new that
he had disclosed the secret, though to a man whom he himself could have
trusted.[*]

* Lord Lansdowne's Defence of General Monk.

His conduct in all other particulars was full of the same reserve and
prudence; and no less was requisite for effecting the difficult work
which he had undertaken. All the officers in his army of whom he
entertained any suspicion, he immediately cashiered; Cobbet, who had
been sent by the committee of safety, under pretence of communicating
their resolutions to Monk, but really with a view of debauching his
army, he committed to custody: he drew together the several scattered
regiments: he summoned an assembly somewhat resembling a convention of
states; and having communicated to them his resolution of marching into
England, he received a seasonable, though no great supply of money.

Hearing that Lambert was advancing northward with his army, Monk sent
Cloberry and two other commissioners to London, with large professions
of his inclination to peace, and with offers of terms for an
accommodation. His chief aim was to gain time, and relax the
preparations of his enemies. The committee of safety fell into the
snare. A treaty was signed by Monk's commissioners; but he refused
to ratify it, and complained that they had exceeded their powers. He
desired, however, to enter into a new negotiation at Newcastle. The
committee willingly accepted this fallacious offer.

Meanwhile these military sovereigns found themselves surrounded on all
hands with inextricable difficulties. The nation had fallen into total
anarchy; and by refusing the payment of all taxes, reduced the army
to the greatest necessities. While Lambert's forces were assembling
at Newcastle, Hazelrig and Morley took possession of Portsmouth,
and declared for the parliament. A party, sent to suppress them, was
persuaded by their commander to join in the same declaration. The city
apprentices rose in a tumult, and demanded a free parliament. Though
they were suppressed by Colonel Hewson, a man who from the profession
of a cobbler had risen to a high rank in the army, the city still
discovered symptoms of the most dangerous discontent. It even
established a kind of separate government, and assumed the supreme
authority within itself. Admiral Lawson with his squadron came into the
river, and declared for the parliament. Hazelrig and Morley, hearing of
this important event, left Portsmouth, and advanced towards London. The
r