The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register. (Wilmington, Del.) 1824-1825, 1825-01-27

0f laW Wlthout mercy. TeruaPo ~ WooAu
have been better for Charles had he done
the same. But strange indeed, and most I'M
accountable is the inconsistency of human
actions; while the English nation submitted
to Hcnry's tyranny with somplacency, they
WINGED under the milder government of
Charles; and while one was the object
of their unlimited adulation, they heap
ed upon the other hatred and obloquy, both
equally unmerited.
1t were needless to enter into detail OF the
sufferings of this unhappy prince under the
hypocrtical Cromwell and that insatiate
parliament which could be reconciled to no
covenant of peace unless it were sealed with
the blood of the rightful sovereign.
There is however, one passage in the life
of Charles which places him in very inter
esting point of view, and exhibits the ener-
gies of his character, even when broken
down by misfortune, to much advantage. We
are informed that during his residence at
Carisbrook castle, in the Isle of Wight, to
which place he had fed for protection, and
where it is believed, he dwelt more as
prisoner than guest, fifteen commissioners
were sent thither by the parliament to treat
with them. He was allowed to have few
of his friends to consult with on this occa-
sion, and on certain day the Eegociaton
commenced. "When the king presented
himself to this company" says Hume, "a
great and sensible alteration was remarked
in his aspect from what it appeared the year
before, when he resided at Hampton Court
The moment his servants had been re-
moved he had laid aside all care of his per-
son and allowed his beard and hairto grow
and hang disheveled and neglected. His
hair was become almost entirely grey; either
from the decline of years, or from that load
of sorrow under which he labored, and which,
though borne with consistency, preyed in
wardly on his sensible and tender mind
His friends beheld with compassion, and
perhaps even his enemies that grey and
dscrowned head, as he himself terms it, in
copy of verses which the truth of the sem
timent, rather than any elegance Of express
ion, renders very pathetic. Having in vain
endeavored by courage to defend his throne
from his armed adYersarics, it now beloved
him, by reasoning and persuasion, to save
some fragments oft from these peaceful, and
no less implacabe negociators. The vigor
ofthe kings mind, notwithstanding the seem
ing decline of his body, here appeared I'M
broken and undecayed, The parliamentary
commissioners would allow none of his conn
sci to be present, and refused to enter into
reasoning with any but himself He alone,
during the transactions of two months, was
obliged to maintain the arguments against
fifteen men Of the greatest parts and capa-
city in both houses; and no advantage was
ever obtained over him." 1t must indeed
have been deeply interesting spectacle to
behold the oppressed and sorrow stricken
monarch thus standing forth in the majesty
Of mind, and ascertng-nay, unfolding the
justice of his claims against the combined
attack OF host Of interchangeable adversarics
1t is an incontrovertable evidence thatCharles
could not be rightfully charged with mental
imbecility; but unfortunately the capacity to
compass and the energy to perform, did not
IN him possess the ground of equaity-He
had strength of intellect to form the purpose
but it frequently failed to bear him through
in the accomplishment. 1t was rather adapt
ed to design than action.
The loyal advice which he gave to his
young son the duke of Glocestcr, in an in
terview with him short time before his
death, has something in it very simple and
pathetic. Holding him on his knee, he
said, Now they will cut off thy fathers head"
At these words the child looked very stead
lastly upon him, mark child what | say;
they will cut off my head and perhaps
make thee king; but mark what / say,
thou must not be a King, as long as thy
IFotncrs SHdrleS ana James are allyc.
They will cut off thy brothers heads when
they can catch them and thy head too they
will cut of at last therefore, / charge thee,
not to be made a king by them'' The
duke, signing, replied, 81 will be torn to
peices first" At this answer it is said the
eyes of the king were filled with tears of Joy
and admiration.
The camness and patience with which
the unhappy king bore the insults and inu-
ries which were heaped upon him by his en-
cmies is Worry of some attention; and we
may justly infer that it was owing in no in.
considerable degree to that warm feeling Of
religious devotion which ran through his
Character, and yielded him in adversely and
suffering, his best and purest consolation
What a pity that prince of SO amiable a
department, should have lived in an age, to
the temper Of which he was so entirely I'M
lifted, and among people whom he was SC
lilly calculated to govern. Had Charles APP
peared at a later period of the world We
have reason to believe that his reign might
have been honorable, and his government
satisfactory and happy. AS it was, his owr
times consigned him to ignominy, and pos
serity has gwen him to calumny and re-
proach.
NAVY OF THE UNITED STATES.