rted from Monmouth but a few hours since. The neighbouring country was
immediately and thoroughly searched, and James had ere night the
satisfaction of learning that his nephew was in his power. The
unfortunate duke was discovered in a ditch, half concealed by fern and
nettles. His stock of provision, which consisted of some peas gathered
in the fields through which he had fled, was nearly exhausted, and there
is reason to think that he had little, if any other sustenance, since he
left Bridgewater on the evening of the 5th. To repose he had been
equally a stranger; how his mind must have been harassed, it is needless
to discuss. Yet that in such circumstances he appeared dispirited and
crestfallen, is, by the unrelenting malignity of party writers, imputed
to him as cowardice and meanness of spirit. That the failure of his
enterprise, together with the bitter reflection that he had suffered
himself to be engaged in it against his own better judgment, joined to
the other calamitous circumstances of his situation, had reduced him to a
state of despondency, is evident; and in this frame of mind, he wrote, on
the very day of his capture, the following letter to the king:

"Sir,--Your majesty may think it the misfortune I now lie under makes
me make this application to you; but I do assure your majesty, it is
the remorse I now have in me of the wrong I have done you in several
things, and now in taking up arms against you. For my taking up arms,
it was never in my thought since the king died: the Prince and
Princess of Orange will be witness for me of the assurance I gave
them, that I would never stir against you. But my misfortune was such
as to meet with some horrid people, that made me believe things of
your majesty, and gave me so many false arguments, that I was fully
led away to believe that it was a shame and a sin before God not to do
it. But, sir, I will not trouble your majesty at present with many
things I could say for myself, that I am sure would move your
compassion; the chief end of this letter being only to beg of you,
that I may have that happiness as to speak to your majesty; for I have
that to say to you, sir, that I hope may give you a long and happy
reign.

"I am sure, sir, when you hear me, you will be convinced of the zeal I
have of your preservation, and how heartily I repent of what I have
done. I can say no more to your majesty now,