constitution, where the people by their fundamental privileges cannot be
taxed but by their own consent, as could no longer be endured by these
jealous patrons of liberty. In the preamble, therefore, to the bill by
which the commons granted these duties to the king, they took care,
in the strongest and most positive terms, to assert their own right of
bestowing this gift, and to divest the crown of all independent title
of assuming it. And that they might increase, or rather finally fix, the
entire dependence and subjection of the king, they voted these duties
only for two months; and afterwards, from time to time, renewed their
grant for very short periods.[*] Charles, in order to show that he
entertained no intention ever again to separate himself from his
parliament, passed this important bill without any scruple or
hesitation.[**]

* It was an instruction given by the house to the committee
which framed one of these bills, to take care that the rates
upon exportation may be as light as possible, and upon
importation as heavy as trade will bear; a proof that the
nature of commerce began now to be understood. Journ. 1st
June, 1641

** Clarendon, vol. i. p. 208.

With regard to the bill for triennial parliaments, he made a little
difficulty. By an old statute, passed during the reign of Edward III.,
it had been enacted, that parliaments should be held once every year, or
more frequently if necessary: but as no provision had been made in
case of failure, and no precise method pointed out for execution, this
statute had been considered merely as a general declaration, and was
dispensed with at pleasure. The defect was supplied by those vigilant
patriots who now assumed the reins of government. It was enacted, that
if the chancellor, who was first bound under severe penalties, failed to
issue writs by the third of September in every third year, any twelve
or more of the peers should be empowered to exert this authority; in
default of the peers, that the sheriffs, mayors, bailiffs, etc., should
summon the voters; and in their default, that the voters themselves
should meet and proceed to the election of members, in the same manner
as if writs had been regularly issued from the crown. Nor could
the parliament, after it was assembled, be adjourned, prorogued, or
dissolved, without their own consent, during the space of fifty days.
By this bill, some of the noblest and most valuable prero