In a few days[d] a bill was introduced which, under the pretence of providing money for the support of the militia, sought to confirm the past proceedings of the majors-general, and to invest them with legal authority for the future.  The protector was aware that the country longed to be emancipated from the control of these military governors; for the attainment of his great object it was his interest to stand well with all classes of people; and, therefore, though he was the author of this unpopular institution, though in his speech at the opening of the parliament he had been

[Footnote:  Burton’s Diary, i. 246-258, 260-264, 270-282, 296.]

[Sidenote a:  A.D. 1656.  Dec. 25.] [Sidenote b:  A.D. 1656.  Dec. 26.] [Sidenote c:  A.D. 1657.  Jan. 2.] [Sidenote d:  A.D. 1657.  Jan. 7.]

eloquent in its praise, though he had declared that, after his experience of its utility, “if the thing were undone he would do it again;” he now not only abandoned the majors-general to their fate, he even instructed his dependants in the house to lead the opposition against them.  As soon as the bill was read a first time, his son-in-law, Claypole, who seldom spoke, rose to express his dissent, and was followed by the Lord Broghill, known as the confidential counsellor of the protector.  The decimation-tax was denounced as unjust, because it was a violation of the act of oblivion, and the conduct of the majors-general was compared to the tyranny of the Turkish bashaws.  These officers defended themselves with spirit; their adversaries had recourse to personal crimination;[1] and the debate, by successive adjournments, occupied the attention of the house during eleven days.  In conclusion, the bill was rejected[a] by a numerous majority and the majors-general, by the desertion of Cromwell, found themselves exposed to actions at law for the exercise of those powers which they had accepted in obedience to his commands.[2]

While this question was still pending, it chanced that a plot against the protector’s life, of which the

[Footnote 1:  Among others, Harry Cromwell, the protector’s nephew, said he was ready to name some among the majors-general who had acted oppressively.  It was supposed that these words would bring him into disgrace at court.  “But Harry,” says a private letter, “goes last night to his highness, and stands to what he had said manfully and wisely; and, to make it appear he spake not without book, had his black book and papers ready to make good what he said.  His highness answered him in raillery, and took a rich scarlet cloak from his back, and gloves from his hands, and gave them to Harry, who strutted with his new cloak and gloves into the house this day.”—­Thurloe, iv. 20.]

[Footnote 2:  Journals, Jan. 7, 8, 12, 19, 20, 21, 28, 29.  Burton’s Diary, 310-320.]

[Sidenote a:  A.D. 1657.  Jan. 29.]