Page:Diary of the times of Charles II Vol. I.djvu/75

Rh impeachment, containing six articles. The two first, which they built most upon, was what Mr. Montague's letters furnished, which they divided into two articles, which went by the name of High Treason. The treating with the King of France for peace, as they must suppose without the knowledge of the King, because these letters bore date the 25th, and the King's revealed will declared in Parliament on the 20th—was for the raising of the army to go on with a thorough war with France. They say this is treason, and therefore they impeached him of traitorously assuming the regal power to himself in treating of peace and war of his own Council. The other was about the breach of the Act of Parliament in keeping up the army. These were the two acts of treason; the others are misdemeanors of a great kind too long to write; but it was their intent, by putting in treason, to have obliged the Lords to have committed him, and then they made no question but to have proved all upon him; but, after a long debate, it was found not to be treason according to the Act, and that for declaratory treason. Only the Lords would not allow of the sequestering him of his place in the House as the Commons requested. This they carried clear, and