History of King Charles the Second of EnglandAbbott, Jacob
History
History of King Charles the Second of England
Abbott, Jacob
Charles II, King of England, 1630-1685
The second part of the king's communication, and by far the most
important part, was what was called his Declaration, a document in
which he announced formally what his intentions were in case he were
restored to the throne. One of these assurances was, that he was ready
to forgive and forget the past, so far as he might himself be supposed
to have cause of complaint against any of his subjects for the part
they had taken in the late transactions. He professed his readiness
to grant a free pardon to all, excepting those who should be expressly
excluded from such pardon by the Parliament itself. The Declaration
also set forth that, inasmuch as there was prevailing throughout the
country a great diversity of religious opinion, the king, if restored
to his throne, whatever his own religious views or those of his
government might be, would agree that his subjects should be allowed
full liberty of conscience in all respects, and that nobody should be
molested in any way on account of his religious faith or usages of
worship.
And, finally, the Declaration contained a covenant on the part of the
king, that whereas there had been great changes of property, arising
from fines and confiscations for political offenses during the period
of the Revolution, he would not himself disturb the existing titles
to property, but would leave them to be settled on such principles and
in such a way as Parliament should direct.
The letter from the king, and especially the Declaration, gave the
utmost satisfaction. The latter disarmed those who would otherwise
have opposed the return of the king, by quieting their fears of being
disturbed in respect to their liberty or their property. Immediately
after these papers were read, they were ordered to be published, and
were sent every where throughout the kingdom, awakening, wherever they
went the greatest demonstrations of joy. The Parliament passed a vote
that the ancient Constitution of the kingdom, of government by king,
Lords, and Commons, ought to be restored, and they went forth in a
body into the public places of the city to proclaim Charles II. king.
Parliament voted immediately a grant of fifty thousand pounds, a sum
equal to more than two hundred thousand dollars, for the king's
immediate use, with large sums besides for the other members of the
family, and sent a committee of noblemen to Holland to carry the money
and to invite the king back to his dominions. As soon as tidings of
these events reached the Continent, every body hastened to pay their
court to his majesty. From being neglected, destitute, and wretched,
he suddenly found himself elevated to the highest pinnacle of prosperity
and fame. Every body offered him their aid; his court was thronged,
and all were ready to do him honor. The princely mother of one of the
young ladies who had rejected the offer of his hand in the day of his
adversity, sent him an intimation that the offer would be accepted if
he would renew it now.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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