Richard’s opening speech was in a good strain.  It assumed loyalty to the memory of his father and to the Petition and Advice, and recommended immediate attention to the arrears of the Army and to other money-exigencies, with zealous prosecution of the war with Spain, and consideration of what might be done for the King of Sweden, the cause of European Protestantism, and English interests in the Baltic.  The speech was delivered in the Lords, only a few of the Commons attending.  They were busy with swearing in their members, and with the election of a Speaker.  Mr. Chaloner Chute, a lawyer, one of the members for Middlesex, was unanimously chosen; but, short as the session was to be, the House was to have three Speakers in succession.  Mr. Chute acted till March 9, when his health broke down, and Sir Lislebone Long, one of the members for Wells, was appointed his substitute.  Sir Lislebone died only seven days afterwards (March 16), and Mr. Thomas Bampfield, one, of the members for Exeter, succeeded him.  Chute having died also, Bampfield became full Speaker.  April 15, 1659.[1]

[Footnote 1:  Parl.  Hist. III. 1537-1540, and Commons Journals of dates.]

A day or two having been spent in preliminary business, and the House presenting the spectacle, long unknown in Westminster, of no fewer than between 300 and 400 members in daily attendance, Thurloe, on the 1st of February, boldly threw down the gage by bringing in a bill for recognising Richard’s right and title to be Lord Protector.  Hasilrig and the Republicans were taken by surprise, and could only protest that the motion was unseasonable and that other matters ought to have precedence.  The bill having been read the first time that day, Thurloe consented that the second reading should be deferred to the 7th.  On that day, accordingly, there began a debate which lasted for seven successive days, and was a full trial of strength between the Government and the Republicans.  Hasilrig, Neville, Scott, Vane, Ludlow, and others, exerted themselves to the utmost, Hasilrig leading, and making one speech three hours long.  It was evident, however, that the Republicans knew themselves to be but a minority, and used the debate only for re-opening the question of a Republic.  They did not attack the direct proposal of the Bill; on the contrary they vied with the Cromwellians in language of respect for Richard.  “I confess I do love the person of the Lord Protector; I never saw nor heard either fraud or guile in him.” said Hasilrig.  “I would not hazard a hair of his present Highness’s head,” said Scott; “if you think of a Single Person, I would have him sooner than any man alive.”  They did not want, they said, to pull down the Protectorate; they only objected to Thurloe’s high-handed method for committing the House to a foregone conclusion.  But Thurloe beat.  On Monday the 14th, the question having been finally put “that it be part of this Bill to recognise and declare his Highness Richard,