CHAPTER V. Account of the life of Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper, and of the concern he had in public affairs, from the year 1643 to the death of Oliver Cromwell. WE E are now arrived at the period when Sir A.D. 1643. Anthony began to distinguish himself in the conduct of public affairs. During the years 1641 and 1642, he resided with his lady and family in different parts of the kingdom, as the circumstances of the times rendered it necessary. The counties he chiefly lived in were those of Norfolk, Nottingham, York, and Durham. He was at Nottingham and Derby when the king was at those places, but he only appeared there as a Sir Anthony spectator. But in 1643 he returned into Dorset- public shire, to his house at St. Giles's Winborne; and then it was that his superior talents soon became conspicuous. He was often meditating on the immediate mischiefs and the future evil consequences of the civil war; and he justly apprehended that the longer it should continue, the engages in affairs. Scheme formed by him. A.D. 1643. more fatal it would prove. He was sensible that whichever side should conquer, the other would be much depressed; and that the contest, if persisted in, must end either in an unlimited monarchy, if the king prevailed, or an indigested commonwealth if the parliament succeeded. To avoid both these evils, he formed a scheme which, though not calculated to make his court either to the king or the parliament, was intended to restore and establish the nation's peace upon a solid and happy foundation. When Sir Anthony had prepared his plan, he went to Oxford, where he was recommended to the king by his relation the Marquis of Hertford, and introduced by Lord Lays it be- Falkland. At his audience, he informed the king, fore the king. "that he had a proposal to make, which he hoped might put an end to the war, and terminate the differences between him and the parliament." The king, looking earnestly at him, said, "You are a young man, and talk great things. What way will you take to compass such an undertaking?" Sir Anthony replied, "that he was persuaded the men of estates in almost every part of England were tired of the war, especially as they had no fairer prospect of its conclusion than they had at first; that he knew this was the opinion of those who resided in his county, and A.D. 1643. where he had any concerns. He therefore desired the king would authorize him to treat with the principal garrisons of the parliament, and get these delivered into the hands of such persons as were men of character, and would act impartially between him and the parliament: that these should declare for calling a new and a free parliament, who, perhaps, might be better disposed to accommodate the differences than those whose minds might have been sharpened by some former proceedings." He made his proposal appear so practicable, and so much to the king's satisfaction, that he was presently commissioned to put it in execution. He returned to Dorsetshire, and met with such success in his treaty with the garrisons of Weymouth, Poole, Dorchester, and other places, that the garrison of Weymouth actually admitted the persons recommended by him, and the rest engaged to follow their example. But Prince Maurice, who commanded some of the king's forces in those parts, entered the town and pillaged it, after it was agreed to be surrendered; which made the troops of the garrison think themselves to be betrayed. Sir Anthony not only expressed his Commis sioned to carry it into execution. Scheme de feated by Prince Maurice. A.D. 1643. resentment to Prince Maurice, but sent notice to Another scheme formed by thony. Sir An Poole and the other garrisons to be upon their guard, as he could not secure his articles to them. He went immediately afterwards to Oxford, and gave the king an account of what progress he had made, and the interruption he had met with in his undertaking; at which the king shook his head with some concern, but said little. This scheme being thus defeated, Sir Anthony formed another, which was carried farther than the former; for, by his interest and indefatigable application, he engaged in it a great part of the independent gentlemen in England. He proposed to raise the posse comitatus, under the command of the several high sheriffs. These, upon a treaty being set on foot between the king and the parliament, were to declare and join against that side which should appear immoderate, or averse to a fair and just accommodation. By the assistance of Sir Walter Earle, Serjeant Fountain, and others, he pursued his design with such success in Dorsetshire and the adjacent counties, that a considerable body of men was soon raised. These, who were afterwards called the club-men, alarmed the armies both of the king and parliament; and if some, who had undertaken to rise, had not failed in their engagement, they might A.D. 1643. have carried their point, and forced both parties into a peace. This conduct, however, was misrepresented to the king; and those courtiers who were for prolonging the war found means to irritate him against Sir Anthony, that they might suppress his active genius, and prevent his farther schemes. Accordingly, they counselled the king to invite him to Oxford, and then to proceed against, or, at least, to confine him. Charles, who was always too much under the influence of those about him,* wrote Sir Anthony a very obliging letter, desiring his attendance and advice; but the letter being shown to the Marquis of Hertford, he, out of regard to Sir Anthony, and resentment that his friend and relation, and one who had been recommended by him, should be ill-treated for his loyal endeavours for the king's and the nation's welfare, immediately sent him notice of the letter and the court's intentions. Soon after the receipt of Lord Hertford's letter, Sir Anthony received the king's; but being forewarned, and expecting no safety near the royal forces, he went Quits the suddenly and privately to London, where the party. parliament appointed a committee to receive and Stringer. king's |