CROMWELL'S LIBERAL DISPOSITION OF HIS PENSION. 351 XII. Cromwell, however, a fortnight later, disposed of CHAP. his interest, in the following act of disinterested liberality : To the Honourable the Committee of Lords and 'The two Houses having lately bestowed 1,6807. per annum upon me and my heirs out of the Earl of Worcester's estate-the necessity of affairs requiring assistance-I do hereby offer 1,000l. annually to be paid out of the rents of the same lands; that is to say, 500l. out of the next Michaelmas rent; and so on by the half-year for the space of five years, if the war in Ireland shall so long continue, or that I live so long; to be employed for the service of Ireland, as the Parliament shall please to appoint, provided the said yearly rent of 1,680l. become not to be suspended by war or other accident. 'And whereas there is an arrear of pay due to me whilst I was lieutenant-general unto the Earl of Manchester of about 1,500l. audited and stated; as also a great arrear due for about two years being governor of the Isle of Ely. I do hereby discharge the State from all or any claim to be made by me thereunto.' The House responded to this munificence by passing unanimously the following vote: 'That the House doth accept the free offer of Lieutenant-General Cromwell, testifying his zeal and good affection.' 1648 CHAPTER XIII. The Spring of 1648 and Gloomy Prospects of the Country-State of the Contending Parties-The Scots prepare for War-Their Ultimatum to the English Parliament-Rising of the Cavaliers-The Committee of Danger raise an Army to oppose the Scots and Royalists-Cromwell sent to oppose Colonel Poyer in Wales-The Siege of Pembroke Castle-Cromwell's Letters to the Speaker and to General FairfaxThreatened Disturbances in London-Inactivity of Fairfax-Rising in Surrey-Further Addresses to the King forbidden by the Parliament -Presbyterian Designs-The Six Members restored-Revolt of the Fleet Insurrection in Kent-Serious Difficulties the Parliament had to encounter-Fairfax roused at length into Action-Rendezvous of the Army on Blackheath-Success of the General in Kent and Surrey -Approach of the Scots' Army and Manifesto of the Duke of Hamilton-Lambert's spirited Reply-Interferences of the Scots, and unfortunate Consequences to His Majesty-Dilatory Proceedings of the Scots' General-Sir James Turner's Description of the March of the Scots towards Lancashire-English Forces under Cromwell leave Wales for the North-Ill-provisioned and destitute State of the Troops-Junction effected with Lambert in the Neighbourhood of Doncaster-The Scots' Army reaches Preston-Cromwell falls suddenly on Lambert's Troops-The Battle of Preston-Sir James Turner's Account of the Engagement-Cromwell's Narrative to the Speaker-Rejoicings in London-A Day of Thanksgiving ordered-Loss of Men in the two Armies-The Scots Retreat-The Duke of Hamilton gives himself up a Prisoner at Uttoxeter-Taken to Warwick Castle-CourtMartial held the Year following; is sentenced to death, and executed -Cromwell proceeds North in pursuit of Munroe and the Scots-His urgent Request for Money to the Committee at Derby House-Interesting Letter from Cromwell to Oliver St. John-Cromwell's successful Intercession on behalf of his Kinsman at Romsey-Pleads with General Fairfax for the Widow of Colonel Cowell-Colchester surrenders -Execution of the principal delinquent Defenders-Distress of the Inhabitants during the Siege-Hasty Retreat of Prince Rupert to Holland with the Revolted Ships-Junction of the two Armies under Cromwell and Lambert at Durham-Cromwell's Proclamation to the Scotch Nation-His Letters to the Committee of Estates sitting at Edinburgh, and the Earl of Loudon, Chancellor of Scotland-Divi GLOOMY PROSPECTS OF THE COUNTRY. sions among the Scots-Monroe's Forces opposed by several Regiments under General Lesley and the Earl of Leven-Cromwell's Letter to the Speaker-Arrives in Edinburgh-Sumptuous EntertainmentSuccess in Scotland and Departure for the South-Another Letter to the Speaker-Cromwell at Knottingly-His Interesting Letter to Hammond, the Governor of the Isle of Wight. THE spring of 1648 was ungenial and gloomy in the extreme. Nor was the weather alone discouraging. The political horizon had become overcast in every quarter. From the Irish Sea to the German Ocean came forebodings of coming evils, dismally repeated, magnified, and distorted by every fresh messenger. Scotland, Ireland, Wales, sent out the note of alarm and defiance. The City stood aloof, or secretly encouraged the discontent in refusing loans, and by open sympathy with the Scottish Presbyterians. The Cavaliers were in high spirits at the approach of what appeared a national convulsion; whilst the King, at the Isle of Wight, silently abided his time, in the hope of a general rising in his favour. The united hostility thus threatening the Parliament and the army, had achieved for them that which negotiation could never have accomplished. It had brought them together in real unison, to meet the coming danger. Separate, each must have fallen in turn; united, they were able to resist, counteract, and finally to triumph. There were three points especially on which the Parliament had given umbrage to the Scots: their lukewarmness about the Covenant, their long delay in reference to overdue pecuniary claims, and the forcible detention of the King's person. When the A A 353 CHAP. XIII. 1648 XIII. 1648 CHAP. agreement made at Carisbrook between the King and the Scots became known to the Parliament, it then became apparent that to trifle any longer with them by promises of payment was no longer practicable or safe. Accordingly, in January, the House of Commons declared its intention of paying the Scots, on February 3, the sum of 50,000l., provided that amount could be obtained from the Goldsmiths' Company. Commissioners were despatched to Scotland conveying this intelligence, and also intimating the decision they had come to in reference to not holding any further intercourse with his Majesty. Among the reasons they assign for the latter, it is curious to notice how carefully and minutely every circumstance extending back for several years is dwelt upon. Sir John Eliot's imprisonment, the enforced loans, the 'cruel whippings,' 'slitting of noses,' mutilations of ears, brandings of cheeks, racks and pillories, excommunications, ecclesiastical innovations, advance of Popery by the Queen, and the charge of treason against members of Parliament by the King, are all insisted upon and recapitulated, in order to deter the Scots from forcibly interfering on behalf of his Majesty. The Scots deferred for upwards of two months their reply to the Parliament commissioners. Meanwhile they proceeded to raise an army, and enlistments went on throughout that kingdom, although a protest against this aggressive act was entered by thirty-six Lords and Commoners of the Scots' Parliament. The commissioners took care to acquaint the two Houses of all that was passing, and THE SCOTTISH ULTIMATUM. 355 XIII. wrote word that great indignation prevailed at the CHAP. 'imprisonment' of the King and the 'tolerating of sects' in England. At length, towards the end of April, letters were received from the Parliament of Scotland containing their answer, wherein they require that his Majesty should be permitted to come to London; that reparation be made for his carrying away (from Holmby) by satisfaction from, or punishment of, those that did it; that the Presbyterian government be settled; that the army sectaries be punished and disbanded; the city of London to have all their privileges made good to them; the Covenant to be enjoined universally, and all members of Parliament who have faithfully served it to be restored.' The reply of the Parliament to these arrogant terms exhibited the same want of firmness and decision which they had displayed throughout this trying period; and there can be no doubt that the turn affairs subsequently took in their favour was mainly, if not entirely, due to the genius, the enterprise, and the courage of Oliver Cromwell. Shortly after the receipt of the foregoing message, the news came of the rising of the Cavaliers, who had seized on Berwick and Carlisle. It was then moved in the House that the seven northern counties should be put in a posture of defence, and the Scots informed that the Parliament agreed to keep the Covenant, and was ready to join with them upon the propositions sent to the King during his residence at Hampton Court. Those members who had not yet taken the Cove 1548 |