Sir George Ayscue and the gallant De Ruyter fought another and still severer battle off Plymouth, in which the Dutch had the superiority of bringing off their con voy, and leaving the English so shattered, that they could not pursue them. Blake was more successful in an action off the Kentish coast with the squadron of De Ruyter and De Wit, in which he took three of their ships, blew up one, and obliged the enemy next day to sail for their own harbour. Tromp, seconded by De Ruyter, met near the Goodwins Sands with Blake, whose fleet was inferior to the Dutch, but who resolved not•to decline the combat. The Dutch had the advan tage, and night came opportunely to save the English fleet, after two of their ships were taken, two burnt, and one sunk. But preparations were instantly made to wipe off this disgrace ; and, in a battle which was fought early in the spring of the succeeding year be tween Blake and Tromp, with De Ruyter under his command, the Dutch lost eleven ships, whilst only one of the English was sunk.
The Dutch were so far humbled by these and other disasters, as to sue for peace. The parliament, however, gave them a very unfavourable answer. They studied to keep their navy on foot as long as possible, judging that, while the force of the nation was exerted by sea, it would diminish the power of Cromwell by land. Cromwell perceived their designs ; but, being secure in the attachment of the army, resolved to seize the sovereign power. By his instigation, the officers pre sented a petition, demanding their arrears, and redress of grievances, desiring the parliament to consider how many years they had sat, and what promises they had made to establish a free constitution. The house was highly offended ; they appointed a committee to prepare an act, pronouncing such petitions high treason. The officers made a warm remonstrance, and the parliament an angry reply. Cromwell, on being informed of this reply, started up in the council with an appearance of fury, and, turning to major Vernon, cried out, that he was compelled to do a thing that made the very hairs of his head stand on end. Then hastening to the house with 300 soldiers, and with the marks of violent indig nation on his countenance, he entered, took his place, and attended to the debates for some time. When the question was ready to be put, he suddenly started up, and began to load the parliament with reproaches for their robbery and oppression of the public. Then stamp ing with his foot, he gave the signal for the soldiers to enter ; and, addressing himself to the members, "For shame ! (said he), get you gone : give place to honester men. I tell you, you arc no longer a parliament ; the Lord has done with you." Sir Harry Vane exclaiming against his conduct, " Sir Harry Vane !" (cried Crom well with a loud voice), " 0 sir Harry Vane ! the Lord deliver me from sir Harry Vane !" Taking hold of one of the members by his cloak, "thou art a whoremaster," cried he ; to another, " thou art an adulterer ;" to a third, "thou art a drunkard and a glutton ;" and "thou an extortioner," to a fourth. " It is you," continued he, to the members, " who have forced me to this." Then, pointing to the mace, lie exclaimed. " take away that bauble !" after which, turning out all the members, he ordered the doors to be locked, and returned to White hall with the keys in his pocket.
Though Cromwell had, by this transaction, seized in A. T1 effect upon unlimited regal pov. er, he was willing to give his subjects a parliament. It was such a parlia ment, however, as should be entirely at his devotion, and one of his Own nomination. By the advice of his creatures, his council of officers, he sent summonses to 144 persons in England, Scotland. and Ireland, to as ,emble as the representatives of the nation. This par liament, composed of the dregs of lanaticism and ignu ranee, was denominated Barebones parliament, from the name ol one of its members, a ieather seller, whose assumed name, by a ridiculous usage ol the age, was Praise God Barcbones. They began by choo.ing eight of their number to seek the Lord in prayer, while the rest deliberated on substituting the law ol Moses, in ..,ead of the established code.
1 he usurper did not find even this miserable assem bly entirely flexible to his will, and as the nation de - piscd them, Cromwell had no motive for retaining them. Ile had careful.y chosen many among them, who were entirely devoted to his interests, and. these lie commanded to dismiss the assembly. They accordingly met by consent earlier than the rest, and observing to each other that this parliament had sat long enough, they hastened to Cromwell, with Rouse their speaker at their head, and resigned their authority into the hands which had conferred it. Cromwell accepted their re signation with pleasure ; but being told that some of their number were refractory, he sent colonel White to clear the house of such as ventured to remain. They had placed one Moyer in the chair by the time that the colonel arrived, and lie being asked, by White, what they did there ? replied, " seeking the Lord." " Then you may go elsewhere," cried White, "for, to my know ledge, the Lord has not been here these many years." Cromwell was now declared the protector of the com monwealth of England, and instituted in his new office in the palace of the kings of England. He was address ed by the title of Highness : A council was appointed, which were not to exceed 21, nor to be under 13 per sons. They were to enjoy their offices for life, or dur ing good behaviour ; and, in case of a vacancy, the re maining members named three, of whom the protector chose one. The protector was appointed supreme ma gistrate of the commonwealth ; from him were all ma gistracy and honours derived ; he could pardon all crimes but murder or treason, and all forfeitures devolved to him. The right of peace, war, and alliance, rested in him ; but in making these, he was to act by the advice of his council. The power of the sword was vested in him jointly with the parliament ; and he was obliged to let a parliament sit, at least for five months, every three years. The bills of parliament were to pass as law, even if the protector did not give his assent to them after 20 days. A standing army of 20,000 foot and 10,000 horse were to be maintained, and in preventing their diminution alone, the protector was to have a negative. During the intervals of parliament, himself and his coun cil were to exercise a power of passing laws. To this contradictory constitution it is evident that Cromwell never needed to pay deference, as long as the army re mained at his disposal.