Diary of the times of Charles II/Volume 1/The Earl of Sunderland to Mr. Sidney, January 13,1679-1680
THE EARL OF SUNDERLAND TO MR. SIDNEY.
Sir,
The express I sent you on New Year's Day returned last Saturday night, with yours of the 5-15th, which being read next day before the King at the Committee of Intelligence, his Majesty bid me tell you that he is very well satisfied with the success your negotiation will, in all appearance, have; and that he does entirely approve of all your proceedings in it, as having done what you ought in pursuance of the orders he sent you.
This day Sir Gilbert Gerrard, accompanied with several others, presented the Westminster petition for the sitting of Parliament to the King, saying it was from thousands of his Majesty's subjects in Westminster and places adjacent. The King answered that he took himself for the head of the government, and the only judge of what was fit to be done in such cases, and that he should do what he thought best for the good of himself and his people; telling Sir Gilbert, likewise, he did not expect to find a Gerrard in such a thing, and particularly him; that he was sorry for it. Whereupon Sir Gilbert would have said something to the King, but he would not hear him. The principal persons that accompanied Sir Gilbert were Desborough, Ireton, Charlton, Wilson, and Crisp, the two first of which were the sons or other near relations of the Regicides.
The King intended to have writ to the Prince this post, but the Counsel sate very late, which hindered him. In the mean time, pray assure his Highness the King considers his interest as his own.
Yours most humbly,