For these reasons when that unfortunate, misguided monarch was (afier a pretended trial) condemned to die, and the Prince of Orange taking vast jiains to save him, or at least to stay the execution, sent over such relations of the leading men in the army as ihey thought could influence them, applied to this gentleman, he very readily undertook the task with the greatest expectation of succeeding in so desirable a business; wherefore taking credential letters from the Slates; with letters, with the King's and Piince of Wales' signet, and both confirmed by the States, offering Oliver his own terms in case he would prevent the fatal sentence from being carried into execution, lie hastened to England. He found his cousin Oliver, the lieutenant general, at home. It was with difficulty he gained admittance, as he kept his chamber and ordered himself to be denied. Upon his introduction to Oliver, after the usual compliments between relations, he began to mention the horrid crime intended to be committed, and after a very

» This family have conferred tl)eir name upon a small brook in the vicinity of Bye pond.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 253

free harrangue upon its atrocity, the indelible stain it would be to thenniion, and in wliat a light it was bthel 1 upon the continent, added, 'that, of all men living, he thou2:ht he would never have had any hand Id it, who, in his hearing, had protested so much to the King.' Oliver replied, it was not hinij but the army ; and though he did once say such words, yet now times were altered, and Providence seemed to order things otherwise, adding that he had prayed and fasted for the King but no return that way was yet made to him. Upon which the colonel stepped a little back and hastily shut the door, which made Oliver suppose he was going to be assassinated ; but the other, taking out his papers, said to him, 'Cou-in, this is no time to trifle with words, see here, it is now in your own power not only to make yourself, but your family, relations, and posterity happy and honorable for ever ; otherwise, as they have changed their name before, from Williams to Cromwell, so now they must be forced to change it again, for this act will bring such an ignominy upon the whole o-eneration of them that no lime will be able to deface.' After a pause Oliver said, 'Cousin, I desire you will give me till night to consider it, and do you go to your own inn and not to bed till you hear from me.'