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ceiving to the paying in the sum. An Orditrance for 3 months Assessment was ordered to be brought in the next morning. The Committee were also to consider how the 50,000/ which was voted to be presented to his majesty may be remitted to him, to his best advantage, and so that there be no loss upon the exchange.

the same by some members of their own.Resolved, That, for determining what members of this house shall carry the Letter to his majesty, the several members of it shall put in papers of names; and that it be referred to a committee to view those papers, and make report to the house who have the greatest number of voices.--Ordered, also, That the Letter agreed to by this house, in Answer to his majesty's gracious Letter, shall be kept by the clerk, under such privacy, that no copy thereof may come to any hand, till it hath been communicated to his majesty.-The Letter was as follows:*

Sir John Grenville thanked by the Speaker of the H. f Commons.] The commons being informed that sir John Grenville, who brought the King's Letter, was at the door, he was called in to receive the Thanks of this house, according to the order of yesterday; who, standing at the bar, the Speaker said to him, in effect, as followeth : "Sir John Grenville, I need not tell you with what grateful and thankful hearts the commons, now assembled in parliament, have received his majesty's gracious Letter: res ipse loquitur:' you yourself have beenocularis & auricularis testis de rei veritate:' our bells and our bonfires have already proclaimed his majesty's goodness, and our joys. We have told the people that our king, the glory of England, is coming home again; and they have resounded it back again in our ears, that they are ready, and their hearts are open, to receive him. Both parliament and people have cried aloud to the King of Kings, in their prayers, Long live King Charles the Second-Sir, I am likewise to tell you, that this house doth not think it fit that you should return back to our royal sovereign, without some testimony of respect to yourself: they have therefore ordered and appointed that 500 shall be delivered to you to buy a Jewel, as a badge of that honour which is due to a person whom the king bath ho-fidence in parliaments, your esteem of them, noured to be messenger of so gracious a message and I am commanded, in the name of the house, to return you their very hearty Thanks."

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The Answer of the House of Commons to the King's Letter.] After this, the house sent a message to the lords by sir Wm. Lewis, to acquaint their lordships, That they had prepared an Answer to his majesty's gracious Letter sent to their house, and that they intended to send

"So great and sudden a change was this, that a servant of the King's, who, for near ten years together, had been in prisons, and under confinements, only for being the King's servant, and would, but three months before, have been put to have undergone a shameful death, if he had been known to have seen the King, should be now rewarded for bringing a Message from him! From this time there was such an emulation and impatience in Lords, Commons, and City, and generally over the kingdom, who should make the most lively expressions of their duty and of their joy, that a man could not but wonder where those people dwelt who had done all the mischief, and kept the King so many years from enjoying the comfort and support of such excellent subjects." Lord Clarendon, vol. vi, p. 761.

To the KING's Most Excellent Majesty, "Most Royal Sovereign; We your majesty's most loyal subjects, the commons of England assembled in parliament, do with all humbleness, present unto your majesty the unfeigned thankfulness of our hearts, for those gracious expressions of piety and goodness, and love to us and the nations under your dominion, which your majesty's Letter of April 14th, dated from Breda, together with the Declaration inclosed in it, of the same date, do so evidently contain; for which we do, in the first place, look up to the great King of Kings, and bless his name, who hath put these thoughts into the heart of our king, to make him glorious in the eyes of his people, as those great deliverances which that divine majesty hath afforded unto your royal person from many dangers, and the support which he hath given unto your heroic and princely mind, under various trials, make it appear to all the world, that you are precious in his sight. And give us leave to say, That as your majesty is pleased to declare your con

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and this your judgment and character of them, That they are so necessary for the Government of the kingdom, that neither prince nor people can be in any tolerable degree happy without them; and therefore say, that you will hearken unto their counsels, be tender of their privileges, and careful to preserve and protect them so we trust, and will with all humility be bold to affirm, That your majesty will.not be deceived in us, and that we will never depart from that fidelity which we owe unto your majesty, that zeal which we bear unto your service, and a constant endeavour to advance your honour and greatness.-And we beseech your majesty we may add this further, for the vindication of parliaments, and even of the last parliament convened unto your royal father, of happy memory; when, as your majesty well observes, through mistakes and misunderstandings, many inconveniences were produced which were not intended: that those very inconveniences could not have been brought upon us by those persons who had designed them, without first violating the parliament

*The above Letter is not entered in the Journals, but it was printed by order of the commons, by Edward Husbands and Thomas Newcomb.

itself; for they well knew it was not possible will do what befits dutiful, loving, and loyal to do a violence to that sacred person, whilst subjects, who are yet more engaged to honour, the parliament, which had vowed and cove- and highly esteem your majesty for your denanted for the defence and safety of that per-clining, as you are pleased to say, all foreign son, remained entire. Surely, sir, as the per- assistance, and rather trust to your people, who, sons of our kings have ever been dear unto we do assure your majesty, will, and do, open parliaments, so we cannot think of that horrid their arms and hearts to receive you, and will act committed against the precious life of our spare neither their estates nor their lives, when late sovereign, but with such a detestation and your service shall require it of them.-And we abhorrency as we want words to express it.— have yet more cause to enlarge our praises and And, next to wishing it had never been, we our prayers to God for your majesty, that you wish it may never be remembered by your ma- have continued unshaken in your faith: that jesty, to be unto you an occasion of sorrow, as neither the temptation of allurements, persua it will never be remembered by us, but with sions, and promises from seducing papists on that grief and trouble of mind which it deserves, the one hand, nor the persecution and hard being the greatest reproach that ever was usage from some seduced and misguided proincurred by any of the English nation; an fessors of the protestant religion on the other offence to all the Protestant Churches abroad, hand, could at all prevail upon your majesty and a scandal to the profession of the truth of to make you forsake the Rock of Israel, the Religion here at home; though both profession God of your Fathers, the true Protestant Reliand true professors, and the nation itself, as gion, in which your majesty hath been bred; well as the parliament, were most innocent of but you have still been-as a rock yourself, firm it, having been only the contrivance and act of to your covenant with your and our God, even some few ambitious and bloody persons, and now expressing your zeal and affection for the such others as, by their influence, were misled. Protestant Religion, and your care and study -And as we hope and pray that God will not for the propagation thereof. This hath been impute the guilt of it, nor of all the evil conse- a rejoicing of heart to all the faithful of the quences thereof unto the land, whose divine land, and an assurance to them that God would justice never involves the guiltless with the not forsake you; but after many trials, which guilty, so we cannot but give due praise to your should but make you more precious, as gold out majesty's goodness, who are pleased to enter- of the fire, restore your majesty unto your pa tain such reconciled and reconciling thoughts; trimony and people with more splendour and and with them not only meet, but, as it were, dignity, and make you the glory of kings, and prevent your parliament and people; proposing the joy of your subjects; which is, and ever yourself, in a great measure, and inviting the shall be, the prayer of your majesty's most parliament to consider further, and advise your loyal subjects the commons of England asmajesty what may be necessary to restore the sembled in parliament. Signed HARBOTTLE nation to what it hath lost, raise up again the GRIMSTON, Speaker." banks and fences of it, and make the kingdoms happy, by the advancement of religion, the securing our laws, liberties, and estates, and the removing of all jealousies and animosities which may render our peace less certain and durable; wherein your majesty gives a large evidence of your great wisdom judging aright; that, after so high a distemper, and such an universal shaking of the very foundations, great care must be had to repair the breaches, and much circumspection and industry used to provide things necessary for the strengthening of those repairs, and preventing whatever may disturb and weaken them.-We shall immediately apply ourselves to the preparing of these things; and in a very short time, we hope, be able to present them unto your majesty; and, for the present, do, with all humble thankfulness, acknowledge your grace and favour, in assuring us of your royal concurrence with us, and saying, That we shall not expect any thing from you, but what you will be as ready to give as we to receive. And we cannot doubt of your majesty's effectual performance, since your own princely judgment hath prompted unto you the necessity of doing such things; and your piety and goodness hath carried you to a free tender of them to your faithful parlianent. You speak as a gracious king, and we

Resolved, That a committee of this house be appointed to consider of the king's majesty's Letter and Declaration, and for preparing of Bills accordingly. This committee have power to prepare a Bill for taking away Tenures in Capite, and by Knights Service, and Socage in Capite, and also of the Court of Wards; and to consider and propound to this house, how 100,000l. a year may be raised and settled on his majesty, in compensation for Wardships and Liveries, and the Court of Wards.

May 4. The committee, according to order, had now began to prepare Bills, to be offered to the king on his return, for the Security of the Parliament itself, and of their properties who had purchased lands, &c. under titles depending wholly on the late revolutions. And, first, Mr. Finch did this day exhibit a Bill to the house, declaring the, Continuance of this present parliament, which was read a 1st and 2nd time, and committed. The said gentleman also brought another Bill, concerning Lands purchased from the trustees of the late parliament, which was likewise read twice and committed.

A Declaration was ordered to be prepared, to give notice to the people, That there will be no proceedings in Westminster-Hall next

Easter-Term, upon causes depending in any of the courts, till the two last returns of the said term. Agreed to by the lords.

The Recorder of London, aldermen Vincent, Robinson, and Bludworth, had leave given them by the house to go to the King, with a Letter from the City, in Answer to the one the City had received from his majesty.

A Declaration of Parliament for keeping the Peace, &c.] May 5. Mr. Annesley, from the Council of State, informed the house, That there were many distemperatures in several parts of the kingdom; and that unquiet spirits might make an advantage to foment new troubles and distractions, by pretence and colour that the sherifls, and other public ministers of justice, are not impowered, in this present juncture of affairs, with sufficient authority to dispense the ordinary acts of justice belonging to their respective places, for preserving of the public peace. The council of state did desire, That a Declaration should be set forth, for requiring all officers of justice to attend their places, and the duties thereof, as by commission they are enjoined; that so the public peace may be secured, and the justice of the nation carried on without any interruption. The commons appointed a committee to draw up a Declaration accordingly, which was done and agreed to by the lords, as follows:

"The lords and commons assembled in parliament, having received several informations that there hath been divers tumults, riots, outrages, and misdemeanors, lately committed in sundry parts of this realm, by unquiet and discontented spirits, to the disturbance of the public peace, and fomenting of new troubles, do hereby order and declare, That all sheriffs, justices of the peace, mayors, Constables, and other ministers of public justice, that were in office the 25th of April, 1660, shall be continued in their respective offices, and shall exercise the same in the king's majesty's name and style, and shali use their best endeavours to suppress and prevent all riots, tumults, unlawful assemblies and misdemeanors whatsoever against the laws and peace of the realm; and all treasonable and seditious words, reports, and rumours against his majesty's royal person and authority, and proceed against all offenders therein according to law and justice: and all military officers and soldiers, and all others, are to be aiding and assisting to them therein."

The house procceded to the election of 12 of their members, who were to go to the King, with their Letter, which was done by ballot in the same manner they used to elect their Council of State. The number of the members then in the house were 408, of which 4 were appointed for tellers, who received a paper from each member in a glass, with 12 names wrote in it; all which were delivered to the committee, who were to examine and report the greatest number of voices at their meeting on Monday next,

May 7. The lord Howard brought in the numbers, when it appeared, that sir George Booth, lord Falkland, Mr. Hollis, sir John Holland, sir Anth. Ashley Cooper, lord Bruce, sir Horatio Townshend, lord Herbert, lord Castleton, lord Fairfax, sir Henry Cholmley and lord Mandeville, were duly elected by a majority, to carry the Answer to the King's Letter from the house, who were all separately put to the vote, and approved on by them.

This day both houses agreed, that the King should be proclaimed on the next; but, previous to this ceremony, a committee of 4 Lords and 8 of the commons were agreed on to meet to consider of the manner, time, and other circumstances, to be observed on that occasion. The report of this to be made the first thing the next morning.

Another Committee had been appointed to draw up some Orders, relating to Ministers praying for the King, &c. and this day Mr. Finch reported two Votes, which were agreed to, viz. "Resolved, That all and every the Ministers throughout the kingdoms of England. and Ireland, the Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick upon Tweed, do, and are hereby required and enjoined, in their public prayers, to pray for the king's most excellent majesty, by the name of our sovereign lord Charles, by the grace of God, of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. and for the most illustrious prince James, duke of York, and the rest of the royal progeny.""Resolved, That the Ministers who are appointed to officiate before this house upon Thursday next, being the day appointed for a public Thanksgiving, and all other ministers within the cities of London and Westminster, and the late lines of communication, who in their several churches and chapels are to carry on the duties of that day; and also all other ministers who are, on that day fortnight, to perform the like duty throughout the kingdom of England, the dominion of Wales, and town of Berwick upon Tweed, shall be, and are hereby enjoined, to return Thanks to Almighty God, for his majesty's several gracious Letters to both houses of parliament, and to the commanders in chief of the forces both by land and sea, and to the lord mayor and common council of the city of London, together with the Declarations inclosed, and the just and honourable concessions therein contained; and for the hearty, loyal, and dutiful conjunction of the lords and commons now assenibled in parliament, and the universal concurrence of all the commanders and forces both by land and sea, to receive his majesty into his dominions and government, according to their bounden duty and the laws of the land; and that the Ministers upon Thursday fortnight be enjoined to read his majesty's Letters and Declarations to both houses, in their several churches and chapels at the same time."-These Votes being communicated to the lords, were agreed to by them.

Form of a Proclamation of the King.] May 8. A Form of a Proclamation, agreed on by a committee of lords and commons, was read and approved of by both houses, as follows: "Although it can no way be doubted but that his majesty's right and title to this crown and kingdoms is, and was every way, completed by the death of his most royal father, of glorious memory, without the ceremony or solemnity of a Proclamation; yet, since Proclamations in such cases have been always used, to the end that all good subjects might, upon this occasion, testify their duty and respect; and since the armed violence and other the calamities of many years last past, have hitherto deprived us of any such opportunity, wherein we might express our loyalty and allegiance to his majesty: we, therefore, the lords and commons now assembled in parliament, together with the lord mayor, aldermen, and commons of the city of London, and other freemen of this kingdom, now present, do, according to our duty and allegiance, heartily, joytully, and unanimously, acknowledge and proclaim, That, immediately upon the decease of our late sovereign lord king Charles the imperial crown of the realm of England, and of all the kingdoms, dominions, and rights belonging to the same, did, by inherent birth-right, and lawful and undoubted succession, descend and come to his most excellent majesty Charles II. as being lineally, justly, and lawfully, next heir of the blood-royal of this realm; and that, by the goodness and providence of Almighty God, he is of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, the most potent, mighty, and undoubted king; and thereunto we do most humbly and faithfully submit and oblige ourselves, our heirs, and posterities for ever. God save the King."

The King proclaimed.] Ordered, That a copy of this Proclamation, to be signed by the · Speakers of both houses, be forthwith sent to the lord mayor of the city of London; and that the members of the house of commons, who serve for the several counties, cities, and boroughs, in England, Wales, and the town of Berwick upon Tweed, do take care, forthwith, to send the sheriffs, mayors, bailiffs, and other head officers of these counties, &c. for which they served, the Proclamation for proclaiming the king's majesty, that it might be done accordingly.-At the same time was sent down a Declaration, touching Acts which were preparing to be passed, to be read along with the Proclamation. It was then ordered, That the lords commissioners of the great seal, in their gowns, with the purse and mace before them; the lord president of the council of state, with his mace, should attend the Proclamation, next after the Speaker of the house of commons. And both houses, with their Speakers, went in their coaches, in procession, at the solemnity; which was performed this day, with great pomp and ceremony; and all imaginable demonstrations of joy, first at Whitehall, then at Temple-Bar, where they met the lord mayor, VOL. IV.

sheriffs, aldermen, common council, and other officers, &c. of the city; as also at the Fleet, Conduit in Cheapside, and the Royal Exchange. The same Proclamation was soon after made over all the three kingdoms.

May 9. Both houses received Letters from admiral Montagu at sea, intimating, That he had received his majesty's Declaration, and a Letter directed to general Monk and himself, to be communicated to the Fleet, which he had done accordingly. That all the commanders, officers, and seamen, were desirous that they should express to his majesty their great joyfulness of heart for the Declaration, and favours to them, in the said Letter; as also their loyalty and duty to him. Therefore.they humbly intreated the houses to know their pleasure, whether such an Answer should be returned to his majesty or not. Both the Speakers were ordered to write to the admirals, to give them Thanks for their respects shewn to them, and gave them leave to send such an Answer, either jointly or severally, as they should think fit.

Mr. Prynne, from the house of commons, brought up several Votes, which they had passed, and desired their lordships concurrence to them, viz. That the king's majesty be desired to make a speedy return to his parliament, and to the exercise of his kingly office.-Votes enjoining all Ministers to pray for the King.A Bill, intitled, An Act for removing and preventing all Questions and Disputes concerning the Assembling and Sitting of this present Parliament. That the Arms of the Commonwealth, wherever they are standing, he forthwith taken down, and that the King's Arms be set up in their stead: the commons having lead the way, by altering the Arms over their Speaker's chair, in the same manner. which the lords ratified and confirmed.

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The lords appointed a Committee to consider and take information where any of the King's Goods, Jewels, or Pictures, were placed; and to advise of some course how the same might be restored to his majesty.

The house of commons had resolved, That all Proceedings should go in the King's Name, from the 1st of May inclusive; and that in all cases where the Great Seal shall be necessary to be used, all proceedings do pass accordingly. Also, that for carrying on and expediting the Justice of the kingdom, the Great Seal, now remaining in the custody of the earl of Manchester, and the rest of the commissioners, be used till further orders. In like manner all the Seals belonging to any other courts should be so used; and all process and proceedings there run in the King's Name. The lords agreed to the last part of this Vote; but, as to the Seals, they ordered it to be laid aside.

The lords appointed a Committee to consider how the King was to be received on his Return; and when to be sent for, and by whom. Both houses also ordered, That admiral Montagu do observe such commands as the king's majesty shall please to give him, for the

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disposal of the Fleet, or any part thereof, in order to his return. A committee of 12 lords and 24 commoners was appointed to meet and prepare Instructions for those who were to go with the Letters from both houses to his majesty, and they were ordered to set forward on Friday the 11th instant.

shall please to give him or them for disposal of the Fleet, in order to his majesty's return: and, you are to communicate to his majesty the Resolutions of both houses relating to this Instruction.-That the Committee from both houses do beseech his majesty that they may know where he purposeth to take shipping, and to land at his coming over, that preparation may be made for his reception; and which of his majesty's houses he intendeth to make use of at his first coming to London, and whe

Instructions for the Commissioners of both Houses, appointed to go to the King. May 10. This being the day appointed for the Thanksgiving, both houses attended their devotions in the forenoon; but, in the after-ther he will come all the way by land after he noon, they both met again to do business. The commons sent up a copy of the Instructions for the Commissioners who were to go to the King; which being read, some altcrations were made in them, concerning the Arnus of the Commonwealth, and then they were agreed to by the commons. They were in these words:

comes on shore, or whether he will please to come by water from Gravesend to London; and that his majesty will declare in what manner he is pleased to be received."

Mr. Denzil Hollis's Speech to the King at Breda.] When the commissioners arrived at Breda, they were immediately admitted to an Audience of the King. Upon this occasion, Mr. Denzil Hollis addressed his majesty as follows:

INSTRUCTIONS for Aubrey earl of Oxford, Charles earl of Warwick, Lionel earl of Middlesex, Leicester viscount Hered "Dread Sovereign; Your faithful subjects ford, George lord Berkeley, Robert lor- the commons of England, assembled in parliaBrooke, the lord Herbert, the lord Man-ment, have sent us hither, twelve of their numdevile, the lord Bruce, the lord Castle-ber, to wait upon your majesty, and, by their ton, the lord Falkland, the lord Fair- commands, we are here prostrate at your royal fax, Denzil Hollis, esq. sir Horatio feet, where themselves are all of them present Townsend, sir John Holland, sir An- with us in the sincere and most loyal affections thony Ashley-Cooper, sir Geo. Booth, and desires of their hearts, and would have and sir Henry Cholmley. been in their persons, if your majesty's service, "You are to begin your Journey towards and the trust reposed in them by all the several his majesty on Friday next (May 18) and make parts of the kingdom did not necessarily require a speedy repair to such place where his ma- their attendance and continuance in the place jesty shall be, and humbly to present the Let- where they now are, and where all their ters wherewith you are respectively intrusted thoughts and endeavours are wholly taken up by both houses of parliament.-You are to ac- and employed in those two great and main quaint his majesty with what great joy and ac- works, which are the proper and genuine ends clamation he was proclaimed, in and about the of all parliaments, the advancement of their cities of London and Westminster, upon the king's service, and the discharge of their coun8th day of May instant, and present the Pro- try's trust.-And certainly, sir, we can speak clamation itself to his majesty; and to ac- it with a great deal of joy, and with no less of quaint him with the Orders of both houses to truth, that never parliament made greater dehave the same proclaimed throughout the king- monstrations of zeal, affection and loyalty to doms of England and Ireland, dominion of any of the kings of England than this parliament Wales, and the town of Berwick upon Tweed; hath done, and doth, and we hope, and doubt and that both houses have ordered, That all not, nay we know it, that it ever will do, unto and every the Ministers throughout the king- your majesty, our liege lord and king. Their doms of England and Ireland be enjoined in hearts are filled with a veneration of you, their public Prayers to pray for his most ex-longings for you, confidence in you, and desires cellent majesty, and for the most illustrious prince James duke of York, and the rest of the royal progeny. And also that they have ordered, That the assumed Arms of the late pretended Commonwealth, wherever they are standing, be taken down, and that his majesty's arms be set up instead thereof: and you are to communicate to his majesty the Resolutions of both houses relating to this Instruction.You are to acquaint his majesty with the earnest desire of both houses, That his majesty will be pleased to make a speedy Return to bis parliament, and to the exercise of his Kingly Office, and that in order thereunto both houses have given directions to general Montague, one of the generals at sea, and other officers of the Fleet, to observe such commands as his majesty

"Hollis was a man of great courage, and of as great pride he was counted for many years the head of the Presbyterian Party. He was faithful and firm to his side, and never changed through the whole course of his life. He was well versed in the records of Parliament, and argued well, but too vehemently; for he could not bear contradiction. He had the soul of an old stubborn Roman in him. He was a faithful but a rough friend, and a severe but fair enemy. He had a true sense of religion, and was a man of an unblameable life, and of a sound judgment when it was not biassed by passion. He was made a lord for his merits in bringing about the Restoration." Burnet, vol, i. p. 98.

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