hey were threatened.[***]

* Rush. vol. v. p. 519.

** Rush. vol. v. p. 521.

*** Rush, vol. v. p. 521.

Even after this insolence, the king durst not venture upon a flat
denial. Besides excepting to the preamble, which such dishonor upon him,
and protesting the innocence of his intentions when he entered the house
of commons, he only desired that the military authority, if it were
defective, should first be conferred upon the crown; and he promised to
bestow commissions, but such as should be revocable at pleasure, on the
same persons whom the parliament had named in the bill.[*] By a former
message, he had expressed his wishes that they would lay before him,
in one view, all the concessions which they deemed requisite for the
settlement of the nation. They pretended, that they were exposed to
perils so dreadful and imminent, that they had not leisure for such a
work.[**] The expedient proposed by the king seemed a sufficient remedy
during this emergence, and yet maintained the prerogatives of the crown
entire and unbroken.

But the intentions of the commons were wide of this purpose, and their
panics could be cured by one remedy alone. They instantly replied, that
the dangers and distempers of the nation were such as could endure no
longer delay; and unless the king speedily complied with their demands,
they should be constrained, for the safety of prince and people,
to dispose of the militia by the authority of both houses, and were
resolved to do it accordingly. They asserted, that those parts of the
kingdom which had, from their own authority, put themselves in a posture
of defence during these prevailing fears and jealousies, had acted
suitably to the declarations and directions of both houses, and
conformably to the laws of the kingdom. And while they thus menaced the
king with their power they invited him to fix his residence at London,
where they knew he would be entirely at mercy.[***]

* Rush. vol. v. p. 521.

** Rush. vol. v. p. 516, 517.

*** Rush, part iii. vol. i. chap. iv. p. 523.

"I am so much amazed at this message," said the king in his prompt
reply, "that I know not what to answer. You speak of jealousies and
fears. Lay your hands on your hearts, and ask yourselves whether I may
not likewise be disturbed with fears and jealousies, and if so, I assure
you that this message has nothing lessened them.

"As to the militia, I thought so much of it before I gave t