you better thanks than I will offer at in words. I shall not neglect the lazy use of so trusty a bearer, by referring to him not only the estate of my affairs here, but likewise in what way you will be of most use to me. Yet I cannot but tell you, I have set up my rest upon the justice of my cause; being resolved that no extremity or misfortune shall make me yield; for I will either be a glorious king or a patient martyr; and as yet not being the first, nor at this present apprehending the latter, I think it now no unfit time to express this my resolution unto you.

One thing more, (which but for the messenger were too much to trust to paper) the failing to one friend 1 hath indeed gone very near me. Wherefore, I am re

solved that no consideration whatever shall ever make me do the like. Upon this ground, I am certain that God hath either so totally forgiven me, that he will still bless this good cause in my hands, or that my punishment shall be in this world, which, without performing what I have resolved, I cannot flatter myself will end here. This accustomed freedom will, I am confident, add cheerfulness to your honest resolutions, seeing besides generosity (to which I pretend a little) my conscience will make me stick to my friends; assuring you I have none if I am not

Your most assured, constant friend,

Oxford, 2nd December, 1642.

CHARLES R.2

1 The Earl of Strafford. See p. 329.

2 Headed by Burnet, p. 203,

66

An extraordinary letter of the king's.” He adds the following note:-"This excellent letter will both show what

Charles I. to the Earl of Newcastle.1

Newcastle,

The services I have received from you hath been so eminent, and is likely to have so great an influence upon all my affairs, that I need tell you that I shall never forget it, but always look upon you as a principal instrument in keeping the crown upon my head. The business of Yorkshire I account almost done, only I put you in mind to make yourself master (according as formerly but briefly I have written to you) of all the arms there, to ask them from the trained bands by several divisions to desire them from the rest of my well affected subjects, and to take them from the ill-affected, especially Leeds and Halifax. I have no greater need than of arms, nor means to supply myself than from you, and therefore I recommend to you the getting as many as you can from all the parts you may, and even from Newcastle, (whither

pious resentments his majesty carried along with him in the greatest perplexities of his affairs, and discover how he did not think that the marquis had either neglected or abused his trust. Lanerick acted with more briskness, and spoke more home and roundly than his brother, which preserved him in a high degree from the jealousies which the smoothness of his carriage brought upon him. Now the pulpits were not idle, for the ministers began again to work on the people, for the defence of the good cause now in hazard, which was echoed back with the applause of the vulgar."

MS. Harl., 6988, art. 74.

2 One of the counties that stood nearly neuter at this period. Parties were pretty equally divided in that part of the country, and they agreed on both sides to suspend hostilities, and aid in attempting to put an end to the civil war by which the country was beginning to be distracted. The queen, assisted by Newcastle, shortly afterwards succeeded in raising a diversion to the royal cause of no ordinary importance.

VOL. II.

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for future supplies I have ordered great store to be sent) into some safe magazine there. My next greatest want is dragooners, which I want the more because it is the rebels' (indeed only) strength, their foot having no inclination to winter marches; wherefore, if you could get there horse and arms so, and send these presently to me, they might be of very great advantage. You have likewise neighbours in Derbyshire, Cheshire, and Lancashire, who, for their good service, stand now in great need of your assistance, which I shall desire you to give, as far as will suit with my other service; and that you may do it the more effectually, I have given order that a commission be drawn for you to command all the countries beyond Trent. Lastly, I will put you in mind that some of your forces extended to Nottingham and Newark would make Lincolnshire extremely right, and restore those good subjects of mine who are now banished. So, desiring to hear often from you, I rest

Your most assured, constant friend,

CHARLES R.

Oxford, 15th December, 1642.

Charles I. to the Earl of Newcastle. 1

Newcastle,

I thank you for your letter of the 25th December, and in particular for sending for my wife with that earnestness that ye have done. I give you free leave to disobey my warrants for issuing arms, for what I have

1 MS. Harl. 6988, art. 75.

1

done in that was in supposition that you had enough for yourself and your friends, but having not, I confess charity begins at home. I wonder to hear you say that there are few arms in that country; for when I was there, to my knowledge there was twelve thousand of the trained bands (except some few Hotham 1 got into Hull) complete, besides those of particular men ; therefore, in God's name, inquire what is become of them, and make use of them all, for those who are well affected will willingly give or lend them to you, and those who are not, make no bones to take them from them. As for your invitations to several places, do therein as you shall find best for my service, without looking to the little commodities of particular persons or shires; for though I may propose many things to your consideration, yet I shall not impose any thing upon you; as, for example, I hear General King is come; now I desire you to make use of him in your army. I am sure you have not good commanders to spare no more than arms, yet I confess there such reasons that may make this desire of mine impossible. I know Newport has that place he expected, to which I will only say that I wish you an abler in his room. You have had a little trial already; yet (according to my own rule) I do not command, but earnestly desire you to see if you can comply with this my desire. My conclusion is to assure you that I do not only trust in your fidelity, which (as Charles Chester said of Queen

may

be

1 Sir John Hotham, who refused to surrender up Hull to the royalists, was proclaimed a traitor, and afterwards executed for returning to the side of Charles.

Elizabeth's faults) all the world takes on, but likewise to your judgment in my affairs; and ye may be confident that nothing shall alter me from being

Your most assured constant friend,

Oxford, 29th December, 1642.

CHARLES R.

I promise you to be weary of a treaty as you can desire. I pray you let me hear from you as oft as ye may.

Dear heart,

Charles I. to the Queen.1

Oxford, February 13th, 1643.

I never till now knew the good of ignorance; for I did not know the danger that thou wert in by the storm, before I had certain assurance of thy happy escape, we having had a pleasing false report of thy safe landing at Newcastle, which thine of the 19th January so confirmed us in, that we at least were not undeceived of that hope, till we knew certainly how great a danger thou hast passed, of which I shall not be out of apprehension, until I may have the happiness of thy company. For, indeed, I think it not the least of my misfortunes, that for my sake thou hast run so much hazard; in which thou hast expressed so much love to me that I confess it is impossible to repay by anything I can do, much less by words.

1 The King's Cabinet Opened, 1645. The storm to which the king refers occurred on Henrietta's return to England from Holland in a ship called the Princess Royal. After having been beaten about for a fortnight, during the greater part of which time they were in absolute danger, the queen landed at the Hague, and was compelled to make another voyage.