It was afterwards represented by Monk’s admirers that his City proceedings of Feb. 9 and 10 were the effects of consummate judgment.  He could not then have disobeyed the Rump without resigning his command; Hasilrig and Walton, two of his fellow-commissioners, would have executed the orders independently; though by a disagreeable process, he had felt the temper of his officers and soldiers, and ascertained that they were as disgusted with the Rump as he was himself!  It may be doubted, however, whether he had not only been handling his carpenter’s tools with too sluggish caution.  Certain it is that he had returned to Whitehall in a sullen mood, and that, after a consultation overnight with his officers, his conclusion was that he must at once retrieve himself.  That was a night of busy preparations between him and his officers.  A letter was drafted, to be sent to the House next day; and a copy was taken, that it might be in the printer’s hands before the House had received the original.

Next morning, Saturday Feb. 11, Monk and his regiments were again in the City, drawn up in Finsbury Fields.  He had left the letter for the House, signed by himself, seven of his colonels, one lieutenant-colonel, and six majors, to be delivered to the House by two of the signing colonels, Clobery and Lydcott; and he had come to make his peace with the City.  This was not very easy.  The Lord Mayor, to whom Clarges had been sent to announce the return of the regiments, and to say that the General meant to dine with his Lordship that day, was naturally suspicious and distant; but, having taken counsel with some of the chief citizens, he could do no less than answer that he would expect the General.  At the early dinner-hour, accordingly, Monk was at his Lordship’s house in Leadenhall Street, coldly received at first, but gradually with more of curiosity and goodwill as his drift was perceived.  He begged earnestly that his Lordship would send out summonses for an immediate meeting of the Common Council in Guildhall, notwithstanding the dissolution of that body by the Rump, saying he would accompany his Lordship thither and make certain public explanations.  Dinner over, and the Lord Mayor and Common Council having met in Guildhall about five o’clock, Monk did surprise them.  He apologised for his proceedings of the two preceding days, declaring that the work was the most ungrateful he had ever performed in his life, and that he would have laid down his power rather than perform it, unless he had seen that by such a step he would only have given advantage to the dominant faction.  He was come now, however, to make amends.  He had that morning sent a letter to the House, requiring them to issue out writs within seven days for the filling up of vacancies in their ranks, and also, that being done, to dissolve themselves by the 6th of May at latest, that they might be succeeded by a full and free Parliament!  Till he should receive ample satisfaction in reply to these demands