with the death of the late Protector, and the succession of his son Richard; which soon brought over many new ambassadors and envoys from the neighbour princes and States, all admitted with due ceremony to a solemn audience given by his Highness, to condole the death of his father, and to congratulate his succession to the government; while infinite adresses came up from all parts of the three kingdoms, to compliment the new Protector with mighty professions of public joy and satisfaction, and with solemn resolutions and promises of adhering to him against all his enemies. And indeed the general exultation of the people and armies was so very great upon this new succession, that it must be imputed more to the common sense of deliverance from one tyrant, than to their hopes or expectations from this other Protector; who was raised to the government without any respect or good opinion in the minds of the people or the soldiers. For he had been neither a military man nor a statesman; rather an honest country gentleman, bred to privacy and sports, and willing to serve his neighbours, and even the cavaliers, by the little interest he had in his father's court. His own father seemed to have the least affection and lowest opinion of this son, among all his other children: He never trusted him in any command, nor employed him in any true business: He made him indeed Chancellor of Oxford, and put him at the top of the other House in Parliament: but this was rather for the honour of his family, than for the love of his son. He never let him into any secrets of policy nor any arts of war; and therefore it is plain, he never designed him for his successor, because he never trained him up to it.

(Kennett, ed. cit., III, p. 228.)

CHAPTER XXIII

THE RESTORATION

171. The Declaration of Breda

(April 4, 1660)

Parliamentary History

In the Declaration of Breda Charles II. set forth the principles on which he promised to rule England. The difference between these promises and their fulfilment presents an interesting study on the theory and practice of kingcraft.

Charles R.

Charles, by the grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, etc. To all our loving subjects, of what degree or quality soever, greeting. If the general distraction and confusion which is spread over the whole kingdom doth not awaken all men to a desire and longing that those wounds which have so many years together been kept bleeding, may be bound up, all we can say will be to no purpose; however, after this long silence, we have thought it our duty to declare how much we desire to contribute thereunto; and that as we can never give over the hope, in good time, to obtain the possession of that right which God and nature hath made our due, so we do make it our daily suit to the Divine Providence, that He will, in compassion to us and our subjects after so long misery and sufferings, remit and put us into a quiet and peaceable possession of that our right, with as little blood and damage to our people as is possible; nor do we desire more to enjoy what is ours, than that all our subjects may enjoy what by law is theirs, by a full and entire administration of justice throughout the land, and by extending our mercy where it is wanted and deserved.

And to the end that the fear of punishment may not engage any, conscious to themselves of what is past, to a perseverance in guilt for the future, by opposing the quiet

and happiness of their country, in the restoration of King, Peers and people to their just, ancient and fundamental rights, we do, by these presents, declare, that we do grant a free and general pardon, which we are ready, upon demand, to pass under our Great Seal of England, to all our subjects, of what degree or quality soever, who, within forty days after the publishing hereof,shall lay hold upon this our grace and favour, and shall, by any public act, declare their doing so, and that they return to the loyalty and obedience of good subjects; excepting only such persons as shall hereafter be excepted by Parliament, those only to be excepted. Let all our subjects, how faulty soever, rely upon the word of a King, solemnly given by this present declaration, that no crime whatsoever, committed against us or our royal father before the publication of this, shall ever rise in judgment, or be brought in question, against any of them, to the least endamagement of them, either in their lives, liberties or estates, or (as far forth as lies in our power) so much as to the prejudice of their reputations, by any reproach or term of distinction from the rest of our best subjects; we desiring and ordaining that henceforth all notes of discord, separation and difference of parties be utterly abolished among all our subjects, whom we invite and conjure to a perfect union among themselves, under our protection, for the re-settlement of our just rights and theirs in a free Parliament, by which, upon the word of a King, we will be advised.

And because the passion and uncharitableness of the times have produced several opinions in religion, by which men are engaged in parties and animosities against each other (which, when they shall hereafter unite in a freedom of conversation, will be composed or better understood), we do declare a liberty to tender consciences, and that no man shall be disquieted or called in question for differences of opinion in matter of religion, which do not disturb the peace of the kingdom; and that we shall be ready to consent to such an Act of Parliament, as, upon mature deliberation, shall be offered to us, for the full granting that indulgence.

And because in the continued distractions of so many years, and so many and great revolutions, many grants and purchases of estates have been made to and by many officers, soldiers and others, who are now possessed of the same, and who may be liable to actions at law upon several titles, we are likewise willing that all such differences, and all things relating to such grants, sales and purchases, shall be deter

mined in Parliament, which can best provide for the just satisfaction of all men who are concerned.

And we do further declare, that we will be ready to consent to any Act or Acts of Parliament to the purposes aforesaid, and for the full satisfaction of all arrears due to the officers and soldiers of the army under the command of General Monk; and that they shall be received into our service upon as good pay and conditions as they now enjoy.

Given under our Sign Manual and Privy Signet,

14

at our Court at Breda, this '/,, day of April, 1660, in the twelfth year of our reign.

(Parliamentary History, ed. cit., XXII, 238.)

172. Reception of the Declaration of Breda by Parliament Parliamentary Intelligencer

Parliament's enthusiastic, if not servile, reception of the communication from Charles II. is in strong contrast to the actions of that body in the preceding decade. It may be questioned whether either body faithfully expressed the will of the majority of the people; but it was evident that the Commonwealth had proved a failure and that there was in the popular mind a strong loyalty to the House of Stuart. A king was the only means of reconciling the warring factions and Parliament recognized at once its necessity and opportunity.

RECEPTION OF THE DECLARATION OF BREDA BY THE LORDS

(May 1, 1660)

Whitehall, Tuesday. The House of Lords being informed that Sir John Grenville attended at the door with a letter from his Majesty, the earl of Manchester, speaker to the House of Lords, went down near the clock to receive it of him. The letter with a declaration enclosed was read in the House, and thanks ordered to be given to Sir John Grenville for bringing the gracious letter.

commons.

The House resolved that they do own and declare that according to the ancient and fundamental laws of this kingdom, the government is and ought to be by king, lords, and That the lords having a deep sense of the miseries and distractions that the kingdom hath been involved in since the violent attempts to dissolve the established government, do desire that some way may be considered how to make up these breaches; and to obtain the king's return again to his people.

(Parliamentary Intelligencer, no. 19, pp. 291, 292.)

BY THE COMMONS

Resolved nemine contradicente. That a committee be appointed to prepare an answer to his Majesty's letter, expressing the great and joyful sense of House of his gracious offers and their humble and hearty thanks to his Majesty for the same, and with professions of their loyalty and duty to his Majesty, and that this House will give a speedy answer to his Majesty's gracious proposals.

A committee was appointed accordingly. nemine contradicente.

Resolved

That the sum of £50,000

be presented to his Majesty by the House.

Tuesday afternoon. Resolved that this House doth agree with the lords and do own and declare, that according to the ancient and fundamental laws of this kingdom, the government is and ought to be by king, lords, and commons.

(Parliamentary Intelligencer, no. 19, p. 293.)

173. The Commons thank Sir John Grenville for Bringing the Declaration (May 3, 1660)

Mercurius Publicus

The words of the Speaker of the House of Commons merely voiced the thought of the nation. Beneath the exuberance of language lies the true spirit of loyalty. Throughout the period of the Commonwealth, the majority of Englishmen had clung to the hope that the king would yet come to his own.

THE COMMONS THANK SIR JOHN GRENVILLE FOR BRINGING THE DECLARATION

Thursday. The House being informed that Sir John. Grenville was at the door, he was called in to receive the thanks of the House, which Mr. Speaker delivered, as followeth :

Sir John Grenville, I need not tell you with what grateful and thankful hearts the Commons now assembled in Parliament have received his Majesty's gracious letter, res ipsa loquitur: you yourself have been auricularis et ocularis testis de rei veritate. Our bells and our bonfires have already begun the proclamation of his Majesty's goodness and of our joys. We have told the people that our king, the glory of England, is coming home again, and they have resounded it back again in our ears that they are ready and their hearts are open to receive him; both Parliament and people have