Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/19

Rh in order to concert with him the means of maintaining themselves in their posts. Reflection, however, soon pointed out to him, the impossibility of the distracted government then in possession of power, being long permanent, except by the restoration of the King; he therefore sent Sir Arthur Forbes to Charles II: to assure him of his zealous attachment, and to offer to declare for his majesty if he would come over to Ireland. To this offer Charles returned his most hearty thanks, but declined coming to Ireland; and he furnished Sir Arthur Forbes with letters and commissions for the friends of loyalty in that country. Sir Charles Coote had, in the meanwhile, much strengthened the royal interest, and had obtained sufficient influence with a council of officers, to induce them to vote not to receive Colonel Ludlow as their commander-in-chief; and they also took possession of Athlone, Drogheda, Limerick, Dublin, and other places, for the service of the King. He then sent over to Monk, to acquaint him with the progress he had made in securing Ireland; who was greatly delighted with the news, and sent back the messenger with letters of thanks, desiring him not to restore the commissioners of the Parliament, (whom they had seized,) to the exercise of their authority. Soon after Sir Charles and some others, sent to the Parliament a charge of high treason against Colonel Ludlow, Colonel John Jones, Colonel Tomlinson, and Miles Corbet: but the opposite party in Ireland resolved to seize Sir Charles and his friends. Having notice of their intention, he mounted on horseback, and rode about the streets, attended by a vast concourse of people, and declared for a free parliament. He likewise made himself master of Dublin Castle, and expelled Sir Hardress Waller, from the command of the army. To recommend himself further to the King, he apprehended John Coke, chief justice of Ireland, who had been solicitor-general at the trial of Charles I. It is remarkable that, notwithstanding he had done all this, the Rump Parliament still imagined him at heart attached to their cause, and actually, on the 5th of January, 1660,