1643.] fidelity at Reading. 41 66 " colonel's averment, that the king had seen them, ' and approved of them." Whereas his majesty had never seen any articles in writing, but only consented, that they should march away with their arms and baggage, if the enemy agreed to those conditions. I have not known the king more afflicted than he was with that clause, which he called no less" than giving up hose poor men, who, out of conscience of their rebellion, had "betaken themselves to his protection, to be mas"sacred and murdered by the rebels, whom they "had deserted;" and, for the vindication of himself therein, he immediately published a proclamation, in which he took notice of that clause; and declared to all the world, 66 "That he was not privy to, or, in the least degree, consenting to that exception, but held the "same most prejudicial to his service, and deroga"tory [to] his honour; and that he would always "choose to run any hazard or danger, the violence or treason of his enemies could threaten, or bring upon him, rather than he would withdraw or "deny his protection to any, who, being convinced "in their conscience of their disloyalty, should "return to their duty, and betake themselves to his "service. And as he had referred to a court of "war the full examination of all the particular proceedings, in the delivery of that town, that so "justice might be done accordingly; so he did "declare, that he would always proceed with all severity against such, as should, by the like dis“honourable conditions, expose his subjects, and "bereave them of his protection that had returned "to their obedience to him." 86 66 At the trial, it was objected against the colonel, that the town might have been longer defended, "there being want of no necessary provision, and as much powder, at the giving it up, as there was when the enemy came first before it; for, besides the first supply, sixteen barrels were put "in during the skirmish, when the king came to "relieve it: that several colonels pressed very earnestly to sally, when the king's forces were engaged, and that they were expressly hindered and forbidden by him: that he frequently gave "his pass to a woman to go out of the town, who went into the earl of Essex's army, and returned again that he persuaded the council of war to "consent to the articles, by protesting that the king "had well approved them, and reproached those "officers who were of another opinion;" with some other particulars of license and passion, which reflected more upon his discretion, than his honesty, or conduct. "6 : 66 He justified himself "to have done nothing to"wards the delivery of the place, but upon full "consideration, advice, and approbation of the "council of war: that he was in his own con 46 science and judgment satisfied, that the substance "of the articles were advantageous for his ma"jesty's service; and though it was true, by that "last supply of ammunition, their store was near as much as when the siege begun; yet it was in all but thirty-two barrels, which would have lasted but few hours, if the enemy, who had approached within little more than pistol-shot of some parts of their works, should attack them in that manner as they had reason to expect; and 66 T 43 1643-] of colonel Fielding. 46 "6 " 46 "6 66 46 " 46 if they had held out longer, when it had appeared that the king was not strong enough to relieve 'them, they should not have been admitted to such conditions: and therefore, that he believed hazard of so great a concernment was not to be run, when he well knew his majesty's former "resolution of slighting the garrison; and that it would not be now done above a fortnight sooner than was intended: that he had no knowledge "of his majesty's approach, till the forces were engaged, when a truce was concluded, and their "hostages in the enemy's hands; and therefore, that he conceived it against the law of arms to make any attempt from the town; and before 'they could sufficiently deliberate it in council, his 'majesty's forces retired: that the woman, to 'whom he gave a pass, was one he often employed as a spy, with very good effect; and "he did believe, the advantage he received by it was greater than she could carry to the enemy by any information she could give that he did 'persuade the council of war to consent to the conditions, because he believed them very profitable to his majesty, and he had averred only "his majesty's approbation of the general substance of the articles, never applied it to the clause of the third article, which he much desired to have altered, but could not obtain the consent 44 " ་་ 46 66 " " 46 46 of the enemy. If he had been intemperate, or 46 "6 or had used any passionate expressions in the debate, it proceeded only from his zeal to the "service, and his apprehension of the loss of so d "many good men, upon whom he well knew the " " 66 66 At the trial, it was objected against the colonel, that the town might have been longer defended, "there being want of no necessary provision, and as much powder, at the giving it up, as there was when the enemy came first before it; for, besides the first supply, sixteen barrels were put "in during the skirmish, when the king came to "relieve it: that several colonels pressed very earnestly to sally, when the king's forces were engaged, and that they were expressly hindered and forbidden by him: that he frequently gave "his pass to a woman to go out of the town, who "went into the earl of Essex's army, and returned again that he persuaded the council of war to "consent to the articles, by protesting that the king "had well approved them, and reproached those "officers who were of another opinion;" with some other particulars of license and passion, which reflected more upon his discretion, than his honesty, or conduct. : He justified himself "to have done nothing to"wards the delivery of the place, but upon full "consideration, advice, and approbation of the "council of war: that he was in his own con " science and judgment satisfied, that the substance "of the articles were advantageous for his ma'jesty's service; and though it was true, by that "last supply of ammunition, their store was near as much as when the siege begun; yet it was in all but thirty-two barrels, which would have "lasted but few hours, if the enemy, who had approached within little more than pistol-shot of some parts of their works, should attack them in "that manner as they had reason to expect; and 1643.] if they had held out longer, when it had appeared "that the king was not strong enough to relieve them, they should not have been admitted to such conditions: and therefore, that he believed a hazard of so great a concernment was not to "be run, when he well knew his majesty's former "resolution of slighting the garrison; and that it "would not be now done above a fortnight sooner "than was intended: that he had no knowledge of his majesty's approach, till the forces were engaged, when a truce was concluded, and their "hostages in the enemy's hands; and therefore, that he conceived it against the law of arms to make any attempt from the town; and before they could sufficiently deliberate it in council, his majesty's forces retired: that the woman, to whom he gave a pass, was one he often employed as a spy, with very good effect; and " he did believe, the advantage he received by it was greater than she could carry to the enemy by any information she could give that he did persuade the council of war to consent to the conditions, because he believed them very profitable to his majesty, and he had averred only "his majesty's approbation of the general sub"stance of the articles, never applied it to the clause of the third article, which he much desired "to have altered, but could not obtain. the consent “of the enemy. If he had been intemperate, or passionate to any, who were of another opinion, or had used any passionate expressions in the "debate, it proceeded only from his zeal to the service, and his apprehension of the loss of so many good men, upon whom he well knew the 66 : |