Volume 1

Memoirs illustrative of the life and writings of John Evelyn ... comprising his diary, from the year 1641 to 1705-6, and a selection of his familiar letters. To which is subjoined, the private correspondence between King Charles I and his Secretary of State ... [et al.] Sir Edward Nicholas ... 1641, and at other times during the Civil War; also between Sir Edward Hyde ... and Sir Richard Browne Ambassador to the Court of France ... The whole now first published from the original MSS. ... / Edited by William Bray.

  • John Evelyn
Date:
1819
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Memoirs illustrative of the life and writings of John Evelyn ... comprising his diary, from the year 1641 to 1705-6, and a selection of his familiar letters. To which is subjoined, the private correspondence between King Charles I and his Secretary of State ... [et al.] Sir Edward Nicholas ... 1641, and at other times during the Civil War; also between Sir Edward Hyde ... and Sir Richard Browne Ambassador to the Court of France ... The whole now first published from the original MSS. ... / Edited by William Bray. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    impressions from M'’ Evelin’s discourses and this letter, that ever after he ap- peared very moderate in his counsells, and was one of the forwardest to embrace all opportunities for the good of his country; as was evident by his vigorous & hazardous opposition in Parliament to that impious oath of abjuration of the Kings family and line (hereafter mentioned) before it was safe for Generali Monck to discover how he was inclined ; and by his willing conjunction and confederacy after with the Generali for the admission of the secluded members in proclamation for a free Parliament for the King’s restauration III. Feb. 6, 1687-8, there was printed what was called A true and perfect Nar- rative of the strange and unexpected finding the Crucifix and Gold-chain of that pious Prince, St. Edward the King and Confessor, which was found after 620 years interment, and presented to his most sacred Majesty King James the * In 1815 Baron Maseres re-published some Tracts relating to the Civil War in England in the time of King Charles I. amongst which is “ The Mystery and Method of his Majesty’s happy Re- staui ation, by the Rev. Dr. John Price, one of the late Duke of Albemarle’s chaplains, who was privy to all the secret passages and particularities of that Glorious Revolution.” Printed in 1680. In this tract it is stated that Monk’s officers being dissatisfied with the conduct of the Rump Par- liament, pressed him to come to some decision, whereupon, on 11 Feb. 1660, they sent the letter to the Parliament, desiring them first to fill up vacancies, and then to determine their own sit- ting, and call a new Parliament. Dr. Price then says, “ The General yielded at length to their fears and counsells, and the rather for that he was assured of the Tower of London, the Lieutenant of it (Col. Morley) having before offered it to him. This the noble Colonel had done in the City, pitying the consternation of the Citizens when he saw what work was doing [Monk’s pulling down the City Gates a few days before by order of the Rump Parliament] and what influence it would have on the country.” He adds, “ that though the Rump did not dare to take away the General’s Comnnssion as one of their Commissioners for governing the army, they struck out his name from the quorum of them, which virtually did take away his authority, and he and Morley were left to stem the tide against Hazlerigg, Alured, and Walton.” These are the only mentions which he makes of Morley, by which it seems that the first com- munication between him and Monk was when the latter had broken down the City Gates, on the 9th February. Had there been any previous concert between Monk and Morley, the latter would not have wanted Mr. Evelyn’s assistance to obtain his pardon, which however he did want, and obtained through Mr. Evelyn. See vol. I. of this work; p. 319.