Maynard; and it was rejected on the second reading by a majority of twenty-six. It is difficult to elicit from the scanty and somewhat confused information which exists what were the exact reasons for rejection of this bill; but some members appear to have stated that it went further than the Declaration, and others urged waiting for a synod, as had been intended in the Declaration. The King's government probably opposed the bill with the intention of consulting Convocation, and with the desire, through the constitutional mediation of that body and of a legal Parliament, to give legal effect hereafter to the various conciliatory concessions of the Declaration. The King himself seems really to have desired an extension of the basis of Church communion so as to comprehend the Presbyterians and a general toleration of other sects, including Roman Catholics.

This Convention Parliament was dissolved on the twenty-seventh of December. It was "beginning," says Pepys, "to grow factious." 2 There had been, a fortnight before, a debate on grievances raised by Sir Walter Erle on a money-bill, according to old custom. "Sir Walter Erle moved to do somewhat for the good of the people, in lieu of those great payments, and complained of some disorders in the army. He said that soldiers had come into some houses he knew of, and, calling the people 'Roundheads,' had done. much mischief." Sir John Northcote seconded the motion. Colonel King, Mr. Stevens, and Mr. Bamp

1 Parl. Hist. iv. 141, 152, November 6 and 28.
2 Pepys's Diary, i. 169.

field complained of the power of Lord Lieutenants. Sir George Booth complained of great abuses abroad. Here was an array of old Presbyterian members grumbling already. Sir Heneage Finch, Colonel Charles Howard, and other ministerial members, urged that the remedy would be the settlement of the militia; a bill proposed for this purpose had been rejected. Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper appeared also in defence of the King's government. Those things," he said, "had no approbation from his Majesty, but checks; and he moved for a law to know how to walk by a rule, but to pass over such things as could not be justified." 1

1 Parl. Hist. iv. 160-162, December 13.

CHAPTER IX.

1661-1664.

Meeting of new Parliament-Cooper made Lord Ashley at the Coronation-Appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer and Under Treasurer -Violent policy of the new Parliament - The Corporation, Uniformity, and Militia Acts-Lord Ashley's opposition to these measures-The King and Clarendon endeavour to check the violence of the High Church party-Bill for confirming Presbyterian ministers in vacant livings - Dispensing clause proposed in the Uniformity Bill by Clarendon on the King's recommendationRefused by the Lords-Charles promises a three months' suspension of the Act of Uniformity, but cannot fulfil his promise-King's marriage-Sale of Dunkirk-King's Declaration of Indulgence, December 26, 1662, advised by Bennet, Bristol, and Lord AshleyDispensing Bill presented to House of Lords by Lord Roberts by the King's desire-Lord Ashley warmly supports the BillClarendon opposes it - Despatches of the French Ambassador, M. de Comminges-Clarendon's inaccuracies-The Dispensing Bill dropped-Proclamation for banishing Jesuits and Roman Catholic priests-Conventicle Act- Lord Ashley grows in favour with the King-His ability and influence-Bristol's attack on ClarendonLord Ashley and others work against Clarendon with encouragement from the King-Testimonies to Lord Ashley's assiduity and ability.

THE Convention Parliament having been dissolved, a new Parliament was immediately called. This met for the first time on the eighth of May, 1661, and continued in existence for eighteen years.

When the new Parliament assembled, Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper was no longer a commoner. He had, within the preceding month, on the occasion of the Coronation, been raised to the Upper House with the title of Baron Ashley of Wimborne St. Giles. This

IX

was one of several honours conferred at the same time on Royalists and on old adversaries who had obtained the King's pardon and favour. Of the former class, Hyde, who had previously been created Baron Hyde, was promoted to be Earl of Clarendon; Lord Capel, for his father's services and death, was raised to be Earl of Essex; Sir John Grenville was created Viscount Lansdowne and Earl of Bath; Lord Brudenell was made Earl of Cardigan, and Sir Frederick Cornwallis Baron Cornwallis. The old adversaries who had contributed to effect the Restoration now rewarded were, Charles Howard, who became Earl of Carlisle; Arthur Annesley, who had lately inherited the Irish peerage of Viscount Valentia, Earl of Anglesea; Crewe, Baron Crewe; Holles, Baron Holles; Sir Horatio Townshend, Baron Townshend; Sir George Booth, Baron Delamere; and Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper, Baron Ashley.1

A few days after the meeting of Parliament, on the thirteenth of May, Lord Ashley was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer and Under Treasurer. The place of Chancellor of the Exchequer had been held up to this time by Clarendon, and the duties of Under Treasurer had been discharged by the Lord Treasurer,

1 Lord Campbell says that Shaftesbury always took to himself the whole merit of the Restoration, representing Monk as his tool, and "in the preamble to his patent of peerage he introduced a statement that this happy event was chiefly brought about by the efforts of our right trusty and well-beloved Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper.'" There is no such passage in the patent. The following is a correct translation of an extract from the patent: " After very many endeavours of bringing a remedy to these evils, undertaken with as much prudence as possible, at length by his counsels, in concert with our beloved and faithful George Monk, knight, &c., &c. he did a service worthy to be remembered, and most grateful to us, in the great business of restoring us to our kingdom, and delivering his country from the bitter servitude under which it so long groaned.'

the Earl of Southampton, in pursuance of letters patent, specially authorizing him to discharge them. Lord Ashley probably owed this appointment in some measure to his connexion by marriage with the Earl of Southampton his wife was Lord Southampton's niece.1 Lord Ashley held the office of Chancellor of the Exchequer until he was made Lord Chancellor in November 1672. He ceased to be Under Treasurer when, after Lord Southampton's death, the Treasury was put into commission in 1667, he himself, as Chancellor of the Exchequer, being one of the Commissioners.

The new House of Commons, elected while the nation's fit of exuberant revived loyalty was not yet over, presented a large majority of enthusiastic Royalists and High Churchmen. They began by voting that the League and Covenant, and the Acts for erecting a High Court of Justice for the trial of Charles Stuart, for subscribing the Engagement, for establishing a Commonwealth, and for renouncing the title of the present King, and for security of the Protector's person, should be burnt by the common hangman in Westminster Hall. They required every member to take the Sacrament kneeling. They restored the bishops to the House of Lords. They passed an Act for the punishment of any one who should call the King a heretic or papist, or should assert either that the Long Parliament was not dissolved or that Parliament possessed legislative

1 Lady Ashley, the third wife, married in 1656 (see p. 121), was daughter of Lord Spencer of Wormleighton, by Penelope, sister of the Earl of Southampton. Mr. Hallam has made a mistake in speaking of Sir Philip Warwick as Chancellor of the Exchequer; he held the subordinate office of Secretary of the Lord Treasurer. (Const. Hist. ii. 423, note.)