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136 BOYLE. sovereign; and the plan being approved of by them, he went to London to wait for his passport. The committee of state, who were then at the head of the government, were ever on the watch to discover the designs of the partisans of Charles, and spared no money to procure intelligence. The Lord Broghill's abilities were too well known to them, his principles they had every reason to suspect were unfavourable to their govern- ment, and his every motion was watched. His secret intentions were soon discovered, and the committee re- solved upon making him an example to deter the friends of the king from exerting themselves in his behalf. From this resolution they were, however, diverted by Cromwell, who had just been appointed to the command of the forces in Ireland, and who was aware what essential service might be rendered him in that office by the interest of Lord Broghill, and his intimate acquaintance with the country, the subjugation of which he was about to attempt. He represented these reasons to the committee, of which he was a member, and prevailed on them to allow him to talk with Lord Broghill, previous to proceeding to extre- mities. Having obtained this permission, he immediately dispatched a gentleman to Lord Broghill, requesting to know at what hour it would be convenient for the general to wait upon him. Lord Broghill was much surprised at this message, never having bad the slightest acquaintance with Crom well, and he informed the messenger, that he must be mistaken in the person to whom the message was sent. The gentleman, however, insisting that it was to the Lord Broghill, his lordship requested him to inform his master, that he would wait upon him if he knew when he would be at leisure, and added, that in the mean time he would remain at home to receive the general's answer.ad Relying upon the honour of those he had entrusted with his secret, he did not entertain the slightest idea that his intentions had been discovered, and he remained at home