the old order, and were not prepared to accept as partners in their future
Government those who had formed the Court which had condemned the King. In
spite of his long absence from England, Hyde had kept himself well
informed on the trend of general feeling, and he judged that such matters
could safely be left to the national tribunal. All the disputed points
were left to be settled by Parliament. The action of the King was left
free; but on the other hand no constitutional objection could be raised to
the reservation of doubtful matters for the judgment of a free Parliament.

It was on these lines that the letters which Grenville was to carry from
the King to Monk were drafted by Hyde. One letter was addressed to Monk
and the Army; one to the House of Commons, and one to the House of Lords.
Montague received one addressed to the Navy; and the last was addressed to
the Lord Mayor and the City of London. When these letters were prepared,
the return of Grenville and Mordaunt from their secret mission was delayed
only in order that they might carry back word to Monk that the condition
upon which he insisted would be carried out, and that the King would move
from Flanders to Dutch territory. That design had to be carried out
promptly if it were to be carried out at all. There was good reason to
fear treachery on the part of Spain, and she might even so far break the
laws of hospitality as to prevent the King's change of abode, and so
cripple negotiations that might spoil her alliance with the anti-Royalist
party. It was only by the unexpected promptitude of the move that Charles
and his little Court were saved from possible delays which Spain could,
under the guise of punctilious courtesy, have interposed. Hyde had sure
information from an Irishman, then in Cardenas's employment, that such a
design was on foot. He at once communicated with Charles, and by three
o'clock in the morning, the King had started from Antwerp--which he had
already reached in his journey from Brussels to Breda. Before his
departure was known, he had already crossed the border.