Page images
PDF
EPUB

he was wanting in that respect, which his

This was the language of the times. Nor did it want truth for its foundation. Lord Clarendon, as we have seen, endeavours to excuse and justify his master;

but how very poorly, is about to appear. I will not here take notice of Charles's treatment of the body of the presbyterians, to whom he, in a good measure, owed his crown: but will confine myself to the cases of a few persons, one of whom only was of that persuasion. The marquis of Argyle was executed, as it is well known, soon after Charles had taken possession of the three kingdoms. He had been looked on as an enemy by the former king;-he certainly was so to his designs; Land it was alledged," that he had hindered the Scots from inviting his majesty, and, as long as possible, kept him from being received by them :" but, at the same time, it is confessed," that when there was no remedy, and that he was actually landed, no man paid him so much reverence and outward respect, and gave so good an example to all others, with what veneration their king ought to be treated, as the marquis of Argyle did; and in a very short time made himself agreeable and acceptable to him. And though he never consented to any one thing of moment which the king asked of him, and even in those seasons in which he was used with the most rudeness by the clergy, and with some barbarity by his son the lord Lorne, whom he had made captain of his majesty's guard, to guard him from his friends, and from all who he desired should have access to him; the marquis still had that address, that he perswaded him all was for the best. When the other faction prevailed, in which there were likewise crafty managers, and that his counsels were commonly rejected, he carried himself so, that they who

friends thought needful, and all mankind

hated him most were willing to compound with him, and that his majesty should not withdraw his countenance from him. But he continued in all his charges, and had a very great party in the parliament that was most devoted to serve the king; so that his majesty was often put to desire his help to compass what he desired. He did heartily oppose the king's marching with his army into England; the ill success whereof made many men believe, afterwards, that he had more reasons for the counsels he gave, than they had who were of another opinion. And the king was so far from thinking him his enemy, that, when it was privately proposed to him, by those he trusted most, that he might be secured from doing hurt when the king was marched into England, since he was so much against it; his majesty would by no means consent to it, but parted with him very graciously, as with one he expected good service from. All which the commissioners [of Scotland, foes to Argyle] well remembered, and were very unwilling that he should be again admitted into his presence, to make his own excuses for any thing he could be charged with. And his behaviour afterwards, and the good correspondence he had kept with Cromwell, but especially some confident averments of some particular words or actions which related to the murder of his father, prevailed with his majesty not to speak with him, which he laboured by many addresses in petitions to the king, and letters to some of those who were trusted by him, which were often presented by his wife, and his son, and in which he only desired, to speak with the king, or with some of those lords, pretending, that he should inform and communicate somewhat that would highly concern his

expected from him; though he endeavour

majesty's service. But the king not vouchsafing to admit him to his presence, the English lords had no mind to have any conference with a man who had so dark a character, or to meddle in an affair that must be examined and adjudged by the laws of Scotland: and so it was resolved, that the marquis of Argyle should be sent by sea into Scotland, to be tried before the parliament there, when the commissioner should arrive who was dispatched thither with the rest of the lords, as soon as the seals, and other badges of their several offices, could be prepared. And what afterwards bez came of the marquis, is known to all men."--It is, I think, very easy to conclude, from this narrative,though partial and untrue in many parts of it,-that Charles was under very great obligations to Argyle; and that his refusing to see him, and his delivering him up to the rage of his enemies, was highly ungrateful. If innocent, the marquis had a right to his protection:-if guilty, his services claimed, at least, so small a favour as to be heard by the king in his own defence. But his majesty's ingratitude in this affair will be farther manifested by the following letter, or declaration, written with his own hand, and signed with his seal manual, dated at St. Johnstoun, Sept. 24, 1650.-" Having taken into my consideration the faithful endeavours of the marquis of Argyle, for restoring me to my just rights, and the happy settling of my dominions; I am desirous to let the world see how sensible I am of his real respect to me, by some particular marks of my favour to him, by which they may see the trust and confidence which I repose in

a Clarendon's Continuation, vol. II. p. 99.

ed to excuse himself from the imputation

kim: and, particularly, I do promise, that I will make him duke of Argyle, and knight of the garter, and one of the gentlemen of my bed-chamber; and this to be performed when he shall think it fit. And Ti do farther promise him, to hearken to his counselsworn out- -whenever it shall please God to restore me to my just rights in England, I shall see him paid the forty thousand pounds sterling which is due to him. All which I do promise to make good upon the word of a kinga.

CHARLES R."

But all these promises, we have seen, were of no signification. Such was the faith, such the gratitude, of this prince!--Nor was the treatment of Charles Stanley, earl of Derby; whose father lost his head, and he his liberty, for the king; much better. The last earl of Derby, of the Stanley family, has perpetuated it by the following inscription, on a building erected at Knowsley, his seat in Lancashire.

[ocr errors]

James, earl of Derby, lord of Man and the Isles, grandson of James, earl of Derby, and of Charlotte, daughter of Claude duke de la Tremouille, whose husband, James, was beheaded at Bolton, xv. Octob. MDCLII. for the strenuously adhering to Charles the Second, who refused a bill, past unanimously by both houses of parliament, for restoring to the family the estate lost by his loyalty to him. MDCCXXXII "." His majesty, however, rewarded the son with the lord lieutenancies of two counties !

b

a Wodrow's History of the Sufferings of the Church of Scotland, vol. I. p. 56. fol. Edinb. 1721. See also Biographia Britannica, p. 1150. b Rapin's History of England, by Tindal, vol. II. p. 586. in the notes, Catalogue of Royal and Noble Authors, vol. II. p. 4.

by weak reasons.

After this, we shall not

Clarendon we have had occasion frequently to quote. He was a man of parts, and industry; though not very fit for a statesman, by reason of his pride, vanity, partiality, and ignorance in public affairs. Attached, however, he was to his master, by principle and inclination; and studious to promote his interest. The recommendation of Charles I. whose cause he had espoused, and a long exile, had given him consequence with the young monarch; to whom his understanding and diligence were, on many occasions, very useful, surrounded as he was by visionaries, debauchees, and idlers of various kinds.

At the Restoration, this man was loaded with honours and favours: but he soon lost ground with the king, who suffered his enemies to persecute him; and even joined with them so far as to hurry him out of the kingdom, and assent to a bill devised for his perpetual banishment. If the account his lordship has given of this affair, be true; the king must have had a base heart indeed. For his lordship informs us, "that his majesty sent to the archbishop of Canterbury, that he should, in his majesty's name, command all the bishops' bench to concur in thanking him for removing the chancellor [Clarendon]; that he publickly denied what he had declared to the duke of York, and which he had given him liberty to report, in his vindication; that he discoursed of him differently to different persons; and, lastly, by deceitful promises, induced him to fly, and thereby expose himself, with seeming justice, to the penalties which were afterwards inflicted on him." Whether the chancellor was justly punished

Continuation, vol. III. p. 841-867.

« PreviousContinue »