London and the Kingdom Volume II Part 16

On the 23rd another letter(768) was despatched desiring that some representatives of the city might take up permanent quarters with the army until matters became more settled. Accordingly, on the following day (24 June) the Common Council appointed Alderman Warner, Deputy Pack and Colonel Player to go to Fairfax and the army and remain with them until further orders. They were to give his excellency and the council of war an account of the true state of affairs respecting enlistments, and a.s.sure them that the City would take good care that both Houses should be allowed to conduct their affairs in peace and quiet.(769)

(M374)

As soon as the commissioners arrived in camp they were informed that the army was about to change its quarters to Uxbridge. On the 25th Fairfax again took occasion in a letter to the City, dated from Berkhampstead,(770) to enlarge upon the danger that was likely to arise from continued attempts to raise forces in Wales, "besides underhand workings in your city," and from parliament being threatened by the presence of reformadoes. It could not be expected that the kingdom would be safe, or justice done, so long as the accused members sat as judges.

"We have written this to you," the letter concluded, "for your satisfaction that so nothing may be done without giving you a perfect account of our intentions and ends, and still to continue our a.s.surance to you that should necessity bring us nearer to the city our former faith given you shall be observed inviolably, there being nothing more (next the good of the kingdom) in our thoughts and desires than the prosperity of your city." It was six o'clock in the evening when this letter was brought to the Common Council, so that there was only time to acknowledge its receipt in a letter, which was on the point of being despatched to the army.(771)

(M375)

As far as the removal of the objectionable members of the House went Fairfax soon had his way. For, notwithstanding the Commons having declared on the 25th that they saw no valid reason for suspending the members, the members themselves solved the difficulty on the following day by asking leave of absence, which the House was willing enough to grant.(772)

(M376)

The bands of reformadoes which infested the city presented a greater difficulty. On the 2nd July the City once more addressed itself to parliament in the form of a pet.i.tion suggesting a remedy for this grievance, and although the pet.i.tion reflected strongly upon the mismanagement of affairs by the government, and ventured to prescribe rules for its better regulation, it was more favourably received than others of a far less bold character had formerly been.(773) The temper of the House must indeed have changed when it could listen calmly to charges of malversation of money collected for the disbandment of the army, and to such advice as that parliament should "improve its time" and busy itself only with such laws as might settle the government of the Church, secure the people from unlawful and arbitrary power, and restore his majesty to his just rights and authority, according to the covenant. A few months ago any deputation that dared to address the House in these terms would have been sharply dismissed. Times had changed; and now, instead of a rebuke, the City received thanks for its "constant very good affections," and a day was appointed for taking the pet.i.tion into consideration.

(M377)

A week later (8 July) Fairfax wrote to the City from Reading-whither he had removed the headquarters of the army (3 July) upon certain concessions being made by parliament-enclosing a copy of a paper which he had forwarded to parliament setting forth the obstacles which still stood in the way of a peaceful settlement, viz., the continued presence of reformadoes in and about London, as well of the army raised for Ireland but not despatched there, and the non-expulsion from the House of those members who had aided the king against parliament.(774) At length parliament gave way. On the 9th the Commons pa.s.sed an ordinance expelling all members who had favoured the king's cause since the beginning of the war,(775) and the Lords pa.s.sed another ordinance for all disbanded soldiers to quit London.(776)

(M378)

Matters were not improved by the action of the apprentices of London, who, like the rest of the inhabitants, took sides with king or parliament.

Parliament had recently sanctioned a monthly holiday to all apprentices.

The first of these holidays fell on Tuesday, the 13th July. Grateful for this concession, a number of lads employed the day in presenting a pet.i.tion to the Commons calling upon them to uphold their own authority, recall those who had been so unreasonably expelled, protect the clergy, and bring prisoners to a speedy trial.(777) This was more than the royalist apprentices could stand, so the next day they had their turn, and presented a pet.i.tion to both Houses praying for the suppression of conventicles, the restoration of the king, the maintenance of the covenant, and the disbandment of the army.(778) This last pet.i.tion roused the indignation of the army, and was one of the motives which led the "agitators"(779) to demand of the council of war an immediate march on London, a step which would most certainly have been undertaken but for the strenuous opposition of Cromwell and Ireton.(780)

(M379)

A week later (21 July) a mob of apprentices, reformadoes, watermen and other disaffected persons met at Skinners' Hall, and one and all signed a Solemn Engagement pledging themselves to maintain the Covenant and to procure the king's restoration to power on the terms offered by him on the 12th May last, viz., the abandonment of the episcopacy for three years and the militia for ten. An endeavour was made to enlist the support of the munic.i.p.al authorities to this engagement, but a letter from Fairfax (23 July) soon gave them to understand that the army looked on the matter as one "set on foot by the malice of some desperate-minded men, this being their last engine for the putting all into confusion when they could not accomplish their wicked ends by other means."(781) On the 24th both Houses joined in denouncing the Solemn Engagement of the City, their declaration against it being ordered to be published by beat of drum and sound of trumpet through London and Westminster, and within the lines of communication.(782) Anyone found subscribing his name to the engagement after such publication would be adjudged guilty of high treason.

(M380)

In the meanwhile the army council had forwarded (19 July) certain recommendations to the city which they proposed to submit to parliament, among them being one for removing the command of the city's militia out of the hands of the munic.i.p.al authorities and vesting it in parliament.(783) This proposal was accepted in due course by both Houses.(784)

(M381) (M382) (M383)

On Sat.u.r.day, the 24th July, the day after the Lords had given their a.s.sent to the proposal touching the militia, two pet.i.tions were presented to the Common Council praying it to take steps for retaining the militia in the hands of the city committee.(785) Both pet.i.tions were well received by the court, and a draft of another pet.i.tion from the court itself was at once made for presentation to both Houses on the following Monday, together with the pet.i.tions presented to the court. The sheriffs and the whole court, or as many of them as could go, with the exception of those actually serving on the militia committee, were ordered to carry the pet.i.tions to Westminster. When Monday came an excited crowd of apprentices and others followed the sheriffs and members of the Common Council up to the very doors of the Houses. The few Peers who were in attendance on that day were soon brought to pa.s.s a resolution abrogating the recent ordinance.(786) When the turn of the Commons came they made a bolder stand. The consideration of the pet.i.tions was frequently interrupted by cries of "Vote! vote!" from the apprentices, who stood at the open doorway with their hats on.(787) Hostile as the city was, the House had no means of restoring order without its aid. The civic authorities showed no particular haste in complying with a request for a.s.sistance. The Common Council a.s.sembled in the afternoon, but all it did was to agree that the members present should adjourn in a body to Westminster "and use their best endeavour by all gentle ways and means possible they can to appease the said mult.i.tude and to free the said House from danger."(788) At length, towards eight o'clock in the evening, the Commons, worn-out and exhausted, yielded to the pressure put upon them and repealed the obnoxious ordinance, after which the mob was content to obey the city councillors and quietly disperse.

(M384) (M385)

The civic authorities having recovered its control over the militia immediately began to put the city in a posture of defence. In this it was a.s.sisted by the apprentices offering their services, their lives and fortunes against any power whatsoever that should attack the city. The Common Council thanked them for their good will, and desired them to carry themselves in an orderly and regular way, and endeavour to prevent disorder and tumult.(789) There were already rumours that the army had broken up and was marching towards London. No time was to be lost if the city was to be saved from falling into its hands. The militia committee was ordered to draw up a declaration in justification of all that the civic authorities had done, whilst a letter was sent (28 July) to Fairfax deprecating any attempt by the army to "intermeddle" with the liberties or privileges of the city or to interpose in the matter of the militia, which should be used only in defence of parliament and the city without giving occasion for offence to anyone. He was a.s.sured that now the government of the militia had become revested in the city there would be no more disorder.(790) The day on which this letter was despatched had been set apart by the civic authorities as a day of fasting and humiliation. Three ministers were appointed to pray and preach before the mayor, aldermen and common council at the church of St. Michael Ba.s.sishaw that G.o.d might turn away his wrathful indignation against the city and the nation.(791)

(M386) (M387)

In the meantime Fairfax had been informed of the terrorism brought to bear upon parliament, and wrote (29 July) from Bedford to the Common Council(792) saying that, for his part, he looked upon them, being in authority, as responsible to the kingdom for the recent disturbances. The letter reached the council at eleven o'clock at night. In spite of the lateness of the hour an answer was drawn up(793) disclaiming any responsibility for the riot at Westminster on the ground that at the time the city was without a settled militia and held no commission on which to act. So far from having encouraged the tumult, as many of the council had been reported to have done, they had used their best endeavours to allay it. In conclusion the council declared themselves unconscious of having contributed to the interruption of the "hopeful way of peace and settlement" mentioned in the general's letter, and would accordingly rely upon G.o.d for His protection over the city.

(M388)

The time for negotiations had clearly pa.s.sed away, and there was no other recourse but to repel force by force. The Common Council immediately voted (29 July) a sum of 20,000 on the security of the city seal for the purposes of defence.(794) The trained bands were sent to man the works, and orders were given for a general muster to be held on the following morning of all the inhabitants who were not members of the trained bands but were capable of bearing arms.(795)

(M389)

When parliament re-a.s.sembled on the 30th the Speakers of the two Houses and a number of members failed to appear. New Speakers were immediately appointed and the expelled members ordered to take their seats. One of the first acts of the House was to authorise the militia committee to seize all horses within the lines of communication for the defence of parliament and the City, and in accordance with the City's request sent word to Fairfax not to approach within thirty miles of London.(796)

(M390)

On the following day (31 July) the House signified its a.s.sent to the appointment of Ma.s.sey as commander-in-chief of the city forces, in accordance with the desire of the militia committee and the Common Council, and informed a city deputation that it had taken the precaution to secure the Block-houses at Tilbury and Gravesend. On hearing this some of the deputation expressed a hope that the House would also see to Windsor Castle.(797)

(M391) (M392)

The Common Council was getting more and more anxious every day. Fairfax had disdained giving any reply to their last letters, and the army was known to have already advanced as near as Colnbrook. On the afternoon of the 2nd August the council resolved to send another letter to the general, disclaiming any intention on the part of the city to raise a new war. The delivery of this despatch was entrusted to six aldermen and twelve commoners, who were to remain with the army, in addition to the commissioners previously appointed, and use every means in their power to prevent any further bloodshed. If Fairfax complained that the city was engaged in raising a body of horse, they were instructed to throw the responsibility on parliament. If he objected to the drilling of reformadoes, it was again the work of parliament and not of the militia committee. If the commissioners were asked for some a.s.surance that the city would protect parliament in future from all attacks, they were to say that the city would do its best to protect not only the sitting members, but all who should return to the House. If objection was raised to the appointment of Ma.s.sey, it was to be laid to the sudden approach of the army. Should any question arise as to the recent riot at Westminster, the whole affair was to be ascribed to the absence of any settled authority of the city militia; and lastly, if the matter of the pet.i.tion and engagement was raked up, the commissioners were to say that the city had not been the promoters.(798) Furnished with these instructions, the commissioners set out for the army, which they found the next day (3 Aug.) drawn up on Hounslow Heath.

(M393)

In the meantime another declaration(799) had been prepared by Fairfax and the council of war recapitulating the course affairs had taken, the changes that had taken place in the government of the city militia, the pressure that had been put upon parliament resulting in the Speakers and many members being driven away, and the continued presence of the eleven members in the House after charges had been brought against them, and signifying the intention of the army to give a welcome to all members of parliament who found themselves unable to take their seats at Westminster with freedom and safety, and to regard them as persons in whom the public trust of the kingdom still remained. It was moreover the purpose of the army to march on London, when it was expected the eleven members would be either delivered up or else kept in custody until they could be brought to trial.

(M394)

As soon as the city commissioners arrived at headquarters this declaration was put into their hands, and with it they hurried back to London in time to lay it before the Common Council the same afternoon. The council was quick to discern that no other course lay open to them but submission. A letter(800) was accordingly despatched to Fairfax the same night, to the effect that, as it appeared from the declaration that the main object of the army drawing so near London was to bring back to a free parliament at Westminster those members who had withdrawn owing to the tumult on the 26th July, the Common Council heartily concurred therein, and no opposition whatever would be shown to the troops appointed to escort the members to Westminster. The City declared itself ready to submit to parliament in everything, and offered its entire force for its protection.

In order to remove all cause of offence or misunderstanding, the City's own declaration(801) recently published (30 July) was withdrawn. Under these circ.u.mstances the council expressed a hope that the army would be prevented from doing any offence or prejudice to the city or the lines of communication.

(M395)

The City was now all submission. On the 4th August it agreed to a demand to surrender the forts from "Giles Forte" down to the river-side, and the Common Council wrote to Fairfax to that effect, saying that "now, next unto Almighty G.o.d, we do rely upon your excellencye's honourable word for our safety, and to be protected from all violence of the soldiery."(802) By that time Fairfax had arrived with the army at Hammersmith, whence he wrote to the City acknowledging their ready compliance in the surrender of the forts, which he would shortly garrison, and a.s.suring them that the army would behave itself in such a manner "as to witness to the world the integrity of their hearts in having no other design but the quiet and happy settlement of a firm and lasting peace."(803)

(M396)

On the 6th August the army entered the lines of fortification and made its way to Westminster, accompanied by the Speakers of both Houses and those members who had betaken themselves to the army after withdrawing from parliament. The civic authorities, taking advantage of the hint offered them, welcomed the army on its approach, the mayor and aldermen going out as far as Hyde Park in coaches, whilst the Common Council betook themselves to Charing Cross by water, and there ranged themselves in view of the soldiers as they pa.s.sed.(804) Glyn, the Recorder, on whose behalf the City had already addressed Fairfax, was instructed to make a speech with the view of absolving the City from any implication in the tumult of the 26th July.

(M397) (M398)

On the following day (7 Aug.) the citizens made a closer acquaintance with the army as it marched through the heart of the city on its way to Croydon. The words of Fairfax proved true. The troops marched through the streets "with all civility, not doing the least hurt or prejudice." The civic authorities felt so much relief at seeing this unexpected maintenance of discipline that they gave vent to their feelings by asking Fairfax and all the officers to meet them at dinner at Grocers' Hall on Thursday, the 13th, but that day proving inconvenient to the general, who was busy settling the affairs of the army, the dinner was ordered to be put off until the city should again hear from him.(805) The termination of hostilities gave rise to the following poetical ebullition on the part of _Mercurius Pragmaticus_:-

"A Peace, a Peace, the countrey cries, Or else we shall be undone; For this brave warre we thank the wise Confiding men of London."

"Sure now they may as well as we Know how to value Quiet, When th' army comes their Guests to be For a twelve-month's Cash and Diet."

CHAPTER XXV.

(M399)

The City was now powerless. The day of reckoning had come, and the City had to pay for the opposition it had displayed towards the army. The Tower was no longer entrusted to the citizens, but was committed by parliament to Fairfax as constable.(806) Diligent search was made for reformadoes with the intention of making an example of some of them,(807) and a committee consisting of members of both Houses was appointed to enquire into the violence recently offered to parliament.(808) The Town Clerk received orders to produce to the committee all such books of the city as contained the Acts and Orders of the Common Council pa.s.sed and made from the 20th July until the 6th August, as well as the original pet.i.tions of which copies had been presented to the Commons on the memorable 26th July, and other doc.u.ments.(809)