Druckschrift 
4 (1855)
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40
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40

HISTORY OF ENGLAND.

chap, there was a conspiracy which had ramifications in many parts of—the army, hut that the conspirators were awed by the firmnessof the government and of the Parliament. A committee of theFrivy Council was sitting when the tidings of the mutiny arrivedin London. William Harbord, who represented the boroughof Launceston, was at the board. His colleagues-entreatedhim to go down instantly to the House of Commons, and to re-late what had happened. He went, rose in his place, and toldhis story. The spirit of the assembly rose to the occasion.Howe was the first to call for vigorous action. “Address theKing,” he said, “to send his Dutch troops after these men.I know not who else can be trusted.” “This is no jesting mat-ter,” said old Birch, who had been a colonel in the service ofthe Parliament, and had seen the most powerful tod renownedHouse of Commons that ever sate twice purged and twice ex-pelled by its own soldiers; “ if you let this evil spread, you willhave an army upon you in a few days. Address the King tosend horse and foot instantly, his own men, men whom he cantrust, and to put these people down at once.” The men of thelong robe caught the flame. “ It is not the learning of my pro-fession that is needed here,” saidTreby. “ What is now to bedone is to meet force with force, and to maintain in the fieldwhat we have done in the senate.” “Write to the Sheriffs,”said Colonel Mildmay, member for Essex. “Raise the militia.There are a hundred and fifty thousand of them: they are goodEnglishmen: they will not fail you.” It was resolved that allmembers of the House who held commissions in the armyshould be dispensed from parliamentary attendance, in orderthat they might repair instantly to their military posts. An ad-dress was unanimously voted requesting the King to take effec-tual steps for the suppression of the rebellion, and to put fortha proclamation denouncing public vengeance on the rebels.One gentleman hinted that it might be well to advise his Majesty