nd criminal a project, it would be to
find that, during the reign of the best of princes, the constitution had
been endangered by the worst of ministers, and that the virtues of the
king had been seduced by wicked and pernicious counsel. We must inquire,
added he, from what fountain these waters of bitterness flow; and though
doubtless many evil counsellors will be found to have contributed their
endeavors, yet there is one who challenges the infamous preeminence, and
who, by his courage, enterprise, and capacity, is entitled to the
first place among these betrayers of their country. He is the earl of
Strafford, lieutenant of Ireland, and president of the council of
York, who, in both places, and in all other provinces where he has been
intrusted with authority, has raised ample monuments of tyranny, and
will appear, from a survey of his actions, to be the chief promoter of
every arbitrary counsel. Some instances of imperious expressions, as
well as actions, were given by Pym; who afterwards entered into a more
personal attack of that minister, and endeavored to expose his whole
character and manners. The austere genius of Strafford, occupied in
the pursuits of ambition, had not rendered his breast altogether
inaccessible to the tender passions, or secured him from the dominion
of the fair; and in that sullen age, when the irregularities of pleasure
were more reproachful than the most odious crimes, these weaknesses were
thought worthy of being mentioned, together with his treasons, before
so great an assembly. And, upon the whole, the orator concluded, that it
belonged to the house to provide a remedy proportionable to the disease,
and to prevent the further mischiefs justly to be apprehended from the
influence which this man had acquired over the measures and counsels of
their sovereign.[***]

* Whitlocke, p. 36.

** Whitlocke, p. 36

*** Clarendon, vol. i. p. 172.

Sir John Clotworthy, an Irish gentleman, Sir John Hotham of Yorkshire,
and many others, entered into the same topics, and after several hours
spent in bitter invective, when the doors were locked, in order to
prevent all discovery of their purpose, it was moved, in consequence
of the resolution secretly taken, that Strafford should immediately
be impeached of high treason. This motion was received with universal
approbation; nor was there, in all the debate, one person who offered
to stop the torrent by any testimony in favor of the earl