AINTIQUITIES. 
and his: princely brother the duke of 
York, traitors in the usual places, to 
the amazementand detestation of the 
whole world. 
And whereas there hath been of 
late some overtures-made to’ me by 
one Henry Ireton, who styles:him- 
self commissary-general of their 
army,-whom his manners styles the 
parliament of England, in whose 
- fame and for whose service he de- 
mands that I deliver up this Isle of 
Man; and for a grateful acknow- 
ledgement of that service, he en- 
gages on their part that I shall have 
an act of indemnity for all that I 
have done, and my lands to be re- 
_ stored to me without composition, 
_ and upon my engagement not to op- 
pose the proceedings of the parlia- 
ment in their present government, I 
shall peaceably and.quietly enjoy the 
Same; in answer to which I declare, 
that according to the dictate of my 
own conscience and reason, and ac- 
cording unto the obligation I stood 
engaged unto his majesty my late 
dread sovereign, as well by my 
common allegiance as by my more 
particular duty of personal service, 
in the beginning of these unhappy 
differences and divisions of the king- 
dom, I engaged myself on his ma- 
_ jesty’s party, wherein I have con- 
= 
stantly persevered, either in acting 
or suffering, until this day 5 concur- 
ring with those of the contrary party 
_ only in hating detestable neutrality. 
According to my best ability, I 
_ did diligently execute all such com- 
ed 
missions as I did receive from his 
‘majesty ; and did always use my ut- 
most endeavour to retain the people 
in their due obedience unto him, as 
ff shall ever faithfully practise to- 
wards my present sovereign, his son, 
holding myself bound unto him in 
the same bonds of allegiance and 
[*198 
loyalty as I was to the late king, of 
ever-blessed memory, his father; 
and do hereby declare, that I do 
drom my very soul abhor all base 
compliance with any of his majesty’s 
enemies, whether foreign or do- 
mestic: and particularly if I could 
endure to be treacherous, I would 
never do it with the prevailing 
party in England, whom I know to 
have renounced all principles of 
civility, honour, honesty, and con- 
science; and whose engagements, 
vows, protestations, and oaths, I 
would not take as security for the 
least atom of dust on which I tread. 
And Ido protest, in the presence 
of God and the whole world, that 
in balance to my allegiance, honopr, 
and conscience, I scorn their par- 
‘don in reference to any thing I have 
acted or shall act hereafter: and 1 
value my estate no more than the 
most contemptible mote that flies 
in the sun. 
And I do hereby declare, that, to 
the utmost of my power I shall 
faithfully endeavour to hold out 
this island to the advantage of his 
majesty, and the annoyance of all 
rebels and their abettors, and do 
cheerfully invite all my allies,friends, 
and acquaintance, all my tenants 
in the counties of Lancaster and 
Chester, or elsewhere, all other his 
majesty’s faithful and loyal subjects, 
to repair to this island as their ge- 
neral rendezvous and safe harbour, - 
where they shall receive entertain- 
ment, and such encouragement as 
their several qualities and condi- 
tions shall require, where we will 
unanimously employ our forces to 
the utter ruin of these unmatchable 
and rebellious regicides, and the 
final destruction of their interest 
both by land and sea, Neither shall 
any apprehension of danger, either 
to 
