ies to which he had been exposed;
these were the topics which, with so much justness of reasoning and
propriety of expression, were insisted on in the king's declarations and
remonstrances.[**] [11]

* Rush. vol. v. p. 751.

** See note K, at the end of the volume.

Though these writings were of consequence, and tended much to reconcile
the nation to Charles, it was evident that they would not be decisive,
and that keener weapons must determine the controversy. To the
ordinance of the parliament concerning the militia, the king opposed
his commissions of array. The counties obeyed the one or the other,
according as they stood affected. And in many counties, where the people
were divided, mobbish combats and skirmishes ensued.[*] The parliament
on this occasion went so far as to vote, "That when the lords and
commons in parliament, which is the supreme court of judicature, shall
declare what the law of the land is, to have this not only questioned,
but contradicted, is a high breach of their privileges."[**] This was
a plain assuming of the whole legislative authority, and exerting it in
the most material article, the government of the militia. Upon the same
principles they pretended, by a verbal criticism on the tense of a
Latin verb, to ravish from the king his negative voice in the
legislature.[***]

The magazine of Hull contained the arms of all the forces levied against
the Scots; and Sir John Hotham, the governor, though he had accepted of
a commission from the parliament, was not thought to be much disaffected
to the church and monarchy. Charles therefore entertained hopes that
if he presented himself at Hull before the commencement of hostilities,
Hotham, overawed by his presence, would admit him with his retinue;
after which he might easily render himself master of the place. But the
governor was on his guard. He shut the gates, and refused to receive
the king, who desired leave to enter with twenty persons only. Charles
immediately proclaimed him traitor, and complained to the parliament of
his disobedience. The parliament avowed and justified the action.[****]

* May, book ii. p. 99.

** Rush. vol. v. p. 534.

*** The king, by his coronation oath, promises that he would
maintain the laws and customs which the people had chosen,
"quas vulgus elegerit:" the parliament pretended, that
elegerit meant shall choose; and, consequently, that the
king had no right t