Newcastle's Mission to Hull in 1642 187 



but to temper yourself so by this means, as to be a brave, noble, and just 

 King, and make your name immortal by your brave acts abroad and your 

 unspotted justice at home, qualified by your well temper and mercy.' 



In the Patent creating Newcastle a Duke, quoted in the Life, 

 p. 180, King Charles II says : ' The great proofs of his wisdom and 

 piety are sufficiently known to us from our younger years, and we 

 shall always retain a sense of those good principles he instilled 

 into us.' 



Ill 

 NEWCASTLE'S MISSION TO HULL IN JANUARY, 1642 



The following are the two letters mentioned in the note on p. 9 : 



May it please your Most Sacred Majesty, — I am here at Hull accord- 

 ing to your Majesty's commands, but the town will not admit of me by no 

 means, so I am very flat and out of countenance here, but will stay until 

 I know your Majesty's further pleasure, which I hope I shall soon do. 

 God preserve your Majesty, — Your Majesty's most faithful creature, 



W. Newcastle. 



Hull, the 15th of January 1642 



Sir, — My first address, in these parts, was to Sir Thomas Metham with 

 his Majesty's directions, but I found him altogether incapable of any power 

 to secure the Magazine or town of Hull, as being neither Deputy-Lieutenant 

 or Colonel of the Trained-bands. When that hope was taken from me I 

 conceived the best means I had was to prevail with the burgesses of the 

 town, by themselves, to secure the place for his Majesty's service, and that 

 work is very well brought to pass, for last night here arrived an express 

 from Sir John Hotham, with an order from the Parliament for him to be 

 Governor, and a power to draw in such'forces as he thought fit, likewise a 

 letter from him to the Magistrates for preparing lodging and billet for his 

 regiments : his admission was quite denied, and a letter to the Parliament 

 despatched with the hands of the chief burgesses to excuse themselves 

 from" receiving any garrison, they of the town being able to secure the place 

 for his Majesty's service. This afternoon arrived here the Earl of New- 

 castle with his Majesty's commission for the Government, to which I shall 

 (for my own part) be ever obedient, but I perceive not the townsmen be 

 willing to receive him unto their command, but insist upon their own 

 affections and readiness to serve his Majesty with all faithfulness. Now 

 the means of present strength from Sir Thomas Metham or any near hand, 

 being taken away, there is no mean for us but to assure the people of this 

 town to his Majesty by holding off any other from the power of the place, 

 and if ever his Majesty appear in person all will be absolutely at his dis- 

 posing. When I received his Majesty's command, he told me his direc- 

 tions should be derived by (me from) you, and therefore I humbly beseech 

 you to give him this account of me ; and I shall to my utmost power 



