as signed by near two
hundred officers, in which they made their apology with a very imperious
air, asserted their right of petitioning, and complained of that
imputation thrown upon them by the former declaration of the lower
house.[****] The private men, likewise, of some regiments sent a letter
to Skippon, in which, together with insisting on the same topics, they
lament that designs were formed against them and many of the godly party
in the kingdom; and declare that they could not engage for Ireland, till
they were satisfied in their expectations, and had their just desires
granted.[v] The army, in a word, felt their power, and resolved to be
masters.

* Rush. vol. vii, p. 457.

** Rush. vol. vii. p. 458.

*** Rush. vol. vii. p. 461, 556.

**** Rush. vol. vii. p. 468.

v Rush. vol. vii. p. 474.

The parliament, too, resolved, if possible, to preserve their dominion;
but being destitute of power; and not retaining much authority, it was
not easy for them to employ any expedient which could contribute to
their purpose. The expedient which they now made use of was the worst
imaginable. They sent Skippon, Cromwell, Ireton, and Fleetwood, to the
head quarters at Saffron Weldon, in Essex, and empowered them to make
offers to the army, and inquire into the cause of its distempers. These
very generals, at least the three last, were secretly the authors of
all the discontents; and failed not to foment those disorders which they
pretended to appease. By their suggestion, a measure was embraced which
at once brought matters to extremity, and rendered the mutiny incurable.

In opposition to the parliament at Westminster, a military parliament
was formed. Together with a council of the principal officers, which
was appointed after the model of the house of peers, a more free
representative of the army was composed, by the election of two private
men or inferior officers, under the title of agitators, from each troop
or company.[*] By this means, both the general humor of that time was
gratified, intent on plans of imaginary republics; and an easy method
contrived for conducting, underhand, and propagating the sedition of the
army.

This terrible court, when assembled, having first declared that they
found no distempers in the army, but many grievances under which it
labored, immediately voted the offers of the parliament unsatisfactory.
Eight weeks' pay alone, they said, was promised; a small