudent as those who form this very august Council will, I am certain, consider well the consequences of this without my being obliged to enlarge further on it. Affairs are urgent. This leads me to beg your lordships to appoint commissioners, to whom I can deliver the proposals with which 1 am intrusted, and with whom I may be able to devise some remedy against the disorders that are taking place. '
The Council requested that the proposals be made immediately, which was done.
' I have orders from the King, my master, to request the release of the
662 APPENDIX [20 Nov.
Earl of Antrim, and to give you his royal word that whatever may be the course of events here, the said earl will take no part in them. I have even orders to conduct him to France should that be your will. The king, my master, has obtained from the English Parliament the release of Lord Digby,! although he was considered by that Parliament as its greatest enemy, but I am not so ill-advised as to think it requisite in Scotland to cite the example of England, in order to give effect to the request of the greatest king in Eui-ope, your very old friend and ally.' 2
M. de Boisivon was sent without any instructions to Scotland other than to do what he could, and on arriving found everything in confusion, and orders of Council everywhere so that the towns and parishes should provide men and money for which none of them had been imposed. He visited the leaders of the party opposed to the king as well as those for him, of whom there is no one in Edinburgh but Lord Gray, who has rendered him every assistance. He was able to obtain information about everything with the greatest possible circumspection, and tried in vain to gain over or disjoin those who had most under their control, and as his mission was chiefly intended for the service of the King of Great Britain, and in order to obtain the release of the Earl of Antrim, he judged it necessary to give the above proposals, reserving till afterwards what he might be able to do for the Catholics, who are certainly much more wretched here than those in Constantinople, the hatred existing against them being beyond anything that can be imagined. The envoy has neglected no likely means so as to assure the submission of the principal members of the Council or to gain them over by offering them pensions, situations at the English Court, employment in France, and in general all that each one may wish to have, not omitting to offer to them the intercession of the king with the King of Great Britain, in order to obtain a general amnesty of which his Majesty would be caution. He spoke to the Lords of the Council with every possible politeness in his confidential conversations with them, keeping always in view the dignity of his master, and stated that France knew well the difference between a war of religion and one undertaken by the State ; that the king would take care to prevent a republic ; that he has no interest other than a good neighbourly feeling ; that the clergymen who preached scandalously against their king had thrown aside the mask in declaring that they required an arbitrary government, in short, he forgot nothing, and if arguments alone had been required by the commissioners it is certain that they would not have had the last word as they remained often silent not being able to refute the objections made to them. It would be superfluous and even impossible to write all that was said on the subject. But to return to the proposals that may seem very bold to be given by a simple envoy having no other instructions than what God might dictate to him, it is necessary to con-
^ See note, vol. i. p. 40.
^ For copy of proposals and the council's reply, see preface, vol. i. pp. xii and xiii.
i643] PROPOSALS TO SCOTTISH COUNCIL 553
sider that he was treating with rebels to their king, and that whatever he might do or say was of little importance, as it concerns kings alone to break off or maintain alliances.
M. de Boisivon made the proposals as concise as possible in order not to have the trouble of making a long speech in which it might be thought that he had included everything, thus omitting a part he gave the con- clusion, so that if the King of Great Britain had wished him to propose anything for tlie benefit of his affairs there would have been means of doing so, for it would have defeated his object to speak of the Catholics, in the first instance, seeing the rage that is here against them. The only means was to leave a loophole through which this subject, in which the piety of the queen is concerned, may be treated of. 1 shall try in my own name to procure the release of two ecclesiastics that are prisoners. If the Paris clergy would write to the clergy of Edinburgh and state that the rigour with which Catholics are treated here is a bad example for them, and were they to intercede with the clergy here in favour of the Catholics, it would have a better result and be more effective than were all the Christian kings to recommend them, lliere are not five hundred Catholics in Scotland, and it is simply the hatred felt against them that causes them to be badly treated. Unless this be done all is lost.
Scotland is so full of factions and so divided within herself that she is little, or not at all, to be feared at present, in the changes that are taking place in England.
The reasons for fearing her may be reduced to three points : that the Council has all the authority, that it must always hold its sittings in Edinburgh, and that the leaders are Puritans and consequently enemies of the king.
The king has given to Edinburgh the exclusive privilege of its being the place of meeting for the Council. General Leslie is governor of the Castle, which is seated on an eminence from whence the town could be reduced to ashes within two hours. The Chancellor and the Marquis of Argyle are united both by family ties and by interests, the former is chief of the Council and the latter of the people. On these three persons depend absolutely all the affairs of Edinburgh and the adjacent country. And according to the saying that those who offend do not pardon, all three have deceived the king, not to call it anything worse, so that it is not their will in this respect that may be questioned, but their ability. They have issued a proclamation, which they call the sending to the war of one man in four of the population, from the age of sixteen to sixty, and so far as they have been able, they have carried out their plan with great severity, having the dice thrown by persons appointed for that purpose for those who refused to throw for themselves. It has also to be borne in mind that the population of Edinburgh during the past ten years only submits to the conscription by force. They hope, according to their calculation, to raise thirty-five thousand men, of which twelve hundred cavalry and the rest in infantry, together with the seven
554 APPENDIX [20 NOV.
thousand they have in Ireland^ which latter, being armed, form the most important part of their force. They expect eighty thousand Jacobus from London to enable them, as they say, to put their army at present on a war footing.
Counter Statement
The king's party in Scotland is ten times more powerful in nobles and gentry than the Puritans.
The vassals that depend on the nobles of the king's party have almost everywhere refused to supply the men, which they have been taxed by the council to furnish.
Although we are now in November the Scots have not five hundred men raised or two hundred and fifty horse. God knows no one will be ready for the coming campaign ; they have no artillery train and no hope of providing one, unless they harness their oxen, for the country is absolutely destitute of horses.
England, that is to say London, is unable to give them the eighty thousand Jacobus.
General Leslie will not enter England unless he has thirty thousand effective men, and says he wishes to be in a position to lay down the law to all Europe, which he explains to the Puritans and those who wish to listen to him. Scotland in its present state will not be able to furnish the third of that number, so that this clause of their contract is impossible. The country is as diversified in forms of religion as England, the only uniformity is in words not in belief, as for example in their league or Covenant, wherein they take oath among themselves to approach as near as possible to the Word of God, and this so much the more as it is necessary for the chiefs of the rebellion to allure the people with a pretext of religion. The winter is already far advanced, and when they have the money, food supplies, and artillery which they want, they will not enter ten leagues'into England during this year. The soldiers, that they lead by force to the war, have little inclination for it, and the people, who are not warlike, still less. They have some officers, but not many. Several dis- agreeable results may probably happen to the Scottish army if it enter England, for, whatever they may say, they will be unable to raise more than ten thousand men, and in the event of their army becoming dis- banded, or if the English cavalry cut off its supplies, or if they be defeated by the English, the leaders and all the Puritan party will be irretrievably ruined, as there remains to them no means of retreat, no men to replace those lost, in order to maintain their credit, that will be for ever gone. Besides they propose to enter England without having expelled the king's party from Scotland, which they will leave masters of their country, for if they attempt to expel this latter they will require time to accomplish it. There remains the Scottish army in Ireland, com- posed of seven thousand men at the most, to which the Scottish Council has sent twice with orders for them to march, which they have twice refused to do unless they be paid, and there remains no money for that purpose. It must be borne in mind that the Scots in Ireland occupy a
i643] PROPOSALS TO SCOTTISH COUNCIL 555
territory at least half as large as Scotland, and that of the seven thousand men more than half have been accustomed to reside there for a long time before the troubles broke out in Great Britain, They have their wives and children there, and whatever compensation may be offered to them in money it will not induce them to abandon their place of abode that is much more agreeable than Scotland, in order to return there, far less would they think of going to England.
These reasons are so powerful that it is inconceivable how people pos- sessed of common sense can act as the Puritans are doing. If the Marquis of Argyle is so intelligent as his admirers proclaim him to be, it is certain that he has some other design, either on Newcastle or on some other place. People have such a high estimation of his favour when he grants it, that he is in no way apprehensive of the course of events. It is true that the Scots have an inconceivable amount of presumption. To hear them talk one would think oneself in the time of the Amadis. They take their political maxims from romances. General Leslie is one of the most noted for this. The greatest harm that results from their chimerical enterprises is that the people of England are becoming hardened in their rebellion through hopes of their help, and the Parliament in London quiets the people there with this same hope, so that they are led to refuse the pardon that the king their master has offered them.
The Covenant of England and Scotland is a league made between the English Parliament and the Scottish Council by which they oblige them- selves generally and individually to exterminate all Papists without respect of person. The Scottish churches and the Council send into Germany and into Holland to have the Covenant signed, or at least to invite people to join their league. The Scottish churches and the Council have decided that no Catholic will be able to serve in France. By their league they take oath before the clergyman to exterminate all Catholics without distinction. The Irvine regiment has lately been named Regiment of Guards. It remains to be considered how far in view of these two articles one may trust the person of his Majesty into the hands of these gentlemen. France cannot hope to obtain men from Scotland until the King of Great Britain regain the obedience that he has absolutely lost. At present this country is a republic in all but the name. The intentions of the Scots remain to be seen, and it is certain they will draw the money from London if they can, and the shrewdest members of the Council will take each their share of it, while in the meantime they will drive out the partisans of the King of Great Britain and make little by little their preparations for entering England which they may be able to do during the months of March or April. If the Parliament in London is successful they say openly they will push their fortune as far as France ; if the Parliament fail they will notwithstanding enter England for the purpose of founding a colony there as they formerly did in Ireland ; and while the king is occupied in bringing the rebels into subjection their republic will thrive and become consolidated. They are convinced that they would beat all the princes in Christendom were they but united.
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Their plans are so vast, their presumption so great that there is no hope of obtaining anything from them. Besides those of the Council are so ignorant of what is going on abroad that there is not a group of school- boys in F'rance that are not better informed. The Marquis of Argyle is absolute here : he is in the highest degree intelligent in all that relates to Scotland, but knows nothing of anything beyond his own country. He requires the reputation of Leslie to control the soldiery ; and this latter takes for his model the King of Sweden, who with a smaller force than they possess overran all Germany. This example has so spoilt the General Leslie, that lately in a large meeting of nobles he said, in addressing Lord Hume, in speaking of the army and of what they pretended to do, ' Consider, my Lord, what a glorious thing it would be before God and man, if we manage to drive the Catholics out of England and follow them to France, and in imitation of the late King of Sweden, unite with those of our religion there, and plant nolens volens our religion in Paris and thence go to Rome, drive out Antichrist and burn the town that disseminates superstition.' This gallant man said quite plainly to the envoy that it was said the French would come to England to support the opposite party and asked in the event of their coming who would see them there. The envoy replied that he had not heard of it, but that if the French crossed the sea it would not be for the purpose of hiding themselves, and that those who kept their eyes open would see them.
The Earl of Lothian in his recent mission to France has had secret instructions to treat with the Huguenots, and no doubt he has spoken to several. The envoy has not been able to discover to whom, but he is certain that there is a secret and intimate understanding between the Puritans in London, Scotland, and France. This matter merits close attention.]
The Answ^er of the Counsell of Scotland to the propositions
GIVEN to THAME BE MoNS DE BoSIVON FROM THE KiNG OF FrANCE.
Ed'-, 9 Novemb. l643.
When the Councell sail ressave ane accompt frome the Eai*le of Louthian of his proceedings in his employment to France, They will then, according to their power. Give suche ane answer as may shew their willingnes to enterteaine and confirme the ancient alliance betwixt the kingdomes of Scotland and France.
To the second. The Councell can give no other answer then that the conserve- ing of peace betwix the two kingdomes of Scotland and England is Remitted to his Ma^^^ and Estats of Parlem* to a Comission appoynted for y* effect. And that the Convention of Estates haveing reseaved some propositions frome Comissioners of both houses of the Parlem* of England ; for the farder secureing of the Religion and peace of thir Kingdomes. They have intrusted the
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consideration yW to ane Comittee of y"" owne nomber. Who the Councill are confident will proceed in these affaires as becometh thame in dutie and conscience toward God, in loyaltie to the King, and w*'^ respect to the good of the kingdomes.
Since the National assemblie of the Church of Scotland is To the third. Independent, y^fore what hath beene concluded be thame cannot be recalled by the Councell.
As the Counsell have answered these princ'' proposlns accordinge to their power, and in suche sort as can give no just occasion of offence to the king of France, Being willing inviolablie to keepe that amitie, yt has beene so religiouslie observed this manie ages. And they are confident that the Queene regent, and those who have the charge of the king of France in his nonage will be better advysed then to make these particulars ane occasion of breach w**^ his ancient allies whome his royal predecessors in yr greatest difficulties have fond to be thire reddiest and surest freinde. So when anie other proposition sail be made vnto thame be Mons. Bosivon they will returne suche ane answer yr to as apperteineth.
Primrose, Clers. Cons.
A MONSEIGNEUR : MoNSEIGNEUR LE CoMTE DE BrIENNE, SECRETAIRE DES COMMANDEMENTS DE SA MaIESTE. En CoUR.
De Ma?ichester ce 8 Jui/let 1644. MoNSEIGNEUR, — Jc vous cscriuis par le Capitaine Hebron huit jours deuant que de partir descosse et trois jours apres j ens aduis que le Conseil descosse me uouluoit faire assassiner pour recognois- sance de I'honneur que la france leur avoit fait, mais advis si certain quil n y auoit point lieu d en douter puisquil venoit d un des principaux seigneurs du Royaume et d un des plus intelligents au reste fort seruiteur de son Maistre. II ra enuoya le meilleur cheual quil eut pour me sauver me, mandant quil n y auoit point de temps a perdre, tout a propos les lettres du Roy et les vostres arriuerent qui me commendoient de retourne en france. J allay tout aussytost chez le Marquies Douglas, pere du M. Douglas qui a vn regiment en france, je luy communiquay 1 aduis que j auois et au Comte Douglas son fils aine, ils me donnirent escorte, et Monsieur Angus me conduisit quinze lieues et d autres Seigneurs serviteurs du Roy de la grande bretagne me donnerent en suite conuoy pour gagner Carlisle, premiere ville que 1 on rencontre en arrivant d escosse en Engleterre. De Carlisle je trauerse les prouinces du nort d engleterre en tout seurete, mais les Escossois
558 APPENDIX [8 JULY
ayant eu aduis que je men estois alle, enrages mauoir manque, donnerent ordre par toutes les villes du parti de Parlement de Londres de m arester. Ce quils executerent aussytost que ieus mis pied a terre a Lancaster et de la mamenerent prisonnier icy ou ie suis il ia deux mois et trois sepmaines. lis me foullerent par tout, mosterent tous mes papiers a la reserve de mon passeport quils m ont laisse en se moquant, et mont fait toutes les indignities possibles, ils m ont oste quelques piereries et m'ont garde dans vne chambre six sepmaine auec six Mousquetaires. Depuis ce temps la jay eu la liberte de descendre dans la Court et d entrer dans vn jardin de quatre toises. J auois six des meilleurs chevaus de la grande bretagne. Ils les prenoient par force, m en ont estropie vn, perdu 1 autre, et ruine les rest, depuis huit jours ils ne le font plus. Vous scaures, Monseigneur, que je suis a vingt deux lieues d'lorck ou est la faction descosse qui me detient icy dabord que je fus arreste. Le comite de Manchester, cest a dire le Conseil, en donna aduis au Parlement, le Parlement remit mon affaire a la dis- cretion du Comite d escosse qui est deuant lorch, disant toutes fois quil seroit a propos de me laisser aller. Le Chevalier Meldrem est gouverneur de cest ville, Chef du Conseil ou Comite de ceste mesme ville, et vn de plus suffisants du Comite souuerain, comme ils disent d escosse, II y a huit jours quil menuoya dire que javais ma liberte, mais comme ce vint a joindre j avois liberte de n estre point lie mais trente cheuaus legers pour mescortir, et pour m empescher d entrer dans les terres qui recognoissent le Roy de la grande bretagne, et il estoit fort facile en chemin allant, la nuit proche des quartiers dudit seigneur Roy, de supposer des enemies et de faire ce quils auoient manque en Escosse. Ceste considera- tion m a fait refuser leur offre et ainsy ils ont enuoye a Londres derechef. Les indignites quils mont faites en mon particulier mempeschent de dire le peu d estat quils font de france et des francois. Je vous jure, Monseigneur, que la plus douce parole estoit quils ne se soucient point de leur force et de leur amitie quil ne leur venoit rien de france que du vin dont ils se passeroient bien si vous uoules ruiner 1 escosse vous le pouves en arrestant leurs vaisseaux a Bourdeaus quand ils seront charges. Jay oublies a uous dire pour plus d intelligense des affaires de deca quil ya Londres vn Conseil de Seigneurs anglois et escossois qui regie en commun les affaires des deux Royaumes et ainsy lescosse, ne pent pas desad- uouer quelle viole les droit de gents dans la personne dun enuoye de france, au reste si vous desires scauoir pour quoy ils le font et la raison pour la quelle ils me veuUent tant de mal je vous le diray en
i644] BOISIVON TO BRIENNE 569
peu de mots. Qiiand le Comte de Lodion fut enuoye en france ses propositions nestoyent que le pretext de son enuoy, le subiect estoit pour suborner les huguenots de france et leur faire signer la ligue generale que les protestants d engleterre et descosse ont faite pour 1 extermination des papistes. Ce sont leurs mots. Pour c est effect ils enuoyerent non seulement en france mais aussy en hollande, en allemagne et en dannemarck. Voila un des raisons, 1 autre est que j ay sceu tout le detail de la rebellion descosse, les interests de ceux qui font jouer les ressorts, et pour abreger, que je cognois toutes leurs affaires aussy bien queux mesmes ; la derniere est qu'ils se prennent a moy de la prison du Marquis d Hamilton, cest ce qui les a fait attenter en Escosse de massassiner la nuit dans mon logis comme je ai uous mande il y a six mois, et dont ie nay eu nulle justice, c est ce qui leur a fait semer le bruit dans le peuple que j estois Jesuit, pour me faire assassiner par la populace super- stitieuse et barbare, et tout cela ayant manque et voulant en toutes facons mempescher d aller en france ils me tiennent prisonnier et ne me pardonneront pas. S ils peuvent ils sont bien assez mediants pour faire le coup mais ils noseroient laduouer aux anglois qui sont plus moderes, principal ement a cause du pretexte de la religion dont ils se servent a vn point qui n est pas imaginable, tousiours la sainte escriture a la bouche, apres les repas tousiours prieres et vn demi sermon que le ministre fait roulant les yeux en la teste, tout cela pour le peuple qui est fort simple en ce Royaume. Je uous supplie, Monseigneur, denuoyer a Londres pour ma liberte et de vouloir me faire tenir de 1 argent a Bristo par la voie de Nantes, la Rochelle ou Bourdeaux. La Reine de la grande bretagne y est, et il faut que ie 1 informe des affaires descosse et des traitres qui sont apres du Roy son mari, car il est certain que j ay descouvert en vn pais dont ie n entends pas la langue, des particularites de grande consequence et fort secrets. Je vous supplie derechef, Mon- seigneur, d auoir soin de moy et que la lettre que ie vous escris qui me couste plus d argent la moitie quil ne men rest a vous faire tenir, ne soit perdu. Je cours plus de fortune d estre assassigne que ie ne faisois il ya dix jours que je uous escriuis et aussy mal traite que jamais. — A vostre tres humble et tres obeissant servant,
BoiSIVON.
[BoisivoN to Bbienne. Manchester, 8th July 1644. I WROTE to you by Captain Hebron ^ eight days before leaving Scotland
^ Blakhal in his Narrative makes mention of this Captain Hebron [Hepburn], and showing the danger to which he, as a priest, was exposed in visiting Scotland
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and three days after I learned that the Council of Scotland wished to have me assassinated in return for the honour that France had paid them. The intimation of it that reached me was so authenticated that it was impossible to doubt it, coming as it did from one of the principal nobles of the kingdom, and one of the most intelligent, one who, at the same time, has remained a very faithful servant of his sovereign. He sent the best horse he had to aid me in my escape, and informed me there was no time to lose, on which the king's letters and yours arrived very oppor- tunely commanding me to return to France. I went immediately to the Marquis Douglas, father of M. Douglas, who commands a regiment in France, and informed him and his eldest son, the Earl of Angus, of the intimation I had received. They supplied me with an escort, and the Earl of Angus accompanied me for fifteen leagues, and other nobles, followers of the King of Great Britain, gave me an escort afterwards, so as to enable me to reach Carlisle, the first town on the road coming from Scotland to England. From Carlisle I travelled quite safely across the northern counties of England, but the Scots having learned that I had gone away, and angry at their having missed me, gave orders in all the towns held by the English Parliamentary army to have me arrested, which was done immediately on my reaching Lancaster, from whence I was brought here as a prisoner, where I have remained two months and three weeks. They have searched all my effects, and taken away all my papers with the exception of my passport, which they left with me as a mockery, and they have subjected me to every sort of^indignity. They have taken some jewelry from me, and during six weeks they kept me in a room with a guard of six armed men. I have since been allowed to go down into a courtyard and to enter a garden of twelve yards square. I had six of the best British horses, which they took from me by force : they have lamed one, lost a second, and ruined the others. During the last eight days they have discontinued doing so. You must know that I am at twenty- two leagues distant from York, where the Scottish faction, who had me first detained here when I was arrested, are stationed. The Manchester Committee, that is to say the Council, gave notice of it to Parliament, which referred my case to the discretion of the Scottish Committee which is before York, stating, however, that it would be better to let me go. Sir [John] Meldrum, who is governor of this town, president of the local committee, and one of the most self-sufficient of the sovereign committee, as they say in Scotland, sent to inform me eight days ago that I was at liberty and under no restraint further than I would on leaving here have an escort of thirty light horsemen to accompany me and prevent me from entering on the territory subject to the King of Great Britain ; but as it would be
at this time, states (p. i68) that Hebron while engaged in recruiting for the French service in Aberdeenshire, in the early part of this year, was pursued by the lairds of Waterton and Carnemuck, Blakhal's cousins, with the intention of arresting him and bringing him to Buchan, They suspected Hebron of being Blakhal in disguise.
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very easy on the way during the night near the districts held by the king's forces to suppose the presence of enemies and to put into execution what they failed to carry out in Scotland, I was led on this consideration to decline their offer. On which they again communicated with London. The indignities to which they have subjected me personally prevent me from stating the little estimation in which they hold France and French- men. I swear to you that their mildest word was that they cared nothing either about their armed force or their friendship, that they received from France nothing but wine, which they could do very well without. If you wish to ruin Scotland you have but to stop the Scottish ships at Bordeaux when they have got their cargoes aboard. I omitted to mention to you, in order that you may understand better the state of affairs here, that there exists in London a Council of English and Scottish nobles who direct in common the affairs of both kingdoms, so that Scotland cannot disavow that she has violated international law in the person of an envoy from France. Besides, if you wish to know why they have done so and why they have shown so much ill-will towards me, I shall tell you in a few words. When the Earl of Lothian was sent to France his proposals were but a pretext for his mission ; his real object was to treat in an underhand manner with the French Huguenots and lead them to sign the general league that the Protestants in England and Scotland have made in order to exterminate the Papists. These are their own words ; and for this purpose they sent not only into France, but also into Holland, Germany, and Denmark. That is one of their reasons ; the other is that I know all the details of their rebellion, the interests of those who direct events behind the scenes, — in short, that I know all their affairs as well as they do themselves. The last reason is that they blame me for the imprisonment of the Marquis of Hamilton. It was this that led them to attempt to assassinate me during the night in my residence in Scotland M'hich I mentioned to you six months ago, and for which I have had no redress. This was also why they circulated the rumour among the people that I was a Jesuit, so as to have me assassinated by the super- stitious and barbarous populace, and all their attempts having failed, they seek by all means to prevent my return to France, and hold me a prisoner here and will not pardon me. The Scots are wicked enough to do the deed if they can accomplish it, but they do not dare to avow it to the English, who are more moderate, and principally because of their religious pretension which they affect to an extraordinary degree, always quoting Scripture and prayers after meals, with half a sermon, which the clergyman utters while turning up the whites of his eyes, and all this in order to impose on the people, who are very simple in this kingdom,
I pray you to send to London to obtain my release and also to send me some money to Bristol by way of Nantes, Rochelle, or Bordeaux. The Queen of Great Britain is at Bristol at present, and I must inform her concerning the affairs of Scotland and of the traitors who are with the king, her husband, for it is certain that in a country of which I do not understand the language, I have discovered some very important and VOL. II. 2 N
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very secret information. I entreat you again to provide for my safety so that the despatch of this letter, that costs me more than half of all the money I possess, may not be lost.
I run greater risk of being assassinated now than I did ten days ago when I wrote to you, and I am as badly treated as before. ]
Copy of a letter that M. de Boisivon, Envoy on the King's service in Scotland, addressed to the King of England from Manchester, dated 22nd July 1 644 :
Sire, — I take the liberty of writing in order to inform your Majesty of my imprisonment at Manchester. The Scots, after wishing to assassinate me in Edinburgh, have held me a prisoner here during two months and a half, through fear that I might inform your Majesty of the details relating to your Majesty's kingdom of Scotland, which they say I am better acquainted with than they are themselves. It is quite true that I know the luke- warm, the neuter, the faithful, and the traitors; and had I not left Edinburgh without informing them of my departure, my knowledge would have cost me ray life. One of the principal nobles invited me to supper so as to have an opportunity of inform- ing me that I had no time to lose in order to make my escape ; and by good fortune I received, while with him, the letters of the king, my master, by which he ordered me to return and give an account of my negotiation. I beg your Majesty very humbly to have the goodness to inform France of the treatment I receive here. I have been prevented from writing there ; all my papers have been taken from me, even including the cipher of the king, my master ; all my effects have been searched, and what was therein found sent to the Parliament in London. They have lamed one of my horses that was worth sixty Jacobus, and lost one that was worth more, while they take and make use of my remain- ing horses night and day. I have been treated with the greatest severity. They threaten to send me by force to Hull or to London ; I shall be very fortunate if I be not killed on the way. I beg your Majesty's pardon very humbly for my writing matters of so little importance ; but seeing it concerns the honour of France, and that international law has been violated in my person, I have had the boldness to inform your Majesty of it, and the fear that my letter may be intercepted prevents me from saying more, so that it but remains for me again to beg pardon for my having dared to write, and to entreat your Majesty to believe, etc. etc.
SABRAN TO BOISIVON 563
This copy was sent to M. de Sabran by Sir Edward Nicolas, Secretary of State to the King of England, enclosed in a letter, dated Oxford, 27th September l644.
[Bib. Nat. MS. fonds fr., No. 4138-191.]
Sabran to Boisivon
To M. de Boisivon, Envoy on the King's service in Scotland. Letter of M. de Sabran.
Westminster, 2nd September 1 644.
Sir, — Having been four months in England by order of the king and queen-regent, mother of the king, three months ago I received information in London, that had come from Scotland, of your having been sent there by their Majesties, and a rumour of your having been arrested in that country. I cannot accept any reason for your arrest after you had been accredited as an envoy, other than might have happened on your executing the king's orders, or from your having infringed them, or, as stated, that you were arrested for debts contracted in Scotland at the instance of your creditors. In the first case, you only required to render an account of it to their Majesties ; in the second case the persons interested in your contravention ought to have sent their complaints to their Majesties, who required to be informed of it ; and in the third case, as regards punishment, you would be better here. In order the better to obtain your release, I under- took a journey of six weeks' duration to their Britannic Majesties, and I have spent an equal amount of time since then in order to obtain certain information about you. What care I have devoted to this ! I at length learned, through the same channel as pre- viously, that during the time you have been at Manchester, you have been amusing yourself in hunting, while occupying a resi- dence of your own choice, and quite at liberty. I was all the more pleased at this on account of your having been recognised as in the king's service, whose dignity we ought ever to try and maintain intact in all our actions, and whatever may happen to us personally. And seeing it is not permitted to doubt of your being at liberty in your abode, until you give me an account of it, as you are able to do — if you do not come in person — as this latter result has been promised to me in reply to my letter, I send it open, so that there may be less scruple about delivering it to you. If you are detained, send certain address and reply, awaiting which, I remain, etc. etc. Sabran,
[Bib. Nat. MS. fonds fran. No. 4138-160.]
564 APPENDIX [OCT.
Note B M. Du Bosc TO Cardinal Mazarin
Fontainehleau, 21 Oct. 1644.
Sir Thomas Dischington arrived in Paris on the 3rd of this month and has remained there since, Avithout seeing any one, greatly grieved at the indisposition of your Eminence. He has come with God's help on the orders of the queen and your Eminence to justify in person all he has written. He says it will be much better for the success of the business that has brought him, that he does not appear in it until he has seen you, and after it may have been decided what is to be done so as to avoid obstacles that might otherwise be brought to bear against it. That the first thing to be done is to re-establish promptly and efficiently the privileges of his nation and its ancient alliance with France. That without this re-establishment nothing can be done in the present state of things. That afterwards it will be necessary to effect a union with the English by means of the Scots and these with whom the latter are in relation. That the sooner this is done the better it will be, because there is some indication of an agreement between the king and the Parliament of England ; what is intended will be very difficult because of the jealousy that is natural to the English nation and from not being able to remove the Spanish faction from the king, which also, in the event of this agreement, could easily persuade that Parlia- ment, affected by the same jealousy, to resist us, instead of which, if we begin early, we will be beforehand with them by means of the Scots.
He has an authentic copy of the letter of Lord Jermyn to the Prince of Orange signed by the secretary of the council of the two kingdoms, the original of which is in the hands of the English Parliament, written by Lord Jermyn and partly in cipher. He wishes this copy to be seen by no one but her Majesty and your Eminence until the said Parliament may have sent a copy of it to the United Provinces. He promises to give the means of discovering all the intrigues of the Spanish faction. He cautions her Majesty and your Eminence to be on your guard against Commander de Jars, and that you prevent Crofts being made captain of the Guards of the Queen of England. He wishes to obtain the release of Robert Moray, Lieut.-General in the regi-
1644] SIR ROBERT MORAY 565
ment of Scots Guards, William Moray his brother, captain in the same regiment, James Hay, nephew to the Earl of Yester and George Stuart, prisoners of the Duke of Bavaria who will be of great service. He wishes, if it please your Majesty and your Eminence, to be allowed the expenses of his stay here, regarding which I told him it might be pranged, and that he will receive here the three thousand livres that were offered to him before he came, for his pension of this year. It is necessary that those of his country be satisfied with the treatment they receive here. He does not like to speak of the originals about which so much has been written.
Note C
Sir Robert Moray
Sir Robert Moray was of the old family of the Morays of Aber- cairnie in Perthshire. He was the eldest son of Sir Mungo Moray of Craigie, his mother being a daughter of George Halket of Pitferran. He was born about the year I6OO, and was educated at St. Andrews and in Paris. He entered military service in France during the reign of Louis xiii., and saw much active service in the wars of that country with Spain and Austria. Having joined la Garde Ecossaise, commanded by Lord James Campbell, son of Archibald, seventh Earl of Argyle, he had reached the rank of Lieut.-Colonel in that regiment, when, in l644, he was taken prisoner by the army of the Duke of Bavaria. On procuring his release, in the following year, he was designated by his country- men to carry out the negotiation with France to which this correspondence refers, for which his large intelligence and sagacity made him very well qualified. Lord Clarendon calls him a cunning and a dexterous man, but the incident he relates of him, in his History, on which this opinion seems to rest, of having obtained a written promise from Queen Henrietta Maria, relating to the establishment of Presbyterianism, must be con- sidered incorrect. The queen did not, in fact, make the smallest concession to him on this or any other matter treated of between them, and but for his zeal in the king's service, and his tact, the entire negotiation would, on that account, have been brought to an end on his return to London. This is amply borne out by the present correspondence. At the same time the real effect of his proposals and arguments on the queen's mind, backed as these
566 APPENDIX
were by Cardinal Mazarin, seems to have been greater than she was disposed to admit. See Appendix Note J, Cardinal Mazarin's letter to Montereul, The probabilities are that Lord Clarendon having heard mention made of the numerous important papers given by the queen to William Moray, one of her household, and Sir Robert's cousin, of which much is related in this correspondence, must have attributed by mistake to Sir Robert what was alleged of his cousin. It need scarcely be added that papers given to William Moray by the queen were merely to be transmitted to the king her husband, and could not contain anything like a promise or concession to any one. Yet Sir Robert was certainly a very shrewd man, and although a Presbyterian, devotedly attached to the Royalist cause. After the failure of this negotiation and the king's death, he went to Breda in 1650 with proposals to Charles ii. During this same year the Scottish Parliament entered into correspondence with France, in support of his claims on this latter country. In March l651 he was appointed Lord Justice Clerk in Scotland. The appointment was an honorary one, yet it is said to have given general satisfaction, in so far as it was not rendered inoperative by the arrival of Cromwell and the English. He was subsequently engaged, with the Earl of Glencairn, in a Royalist rising in the Highlands ; and had obtained considerable influence over the small force he commanded, when a rumour was circu- lated, by means of a forged letter, that he had entered into a plot with Monck to kill the king. This led to his arrest, and exposed him to considerable danger from the undisciplined chai-acter of the troops he had to command.
On the Restoration he was appointed member of the Privy Council and Commissioner of the Treasury in Scotland. Being opposed to the king's intention of restoring Episcopacy in Scot- land, at least until the intentions of the people were better known concerning it, he continued to oppose the plans of Middleton and Sharp for that object, and also exerted, during a certain time, a powerful and beneficial influence on the opinions and decisions of Lord Lauderdale, who had such confidence in Sir Robert's candour and care that on his leaving London to attend the meetings of Parliament in Edinburgh he intrusted him with all his affairs at Court. A rupture was caused between them by Lady Dysart, a daughter of Sir Robert's cousin William Moray, who became Lady Lauderdale, and who persuaded her husband that Sir Robert assumed to himself the praise of all that was done between them and was not displeased to pass as his
SIR ROBERT MORAY 567
governor. * Lord Lauderdale's pride was fired by this false in- sinuation which/ says Burnet in his History of His Own Time, 'began by disjointing all the councils of Scotland.' He tried but in vain to sepai'ate Sir Robert from his friends. Burnet says further of Lord Lauderdale : ' He trusted me with all his secrets and seemed to have no reserves with me. He indeed pressed me to give up with Sir Robert Moray, and I saw that upon my doing so I should have as much credit with him as I could desire. Sir Robert himself apprehended this would be put to me, and pressed me to comply with it ; but I hated servitude as much as I loved him, so I refused it flatly. I told Lord Lauderdale that Sir Robert had been as a second father or governor to me.' Lord Lauder- dale, unrestrained by the wise counsels of Sir Robert, subsequently introduced these cruel laws of repression against the Covenanters that have cast such obloquy on his name. Sir Robert pointed out to the king, who often consulted him on Scottish affairs, and other state matters, that not only had field preachings been declared to be treasonable, under these laws, but that a crowd collected at the door of a place where preaching was being con- ducted was considered to be equally so. ' The king admitted in reply to Sir Robert,' says Burnet, 'that he was not well pleased with this act, as being extravagantl}' severe, chiefly in that of the preachers being punished by death ; and said bloody laws did no good, and that he would never have passed it, had he known it beforehand.' Burnet adds further: 'He' — Sir Robert — 'had a genius and power of comprehension superior to most men, com- bined with an equality of temper that nothing could alter. He was in practice the only Stoic he had ever known, and was univer- sally beloved and esteemed by men of all sides and sorts.' He married Sophia, eldest daughter of Sir David Lindsay of Balcarras, created Lord Lindsay in l633 by Charles i. Being much attached to mathematical and physical studies, he with two others of like taste founded the Royal Society, of which he became the first president. In the minutes of the second preliminary meeting of this society, held 5th Dec. I66O, it is thus recorded : ' Sir Robert Moray brought us word from Court that the king had been acquainted with the design of this meeting, and did well approve of it, and would be ready to give encouragement to it.' He obtained for the Society its first charter of corporation, and was said to have been its life and soul at its origin. In the charter he is styled : ' Robertus Moray, miles, unus a secretoribus nostris Conciliis in regno nostro Scotiae.' He communicated many
568 APPENDIX
scientific papers that are to be found in the Society's Journal, some of which were translated into French at that time, and published in Paris. M. de Monconys, a learned Frenchman, who visited London in 1663, who was introduced at Court and to Sir Robert, bears testimony to his acquirements and to his thorough knowledge of French. In the account he wrote of his travels he has included a scientific correspondence he had with Sir Robert. Evelyn in his Diary gossips agreeably about the Royal Society and 'that excellent person and philosopher Sir Robert Moray.' Under date May I66I he says : 'This evening was with Lord Brouncher and Sir Robert Moray to show his Majesty, who was present, Saturn's Annulus, as some thought.' Jan. 7th, 1664-5. ' This night being at Whitehall his Majesty came to me standing in the withdrawing room and gave me thanks for publishing The Mysterie of Jesuitism, which he said he had carried two days in his pocket, read it, and encouraged me. I suppose Sir Robert Moray had given it to him.' July l670. ' I accompanied my worthy friend, that excellent man. Sir Robert Moray, with Mr. Slingsby, Master of the Mint, to see the latter's estate at Barrow Gre^n in Cambridgeshire.' And the last entry : ' This evening (July 6th, 1673), 'I went to the funeral of my dear and excellent friend, that good man and accomplished gentleman. Sir Robert Moray, secretary of Scotland. He was buried by order of his Majesty in Westminster Abbey.' He died suddenly in his garden at Whitehall, 4th July l673. His tomb is near that of Sir William Davenant.
George Chambers has attributed to Sir Robert a history of the Rebellion entitled : ' Commentarionim de Rebellione Anglicana, ah anno l640 usque ad annum 1685. Auctore R. M. Eq. Aur. Londoni, I686 ' ; but as he died in l672 and this history is brought down to l685 and published with dedication to James vii. in I686, this presumed authorship must be considered doubtful.
The following are some of his papers read befoi*e the Royal Society that were translated into French: ' Observation que ce n'est qu'un mesme mineral dont on tire le souphre et le vitriol, etc., par Sir Moray, Chevalier Anglais,' I666, p. 22; 'Description des Isles d'Hirta, de Soe et de Burra parmy les Hebrides par le mesme,' I68O, p. 56 ; ' Suite de la description des Isles dont il a este parle dans le iv Journal de la Societe Royale de I'annee I68O'; 'Description de la petite Isle d'Hirta ejusdem anni,' p. 127.
THE SCOTTISH COMMISSIONERS 560
Note D
Letter from the Scottish Commissioners in London to M. DE Montereul
Worcester Hotel} ~ October 1645.
Sir, — Being informed that some persons are soliciting from the king your master the chief command of his regiment of body- guards, of which the late Earl of Irvine was colonel, and as Scot- land is much interested in the said regiment, and wishes to take special care of its maintenance and preservation, we have resolved to beg you to write to the king, and his principal ministers of State, by the next mail, in order to prevent any one from being appointed to command the said regiment, before the arrival of a special messenger, who will be sent from here next week in order to intimate the intentions of Scotland regarding the said regiment.
This request is made in view of the mutual advantage of France and Scotland, which will, we believe, be a sufficient reason to induce you to grant it to us.
(Signed) Loudon, Balmerino,
Hew Kennedy, Ro. Barclay.
Note E
Memorandum from M. de Montereul to the Scottish Commissioners in London
^g October l645.
1st. What measures will the Commissioners employ in order to bring about an agreement .''
The Commissioners will press the English Parliament, and will
^ What is here given as Worcester Hotel has been translated from Hotel de Worcester, as it is found in the French archives, yet it is not improbable that the original letter in English may have been headed Worcester House, which might very well have been translated into French as Hotel de Worcester, even while it was intended to indicate the hotel or private residence of a person named Worcester. For notice of Worcester House in the neighbourhood of the Strand, see Cunningham's London, vol. i. p. 69.
570 APPENDIX
cause their Parliament to do the same ; the mediation of France will also help towards it.
2nd. Will it be necessary for the King of Gi'eat Britain to send proposals of peace to the Scottish Parliament or to that of Eng- land, or to both at the same time .''
To both Parliaments.
3rd. How will they be able to oblige the Independents to accept the proposals that will be made, if they, the said Indepen- dents, refuse to do so ?
By means of the Solemn League and Covenant made between them, or by force, if necessary.
4th. In what manner will the English Presbyterians be able to contribute to their good intentions so as to procure the acceptance of the said proposals by Parliament ; or to co-operate with them, and their king, if the proposals be rejected .''
By their advice and by every other kind of assistance, and in the event of their refusing to do so their help will be dispensed with.
5th. In the proposals to be made to the said king relating to church government, the militia, and the affairs of Ireland, what will be offered to him, on each of these points, more advantageous for him than what he may hope to obtain from the Indepen- dents ?
It will be difficult to change what has been decided upon in both Parliaments, and in the assemblies of the clergy on the sub- ject of religion, yet what has not been settled may be submitted to a new assembly, in which the clergy in the king's interest may take part ; as to the militia, the nomination of half of those who are to command it may be granted to the king, and the control of the other half be divided between the English and the Scots : the Irish question will be submitted for settlement to both Parlia- ments, the king being present or represented.
6th. Does the Chancellor of Scotland know that the proposals Sir Robert Moray is about to present to the French Court, on his part, are agreeable to all Scotland .''
He is certain of it.
7th. Will the said Lord Chancellor of Scotland engage to have them accepted there in order that when accepted by the King of Great Britain they may not afterwards be declined by the Scottish Parliament .''
He will not fail to leave here shortly in order to have it done.
8th. To remember the two papers that the Chancellor of Scot-
THE SCOTTISH COMMISSIONERS 57i
land and Lord Balmerino are to give to authorise the negotiation of Sir Robert Moray.
They will be given.
9th. What could be offered to Lord Digby to gain him over ; and what could be done Avith some other persons whose safety the King of Great Britain may wish to secure .''
Pensions and security; and hopes of return after a time.
10th. To remember to mention the promise of recruits in the letter which the commissioners are to write to the king ^ and to do so in very precise terms.
It shall be done.
Note F Paper in Secret Cipher sent by the Scottish Commissioners
TO M. DE MoNTEREUL
London, — October 1645. J 27
If the king will condescend to establish ecclesiastical affairs, as it may be resolved in the Parliaments and Assemblies of the two kingdoms, and according to what is practised in the other reformed churches, our opinion is that the Scots and the well- disposed English will act in concert, and we will use absolutely all our endeavours to effect the following :
That the king's revenues be restored ; that his debts be paid ; that he may have the appointment of one-half of the officers in command of the militia, or that this matter may be arranged in some other manner ; that all delinquents be liberated, and freed from pursuit, with the exception of five or six, and that these be obliged merely to go away for a time ; and that all other civil matters in dispute may be referred to the king and to the Parlia- ments of both kingdoms for settlement. The best means of rendering these proposals effective, when once they have been accepted by the king, will be for him to send to the Parliaments of both kingdoms, in order to conclude peace. This being done, the Scots will adopt the means that will be found best suited to induce the English Parliament to consent to the proposals, and to ensure the protection of the king's person, of his posterity, and of his just prerogatives. In the event of a refusal they will
The King of France.
Sn APPENDIX
employ the readiest means compatible with the safety of the king to obtain peace.
Editor's Note
In reading the stipulations made between Montereul and the Scots, it is necessary to bear in mind that none of them were ever ratified by the Scottish Privy Council nor by Parliament, and that much of what Montereul relates of his conversations with indi- vidual members of the Scottish Commission in London was evidently but mere talk and not entitled to the importance he gives to it. He was possessed of considerable literary skill, and had the art of making his statements plausible, but as he is seen to be crafty and miscrupulous it is necessary to be on one's guard in accepting them. It is probable that if Sir Robert Moray had left any account of these transactions they would have appeared in a very different light. No doubt Montereul in his dealings with the Scots had some prospect of making a treaty with them. The Scottish Chancellor in the preceding paper. Appendix, Note E, Article 7, had promised that when concluded it would be ratified by the proper authorities. But political events proceeded faster than the work of drawing up the treaty. The king had to leave Oxford or remain to be besieged there. He decided to escape to the Scottish army, where no notice nor order connected with his coming had been received. In fact, nothing in the form of a treaty had been concluded. Montereul having previously inti- mated to Mazarin that he had succeeded in reducing the demands of the Scots to a minimum suddenly found himself by the king's arrival face to face with the array where his previous negotiation was ignored, and where in treating he had to make an entirely new departure. In his despatch to Mazarin in which he informed him of the king's arrival in the army (vol. i. p. 189), he omitted, by a very disingenuous shuffle, to state the terms exacted by the army in order to receive the king, and tried to make it appear that these important conditions had dropped out of his despatch by accident. These, however, we have on record from the testi- mony of an eye-witness.
Sir James Turner, in his Memoir, p. 41, says : 'In the summer of 1646, the king's fate driving him on to his near approaching end, he cast himself in the Scots army at Newark. There did Earl Lothian, as president of the committee, to his eternal reproach, imperiously require his Majesty, before he had either
THE SCOTTISH COMMISSIONERS 573
drunk, refreshed or reposed himself, to command Lord Ballises to deliver up Newark to the Parliament's forces, to sign the Covenant, and to command James Graham — for so he called the great Montrose — to lay down his arms all which the king stoutly refused, telling him he who had made him an earl had made James Graham a marquis.'
It is scarcely necessary to add any proof of Montereul's un- scrupulousness beyond what he has narrated himself, yet it may not be out of place to show to what length he was prepared to go in trying to carry out his plans. In his despatch (No. Lxxxir. vol. i. p. 337) he informed Mazarin of an expedient he had devised in order to induce the king to grant what was required of him. To which Mazarin replied as follows in a letter dated 14th December l646: '. . . By the way you had better regain possession of your paper, that it may not fall into the hands of the Scots or the hostile Presbyterians. It might cause a scandal among them to see that a minister of his Majesty advised their king not to keep his promise to his subjects and create a bad impression among the people.'
Note G
Sir Robert Moray to the Scottish Commissioners
Paris, 3 November 1645. You will learn from M. de Montereul what I have written to him ; but do not let him know what I write to you. On account of Cardinal Mazarin having told everything relating to our trans- action to the Queen of Great Britain and to Lord Jermyn, I was obliged to authorise William Moray to tell them all, under solemn oath of secrecy, and a promise, on their part, to tell him all they could learn from his Eminence. Lord Jermyn confessed to him, in reply to his communication, that it was the best news he had heard, since the beginning of the troubles in the country. The offers we make please them both, and they say, that had we not made the French to believe that all depended on them, they would not have encouraged us to undertake what Ave have done.^ . . . William Moray has offered to go. He thinks only
' Something has been omitted here in deciphering this letter. It may have been purposely done on account of a mistranslation by M. de Montereul. See his letter, vol. i. p. 6i.
574 APPENDIX
of the harm that may ensue to his family. He expects to leave on Monday or Tuesday next. His weak health is to be the pretext for his journey. Lord Jermyn says it is high time for the king to think of separating his interests from his hopes regarding the bishops. Everything tends to inspire the most sanguine hopes of our success.
I send two lines by express to the Earl of Crawford-Lindsay, to inform him that if he wishes to procure the release of the Marquis of Hamilton, he ought not to lose such a good oppoi'tunity as the present, seeing that while Montrose continued fortunate, no such application could have been made.
Think also of the means to be employed in order to engage your illustrious friends in Scotland to share your opinions ; so that you may have less difficulty in engaging them to perform what you have promised.
Sir Robert Moray to the Scottish Commissioners.
Paris, 7 December l645.
I COULD not have hoped for a more obliging reception than I have had from the Cardinal, and although I was unable to tell him all I had to say in an hour's interview, yet I managed to touch on all the most important points. We discussed that of church government, and he remained satisfied with my reasons ; he is also pleased with all you have written, and says only that Spain would blame the Queen-Regent if she procured peace without taking Ireland into consideration. Lord Jermyn replied that Ireland was Spanish, and added other arguments in the same sense. His Eminence said he would defer the point, in order to discuss it with Lord Jermyn. I gave the Cardinal the memorandum containing the reasons why the Queen of Great Britain should make peace by means of the Scots. I believe they will have me to return to them again to-morrow. I have not so far confided in them as to reveal that we wish for peace because the state of our affairs compel us to do so ; nor have I gone so far as to bring up the supposition that we may come to a rupture with England, so as to try and discover what his Eminence would do in that case ; but William Moray thinks it would be very useful to do so, provided it be done at a suitable time, and I am of his opinion, so that when I find an opportunity of saying
THE SCOTTISH COMMISSIONERS 575
anything about it, I shall go a little further than my instructions warrant.
It Avill be necessary for the Chancellor to go to Scotland in order to prepare there what you may wish to be done here ; and although I may return with unsatisfactory replies to my demands, and with counter-demands that it will be difficult to grant, yet, I believe I shall be able to secure, at least, a part of what was pre- scribed to me. His Eminence has already spoken to me of my return, under pretext of attending to the recruiting. Nothing will be decided upon concerning it until to-day when his Eminence is to confer with the Queen of Great Britain and Lord Jermyn. I have not yet learned the result of their interview.
Whatever reason we may have to hope that our negotiation will finish happily, we have not yet got beyond the discussion of a pro- ject for settling the religious difficulty by means of an assembly of the clergy belonging to all the churches in Europe. His Eminence states his opinions very freely and often speaks to me in the greatest confidence. I tell him also everything, and he says all that can be said to the Queen of Great Britain. It is to be hoped that the bad news received regarding her concerns will cause her to change her resolutions. She imagines that one or other of the two parties will be lead to accept whatever conditions it may please the King of Great Britain to offer.
Note H
Memorandum from M. de Montereul
December 22, l645.
That Lord Balmerino is very pleased to learn the good inten- tions of the king and of Cardinal Mazarin towai'ds promoting the tranquillity of England. That he is particularly satisfied >vith the trouble his Eminence has taken and the attention he has bestowed in trying to induce the Queen of Great Britain to persuade the king her husband to grant what the Scots wish ; and for his having stated that he did not see why the King of Great Britain should not accept terms of peace which in no way diminished his authority.
That he is little satisfied with the intentions of the queen seeing she has not availed hei'self of the means proffered for coming to
576 APPENDIX
an agreement. That the king has no one near him to inform him of the interest the Scots have in concluding peace, or who has influence enough to prevent the testimony they have given of their fidelity to him in the present circumstance from being communicated to those vv^ho might use the information to ruin them, or even any one whom he could send to the Scots were he disposed to accept what is asked of him ; and he believes the queen has acted in a very uncandid manner, in not having com- municated to them what she has written to the king, her husband, on this subject.
That being alone here, he can do nothing further without the approval of the Earl of Loudun, Chancellor of Scotland ; and that he cannot expect any abatement to be made in the articles pi-o- posed. That he still continues of the same opinion as previously in spite of the little satisfaction received. He considers that M. de Montereul ought to go to the King of Great Britain, as his Eminence has judged necessary, and that if the letters of the Queen of Great Britain were repeated and seconded by the wishes of his Eminence, through the prudence and good-will he is pre- pared to bring to the negotiation, the queen may yet be persuaded to consent to what Sir Robert Moray proposed as a means of bringing it to a successful termination. The following is what is proposed : ' That the King of Great Britain declare to the Parliaments of both nations his willingness to establish ecclesi- astical affairs according to the decisions of the assemblies of theologians and of the Parliaments of both nations ; and that the little satisfaction the Queen of Great Britain has given regarding the proposals would lead one to despair of the success of the negotiation, if his Eminence had not given the assurance it would succeed.' (Signed) de Montereul.
R. Moray.
Note I
Sir Robert Moray to M. du Bosc by express from M. de Montereul
London, 22 December l6"45. ... I have done all I could to prevent Lord Balmerino who is here alone from being so discouraged by the procedure of the Queen of Great Britain as to break off altogether the negotiation.
MAZARIN TO MONTEREUL 577
Sir Robert Moray to M. du Bosc
London, 28 December 1645,
. . . Although Lord Balmerino has again been rendered irresolute by a letter of which my cousin William Moray will give you a copy, we must not fail to carry out what has been resolved upon. It is true that it seems more than ever evident that the only way of finishing the transaction, as it was designed, is, that the King of Great Britain, on granting what is required of him, should join the Scottish army. This may be effected by the journey and the industry of M. de Montereul. If my before- mentioned cousin William Moray had been engaged in the matter he would have seconded what M. de Montereul might have proposed .
When his Eminence sees the letter of Lord Digby to Lord Jermyn he will discover what was before concealed from him, and he will remember my frankness in talking to him. For my part, whatever obstacle may be met with in the matter, I shall still continue to hope for a satisfactory result and do all in my power to contribute to it.
Note J
Cardinal Mazarin to M. de Montereul
Paris, 1 December 1645. I HAVE delayed my reply to several despatches you have written to me until the departure of Sir Robert Moray; and although I have omitted nothing in order to hasten matters, I have not been able to dismiss him until now. He will inform you of all that has been done, and will also not fail, I feel certain, to acquaint the Scottish Commissioners with what has taken place here and of how I acted towards the Queen of Great Britain to dispose her to accept all that could be most advantageous for the Scots, and of my strong predilections for all that concerns them. I shall not enlarge on the matter, but leave Sir Robert Moray to do so. He is very intelli- gent and apparently very sincere, and will, I trust, give a favourable report of me to the Commissioners, who only do us justice when they believe that France has a real affection for their kingdom, and that I would not be a good and faithful minister of her
VOL. II. 2 o
mS APPENDIX
Majesty if I did not endeavour to obtain for them every sort of advantage and satisfaction, more especially when, as in the present case, the service of the King of Great Britain is combined with the proposal they make, whereby that king may hope to be restored to his former authority and power, with the assurance of their affection and fidelity, and be able to subdue with their assistance those who attempt to overturn the monarchy and to establish an anarchical form of government. At the same time you have done well to avoid giving hopes of assistance from here to the Scots, since, if they were obliged to break with the Independents, without coming to an agreement with their king, it would render them more reluctant to enter into terms which might be accepted by his Britannic Majesty. But you may lead them to understand that if they are once agreed with their king, they will have no reason to doubt but that France will assist them with banners unfurled. It will, however, require to be done with such circumspection that no one can discover it. But this only to flatter them with the belief that their Majesties think only of rendering them more powerful in the estimation of their king, and in eveiy way more important, knowing well that it is the reputed habit of this country so to advance the interests of such old friends and faithful allies as the Scots.
You reason very justly that a partial agreement in view of peace would not be disadvantageous for us, but every reason of propriety impels us to try and procure a general one, in order that we may not be thought to be acting for our own special interests, but for the public interests of the three kingdoms, which consist in a general agreement. Hence it will be necessary on every occasion to insinuate that our object is to obtain such an agree- ment, and to put an end to the disputes that have caused the disorders in the three kingdoms, so as to secure a complete and lasting peace.
After various conferences with the Queen of Great Britain and Lord Jermyn, and after having obtained every possible assurance regarding their secrecy, on which I can rely, so far as they are concerned, I was told that the government and discipline of the church could be referred to a general synod of the clergy of both nations, which would produce the same effect as the plan proposed, and would leave no doubt as to the bishops of both kingdoms gaining their cause, since they would thus be their own judges, and their decision would depend on themselves; and even Sir Robert Moray thought this might do, provided the King of
MAZARIN TO MONTEREUL 579
Great Britain would promise that the bishops would not be in- cluded, which Lord Jermyn was understood to say his Majesty would at length condescend to. As regards the persons to be exempted from pardon, a general amnesty on both sides might be arrived at. On other points there did not seem to be much difficulty of agreement. It was remarked that the present Parlia- ment of England ought to come to an end in the term of a year, after the conclusion of peace, although his Britannic Majesty had previously decided that it could only be dissolved of its own accord. I was told that the Scots, having an interest in the matter, would not object to this proposal, or prevent its being insisted upon ; and that when the king granted this permission to the English Parliament it is well known that he did so by force and through fear that his refusal would cause a greater misfortune. But not being satisfied with this reply, I again instructed the Queen of Great Britain to write to the king her husband in the following terms : ' That not being able to induce the Scots to accept what is above stated, that his Majesty should resolve to satisfy them, in order either to make peace with the Independents by their means, or avail himself of their forces to compel the Independents to do so.' After much discussion, and the want of any convincing argu- ments to be adduced showing the king to have any other'resource than to come to this agreement, the Queen of Great Britain sent to tell me, in confidence, that she would write to the king her husband and tell him to satisfy the Scots on the matter of religion, when it would be seen to be impossible to agree without giving them this satisfaction, and even to consent to the retirement for a time of three or four persons, provided Montrose was not included in the number, whom his Majesty could not abandon — having been so well served by him — without being accused of ingratitude and even of cowardice.
But as the queen did not allow me to declare all this to Sir Robert Moray, I was more reserved with him, telling him only that it would be necessary to find some expedient in order to adjust the question of religion, but at the same time concluding that he would be able to leave here satisfied, and that I would write to you, if it were necessary, to speak to the King of Great Britain in these terms ; having no doubt but that the negotiation would end favourably. Hence the queen wishes you to use all your efforts to make the Scottish Commissioners agree to what concerns religion as before stated, and on their refusal to accept it in form, that you will try to reduce their demands as
580 APPENDIX
much as possible, and that you leave, without loss of time, to go to the King of Great Britain, using as a pretext your journey to Scotland to provide recruits for two regiments that are here in the king's service. You will deliver the letters enclosed from the said queen, of which copies have been sent through another channel, and as these letters contain all that is necessary to oblige the said king to accept the above mentioned agreement with the Scots, I have reason to believe that everything will be successful. . , . Sir Robert Moray is very intelligent, and is well worthy of the esteem in which he is held by his countrymen. He expresses affection for France, so also has he reason to be satisfied, not only on account of the regiment, but also for the expressions of good-will he has received from their Majesties, and for ray personal esteem and affection. He has been promised a large reward in the event of his being able to conclude the proposed arrangement and persuade the Scottish Commissioners to enter into it. They ought to be all the moi-e ready to do so when they perceive clearly that the complete ruin of the King of England, which is so imminent, will soon be followed by their ruin, since it is certain the English have no less hatred towards them than they have towards their king. . . .
Note K
Sir Robert Moray to M. du Bosc
London, 17 May l646.
Our affair has now somewhat changed front. The king is with the Scottish army before Newark, but I have not had a letter from M. de Montereul since his Majesty ai'rived there. The letter we expect the king to write to Parliament has not yet aiTived, and in default of it the Independents do as they like. We hope it may be on the way and reach here this evening or to-morrow morning. The House of Commons voted yesterday the following strange resolution, 'that the king, being in England, ought to be at the disposal of the English Parliament ' ; and orders were given to the Scottish army to send his Majesty as a prisoner to Warwick Castle. This morning the Commons asked the Lords to concur with them in the matter, and deferred further discussion of it until to-morrow. It is thought the Lords will not consent, but
MORAY TO BOSC 581
even were they to do so, the Scots would all lose their lives sooner than obey them, being in no way obliged to execute the orders of the English Parliament, whatever the English may pretend, and although they are in their pay. This is expressly stipulated in the treaty made between the two nations before the war entered England. All the security of the king's affairs is centred in the letter he is to write. If he fail to do so, not a single Englishman will declare for him, so that the game will be an unequal one ; whereas if he send it immediately, the city of London, all the moderate Members of Parliament, the greater part of the nobility will not only declare for him, but they have sworn to take arms in his defence, if it be necessary. But this is not all. I believe his Eminence will consider it is now time to do all that was promised, and that it is necessary to send an Ambassador here, as soon as possible, fully instructed in what is required. He will perhaps hav^ to speak out loudly, as this cannot but be advantage- ous for the king, whatever turn his affairs may take. Among other important things required, there is nothing more wanted than money. For God's sake, let what was promised be performed with good grace. It Avill be necessary to deliberate carefully as to how the Ambassador ought to act towards the English Parliament during its meetings, in order that matters succeed better. As to the Scottish Commissioners, he will be able to have all the inter- course with them he chooses.
I have been urged to join our army, cripple ^ as I am, in which case I shall have to be conveyed in a can-iage. There is not likely to be much to write about until the Ambassador arrives, or until my return, but should anything important take place I shall let you know. His Eminence however knows well what is to be done. I should much like the Ambassador to come immediately so as not to have to ask information about our affairs from any other than from him. M. de Sabran is sending an express to Court, which will reach Paris before the mail. I would be glad if his Eminence would inform me of his intentions by express. The letters will always be brought to us by M. de Sabran, but would his Eminence instruct him to send an express to M. de Montereul with his despatches, and to have them all carefully ciphered lest Parliament should tamper with the courier, as it is already suspected that what has happened has been brought about through the inter- vention of France. Pray communicate the above to his Eminence.
1 He had sprained his ankle.
682 APPENDIX
Sir Robert Moray to M. du Bosc
Newcastle, ""^^ 1646.
T June
You will have learned from M. de Montereul all that has taken place here since the king's arrival. The accident I met with, which delayed for a short time my departure from London, led M. de Montereul to be dissatisfied with me ; but I believe at present he has got over it. Some of the Scots were a little un- civil, and the harm was increased by the manner in which he resented their conduct ; but now matters go on more quietly. Assurances have been made to him and also to the king, that if his Majesty will consent to what is proposed to him, he will be reinstated on his throne, either by joint consent or by force, other- wise all the Scots will lay down their lives at his feet. But, to speak frankly, he has not the least inclination to consent, although he confessed to me that the queen his spouse had entreated him very earnestly to do so. . . .
Note L
Cardinal Mazarin to Sir Robert Moray
Paris, 21 Jn?ie l646.
I HAVE received yours of the 1st inst. by M. de Montereul who has also related to me many other matters in detail concerning the affairs of the King of Great Britain. I must tell you plainly that I have been not a little surprised at the manner in which the said king has been treated since he joined your army. I would have thought that in addition to what you owe as subjects to the person of your king you would have more regard for your promises made to France, whose intervention you sought to settle your differences with your king. It appears to me that the frankness with which this country undertook immediately to effect this agree- ment, together with the old zeal of your countrymen for this state, and the affection with which they have always been received and admitted to all the advantages of Frenchmen, might have rendered you a little more circumspect not to disoblige us, nor to give us other opinions of you than those we have hitherto had, and which we shall still be glad to entertain. However, since you assure me, and M. de Montereul confirms your opinion, that the engagement
INSTRUCTIONS TO BELLlfiVRE 583
is not so broken off that it cannot be renewed, and that you are more than ever disposed to execute what was agreed upon, pro- vided the King of Great Britain on his part resolves to grant to you what you desire for your Church affairs, M. le President de Bellievre has received instructions as soon as he arrives to do all he can to dispose the king to yield. The queen his consort also promises to omit nothing that can be done here to ensure the success of this plan. I beg you to believe that I shall keep a firm hand and use every care in the matter. I take for granted that you also being more engaged in the transaction than any other person, through the offers you brought to me, will solicit actively those who have the direction of your public affairs to take that decision that will always be the most honest and the most useful to them, whereby they will render an unspeakable service to him whom God has given to them as prince, and oblige a country so friendly towards them as France.
Note M
Instructions given to the President de BELLifevHE on his Departure as Ambassador to England, June 1646
. . . The Scots have always had a particular affection for this country, in which they have, at all times, been considered naturalised French subjects. They have no deep-rooted hatred against their royal family, neither have they a determined inten- tion to abolish the monarchical form of government. The English, on the contrary, in the entire course of their recent conduct, have been obstinate in rejecting all terms of reconciliation offered to them on the part of their king, as containing conditions not favourable enough, while in several instances they have attri- buted to themselves, if not the entire sovereign power, at least the greater part of it. Hence when the Scots sent Sir Robert Moray to France, and addressed him to Cardinal Mazarin, to in- form him of their opinions, they did so, with the greatest secrecy, on account of the danger to which they considered their country- men in London might be exposed were it known that Sir Robert Moray was negotiating in France. Sir Robert begged the cardinal to advise the queen-regent to undertake this mediation as the only means of putting an end to a dispute of this nature, inas- much as it would provide a valid security to the King of Great
584. APPENDIX
Britain that the Scots would perform what they promised to him, and an equal assurance for them of what their king might promise. Notwithstanding this, and although they engaged that their king would find every security in their army ; that he would there be received with honour ; that no violence should be done to his conscience, and that in the event of the English Parlia- ment seeking to deprive him of his just prerogatives, they would declare in his favour, in order to maintain them. Although it was decided that Mr. Ashburnham, who had accompanied the king in his retreat, would be in security with them, having promised to M. de Montereul not to deliver him up to the English Parliament, that the Marquis of Montrose and Macdonald should be at liberty to go to France, and that the king should be allowed to send the former there as his ambassador ; notwithstanding that these measures were stipulated and agreed upon with M. de Montereul, they obliged the king, as soon as he was with them, to deliver up Newark on very hard conditions for its garrisons. They have also insisted on matters relating to religion in a manner so repellent that it could not have been worse had they wished to give him an aversion to their Presbyterianism. They have compelled him to give orders to Montrose and Macdonald to disarm, and to the town of Oxford, with others that he held, to be given up. They have published a prohibition for all those who have served against them, or against the English Parliament, on penalty of their lives, to approach his Court. They have obliged Mr. Ashburnham to escape, in order not to be given up to the English Parliament. They have caused Mr. Hudson, the king's guide in his retreat, to be arrested by the Mayor of Newcastle, and would have delivered him up to the English Parliament had not M. de Montereul found means to facilitate his escape. In short, their commissioners would not allow Montrose and Macdonald to retire to France, nor con- sent to the nomination of the former as ambassador.
It results clearly from all this that the Scots have failed to per- form their promises, on the faith of which the King of Great Britain put himself into their hands ; and that they had no other object in view than to serve their own interests, at his expense, contrary to their plighted troth, and to their engagement with France. . . . On this it must be remarked that nothing positively can be shown in writing emanating from the Privy Council of Scotland as to what Sir Robert Moray proposed on its part to us ; but the intention is clearly shown, since Sir Robert in negotiating here was accredited by two letters from the said
INSTRUCTIONS TO BELLI^VRE 585
council. It is further testified by the sending of William Moray to the King of Great Britain, in compliance with their request ; by the negotiations that M. de Montereul has had with the principal members of their commission in London, and by the promises they gave to him that they would treat the king as above stated.
It is also to be remarked that, in order to give matter for reflection to the Scots, if they continue to treat their king as they have hitherto done, and fail in their promises made to him, through the agency of France, it will be necessary to tell them, that this country feels extremely offended at their proceeding, and considers it an insult that they have used its credit with the King of Great Britain in order to deceive him, and lead him into the snare they had laid for him upon the assurance their Majesties gave to the said king, that coming to their army he would receive from them every sort of satisfaction, and that what had been pro- mised would be promptly performed : that France for her honour's sake has been obliged to inform the said king, and all interested in the transaction, that having persuaded him, in good faith, to throw himself into their arms, she takes part in all the breaches of agreement that have been committed towards him.
Although it is necessary to state this, and to do so loudly, to keep the Scots to what they have promised, through fear of having to settle with France, it is no less true that we are in no way engaged towards the said king, but that we have always spoken in such a manner that he cannot reproach us with having undertaken anything whatever on our word. Of this there can be no doubt, since we declared positively to him, through the agency of the queen his consort that we would omit nothing in trying to be of service to him, but that it was for him and his council to examine Avhat confidence he might place in the promises of the Scots. This was stated to Lord Jermyn, in all the interviews he had with Cardinal Mazai-in, with whom he negotiated on the part of the queen, his mistress. Both the queen and Lord Jermyn agreed to this ; and it is also certain that after M. de Montereul came to the Scottish army, and it became known that these people had no good intentions towards their king, and were not disposed to perform what their commission in London had promised, he made the king clearly understand this at Oxford ; besides the said Montereul has a written acknowledgment signed by the king to the same effect.
It is to be remarked again, that when Moray came to France,
586 APPENDIX
it was judged necessary to advise the King of Great Britain, by- means of the queen his consort to satisfy the Scots, by granting to them what they required ; and seeing there was no hope of obtaining from this country, in present circumstances, the assist- ance necessary to bring his subjects into submission, and re- estabhsh his reputation, his only resource was to try and divide his subjects and gain over one part of them in order to combat the remainder. But what was at that time thought a sure stroke in the way of re-establishing the king's affairs, if he had believed it, and resolved at once to satisfy the Scots, and detach them from the English Parliamentarians, adopted now, after a delay of eight months, will, it is foreseen, have little or no effect. This is why it has been considered useless, during the last three months, to advise him to do what he at first declined to do. At the time stated he was still possessed of several sea-ports and other important places ; some counties still held out for him, and his army, or that of the Prince of Wales, his son, included no less than 20,000 tried soldiers, not including those of Montrose, who not having then met with this great defeat, would all combined have given a new im- petus to the king's affairs. Hence if he had satisfied the Scots on the matter they insisted upon, and then joined their army, the engagement into which they had entered by means of France would not only have obliged them to perform, what they had pro- mised, but they would have been compelled to do so through fear of the king's forces, which united would have outnumbered theirs.
Now that the king is stripped of everything, that he has not a man at his command, nor an inch of territory, it is nothing sur- prising that the Scots, who are more jealous of their advantages than scrupulous in fulfilling their promises, should not appreciate him as they then did. And this is all the more reasonable on their part, since they see clearly that it was only absolute necessity that obliged the king to seek refuge in their army. They knew well that the English Parliament had rejected all his proposals, and that it was only after having seen the entire loss of the army of the Prince of 'Wales, and seeing himself about to be invested on all sides at Oxford, where he could not hope to remain with- out being taken prisoner, that he came to them.
This is not a reason, however, for us to count less on the disposition of the Scots towards their king than on that of the Independents. We must on the contrary set to work with greater ardour to separate them from the others, and to range them on the side of their king, who, if he will make up his mind
MAZARIN TO CHARLES I. 587
to grant to them what they demand regarding Presbyterianism, as it will be tried through the good offices of the queen his consort to induce him to do, it is to be hoped the Scots will carry out their first intention to join their interests to his, and place their means and their lives at his disposal, according to the agreement made between us and Sir Robert Moray . . .
It is true that the said king will find it difficult to bring him- self to a resolution so opposed to his opinions and to his maxims of conscience, but he ought not to be too scrupulous, if he con- sider that it is better, in order to recover his states and his authority, to allow a thing to take its way, which he is powerless at present to prevent, and which in refusing he certainly deprives himself of the only hope that now remains to save himself from the shipwreck he has made.
Note N
Cardinal Mazarin to Charles i.^
I HAVE received by M. de Montereul the letter of the 28th ult. which it has pleased your Majesty to write to me. It testifies so much satisfaction and feeling, in return for the small services I have tried to render, that were I not prompted by inclination to perform them, and even by considerations more powerful than my inclination, I would feel induced to do so from the kindness which your Majesty has done me the honour of manifesting towards me. I hope the intervention of France will be useful to your Majesty in the present circumstances, and that if the duties M. de Bellievre has been appointed to perform in your Majesty's interests be seconded by the resolution he will beg you to take, you will derive such fruits from it as to be convinced that you could not have adopted a more prudent or a more useful line of conduct. Whatever advantage and good it may bring cannot exceed what is wished for your Majesty by your, etc.
* The original copy of this letter in the Archives of the French Foreign Office is torn, the date and the docket are gone. The date, 1644, has been roughly and comparatively recently added, and it is classed with documents of that year, whereas from the nature of its contents it was evidently written during June 1646
588 APPENDIX
Note O
Sir Robert Moray to M. du Bosc
29 Newcastle, J any. 1647. It is not from negligence that I have not troubled you oftener
with letters ; but on the one hand you have learned from all
that I could have told you, and on the other hand the news that one can communicate to you is so sad that I have not courage enough to relate it to you in detail. In one word, before Satur- day next the King of Great Britain will be in the hands of the English. Permit me then to add nothing further.
(Signed) R. Moray.
Note P The Scottish Dove
Holy innocency is blessed
Be wise as Serpents, innocent as Doves
The / SCOTISH DOVE / Sent out and Returning; / Brings Intelligence from the Armies of both / Kingdomes, and relates other Passages observable, / for Information and Instruction.
From Wednesday the 5 of August till Wednesday the 12 oj" August 1646.
The people generally, in city and country, have long desired Propositions might be sent to the King. His Majesty himselfe hath seemed to desire the same. And his Majesties friends abroad, hath also desired it (or pretended to desire it), and to that end a late Ambassador was sent from France to the Parlia- ment : All which have fed some men with an expectation of pre- sent peace. We have scene by Gods direction in a seasonable time, the Parliament have satisfied all mens desires, and his Majesties expectation (for so his Majestic hath pleased formerly to expresse himselfe). The desires of France were granted before they could be asked ! And what doe we now think .'' is it peace or no ? were our expectations well grounded : or were we deluded } if well grounded, how made frustrate ? if wee were deluded why should we still believe .'' did wee ever sweate, and was it ever intended, that we should preserve the honour of any person that rejected our endeavour or to defend the person of any that opposeth the rights and priviledges of Parliament, and the
FROM 'THE SCOTTISH DOVE' 589
liberties of the Kingdome ? or in opposition to the true Religion, or have we not absolutely sworne to defend and maintaine all these against all persons ? may not the world beare witnesse of the Parliaments loyaltie to his Majesty, and that they had no thoughts nor intention to deminish his Majesties just power and greatnesse ? have not their Votes, there Declarations, there reall offers, made good of all this ? to forfeit all and lose nothing is redundant mercy ! let the world judge, our enemies cannot deny, what is obvious to all : we see our enemyes will have no peace, except of there own making ; which clearly argues, they will have all, or nothing : if so, it is time to summon up our selves and make up the breaches, by which they ayme to surprise all : then let us as brethren love one another, deny our selves, that Jesus Christ may be all in all to all : if we humble our selves, he will exault us, but if wee contend for selfe ends, wee dishonour Christ and shall be dishonoured : what makes our enemies insult, themselves being broken ? they see by our divisions wee are ready to breake one another, and that they know will make them whole ; they blow the fire, we bring the fuell, but the work is fashioned to their own modell ; we have hitherto joyned in one, to the hazard of our lives and fortunes in defence and preservation of the priviledges of Parliament, and by the priviledges of Parliament we are hitherto preserved, let us not therefore sinne against God who hath preserved us : nor murmure against the Parliament though all things be not as we desire, nor as it shold be ! our supplication to God and humble addresses (in complaints of grievances) to the Parliament will helpe all ! but our stubbomesse, our murmur- ings, or running before law, and disobedience to law, will be our ruine, the world cannot, God will not, save us, nor deliver us (except it be a remnant for ! his own name sake) take this for Information, consider it, 'tis truth ; we must reforme, and repent, or perish as they that have gone before us.
For Intelligence thus. The Generalls of his Majesties refus all to sign the Propositions, I gave you in my last, since which severall Letters are come both to the House and to perticular men ! The which, with the per- ticulars of the Commissioners proceedings, I shall give you in the end of my sheet. The Commissioners being on their journey, hasting to the Parliament ! were said to rest the last Lords Day, August 9j at Royston, and expected to bee in London on Munday night : Thus much without all peradventure, I may say (for all
590 APPENDIX
letters from Newcastle affirm it) that our Brethren of Scotland have manifested there reality and brotherly affection^ unanimously joyning with us to the uttermost of there endeavours to move the King to signe the Propositions, who will not be entreated, nor moved by them, beyond his owne will, not the languishing con- dition of 3 Kingdoms, his Majesties present low condition (into wch God hath cast him), nor the bloud of those hundreds of thousands Protestants, which the Earth hath swallowed (from whence it cryes) hath yet penitrated his Majesties heart ; though heaven have fought against him, a7td the starres in there courses, even as against Sisera he will not see it : I cannot but thinke upon that one saying of holy Job, who (saith he) hath hardned himselfe against God, and hath prospered : God hath mercy (saith Saint Paul) oti whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardneth. But God infuseth not hardnesse : nor is the efficient cause of it, he is the deficient cause onely : where wee least feared, is our hurt intended, were we too much suspected, our safety is conjoyned : if our wayes please God, hee ?vill make our Enemies to be at peace with us : but for our disobedience, our selfe love and selfe seeking, hee can make our friends to be our Ennemies, let us remember God sees all men's actions, knowes every secret thoughts from the Peere to the pesant and will recompence all accordingly.
His Excellency, Sir Thomas Fairfax, impatient of rest to his owne body, so long as any part of the Enemy stand in resolved opposition, is gon from the Bath to Ragland Castle where the Earle of Worcester still remaines, strong, and resolved to be as prejuditiall to the Kingdome as he is Malignant against Godli- nesse and Reformation of Religion, etc. Col. Morgan, who hath bin in hard service before Ragland Castle, both in offence, and defence : wanting men and horse to facilitate the work, his Excellency commanded that Col. Birch should march to his assist- ance with Horse, Foot, and Artillery, his Excellency is himselfe there, and some of his forces of Foot and Horse.
We are assured that Montrosse, though severall times sent unto, hath not laid downe Ai'mes, nor is in any subjection, he is in the Mountaines and stands on his own Guard, if his Majesty (who hath sent him command to disband) meant well to his people, and subjects in the three Kingdomes, hee would proclaime him to be a Traytor and Enemy : but he hath done no such thing ; there is surely a mistery in these things.
It is true that the representatives of the Kingdome of Scotland
FROM 'THE SCOTTISH DOVE' 591
have petitioned the King to signe the Propositions as that which may be good to his Majesty and Subjects, but it seemes humble Petitions makes his Majesty think the people are bound by divine right to owne their King (and fit they should), but it must be such a King as will own his people, for the people make Kings ! Kings cannot make people ! Kings are bound to performe duty to the People for their preservation, as the people to obedience to Kings, Kings (while Gods Image, acting for God) are said to bee Gods : but they are in life and death but men.
The condition of Ireland being very deplorable by reason of the Enemies advantage, and cruelty : The Parliament have spent much time to hasten reliefe and have past severall Orders : having notice given by the Knights and Burgesses of every County, what forces were to be spared, they have ordered out of all counties both of horse and foot, those that may be spared, and had imploy- ments in severall Garisons, which for the ease of the Kingdome of England, are now (many of them) Ordered to be dismantled, shall be with all speed imployed for the service of Ireland, and that all such as refuse to be Listed in that service shall be dis- banded. That those that willingly serve in that imployment shall have their Arrears cast up, and debentures and shall have a month pay in hand for the present service, money is already sent to Major Generall Massyes Souldiers to pay them, and to hasten them to the place of their Rendezvouse, for which is appointed Bristoll, Westchester, and Leverpoole, at which places the Souldiers are to receive monyes, and such as want Cloaths are to be Cloathed. It is ordered also that there shall be shipping at all these places to transport men over into Ireland, and with them all sorts of Ammunition.
They are to meet at these places of Rendezvouze by the 20 of August. The forces ordered for this service will amount to the number of 10,000 foot, and halfe as many horse: the number is very sufficient the care of great concernment ! if they were in Ireland they may save and gaine all, if delayed all will be lost in probability, except God miraculously keepe his people.
The latest Intelligence from Ireland tels us that the Rebells are neare Dublin, that a new League is made betweene Ormond and them, and so united that they are feared to joyne together to cut the Protestants throats in Dublin. I pray God prevent it, but there is great danger. We see how the Mistery of Iniquity worketh.
I shall commend to the world to things concerning the use of the Committees of Accounts^ the now only necessary Committees of
592 APPENDIX
all Counties, the first is the justifying of upright men upon record, the second the discovering the secret theft of the Kingdome, and these twOj by two instances.
First in the honoured, honourable the Lord Fairfax whose accounts being examined, and his honour vindicated from lucre, as extolled for gallantry : when audited, and found behinde for his pay as Generall of the North, and in particular, as Colonell of a Regement of Horse, and of a Regement of Foote : which was Ordered to be payd out of Delinquents composition, but he freely acquited the State of all the Arreares for his two Regements ! only the Arreares due as Generall ; her 's worth and honour, this is to live to God, and to the Common-Weale : not to a mans owne selfe ends ; And to fleece the publike ! as too many have done and doe, etc.
I shall give my other instance from the County of Lecester : there I 'le pitch (though I might enlarge it to severall bordering Counties). The Committee of accounts for that County being Eagle-eyd fell on the hidden bankes. Master Read being Chayre man to the Committe : (some of them, I meane, for some I sup- pose are honest) fell upon a way of revenge, and sequestred Master Read : but Master Read it seemes more righteous then his accusers made his addresse : hade a faire hearing, his accusers brought in there Evidences and reasons of there acts : all were found too light, Master Read was by the Committee of Lords and Commons for sequestrations relieved, and discharged, if able men may examine the accounts of the Kingdome, it will bring in much mony and discover much deceit and hypocrisie, and this is it the oppressed people expect, and God requires.
There will be shortly printed a Catalogue of all the books of worth or note that hath bin printed in twenty yeares past to this present, had not some Booksellers bin to slack to collect their Catalogues, it had bin done before now for their own profit and good of the Kingdom.
There is also a Treatise in Presse intituled. The utter routing of the whole Army of all the Independents and Sectaries, with the Totall overthrow of their Hierarchi/ that New Bahell, more groundlesse then that of the Prelates : or, Independency not Gods Ordinance, in which all the Fronlires of the Presbitery, with all the qua7iers of the same are defended, against all Enemies.
Although I seldome make relation of Forraigne newes, yet I cannot at any time omit to touch upon such, as by consequence may neerly concerne our own Kingdom. I told you lately there
FROM 'THE SCOTTISH DOVE' 593
was an overture of a Peace between Spaine and the States of Holland ! They are in Treaty at the town of Munster, And as our Intelligence tell us, they are in a probable way of an agree- ment ! a little time will tell the truth : but it is hard to relate truth at so great a distance, when intelligence failes in truth of things, hapning within our owne Kingdome : The French seeke to be Masters of Flanders, if they should prevaile, we may suppose what the next ayme will be.
But from France we heare confirmation of the late great losse they have sustained ; First the routing of their whole Army in Italy : as formerly I told you, since they have received a great losse in Flanders about Mardieke and Dunkirke : where the Spanyard by policy have prevented there designe, and put them to the worse : It is reported that the most of two Regements of our English that were of the Kings Army are cut off: They were commanded by Colonell Tillier, many Gallant Gentlemen of France are lost there and elsewhere : if the relation from thence hold true the Admirall of France is slaine, and Mounsier Harcort, and divers more.
Besides all this (as if there were a particular hand of prejudice guiding for our good) there is a great dissention begun in France, which may bring great things to passe. The Prince of Condie, the Duke of Anguiene [Enghien] and divers of great quallity, have made Declaration against the Government of France, by the Queens Regent and the Cardinall Mazariene, as being guided by evill Councells : the parties on both sides are great : They also (as it is said) question the legitimacy of the young King, God is just, and can bring a fire among men that have brought fuell to burne others, it is not unnecessary to put you in mind of the wonderful providence of God in subduing the powers of Denmark when they were raising their strength to subdue Gods people in England : it is a mercy never to be forgotten, and it is a sin not to take notice of Gods dealings with us and for us.
The Commissioners that were sent to the King are returned on Munday : There are come also divers of the Scotcsh Commissioners, viz. The Marquese of Argile and the Lord Chancellor of Scotland, and the Earle of Donfreeze and others, by the relation of all it is confirmed that the King is resolute in his old way, and to his owne will. The State of Scotland have used all possible means to perswade, but in vaine. The French Ambassador and Montrill [Montereul] are conceived to doe hutt [hurt] not good in that
VOL. II. 2 P
594 APPENDIX
businesse, and it is believed our Brethren of Scotland will do what the Parliament of England shall advise for the good of both Kingdomes, and not be stirred either by large promises nor greatest threats.
This Tuesday is the day appointed for the numeration of the Members of Parliament, all that were absent being called by order of both houses to come and make their appearance. The Commissioners have not made the report to the houses of the passages of businesses of Newcastle, nor have the Commissioners of Scotland yet don anything in that kind, Wednesday and Thurs- day will be dayes probable for that purpose. There were three Letters intercepted found a yeard deepe in coales in a ship going from Newcastle, in which Montrill was going with Letters into France, and when asked what letters, hee said none but what was in his Portmantle.
These being found afterward thus hid were sent to the house not imagining they were belonging to the Ambassador of France, for Ambassadors have leave to send letters in view, but not con- cealed, the letters were opened and seemd to be writ by the Ambassador, one to the Cardinall, another to an other party, the third to the Secretary ; that to the Secretary being long and in Charecters, but they were all laid by, and Ordered that if they be the Ambassadors they shall be returned. The great bnsinesse of the day hath bin about Ireland to hasten those affaires ; This day the Oxford great Scale, and other scales were by appointment of the house broken to peeces, etc. Mr. Murry is enlarged from prison.
This is Printed according to Order for F. L.
Note PP
The King's Proposed Escape from Newcastle
The king wrote to the queen from Newcastle, Dec. 5, 1646: ' . . . I will, according to thy conjuration, not think of an escape until the Scots shall declare that they will not protect me.' — Letters of King Charles I. to Queen Henrietta Maiia, edited by John Bruce for Camden Society, 1856.
The Earl of Lanark wrote to the king, under date 17th Dec. : ' I shall not presume to trouble your Majesty with the sad relation of our carriages here these last two days. The particulars will be represented to you by others. Only give me leave to beg that
LAIRDS OF HARTHILL AND GIGHT 595
what your Majesty intends to do be done quickly, for our resolu- tions here will be sudden and sharp. Whatsoever other men's carriage be, I am resolved to die rather than concur with them. — Lanark. ' This refers to the king's intended escape by sea from Newcastle. ' The design was thus laid,' says Burnet in Memoirs of Dukes of Hamilton, p. 307. ' Mr. Moray had provided a vessel at Tinmouth, and Sir Robert Moray was to have conveyed the king thither in a disguise, and it proceeded so far that the king put himself in the disguise and went down the back stairs with Sir Robert Moray. But his Majesty, apprehending it was scarce possible to pass through all the guards without being discovered, and judging it highly indecent to be catched in such a condition, changed his resolution and went back, as Sir Robert informed the writer.'
Guthry, in his Memoirs, p. 185, says: 'Before the time came which William Murray had set to carry out his plan for the king's escape, it was so divulged that there was no other discourse throughout the army but of William Murray's plot to carry away the king, and thereupon a guard of soldiers was presently planted at his chamber-door, both within and without, whereby his Majesty was not only deprived of liberty but also of quiet and retirement.*
Note R The Lairds of Harthill and Gight
The doings of the Marquis of Huntly's retainers, the lairds of Harthill, Gight, Haddo, and others during these troubled times have been somewhat fully given by contemporary writers.
' Patrick Leith, of Harthill, Aberdeenshire, was,' says Guthry, p. 221, 'a youth of extraordinary parts and undaunted resolution, and most inviolably attached to the interests of the Royal family. He was deservedly honoured with a commission from King Charles i. He knew well how to raise the men, but the great difficulty was how to mount them. His military genius and heroic spirit soon surmounted this obstacle by forming a stratagem that succeeded to his wish, for hearing that Forbes of Craigievar had come to Inverary with his troop, he called to him his boldest and most enterprizing friends, and after communicating his plan, went with them during the night to Inverary, when he made the whole troop prisoners, and with their horses mounted his own men, with whom, in a day or two, he made a good figure before Montrose,
596 APPENDIX
who highly applauded the courage and conduct of this brave young gentleman.'
Spalding, in his History of the Troubles, p. 384, relates : ' Upon Tuesday, the ipth of March l644, the young laird of Drum, Robert Irvine, his brother, the lairds of Haddo, Gight, etc,, about the number of sixty horse, about seven in the morning, came galloping through Old town to New Aberdeen, and suddenly took Provost Lesly, Robert Farquhar and Alexander Jaffray, late bailies, and John Jaffray, Dean of Guild, his brother, out of their houses, and had them to Skipper Anderson's house. . . . Surely it is to be marked the like seldom has been seen that so few men so pertly and publicly should have disgraced such a brave borough by taking away their provost and the rest, men of note, without any kind of contradiction or obstacle.' The above writer adds, p. 405, 'that the Marquis of Huntly left the four captives at Strathbogie, and that they were transported therefrae to Auchin- down upon the 2nd April. No sooner had Huntly's party evacuated Aberdeen than it was entered on the 2nd of May by the army of the Covenanters, which consisted of six thousand horse and foot, together with the Marquis of Argyle, the Earl Marischall, Lord Burleigh, and other noblemen.'
Balfour's Annals, vol. iii. p. 213, gives the decision of Parlia- ment against the Laird of Haddo, Sir George Gordon, on his trial for this offence. 'July 10th, l644. The taking of Patrick Leslie, Provost of Aberdeen, Mr. Robert Farquhar, commissary for the publicke, bailie Jaffrey, and his brother, the Dean of Guild, and putting them in privat prissone in the Castel of Auchindowne, and detaining them therein, they being the king's free leidges and publicke persons, whether this cryme be punishable by death, tressone, or arbritament of the Parliament ? This being putt to the Voices of the housse, it was found by pluralitie of voices, that this cryme is capitall and punishable by the paine of death,' Sir George Gordon was thereupon accordingly executed.
Alexander Jaffray relates in his Diary, p. 51, in connection with this same subject, under date of the following year, 1645 : ' The country being so loose and broken, I could not safely stay at Aberdeen, so went with sundry other honest families to Dunotter, where we were very kindly received by the Earl Marischall, having house-room from him, and our entertainement from Aber- deen and Stonehaven. One day having gone with Mr. Andrew Cant to Crathes to visit his son, Mr. Alexander, on our way back
LAIRDS OF HARTHILL AND GIGHT 597
we were encountered by the Laird of Harthill the younger, who was then returning from the battle of Kelsyth, where Montrose had gained the sixth and last battle he had over Scotland. We were by the said Harthill and the laird of Newton-Gordon taken prisoners (Mr. Andrew Cant, my brother Thomas and I), after very much threatening to have killed us — especially I was threatened as being guilty, they alleged, of Haddo's death, who had been executed for his rebellion against the state. . . . We were that night kept prisoners at Aberdeen and the morrow carried to Pitcaple, where we were kept under the custody of one Peter Leathe, brother to old Harthill.' It is further related that they were confined during several weeks until the month of September following, when news arrived of the defeat of Montrose at Philip- haugh, and the number of their guards being reduced, they suc- ceded in making their escape, after having set fire to the house in which they had been kept. In the Parliamentary Records of Scotland, under date of 19th February l649, is the supplication of Forbes of Leslie, Alexander JafTray^ Bailie of Aberdeen, Andrew Cant, and others, that they may not be censured for having burned the house of Pitcaple in the month of September 1645, and the report of the Committee of Parliament thereon, and a vote is passed that they deserve the approbation of Parliament.
The following is an English contemporary account of Harthill's execution: 'Letters from Edinburgh of 5 November l6'47 give to understand that the Committee of Estates have sentenced and beheaded the laird of Harthill, the 26th of last month, at the Cross of Edinburgh, one who was very active in the rebellion in the North. The day before he was beheaded an instrument was brought from the King's Majesty for his pardon and relaxa- tion. The Magistrates of the city seemed to make some scruple, but after conference with some of the Committee of Estates, there being neither president nor a full number, they proceeded to execution, and he was beheaded without the company of a minister, in regard he refused to petition a relaxation from their excommunication. He died very boldly, made a speech to the people, showing much affection to his Majesty; after he threw two papers among the people, which mention strangely new troubles in England.' — Rushworth, part iv. vol. ii. p. 859.
Another letter from Edinburgh, dated 2nd November l647, states : 'All business is dull here ; the Committee meet but twice a week, and sometimes there is no quorum, which prevented the sentence of death which was expected should have been passed
598 APPENDIX
on a proper gentleman, one Gordon, Laird of Newton, last Friday.'
Note S
BoiSIVON TO THE CoUNCIL OF StaTE.
To the very noble lords of the Council of State of the King of Great Britain in Ireland.
After some of your clergy had dared to call me to account in their presbyteries, not being satisfied with complaining in their meetings that a Resident of his very Christian Majesty lived in a Christian manner in his place of residence and exercised the religion of his prince, they have had the audacity to decide therein that a petition be presented to the Council of State of the King of Gi-eat Britain in this kingdom, to the effect that I be not allowed the liberty of having Mass said in my abode for my- self and my domestics only, by a priest of my own nationality, as I had done till now so quietly and with such reserve that I expected rather to receive thanks for my conduct from those who have ventured at present to complain of it. I have there- fore judged, seeing this pursuit touches so closely the honour of the king my master, that though I do not doubt but what your lordships may be able by your prudence to regulate the unruly zeal of these gentlemen, it yet seemed to me that I could no longer keep silent and that I ought to apply to you, to point out how strange it is that a public minister of his very Christian Majesty may be more badly treated in Edinburgh than he would be in Constantinople and by the Scots, who belong to Christendom and who are old friends of France, than by barbarians and heathens, and that this demand made by your clergy was not made during the minority of King James of glorious memory, when the zeal which accompanies novelty might have rendered it more ex- cusable. In short that this pretension, not only attacks those alliances that have been kept up for so long a period between the two crowns, and which have not been unprofitable for Scot- land, but violates also all the laws of nations, and is as unjust as it is without precedent. I do not represent all these matters to your lordships, since I have no doubt but they will at once present themselves to your consideration, I merely ask you to decide in favour of the king my master, or rather that you decide in favour of yourselves against those who have unfortunately under the guise of an indiscreet zeal attempted to kindle the flame of discord
ARGYLE'S DUEL 599
between the two nations^ and who have sought to give a just reason of complaint to the Presbyterians and to render the king my master dissatisfied with you at a time when you are particularly desirous of securing his favour and that the fault which is but that of some private individuals be imputed to the entire kingdom. I shall be very glad to add to the services I have already tried to render to your kingdom^ and which only depend on you to become more important, that of begging the king my master and the queen-regent, mother of his Majesty, to abate nothing of the real affection they retain for your kingdom, which includes all those that inhabit this island, in order that he preserve intact those valuable privileges enjoyed since so long by those of your nation in France, which are of such a nature as to be desired but not obtained by the Frenchmen, and which are well worth the desire on your part to preserve them. 22 February l648.
Note T Argyle's Duel
Sir James Balfour in his Annals has a notice of this duel, which seems to have given rise to much jocular remark at that time. He says, vol. iii, p. SQ5, ' To remember how in the preceding year the Marquis of Argyle and the Earl of Crawford went out to Musselburgh Links to fight the combat. The Earl of Lanark was second to Crawford and Colonel James Innes of Sandsyde to Argyle ; all that was on them could not make Argyle to fight till he saw Colonel Haddan the Chancellor's man come in to pertey them. Then was he something stout and refused to subscribe the paper which he would have formerly done (I believe against his will), but had been forced either to do it or else to cast off his doublet and boots, which he was wonderous loath to do, in respect of the coldness of the weather. For this great escape Argyle became a very humble penitent to the Committee of the Kirk, acknowledging this foolish act of his to be a scriptural desertion. Upon this the ensuing General Assembly made an Act of 12 August 1648 against duels.'
Guthry in his Memoirs has some remarks in the same tone. Having stated that although Parliament had enacted that the declaration of the Committee of the Church regarding the king's
600
APPENDIX
concessions should not be printed or published, the Committee had ordered it to be printed in opposition to their enactment and that Parliament had waved their objections. He says: 'As the Parliament dispensed with these things, the jealousy which Royalists had always entertained of the duke and his brother Lanark was much increased, that they and the Marquis of Argyle were not so opposite in their designs as they professed. For remedy whereof, and that it might appear to the world that there was a real division among them, nothing less must serve the turn than a combat betwixt the Marquis of Argyle and the Earl of Crawford-Lindsay, to be fought on Monday, March 21st at 5 o'clock in the morning, in the Links of Stoneyhill, Major Innes being Argyle's second and Lanark Crawford's,' p. 227.
Rushworth thus alludes to the cause of quarrel : ' Upon some distaste the Treasurer took at a passage in Mr. Andrew Cant's sermon, Sunday last being a fast day, between the two sermons, upon great provocation, my Lord Treasurer in Scotland had a challenge from the Marquis of Argyle,' vol. ii. p. 1030.
Note U
Names of these forming the large Parliamentary Committee OR Committee of Estates in Scotland — March 1647
Peers or Nobles. The Duke of Hamilton.
Earls. The Marischal. Glencairn. Casallis. Dunfermline. Roxburgh. Buccleuch. Lanark. Calendar. Lothian. Sutherland. Morton. Finlater. Bargennie.
Tullibardenne.
Balcarras.
Yester.
Couper.
Traquair.
Eglinton.
Supernumeraries. The Chancellor. Marquis of Argyle. Lord Balmerino. Earl of Lauderdale. Earl of Crawford.
Lesser Barons or Gentrv. Colington. Creich.
MARQUIS OF DOUGLAS'S BOND
601
Lea.
Cowdon.
Borl.
Deshington.
Tofts.
Cesnocke.
Frilland.
Duffus.
Blacader.
J. Jeff of Galloway.
Garthland.
Spaherton.
Newton.
Preston-Grange.
Sir Jo. Fraser.
Spinie.
Brodie.
InnepefFer.
Supemumera ties. Maner. WaiTiston. Sir Charles Elckin.
Commons or Burgesses.
Archibald Sydserf
John Scott.
John Short.
Master Robert Forgeur.
Robert Cunningham.
John Forbes. John Sempel. William Glendinning. John Kennedy. Robert Arnot. James Hodson. Robert Shoyte. E. Wedderburne. Dan. Sympson. John Johnstone.
Supernumeraries. Arc. Tod, Provost. Sir John Smith. Master Robert Barclay. Spen. Kennedie.
Note V Bond granted by the Marquis of Douglas in order to obtain
PERMISSION FOR HIS SON, LoRD GeORGE DoUGLAS, CREATED
subsequently Earl of Dunbarton, to proceed to France.
\, William, Marquis of Douglas, promise and engage by this present, conjointly with my heirs, that I shall not withdraw in any manner whatever Master William Harper from the service of my son, whom I send to France, and in the event of the said Harper leaving the charge which has been entrusted to him, of the education of my son, I engage to send another person in his place, who will be approved by the Presbytery of Lanark ; and if it happen — which God forbid — that my son abandon his religion, and become a Papist, I engage under the penalty of ten thousand marks, Scotch, not to supply him either with money, clothes, or other article necessary to his subsistence, in proof of which I promise and consent that this bond, etc., etc.
602 APPENDIX
The Marquis of Douglas had previously made application to the king in this matter, as is seen from the following letter found among the Hamilton Papers :
Newcastle, 27 August 1646.
Douglas. — I have received your letter by Morton^ and am very sensible of what you have suffered for me, assuring you that when it shall please God to enable me, you shall find real effects of my gratitude ; and as for your request concerning your son, I shall in due time give you satisfaction in it, though for the present divers mighty reasons make me forbear to do what you desire, but now and always you shall find me to be, Your most assured, real constant friend, Charles R.
[Addressed] : For the Marquis Douglas. — Historical Manuscripts Commission Report, part iv., 1887.
Charles i. to Marquis of Douglas, Whitehall, 27 Mai-ch l640. ' . . . I will not lay the follies of your son to your charge,' Hamilton Papers referring to the Earl of Angus, who at that time was an active adherent of the Covenanting party.
For further history of the dispute between the Marquis of Douglas and the Presbytery of Lanark, see Robert Chambers's Domestic Annals of Scotland, vol. ii. p. IPO.
Note W Scottish Regiments in France
Jacques d'Etampes, Marquis de la Ferte Imbault, subsequently Marshal of France, was at this time colonel-general of the Scottish troops in the French service. This grade was made for him in August l64S, and it was suppressed after his death in May l668. He was ambassador to England from l641 to l643. Evelyn in his correspondence refers to his predilection for Scotsmen. During the period of his residence in England he enrolled six thousand Scots for the French service, and prevented the shipment of fourteen thousand Irish that the Spaniards had raised for the relief of Perpignan.
Sir Richard Browne, English Ambassador in Paris, furnishes, in a letter addressed to Sir Edward Nicolas, the following details
SCOTTISH REGIMENTS IN FRANCE 603
relating to Scottish regiments serving in France about this time. The letter is dated ^3 January 1642-3 :
Colonel Douglas, Foot Regiment, . . . 2000 Earl of Irvine's New Regiment of Guards, consist- ing of 30 companies, .... 4500 Lord Gray, one regiment of foot, . . . 1000 Lord Lundy, „ „ . . . 1000 Col. Fullerton, „ „ . . . 1000 Earl of Lothian, it is said, will have Ancient
Company of Gens d'Armes, . . .100
Men, 9600
Of these already here.
Col. Douglas' Reg*, . . . . 1 000
Earl of Irvine's, ..... 2000
Col. Fullerton, . . . . .500
Men, 3500
Neither Lieut.-Colonel Fullerton nor Colonel Lundy were ever in command of regiments. The Earl of Lothian's appointment to the command of the company of Gens d'armes seems only to have been proposed, but not confirmed. I^ord Gray was for many years in com- mand of it during this time. The Douglas Regiment was originally called the Hepburn Regiment. It was raised in l633 by Sir John Hepburn, who, after having long served with much distinction under Gustavus Adolphus, having had a quarrel with him, aban- doned his service, and engaged in that of France. The regiment is said to have arrived at Boulogne 2000 strong. Through a subsequent arrangement between France and Sweden, what remained of the old Scots Brigade in the Swedish service, consisting of Mackay's Highlanders (Lord Reay's) and Hepburn's old regiment, was taken into the pay of France and incorporated into Hepburn's regiment, which this officer did not live long to command. He was killed at the siege of Saverne in l636, and was buried in the Cathedral of Toul. After his death Lord James Douglas,^ second son of William, Marquis of Douglas, was appointed colonel, and the regiment was henceforward called the Douglas Regiment. It was recalled to England by Charles 11. after the Restoration, where it remained eight years, and again returned to
^ See note, vol. ii. p. 218.
604 APPENDIX
France It was definitively recalled in l678 and incorporated into the British army under the name of Royal Scots or 1st Foot.
The Irvine Regiment was known as the Scots Guards, and had several privileges that the other regiment did not possess. It was raised by the Earl of Irvine in 1642,^ and landed at Dieppe in the autumn of l643. It was present at the siege of Thionville under the command of the Prince de Conde during the same year.
Note X
Declaration made by the Scottish Commissioners in London TO THE King of Great Britain on the subject of the Four Propositions sent to the said King in the Isle of Wight by THE English Parliament.
[This document is referred to in Letter ccxxi. vol. ii. p. 367.] May it please your Majesty : — There is nothing which we have so constantly worked for and which we desire more ardently than a good accord and a happy peace between your Majesty and your Parliaments of both kingdoms ; we have therefore omitted nothing in order to obtain it, by combining our counsels with both houses of the English Parliament and by unanimous application to your Majesty, so that an arrangement of all difficulties might be come to. But the new propositions communicated to us by the said Houses of Parliament, and presented even to your Majesty, are so prejudicial to religion, to the Crown, and to the union and interests of the kingdoms, and so removed from former precedents, and opposed to the respective obligations between the two king- doms, that we cannot subscribe to them. This is why we declare, in the name of the kingdom of Scotland, that we disapprove the propositions and acts that are now presented to your Majesty.
(Signed) Loudon, Lauderdale, Erskine,
Kennedy, Barclay.'
1 See note ^ vol. i. p. i6.
INDEX
Abingdon, i. 162.
Aboyne, lord, ii. 346 ; marches to join MacDonald, 127 and n • report of his death, 359.
Angouleme, bishop of, i. 4.
Angus, earl of, i. 208, 405 ; ii. 28 and n, 40, 49, 63, 69, 103, 117, 121, 141, 150, 156, 168, 181, 182, 202, 217, 226, 248, 265, 282, 312, 322, 359, 560, 602.
Annan moor, ii. 524.
Antrim, marquis of, ii. 3, 13, 31, 41, 59, 117, 227 and n ; prisoner in Carrickfergus, xi ; recruits in Ire- land for the service of Spain, ii. 50 ; his imprisonment and escape, 543 and M, 552.
Argyll, Archibald, marquis of, i. 41 and w, 60,295, 350 J "• I4> 3°) 4i>49> 51, 70, 71, 84, 93-95, 175, 182, 189, 208, 233, 240, 242, 247, 248, 254, 255, 369. 377, 386, 388, 407, 409, 410, 426, 446, 452, 455, 459, 463, 467, 477, 481, 482, 497, 498 and n, 499, 502, 508-519, 524-537, 542, 553-556, 600 ; debate on his pension, xxii; sent with reinforcements to Ireland, i. 154; pension of, ii. 82, 93 ; accused of the massacre of Irish prisoners, 126, 151 ; the charge con- tradicted, 157 ; complains of the sol- diers being enticed away to the ser- vice of France, 141 ; stops the recruiting of Montereul, 141 ; his fidelity, 217 ; with the army in the west, 225 ; returns to Edinburgh, 234 ; opposed to the disbanding of the army, 280, 288, 294 ; invited to invade England with the Scottish army, ii. 322 ; asks command of Moray's regiment, 337 ; his interest in the marquis of Huntly's property, 346 ; his attentions to the English commissioners, 400 ; consents to the clergy's declaration against the king's concessions, 420 and n ; his duel with the earl of Crawford, 427, 559.
Army, the, in Ireland, i. 47, 54, 126 ; to be withdrawn, ii. 64, 120, 127 ; refuses to leave until receipt of arrears of pay, 234 ; ordered to withdraw on receipt of a fortnight's pay, 254 ; refuses to obey, 299 ; receives assist- ance from the Committee of Estates, 312 ; defeats confederates, 342 ; Irish troops for the Scottish army, 487, 499, 5". 519; lands in Scotland, 530-531.
of Scotland, defeated by Montrose
at Kilsyth, i. 7 and n, 9 and n ; gains a victory at Philiphaugh, 16 ; debate on disbanding the army, ii. 260, 280, 287, 294 ; opposed to the sending of the proposals to the king, 316; a new army to be raised, 456, 483, 497, 498, 514, 518, 530; ap- pointment of officers, 486 ; the rais- ing of a new army opposed by the clergy, 482, 488, 492, 495, 507, 518, 524, 531 ; the defeat of, by Cromwell, 536, 537 ; its condition and prospects,
553-555- Arnot, Robert, ii. 601. Ashburnham, John, i. 105, 106, 141,
161, 172, 180, 188, 193, 194 and w,
195, 200 ; ii. 241, 244, 254, 268, 290, 328, 584.
Ashurst, Mr., commissioner to Scot- land, ii. 399.
Aubigny, Louis Stuart d', i. 276 «.
madame d', arrest of, i. 85.
Augier, M., English parhamentary agent in Paris, i. 170, 246, 304, 309, 317, 341 ; ii. 59, 74, 98, 99, 106, III,
196, 205,
Authenden castle, taken by Leslie, ii. 95 n.
Bacon, secretary to Montereul, letters from, to Montereul, i. 211, 214, 216.
Baillie, general, ii. 509.
Balcarres, Alexander, earl of, i. 180 and n ; ii. 240, 388, 600.
Ballenden, sir William, ii. 494 and n.
606
MONTEREUL CORRESPONDENCE
Balmerino, John, lord, xix, 8 and n, 9, i6, 21, 22, 35, 41, 47, 49, S3, 60, 73. 78, 79. 83-90, 170, 185. 364; ii. 260, 312, 331, 388, 446, 575-577-
Barclay, Robert, ii. 601.
Bargany, John, lord, ii. 600.
Bath diocese, i. 212.
Bavaria, duke of, ii. 565.
Beaton, David, of Creich, ii. 600.
Belfast, parliament of England demands its being giving up, ii. 41, 64, 93, 126.
Bellievre, M. de, French ambassador to England, xvii, xx, xxi, 194, 218 and n, 226, 231, 236-238 ; his instructions, ii. 583 ; sets out for England, i. 240 ; leaves London for Newcastle, 242 ; on the obstinacy of Charles I. in refusing presbyterianism, 291 ; suc- ceeds in forming a party in favour of the king, 295, 313 ; urges Charles to concede presbyterianism, 307 ; on Charles's deceitfulness and fickleness, 335 ; advises Charles against leaving the kingdom, 375 ; protests against the treatment of Charles by the Scots, 386 ; resolves to return to London, 385, 388, 391 ; objections taken to his being received in London, 408, 418; his reception by parliament, 452, 454 ; Hatton house prepared for his residence, 454 ; on complaints of English ships being taken and carried to French ports, ii. 83, 98, 106, 109, III, 123, 145, 146; visits Charles, 185, 191, 196, 23s, 236 ; requests to be recalled, 267, 269 ; takes leave of the king and parliament, 291, 301 ; letter to, from Lenthall, i. 246 and n ; letter from, to Lenthall, in reply, 247 ; letter to, from Charles, ii. 75.
Pierre de, xxi ; ii. 267, 269, 283,
306.
Belshes, Alexander, of Tofts, ii. 601.
Berkeley, sir John, ii. 329 and n, 342,
354-
Berwick, i. 353 ; ii. 427, 434, 461, 466, 476, 482, 487, 524, 529.
Birch, colonel, English commissioner to Scotland, ii. 399.
Bishops, the question of the abolition of, i. 3, 4i 105, 277, 286 ; sale of their lands, 325, 327, 332, 335 ; the king refuses to abandon them, 212-
213. 335. 364. 375. 387 ; ii- 328.
Bogof Gight, taken by Leslie, ii. 83, 95.
Boisivon, M. de., French envoy to Scotland, his proposals to the coun- cil of Scotland, xii-xiii, 551 ; the council's reply to his proposals, xiii ;
ii. 556 ; his mission to Scotland^ xi, 552 ; his interviews with the council, ii. 542 ; applies for the re- lease of the earl of Antrim, 543 and n, 552 ; plot for his assassination, xii ; ii. 560 ; imprisoned and ill- treated by the Scots, 560-563 ; letter from, to Charles on his ill-usage, 562 ; letter to, from M. de Sabran, on his imprisonment, 563 ; letter from, to council of state, 598.
Bosc, M. du, i. 48, 79, 172, 211; letter from, to Mazarin, ii. 564 ; let- ters to, from Montereul, i. 35, 36, 188 ; letters to, from sir Robert Moray, ii. 576, 577, 580, 582, 588.
Brienne, M. de, i. 6, 8, 75,
Bristol diocese, i. 212.
Brodie of Brodie, ii. 601.
Buccleuch, Francis, earl of, ii. 600.
Buillon, abbe de, i. 449 ; ii. 99.
Byron, lord, ii. 492.
Callander, James, earl of, i. 132, 154, 238; ii. 31, 40, 49, 70, 104, 25s. 274, 374. 427. 486, 508 and w, 511, 514, 524, 525, 600.
Campbell, sir Colin, of Lundy, ii. 337.
Hew, of Cesnock, ii. 601.
lord James, ii. 565.
Cant, Andrew, ii. 596, 597, 600.
Cardenas, Alonso de, Spanish ambas- sador, ii. 185.
Carlisle, i. 353 ; ii. 461, 466, 476, 482, 487, 492, 511, 514, 519, 524.
countess of, i. 69 and n, 75i 117,
430.
Cassillis, John, earl of, ii. 295, 420, 444, 502, 508, 514, 600.
Catholics, declaration in favour of Irish catholics, i. 117; ordered to leave London, 357 ; agreement with Or- mond, 412; treatment of, in Scot- land, ii. 226 ; catholic forces in Ireland refuse to accept service under Spain, 288; refused relief from the penal laws, 317 ; catholics in the north, 339 n; persecution of, 393, 555. S^^ '• feeling against, in Scot- land, 544, 552, 553, 556.
Chanut, Pierre, ii. 134.
Charles i., his safety depending upon his introducing presbyterianism into England, i. 4 ; treaty with the Inde- pendents, 16 ; at Newark, 33, 47 ; at Oxford, 40, 59 ; plot to deliver him up to the parliament, 74; inter- view with Montereul, 102; negotiates for going to the Scots army, iii.
INDEX
607
1 80 ; declaration of, in favour of Irish catholics, 117; proposal for his deposi- tion, 117, 124 ; his safety guaranteed with the Scots army, 152, 163 ; re- fuses to establish presbyterian church government in England, 177; pro- j>osed escape of, from Newcastle, ii. 594 ; joins the army, i. 193 ; harshly treated by the Scots, 194-200 ; ii. 572, 584 ; sends Montereul to France, 195, 206 ; refuses to sign the cove- nant, 218 ; urged to accept proposals of English parliament, 244 ; refuses to establish presbyterianism, 286, 291, 306, 322 ; hopes for a rising in England, 336, 344 ; declaration made by Scottish commissioners on the four propositions, 604 ; his reply to the pro- positions, 363, 371 ; refuses to abolish the bishops, 364, 375, 387 ; precau- tions taken to prevent his escape, 385, 390, 402 ; plots for his libera- tion, 406, 407 ; delivered up to the English, 441, 444 ; at Holmby, 449 ; ii. 64 ; removed to Haymarket, 165 ; his interview with Bellievre, 196, 235-236 ; in the power of the army, 221; his hopeless condition, 228; his reply to the proposals, 256, 265 ; harshness of the proposals, 303 ; at Hampton Court, 253 n, 308 ; makes concessions, but refuses to give up the bishops, 328 ; in the Isle of Wight, 337, 360 ; his duplicity, 362, 370 ; his concessions, 407, 408 ; letters from, to Louis xiv., to Bel- lievre, ii. 75 ; to Montereul, i. 183; letters to, from Boisivon, ii. 562 ; and Mazarin, 587.
Charles, prince of Wales, i. 24, 46, 54, 109, 226 ; proposal to exclude him from the succession, 117, 124; plot for his abduction, 125 ; in Jersey, 208, 211; rumoured declaration by, 241 ; proposal to transfer the king- dom to, 321-322, 335 ; marriage proposals for, 443-444, 451 ; plot to carry him off to London, ii. 20 ; cap- tures English vessels and carries them to French ports, ii. 83, 98, 106, 109, III, 123, 145, 146 ; desires to return to England, 84, 88 ; on his coming to Scotland, 163, 189, 194, 388, 400-415, 452, 459, 460, 474, 476, 477, 481, 482, 493, 499, 524, 537.
Cheisley, sir John, secretary to the Scottish commissioners in London, ii. 210, 382 ; arrest of, at Newcastle, 233, 235 ; liberation of, 234.
Chester, siege of, i. 126, 131.
Church feus, dispute between Dunferm- line and Glencairn on, ii. 80-81 and n.
Chynut. See Chanut.
Clandenin. See Glendinning.
Clergy, the, in favour of an invasion of England, ii. 188, 193, 207, 216, 224 ; dissatisfied with the concessions of Charles, 408 ; their declaration against the king, 414, 415, 420 and n, 426, 433 ; oppose the formation of a new army, 482, 488, 492, 497, 498, 507, 518, 524 ; their de- mands, 507. See also General As- sembly.
Cochrane, lord, ii. 487 and «, 492.
sir William, of Cowdon, ii. 601.
Cockburn, sir Patrick, of Clerkinton, ii. 601.
Colvill (Colin), rev. William, ii. 408, 439-.
Committee of Estates, prohibit recruit- ing for France, ii. 150 ; deliberations of, on sending a new army into Eng- land, 174, 182, 224; send delegates to Charles, 240 ; discussion on dis- banding the army, ii. 289, 294 ; as- sist the army in Ireland, 312 ; their reception of the English commis- sioners, 399 ; list of names of com- mittee, 600-601.
Conde, prince de, xxv ; ii. 593, 604.
Connell (Quesnal), clan, ii. 234.
Conti, prince de, xvi, xvii, xxiv, xxv.
Conway, lord, i. 252.
Cottingham, Francis, i. 60.
Council of Scotland, interview with Boisivon, ii. 542 ; Boisivon's pro- posals to, xii, xiii ; ii. 551; council's reply to the proposals, 556 ; their alleged attempt to assassinate Boisi- von, 560; letter to, from Boisivon, 598.
Couper, James, lord, ii. 600.
Courtelorne, M. de, i. 130.
Crawford, John, earl of, xxii, 22; ii. 3, 59 and «, 295, 312, 321, 338, 353. 363, 383. 392, 452, 492, 5", 530. 574. 600 ; his duel with Argyll, 427. 559-
Cromarty harbour, ii. 417.
Cromwell, Oliver, ii. 307, 308, 334.
Cunningham, Mr., arrest of, i. 141 ; his escape, 153, 161 ; his mission to Henrietta Maria, 240.
Robert, ii. 601.
Danger Committee, election of, ii. 426, 427, 428 ; report of, to parlia-
608
MONTEREUL CORRESPONDENCE
ment, 450, 451 ; their proposals ap- proved of, 452.
Dartmouth, i. 118.
Davenant, sir William, i. 292 and «,
307, 314- Denbigh, earl of, i. 370. Desborough. See Rainsborough. Devonshire, countess of, i. 14, 15, 73,
Dick, rev, David, ii. 502-503 and n. Digby, lord, i. 40 and «, 41, 47, 54,
55, 226; ii. 59, 171, 342, 552, 571.
577 ; his letters intercepted, i. 54 n,
79-
Directory of Public Worship, ii. 451
and n. Dishington, sir Thomas, xv, 3 and «,
IS ; ii- 70, 564-
Dorset, earl of, i. 59 and «, 74.
Douglas, lord George, ii. 218 and m, 601.
lord James, ii. 218 and «, 603.
William, marquis of, ii. 218 and
«, 225, 427, 483, 560; his bond, 601 ; letter to, from Charles, 602.
marchioness of, ii. 416 and n.
Mr., advocate, ii. 70.
Drummond, lord, ii. 376, 381.
Dublin, i. 304; ii. 591.
Du Bosc. See Bosc.
Dumbarton castle, i. 498.
Dumfries, earl of, ii. 451, 593-
Du Moulin, M., French agent in Ire- land, i. 358; ii. 31 ; letter from, to Le Tellier, i. 380 ; ii. 7.
Dundas of Arniston, ii. 428.
Dunfermline, earl of, i. 180 and n, 207, 261, 284, 407, 444; ii. 30, 31, 52, 71, 80, 81 and n, 83, 600 ; offers to assist Charles to escape, i. 407 ; re- ceives permission to wait on Charles, ii. 64, 147 ; his mission to France, 163.
Dunkirk, i. 260, 267, 272, 280, 287, 301 ; ii. 93 and n, 94.
Du Talmon, M. , ii. 70.
Dysart, lady, ii. 566.
Earle, sir Walter, ii. 145 and n.
Edinburgh, town council of, confer the fireedom of the town on Montereul, ii. 313 ; persecution of catholics in, 393 ; arrival of royalist officers at, 402 ; state of parties in, 553.
castle, ii. 503.
Eglinton, Alexander, earl of, ii. 400 and «, 502, 508. 600.
Elckin, sir Charles, ii. 601.
EInabow. See Dalnabo.
Enghien, due d', ii. 593.
English commissioners, at Newcastle, i. 238, 243 ; they insist on the Scots giving up Belfast, ii. 93 ; arrive in Edinburgh, 399, 409 ; their pro- posals, 414 ; claim the right to dis- pose of the king's person, 450.
Erastians, ii. 529.
Espesses, M. de, i. 241 ; ii. 267, 270.
Essex, earl of, i. 143 ; death and funeral of, 272 and M, 273, 279, 309.
Exeter, diocese of, i. 212 ; siege of, 47, 55, 131, 183.
Fairfax, general, i. 109, 251, 259, 280, 299, 332, 354, 412; ii. 227,
427, 438, 502, 508.
Falconer, sir Alexander, of Halkerston,
ii. 601. Fanshawe (Franshudur), Richard, ii. 20. Farquhar, Robert, bailie of Aberdeen,
ii. 596, 601. Fife opposed to the new army, ii. 492,
.497. 5"- Findlater, James, earl of, ii. 6co. Fleming, sir William, i. 172 and «;
ii. 439 and «, 445, 456, 458, 461,
465, 466, 474, 477, 482, 529, 531. Fletcher, Andrew, of Innerpeffer, ii.
601. Fontenay-Mareiiil, marquis de, xvii. Forbes of Craigievar, ii. 595.
John, ii. 601.
Forcer, captain, ii. 33.
Foulis, sir James, of Colinton, ii. 600.
Franshudur. See Fanshawe.
Eraser, sir Jo., ii. 601.
Fullarton, col., ii. 28 and «, 39, 40,
603.
Galloway opposed to the raising of a
new army, ii. 492, 497. General Assembly's remonstrance on
the dangers of the times, ii. 188 ;
opposed to the new army, 531, 532,
See also Clergy. Gibbie, sir Henry, ii. 392, 393. Gight. See Gordon, sir Robert. Gillespie, rev. George, ii. 402 and n. Glamorgan, earl of, i. 130. Glasgow, i. 502-503 and n. Glencairn, William, earl of, ii. 80, 400
and n, 519, 566, 600. Glendinning (Clandenin), William, ii.
428, 601.
i Glenham, sir Thomas, ii. 402, 445,
\ 452.
I Gloucester, duke of, i. 117, 124.
INDEX
609
Goffe, Mr., of the queen's household,
ii- 354. Gordon, a member of the house of
commons, denounces the king, i. 130. of Newton makes confession of
rebellion, ii. 313 ; pardoned, 323 ;
his conversion and execution, 331,
339 and n.
lord Charles, ii. 347.
sir George, of Haddo, ii. 596.
lord Lewis, ii. 2, 13. 31, 50, 120,
126 and n, 141, 152, 167. Robert, of Straloch, his maps of
Scotland, ii. 417 and «.
sir Robert, of Gight, ii. 595.
Gordons, the, offer to maintain the
king for six months in the high- lands, i. 375 ; in need of help, ii. 3. Goring, lord, i. 68, 260, 272 and « ;
ii. 84.
colonel, i. 273 and «.
Grain, Giles, i. 260.
Gray, colonel, defeat of, by Lilbume,
ii. 525 and n. lord, i. 22, 90 and « ; ii. 29, 218,
362, 544, 552, 603. Guharrig, Donald, betrays the marquis
of Huntly, ii. 203. Gyga, island of, ii. 151.
Haddington, earl of, ii. 452.
Haddo, laird of. See Gordon, sir George.
Halket, George, of Pitferran, ii. 565.
Hamilton, James, duke of, xxii, xxiii ; 202 and n, 203, 231, 236, 238 ; ii. 14, 30, 41, 49, 51, 64, 70, 71, 83, 175, 182, 183, 189, 208,226, 240, 242, 247, 255, 260, 287 passim ; his sup- posed designs on the monarchy, 116; his French annuity, 299 ; appointed general of the new army, 486, 487 ; insulted in the streets of Edinburgh, 503 ; defeated by Cromwell, 536, 537 ; his printing press, 538 ; im- prisonment of, 202 n, 561, 574.
marchioness of, death of, ii. 261,
265.
sir James, ii. 482.
sir John, of Beil, ii. 601.
Hammond, colonel Robert, ii. 307 and «, 328, 329 71.
Harborough, i. 185, 216.
Harper, William, ii. 601.
Harthill. See Leith, Patrick.
Hatton House, i. 454.
Hay, lady Isabella, canoness at Mons, ii. 287 and «.
VOT-. II.
Hay, James, ii. 565.
Hebron. See Hepburn.
Henderson, rev. Alex. , i. 194, 207, 216,
Hendryson, chevalier, i. 47.
Henrietta Maria, queen, i. 23, 42, 131- 141 ; ii. 561, 565, 575-387 ; exhibits no desire for peace, i. 62, 66, 67, 78 ; refuses to treat with the Scots, 75 ; arrangements for conveying her letters to the king at Oxford, 141-143, 150- 151 ; in favour of Charles signing the covenant, 153, 240 ; to urge Charles to grant the demands of the Scots, 214, 322 ; advises Charles to refuse the terms of the English par- liament, 235 ; fails to realise the desperate condition of the king, 261 ; urged to force Charles to consent to the establishment of presbyterianism, 324. 335 ; despatches Winter Grant to Ireland, ii. 59 ; desires Huntly not to lay down his arms, 209 ; her confidence in the Scots, 354; dis- covery of letter from, to the marquis of Huntly, 370; extract of letter from, to Charles, 440 n ; letter to, from Montereul, 473.
Hepburn (Hebron), captain, ii. 559 and n.
sir John, ii. 70 and «, 603.
Hereford, i. 85.
Hertford, lord, i. 74.
Hodson, James, ii. 601.
Holland, earl of, i. 3and«, 4, 7, 14, 15, 17, 37. 46, 59, 67, 69, 73-75, 83, 89, 90, 102, 104, no, 117, 430.
Hollis, Denzil, i. 162 ; ii. 18.
Holmby House, i. 391, 402, 411, 412, 415, 423, 424, 442, 449, 450, ii. 163.
Home of Blackadder, ii. 601.
Hopton, sir Arthur, ii. 277 and n, 283,
Howard, earl of, ii. 301.
Hudson, Mr., guides Charles to the army of the Scots, i. 188, 200, 216,
341, 369, 391 ; ii- 584-
Huguenot intrigues, ii. 544, 556, 561.
Huntly, marquis of, ii. 13, 31, 40, 41, 50, 64, 95, 102, 295, 362, 446 ; joins Montrose, i. 46 and « ; retires to Bade- noch, ii. 72 ; his strongholds taken, 83, 95 and n, 116, 117, 120, 126; retreats to the highlands, 120, 127 ; leaves Lochaber, 152 ; his betrayal, 203 ; taken prisoner, 346 ; his belief in astrology, 347 ; to enter Edin- burgh a prisoner, 354, 359, 362; confined in Edinburgh castle, 532 ; seizure of the queen's letters to, 209, 370.
2q
610
MONTEREUL CORRESPONDENCE
Inchequin, lord, ii. 436 and n, 439.
Innes, colonel James, of Sandsyde, . ii. 428, 559- . „
Ireland, Spanish influence m, 1. 358; Irish affairs, 226, 231, 266, 267, 348, 412 ; Irish affairs to be settled in London, ii. 95 ; Irish levies for France, 43, $8, 59 ; Irish levies for Spain, 50; expedition preparing in Normandy for aid of, 147 ; arrival of English commissioners in, 288. See also Army in Ireland : Catholics, etc.
Ireton, Henry, ii. 307 and n, 308.
Irvine, earl of, colonel of the Scottish guards, i. 16 and n, 41 ; ii, 157, 338, 569, 603, 604.
of Drum, ii. 596.
Robert, ii. 596.
Islay, ii. 151, 157.
Jaffray, Alexander, bailie of Aber- deen, ii. 596.
John, ii. 596.
Jars, commander de, ii. 564.
Jermyn, lord, i. 53 and n, 54 «, 62, 131, 140, 154, 161, 208, 321, 364 ; ii. 7, 17, 35. 54, 244, 254, 564, 573-579» 585-
Jersey, ii. 146, 147.
Johnstone, sir Archibald, lord Warris- ton, XV ; i. 41 and n, 60 ; ii. 240, 428, 445» 497» 601.
John, ii. 601.
Joyce, cornet, removes Charles from Holmby, ii. 163.
Kenmore, ii. 116. Kennedy, John, ii. 601.
Spen., ii. 601.
Thomas, ii. 428.
Kerr, Robert, his mission to Charles,
ii. 182, 190.
William, of Newton, ii. 601.
Killegrew, sir Peter, i. 90, 91, 231,
242, 407, 418; ii. 145, 154. Kilsyth, battle of, i. 7, 9 « ; ii. 452. Kintyre, massacre in, ii. 169.
La Fert6, M. de, i. 194; ii. 31, 60,
602. Lambert, major-general John, ii. 307
and«, 511, 519, 524. La Moinerie, M. de, ii. 35. Lanark, countess of, ii. 83, 486, 518. William, earl of, xxii ; i. 202 and
n, 203, 207 ; ii. 13, 30, 65, 71, 82,
93, 1 15-116, 156, 168, 17s, 190, 194,
225, 233, passim.
Langdale, sir Marmaduke, ii. 402, 445,
492,493, 509, 5", 514, 524- Lauderdale, John, earl of, i. 89 and n, 90, 170, 439; ii. 64, 94, 95, 170, 182, 204, 210, 233, 254, 274, 317,
356, 392, 399, 400, 401, 407, 414, 446, 450, 525, 529, 600 ; his quarrel with sir Robert Moray, 566, 567.
lady, ii. 566.
Lawson, sir Wilfred, ii. 492.
Lazon, captain Martin, ii. 306.
Legg, governor of Oxford, i. 22.
Leith, Patrick, of Harthill, ii. 281 ; trial and execution of, 288, 289, 295, 299, 313 ; note on, 595.
Lennox, duke of, ii. 83 and «, 374.
Lenthall, William, speaker of the house of commons, letter from, to the French ambassador at Newcastle on the intercepted letters, i. 246 and n ; letter to, from Bellievre, in reply, 247.
Leslie, Alex. , earl of Leven, i. 33, 47 ; ii. 41.
father Andrew, liberated by re- quest of Montereul, ii. 525 and «.
lieut. -general David, xiv; i. 33
and n, 60, 85, 176; ii. 31, 41, 49, 54, 65, 72, 83, 95 and n, 233, 331, 388, 415, 460, 483, 486, 487 ; hangs Irish soldiers after the taking of Lis- more, 103 ; takes Huntly's strong- holds, 117, 120; marches against Macdonald, 120, 126 ; defeats Mac- donald in Kintyre, 151 and n; mas- sacres prisoners, 169, 176 ; takes Macdonald's father, 194, 195 ; eager to invade England, 402 ; refuses appointment in the new army, 488, 508 ; governor of Edinburgh castle, 553 ; his scheme for the extermina- tion of catholics, 556.
rev. George, ii. 408.
Ludovic, governor of Berwick,
ii. 529 and n.
Patrick, ii. 428.
provost of Aberdeen, ii.
596.
Robert, ii. 29, 40-41, 70, 102,
104, 117, 120, 175, 225, 226, 241, 362, 363, 369, 372, 415.
Le Tellier, M., i. 426 ; ii. 7, 104, 119 ; letter to, from Du Moulin, i. 380.
Letus, ensign, of the Scottish men-at- arms, ii. 218.
Leven, earl of. See Leslie, Alexander.
Leyburn, father George [pseud. Winter Grant], his mission to Ireland, ii- 59-
INDEX
611
Liberton. See Winram, George.
Lilbume, colonel Robert, defeats sir Richard Tempest, ii. 525 and n.
Lindsay, lord, 74.
Sophia, ii. 567.
Lisle (Langley), lord, i. 412.
Lismore taken by Leslie, ii. 83, 95 it, 103.
Lockhart, James, of Lea, ii. 601.
London, city of, letter to, from the Scottish parliament, i. 154 ; its quarrels with the parliament, 125, 161, 176; reconciliation with parlia- ment, 276 ; London and the sale of the bishops' lands, 325, 327 ; its remonstrance to parliament, 341, 354, 368 ; independents rejected from the council, 372 ; surrenders to the army, ii. 221.
Longueville, due de, xxv.
Lothian, WilUam, earl of, xi and n, xiii ; i. 202 and n, 406, 424, 444 ; ii. 30, 169, 240, 321, 420, 544, 551, 556, 561, 572, 600, 603.
Loudoun, John, earl of, chancellor of Scotland, i. 15, 23, 35, 41, 66, 68, 118, 131, 154, 170, 171, 176, 180, 185, 194, 213, 216, 228, 229, 236, 303, 364 ; ii. 82, 93, 274, 275, passim ; his mission to the king, 240, 241, 247, 253.
Louis XIV., letter to, from Charles i., i. 196.
Lucas, sir Charles, ii. 402.
Lundy, col., ii. 544, 603.
Macalister surrenders to Leslie, ii. 151.
MacDonald of Sanda (baron Sance), hanged by Leslie, ii. 169.
sir Alexander, i. 46 and k,
60, 127, 193, 201, 202; ii. 41, 50, 83, 95, 102, 120, 140, 175, 584 ; joins Montrose, i. 46 and « ; driven out ( of Kintyre, ii. 151 and n ; in Ireland, 195 ; his father taken prisoner, 194- 195 and «, 255, 261 ; his father tried and executed, 281 and n.
MacDowall, James, of Garthland, ii. 601.
Maclagan executed in Edinburgh, i.
47. Maclean, in arms for the king in Bade-
noch, ii. 176. Macneil, surrenders to Leslie, ii. 151. Manchester, earl of, i. 142, 170, 371,
430; ii. 109, III, 246, 301. Mandscripts from the east coming to
England, i. 4.
Marischal, William, earl, ii. 60.
Marshall, lieut. -col. , ii. 462 and «, 467, 487, 494, 499.
Mr., clergyman to the English
commissioners, ii. 436 and n. «
Stephen, one of the English com- missioners sent to Scotland, ii. 399 and n.
Massej^s regiment disbanded, i. 317-
Maurice, prince, i. 55, 152, 162, 172, 180.
Mazarin, cardinal, xi, xv, and «, xxiv ; letter from, to Montereul, "• 577 ; letter from, to sir Robert Moray, 582 ; letter from, to Charles I.,
587. Meldrum, sir John, ii. 560. Menzies, lieut. -col., ii. 194, 346, 369. Middleton, John, lieut. - general, ii.
120 and «, 439 and n, 486, 508 and
«, 509, 514-
Migry fort, ii. 248.
Militia, the, i. 201, 212, 229, 266, 277, 283, 431 ; ii. 341.
Moet proposes to detach Sweden from the alliance with France and unite it to Spain, ii. 185.
Monro, major George, ii. 120 and n.
major-general Robert, ii. 72, 120
and n, 288 and n.
Montaigne, lord, i. 390,
Montereul, Jean de, French resident in England and Scotland, xv and n, xvi ; biographical notice of, xvii- xxvi ; arrives in London, i. 3 ; his house searched, 77 and n ; interview with Charles at Oxford, 102 ; his plan for conveyance of the queen's letters to Oxford, 141-142, 150, 151 ; his letters intercepted, 246 and n, 259 ; at Newcastle, 293 ; leaves for Edinburgh, 366 ; ii. 3 and n, 7 ; on recruiting in Scotland for the French service, ii. 27-33, 39, 41, 49, 52, 60, 63, 69, 70, 80, 93, 103, 127, 141, 150, 156, 168, 182, 201, 217, 218, passim ; resents the attitude of Henrietta Maria, 102-103, 1^6; sug- gests that Hamilton and Argyll re- ceive pensions from France, 115, 116; declines an audience with the committee of estates, 127 ; pre- vents Spain obtaining levies from Scotland, 140 ; deputation to, from Edinburgh town council, 248 and n ; his opinion of the Scots, 287 ; his intercession on behalf of Harthill, 295, 299 ; made burgess of Edin- burgh, 313 ; his letters opened, 380 ;
612
MONTEREUL CORRESPONDENCE
finds the Scots not trustworthy, 387 ; resents interference with his religion, 393. 409. 416, 598 ; opposed to the prince of Wales coming to Scotland,
» 400 and n, 415, 452, 459, 460; recalled from Edinburgh, 517 ; in London, 528 ; refused permission to visit Charles, 538 ; prepares for his return to France, 538; note on his negotiations, 572 ; memorandum from, 575 ; letters to, from Nicholas, i. Ill, 180; from Charles, 112, 183 and n ; letters to, from his secretary, 211, 214, 216 ; letter from, to Henrietta Maria, ii. 473 ; letter to, from the Scottish commissioners in London, 569.
Montigny, a Flemish priest, accom- panies lady Isabella Hay to Edin- burgh, ii. 287.
Montrose, marquis of, i. 60, 78, 105, 108, III, 171, 181, 183, 187, 201, 238, 324; ii. 13, 41, 49, 573, 584; gains a victory at Kilsyth, i. 7 and n, 9 n ; defeated at Philiphaugh, 16, 22 ; driven into the highlands, 33, 41 ; raids the Argyle country, 46 ; retires to the highlands, 54 ; Scottish par- liament issues proclamation against, 152 ; is ready to obey the king, 212 ; ordered by Charles to hold his forces together, 227, 231 ; his move- ments in the highlands, ii. 83, 103, 242.
Moray, Mungo, letter from Charles to Montereul, found in possession of, ii. 3 and n, 7.
sir Mungo, of Craigie, ii. 565.
sir Robert, xix ; i. 15, 23, 36, 42,
53, 54, 66, 68, 73, 75, 78, 85, 89, 90, 102, 104, 117, 118, 126, 131, 132, 185, 194, 200, passim ; recommended for the command of the Scottish guards, 16, 30, 34 ; recruiting for the French service, ii. 2, 29, 31, 33, 40, 49. 63, 69, 70, 103, 121, 141, 156, 202, 595 ; offers to assist Charles in escaping from Holmby House, i. 423, 426, 442 ; note on, ii. 565 ; letter from, to Balmerino, i. 49 ; letter from, to Montereul, 163 ; let- ter from, to the duke of Hamilton, 424 n ; letters from, to the Scottish commissioners, ii. 573, 574 ; letters from, to M. du Bosc, 576, 577, 580, 582, 588 ; letters to, from Mazarin, 582.
William, i. 78 and «, 84, 105,
108, 109, 125, 132, 139-141, 153.
170, 173, 295, 307, 323, 330, 341,
350. 354. 402, 405, 407, passim ;
arrest and examination of, 130-133,
161. Mordington, earl of, ii. 370. Morgan, colonel, ii. 33. Morrison, Alexander,of Preston-Grange,
ii, 601. Morton, William Douglas, earl of, ii.
509 and «, 524, 600. Munro. See Monro. Musgrave, sir Philip, ii. 482.
Newark, siege of, i. 54-56, 60, 85,
194.
earl of. See Leslie, David.
Newcastle, ii. 529.
Newport, i. 125.
Nicholas, sir Edward, i. 75 and n, 103,
106, 141, 161, 172 ; letter from, to
Montereul, 11 1 ; letter to, from
Montereul, 180. Nisbet, sir Philip, execution of, i. 47. Nithsdale, countess of, ii. 416 and n. Northumberland, earl of, i. 24, 117,
130, 132, 272, 430; ii. 18, 95, 301. Nottingham, earl of, ii. 409 «.
Ogier. See Augier. Ogilvy, lord, i. 22.
in Orleans, ii. 377.
of Innerquharity, execution of,
i. 47-
O'Kean executed in Edinburgh, i. 47.
Ormond, marquis of, i. 226 and n, 280, 300, 304, 317, 348, 375; ii. 171, 256 ; comes to terms with the con- federates, i. 372 ; his agreement with the catholics, 412 ; his treaty with parliament, ii. 21, 31, 33, 41 ; re- quests interview with Charles, 228.
Oxford, diocese of, i. 212; surrender of, 216.
Parliament of England, proposals of, for the king's acceptance, i. 228- 237 ; peace proposals in the hands of the Scottish commissioners, 240 ; discussion on the amount due to the Scots, 252, 259, 353 ; negotiates with Ormond, 300 ; orders the bishops' lands to be sold, 327, 332 ; orders catholics, etc., to leave Lon- don, 357-358 ; ii. 356 ; Charles's answer to proposals of, i. 363 ; establishes presbyterianism, 390 ; treaty with Ormond, ii. 21, 31, 33 ; demand that Belfast be delivered up by the Scots, 41, 64 ; irritation
INDEX
613
against France, 87 ; orders the army to disband, 18 ; army refuses to obey, 153, 159; orders English ships taken to St. Malo be given up, 98, 106, III ; independents withdraw to the army, 212 ; gives ovation tc Fairfax, 227 ; prepares proposals for the king's acceptance, 277, 303 : deputation from, to Bellievre, 301,: discussion on the king's right of veto, 316 ; refuses relief to catholics, 317 ; the four proposals, 333, 341, 350.
Parliament of Scotland, demands pay- ment of money due byJEngland, i. 154; declaration by, 426, 433 ; new oath presented to, by the clergy, 433 ; instructions for the new army, ii. 50 ; refuses to treat with Huntly, 50 ; resolves to withdraw forces from Ire- land, 64 ; election of committee ol' estates, 70 ; discussion on church feus, 80-8 r and n ; resolves to dis- band the army, 260.
Pembroke, earl of, i. 390.
Pendennis castle, i. 251.
Percy, Henry, ii. 84.
M., i. 75.
Philiphaugh, battle of, i. 16, 22, 24.
Plague, the, in Scotland, ii. 537.
Plymouth, siege of, i. 116.
Pointz, general, i. 47, 55, 85, 195 ; ii.
131, 177-
Porter, Endymion, valet of Charles i., arrested at Dunkirk, ii. 178.
Porterfield (Poterfil), George, ii. 428.
Presbyterianism, of divine appointment, '• 33» 39 ; establishment of presby- terianism in England, 154, 171 ; Charles refuses the establishment of, in England, 177; Charles agrees to its introduction, 212 ; established by parliament, 390 ; ii. 312; Charles agrees to its establishment for three years, ii. 407.
Preston, colonel, ii. 31 and n, 41.
QuESNAL. See ConnelL
Raglan castle, surrender of, i. 251 and n.
Rainsborough (Desborough), vice-ad- miral sir Thomas, ii. 308 and n,
325- Ramsay, rev. Andrew, ii. 408, 445
and It. Reay, lord, ii. 234 and n, 248, 295,
323- Richmond, duke of, i. 34 and ti ; ii. 103.
Robe, father, ii. 394. Roberts, lord, i. 142. RoUock, sir William, execution of,
i. 47. Rothes, earl of, ii. 452. Rowerson, major, ii. 33. Roxburgh, Robert, earl of, ii. 600. Royal society, founding of, ii. 567. Royston, i. 180, 185, 187. Rupert, prince, i. 16, 22, 55, 59, 103,
152, 161, 172, 180. Rutherfiird, major, ii. 150. Ruthven in Badenoch, ii. 117. Thomas, of Freeland, ii. 601.
Sabran, M. de, secretary of the French embassy in London, i. 3, 9, 34, 41, 69, 75. 91. "O, 118, 130, 131, 150, 151, 154, 160, 211, 214, 216,252; letter from, to Boisivon, ii. 563.
St. Albans, lord. See Jermyn, lord.
St. Galle, M. de, i. 4.
St. John, Oliver, i. 267 and «, 303.
St. Malo, warlike preparations at, ii. 59, 87 ; English ships taken to, 98, 106, III, 205.
Sance, baron. See MacDonald of Sanda.
Sandys, colonel, arrest of, ii. 112, 123.
Say, lord, i. 24.
Scott, John, ii. 601.
Scottish Dove, i, 247, 268, 273; ii. 588.
Scottish regiments in France, L 16, 30, 201-202, 208, 366, 405, 416; ii. 40, 103, 602.
Seaforth, earl of, i. 181 and n ; ii. 95 and n, 103, 117.
Sempel, William, ii. 601.
Sendis. See Sandys.
Seton, lord, i. 22.
Short, John, ii. 601.
Sinclair, lord, i. 126 and n; imprison- ment of, ii. 331 ; an effort to be made for his liberation, 359 ; failure of the attempt, 370 ; permitted to leave Edinburgh castle, 374.
Skippon, lieut. -general, i. 357.
Smith, sir John, ii. 601.
Southampton, lord, i. 74.
Spain attempts to obtain men from Scotland, ii. 140-141.
Spynie, lord, ii. 601.
Stamford, earl of, ii. 409 and n, 421,
456. Steward, adjutant, execution of, i. 47. Strachan, major Archibald, ii. 498 m,
502 «. captain John, ii. 417 and n.
614
MONTEREUL CORRESPONDENCE
Strathbogie, ii. 83, 95 and n. Strathnaver, ii. 117. Strickland, Walter, ii. 18 and n. Stuart, George, ii. 565. Sutherland, sir Alexander, of Duffus,
ii. 601.
John, earl of, ii. 248, 323, 600.
Swedish ships taken by the English,
ii. 134. Sydserf, Archibald, ii. 428, 601. Sympson, David, ii. 601.
Tailors' hall, Edinburgh, ii. 439
and n. Talon, M., ii. 35, 228, 381. Tapestry, i. 4, 7. Taylor, agent from the Netherlands,
i. 260, 267, 272, 287, 301. Tempest, sir Richard, defeat of, by
Lilburne, ii. 525 and n. Thiboll, A. , letter to, from Bellievre, i.
242. Tillieres, comte de, i. 194. Tod, Arc, ii. 6oi. Traquair, John, earl of, i. 22, 406 and
», 439; ii- 31. 42, 5l> 71, 233, 240,
255, 281, 288, 295, 299, 323, 349,
356, 359. 360, 376, 434. 444, 600. Tullibardine, James, earl of, ii. 600. Turner, major, ii, 502.
Usher, James, archbishop of Armagh, i. 4.
Uxbridge treaty, i. 103, 104, 124, 152, 153, 164, 171, 173, 201.
Valuation of property in Scotland,
ii. 13 and n. Vane, sir Henry, i. 130 ; ii. 18, 58,
145, 274. Vaughan, sir William, i. 55.
Waller, sir William, ii. 322. Wapple, Thomas, ii. 204. Wardhouse, ii. 83, 95 n. Warrington, ii. 493. Warriston, lord. See Johnstone, sir
Archibald. Warwick, earl of, i. 430 ; ii. 58 and «,
109, III, 123, 134, 145.
sir Philip, ii. 75 and n.
Wedderburn, E., ii. 601. Whyte, Robert, ii. 601. Willoughby, lord, i. 300, 317. Winchester, diocese of, i. 212.
marquis of, i. 252 and n.
Winram, George, of Liberton, ii. 203,
207. Winter Grand. See Leyburn, George. Worcester house, ii. 569 and n. Wright, Robert, i. 268.
Yester, John, lord, ii. 600. York, duke of, i. 117, 124, 369; ii. 481 and n.
ERRATA
Vol. I. — P. 30, The reference in footnote to Appendix is to Note W., Scottish Regiments in France.
P. 40, note, y^r date 1654, read 1643.
P. 276, note. The allusion is more probably to Dr. Richard Stewart mentioned by Clarendon.
P. 407. The reference to Appendix is to note PP. , The King's Pro- posed Escape.
P. 412, for Lord Langley mentioned at the end of Letter cm., read Lord Lisle.
P. 425,yi?r 'As soon as will be,' read 'as soon as the king will be.'
Vol. n. — P. 225, note. The reference to Appendix is to Note V. P. 21^, for ' assistance,' read ' resistance.' P. 2'j^,for 'This latter tells him,' read 'this latter tells me.'
Printed by T. and A. Constable, Printers to Her Majesty at the Edinburgh University Press
REPORT OF THE TWELFTH ANNUAL
MEETING OF THE
SCOTTISH HISTORY SOCIETY
The Twelfth Annual Meeting of the Society was held on Tuesday, November 1, 1898, in DowelFs Rooms, George Street, Edinburgh, — Emeritus Professor Masson in chair.
The Hon. Secretary read the Report of the Council, as follows : —
During the past year the Society has lost ten members, three by resignation and seven by death. When the present vacancies are filled up there will remain seventy-nine names on the roll of applicants for admission to the Society.
The Council desire to express their deep regret at the death of Mr. J. R. Findlay of Aberlour. Mr. Findlay joined the Society at its foundation, and for the past ten years has been a member of the Council, which he continually assisted with his sound judgment and advice. His loss will be keenly felt.
Since the last General Meeting three volumes have been delivered to members. Of these the Memorials qf John Murray of Broughton and the Compt Bulk qf David Wedderhurne^ belonged to the issue of the preceding year. The publications selected for the issue of this present year (1897-98) are the two volumes of the Diplomatic Correspondence of Jean de Montereid and the Brothers de Bellievre, French Ambassadors in England and Scotland in the time of Charles I., edited by Mr. J. G. Fotheringham. The first of these volumes was issued to members in June last. The second, which contains
MontereuFs letters written from Edinburgh in 1647-48, is in type, and only awaits the completion of the Index.
The volumes designed for the coming year are : —
1. The first volume of the Documeiits relating to the History of the Scots Brigade in Holland, edited by Mr. James Ferguson, Sheriff of Argyle, bringing the story down to 1697.
% Scotland and the Protectorate, in continuation of Scotland and the Commonwealth, edited by Mr. C. H. Firth. This will be illustrated with plans and a carefully executed map mark- ing the route of General Monck^'s marches in the Highlands in 1654. The text of both of these books is already printed, and they may be out shortly after Christmas.
The list of works in contemplation is a large one, and is continually receiving fresh accessions. A recent offer deserves immediate attention. The Rev. J. Hungerford Pollen, S.J., now engaged at Rome in the collection of documents chiefly from the Archives of the Vatican, bearing on the contest between the Papacy and Queen Elizabeth, offers to set aside for publication by our Society certain papers which more especially concern the affairs of Queen Mary during her reign in Scotland. The collection will comprise documents relating to the mission of Nicolas de Pelleve, bishop of Amiens, as legate to the Queen Regent (1559-1560). These will be followed by the negotiations of the Jesuit, Nicolas de Gouda, papal envoy to Queen Mary in 1561-62, and those of Vincent Laureo, bishop of Mondovi, afterwards nominated Cardinal Protector of Scotland. Laureo, sent by Pope Pius v., was prevented from entering Scotland, but carried on negotiations with the Queen and wrote reports to Rome from Paris during his eight months'* residence there, in the critical period immediately preceding and following the murder of Darnley (1566-67). Father Pollen will add certain papers relating to Mary's divorce from Both well.
As it is thought desirable that this volume should appear with as little delay as possible, the Council propose to put it
3
in the printers' hands in the course of the next six months, in the hope of being able to issue it as one of the publications of the year 1899-1900.
Mr. Alexander Macpherson of Kingussie has kindly placed at the disposal of the Society a transcript of the MS. narrative of Sir iEneas Macpherson, written in 1703, and entitled, ' The Loyall Dissuasive, or the Resolute Advyce of a faithfull kins- man. ... In a memorial to the Laird of Cluny in Badenoch."' The narrative, mainly concerned with the rival claims of the Macphersons and the Macintoshes for the chieftainship of the Clan Chattan, throws light on the sentiments of Highlanders, and their movements, which led to the Jacobite risings of 1715 and 1745. The Rev. Canon Murdoch, well known to the Society by his editing of the Grameid, has undertaken to perform the same good office for the Loyall Dissuasive.
M. Jusserand, three years ago, in an article in the Nineteenth Century, entitled 'A Journey to Scotland in 1435,"' called attention to an unedited narrative preserved in the Biblio- theque Nationale of Paris, written by Regnault Girard, con- cerning his diplomatic mission to Scotland, to negotiate the marriage of the Princess Margaret, daughter of James i., with the Dauphin of France, afterwards Louis xi. It has been suggested that the publication of this document would be an appropriate work for the Society, and the Council are not without hope that M. Jusserand himself may find leisure to undertake the editing of it.
Three members as usual retire from the Council : Mr. Ferguson, Bishop Dowden, and Sir Thomas Grainger Stewart. The Council propose that Bishop Dowden be re-elected, and that the Rev. John Hutchison, D.D., and Dr. Hay Fleming of St. Andrews, be appointed in the place of the other retiring members ; also that Mr. Maitland Thomson, Advocate, Keeper of the Historical Department of Her Majesty ""s General Register House, be elected to the Council in the room of the late Mr. Findlay.
The accompanying Abstract of the Hon. Treasurer''s Ac- counts sliovvs that the income for 1897-98 has been dE'SlS, 18s. 9d., and the expenditure ,£'536, 15s. 3d. There was a balance of ^£"195, 9s. 3d. from the previous year, the balance at the end of this year being :£*171, lis. 9d. On the recommendation of the Treasurer, the Council have agreed to repay from the Reserve Fund the sum of £54}, 10s., which had been paid during the year from the General Account for transcripts and translations of the Dutch Brigade papers, and it was further resolved that the remaining balance at the credit of the Reserve Fund, viz. £7, should now be merged in the General Account.
The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report, said that, in the first place, they had greatly to lament the death of Mr. Findlay — a citizen of Edinburgh, eminent in Edinburgh, in contact with a great many important businesses in Edinburgh, and who from the very first of the Society had been a member of the Council, and lent his good judgment, his sagacity, and his interest in affairs of Scottish history, verified most splendidly by the great institution which he had built in Edinburgh. All these qualities of Mr. Findlay they knew very particularly, and they and the rest of Edinburgh had to regret his loss. As to the publications of the Society, he thought they might congratulate themselves on the publications which had been most recently issued, and more especially on the Memorials of Mtirray of BroughtoJi, edited by Mr. Fitzroy Bell, which had caused a real sensation among that part of the public which was interested in history, and especially in Scottish history. As to the publications immediately forthcoming, he need say nothing more than was presented in the report. They sometimes heard complaints in some quarters that so many of their publications had concerned the Jacobite Rebellions in the last century. He was sure they would all be delighted if any documents would flash up from the further past in Scottish history — if, for instance, they could get anything about Wallace or Bruce or the immediate subsequent centui-ies. The Society had very largely contributed to the history of Scotland in earlier days than last century, and if they could get more of equal interest to what they had already pub- lished about the Jacobite Rebellions, they would be very glad to
have it. There had been books published by the Society referring to the previous century, of the reign of Charles i., and the Covenanting period. There was a novelty contained in their report. Father Pollen, who was at present occupied in collecting documents in the Vatican and elsewhere, had offered to the Society a share of documents referring more particularly to Queen Mary, and representing the contemporary impressions at the Papal Court and in Roman Catholic quarters as to Queen Mary and her transactions. Queen Mary was another of those fixed lighthouses in the history of Scotland round which the swallows were always swarming, but there was unexhausted information from that quarter. These authentic documents which had been promised them, heretofore unknown and un- published, would be a very valuable addition to their books. Quite recently there had been published, in the fourteenth volume of the Register of the Privy Council of Scotland, one document, now extant in a letter-book in the Register House of Edinburgh, Avhich was not to be found in Labanoff's great collection of Marian documents. This was a letter from Queen Mary to Pope Pius v., telling him that the office of Commendator in the Abbacy of Kelso had fallen vacant by the death of William Ker, and that it was very important that a man of distinguished lineage should be appointed. There had come into her mind her nephew, Francis Stuart, who possessed all the qualifications, in her view, for Kelso and the neighbourhood, especially if there should be any invasion from England, and she requested the Pope to appoint him to the vacancy. This Francis Stuart was the son of Lord John Stuart, one of the illegitimate children of James v., and who had been Prior of Coldingham. The letter was dated 15th May 1567, which was the day of the marriage of Mary and Bothwell, so that it could hardly have been written without Bothwell's cognisance, and perhaps with his desire. This Avas the more credible, because, when they looked into the genealogy of Francis Stuart, they found that he was not only Queen Mary's nephew, but also Bothwell's nephew — the wife of John Stuart, Prior of Coldingham, having been the sister of Bothwell. The mother of Francis Stuart being then still alive and a widow, it looked very like an arrangement to provide for Bothwell's sister and her son. The boy could not have been more than five years of age, so that he could not at that time have been very competent to defend Scotland against England. But, more curious still, this Francis Stuart became the
6
second Earl of Bothwellj and as Earl of Bothwell he was a thorn in the flesh of James vi. all his life. All these things put together made that document an historical curiosity. If there were other letters to the Pope from Queen Mary not yet accessible, or docu- ments showing how Pope Pius v. and the Papal Nuncio regarded Queen Mary, that would be a very valuable addition, positively new, to their documentary history regarding Queen Mary.
Mr. Traquair Dickson, W.S., seconded the motion, which was unanimously agreed to.
Mr. Balfour Paul, Lyon King of Arms, as one of the trustees of the late Sir William Eraser, intimated that they had agreed to pay the Society a sum sufficient to print at least one, and perhaps two volumes, of such documents as they might select, with the special object of illustrating the history and antiquity of Scotland. (Applause.)
On the motion of the Rev. Dr. Hutchison, a vote of thanks was passed to the members of Council and office-bearers of the Society.
ABSTRACT OF THE HON. TREASURER'S ACCOUNTS.
For Year to nth October 1898.
I. Charge. I. Balance in Bank from last year, . . . £195 9 3
II. Subscriptions, viz. —
(1.) 400 Subscriptions for
1897-98, at £l, Is., . £420 0 0 5 in Arrear for 1896-97, . 5 5 0
£425 5 0 Less 5 in arrear and 1
in advance for 1897-98, 6 6 0
(2.) 60 Libraries at £l. Is., . £.63 0 0 Less 1 in advance for
1897-98, . . .110
418 19 0
61 19 0
(3.) Copies of previous issues sold to New
Members, 17 6 6
III. Interest on Deposit Receipts, . . . . 7 13 3
IV. Balance from Reserve Fund, . . . . 7 0 0
Sum of Charge, . . £708 7 0 II. Discharge.
I. Incidental Expenses —
(1) Printing Cards, Circulars, and
Reports, . . . . £l2 7 6
(2) Stationery, .... 236 (S) Making-up and delivering
copies, . . . . 26 18 0
Carry forward, £41 9 0
8
Brought forward, £41 9 0
(4) Postages of Secretary and
Treasurer, .... 313
(5) Cle.ical Work and Charges on
Cheques, . . . . 5 17 6
(6) Hire of room for Meeting, . 110
II. Mtirray of Broughton' s Journal —
Composition, Printing, and Paper, £120 3 0
Proofs and Corrections, . . 29 6 6
Illustrations, . . . 19 11 0
Binding and Back-lettering, . 216 9
Indexing, . . . . 3 5 0
£193 12 3 Less paid to account,
Oct. 1896, £10 16 0
Less paid to account,
Oct. 1897, . 80 2 0
90 18 0
III. Compt Buik of David Wedderbume —
Composition, etc., . . . £^6 18 0
Proofs and Corrections, . . 22 6 0
Binding and Back-lettering, . 20 13 3
Indexing, . . . . . 4 15 0
£144 12 3 Less paid to account, Oct. 1897, 68 8 0
IV. Montereul Correspondence, Vol. i. —
Composition, etc., . . . £107 5 0
Proofs and Corrections, . . 19 1 0
Binding, and Back-lettering, . 19 15 6
V. Montereul Correspondence, vol. ii. —
Composition,etc. (to 30th Sept.), £132 9 0 Proofs and Corrections, . . 12 14 0
£51 8 9
102 14 3
76 4 3
146 1 6
145 3 0
Carryforward, £521 11 9
9
Brought forward, £521 11 9 VI. Macfarlane Mamiscripls —
Transcripts, . . . . . . 10 0 0
VII. Scotland and the Protectorate —
Transcripts, . . . . . 5 S 6
£536 15 3
VIII, Balance to next account —
Sum due by the Bank of Scotland on 27th October 1898, . . . £172 12 9 Less one Library Subscription
paid in advance, . . 110
171 11 9
Sura of Discharge, £708 7 0
Reserve Fund.
As at 27th October 1897, . . . . £6l 10 0
Paid in terms of Resohition of Council —
(1) Transcripts and Ti-anslations of Scots Brigade Papers, . . £54 10 0
(2) To General Account, . 7 0 0
6l 10 0
Edinburgh, ai.rf November 1898. — The Auditors, having examined the Accounts of the Hon. Treasurer of the Scottish History Society for the year to 27th October 1898, and having compared them with the vouchers, find the said Accounts to be correct, closing with a Balance in Bank on current account of ;^I72, I2S. 9d. The subscriptions paid in advance will be included in next year's Account. Ralph Richardson, Auditor.
Wm. Traquair Dickson, Auditor.
^eottifit) i^i0torp ^otittv.
THE EXECUTIVE.
President. The Earl of Rosebery, K.G., K.T., LL.D.
Chairman of Council. David Masson, LL.D., Historiographer Royal for Scotland.
Council. Rev. John Hutchison, D.D. D. Hay Fleming, LL.D.
Right Rev. John Dowden, D.D., Bishop of Edinburgh. J. Maitland Thomson, Advocate, Keeper of the Historical
Department, H.M. Register House. W. K. Dickson, Advocate. David Patrick, LL.D. Sir Arthur Mitchell, K.C.B., M.D., LL.D. ^NEAs J. G. Mackay, Q.C.J LL.D., Sheriflf" of Fife and Kinross. Sir John Cowan, Bart. J. Balfour Paul, Lyon King of Arms. G. W. Prothero, Litt. D,, Professor of History in the
University of Edinburgh. P. Hume Brown, M.A., LL.D.
Corresponding Members of the Council.
C. H. Firth, Oxford; Samuel Rawson Gardiner, D.C.L.,LL.D. ; Rev. W. D. Macray, Oxford ; Rev. Professor A. F. Mitchell, D.D., St. Andrews.
Hon. Treasurer. J. T. Clark, Keeper of the Advocates' Library.
Hon. Secretary. T. G. Law, LL.D., Librarian, Signet Library.
RULES
1. The object of the Society is the discovery and printing, under selected editorship, of unpublished documents illus- trative of the civil, religious, and social history of Scotland. The Society will also undertake, in exceptional cases, to issue translations of printed works of a similar nature, which have not hitherto been accessible in English.
2. The number of Members of the Society shall be limited to 400.
3. The affairs of the Society shall be managed by a Council, consisting of a Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, and twelve elected Members, five to make a quorum. Three of the twelve elected Members shall retire annually by ballot, but they shall be eligible for re-election.
4. The Annual Subscription to the Society shall be One Guinea. The publications of the Society shall not be delivered to any Member whose Subscription is in arrear, and no Member shall be permitted to receive more than one copy of the Society's publications.
5. The Society will undertake the issue of its own publica- tions, i.e. without the intervention of a publisher or any other paid agent.
6. The Society will issue yearly two octavo volumes of about 320 pages each.
7. An Annual General Meeting of the Society shall be held at the end of October, or at an approximate date to be determined by the Council.
8. Two stated Meetings of the Council shall be held each year, one on the last Tuesday of May, the other on the Tues- day preceding the day upon which the Annual General Meeting shall be held. The Secretary, on the request of three Members of the Council, shall call a special meeting of the Council.
9. Editors shall receive 20 copies of each volume they edit for the Society.
10. The owners of Manuscripts published by the Society will also be presented with a certain number of copies.
11. The Annual Balance-Sheet, Rules, and List of Members shall be printed.
12. No alteration shall be made in these Rules except at a General Meeting of the Society. A fortnight's notice of any alteration to be proposed shall be given to the Members of the Council.
PUBLICATIONS
OF THE
SCOTTISH HISTORY SOCIETY
For the year 1886-1887.
1. Bishop Pococke's Tours in Scotland, 1747-1760. Edited by
D. W. Kemp. (Oct 1887.)
2. Diary of and General Expenditure Book of William
Cunningham of Craigends, 1673-1680. Edited by the Rev. James Dodds, D.D. (Oct. 1887.)
For the year 1887-1888.
3. Panurgi Philo-caballi Scoti Grameidos libri sex. — The
Grameid : an heroic poem descriptive of the Campaign of Viscount Dundee in 1689, by James Philip of Almerieclose. Translated and Edited by the Rev. A. D. Murdoch.
(Oct 1888.)
4. The Register of the Kirk-Session cf St. Andrews. Part i.
1559-1582. Edited by D. Hay Fleming. (Feb. 1889.)
For the year 1888-1889.
5. Diary of the Rev. John Mill, Minister of Dunrossness, Sand-
wick, and Cunningsburgh, in Shetland, 1740-1803. Edited by Gilbert Goudie, F.S.A. Scot (June 1889,)
6. Narrative of Mr. James Nimmo, a Covenanter, 1654-1709.
Edited by W. G, Scott-Moncrieff, Advocate. (June 1889.)
7. The Register of the Kirk-Session of St. Andrews. Part ii.
1583-1600. Edited by D. Hay Fleming. (Aug. 1890.)
4 PUBLICATIONS
For the year 1889-1890.
8. A List of Persons concerned in the Rebellion (1745). With a Preface by the Earl of Rosebery and Annotations by the Rev. Walter Macleod. (Sept. 1890.)
Presented to the Society by the Earl of Rosebery.
9. Glamis Papers: The 'Book of Record/ a Diary written by
Patrick, first Earl of Strathmore, and other documents relating to Glamis Castle (1684-89). Edited by A. H. Millar, F.S.A. Scot. (Sept. 1890.)
10. John Major's History of Greater Britain (1521). Trans-
lated and edited by Archibald Constable, with a Life of the author by -Eneas J. G. Mackay, Advocate. (Feb. 1892.)
For the year 1890-1891.
11. The Records of the Commissions of the General Assemblies,
1646-47. Edited by the Rev. Professor Mitchell, D.D., and the Rev. James Christie, D.D., with an Introduction by the former. (May 1892.)
12. Court-Book of the Barony of Urie, 1604-1747. Edited by the Rev. D. G. Barron, from a ms. in possession of Mr. R. Barclay of Dorking. (Oct. 1892.)
For the year 1891-1892.
13. Memoirs of the Life of Sir John Clerk of Penicuik, Baronet, Baron of the Exchequer, Commissioner of the Union, etc. Extracted by himself from his own Journals, 1676-1755. Edited from the original ms. in Penicuik House by John M. Gray, F.S.A. Scot. (Dec. 1892.)
14. Diary of Col. the Hon. John Erskine of Carnock, 1683-
1687. From a ms. in possession of Henry David Erskine, Esq., of Cardross. Edited by the Rev. Walter Macleod.
(Dec. 1893.)
PUBLICATIONS 5
For the year 1892-1893.
15. Miscellany of the Scottish History Society, First Volume —
The Library of James vi., 1573-83.
Edited by G. F. Warner. Documents illustrating Catholic Policy^ 1596-98.
T. G. Law. Letters of Sir Thomas Hope, 1627-46. Rev. R. Paul.
Civil War Papers, 1643-50. H. F. Morland Simpson.
Lauderdale Correspondence, 1660-77.
Right Rev. John Dowden, D.D. Turnbull's Diary, 1657-1704. Rev. R. Paul.
Masterton Papers, 1 660-1 7 19. V. A. Noel Paton.
AccoMPT OF Expenses in Edinburgh, 1715. A. H. Millar. Rebellion Papers, 1715 and 1745. H. Paton.
(Dec. 1893.)
16. Account Book of Sir John Foulis of Ravelston (1671-1707). Edited by the Rev. A. W. Cornelius Hallen. (June 1894.)
For the year 1893-1894.
17. Letters and Papers illustrating the Relations between
Charles il and Scotland in 1650. Edited, with Notes and Introduction, by Samuel Rawson Gardiner, LL.D., etc.
(July 1894.)
18. Scotland and the Commonwealth. Letters and Papers
relating to the Military Government of Scotland, Aug. 1651 — Dec. 1653. Edited, with Introduction and Notes, by C. H. Firth, M.A. (Oct. 1895.)
For the year 1894-1895.
19- The Jacobite Attempt of 1719- Letters of James, second Duke of Ormonde, relating to Cardinal Alberoni's project for the Invasion of Great Britain. Edited by W. K. Dickson, Advocate. (Dec. 1895.)
20, 21. The Lyon in Mourning, or a Collection of Speeches, Letters, Journals, etc., relative to the Affairs of Prince Charles Edward Stuart, by the Rev. Robert Forbes, A.M., Bishop of Ross and Caithness. 1746-1775. Edited from his Manuscript by Henry Paton, M.A. Vols. i. and 11.
(Oct. 1895.)
6 PUBLICATIONS
For the year 1895-1896.
22. The Lyon in Mourning. Vol. hi. (Oct, 1896.)
23. Supplement to the Lyon in Mourning. — Itinerary of Prince Charles Edward. With a Map. Compiled by W. B. Blaikie.
(April 1897.)
24. Extracts from the Presbytery Records of Inverness and
Dingwall from 1638 to 1688. Edited by William Mackay.
(Oct. 1896.)
25. Records of the Commissions of the General Assemblies (continued) for the years 1 648 and 1 649. Edited by the Rev. Professor Mitchell, D.D., and Rev. James Christie, D.D.
(Dec. 1896.)
For the year 1896-1897.
26. Wariston's Diary and other Papers —
Johnston of Wariston's Diary, 1639. Edited by G. M. Paul. The Honours of Scotland, 1651-52. C. R. A. Howden.
The Earl of Mar's Legacies, 1722, 1726. Hon. S. Erskine. Letters by Mrs. Grant of Laggan. J. R. N. Macphail.
(Dec. 1896.) Presented to the Society by Messrs. T. and A. Constable.
27. Memorials of John Murray of Broughton, sometime Secretary to Prince Charles Edward, 1740-1747. Edited by R. Fitzroy Bell, Advocate. (May 1898.)
28. The Compt Buik of David Wedderburne, Merchant of
Dundee, 1587-1630. With the Shipping Lists of the Port of Dundee, 1580-l6l8. Edited by A. H. Millar. (May 1898.)
For the year 1897-1898.
29. The Diplomatic Correspondence of Jean de Montereul and
the brothers De Bellievre, French Ambassadors in Eng- land AND Scotland, 1645-1648. Edited, with Translation and Notes, by J. G. Fotheringham. Vol. i. (June 1898.)
30. The Same. Vol. n. (Jan. 1899.)
PUBLICATIONS 7
F(yr the year 1898-1899.
31. Scotland during the Protectorate, 1653-16'59; in con- tinuation of Scotland and the Commonwealth. Edited by C. H. Firth.
32. Papers illustrating the History of the Scots Brigade in the Service of the United Netherlands, 1572-1782. Ex- tracted by permission from the Government Archives at The Hague, and edited by James Ferguson. Vol. i. 1572-1697.
In preparation.
Papers on the Scots Brigade. Vols. ii. and in.
Papal Missions to Mary Queen of Scots. Documents chiefly from the Vatican Archives. Edited by the Rev. J. Hunger- ford Pollen, S.J.
Macfarlane's Genealogical Collections in the Advocates' Lib- rary. Edited by J. T. Clark, Keeper of the Library.
Macfarlane's Topographical Collections.
Journal of a Foreign Tour in 166"5 and 1666' by John Lauder, Lord Fountainhall. Edited by Donald Crawford, SheriiF of Aberdeenshire.
The Diary of Andrew Hay of Stone, near Biggar, afterwards OF Craignethan Castle, 1659-60. Edited by A. G. Reid from a manuscript in his possession.
A Translation of the Statuta EcclesI/E ScoTiCANiE, 1225-1556, by David Patrick, LL.D.
Sir Thomas Craig's De Unione Regnorum Britanni^e. Edited, with an English Translation, by David Masson, LL.D,, His- ' « toriographer Royal.
Records of the Commissions of the General Assemblies {con- tinued), for the years 1650-53.
Register of the Consultations of the Ministers of Edinburgh,
AND some other BrETHREN OF THE MINISTRY FROM DIVERS PARTS OF THE LAND, MEETING FROM TIME TO TIME, SINCE THE INTERRUPTION OF THE ASSEMBLY l653, WITH OTHER PaPERS OF PUBLIC CONCERNMENT, l653-l660.
8 PUBLICATIONS
Papers relating to the Rebellions of 1715 and 1745, with other documents from the Municipal Archives of the City of Perth.
A Selection of the Forfeited Estates Papers preserved in H.M. General Register House and elsewhere. Edited by A. H. Millar.
A Translation of the Historia Abbatum de Kynlos of Ferrerius. By Archibald Constable, LL.D.
Documents relating to the Affairs of the Roman Catholic Party in Scotland, from the year of the Armada to the Union of the Crowns. Edited by Thomas Graves Law, LL.D.
The Loyall Dissuasive. Memorial to the Laird of Cluny in Badenoch. Written in 1703, by Sir ^neas Macpherson. Edited by the Rev. A. D. Murdoch.
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