aces, to be in earnest expectation of a settlement, after the
violent convulsions to which they had been exposed; and to have no
prospect of that blessing but from the dissolution of the present
parliament, and from the summoning of a new one, free and full, who,
meeting without oaths or engagements, might finally give contentment to
the nation: that applications had been made to him for that purpose; but
that he, sensible of his duty, had still told the petitioners, that the
parliament itself, which was now free, and would soon be full, was the
best judge of all these measures; and that the whole community ought
to acquiesce in their determination: that though he expressed himself in
this manner to the people, he must now freely inform the house, that the
fewer engagements were exacted, the more comprehensive would their plan
prove, and the more satisfaction would it give to the nation: and that
it was sufficient for public security, if the fanatical party and the
royalists were excluded; since the principles of these factions were
destructive either of government or of liberty.

This speech, containing matter which was both agreeable and disagreeable
to the house, as well as to the nation, still kept every one in
suspense, and upheld that uncertainty in which it seemed the general's
interest to retain the public. But it was impossible for the kingdom
to remain long in this doubtful situation: the people, as well as the
parliament, pushed matters to a decision. During the late convulsions,
the payment of taxes had been interrupted; and though the parliament,
upon their assembling, renewed the ordinances for impositions, yet so
little reverence did the people pay to those legislators, that they gave
very slow and unwilling obedience to their commands. The common council
of London flatly refused to submit to an assessment required of them;
and declared that, till a free and lawful parliament imposed taxes, they
never should deem it their duty to make any payment. This resolution,
if yielded to, would immediately have put an end to the dominion of the
parliament: they were determined, therefore, upon this occasion, to make
at once a full experiment of their own power, and of their general's
obedience.

Monk received orders to march into the city; to seize twelve persons,
the most obnoxious to the parliament; to remove the posts and chains
from all the streets; and to take down and break the portcullises and
gates of the