Lord," as Pepys always affectionately calls
his patron, was pledged to the King, and was managing most discreetly
in his interest.[2]--But the power of Montague, as Commander-in-chief
of the Navy only, was nothing in comparison with Monk's. How was Monk
comporting himself? Most cautiously to the last. Though it was the
policy of his biographers afterwards, and agreeable to himself, that
his conduct from the date of his march out of Scotland should be
represented as a slow and continuous working on towards the one end
of the King's restoration, the truth seems to be that he clung to the
notion of some kind of Commonwealth longer than most people, and made
up his mind for the King only when circumstances absolutely compelled
him. With the Army, or a great part of it, to back him, he might
resist and impede the restoration of Charles; but, as things now
were, could he prevent it ultimately? Why not himself manage the
transaction, and reap the credit and advantages, rather than leave it
to be managed by some one else and be himself among the ruined? That
he had been later than others in sending Charles his adhesion was no
matter. He had gained consequence by the very delay. He was no longer
merely commander of an Army in Scotland, but centre and chief of all
the Armies; he was worth more for Charles's purposes than all the
others put together; and Charles knew it! So Monk had been reasoning
for some time; and it was on the 17th of March, the day after the
dissolution of the Parliament of the Secluded Members, that his
ruminations had taken practical effect. Even then his way of
committing himself was characteristic. His kinsman, Sir John
Greenville, the same who had been commissioned to negotiate with him
when he was in Scotland, was again the agent. With the utmost
privacy, only Mr. Morrice being present as a third party, Monk had
received Greenville at St. James's, acknowledged his Majesty's
gracious messages, and given certain messages for his Majesty in
return. He would not pen a line; Greenville was to convey the
messages verbally. They included such recommendations to his Majesty
as that he should smooth the way for his return by proclaiming a
pardon and indemnity in as wide terms as possible, a guarantee of
all sales and conveyances of lands under the Commonwealth, and a
liberal measure of Religious Toleration; but the most immediate and
practical of them all was that his Majesty should at once leave the
Spanish dom