2 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 1641. Aug. 10. The Root CHAPTER C. THE FORMATION OF PARTIES. As the first result of the King's departure the Root-and-Branch Bill was tacitly dropped. It was no time to rouse party feeling, and there was no hope that, even if the Bill could be got through the Lords, it would receive the and-Branch Royal assent. The energies of the Houses were directed to the provision of money, in order that both armies might be got rid of as soon as possible. It had been arranged that the Scots were to receive 80,000l. of the Brotherly Assistance immediately, and that on August 25 they should cross the Tweed. September 7 was set apart as a day of public thanksgiving for the conclusion of peace.2 Bill Parliament ary Com missioners to Parliament was anxious to keep the Scots in good humour. It was also anxious to keep a watch on the movements of the King. It was resolved that Parliamentary Commissioners should follow him to Scotland, nominally to see to the execution of the treaty, but in reality to see that Charles was not playing tricks. So suspardon put picious were the Commons that they took no notice of the King's offer to issue a general pardon. They were afraid lest it might be interpreted as shielding Finch and King. General aside. 'On the 12th there was an order to go into committee on it on the 16th, but it was not acted on. 2 C. F. ii. 253. Windebank, Percy and Jermyn, from the merited punishment which would fall on them if they returned to England. They rather determined to deter the officers in the North from joining the King in any fresh scheme of violence, by declaring Suckling, Percy, and Jermyn to have been guilty of treason." They again directed the preparation of the Remonstrance of the state of the Church and Kingdom. They would appeal to the people against the King. Nothing, however, was done in this direction for the present. Perhaps it was felt that the time needed more active measures. On the 13th Captain of Defence. 3 Aug. 13. Chudleigh, who had served as intermediary between Suckling and the troops in the first Army Plot, was examined at length, and deposed that he had been informed that a thousand horse were to be maintained by the clergy in support of the design. That such a plan should have been talked of in March was enough to increase the alarm of those who heard of it in August. On the 14th a committeeAugust 14. A Committee the Committee of Defence, as it was called-was appointed to direct the attention of the Lords to the state of the Tower and other fortresses, and to take into consideration what power will be fit to be placed, and in what persons, for commanding of the trained bands and ammunition of the kingdom.' The future Militia Bill was already foreshadowed in these terms of reference. Falkland and Culpepper sat on this committee by the side of Pym and the younger Vane. There was an Episcopalian party in the House, but there was no Royalist party as yet.1 Holland in 6 All ears were open for tidings from the North. Some weeks before, Holland had been appointed Lord the North. General in Northumberland's room, and had been sent down to Yorkshire to take measures for the disbandment of the army. It has been said that he was out of temper with 1 Giustinian to the Doge, Aug. 13, Ven. Transcripts. L. 7. iv. 365. 23' 2 Moore's Diary, Harl. MSS. cccclxxix. fol. 148 b. Bishop Hall denies that the clergy had any such project; but it does not follow that it was not suggested by Suckling or Jermyn.-Letter to W W. (E. 158). • C. J. ii. 257. |