XXiv INTRODUCTION. time of Richard Cromwell, when his brother Robert was arrested at Kynsham Court, in Herefordshire, not without grounds of disaffec- tion to the Government. At the Restoration, Edward Harley was a zealous asserter of the royal cause, and met the King at Dover, and was shortly afterwards made Governor of Dunkirke, of which garrison he took immediate possession. During the short time he held that charge, he much improved and strengthened it ; and it is a fact which Marshal Schomberg owned to Sir Edward, when he came over with the Prince of Orange in 1688, " that the French had often during The Auditor's his time attempted to take it by surprise." a Lord Lansdown, in notes. n Quoted by his Vindication of General Monk, gives this account of Harley: b.-- Collins. " General Monk foresaw early what might happen to be the fate of Dunkirk, and took his precaution in the very beginning to preserve it, by placing Sir Edward Harley in the command, a man of public spirit, firm to the interests of his country, and not to be biassed, tempted, or deluded to be assistant in any thing contrary to it; which appeared clearly afterwards, for the first step taken, as soon as the treaty was projected, was to remove that gallant man, and place another General there." Nor was he deceived in the esti- mate of Sir Edward, for he strenuously opposed the sale of it to the French, and persevered so far with the House of Commons, to pass a resolution to prepare an Act, that it should never be alienated, but be part of the King's hereditary dominions. Neither threats or pro- mises could prevail with him to be a party to its surrender. It being known that he would refuse to deliver it up to the French, he was removed, but received a most honourable discharge of the trust from the King.* " When he took leave of the King before the Collins gives the commission for his appointment (14 July, 1660), and the'order for his giving up the town to Lord Retorfort or Rutherford (22 May, 1661), Lord R's dis- charge (28 May, 1661), and also King Charles's release (3 Dec. 1663).
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