Page 27 - Hampdens Monument Unveiled

toward the Protestants of France. This had sank: deep into the
English heart; and the groans and reproaches of these victims
to the treachery of the English King came accusingly upon the
ears of the English people. He (Charles) had raised money for
the purpose of fitting out a fleet, for the assistance of the
French Protestants, and for the relief of Rochelle, then
closely invested. With horrid treachery these ships were, by
private agreement with the French Monarch, compelled to assist
in the destruction of those for whose assistance they were
professedly fitted out.

Ludlow’s History of King James and Charles

The narrative of Ludlow, describing the early period of the
reign of Charles, and his unexampled duplicity and treachery in
this matter, is at once so brief and comprehensive that we
transcribe it entire from the memoir :-

Those who make any enquiry into the history of King James'
reign will find that, though his inclinations were strongly
bent to render himself absolute, yet he chose rather to carry
on that design by fraud than violence. But King Charles, having
taken a nearer view of despotic government in his journey to
France and Spain, tempted with the glittering show and
imaginary pleasures of that empty pageantry, immediately after
his assent to the throne pulled off the mask, and openly
discovered his intentions to make the crown absolute and
independent.

In the beginning of his reign he married a daughter of
France, who was not wanting on her part to press him, upon all
occasions, to pursue the design of enlarging his power, not
omitting to solicit him also to mould the church of England to
a nearer compliance with the see of Rome : wherein she was but
too well seconded by corrupt ministers of state, of whom some
were professed papists ; and an ambitious clergy, whose
influence upon the king was always greater than could well
consist with the peace and happiness of England.

'Tis true he called some Parliaments in the first years of his
reign; but the people soon became sensible he did it rather to
empty their purses than to redress their grievances. The
Petition of Right, as it was called, passed in one of them; yet
by the manner of passing it, and more by the way of keeping, or
rather breaking it in almost every particular, they clearly saw
what they were to expect from him. And though by the votes
passed in the House of Commons (after a message from the king
to require their attendance in order to a dissolution, thereby
to prevent their enquiry into his father's death), complaining
of grievances of the nation, and asserting the liberties
thereof, declaring it treason for any to pay custom or other
taxes without the authority of Parliament, locking the door of
the House of Commons, and compelling the Speaker to continue in
the chair till it passed he might have observed the pulse of