itij.
em,
in».
tit
hey
)2i,
uh
raw
ied,
for
the
rer
at,
Id
;b-
his
2|>
!ed,
iilf
a*
of
are
ite
o:
■of
ear
■eJ
ith
sir
\6i
to the inclination as well as interefts of the C H a p»public. Could we fuppofe, that Charles , in his txV.alliance againft Holland , really meant the good IS7i -of his people, that meafure mu ft pafs for an ex-traordinary, nay, a romantic, ftrain of patriotifm*which could lead him, in fpite of all difficulties*and even in fpite of themfelves , to feek thewelfare of the nation. But every ftep, whichhe took in this affair, became a proof to all menof penetration, that the prefect war was intendedagainft the religion and liberties of his own fub-jecfts, even more than againft the Dutch them-felves. He now adted in every thing, as if hewere already an abfolute monarch , and wasnever more to lie under the controul of nationalalfemblies.
The long prorogations of parliament, if theyfreed the king from the importunate remonftrancesof that affembly , were however attended withthis inconvenience , that no money could beprocured to carry on the military preparationsagainft Holland. Under pretence of maintainingthe triple league, which, at that very time, hehad firmly refolved to break, Charles had ob-tained a large fupply from the commons; but thismoney was foon exhaufted by debts and expenfes*
France had ftipulated to pay two hundred thou-fand pounds a year during the war; but thatfupply was inconfiderable, compared to the im-menfe charge of the Englifii navy. It feemed asyet premature to venture on levying money *without confent of parliament; fince the poyyefVol. XI. M