DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.51519#0030
XVI
editor’s introduction.
shut up the Exchequer, (and accordingly his majesty made use of
infinite treasure there, to prepare for an intended rupture); hut,
says he, it will soone be open againe and every body satisfied; for
this bold man, who had been the sole adviser of the King to invade
that sacred stock, (tho’ some pretend it was Lord Ashley’s counsel,
then Chancellor of the Exchequer,) was so over confident of the
successe of this unworthy designe against the Smyrna merchants,
as to put his majesty on an action which not onely lost the hearts
of his subjects, and ruined many widows and orphans whose stocks
were lent him, but the reputation of his exchequer for ever, it being
before in such credit, that he might have commanded halfe the
wealth of the nation.
“ The credit of this bank being thus broken, did exceedingly
discontent the people, and never did his majesty’s affairs prosper
to any purpose after it, for as it did not supply the expense of the
meditated war, so it mcalted away, I know not how.”
With the exception of Buckingham, the King’s ordinary com-
panions, such as Rochester, Killigrew, &c., were men who never
troubled him with business, or meddled in it themselves, and their
names seldom appear in history. Charles was a man who cared
too much for his own interest to think for a moment of that of any
body else, but he was too intent on his pleasures even to take the
trouble to look after his interest. Hence he left all to the manage-
ment of his favourites. When, however, to secure his own ease,
he found it necessary to conciliate his parliament, he never scrupled
a moment to sacrifice his best favourite to attain his end. The
cabal which governed after Clarendon’s fall, hoped to secure them-
selves by rendering' the King absolute and independent of the
parliament. It was certainly a wild scheme, and rather a dan-
gerous one, but they trusted much in the aid of France, whom
they were to appease by the sacrifice of Holland. The Dutch
war was carried on with ill success on the part of England,
although Louis XIV. was gaining great advantages by it. In
the great naval fight of Solebay, 1672, was lost the Earl of
editor’s introduction.
shut up the Exchequer, (and accordingly his majesty made use of
infinite treasure there, to prepare for an intended rupture); hut,
says he, it will soone be open againe and every body satisfied; for
this bold man, who had been the sole adviser of the King to invade
that sacred stock, (tho’ some pretend it was Lord Ashley’s counsel,
then Chancellor of the Exchequer,) was so over confident of the
successe of this unworthy designe against the Smyrna merchants,
as to put his majesty on an action which not onely lost the hearts
of his subjects, and ruined many widows and orphans whose stocks
were lent him, but the reputation of his exchequer for ever, it being
before in such credit, that he might have commanded halfe the
wealth of the nation.
“ The credit of this bank being thus broken, did exceedingly
discontent the people, and never did his majesty’s affairs prosper
to any purpose after it, for as it did not supply the expense of the
meditated war, so it mcalted away, I know not how.”
With the exception of Buckingham, the King’s ordinary com-
panions, such as Rochester, Killigrew, &c., were men who never
troubled him with business, or meddled in it themselves, and their
names seldom appear in history. Charles was a man who cared
too much for his own interest to think for a moment of that of any
body else, but he was too intent on his pleasures even to take the
trouble to look after his interest. Hence he left all to the manage-
ment of his favourites. When, however, to secure his own ease,
he found it necessary to conciliate his parliament, he never scrupled
a moment to sacrifice his best favourite to attain his end. The
cabal which governed after Clarendon’s fall, hoped to secure them-
selves by rendering' the King absolute and independent of the
parliament. It was certainly a wild scheme, and rather a dan-
gerous one, but they trusted much in the aid of France, whom
they were to appease by the sacrifice of Holland. The Dutch
war was carried on with ill success on the part of England,
although Louis XIV. was gaining great advantages by it. In
the great naval fight of Solebay, 1672, was lost the Earl of