JOYFUL NEWS OF THE KING'S MAJESTY'S SAFE Arrival in the ISLE of WHEIGHT with Mr. John Ashburnham, and Sir John Barclay. WITH His Majesty's Propositions to Colonel Hamond the Governor: Confirmed by Letters from the Governor and others. And two Messengers come to the Parliament about it. Also Four LETTERS: One of which His Majesty received from London, and three written by His Majesties own Hands: The first to Col: Whaley, the second to the Lord Montague, and the third A Declaration to all His Majesty's Subjects of both Kingdoms; Concerning his going away, with His Majesty's desires to the Parliament, the Army, and the Kingdoms. With a perfect Narrative of the manner of his Majesty's going from Hampton Court, and the several circumstances both before & after. Novemb. 15. 1647. Imprimatur G. M. London, Printed by Robert Ibbitson in Smithfield, 1647. A Letter from Hampton-Court, of the manner of His Majesty's departure. Right Honourable, YEsterday the Scotch Commissioners were with his Majesty, and Mr. Cheesly (newly come from Scotland with them) & had audience; Sir Edward Ford, Sir John Bartlet, Mr. John Ashburnham, and Mr. Denham, had lately passes to go beyond the Seas: This day his Majesty was not so pleasant at dinner as usually, and spent most part of this day in writing in the Bedchamber privately with himself only; About four a clock at night, his Majesty called for lights, Mr. Maul. (then newly come from London carried in candles, a while after his Majesty called for snuffers: Some desired to speak with his Majesty, but his Majesty refused, desiring to be private; one of the Commissioners knocked again, his Majesty said he was busy, and desired to be private, and that he would nor sup that night: After supper one of them knocking, his Majesty answered not; then the Commissioners went in, and Colonel whaley, and found his Majesty's cloak there and four letters lying on the table (the copies whereof I have sent your Lordship here enclosed) his Majesty being gone in his shoes and stockings, it was supposed he might be in the garden, down the back stairs; but it seems his Majesty was gone through the garden and park, and so away, some think for Scotland, others for London, some for Jersey: others (which is more probable) to the Isle of White: some Gentlemen passed this night over Kingston bridge, supposed to be his Majesty, with Sir Edward Ford, Sir John Bartlet, Mr. Ashburnham, and Mr. Denham. Messengers are sent out, and ports to be stopped. My Lord, in haste I conclude myself, Your Lordship's humble servant, Edward Helaw. Hampton-Court Nou. 11. 1147. A Letter which His Majesty received from London, left upon the table in his Majesty's Chamber. May it please your Majesty, IN discharge of my duty, I cannot omit to acquaint you that my brother was at a meeting last night with eight or nine Adjutators, who in debate of the obstacle which did most hinder the speedy effecting of their designs, did conclude, it was your Majesty, and so long as your Majesty doth live, you would be so, and therefore resolved for the good of the Kingdom to take your life away; and that to that account they were assured that Mr. Del and Mr. Peter (two of their creatures) would willingly bear them company, for they had often said to these Adjutators, your Majesty is but a dead dog: My prayers are for your Majesty's safety, but do much fear, it cannot be whilst you are in those hands. I wish with my soul your Majesty were at my house in Broadstreet, where I am confident I could keep you private till this storm were over, but beg you Majesty's pardon, and shall not presume to offer it as advice; It is my constant zeal to your service, who am Your Majesty's dutiful subject E. R. To your sacred Majesty. 9 Novem. 1647. His Majesty's Letter to Colonel Whaley, Commander in chief of the Forces at Hampton-Court for His Majesty's guard, left upon the table in his Majesty's Chamber. Colonel Whaley, I Have been so civilly used by you, and Major Huntingdon, that I cannot but by this parting farewell, acknowledge it under my hand, as also to desire the continuance of your courtesy, by your protecting of my household and moveables of all sorts, which I leave behind me in this house, that they be neither spoilt nor embezzled; only there are three Pictures here which are not mine, that I desire you to restore, to wit, my wife's Picture in blue, sitting in a chair you must send to Mrs. Kirk; my eldest daughters picture copied by Belcam, to the Countess of Anglesey; and my Lord Stanops picture to Cary Rawley; there is a fourth which I had almost forgot, it is the original of my eldest daughter (it hangs in this chamber over the board next to the chimney) which you must send to my Lady Obigney. So being confident that you wish my preservation and restitution, I rest Your Friend, CHARLES REX. Hampton Court the 11. of Novem. 1647. I assure you that it was not the Letter you shown me to day, that made me take this resolution, nor any advertisements of that kind: but I confess that I am loath to be made a close prisoner under pretence of securing my life; I had almost forgot to desire you to send the black grew Bitch to the Duke of Richmond. His Majesty's Letter to the Lord Montague, one of the Commissioners from the Parliament attending his Majesty at Hampton-Court, left in his Majesty's Bedchamber on the table. Montague, FIrst, I do hereby give you and the rest of your fellow's thanks for the civilities and good conversation that I have had from you. Next I command you to send this my Message (which you will find upon this table) to the two Houses of Parliament, and likewise to give a copy of it to Col. Whaley, to be sent to the General, likewise I desire you to send all my saddle horses to my son the Duke of York. As for what concerns the resolution that I have taken, my declaratory Message says so much, that I refer you to it and so rest, Your assured Friend, CHARLES REX. Hampton-Court the 11. of Novem. 1647. A Declaration by the King's Majesty, left upon the Table in his Majesty's Bedchamber. LIberty being that which in all times hath been, but especially now, is the common Theme, and desire of all men. Common reason shows that Kings less than any should endure captivity, and yet I call God and the world to witness, with what patience I have endured a tedious restraint, which so long as I had any hopes that this sort of my sufferings might conduce to the Peace of my Kingdom, or the hindering of more effusion of blood; I did willingly undergo: But now finding by too certain proofs, that this my continued patience would not only turn to my personal ruin, but likewise be of much more prejudice than furtherance to the public good: I thought I was bound, as well by natural as political obligations to seek my safety; by retiring myself for some time from the public view, both of my friends and enemies. And I appeal to all indifferent men, to judge if I have not just cause to free myself from the hands of those who change their principles with their condition; and who are not ashamed openly to intent the destruction of the Nobility, by taking away their negative voice, and with whom the levellers doctrine is rather countenanced then punished. And as for their intentions to my person, their changing and putting more strict guards upon me, with the discharging most of all those servants of mine, who formerly they willingly admitted to wait upon me, doth sufficiently declare: Nor would I have this my retirement misinterpreted, for I shall earnestly and incessantly endeavour the settling of a safe and well-grounded peace, where ever I am, or shall be; And that (as much as may be) without the effusion of more Christian blood, for which how many times have I desired, pressed to be heard, and yet no ear given to me. And can any reasonable men think that (according to the ordinary course of affairs) there can be a settled peace without it; or that God will bless those who refuse to hear their own King, surely not? Nay I must further add, That (besides what concerns myself) unless all other chief interests have not only an hearing, but likewise just satisfaction given unto them, (to wit the Presbyterians, Independents; Army, those who have adhered to me, even the Scots) I say there cannot (I speak not of miracles, it being of my opinion, a sinful presumption, in such cases to expect or trust to them) be a safe or lasting peace. Now as I cannot deny but that my personal security is the urgent cause of this my retirement, so I take God to witness that the public peace is no less before mine eyes; And I can find no better way to express this my profession (I know not what a wiser man may do) then by desiring, and urging that all chief interests may be heard, to the end each may have just satisfaction, as for example, the Army: for the rest (though necessary yet I suppose are not difficult to content) ought (in my judgement) to enjoy the liberty of their Consciences, have an Act of Oblivion, or Indemnity (which should extend to all the rest of my Subjects;) And that all their Arrears should be speedily and duly paid, which I will undertake to do, so I may be heard, And that I be not hindered from using such lawful and honest means, as I shall choose. To conclude, let me be heard with Freedom, honour, and safety, and I shall (instantly) break through this cloud of retirement, and show myself really to be Pater Patriae. For the Speaker of the Lords, protempore, to be communicated to the Lords and Commons in the Parliament of England at Westminster, and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland: And to all my other Subjects of what degree or calling whatsoever. Dated at Hampton Court, the 11. of Novem. 1647. Charles Rex. SIR, THis morning Mr. John Ashburnham, came hither to Colonel Hammond, and (accidentally) met him going from the Castle to the Church: The Governor was much startled to see him there, and asked what he did there? he said to speak with him: The Governor asked if he was going over into France? he said no: why then (said Colonel Hammond our Governor) what is it that makes you here? Mr. Ashburnham then said that the King was hard by, and desired him to go to his Majesty, for the King (being in danger of his life, he said) was come thither to cast himself upon him for protection, until the pleasure of both Houses of Parliament shall be made known therein. Colonel Hammond our Governor went to a little Village by the Sea, where his Majesty, and Mr. Ashburnham, and Sir John Bartlet had been that night, for they landed Friday night about eight a clock, and this night his Majesty, and they are returned; and his Majesty lies at a private house near the Castle: And to this effect, the Governor himself, hath written a letter to the Parliament. I rest, Your humble servantt, William Grosse. Ca●se Castle in the Isle of White, Novemb. the 13. 1647. FINIS.