Of Fleming’s present ‘business’ with Fairfax, whether it were to solicit promotion here, or continued employment in Ireland, nothing can be known. The War, which proved to be but the ‘First War, is now, as we said, to all real intents, ended: Ragland Castle, the last that held-out for Charles, has been under siege for some weeks; and Fairfax, who had been at ‘the Bath for his health, was now come or coming into those parts for the peremptory reduction of it.[1] There have begun now to be discussions and speculations about sending men to Ireland,[2] about sending Massey (famed Governor of Gloucester) to Ireland with men, and then also about disbanding Massey’s men.
Exactly a week before, 24th July 1646, the united Scots and Parliamentary Commissioners have presented their ‘Propositions’ to his Majesty at Newcastle: Yes or No, is all the answer they can take. They are most zealous that he should say Yes. Chancellor Loudon implores and prophesies in a very remarkable manner: ‘All England will rise against you; they,’ these Sectarian Parties, ‘will process and depose you, and set-up another Government,’ unless you close with the Propositions. His Majesty, on the 1st of August (writing at Newcastle, in the same hours whilst Cromwell writes this in London), answers in a haughty way, No.[3]
August 10th. The Parliamentary Commissioners have returned, and three of the leading Scots with them,—to see what is now to be done. ‘The ‘Chancellor’ who comes with Argyle is Loudon, the Scotch Chancellor, a busy man in those years. Fairfax is at Bath; and ‘the Solicitor,’ St. John the Shipmoney Lawyer, is there with him.
