Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume IV.djvu/644

632 CLARENDON colored. The surface is diversified; part of the soil is fertile. The chief productions in 1870 were 218,417 bushels of Indian corn, 24,- 635 of peas and beans, 75,330 of sweet pota- toes, 5,016 bales of cotton, and 813,012 Ibs. of rice. There were 996 horses, 3,314 milch cows, 5,256 other cattle, 1,523 sheep, and 14,986 swine. Capital, Manning. CLAREKOUN, Edward Hyde, earl of, a British statesman and historian, born at Dinton, Wilt- shire, Feb. 18, 1608, died in Rouen, France, Dec. 9, 1674. His family belonged to the Eng- lish gentry, and had for several centuries been settled in Cheshire. He was educated at Mag- dalen hall, Oxford (1621-'6), and had been in- tended for the church ; but his destination was changed in consequence of the death of his elder brother, and he was entered in the Mid- dle Temple, of which his uncle, Sir N. Hyde, was treasurer. His studies were more miscel- laneous than legal, and he associated much with loose characters. He did not show appli- cation until after his marriage in 1629 with Anne Aylitfe, who died six months afterward. In 1632 he married Frances Aylesbury. The deaths of his father and uncle had a grave effect on his character, and ho applied himself to professional labors, yet not neglecting litera- ture or politics. Circumstances of a profes- sional nature brought him the acquaintance of Archbishop Laud, then the most powerful member of the government, by whom ho was much assisted, and whom he greatly assisted in return. Being chosen a member of the short parliament, which met April 13, 1640, he took the government side, though moderately, and was brought into collision with Hampden. On May 5 the parliament was dissolved by the king, a measure to which Hyde was opposed, boldly remonstrating with Laud on the subject. He was an advocate of practical reforms, and had the policy which he indicated been pur- sued, there can be little doubt that the British throne would have remained in possession of the house of Stuart. Hyde was chosen by Sal- tash to serve in the long parliament, Novem- ber, 1640. In the first proceedings of that cel- ebrated body he was as conspicuous a reformer as either Pym or Hampden. He led the way in the abolition of some of those abitrary tri- bunals by the use of which the Stuarts were seeking to make of England a monarchy af- ter the fashion of France, the earl marshal's court and the council of York especially. He took part in the proceedings against the judges who had been concerned in the ship-money busi- ness, and in the impeachment of Lord Keeper Finch, distinguishing himself particularly in the latter transaction. He was not so prominently concerned in the proceedings against Strafford, but yet was active in them. In the summer of 1641 Hyde separated himself from the re- formers, indications of his intention to do so having been afforded at an earlier date. He broke with them on church questions, and his decision was apparently hastened by his dis- covery of the republican leanings of some of their chiefs. He attracted the king's attention, and they had an interview just before Charles made a visit to Scotland. From that time dates his connection with the Stuarts. lie was one of those who, although opposed to arbitrary power, believed the parliament had gone far enough. The house of commons was beginning to evince an arbitrary disposition on some points, while the litter faithlessness of the king was un- known to the world. A reaction had com- menced, but Charles knew not how to profit by it. The Irish rebellion and other circum- stances were sufficient to set the popular tide in favor of the parliament again, when the bringing forward of the " grand remon- strance," in which all the king's crimes and errors were clearly set forth, led to a close con- test in parliament, the result of which showed that the reformers were carrying matters too far, as they triumphed by only 11 majority. Hyde was very conspicuous in opposition, and narrowly escaped being sent to the tower. The king's answer to the remonstrance was writ- ten by Hyde, and is an able state paper. Sen- sible of Hyde's talents, the king determined to associate him with Falkland and Colepeper as his chief ministers and advisers. He refused to accept office, but the three constitutional royalists were to meet 'often, to consult on the king's affairs, and to conduct them in parlia- ment, the monarch asking their advice, and solemnly pledging himself to take no step in parliament without that advice ; a pledge which he kept after his usual fashion. All three were of service to him, meeting every night, generally at Hyde's house, he doing all the writing that was necessary, and correspond- ing with the king. The suspicions of the other party were directed to him, but this could not have proved injurious if the king had acted with common honesty. In violation of his pledge to Hyde and his associates, as well as in violation of law, he endeavored to seize the "five members," an act that not only made civil war inevitable, but set the country once more against the king. Hyde says they were absolute strangers to the royal counsels, and detested them. Still he remained the royal adviser, and aided the king with his pen. He opposed the bill to remove the bishops from the house of peers. In the dispute between the king and parliament respecting the militia, Hyde was the author of the ablest royal papers, all written in a constitutional spirit. The king had left London, and he summoned Hyde to , York, to the vicinity of which he went in May, 1642. The war began three months later, but negotiations were commenced for an accom- modation, and Hyde's services were put in requisition. In 1643 he was made chancellor of the exchequer, knighted, and sworn of the privy council. On the death of Falkland the king offered to make him secretary of state, but he declined the appointment. It was by his advice that parliament was summoned to