Series 1 > Diplomatic correspondence of Jean de Montereul and the brothers de Bellièvre, French ambassadors in England and Scotland, 1645-48 > Volume 1

390
P. BELLI^VRE TO BRIENNE
[JAN.
Hudson, qui a este pris despuis pen, auoit faict cette lettre,
comme beaucoup d’autres, pour engager du monde au seruice
du Roy de la Grand Bretagne, et la plus grand part tient que
c’est un office des Independans qui luy ueulent plus de mal,
affin de destourner les bonnes uolontes du peuple qui semble
beaucoup affectionner son retour. Un courrier qui arriua bier
a apporte nouuelles que Monsieur TAmbassadeur a eu dimanche
dernier son audiance publicque, en laquelle il prit conge du
Roy de la Grand Bretagne, et en suitte une particuliere dans
la chambre du lict, et qu’il partoit Lundy pour reuenir a
Londres; bien que ie n’aye point de lettres de Monsieur
I’Ambassadeur qui apparamment n’aura point este aduerti du
passage de ce courrier, ou qui ne Taura peu faire arrester, ie ne
laisse pas descrire cette nouuelle comme certaine, estant con-
forme a la resolution que par ce courrier il m’escriuoit en auoir
prise.—Je suis, Monsieur, vostre tres humble et tres obeissant
seruiteur, P. de Bellieure.
Au dos—M. de Grignon, du 17' Januier 1647. Receu le 21e du d.
mois par Heron.
[P. Beixievre to Brienne. London, 17 Jan. 1647.
What was ordered eight days ago indicates the influence of the
Presbyterians; the exercise of any other form of religion having been
prohibited, which the Independents opposed with all their force, but
after having prolonged the sitting till after midnight, the former carried
it. The Independents had thought of presenting a petition in their
favour, but whether it be that they were unable to obtain as many
signatures as was contained in the petition of the city, or that they
despaired of being able to obtain what they wanted, it is said their
petition has been burnt. The success of the Presbyterians does not
ameliorate the affairs of the King of England; it has, on the contrary,
rendered the former more firm in their determination that he grant to
them all they have desired ; the present condition of their king enabling
them to do as they like. You will see by the slip of paper I enclose what
has been decided upon in Edinburgh, and thereafter confirmed by the
Scottish Parliament, which is putting it into execution, at least in so
far as it is possible. The King of Great Britain has been informed that
orders have been received to guard him more closely, and, in fact, his
guard has been doubled, both within his residence and without, and
they go the rounds continually; cavalry has also been brought to New¬
castle to keep guard in the neighbourhood of the town. The Earls of
Pembroke and Denbigh, with Lord Montaigue and six members of the