which he had demanded for his honour and freedom, but a promise was given that respect should be had to the safety of his person in the defence of the true[a] religion and the liberties of the two kingdoms, according to the solemn league and covenant.  This vote was communicated to the Scottish commissioners at Newcastle, who replied that they awaited the commands[b] of their own parliament.[1]

In Scotland the situation of the king had been the subject of many keen and animated debates.  In the parliament his friends were active and persevering; and their efforts elicited a resolution that the commissioners[c] in London should urge with all their influence his request of a personal conference.  Cheered by this partial success, they proposed a vote expressive of their determination to support, under all circumstances, his right to the English throne.  But at this moment arrived the votes of the two houses for his removal to Holmby:  the current of Scottish loyalty was instantly checked; and the fear of a rupture between the nations induced the estates to observe a solemn fast, that they might deserve the blessing of Heaven, and to consult the commissioners of the kirk, that they might proceed with a safe conscience.  The answer was such as might have been expected from the bigotry of the age:  that it was unlawful to assist in the restoration of a prince, who had been excluded from the government of his kingdom, for his refusal of the propositions respecting religion and the covenant.  No man ventured to oppose the decision of the kirk.  In a house of two hundred

[Footnote 1:  Clarendon Papers, ii. 265, 268, 276.  Journals, 622, 635, 648, 681.  Commons’ Journals, Dec. 24.  His letter to the bishop of London is in Ellis, iii. 326, 2nd ser.]

[Sidenote a:  A.D. 1647.  Jan. 6.] [Sidenote b:  A.D. 1647.  Jan. 12.] [Sidenote c:  A.D. 1646.  Dec. 16.]

members, not more than seven or eight were found to speak in favour of their sovereign.  A resolution was voted that he should be sent to Holmby, or some other of his houses near London, to remain there till he had assented to the propositions of peace; and all that his friends could obtain was an amendment more expressive of their fears than of their hopes, that no injury[a] or violence should be offered to his person, no obstacle be opposed to the legitimate succession of his children, and no alteration made in the existing government of the kingdoms.  This addition was cheerfully adopted by the English House of Lords; but the Commons did not vouchsafe to honour it with their notice.  The first[b] payment of one hundred thousand pounds had already been made at Northallerton:  the Scots, according to[c] agreement, evacuated Newcastle; and the parliamentary commissioners, without any other ceremony, took charge of the royal person.  Four days later the Scots[d] received the second sum of one hundred thousand pounds; their army repassed the border-line between the two kingdoms; and the captive monarch, under a[e] strong guard, but with every demonstration of respect, was conducted to his new prison at Holmby.[1]