country when this spirit was at its height by a successful struggle against court oppression; and while it was conducted and supported by a set of the greatest geniuses for government the world ever saw.'

CHAPTER. X.

FROM CROMWELL'S SUMMONS OF THE LITTLE

PARLIAMENT, TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF HIS PROTECTORATE.

Measures of Cromwell upon the Dissolution-He Summons a Parliament by his Personal Authority-His Investiture of this Little Parliament-Reflections-Resignation of its Powers by the Parliament-Real Merits of that AssemblyLord Clarendon's Observations Disproved-The Officers choose Cromwell LORD PROTECTOR-New Constitution of the Government-Repose of the Nation-Compliments and Friendly Advances from Foreign States-Peace with France and Hostilities with Spain-Reflections upon the Protector's Choice of Enemies-Anecdote of Admiral Blake and his Seamen in Spain-Treaties with Holland, Denmark, and Portugal-High Tone of Cromwell with those Nations and the Rest of the Continent-Singular Conclusion of the Portuguese Treaty.

THE Parliament being dissolved, Cromwell, two days afterward, with the assistance of his council of officers, framed and published a

Declaration,' in which that strong proceeding was ingeniously attempted to be justified. In this document, however, we find no mention of those constitutional grounds, which might very fairly have been brought forward to excuse it,

in some measure, at least.

Notwithstanding,

several of them were at the time stated by one writer, in a very curious political work:* which justly censured the form of government established by the Parliament, as an oligarchy;' as a 'council without balance;' as 'a Parliament, consisting of a single assembly elected by the people, and invested with the whole power of the government, without any covenants, conditions, or orders whatsoever.' In truth, had Cromwell taken up such grounds for his defence, he would himself have nullified them by his subsequent conduct. For, after appointing a new council of state, pro tempore, to conceal from the people that they were in reality become subject to a purely military power, he very shortly after resolved upon setting up a form of government yet more oligarchical; a council, (in so far as it included, and was directed by, instead of checking his own power,) yet more without balance; a Parliament, elected not by the people, but by himself! Accordingly, he sent circulars into every county of England, to this effect:

"Forasmuch as, upon the dissolution of the late Parliament, it became necessary that the peace, safety, and good government of this commonwealth should be provided for: in order whereunto, di

Harrington's Commonwealth of Oceana.

A A

vers persons, fearing God, and of approved fidelity and honesty, are by myself, with the advice of my council of officers, nominated; to whom the great charge and trust of so weighly affairs is to be committed; and having good assurance of their love to, and courage for God, and interest for his cause, and of the good people of this commonwealth: I, OLIVER CROMWELL, Captain-general and Commander-in-chief of all the armies and forces raised, and to be raised, in this commonwealth, do hereby summon and require you, A. B. (being one of the said persons nominated) personally to be and appear at the council-chamber in Whitehall, within the city of Westminster, upon the fourth day of July next ensuing the date hereof; then and there to take upon you the said trust, unto which you are herehy called and appointed, to serve as a member for the county of : and hereof you are not to fail. Given under my hand and seal the sixth day of June, 1653. "O CROMWELL."

In pursuance of this singular call, by much the greater number of those to whom the letters had been sent, appeared at Whitehall on the day appointed. When they were seen to comprise many of the chief officers of the Army and Navy; divers of the quality and degree of gentlemen, who had estates,' (according to Lord Clarendon); together with some few, perhaps, (and not the major part, as his Lordship exaggeratingly says), inferior persons, of no quality or name, artificers of the meanest trades, known only by their gifts in praying and preaching-which was now practised by all degrees of men, but scholars, throughout the kingdom.' Whitelock more temperately remarks, that it was much wondered by some, that these gentlemen, many of them being per

sons of fortune and knowledge, would, at this summons, and from these hands, take upon them the supreme authority of the nation, considering how little authority Cromwell and his officers had to give it, or those gentlemen to take it but it was accepted by them.' The manner of their investiture, as given in the next ensuing Mercurius Politicus, is perfectly characteristic.

Whitehall, July 4, 1653. The gentlemen that were called to the supreme authority met, to the number of above one hundred and twenty, in the Council-chamber; and, being set round about the table, the Lord-general standing by the window opposite to the middle of the table, and having as many of the army officers as the room could well contain on his right hand and on his left, his Lordship made a very grave, christian, and reasonable speech and exhortation to them; wherein he briefly recounted the many great and wondrous mercies of God towards this nation; he set forth also the progress of affairs since the famous victory at Worcester, wherein that arch enemy of this nation (Charles II.) was wholly subdued. He likewise laid down the actings of the Army thereupon; together with the grounds and necessity of their dissolving the Parliament, which his Excellency declared to be for the preservation of this cause, and the interest of all honest men who have been engaged therein. Moreover, he very amply held forth the clearness of the call given to the present members, to take upon them the supreme authority; and did from the scriptures exhort them to their duties, and encourage them therein; desiring that a tenderness might be used towards all godly and conscientious persons, of what judgment or under what form soever. Which