374 granted this, she had her end, for he was still free; if they denied it, she might be satisfied in keeping him from surrendering him· selfe. Having contriv'd and written this letter, before she carried it to the coliouell, a friend came to her out of the house, neere which her lodgings then were, and told her that if they had but any ground to begin, the house was that day in a most excellent temper towards her husband; whereupon she writt her husband's name to the letter, and ventnr'd to send it in, being us'd sometimes to write the letters he dictated, and her character not much differing from his. These gentlemen who were moov'd to trie this opertunity, were not of the friends she relied on; but God, to shew that it was he, not they, sent two common friends, who had so good successe that the letter was very well receiv'd; and upon that occasion all of all parties spoke so kindly and effectually for him, that he had not only what he ·desi/d, but was voted to be free without any engagement, and his punishment only to be discbarg'd from the present parliament, and from all office, millitary .Or civil!, in the state for ever; and upon his petition of thankes for this, his estate alsoe was voted to be free from all mulcts a nd confiscations. Many providentiall circumstances concurr'd in this thing. That which put the house into so good a humour towards the collonell that day, was, that ha,·ing taken the businesse of the king's trial! into consideration, ceJteine committees were found to be appoynted, to order the preparation of the court, the chaires and cushions, and other formallities, wherein Coli. Hutchinson had nothing to doe ;' but when they had past their votes for his absolute discharge and came to the sitting of !!: In Nalson's Trial of Charles I. it appears, .that on Friday, Jan . 12, when a committee was appointed for ordering the trial, and many minute particulaJ s agreed to for the management of it, Col. Hutchinson was absent, but attended most other days. On Jan. !l5, however, when the sentence was suggested, he was absent, but was present at the signing, and himself signed the warrant for execution.
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