THE INTERREGNUM,

385

The commoners who had been summoned met in Saint C ” AI ’-Stephen’s Chapel, and formed a numerous assembly. They—re-placed in the chair Henry Powle, who had represented Ciren- Debatescester in several Parliaments, and had been eminent among f^ 0 r „ e s s „(the supporters of the Exclusion Bill. the com-

Addresses were proposed and adopted similar to those summon-which the Lords had already presented. No difference ofp^JJ theopinion appeared on any serious question; and some feebleattempts which were made to raise a debate on points of formwere put down by the general contempt. Sir Robert Sawyerdeclared that he could not conceive how it was possible forthe Prince to administer the government without some dis-tinguishing title, such as Regent or Protector. Old Maynard,who, as a lawyer, had no equal, and who was also a politicianversed in the tactics of revolutions, was at no pains to con-ceal his disdain for so puerile an objection, taken at a momentwhen union and promptitude were of the highest importance.

“We shall sit here very long,” he said, “if we sit till SirRobert can conceive how such a thing is possible;" and theassembly thought the answer as good as the cavil deserved.*

The resolutions of the meeting were communicated to the MentionPrince. He forthwith announced his determination to comply cllled -with the joint request of the two Chambers which he hadcalled together, to issue letters summoning a Conventionof the Estates of the Realm, and, till the Convention shouldmeet, to take on himself the executive administration.**

He had undertaken no light task. The whole machine Exertion*of government was disordered. The Justices of the Peace pmlce tohad abandoned their functions. The officers of the revenue ™j l ° r rohad ceased to collect the taxes. The army which Fevershamhad disbanded was still in confusion, and ready to break outinto mutiny. The fleet was in a scarcely less alarming state.

' The objector was designated in contemporary books and pamphletsonly by his initials; and these were sometimes misinterpreted. Eachardattributes the cavil to Sir Robert Southwell. But I have no doubt thatOldmixon is right in putting it into the mouth of Sawyer.

'■ History of the Desertion; Life of William, 1103; Citters, —-■ 28 '

1 Jan.7.

168§.

Macaulay, History. HI.

25