which was universal, will by this means become in effect a private controversy only. Before it was national, what kind of government we should have? Now it will become particular, who shall be governour? Whether of the family of he Stuarts or of the family of the Cromwells? Thus the state of our controversy being totally changed, all those who were for a commonwealth (and they are a very great and considerable party) having their hopes therein frustrate, will desert you; your hands will be weakened, your interests straightened, and your cause in apparent danger to be ruined." Cromwell confessed he spoke reason, and desired to know if he could find any other expedient. Whitlock, after suggesting the danger he was in from his own officers and from the Parliament, who were plotting to bring him down, or to clip his wings, proceeded thus: "Pardon me, Sir, in the next place, a little to consider the condition of the King of Scots. This prince being now by your valour, and the success which God has given to the Parliament, and to the army under your command, reduced to a very low condition, both he and all about him cannot but be very inclinable to hearken to any terms, whereby their last hopes may be revived of his being restored to the crown, and they to their fortunes and native country. By a private treaty with him, you may secure yourself and your friends, and their fortunes: you may make yourself and prosterity as great and permanent, to all human probability, as ever any subject was, and provide for your friends. You may put such limits to monarchical power, as will secure our spiritual and civil liberties: and you may secure the cause in which we are all engaged. And this may be effectually done, by having the power of the militia continued in yourself, and whom you shall agree upon after you." Cromwell adjourned the discourse to some farther time, and went off with a countenance and carriage of displeasure. And Whitlock says, "That Cromwell's carriage toward him from that time was altered, and his advising with him not so frequent and intimate as before; and, that it was not long after, he found an occasion, by an honourable employment, to send him out of the way, that he might be no obstacle or impediment to his ambitious designs." For certainly Cromwell in his thoughts and intentions, was for bringing the crown upon his own head; and it was a great providence that his friends would not permit him to have his own way. However, to carry it as far as it would bear, he and his officers were always complaining of the grievance of the Long Parliament, and were zealous and loud in recommending to the people the common pretences of right and justice, and public liberty, to put a period to their session; and if they would not shortly do it themselves, the army and the people must do it for them. (Compleat History of England, ed. W. Kennett, 2nd ed., Lond., 1719, III, 204.) 170. Richard Cromwell becomes Lord Protector Kennet At the death of Oliver Cromwell, his son Richard was called to office. The following selection gives the proclamation made at the installation, and also gives a very valuable account of the character of the new ruler. Whereas it has pleased the most wise God in his providence to take out of this world the most serene and renowned Oliver, late Ld. Protector of his Commonwealth: And his highness having in his life-time, according to the Humble Petition and Advice declared and appointed the most noble and illustrious the Lord Richard, eldest son of his late Highness, to succeed him in the government of these nations, we therefore of the Privy Council, together with the LordMayor, aldermen and citizens of London, the officers of the army, and numbers of other principal gentlemen, do now hereby with one full voice and consent of tongue and heart, publish and declare the said noble and illustrious Lord Richard to be rightful Protector of this Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland, and the dominions and territories thereto belonging: To whom we do acknowledge all fidelity and constant obedience, according to law, and the said Humble Petition and Advice, with all hearty and humble affections beseeching the Lord, by whom princes rule, to bless him with long life, and these nations with peace and happiness under his government. (signed) Richard Chiverton, Mayor. God save his Highness Richard Lord Protector. Then the Council proceeded to give the oath of government to the new Protector, who published a proclamation for all officers to continue in their places; and the master of the ceremonies was ordered to acquaint all foreign ministers with the death of the late Protector, and the succession of his son Richard; which soon brought over many new ambassadors and envoys from the neighbour princes and States, all admitted with due ceremony to a solemn audience given by his Highness, to condole the death of his father, and to congratulate his succession to the government; while infinite adresses came up from all parts of the three kingdoms, to compliment the new Protector with mighty professions of public joy and satisfaction, and with solemn resolutions and promises of adhering to him against all his enemies. And indeed the general exultation of the people and armies was so very great upon this new succession, that it must be imputed more to the common sense of deliverance from one tyrant, than to their hopes or expectations from this other Protector; who was raised to the government without any respect or good opinion in the minds of the people or the soldiers. For he had been neither a military man nor a statesman; rather an honest country gentleman, bred to privacy and sports, and willing to serve his neighbours, and even the cavaliers, by the little interest he had in his father's court. His own father seemed to have the least affection and lowest opinion of this son, among all his other children: He never trusted him in any command, nor employed him in any true business: He made him indeed Chancellor of Oxford, and put him at the top of the other House in Parliament: but this was rather for the honour of his family, than for the love of his son. He never let him into any secrets of policy nor any arts of war; and therefore it is plain, he never designed him for his successor, because he never trained him up to it. (Kennett, ed. cit., III, p. 228.) CHAPTER XXIII THE RESTORATION 171. The Declaration of Breda Parliamentary History In the Declaration of Breda Charles II. set forth the principles on which he promised to rule England. The difference between these promises and their fulfilment presents an interesting study on the theory and practice of kingcraft. Charles R. Charles, by the grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, etc. To all our loving subjects, of what degree or quality soever, greeting. If the general distraction and confusion which is spread over the whole kingdom doth not awaken all men to a desire and longing that those wounds which have so many years together been kept bleeding, may be bound up, all we can say will be to no purpose; however, after this long silence, we have thought it our duty to declare how much we desire to contribute thereunto; and that as we can never give over the hope, in good time, to obtain the possession of that right which God and nature hath made our due, so we do make it our daily suit to the Divine Providence, that He will, in compassion to us and our subjects after so long misery and sufferings, remit and put us into a quiet and peaceable possession of that our right, with as little blood and damage to our people as is possible; nor do we desire more to enjoy what is ours, than that all our subjects may enjoy what by law is theirs, by a full and entire administration of justice throughout the land, and by extending our mercy where it is wanted and deserved. And to the end that the fear of punishment may not engage any, conscious to themselves of what is past, to a perseverance in guilt for the future, by opposing the quiet and happiness of their country, in the restoration of King, Peers and people to their just, ancient and fundamental rights, we do, by these presents, declare, that we do grant a free and general pardon, which we are ready, upon demand, to pass under our Great Seal of England, to all our subjects, of what degree or quality soever, who, within forty days after the publishing hereof,shall lay hold upon this our grace and favour, and shall, by any public act, declare their doing so, and that they return to the loyalty and obedience of good subjects; excepting only such persons as shall hereafter be excepted by Parliament, those only to be excepted. Let all our subjects, how faulty soever, rely upon the word of a King, solemnly given by this present declaration, that no crime whatsoever, committed against us or our royal father before the publication of this, shall ever rise in judgment, or be brought in question, against any of them, to the least endamagement of them, either in their lives, liberties or estates, or (as far forth as lies in our power) so much as to the prejudice of their reputations, by any reproach or term of distinction from the rest of our best subjects; we desiring and ordaining that henceforth all notes of discord, separation and difference of parties be utterly abolished among all our subjects, whom we invite and conjure to a perfect union among themselves, under our protection, for the re-settlement of our just rights and theirs in a free Parliament, by which, upon the word of a King, we will be advised. And because the passion and uncharitableness of the times have produced several opinions in religion, by which men are engaged in parties and animosities against each other (which, when they shall hereafter unite in a freedom of conversation, will be composed or better understood), we do declare a liberty to tender consciences, and that no man shall be disquieted or called in question for differences of opinion in matter of religion, which do not disturb the peace of the kingdom; and that we shall be ready to consent to such an Act of Parliament, as, upon mature deliberation, shall be offered to us, for the full granting that indulgence. And because in the continued distractions of so many years, and so many and great revolutions, many grants and purchases of estates have been made to and by many officers, soldiers and others, who are now possessed of the same, and who may be liable to actions at law upon several titles, we are likewise willing that all such differences, and all things relating to such grants, sales and purchases, shall be deter |