(Vol. v., p. 496.)
Your Querist E. S. TAYLOR will find an interesting account of the manner in
which a pardon was obtained for John Trenchard, afterwards secretary of
state under William III., in MR. HEPWORTH DIXON'S work on William Penn. MR.
TAYLOR is evidently wrong in supposing that the pardon, of which he
furnishes a copy, was issued in 1688, and at the very critical period to
which he refers it. It was issued in 1686, that being the third year,
reckoning by the old style, of King James's reign; so that his quotation
from Pepys, and his suggestion of a reason for the pardon, are beside the
purpose. It appears from MR. DIXON'S account, that William Penn was the
mediator between Trenchard and the king; but the circumstances which led to
it were so curious, that I transcribe part of the statement from page 276
of the new edition.
"Lawton, a young man of parts and spirit, had attracted Penn's notice;
in politics he was a state whig, and it was at his instance that he had
braved the king's frown by asking a pardon for Aaron Smith. One day
over their wine at Popples, where Penn had carried Lawton to dine, he
said to his host, 'I have brought you such a man as you never saw
before; for I have just now asked him how I might do something for
himself, and he has desired me to obtain a pardon for another man! I
will do that if I can; but,' he added, turning to Lawton, 'I should be
glad if thou wilt think of some kindness for thyself.' 'Ah,' said
Lawton, after a moment's thought, 'I can tell you how you might indeed
prolong my life.' 'How so?' returned the mediator, I am no physician.'
Lawton answered, 'There is Jack Trenchard in exile; if you could get
leave for him to come home with safety and honour, the drinking of a
bottle now and then with Jack would make me so cheerful that it would
prolong my life.' They laughed at the pleasantry, and Penn promised to
do what he could. He went away to the Lord Chancellor, got him to join
in the solicitation, and in a few days the future secretary was
pardoned and allowed to return to England."
It appears also frown MR. DIXON'S narrative, that Trenchard was employed by
Penn to dissuade James from his bigoted and violent course, and that he had
interviews with the king for this purpose. MR. TAYLOR will find in the same
place curious particulars, given on the authority of Lawton himself,
concerning the intrigues which preceded the fall of James.