Page:Life of Sir William Petty 1623 – 1687.djvu/18

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LIFE OF SIR WILLIAM PETTY
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Civil Survey—The Down Survey commenced—Henry Cromwell succeeds General Fleetwood in Dublin—Dr. Petty's methods of work and assistants—Employment of soldiers as surveyors on the spot and of skilled artists at head-quarters—Quarrels amongst the officers—Firmness of Henry Cromwell—He is appointed Lord Deputy—The survey completed and approved by the Council—The adventurers entrust the survey of their lands to Dr. Petty—Dr. Petty carries out this survey also—The distribution of the army lands—Violence of the officers—Dr. Petty resists the rapacity of the army—He is supported by Henry Cromwell—The struggle embittered by the political situation—Payment of Dr. Petty in land—Embarrassed condition of the finances of the Commonwealth—The distribution of the adventurers' lands—Journey to England to meet the committee of adventurers—Death of Oliver Cromwell—Dr. Petty returns to Ireland—Carries out the distribution of the adventurers' lands—Opinion of Lord Clarendon and of Sir Thomas Larcom—Effects of the rapidity with which the survey was completed 23

CHAPTER III.

1658-1660.

Discontent of the army—Quarrels among the claimants—Sir Hierome Sankey—Struggle between the party of the Protector and the Anabaptists—The struggle extends to Ireland—Sir Hierome Sankey attacks Dr. Petty—Various attempts to ruin Dr. Petty—Offer of a military command—Henry Cromwell appoints Dr. Petty private secretary and additional clerk to the Council—Effect of the death of the Protector—Controversy in regard to the distribution of the lands before the Council in Dublin—A committee appointed—They approve Dr. Petty's conduct—Dr. Petty elected Member of Parliament—Account of an Irish election in 1659—Sir Hierome Sankey attacks him in Parliament—Dr. Petty's speech in Parliament—Support given by Henry Cromwell to Dr. Petty—Dissolution of Parliament—Fall of the Cromwellian party—Dr. Petty dismissed from all his employments—Retires to Ireland—Renewed attacks of Sir Hierome Sankey—Disappearance of Sir Hierome Sankey—Dr. Petty publishes a defence of his conduct—His imprudent use of ridicule and satire—He commences a History of the Survey—He returns to England—The Rota Club—Dr. Petty's conduct at the Restoration 69

CHAPTER IV.

1660-1667.

The Oxford Philosophical Society removes to London—Meetings at Gresham College—Extracts from the Journal—The King affects the society of scientific men—Shows special interest in the researches of Dr. Petty—The Duke of York—Attempts to undermine the confidence of the King in Dr. Petty—He is denounced for acting as trustee for the family