Yet during Cromwell’s rule the country, notwithstanding all the restrictions imposed by a stern military government, grew and prospered.  The English forces gained victories by land and sea, and made the name of the Protector respected as that of Charles I had never been.

At this period the carrying trade of the world, by sea, had fallen into the hands of the Dutch, and Amsterdam had become a more important center of exchange than London.  The Commonwealth passed a measure called the “Navigation Act"[2] (1651) to encourage British commerce.  It prohibited the importation or exportation of any goods into England or its colonies in Dutch or other foreign vessels.

[2] The Navigation Act was renewed later.  Though aimed at the Dutch, this measure damaged the export trade of the American colonies for a time.

Later, war with the Dutch broke out partly on account of questions of trade, and partly because Royalist plotters found protection in Holland.  Then Cromwell created such a navy as the country had never before possessed.  Under the command of Admiral Blake, “the sea king,” and Admiral Monk, the Dutch were finally beaten so thoroughly (1653) that they bound themselves to ever after salute the English flag wherever they should meet it on the seas.  A war undertaken in alliance with France against Spain was equally successful.  Jamaica was taken as a permanent possession by the British fleet, and France, in return for Cromwell’s assistance, reluctantly gave the town of Dunkirk to England (1658), and the flag of the English Commonwealth was planted on the French coast.  But a few years later (1662), the selfish and profligate Charles II sold Dunkirk back to Louis XIV in order to get money to waste on his pleasures.

460.  Cromwell’s Death; his Character (1658).

After being King in everything but name for five years, Cromwell died (September 3, 1658) on the anniversary of the victories of Dunbar and Worcester (S453).  During the latter part of his career he had lived in constant dread of assassination, and wore concealed armor.  At the hour of his death one of the most fearful storms was raging hat had ever swept over England.  To many it seemed a fit accompaniment to the close of such a life.

In one sense, Cromwell was a usurper and a tyrant; but, at heart, his object was his country’s welfare.  In such cases the motive is all in all.  He was a lonely man of rough exterior and hard manner.[1] He cared little for the smooth proprieties of life, yet he had that dignity of bearing which high moral purpose gives.  In all that he did he was eminently practical.  In an age of isms, theories, and experiments, he was never confused and never faltered in his course.  To-day a colossal bronze statue of the great soldier and ruler stands in the shadow of the Houses of Parliament, where the English people, more than two hundred and forty years after his burial, voted to erect it.