from the castle to bring him into Sussex; horses were provided ready to
carry him through Sussex into Kent, so that he might be at the head of
the army in Kent, and from thence to march immediately to London, where
thousands then would have armed for him. The Lady Whorewood came to me,
acquaints me herewith. I got G. Farmer (who was a most ingenious
lock-smith, and dwelt in Bowlane) to make a saw to cut the iron bars in
sunder, I mean to saw them, and aqua fortis besides. His Majesty in a
small time did his work; the bars gave liberty for him to go out; he was
out with his body till he came to his breast; but then his heart
failing, he proceeded no farther: when this was discovered, as soon
after it was, he was narrowly looked after, and no opportunity after
that could be devised to enlarge him. About September the Parliament
sent their Commissioners with propositions unto him into the Isle of
Wight, the Lord William Sea being one; the Lady Whorewood comes again
unto me from him or by his consent, to be directed: After perusal of my
figure, I told her the Commissioners would be there such a day; I
elected a day and hour when to receive the Commissioners and
propositions; and as soon as the propositions were read, to sign them,
and make haste with all speed to come up with the Commissioners to
London. The army being then far distant from London, and the city
enraged stoutly against them, he promised he would do so. That night the
Commissioners came, and old Sea and his Majesty had private conference
till one in the morning: the King acquaints Sea with his intention, who
clearly dissuaded him from signing the propositions, telling him they
were not fit for him to sign; that he had many friends in the House of
Lords, and some in the House of Commons; that he would procure more, and
then they would frame more easy propositions. This flattery of this
unfortunate Lord occasioned his Majesty to wave the advice I and some
others that wished his prosperity had given, in expectation of that
which afterwards could never be gained. The army having some notice