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Charles I. to the Earl of Nithisdale.'

Nithisdale,

look to your

It is now time for me to bid you self; for longer than the 13th of next month I will not warrant you but that ye will hear of a breach betwixt me and my covenanting rebels. Of this I have written to the marquis of Douglas, but under condition of secrecy, the likewise I require of you. Only I permit you with the same caution to advertise Winton. For the rest, referring you to this bearer, who knows nothing of the substance of this letter, I rest

Your assured friend,

Whitehall, 27th March, 1640.

CHARLES R.

Assistance, by the grace of God, ye shall have,

and as soon as I may; but when, as yet I cannot certainly tell you.

Strafford,

Charles I. to the Earl of Strafford.2

Having seen divers letters to my lord of Canterbury concerning the state of your health, and in this I

1 MSS. in charter-room at Peregles. The 13th was the day on which the parliament was to meet. The promises held out by Charles in the postscript to this letter were not fulfilled.

2 Earl of Strafford's Letters, vol. ii., p. 409. Strafford was at Litchfield the following day, April 13th, when he received this. The "service lately done" by Strafford was his obtaining from the Irish parliament a grant of four subsidies, and a promise of two more, if they should be found to be required.

must require you not to hazard to travel before ye may do it with safety of your health, and in this I must require you not to be your own judge, but be content to follow the advice of those that are about you, whose affections and skill ye shall have occasion to trust unto; if I did know that this care of your health were necessary for us both at this time, I would have deferred my thanks to you for your service lately done, until I might have seen you. So, praying God for your speedy recovery, I rest

Your assured friend,

CHARLES R.

Whitehall, April 12th, 1640.

Strafford,

Charles I. to the Earl of Strafford.'

The misfortune that is fallen upon you by the strange mistaking and conjuncture of these times, being such, that I must lay by the thought of employing you hereafter in my affairs; yet I cannot satisfy myself in honour or conscience without assuring you (now in the midst of your troubles), that upon the word of a king you shall not suffer in life, honour, or fortune. This is but justice, and therefore a very mean reward from a master to so faithful and able a servant as you have

1 Earl of Strafford's Letters, vol. ii., p. 416. This letter was written by Charles after the bill of attainder against Strafford had passed the Lower House (21st April). He relied, alas! too much on his power and his constancy. Some allowances must, of course, be made for the unprecedented position in which Charles was placed.

showed yourself to be; yet it is as much as I conceive the present times will permit, though none shall hinder me from being

Your constant, faithful friend,

Whitehall, April 23, 1641.

CHARLES R.

Charles I. to the House of Lords, in behalf of the Earl of

My lords,

Strafford.1

I did yesterday satisfy the justice of the kingdom, by passing of the bill of attainder against the earl of Strafford; but mercy being as inherent and inseparable to a king as justice, I desire at this time, in some measure, to show that likewise, by suffering that unfortunate man to fulfil the natural course of his life in a close imprisonment, yet so that, if ever he make the least offer to escape, or offer, directly or indirectly, to meddle with any sort of public business, especially with me, either by message or letter, it shall cost him his life, without further press.

This, if it may be done without the discontent of my people, will be an unspeakable comfort to me; to which end, as in the first place, I by this letter do earnestly

1 Harleian MSS., 1769, art. 12. The exertions of Charles in favour of Strafford are distinguished by a sincere appearance of affection for him, but unfortunately also marked by his indecision, want of judgment, and ignorance of the state of the public mind against him. The members of the Commons are described as having been perfectly astonished when the king declared, on his conscience, that he did not consider Strafford guilty of high treason, but of misdemeanours only.

desire your approbation; and to endear it the more, have chosen him1 to carry, that of all your house is most dear to me; so I do desire, that by a conference you will endeavour to give the House of Commons contentment; likewise assuring you, that the exercise is no more pleasing to me than to see both Houses of Parliament consent, for my sake, that I should moderate the severity of the law in so important a case. I will not say, that your complying with me in this my pretended mercy, shall make me more willing, but certainly it will make me more cheerful in granting your just grievances; but, if no less than his life can satisfy my people, I must say, fiat justitia.

Thus again earnestly recommending the consideration of my intentions to you, I rest

Your unalterable and affectionate friend,

Whitehall, 10th May, 1641.

CHARLES R.

If he must die, it were charity to reprieve him till Saturday.2

1 This letter was delivered to the House by the prince in person. 2 The following extract from the Parliament Journals will show what effect Charles's supplication had:-"This letter, all written with the king's own hand, we, the peers, this day received in parliament, delivered by the hands of the prince. It was twice read in the House, and, after serious and sad considerations, the House resolved presently to send it by ore of the peers' messengers to the king, humbly to signify that neither of the two intentions expressed in the letter could, with duty to us, or without danger to his consort the queen, and all the young princes her children, possibly [be] advised with being accomplished, and more expressions offered; his majesty suffered no more words to come from us, but, of the fulness of his heart, to the observation of justice, and for the contentment of his people, told us, that what he intended

Charles I. to Mr. Nicholas.1

Edinburgh, 18th October, 1641. I hear it is reported, that I am resolved, at my return, to alter the form of the church government in England to this here; therefore I command you to assure all my servants there, that I am constant for the doctrine and discipline of the Church of England, as it was established by queen Elizabeth and my father; and resolve (by the grace of God) to live and die in the maintenance of it.

Charles I. to the Provost and Fellows of Oriel College,

Oxford.2

Trusty and well-beloved, we greet you well. We are so well satisfied with your readiness and affection to our by letter was with an 'if might be done without discontentment of his people. If that could be, to say again the same that I write, fiat justitia, my other intention proceeding out of charity, for a few days' respite, was upon certain information that his estate was so distracted, that it necessarily required some few days' respite for settlement thereof.' Whereunto the lords answered-their purpose was, to be suitors to his majesty for favours to be showed to his innocent children; and if himself had made any provision for them, that the same might hold. This was well-liking to his majesty, who thereupon departed from the lords. At his majesty's parting we offered up into his hands the letter itself which he had sent; but he was pleased to say, 'what I have written to you, so shall I be content it be registered by you in your House; in it you see my mind-I hope you will use it to my honour.' This, upon return of the lords from the king, was presently reported to the House by the lord privy seal, and ordered, that these lines should go out with the king's letter, if any copy of the letter were desired."

MS. Sloane, 1467, art. 37. This seems to be merely an extract. Nicholas was clerk to the council.

2 MS. Registers of Oriel College.

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