our subjects, how faulty soever, rely upon the word of a king, solemnly given by this present Declaration, That no crime whatsoever, committed against us or our royal father before the publication of this, shall ever rise in judgment, or be brought in question, against any of them, to the least endamagement of them, either in their lives, liberties, or estates, or (as far forth as lies in our power) so much as to the prejudice of their reputations, by any reproach or term of distinction from the rest of our best subjects; we desiring and ordaining, that henceforth all notes of discord, separation, and difference of parties be utterly abolished among all our subjects, whom we invite and conjure to a perfect union among themselves, under our protection, for the Re-settlement of our just Rights and theirs, in a Free Parliament, by which, upon the word of a king, we will be advised. And because the passion and uncharitableness of the times have produced several opinions in Religion, by which men are engaged in parties and animosities against each other, (which, when they shall hereafter unite in a freedom of conversation, will be composed, or better understood) we do declare a Liberty to tender Consciences, and that no man shall be disquicted or called in question, for differences of opinion in matter of Religion, which do not disturb the peace of the kingdom; and that we shall be ready to consent to such an act of parliament, as, upon mature deliberation, shall be offered to us, for the full granting that indulgence-And because, in the continued distractions of so many years, and so many and great revolutions, many grants and purchases of estates have been made to, and by, many officers, soldiers, and others, who are now possessed of the same, and who may be liable to actions at law upon several titles, we are likewise willing that all such differences, and all things relating to such grants, sales, and purchases, shall be determined in parliament; which can best provide for the just satisfaction of all men who are concerned.-And we do further declare, That we will be ready to consent to any act or cts of parliament to the purposes aforesaid, and for the full satisfaction of all Arrears due to the officers and soldiers of the Army under the command of general Monk, and that they shall be received into our service upon as good pay and conditions as they now enjoy. Given under our Sign Manual and Privy-Signet, at our Court at Breda, this 14th day of April, 1660, in the 12th year of our reign."

The King's Letter to the House of Commons.] May 1. In the house of commons, Mr. Aunesley reported from the Council of State, a Letter from the King, unopened, directed, To our Trusty and Well-beloved General Monk, to be communicated to the President and Council of State, and to the Officers of the Armies under his command,' being received from the hands of sir John Grenville. The house being informed that sir John Grenville, a messenger from the King, was at the VOL. IV.

door, it was resolved that he should be called in; which being done, and he at the bar, after obeisance made, he said, Mr. Speaker, I am 'commanded by the King, my master, to deliver this Letter to you, and his desires that you would communicate it to the house.' The messenger being withdrawn, the Letter was read to the house by Mr. Speaker, and was as follows:

"To our Right Trusty and Well-beloved the SPEAKER of the House of Com

mons:

"C. R. Trusty and Well-beloved, we greet you well: In these great and insupportable afflictions and calamities under which the poor nation hath been so long exercised, and by which it is so near exhausted, we cannot think of a more natural and proper Remedy, than to resort to those for council and advice, who have scen and observed the first beginning of our miseries, the progress from bad to worse, and the mistakes and misunderstandings which have produced and contributed to inconveniences which were not intended; and after so many revolutions, and the observation of what hath attended them, are now trusted by our good subjects to repair the breaches which are made, and to provide proper Remedies for those Evils, and for the lasting Peace, Happi-' ness, and Security of the kingdom.-We do assure you, upon our royal word, that none of our predecessors have had a greater esteem of parliaments than we have; in our judgment, as well as from our obligation, we do believe them to be so vital a part of the constitution of the kingdom, and so necessary for the government of it, that we well know, neither prince nor people can be, in any tolerable degree, happy without them: and therefore you may be confident, that we shall always look upon their counsels as the best we can receive, and shall be as tender of their Privileges, and as careful to preserve and protect them, as of that which is most near to ourself, and most neces sary for our own preservation.—And as this is our opinion of Parliaments, that their authority is most necessary for the government of the kingdom, so we are most confident that you believe and find, that the preservation of the King's Authority is as necessary for the preservation of parliaments; and that it is not the name, but the right constitution of them, which can prepare and apply proper Remedies for those evils which are grievous to the people, and which can thereby establish their Peace and Security and therefore we have not the least doubt but that you will be as tender in, and as jealous of, any thing that may infringe our honour, or impair our authority, as of your own liberty and property, which is best preserved by preserving the other.-How far we have trusted you in this great affair, and how much it is in your power to restore the nation to all that it hath lost, and to redeem it from any infamy it hath undergone, and to make king and people as happy as they ought to be, you will find by our inclosed Declaration, a C

:

copy of which we have likewise sent to the house of peers, (see p. 16); and you will easily believe that we would not voluntarily, and of ourself, have reposed so great a trust in you, but upon an entire confidence that you will not abuse it, and that you will proceed in such a manner, and with such due consideration of us who have trusted you, that we shall not be ashamed of declining other assistance, (which we have assurance of) and repairing to you for more natural and proper Remedies for the evils we would be freed from; nor sorry that we have bound up our own interest so intirely with that of our subjects, as that we refer it to the same persons to take care of us, who are trusted to provide for them. We look upon you as wise and dispassionate men, and good patriots, who will raise up those banks and fences which have been cast down, and who | will most reasonably hope, that the same prosperity will again spring from those roots from which it hath heretofore and always grown. Nor can we apprehend that you will propose any thing to us, or expect any thing from us, but that we are as ready to give as you to receive. If you desire the advancement and propagation of the Protestant Religion, we have, by our constant profession and practice of it, given sufficient testimony to the world, that neither the unkindness of those of the same faith towards us, nor the civilities and obligations from those of a contrary profession, (of both which we have had abundant evidence) could in the least degree startle us, or make us swerve from it. And nothing can be proposed to manifest our zeal and affection for it, to which we will not readily consent. And we hope in due time ourself to propose somewhat to you for the propagation of it, that will satisfy the world that we have always made it both our care and our study, and have enough observed what is most like to bring disadvantage to it If you desire Security for those, who, in these calamitous times, either wilfully or weakly have transgressed those bounds which were prescribed, and have invaded each other's rights, we have left to you to provide for their Security and Indemnity, and in such a way as you shall think just and reasonable; and, by a just computation of what men have done and suffered, as near as is possible, to take care that all men be satisfied; which is the surest way to suppress and extirpate all such uncharitableness and animosity, as might bereafter shake and threaten that Peace, which, for the present, might seem established. If there be a crying sin, for which the nation may be involved in the infamy that attends it, we cannot doubt but that you will be as solicitous to redeem and vindicate the nation from that guilt and infamy as we can be.-If you desire that reverence and obedience may be paid to the fundamental Laws of the Land, and that Justice may be equally and impartially administered to all men, it is that which we desire to be sworn to ourself, and that all persons in power and authority should be so too. In a

word; there is nothing that you can propose, that may make the kingdom happy, which we will not contend with you to compass; and, upon this confidence and assurance, we have thought fit to send you this Declaration, that you may, as much as is possible, at this distance, see our heart; which when God shall bring us nearer together, (as we hope he will do shortly) will appear to you very agreeable to what we have professed. And we hope that we have made that right Christian use of our affliction, and that the observation and experience we have had in other countries hath been such, as that we, and we hope all our subjects, shall be the better for what we have seen and suffered.-We shall add no more but our prayers to Almighty God, that be will so bless your counsels, and direct your endeavours, that his Glory and Worship may be provided for, and the Peace, Honour, and Happiness of the nation may be established upon those foundations which can best support it. And so we bid you farewell. Given at our Court at Breda this 14th day of April, 1660, in the 12th year of our reign."

The King's Letter to Gen. Monk, and the Council of State.] After reading the foregoing, with the Declaration inclosed, the following Letter from his majesty to gencral Monk was also read:

"To our Trusty and Well-beloved General MONK, to be by him communicated to the President and Council of State, and to the Officers of the Armies under his Command.

"C. R. Trusty and Well-beloved, we greet you well: It cannot be believed but that we have been, are, and ever must be, as solicitous as we can, by all endeavours, to improve the affections of our good subjects at home, and to procure the assistance of our friends and allies abroad, for the recovery of that Right, which, by the laws of God and man, is unquestionable, and of which we have been so long dispossessed by such force, and with those circumstances, as we do not desire to aggravate by any sharp expressions; but rather wish that the memory of what is past may be buried to the world. That we have more endeavoured to prepare and to improve the affections of our subjects at home for our Restoration, than to procure assistance from abroad to invade either of our kingdoms, is as manifest to the world: and we cannot give a better evidence that we are still of the same mind than in this conjuncture, when common reason must satisfy all men that we cannot be without assistance from abroad, we chuse rather to send to you, who have it in your own power to prevent that ruin and desolation which a war would bring upon the nation, and to make the whole kingdom owe the Peace, Happiness, Security, and Glory it shall enjoy, to your virtue; and to acknowledge that your armies have complied with their obligations for which they were first raised, for the preservation of the Protestant Religion, the Honour and Dignity of the King, the Privileges

sions, not only by renewing their Charter, and confirming all those Privileges which they have received from our predecessors, but by adding and granting any new favours which may advance the trade, wealth, and honour of that our native city; for which we will be so solicitous, that we doubt not but that it will, in due time, receive some benefit and advantage in all those respects, even from our own observation and experience abroad and we are most confident we shall never be disappointed in our expectation of all possible service from your affections; and so we bid you farewell. Given at our Court at Breda the 14th day of April, 1660, in the 12th year of our reign."

After reading these Letters, with the Declaration, in the two houses, the Lords ordered sir John Grenville to be called in again, and the Speaker, by direction of the house, gave him Thanks, in their name, for his care in bringing this gracious Message from the King. They also ordered, That the King's Letter to them and the Declaration should be forthwith printed and published, with this title, His Majesty's gracious Letter and Declaration, sent to the House of Peers by sir John Grenville, kut. Lastly, the Lords appointed a Conmittee to consider of a Letter of Thanks to the King for his gracious Message sent, this day, to the house, and to present it for their lordships consideration.

Mr. Rich, and Mr. Eltonhead, Masters of the Chancery, being sent by the Lords, with a Message, desiring a conference with the Commons this day (May 1) at 11 o'clock, in the Painted-Chamber, in order to the Settlement of the great Affairs of the Kingdom, the messengers were called in, and the Speaker acquainted them, That the house had considered their Message, and would return an Answer by messengers of their own.

consider with the lord mayor, aldermen, and commons of the city of London, about a further sum to be raised and applied for the paying of the Army, and to consider how the Arrears of the Army may be satisfied.

A Conference having been desired by the lords with the other house, the commons sent up sir George Booth to let them know, that they were ready for it as they desired, The committee appointed by the commons to manage this conference, were, Mr. Annesley, Mr. Finch, Mr. Turner, lord Falkland, Mr. Pierepoint, serjeants Hales and Brown. The subject was the Settlement of the Government of these Nations.

May 1, p. m. Mr. Annesley reported the Conference had with the lords: That the earl of Manchester had acquainted the committee of this house with the lords' receipt of a Letter from his majesty, and of a Declaration inclosed. He told us, it was a maxim, “Where the Word of a King is, there is power;" and where the Word of our King is, as it is now received, there is truth; and Power and Truth are the best supports of government: he wished us to consider the mistaken maxins of some politicians, that distrust and jealousies are the nerves and sinews of wisdom; but he hopes, that we will rather consider that Wisdom from above, which is first pure, **, easy to be intreated; and that all distrust and jealousy might be laid aside: he took notice of some new State-Builders, that had been framing imaginary states of government; which brought into consideration our antient government, the best in the world: and thereupon took notice of a Vote in the lords' house, concerning the Government of this kingdom, to the tenor following, viz. The lords do own and declare, That, according to the antient and funda'mental laws of this kingdom, the government

'Commons. Then he proceeded further, and took notice of the great revolutions and changes that have been, and the occasion of them to be, the separation of the head from the members; and therefore he acquainted the com mittee with another Vote of the lords, viz. That the lords, having a deep sense of the miseries and distractions that this kingdom hath been involved in, since the violent attempts to dissolve the established govern'ment; and conceiving that the separating the head from the members hath been the chiefest occasion of all our disorders and confu'sions, they desire that some ways may be considered how to make up these breaches, and to obtain the King's Return again to his peo

After hearing this Report, the commons or dered the King's Letter to the lords, with his majesty's Declaration there inclosed, to be read; and then it was Resolved, "That this house doth agree with the lords, and do own and declare, that, according to the antient and fundamental laws of this kingdom, the Government is, and ought to be, by King, Lords, and Commons."-Ordered also, That the following committee be appointed to peruse the Journals and Records, and to examine what pretended Acts or Orders have passed, which are inconsistent with the Government by King, Lords, and Commons, and report them, with their opinion thereon, to this house; and also to offer such expedients, as may carry on the Courts of Justice of this kingdom; and how fines, recoveries, assurances, judgments, and decrees, passed, may be confirmed and made good. Mr. Prynne, Mr. Finch, lord Falkland, Mr. Turner, sir Wm. Lewis, serjeant Hales, sir Walter Erle, sir Anth. Ash. Cooper, lord commissioner Tyrrel, sir A. Cope, serjeant Glynn, lord commissioner Widdrington, sir John Courtop, and all the gentlemen of the long robe.

May 2. The commons were busy, this day, in altering and correcting the form of an Answer to the King's Letter to them; which, being all read, was agreed to, and ordered to be superscribed, To the King's Most Excellent Majesty. Ordered, that sir John Grenville be called to the bar, and that the Speaker return him Thanks for his care, moreover the house voted him 500l. to buy him a Jewel, as a testimony of their respects to him, and as a badge of honour, for bringing so gracious a Letter from the king's majesty to this house.

Alderman Robinson informed the house, That he was commanded, by the lord mayor, aldermen, and common council of the city of London, to acquaint them that they had received a Letter, (see p. 21) and Declaration from the king's majesty, by the hands of the lord visc. Mordaunt and sir John Grenville; and that they desire the leave of this house to give an Answer to them; to which the house agreed.

humility and thankfulness, return their acknowledgments to your majesty for your gracious Letter and Declaration; and do esteem it their greatest honour that your majesty is pleased to express a confidence of their counsels and endeavours for the composing the sad and unhappy distractions of your kingdoms; and they own this as their great advantage, that they may now act in discharge of their own duty by your maj.'s command. Your majesty's great and many sufferings have long affected their hearts with deep resentments of trouble and sorrow; but the same power that usurped and profaned your sceptre, divested them of their rights and privileges, and kept them under such pressures and difficulties, as they were rendered incapable of serving your majesty in order to those ends, to which their duty and allegiance did engage them. It hath been their constant desire that the nation had continued happy and innocent; but your majesty's piety and wisdom hath shewed you to what degree your clemency is to be extended; and we hope all your subjects will answer your majesty's grace and favour to the utmost point of fidelity and obedience. The peers have a just ground to own a more particular dependence and subserviency to the throne of majesty, not only by the prescriptions of law, but by that affection and duty which is fixed in their hearts upon the foundations of loyalty, which gives them the privilege to stile themselves Your majesty's most loyal, most dutiful, and most obedient Subjects and Servants.Signed in the name, and by the command, of the said House of Peers, by E. MANCHESTER, Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore. Westminster, May 3, 1660.”

This day, the lords made an Order, That the Statues of the late king's majesty be set up again in all the places from whence they were pulled down: and that the Arms of the Commonwealth be demolished and taken away wherever they are, and the King's Arms be put up in their stead: That the king's majesty be publicly prayed for by all ministers in their churches: and, lastly, that some place be considered of where general Monk's Statue may be set up. All which particulars were referred to the committee of privileges to consider of and make report to the house.