per annum upon all the lands in the nation, in lieu of the Court of Wards.  The debate among the Countyes, each thinking it self overrated, makes the successe of that businesse something casuall, and truly I shall not assist it much for my part, for it is little reason that your Town should contribute in that charge.  The Excise bill for longer continuance (I wish it proue not too long) will come in also next weeke.  And I foresee we shall be called upon shortly to effect our vote made the former sitting, of raising his Majestie’s revenue to 1,200,000li. per Annum.  I do not love to write so much of this mony news.  But I think you haue observed that Parliaments have been always made use of to that purpose, and though we may buy gold too deare, yet we must at any rate be glad of Peace, Freedom, and a good Conscience.  Mr. Maior tells me, your duplicates of the Poll are coming up.  I shall go with them to the Exchequer and make your excuse, if any be requisite.  My long silence hath made me now trespasse on the other hand in a long letter, but I doubt not of your good construction of so much familiarity and trouble from, Gentlemen, your most affectionate friend and servant,

“ANDR:  MARVELL.

   “WESTMINSTER, Nov. 17, 1660.”

Although this first letter of the Hull correspondence is dated the 17th of November 1660, the Convention Parliament began its sittings on the 25th of April.

In composition this Convention Parliament was very like Richard Cromwell’s, and indeed it contained many of the same members, whose loyalty, however, was less restrained than in 1659.  All the world knew what brought this Parliament together.  It was to make the nation’s peace with its king, either on terms or without terms.  “We are all Royalists now” are words which must often have been on the lips of the members of this House.  One can imagine the smiles, half grim, half ironical, that would accompany their utterance.  Such a right-about-face could never be dignified.  It is impossible not to be reminded of schoolboys at the inevitable end of “a barring out.”  The sarcastic comment of Clarendon has not lost its sting.  “From this time there was such an emulation and impatience in Lords, Commons, and City, and generally over the Kingdom, who should make the most lively expressions of their duty and of their joy, that a man could not but wonder where those people dwelt who had done all the mischief and kept the King so many years from enjoying the comfort and support of such excellent subjects."[88:1]

The most significant sentence in Marvell’s first letter to his constituents is that in which he refers to the Bill for making Charles’s declaration in religious matters the law of the land.  Had the passing of any such Bill been possible, how different the history of England would have been!

The declaration Marvell is referring to was contained in the famous message from Breda, which was addressed by Charles to all his loving subjects of what degree or quality, and was expressed as follows:—­