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CHAP. XXVIII.

English affairs and reflexions on revolution-Restoration of Charles the second-Violent dissentions-Declaration of settlement-Restoration of episcopacy— Discontents-A parliament—Debates in London on Irish affairs—Act of settlement-Discontents from the execution of the act of settlement-ConspiraciesDefeat of the conspiracies-Bill of explanationConcessions of different parties-Detection of abuses -Defalcation from the claims of adventurers and soldiers-Nominees-Discontents of the catholics— Passing of the act of explanation-Difficulties attending it.

XXVIII.

fairs.

ENGLAND NGLAND had for near eighteen years experienced CHAP. the effects of popular revolution. As the end of government is to curb the violence and injustice of English Afthe people, the laws are wisely silent with respect to the right of resistance against undue or tyrannical stretches of power by established authority. Speculative reasoners ought in public disquisitions to observe the same caution, or to inculcate only the doctrine of obedience, since, when a case of exception to this doctrine occurs, it must be so forcibly felt as to leave no ambiguity. The occurrence of such a case is a great misfortune, as the means of reparation are attended with certain calamity, and their success doubtful.

C4

XXVIII.

CHAP. doubtful. The great body of the people can seldom gain by even a successful revolution, since to maintain a new establishment, a greater expence, and a more jealous and severe administration, is required, than was necessary for the old. Charles the first had so far stretched the regal prerogative as to have threatened the total annihilation of the liberties and privileges of his subjects. This was prevented by the resistance of the presbyterians, who, by the profession of uncommon sanctity, and other arts, raised a successful war against the king and his adherents. In the moment when this party had acquired the supreme power, it was wrested from their hands by the independents, who, under the appearance of still greater sanctity, gained the command of the army. These, in their turn, when arrived at their object of dominion, were subverted by their own servants, the military officers, and reduced to subjection. Unfortunately by whatever grievances the people are excited to rise against government, the progress of this unwieldy machine cannot be stopped by the redress of these, but is driven by new impulses, if not obstructed by force or art, far beyond the bounds intended by its original movers. Subjects, who had by open war most grievously offended a sovereign, on whose most solemn engagements they placed no reliance, thought themselves unsafe, until they should have him divested, not only of all power, but of all chance of ever again recovering any. The pres byterians would have been satisfied with such deprivation of his prerogative as would completely secure them against his resentment; but the military officers,

XXVIII.

officers, who had usurped an uncontroled domini- CHAP. on, could be satisfied only by the deprivation of his life.

All government quite military, which had become the case in England, fluctuates perpetually, as is well observed by a philosophic historian, between a despotic monarchy, and a despotic aristocracy, according as the authority of the chief commander prevails, or that of the officers next him in dignity. Oliver Cromwell, who was as clear, prompt, and decisive in action, as embarrassed and obscure in speech, availed himself of circumstances to seize the monarchal despotism, a step seemingly expedient for the preservation of the public peace. The British islands had never been so completely in subjection to any legitimate monarch as to this usurper; for Scotland had been totally subdued, and Charles the second, who had hoped by the forces of that kingdom to recover the English throne, had with difficulty escaped in disguise to France. Richard Cromwell, eldest son of Oliver, who succeeded to his father's title of protector in 1658, was in less than eight months obliged to resign by a cabal of officers, who held their meetings at Wallingford house, the mansion of Fleetwood, and who afterwards attempted to govern nation in the name of a council of twenty-one persons, whom they elected, and stiled a committee of safety. Harrassed by convulsions, disorders, and oppressions, men wished ardently in general for the restoration of quiet under their ancient government, a legitimate monarchy: and George Monk, who

the

commanded

XXVIII.

CHAP. commanded the English troops in Scotland, coinciding in this sentiment, marched to London in the beginning of the year 1660, and declared for a free parliament. A council of state was constituted, and the Long Parliament was re-assembled, which, pronouncing its own dissolution, issued writs for the election of a new parliamentary convention. The presbyterians, disgusted with revolution, coalesced with the royalists in the returning of members favourable to the restoration of monarchy; so that by the unanimous voice of this assembly Charles the second took possession of the throne on the twentyninth of May.

Charles the second. 1660.

In Ireland, after the reduction of Sir Hardress Waller in the castle of Dublin, no farther obstacle remained to the king's restoration, except the unavaling opposition of a few fanatics, and of some of the old Irish with the Romish primate; but the ardour of Coote outran that of Broghill for a speedy and unconditional reinstatement of loyalty. Charles was proclaimed in all the great towns as soon as the declaration made by him at Breda in the Netherlands was received, by which, among other articles, he offered a general amnesty to all without any other exception than such as might be afterwards made by parliament; and assured the soldiers of all their arrears, and the same pay in future which they then enjoyed. The convention of estates voted a present of twenty thousand pounds to the king, four thousand to the duke of York, and two thousand to his younger brother the duke of Gloucester. Great were the agitations, on this event, of anxiety, hope,

fear,

XXVIII.

fear, and jealousy, of different parties with clashing CHAP. interests and embittered animosities, catholics innocent or guilty of rebellion, soldiers, adventurers, and various factions religious or political, impatient to regain their ancient possessions, to be confirmed in their new, to be pardoned for misdeeds, rewarded for services, or to receive indulgence or exclusive privileges in modes of worship.

sensions.

The most impatient, and, as usual, the most un-Violent diswise, were the old Irish catholics. Some of those, 1660. who, notwithstanding their having been declared innocent by Cromwell, had been deprived of their lands, and obliged to except inferior portions in Connaught, repossessed their patrimonies by force, even before the king was proclaimed, and thus raised commotions pernicious to their party. These lawless proceedings, represented in England as overtures to a new rebellion, were subservient to the views of the new English colonists, who thereby prevailed, before the landing of the king in the English territories, to have the act of indemnity so prepared, as to exclude all those who had any concern in the plotting or abetting of the rebellion of Ireland, which amounted to the exclusion of the whole Romish party: and when a clause was inserted, forbidding the restitution of any estates, of which a disposal had already been made by authority of any parliament or convention, an exception was not without difficulty admitted in favour of "the marquis of Ormond and other the protestants of Ireland." Some other clauses, which were at first suspended, and afterwards defeated, by the influence of the marquis,

would

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