A LETTER WRITTEN BY John Ashburnham Esquire, from Carisbrook Castle in the Isle of Wight, Novemb. 26. 1647. TO William Lenthall Esquire, Speaker of the Honourable House OF COMMONS.  
LONDON. Printed for Richard Royston. 1647.   

A LETTER WRITTEN BY Mr. JOHN ASHBURNHAM Esq. At Carisbrook Castle in the Isle of Wight, Novemb. 26. 1647. TO M. WILLIAM LENTHALL Esq. Speaker to the Honourable House of COMMONS.  
SIR,  
HAving heard what Colonel whaley related to the Honourable House of Commons, concerning the Kings giving (and withdrawing) of his Word, for his not leaving the Army without their consent, hath had doubtful interpretations, I have thought it my duty to set down unto you plainly the matter of fact, to the end, that all the world may see how free His Majesty is from having done any thing against His promise, it being my particular duty so to do, because I was the occasion that drew on His Majesty's engagement.  
Soon after I came to wait on His Majesty at Wooborne, Colonel whaley came to me, as he said, by command from the Army, to desire that I would give my Word, that His Majesty would not departed from them, without their consent: To which I replied, that I was willing to give my Word accordingly, until I should retract the same. For at that time, and long after, the King was so civilly used by the Army, that I was confident the King would not disavow me in it. In which I found I was not deceived; For as soon as I had acquainted His Majesty therewith, He was pleased immediately to send for Colonel whaley, and having enquired of him, what passed between him and me, His Majesty said to the Colonel, that He did willingly confirm the engagement which I had made. Of which there was never more question, until many weeks after His Majesty came to Hampton-Court.  
When the differences of the Army grew great, and an active and powerful Party thereof daily menacing violence to His Majesty's person, His Majesty commanded me to retract the Engagement, which I had formerly given, alleging that Colonel whaley affirmed to him, that the Officers of the Army had so little power to preserve Him, as that they were scarce able to keep themselves from affronts.  
Whereupon, having found Colonel whaley walking by the River side near Hampton-Court, I told him, That I came to withdraw that Word, which I had given him, for His Majesties not leaving the Army, without their consent.  
The Colonel said, Why then the King doth so too: and I told him, you are to understand it so. He added it was very fairly done, and he would take notice of it accordingly.  
And lastly, ask the reasons why I did this; I replied, I found there was now no other language spoken in Court, but Scotch; and that there was a Party in the Army that began to run to all extremities. That though I was confident, His Majesty would never stir from them willingly; yet He might be forced away, and I was not willing to hazard my Honour, nor my Life, neither for Scot, nor Adjutator.  
And to show you that Colonel whaley rightly apprehended what I meant, he soon after went to the Head-quarter, where he declared unto them, (as I am credibly informed) That the King and myself, had withdrawn our Words, and therefore desired that stricter Guards might be put about His Majesty, which was done accordingly.  
And further to show you, That the Colonel himself, made no question that the King had retracted His Word, it will clearly appear by this, as His Majesty was pleased to assure me: When His Majesty's Children came to Hampton-Court, the strict Guards which were newly set about His Majesty's person, behaved themselves so rudely, that they much troubled the Princess. Of which she complaining to the King, He called Colonel whaley unto Him, and bade him take order, that his Guards should no more perturb His children's rest. Whereupon, he smilingly answered, That if His Majesty would re-ingage Himself, He should have no more Guards than formerly. But His Majesty told him, that He would not, until the Army gave Him good reason so to do: For He held it a point of Honour, not to be engaged to those, who had used Him so harshly, as they had done of late.  
And therefore the King said, He did not speak to him to remove the Guards, but only that His Children might take their rest, when they came to see Him.  
Whereupon, Colonel whaley promised that he would give strict commands accordingly.  
Colonel whaley likewise spoke to Master Legg of His Majesty's Bedchamber, saying, That the King found fault with the disturbance which the Guards gave; and that if the King would re-ingage himself, the Guards should be taken off.  
To which Master Legg replied nothing at that time; but after told him, That he would be an humble suitor to His Majesty to re-ingage Himself, so that he could procure from the Army, the re-admittance of all His Majesty's Attendance lately forbidden the Court, and that there might be no more Guards upon Him than formerly.  
Which the Colonel declined, saying, That it was necessary that those Guards should remain, for the security of His Majesty's person. Which passage I have received from Master Legg.  
Besides these I could give more instances, as Colonel whaley's desiring His Majesty to forbear riding abroad, immediately upon the withdrawing of His Word, etc. But I hope these may serve, to show the clearness of His Majesty's disengagement. And truly had I not been fully satisfied that His Majesty was free from that engagement, such is my tenderness of His Majesty's honour, that I should not very willingly (though at all times ready, according to my duty, to use my best endeavours for the preservation of His Majesty's life) have waited on him at this time.  
Sir, I hope this will find no less credit with you, and all men, than there is truth in this Relation, which is offered to you by  
Sir, Your humble servant JOHN ASHBURNHAM.  
FINIS.