A Joyfull MESSAGE SENT FROM THE KINGS Most Excellent Majesty, to Sir John Hotham.
HIs Gracious Majesty hath oftentimes bin pleased to acquaint all his loving Subjects with His Royall Intentions and Determinations concerning Sir John Hotham and hath also Declared his Resolution concerning [Page]the said Sir John, who by force of Arms kept his Majesty from entring into Hull.
This great Attempt against his Majesty, did not a little provoke his Highnesse to wrath, who vowed to have Justice against, and for the obtaining of the same, he would venter his Royall Person.
And wheras his Majesty hath declared. That untill he hath Justice against Sir Iohn Hotham, he could conceive no otherwise but that he was protected and upholden by both Houses of Parliament, but yet out of his Princely consideration he hath bin pleased to recall those protestations, and as he hath declared to the Inhabitants of Hull to grant them a free pardon, if that they will lay down their arms, and humble themselves unto him; So he is graciously plsasedte propound the like propositions to Sir Iohn, the which be set down at length in the Relation following.
But the greatest misery which is now comming upon us, is a Civill Warre, occasioned by the proceedings of the malignant Party, who hath so farre incenst his Majesty against his great councell the high Court of Parliament, that they have got a great misunderstanding betwixt the Head and the Body, and have also raised a great Number of Forces in a Warlike manner in severall Counties of this Kingdome, which hath caused many Fears and Jealousies to arise in the hearts of his Majesties loving Subjects.
But because I will not be too tedious nor deviate too far from that which is before made mention of, I will describe and lay open unto the Courteous Reader, the passages that have hapned very lately betwixt his Royall Majesty, and Sir Iohn Hotham, being comfortable tydings to all true-hearted Protestants, as will plainly appear by these particulars following.
His Majesty having taken into consideration the Procendings of Sir John Hotham, and the Trust that were reposed in him by the Honourable Court of Parliament; after some serious consulration therupon, there arose these Comfortable Drops from His Majesties Royall Breast,
That He was Resolved to send a Message to Sir John Hotham, to Declare His will and pleasure unto him, and to propound these following Propositions unto him.
1. That he would be pleased to deliver up the Town of Hull unto his Majesty, and to condiscend unto these his Desires, which if he would, His Maiesty doth promise, That he will grant unto him a free pardon.
The Messenger having delivered this Message to Sir John Hotham, after some small time in consultation therupon, Sir John returned this Answer.
That for the trust Reposed in him by the high and honourable Court of Parliament, [Page 5]he will not betray; neither will hee prove himself a disloyall Subiect to his Maiesty, but will deliver and resign the said Town up unto him, if that the Parliament will give him Order for the so doing, otherwise he cannot.
This is the Message which His Royall Majesty sent to Sir Iohn Hotham, together with the Answer which Sir Iohn returned to His Majesty.
His Maiesties Resolution concerning his Excellence the Earl of Essex.
THe Kings Majesty having taken into consideration the service of the Earl of Essex, was not well pleased therat, but Resolved to discharge him of his place, which he did accordingly, a man of high Honour, his Majesty was also Resolved to make mention of the said Earl in his Answer to the Parliament, there deelaring the Resolution of both houses, that they would live and dye with the Earle of [Page 6]Essex, whom they have appointed Generall, for the defence of his Maiesty, the Kingdome and both houses of Parliament.
His Majesty hath displaced divers other great Lords as the Earl of Northumberland, Pembroke, and Holland, for no other cause, but discharging their Conscience in Parliament.
Likewise His Majesty doth Declare, concerning his raising of Forces, that what he hath done, is but in Order to his own defence.
And his Majesty no longer desires the blessing and protection of Almighty God, upon himself and his posterity than he and they shall solemnly observe the due execurion of the Laws, in defence of Parliaments, and the just Liberties and Priviledges therof.