their enemies once get the better of them, all such bills and indemnifications would be little regarded; and that to assume the crown would at once convert the quarrel into one not betwixt the king and the nation, but betwixt Charles Stuart and Oliver Cromwell. Cromwell admitted this, but asked what other course he could propose. Whitelock said that of making a good bargain with Charles, who was now down, and might be treated with just on what terms they pleased; or if they thought him too confirmed in his opinions, there was the duke of York or the duke of Gloucester. Cromwell did not appear pleased with this suggestion; in fact, he had resolved to seize the chief power in some shape himself—and even had he not, he had too much common sense to agree to admit any one of the deposed family again to the throne, which would be to put their necks in the certain noose of royal vengeance. The death of Charles I. could never be forgiven. From this time, Whitelock says, Cromwell, though he made no accusation against him, yet "his carriage towards him from that time was altered, and his advising with him not so frequent and intimate as before."
Cromwell again, however, broached the subject amongst the officers and members of the council—St. John, Lenthall, his speaker, Desborough, Harrison, Fleetwood, and Whalley, not in so direct a manner, but that "a settlement, with something of the monarchical in it, would be very effectual." It does not appear that the project was very unanimously received by them, but they were unanimous that a new representation must take place, and no "neuters" should be admitted. Cromwell said emphatically, "Never shall any of that judgment who have deserted the cause be admitted to power." On the 19th of April the debate on this subject was continued very warmly till midnight, and they separated, to continue the discussion till the next day. Most of the officers had argued that the parliament must be dissolved "one way or another;" but the parliament men and lawyers, amongst them Whitelock and Widdrington, contended that a hasty dissolution would be dangerous, and Cromwell appeared to lean towards the moderate view. But scarcely had they met the next morning, and found a strange absence of the members of parliament, and an almost equal absence of officers, when colonel Ingoldsby hastened in and informed them that the commons were hard at work pushing forward their bill for increasing their own numbers by the introduction of the neuters; and that it was evident that they meant to hurry it through the house before the council could be informed of their attempt. Vane and others, well aware of Cromwell's design, were thus exerting themselves to defeat it.
At this news Cromwell instantly ordered a file of musketeers to attend him, and hastened to the house of commons, attended by Lambert, Harrison, and some other officers. He left the soldiers in the lobby of the house, and entering, went straight to his seat, where he sate for some time listening to the debate. He first spoke to St. John, telling him that he was come for a purpose which grieved him to the very soul, and that he had sought the Lord with tears not to impose it upon him; but there was a necessity, and that the glory of God and the good of the nation required it. He then beckoned Harrison to him, and said that he judged that the parliament was ripe for dissolution, Harrison, who was a fifth-monarchy man, and had been only with much persuasion brought over to this design, replied, "Sir, the work is very great and dangerous; I desire you seriously to consider before you engage in it." "You say well," answered the general, and sate yet about a quarter of an hour longer. But when the question was about to be put, he said to Harrison, "This is the time; I must do it;" and starting up, he took off his hat, and began speaking. At first he spoke of the question before the house, and commended the parliament for much that it had done, and well he might; for whatever its present corruption, it had nobly supported him and the fleet and army in putting down all their enemies, and raising the nation in the eyes of foreigners far beyond its reputation for the last century. But soon he came round to the corruption and self-seeking of the members, accusing them of being at that moment engaged in the very work of bringing in the presbyterians to destroy all that they had suffered so much to accomplish. Sir Harry Vane and Peter Wentworth ventured to call him to order, declaring that that was strange and unparliamentary language from a servant of the house, and one that they hid so much honoured. "I know it," exclaimed Cromwell; then stepping forward into the middle of the floor, and putting on his hat, and walking to and fro, casting angry glances at different members, exclaimed, "I tell you, you are no parliament. I will put an end to your prating. For shame! get you gone! Give place to honest men; to men who will more faithfully discharge their trust. You are no longer a parliament. The Lord has done with you. He has chosen other instruments for carrying on his work."
With that he stamped upon the floor, and the soldiers appearing at the door, he bade Harrison bring them in. The musketeers instantly surrounded him, and laying his hand on the mace, he said, "What shall we do with this bauble? Take it away," and he handed it to a soldier. Then looking at Lenthall, the speaker, he said to Harrison, "Fetch him down!" Lenthall declared that he would not move from his proper post unless he were forced out of it. "Sir," said Harrison, "I will lend you a hand," and taking hold of him, he brought him down, and he walked out of the house. Algernon Sydney, then but a young member, happened to sit next to the speaker, and Cromwell said, "Put him out!" Sydney, like the speaker, refused to move, but Cromwell reiterated the command, "Put him out!" and Harrison and Worsley, the lieutenant-colonel of Cromwell's regiment of Ironsides, laying each a hand on his shoulder, the young patriot did not wait for the ignominy of being dragged from his seat, but rose and followed the speaker. Cromwell then went on weeding out the members, with epithets of high reproach to each of them. Alderman Allen bade him pause and send out the soldiers, and that all might yet be well; but Cromwell only replied, "It is you that have forced me upon this. I have sought the Lord day and night that he would rather slay me than put me upon this work." He then charged the alderman with embezzlement, as treasurer to the army, and taking first one and then another by the cloak, he said to Challoner, "Thou art a drunkard!" To Wentworth, "Thou art an adulterer!" To Marten, "Thou art a still more lewd character!" Vane,
