Scotland was governed by a council of state,-of which lord Broghill was president, appointed to reside in Scot land, subordinate to the protector and his English coun cil, and strictly responsible to the former. Of nine members, only two were Scotsmen. Its powers, which were more extensive than those of the privy council, comprehended the civil administration, the disposal of the revenue, and the nomination of inferior judges. The people, however, had no share or interest in the govern ment. To Barebones parliament only five Scotch mem bers were summoned ; and though by the instrument of government, which first declared Cromwell protector, 20 Scotch representatives were appointed, yet in suc ceeding parliaments the representatives were either English officers or temporizing Scotsmen, in whom the protector could confide.
Cromwell's military establishment in Scotland amount ed, during the insurrection of Middleton, to 18,000 men, but was reduced to 9,000, exclusive of some considerable garrisons. Twenty-eight garrisons were maintained in the forts and castles, but the principal forces were sta tioned at Leith, Ayr, Inverness, and Glasgow, where citadels were erected, and at Inverlochy castle, which overawed the Highlands. An annual land-tax of 120,000/. sterling was first imposed, but found intolerable, and reduced to 72.0001. In 1656, the Scottish customs amoun ted to 4,6371., and the excise to 34,313/. ; but they in creased in three years, by diligent collection, to 62,000/. sterling. The public revenue at Cromwell's death was 143,642/. ; the expenditure, civil and military, 286.458/. The annual balance, 142,8061., was remitted from Eng land—so far was Scotland from being a lucrative con quest. The decisions of Cromwell's judges in Scotland, of whom four out of seven were English, were long re membered as the purest and most vigorous dispensa.
ofjustice which the nation had enjoyed.
The administration of Ireland, which was entrusted to the fanatic Fleetwood, was more violent and severe. About five millions of acres, forfeited by the popish re bels or by the adherents of the king, were divided among Cromwell's soldiers, and partly among the adventurers, who had lent money to the parliament. Examples of a more sudden or violent change of property, are scarcely to be found in any history.
After establishing a government so much feared both at home and abroad, Cromwell thought he might now venture to meet the representatives of the people, and summoned another parliament. But though he tried
every art which his new model of representation allowed Lim, to have his creatures elected, it was only by set ting guards at the door of the house, and permitting none to enter who did not recognise his authority, that a ser vile majority could be procured. From these, indeed, on the motion of alderman Pack, after the suggestion of Jeplison, he received an offer of the crown, which it is well known he wished to have been pressed upon his scruples and timidity. But, independent of the ven geance of the army, and of Lambert, Harrison,and other general officers, whose dismission he meditated, he fear ed the enmity and alienation of many who were most devoted to him, if he should betray his ambition by this acc, ptance. Fleetwood, who had married his daughter, and Desbrowe, who had married his sister, threatened to abandon him if he assumed the crown. A mutiny in the army might be looked to as the consequence ; and assassination, it is said NV ;LS determinedly prepared for him. Alter a long and doubtful agony, Cromwell refus ed the crown, though solemnly tendered to hint.
The protectorship had been first sanctioned by what was caked an instrument of government. The present parliament new-modelled the constitution, by franung an humble petition and advice. By this deed, the powers of the protector were in some instances enlarged, in others diminished. Ile had the power of nominating his successor ; he had a perpetual revenue assigned to him; a million a year for the pay of the fleet and army ; 300,000/. for the civil government ; and he had authori ty to name another house, who should enjoy their seats during life, and exercise some functions of the former house of Peers. But he abandoned the power of fram ing laws with his council in the intervals of parliament. He was inaugurated anew, in Westminster Hall, in the most solemn manner.
The state of domestic affairs did not take off his at tention from those abroad. Ile supported an alliance which he had formed with Sweden, and joining with France against Spain, he sent 6000 men, under general Reynolds, to the continent, who did honour to the mili tary character of England. After the decisive victory of Dunes, Dunkirk was delivered to Cromwell, who put an English garrison into it.