while it professed to make to the nation the promises recommended by Monk, in reality neutralized their effect, by subjecting them to such limitations as might afterwards be imposed by the wisdom of parliament.  This paper was enclosed[b] within a letter to the speaker of the House of Commons; another letter was addressed to the House of Lords; a third to Monk and the army; a fourth to Montague and the navy; and a fifth to the lord mayor and the city.  To the general, open copies were transmitted, that he might deliver or destroy the originals

[Footnote 1:  Clar.  Hist. iii. 734-736.  Price, 785.  Philips, 605.  Clar.  Pap. iii. 706, 711.  From the last authorities it is plain that Mordaunt was intrusted with the secret as well as Grenville—­also a Mr. Herne, probably a fictitious name.]

[Sidenote a:  A.D. 1660.  March 26.] [Sidenote b:  A.D. 1660.  April 2.]

as he thought fit.  Notwithstanding the alterations made at Brussels, he professed himself satisfied with the declaration, and ordered[a] Grenville to keep the papers in his custody, till the proper season should arrive.[1]

In the mean while, the writs for the new parliament had been issued; and, as there was no court to influence, no interference of the military to control the elections, the result may be fairly taken to express the sense of the country.  The republicans, the Cavaliers, the Presbyterians, all made every effort in their power to procure the return of members of congenial sentiments.  Of the three parties, the last was beyond comparison the most powerful, had not division paralyzed its influence.  The more rigid Presbyterians, though they opposed the advocates of the commonwealth because they were sectaries, equally deprecated the return of the king, because they feared the restoration of episcopacy.  A much greater number, who still adhered with constancy to the solemn league and covenant, deemed themselves bound by it to replace the king on the throne, but under the limitations proposed during the treaty in the Isle of Wight.  Others, and these the most active and influential, saw no danger to be feared from a moderate episcopacy; and, anxious to obtain honours and preferment, laboured

[Footnote 1:  Clar. iii. 737-740, 742-751.  Price, 790.  Monk had been assured, probably by the French ambassador, that the Spaniards intended to detain the king at Brussels as a hostage for the restoration of Jamaica and Dunkirk.  On this account he insisted that the king should leave the Spanish territory, and Charles, having informed the governor of his intention to visit Breda, left Brussels about two hours, if Clarendon be correct, before an order was issued for his detention.  The several letters, though written and signed at Brussels, were dated from Breda, and given to Grenville the moment the king placed his foot on the Dutch territory.—­Clar. 740.]

[Sidenote a:  A.D. 1660.  April 10.]

by the fervour of their present loyalty to deserve the forgiveness of their past transgressions.  These joined with the Cavaliers; their united efforts bore down all opposition; and, in most places, their adversaries either shrunk from the contest, or were rejected by overwhelming majorities.[1]