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"rily added in that clause, because they were not all so: this being but a personal crimination. But in the other "clause, the complaint having reference to their pre"latical jurisdiction, which was equally exercised by "them all, and defended and maintained by them all,

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we should as much err on the other hand to add the "word 'divers' in this place, as we should have done to "omit it in the former place."

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This lucid argument of the correct and learned baronet was doubtless very favourably received, for the word so much desired by Hyde and his friends was not allowed to limit the force of the sentence. But a further stand was attempted to be made against the use of the words "cor"ruptions" and "unnecessary ceremonies," in speaking of the necessity of abating the immoderate power of the bishops; Hyde urging strongly that such words laid a scandal upon the law itself, in so characterizing a church discipline it had established. His friend Mr. Coventry also put another objection, whether, seeing the intention was to have those particulars in the discipline of the church altered by law, it was not quite out of rule to preoccupate" his Majesty with it beforehand. Surely, when the new church-regulation acts should have once passed both houses, then it would be seasonable, and not before, to move his Majesty about it. This, however, again called up D'Ewes. He could not admit the force of the objection taken. It was an old, and he thought a wise usage, when the means offered, to move the Sovereign beforehand as to particulars proposed to be passed by act of parliament. For if the gentleman on the other side who last pressed it (" and then I looked towards Mr. "Coventry") had but had time to peruse the Parliament Roll de ano. 2do. H. IV. no. 23, he would have found that the same course was then advised upon to the end that so, by knowing the King's inclination beforehand, they might save much time in avoiding to treat of particulars which there was no hope of obtaining his assent unto. And, holding that if it were ever needful to take that course

to gain time, it was so at this moment, he thought the word "corruption" might very well stand. On the whole, however, Pym seems to have thought differently; whether or not from some feeling of distaste to the logic employed, or to the sentiments expressed, by Sir Simonds; and corruption "' having been withdrawn, and "oppres"sion" substituted, the Petition passed.

It now remained to present it to the King, with which view it was ordered to be engrossed; and direction was given that the Clerk should also cause two copies of the Declaration itself to be fair written, one for his Majesty to be presented with the Petition, the other for the Lords; and that the Committee for presenting it should be named at the next sitting but one. On Tuesday, the 30th, it was accordingly moved that this committee should consist of twelve members, and the twelve selected were, Sir Simonds D'Ewes; Sir Arthur Ingram, member for Kellington; Sir James Thinne, who sat for Wiltshire; Mr. Henry Bellasis, and Lord Fairfax (Ferdinando), who both sat for Yorkshire; Lord Grey of Groby, member for Leicester, Earl Stamford's second son, and hereafter to sit among the regicides; Sir Christopher Wray, who represented Great Grimsby; Sir John Corbet, member for Shropshire; Sir Richard Wynne, member for Liverpool, who held an office in the King's house;

1 Nevertheless, and notwithstanding the change of this word, it is remarkable that in the answer which the King sent to the Petition (in which he stigmatises the Remonstrance as "unparliamentary," and intimates his surprise that "our ex"press intimation, by our Comptroller, "to that purpose," should not have restrained them from the publishing of it till such time as they should have received his answer), he quotes, not from the Petition as amended, but from some copy of it which he had received in its original form. "Unto

that clause," he says, "which con"cerneth Corruptions (as you style

"them), in Religion, in Church "Government, and in Discipline, and "the removing of such unnecessary "ceremonies, &c." Again he says, "We are very sorry to hear in such "general terms, Corruption in religion "objected," &c. Now in the Petition as published by the House it will be found that the clause stands expressly as concerning "Oppressions in "Religion, Church Government, and "Discipline, and again as referring 66 'some Oppressions and unnecessary "ceremonies;" bearing out and confirming exactly the narrative given in my text.

to

and Sir Ralph Hopton, Sir Edward Dering, and Sir Arthur Haselrig. There was here a liberal apportionment of those who, being known to have opposed the Declaration, were less likely to be unwelcome to the King; and that the same tenderness on this point determined Pym to withdraw his own name, which appeared among those first selected,' hardly admits of a doubt. The same deference to the feelings of the Sovereign seems also to have suggested a resolution moved the next morning (when the Committee were in waiting in the house to receive the Petition and Remonstrance, and repair therewith to Hampton Court) to the effect "that Sir Edward Dering should present and read "the Petition unto his Majesty." The Petition only was to be read, after which the Remonstrance was to be placed in his hands. Sir Edward Dering, however, probably suspecting that into much consideration for the King in this matter had entered not a little want of consideration for himself, quietly withdrew from the house while the resolution was in hand; and upon discovery of his absence another order had to be substituted, "that Sir Ralph Hopton, in the absence of Sir Edward "Dering, shall read the Petition and present that and "the Declaration unto his Majesty."

And so, the Speaker calling to Sir Simonds D'Ewes to receive Petition and Remonstrance, to which Sir Simonds responds by advancing from the lower end to the table, making three congees as he moves along, the Committee get possession of their important charge, and betake themselves to Hampton Court.

The next day, Thursday the 2d of December, Sir Ralph Hopton reported to the House what had passed there. With the exception of Sir Edward Dering, all the deputation assembled,' and on arrival at the palace, the

1 See Rushworth, vol. i. part iii. 486.

2 D'Ewes has subsequent occasion to refer in his Journal to the Remonstrance "presented at Hampton Court

"by myself and ten other members "of the House," which shews that the only defaulter in attendance, out of the twelve named, was Sir Edward Dering.

member for Liverpool, who had familiar entrance therein, having announced them, they had to wait but a quarter of an hour before the King invited them to his chamber. Here they sank upon the knee, and in this posture Sir Ralph began to read the Petition. But Charles would not have it so, and making them all rise, listened attentively as Sir Ralph proceeded, until he came to the passage charging the malignant party with a design to change the established religion, when his Majesty suddenly interrupted him, exclaiming with a great deal of fervency, "The Devil take him, whomsoever "he be, that hath a design to change our religion!" Then Sir Ralph resumed; but just after reading the sentence towards the close about reserving the disposal of the rebels' lands in Ireland, his Majesty again broke in and was pleased to say, "We must not dispose of the "Bear's skin till the Bear be dead." His Majesty, in short, was in excellent spirits; showed none of his usual short sharp ways; and, after they had finished reading the Petition and had placed the Remonstrance before him, seemed perfectly disposed to have some familiar talk with the Committee. Its object, however, speedily revealed itself on his desiring merely to ask the worthy members a few questions touching this Remonstrance and the Petition they had read. Royalist as he was, Sir Ralph Hopton saw the danger, and made reply respectfully that they had no commission to speak anything concerning the business. "Then," the King quickly rejoined, you may speak as particular men. Doth the House intend to publish this Declaration ?" But not SO were those ancient parliament men to be thrown off their guard; and they answered simply that they could give no answer to it. "Well then," said the King, "I suppose you do not expect me to answer now to so long a petition. But this let me tell you, I have left Scot"land well, and in peace; they are all satisfied with me, "and I with them; and though I stayed longer there "than I expected, yet I think, if I had not gone, you had

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"not been rid so soon of the army. And as to this "business of yours, I shall give you an answer with as "much speed as the weightiness of the business will permit." With which he gave them his hand to kiss, committing them to the entertainment of his comptroller, and the lodgment of his harbinger; both being of the worthiest. And Sir Ralph craved to conclude his report with faithful repetition of the royal message which, just as they were on the point of leaving the palace, was brought to them with request for its immediate delivery to the House of Commons: "That there might be no publishing of the Declaration till the House had received his "Majesty's answer."

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The reader will now judge to what extent the facts justify Clarendon in stating, that, when it was finally resolved to publish the Remonstrance, this was done in violation of a compact or understanding against any such step until the King's answer was received. On the one side there was a strong wish expressed undoubtedly, but on the other this wish was met by neither compact nor understanding. If indeed there were any violation in the case, it might more fairly be charged upon the King. He told the Committee that he did not at that time design to answer their Remonstrance, yet there was hardly an act at this moment contemplated by him, or to which he had set his hand since his arrival in London, which did not practically express his answer. It was in his proclamation for obedience to the laws regulating worship, in his order for the dismissal of the City Guard over the houses, in his direction that they should in future be guarded by the bands of Westminster and Middlesex officered by his own servants, and in his proposed removal of Balfour from the command of the Tower. Already he had ended all doubt as to the temper in which he had returned; and many to whom even the voting of the Remonstrance had appeared of doubtful expediency, now saw and admitted the necessity of pub. lishing it to the people. Manifestly at least had its

VOL. I.

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